Page 28 - ARUBA TODAY

A28 SCIENCE
Friday 25 May 2018
Experts: 'Alarming' drought conditions hit US Southwest

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRY- of the region already in
AN drought," he said. "So that's
Associated Press alarming to say the least."
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Portions of the four states
Rivers and watering holes are seeing near-record to
are drying up, popular record dryness. Fuchs ex-
mountain recreation spots plained that some spots
are closing and water re- have missed out over the
strictions are in full swing as last two years on more than
a persistent drought inten- 12 inches (30 centimeters)
sifies its grip on pockets of of precipitation — which
the American Southwest. can add up to as much as
Climatologists and other a year's worth of rain under
experts on Wednesday normal conditions.
provided an update on the Warmer-than-average
situation in the Four Cor- temperatures haven't
ners region — where Ari- helped as the soil dries out
zona, New Mexico, Colo- and water demands in-
rado and Utah meet. They creases.
say the area is among the With the region's resources
hardest hit and there's little strained, a top federal of-
relief expected, and even ficial has resumed pressure
robust summer rains might on states in the Southwest
not be enough to replen- to wrap up long-delayed
ish the soil and ease the fire emergency plans for po-
danger. tential shortages on the
The region is dealing with FILE - In this July 25, 2017, file photo, rafters float down the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. Riv- Colorado River, which
exceptional drought — the ers are drying up, popular mountain recreation spots are closing and water restrictions are in full serves 40 million people in
worst category. That has swing as a persistent drought intensifies its grip on pockets of the American Southwest. the U.S. and Mexico.
left farmers, ranchers and "We face an overwhelming
water planners bracing for els of dryness. become more aware and much relief through last risk on the system, and the
a much different situation Brian Fuchs, a climatologist more concerned. summer or into the winter time for action is now," Bu-
than just a year ago when with the National Drought "We've been on this pat- months and here we are reau of Reclamation Com-
only a fraction of the region Mitigation Center in Ne- tern where conditions have going into the summer of missioner Brenda Burman
was experiencing low lev- braska, said people are dried out, we haven't seen 2018 with over two-thirds said Tuesday. q

FDA warns teething medicines

unsafe, wants them off shelves

ent and asked manufac- statement. a rare blood condition
turers to stop selling their One major manufacturer, linked to potentially deadly
products intended for ba- Church and Dwight Co. breathing problems. The
bies and toddlers. Inc., said Wednesday it pain-relieving ingredient
The Food and Drug Admin- would discontinue its four can interfere with an oxy-
istration said that various Orajel teething brands, in- gen-carrying protein in the
gels and creams contain- cluding Baby Orajel and blood. Symptoms include
ing the drug benzocaine Orajel Medicated Teething shortness of breath, head-
can cause rare but deadly Swabs. ache and rapid heart rate.
side effects in children, es- The FDA said it will take le- The American Academy
pecially those 2 years and gal action against other of Pediatrics does not rec-
Orajel is displayed for sale in a pharmacy in New York Wednes- younger. companies that don't vol- ommend teething creams
day, May 23, 2018.
The agency has been warn- untarily comply as soon as because they usually wash
By MATTHEW PERRONE parents Wednesday about ing about the products for possible. out of the baby's mouth
Associated Press the dangers of teething a decade but said reports Benzocaine is also used in within minutes. Instead, the
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fed- remedies that contain a of illnesses and deaths popular over-the-counter group recommends giving
eral health officials warned popular numbing ingredi- have continued. Now, it products for toothaches babies teething rings or sim-
wants teething products and cold sores in adults, ply massaging their gums to
off the market, noting there including Orajel and Anbe- relieve pain. The FDA issued
is little evidence they actu- sol and generic drugstore warnings about the teeth-
ally work. brands. Products for adults ing products in 2006, 2011
"We urge parents, caregiv- can remain on the market and 2014, but it did not call
ers and retailers who sell but the FDA wants com- for their removal from the
them to heed our warnings panies to add new warn- market. Officials reviewed
and not use over-the-coun- ings. Church and Dwight 119 cases of the blood dis-
ter products containing will continue to sell its other order linked to benzocaine
benzocaine for teething Orajel products, the com- between 2009 and 2017,
pain," said FDA Commis- pany said in a statement. including four deaths, ac-
sioner Scott Gottlieb, in a Benzocaine can cause cording to the FDA.q