Critics call United States today "harmful" - new French ban on the veil

PARIS - two women in Muslim face veil you were by the police Monday on the first day of a ban against face coverings that says France women demean covered and are extremist. Of Michel Euler, AP

Police drag away an unidentified disguised demonstrator in Paris on Monday.

Michel Euler, AP

Police drag away an unidentified disguised demonstrator in Paris on Monday.

The law prohibits the Niqab, which has only a slit for the eyes and the burqa, which has a mesh screen over the eyes and fines up to $125 for violations.Opponents say Muslims unfairly just for a decision of such as is to dress. "This law of the exception in France, a nation built on laws, harmful,", said Noura Jaballah, Coordinator of the chapter of the European forum for Muslim Women.Jaballah France said the law targets a minority who should have the right to personal freedom and freedom of choice.Samirah Akoumar, 20, a student at the Sorbonne, wore a hijab, the veil on the head, and carry a Quran used, to pray between classes."You said that while most see as a symbol of female oppression the burqa, the women wear to voluntarily do."Looking at the women in Paris, to ensure that many of them are converted and wear it as a symbol of their faith, the burqa ", she said."The law, approved September not specifically state that that be Muslim garb and contains exceptions for motorcycle helmets, welders, festival artists. A veil force people who wear women risk up to one year in prison and a fine of $41,000. French President Nicolas Sarkozy supported the law as a way for Muslim immigrants to be better in the French company incorporated. Unrest have tortured suburbs around Paris in recent years, since claim Muslims more job opportunities and compliance with the Islamic traditions and laws.France has 6 million Muslims, the largest population in Europe. In 2004, a law banning headscarves and crosses on public schools and Government buildings came into force. staged about a dozen people including three women wear Niqab veil, a protest against Notre Dame, said that the ban is an affront to the freedom of expression and religion. Paris police said two of the veiled women by the police for the participation in an unauthorized demonstration were taken away. They were later released after questioning. Homsy Faysal, 21, a student of public affairs at the Paris Institute of political studies, said that he supported the law. He said, the pads are not an obligation according to Muslim law, but Osama bin Laden being a belief of the Wahhabists in Saudi Arabia, which is the sect.He said that people who wear the full veil are the most radical kind of Muslims, "so it is good to remind them that we are in a Republic life.""Mohammad T, 41, a garbage man, do not agree"."For me, that there is a law on security as it is not so much about racism", he said.Visit our FAQ for more information about reprints & permissions. Report corrections and clarifications, contact standards editor Brent Jones. Send test in the newspaper for publishing to letters@usatoday.com comments. Include name, telephone number, city and State for the review. To view our corrections, go to Corrections.usatoday.com.We have updated the conversation guidelines. The moderation process and an explanation of the use that "report abuse button" contains a short review of changes. Read more.

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Food packaging ports harmful chemicals

Packaging of food is a major route of exposure for humans to two toxic chemicals: BPA and DEHP. Food especially fresh food and avoidance of cans and plastic containers can dramatically reduce these chemicals in our body the. A combination of shopping habits and legislation perhaps the most important aspect in the restrict human demands on the ubiquitous chemicals.

Plastic wrappers, cans of food and storage deposit at least two potentially harmful chemicals in our food tubs, a new study confirms. By cutting, container, people can dramatically reduce their exposures to these toxins.

The chemicals - Bisphenol A, or BPA, and a phthalate DEHP called - are known, hormonal systems in the bodies of animals and humans, what development and reproductive problems, as well as cancer, heart disease and brain to interfere with diseases. And displayed both in a variety of food packaging.

But people in the new study avoiding plastic and ate mostly fresh food for three days, the levels of these chemicals in their bodies of more than 50 percent, and sometimes much more.

"What this says is that food packaging really the main source of exposure to BPA and DEHP," Ruthann said Pack, a toxicologist at the Silent Spring Institute, a research and advocacy group in Newton, Massachusetts "the good news is that we have a evidence"", that people can make daily decisions about their kitchens and their diet if they want to reduce the exposure to these compounds."

These chemicals are in a variety of consumer products. DVDs, glasses and cash register delivery receipts can contain BPA. PVC toys, medical hoses and pipes can contain DEHP. Previous studies have also found materials in food and food packaging, including plastic, plastic containers and the epoxy lining of metal cans wraps.

To strengthen the connection of food packaging to human exposure, packs and colleagues of the diets of 20 Bay area changed families, each with two adults and two children. All households reported that that either they, water bottles, of polycarbonate they ate in restaurants, food in plastic containers microwave drank, ate food canned or frozen dinners or used plastic materials-the exposure to at least some chemicals concern would suggest.

During an eight-day study, researchers urine samples of participants took each night to proof of BPA and four types of phthalates are looking for.

For a few days at the beginning and end of the week are families with their normal diet. But for three days in the study, she ate only food that was prepared for them by a caterer in specific guidelines.

The majority of the food was fresh. Cans were not allowed. Food preparers with plastic utensils or non-stick cookware to avoid. Food and drink were containers at levels are low enough that the content not BPA-free lid touch in glass or stainless steel. Had even coffee in a French press or drip ceramics are made so that no plastic was involved in.

During the three-day intervention, average values of BPA in humans urine dropped 66 percent, which researchers report today in the journal environmental health perspectives. Measured high dropped to 75 percent. Averages of certain breakdown products has fallen fell by more than 50 percent and maximum measured level 95 percent for DEHP.

When saw the researchers of phthalates, which shows in places such as nail polish, fragrances and glue, but not in food packaging, they see no change at all during the students-what is suggesting that food packaging actually the most important source of exposure to BPA and DEHP.

The results are from recent work with higher levels of BPA in canned foods than in fresh versions, Arnold Schecter, public health physician at the University of Texas School of public health in Dallas, said that has pioneered a number of studies on chemicals in our food supply.

Scientists are concerned about the unknown and accumulative health effects of exposure to multiple toxic substances from many sources, added Schecter. Search for due to lower levels of all chemicals by lots is encouraging.

"her studies and us more or less show in the same direction with the conclusion is that we us a little likely to poison less we use eat are not stored in BPA-lined cans or phthalate-containing materials," said Schecter. "It seems to me the good news." "From the perspective of public health if we can reduce our levels of these chemicals is, that a good thing."

How the chemical loads on our body to limit can help food-related decisions, but it is virtually impossible to eliminate claims. Many food-processing procedures, including cow milking, use plastic drums and PVC hose.

This policy comes in, Pack said. Some countries have already banned BPA in cans and DEHP in food packaging. Such legislation may ultimately the only way, these chemicals out of our food and our body to keep.

"Because we can not be our way of the problem to shop really" said she, "I think it is very important efforts to replace these types of chemicals in food packaging with safer alternatives."

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