Yesterday afternoon traffic came to a standstill when a tanker truck which was carrying flammable liquids caught fire and exploded on the Metropolitan (west-bound), near Lajeuness. It took over 100 firefighters to control the fire, and mostly using foam to distinguish it. Depending on the extent of the damage which was caused by the fire, this will depend how long the overpass will remain closed to the public. Witnesses from the scene said at least 4 other vehicles had been involved in the accident.

Because of the accident, many of the side streets were a nightmare as motorists tried to find alternate routes to get to their destinations.  The Surete de Quebec has confirmed that the man who died was the truck driver and he was in his 40’s.  In the city of Chambly which happens to be about 30 kilometers away, black smoke could be seen rising into the Montreal sky..

This recall involves BOKA pacifiers made of maple wood with nipples made of silicone or latex (sizes 0–6 months and 6–18 months) that were sold from April 2015 to July 2016.

This recall involves only pacifiers sold at the Montreal Parents and Kids Fair in April 2015 and those sold at retail between April 2015 and July 2016 and that do not have the BOKA trademark engraved on the guard 

This recall also involves all pacifiers sold online between April 2015 and June 2016, including some that may have the BOKA trademark engraved on the guard.  Only personalized pacifiers where a child’s first name has been engraved on the guard are excluded from this recall.

Hazard identified

The knob handle on the pacifier can detach from the guard, posing a choking hazard for young children.

Health Canada and Les Produits Arboréka Inc. have received three reports of incidents in Canada where the knob handle detached from the guard. No injuries were reported.

Number sold

Approximately 6,000 pacifiers were sold in Canada.

Time period sold

The recalled pacifiers were sold from April 2015 to July 2016.

Place of origin

Manufactured in Canada.

(SOURCE: Government of Canada)

Health Canada is advising Canadians that Pharmascience Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of pms-Atenolol 100 mg, used to treat cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), due to a labelling error. The lot contains foil blister packs incorrectly labelled as pms-Atenolol 50 mg with the wrong Drug Identification Number (DIN). The information on the outer package is correct.

The labelling error could result in a patient taking a double dose of the product. This could result in excessively low blood pressure and decreased heart rate, particularly in elderly patients and patients with impaired kidney function, which may cause dizziness, fainting and falling. Other symptoms could include drowsiness, tiredness, nausea and diarrhea.

Products affected

pms-Atenolol  100 mg (Lot: 495259) expiry May 31, 2017

What you should do

• Users who have in their possession the impacted lot should return the product to their pharmacist.
• Consult with your doctor if you have used this product and have health concerns, or if you have taken a double dose and are feeling unwell.
• Report any adverse  incidents to Health Canada.

  (SOURCE: Government of Canada)

Health Canada is advising Canadians not to use an additional Personnelle sunscreen lotion (see below) because of microbial contamination. The affected sunscreen lotions were sold at Jean Coutu retail locations.

The sunscreen lotions were found to contain Lactobacillus brevis and Micrococcus luteus. Although Lactobacillus brevis does not cause any illness in humans, Micrococcus luteus may cause various infections including skin infections and occasionally serious problems, such as meningitis, septic shock (dangerously low blood pressure in response to an infection), septic arthritis (infection in a joint usually caused by bacteria), pneumonia endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart valves most often caused by infection), or sepsis (a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection). The risk may be higher for children and individuals with a weakened immune system.

Consumers should check to see if they have purchased either of the affected sunscreen lotions as the products should not be used.

The company, Empack Spraytech Inc., has initiated a voluntary recall of the additional product. The Department will monitor the recall and inform Canadians if new safety information arises.

Consumers should consult their health-care practitioner with any questions or concerns regarding the use of these sunscreen products.

(SOURCE: Government of Canada)

This recall involves the Swagway X1 Hands-Free Smart board brand of self-balancing scooters, also known as hover boards.

Hoverboards have two wheels at either end of a platform and are powered by lithium-ion battery packs. The Swagway brand X1 hoverboard has the word “Swagway” on the front of the hoverboard and comes in gold, black, white, blue, green, red or pink colours.

Hoverboards that have a silver sticker on the bottom with serial numbers 000001-008000 or a white sticker with serial number 020001 or higher are not included in this recall.

Hazard identified

The lithium-ion battery in the hoverboard can overheat, posing a potential burn and fire hazard.

Neither Health Canada nor Swagway LLC has received any reports of consumer incidents or injuries related to the use of this product in Canada.

In the United States, there have been 42 reports of the battery packs smoking, catching fire and/or exploding, including 16 reports of injuries, such as burns to the neck, leg and arm, or severe property damage.

Number sold

Approximately 5,000 hoverboards were sold in Canada and approximately 267, 000 were sold in the United States.

Time period sold

The recalled hoverboards were sold from September 2015 to July 2016 online and at various stores.

Place of origin

Manufactured in China.

(SOURCE: Government of Canada)

Sylvie Roy who was a Canadian politician in Quebec and a Member of the National Assembly for the electoral district of Arthabaska – has died.  She was 51.  The exact cause of Roy’s death has not been announced but she had been hospitalized at the beginning of July following what her office calls “a serious illness.”  She was unable to recover from medical condition and so she passed away on Sunday afternoon at the Enfant-Jesus hospital in Quebec City.