(Radio Iowa) – Several health advocacy groups are raising concerns about cancer risks linked to a chemical that’s used to decaffeinate coffee, but a local expert says you can still likely trust that morning cup of joe. Michaela Eckstein, a registered dietician with Gundersen Health System, says a solvent is commonly used on coffee beans to wick out caffeine, and the F-D-A is being petitioned to ban the use of that chemical compound.

“Methylene chloride is in the same category as the sun in terms of being a possible carcinogen,” Eckstein says, “but with the rest of that process, the coffee beans are then rinsed and heated to a super-high temperature so the methylene chloride all evaporates off, in order to be approved by the FDA and end up on our grocery store shelves.” Coffee beans are typically roasted at 400-degrees, which is up to four times higher than the evaporation point of the chemical. Eckstein says only very small amounts of methylene chloride may remain in the beans, or fewer than ten drops for every ten gallons of coffee. Studies find drinking coffee can have a variety of health benefits, including weight management, preventing heart failure, and a lower risk of developing multiple cancers and chronic diseases. Still, Eckstein says moderation is key.

“If we’re drinking caffeinated coffee, usually I recommend less than two cups per day, otherwise we start becoming more at risk of that shaky, jittery feeling,” Eckstein says. “When it comes to the decaf coffee, there’s definitely health benefits up to that three cup per day mark, or about 24 ounces a day.” Iowans who love their decaf coffee don’t have to go without, she says, as that chemical can be avoided with a little effort.

“If we are concerned about that methylene chloride, there are other options readily available,” Eckstein says. “You could get solvent-free coffee, certified organic coffee, or decaf coffee that’s made with the Swiss water processing method as well, or try some of those other great decaf drinks, like herbal tea or sparkling water.” The F-D-A is being asked to ban or restrict the use of several chemicals in food preparation, including methylene chloride, as it’s been connected to causing cancer. Groups making the request include the Environmental Defense Fund, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Center for Environmental Health, and Environmental Working Group.

(Radio Iowa) – Two stranded kayakers were rescued Sunday afternoon in the Boone River near Webster City. The Webster City and Stratford Fire Departments along with Van Diest Medical Center EMS and the Hamilton County Sheriff and Conservation Departments responded to rescue the kayakers who were stuck on a log in the Boone River. The two were reported last seen around the Albright landing of the river between Webster City and Stratford. They were rescued by boat and safely made it to shore.

The two individuals were checked over with no injuries reported. It was reported that the river had risen up an additional six inches and was moving very rapidly.

ANKENY, Iowa — [KCCI-TV] – A juvenile was killed in a head-on collision near Cottonwood Recreation Area on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a two-vehicle crash was reported at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday near the 740 block of N.W. Fisher Lane. Each vehicle was occupied by two people. The occupants of the northbound vehicle — a driver and a juvenile passenger — were both transported to an area hospital, the driver in serious condition and the passenger in critical condition.

Authorities say the juvenile passenger died from their injuries after arriving at the hospital. The driver and passenger of the southbound vehicle were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released.

The crash remains under investigation. The names of the individuals involved and the status of the driver who was transported to the hospital have not been released at this time.

(Iowa News Service) – The U.S. Office for Civil Rights has issued a ruling ensuring that an Iowa man with disabilities is able to live in his home and receive round-the-clock medical care. Advocates for people with disabilities hope the move sets precedent for other people in Iowa and around the country.

When he was about five, Cedar Rapids resident Garret Frey suffered the same spinal cord injury that Superman star Christopher Reeve did in an equestrian accident.  Reeve lived for about a decade after his accident. Frey is closing on 40 years, and sued the state, claiming it violated his rights by failing to provide the 24-hour home-based support and services he needs to live at home, where he said people with disabilities want to be. “It is truly where most of us are happy, healthy,” said Frey, “and it’s most cost-effective.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agreed to raise the provider reimbursement rate for in-home caregivers, allow for respite services, expand the health-care provider base – and help secure overnight, in-home nursing care for Frey. HHS will monitor Iowa’s progress for a year. Frey said he wants this ruling to set precedent for other people with disabilities in Iowa and across the country.

Garrett Fry was honored with the Lifetime Advocacy Award from the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council in 2023 (Photo courtesy IDDC)

“It’s one baby step in the right direction,” said Frey, “because there are many other disability-related concerns and issues that are ongoing.”

The ruling requires Iowa Health and Human Services to work with federal officials to ensure Frey’s needs are met during that year, and report on their progress monthly.

(Radio Iowa) – State Climatologist Justin Glisan says most infrastructure — like levies and storm sewers — is not built for the type of torrential rain and flooding that’s occurring. “You look at 2019 with the ‘bomb cyclone’ and then the epic flooding along the Missouri River basin, all the Corps levies south of Council Bluffs were damaged or destroyed,” Glisan says. “Those have since been rebuilt.” And Glisan says urban infrastructure can’t keep up with high intensity rainfall.

“Instead of getting these historic quarter inch, half an inch over 24-48 hours, you’re getting an inch to three inches,” Glisan says. “Our systems can’t keep up with that type of behavior and we’re only seeing that behavior increase into the future.” Forecasts indicate there will be a 10 to 15 percent increase in precipitation in Iowa over the next 10 to 15 years — and Glisan says that will sadly lead to more flooding. As for the other severe weather that’s hit the state this spring, Glisan says mobile radars deployed during the Greenfield tornado may help improve forecasting tornadoes.

“The science that we’re going to get out of it I really think is going to move us forward in terms of advanced lead times,” Glisan says. “and even predicting these types of tornadoes further out.” As Radio Iowa reported last month, the preliminary data from the Greenfield tornado includes a measurement that wind speeds were 318 miles per hour at 160 feet above the ground. That means the Greenfield tornado was the second strongest tornado ever recorded. “It’s hard to fathom,” Glisan says.

Glisan made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.