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Coordinated nationally by the Institute for Children's Environmental Health |
These bulletins are archived and searchable on the Partnership's website: http://www.partnersforchildren.org/bulletins.html To join the Partnership for Children's Health and the Environment (PCHE) and receive this bulletin, please complete the form on our website: http://www.partnersforchildren.org/members.html#member
Companion bulletins are available for more specific audiences:
While there is overlap with this bulletin, there are some events and announcements unique to those bulletins.
1) Elements of a successful program: A case study from the Boston Housing Authority
Wednesday February 11, 2009
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern time
Sponsor: Asthma Regional Council of New England, Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Housing Authority
Presented by tenant representatives and housing officials from the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), this webinar is the second in the three-part series, "Implementing an Effective Pest Control Program using Integrated Pest Management." This webinar will detail the process of planning, implementing and evaluating an IPM program in public housing facilities, and it will describe BHA's challenges and accomplishments in implementing IPM.
Price: unknown
Website: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/260795469
2) Energy and Water in the West: Priorities for a Healthy Washington
Wednesday February 11, 2009
Reception 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Seminar 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Post-seminar networking 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
Downstairs at Town Hall on Eighth and Seneca (1119 Eighth Avenue)
Sponsor: Sustainable Path Foundation, along with Antioch University Center for Creative Change, ShoreBank Pacific and the Sequoia Foundation
The series opens with a seminar that highlights a major dilemma as our nation seeks to reduce its reliance on oil: the burden placed on our limited water supplies through the development of many renewable energy sources. In the second part of this seminar, we will bring these issues home to Washington State, as we discuss environmental legislative priorities and what our state is doing now to meet the changing needs of our region. With Michael Hightower and Joan Crooks.
Price: $5-15; see the website
Website: http://sustainablepath.org/category/seminar-series/
Contact: 206-443-8464 or info@sustainablepath.org
3) Translating Superfund Basic Research Program Triumphs into Public Health Progress: Understanding and Implementing Effective Research Translation
Wednesday through Friday, February 11 - 13, 2009
New York, New York
at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
Sponsor: Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program, Superfund Basic Research Center, Columbia University
Since its inception in 1987, the SBRP has applied a multidisciplinary approach to basic research focused to provide a solid foundation which environmental managers and risk assessors can draw upon to make sound decisions related to Superfund and other hazardous waste sites.
Price: unknown
Website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sbrp/events/index.cfm
Contact: 919-794-4706
4) Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment Conference
Thursday February 12, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the Washington State Convention Center
Sponsor: University of Washington Climate Impacts Group
The conference will provide an opportunity to learn more about the results of the WACCIA assessment and to discuss implications for Washington's communities and ecosystems. Updates on global climate change science, resources for building adaptive capacity for climate change, and state-level actions to address climate change will also be discussed.
Price: $100 through January 30th, $135 thereafter
Website: http://cses.washington.edu/cig/outreach/waccia/#Home
Contact: Debra Bryant, 206-616-1902 or debryant@u.washington.edu
5) Human Health Risk Assessment Workshop: Practical Approaches to Estimating Risk and Developing Site-specific Cleanup Levels
Thursday and Friday, February 12 - 13, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Kirkland, Washington
at the Kirkland Computer Lab
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center
This class is hands-on, covering all the steps in a risk assessment. Emphasis will be placed on fate and transport modeling to estimate exposure point concentrations. RISC software will be used for classroom exercises, however the principles learned are readily applicable to other risk assessment software. Each participant will have their own computer workstation throughout the class.
Price: $895 ($845 reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members).
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/rem-402_02-09_kirkland.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
6) Growing in Place Symposium 2009
Friday February 20, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Raleigh, North Carolina
at Marbles Kids Museum
Sponsor: Natural Learning Initiative
The aim of the symposium is to stimulate discussion about how planners and designers can meet the challenge of enhancing the well being of urban families in North Carolina, across the nation and world. As cities grow and develop, opportunities to support family life in a healthy public realm should multiply. European design innovations such as "home zones" together with community participation processes and design guidelines will serve as triggers for discussions about how cities can grow in harmony with the needs of their citizens across the life span. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: unknown
Website: http://naturalearning.org/training/gip09/about.html
Contact: 919-515-8344 or robin_moore@ncsu.edu
7) Managing Toxic Risks for Global Health Symposium
Friday February 20, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Durham, North Carolina
Duke University
Sponsor: Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program, Superfund Basic Research Program and Duke Global Health Institute
This one-day symposium will examine the risks of chemical exposure and provide solutions for minimizing toxicity around the globe. Encompassing three vital themes common to us all -- clean air, pure water and safe food -- each segment will include a discussion of overall issues and current efforts to reduce toxic risk. The integration of scientific understanding of toxicological problems with international political processes and responses will serve to foster a comprehensive approach to successful management of toxic risks for global health.
Price: free
Website: http://www.globalhealth.duke.edu/toxicrisks/
Contact: 919-613-8078 or emarion@duke.edu
8) AMCHP Annual Conference
Saturday through Wednesday, February 21 - 25, 2009
Washington, DC
at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, NW
Sponsor: Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs
With a theme of "Launching Maternal and Child Health: Opportunities for a New Era", the conference will include tracks and presentations on perinatal health, children's mental health, health equity, preconception and other topics.
Price: see http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=628731
Website: http://www.amchp.org/Events/Pages/AMCHPAnnualConference.aspx
Contact: Helen Cedeno, 202-775-0436
9) Fundamental Contaminant Chemistry
Monday February 23, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Bellevue, Washington
at 1100 112th Ave NE, West Building Conference Room
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center
This course provides participants with an overview of key chemistry concepts associated with environmental contamination and provides a foundation for understanding contaminant transport and fate. This material is intended for environmental professionals who are not chemists, but who require a fundamental understanding of chemistry principles for their work. This course is recommended for all environmental professionals working with contaminated soil and water with minimal formal training in the subject. It is also recommended for project managers seeking a review of the subject.
Price: $250, or $195 reduced tuition available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members
Website: http://nwetc.org/chem-403a_02-09_bellevue.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1979 or info@nwetc.org
10) 20th National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Monday through Wednesday, February 23 - 25, 2009
National Harbor, Maryland
at the Gaylord National Convention Center
Sponsor: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Directors of Health Promotion and Education and Prevention Research Centers
Conference presenters will share relevant information on innovations in science, policy, community interventions, health marketing and information technology that support healthy lifestyles and cultivate healthy communities.
Price: see http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/conference/registration.htm
Website: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/conference/
Contact: chronicconf@cdc.gov
11) Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment of Nanomaterials Workshop
February 24 - 25, 2009
Bethesda, Maryland
at the Consumer Protection Safety Commission conference facility, 4330 East West Highway
Sponsor: The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO), on behalf of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee
An open forum to discuss the state of the art of the science related to environmental, health and safety aspects of engineered nanoscale materials in the area of human and environmental exposure assessment. The presentations, discussions and comments provided at this meeting will inform the NEHI Working Group's continuing adaptive management of the National Nanotechnology Initiative's environmental, health, and safety research strategy. Registration is required at http://www.nano.gov/html/meetings/exposure/registration.html and will close February 21, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Price: free
Website: http://www.nano.gov
Contact: Liesl Heeter, National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, exposure@nnco.nano.gov
12) 2009 National Environmental Public Health Tracking Conference
Tuesday through Thursday, February 24 - 26, 2009
Washington, DC
at the Fairmont
Sponsor: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The conference theme is "TRACKS2009: The Future of Environmental Public Health." The tracking program, with the tracking network as its cornerstone, is CDC's response to calls for better understanding of how the environment can affect people's health. Using information from the tracking network, federal, state and local agencies will be better prepared to develop and evaluate effective public health actions to prevent or control chronic and acute diseases that may be linked to hazards in the environment.
Price: $175 until December 1, 2008; $225 from December 2, 2008 through February 9, 2009, or $275 thereafter
Website: http://www.blsmeetings.net/cdctrackingconference/CO.cfm
Contact: see http://www.blsmeetings.net/cdctrackingconference/contact.cfm
13) Contemporary Issues at the Intersection of Public Health and Environmental Law
Friday February 27, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Carbondale, Illinois
at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Lesar Law Building
Sponsor: SIU Center for Health Law & Policy and SIU Law Journal
Since the 1970s environmental laws have been used to protect the public health from harmful pollutants in our air, water and soils. Today, however, some of our most pressing societal problems, including climate change and the obesity epidemic, require a new way of thinking about the interplay between public health and the environment. This conference will explore this important topic with discussions led by community advocates, private attorneys, legal scholars, scientists and government regulators. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: see the website
Contact: 618-453-3258
14) First Annual Minority Health in the Midwest Conference
Friday February 27, 2009
9:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Chicago, Illinois
at the University of Chicago
Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health
The conference theme is "Minority Health in a Global Community: Midwestern Perspectives on Health, Poverty, and the Environment." This conference will highlight the work of emerging scholars and researchers. Topics should reflect minority health in the Midwest. Abstracts are being accepted until December 26th.
Price: free
15) Chemical and Heavy Metal Toxicity Seminar
Friday through Sunday, February 27 - March 1, 2009
Seattle, Washington
Sponsor: Klinghardt Academy of Neurobiology
Chemical and heavy metal toxicity is at the core of many medical issues (cancer, neurological illnesses, fatigue, MS and others). This seminar focuses on solutions. What are the relevant diagnostic tests and safe, effective, reliable and affordable strategies to deal with the body burden of chemicals and metals? Please check the website below for more information.
Price: $675, $425 students
Website: http://www.klinghardtneurobiology.com/calendar.htm
Contact: Klinghardt Academy of Neurobiology, 303-499-4700
16) Remediation Technology Summit (REMTEC) 2009: The Future of Remediation Technology
Thursday through Monday, March 5 - 9, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia
Sponsor: Arcadis
This forum will draw leaders from academia and the regulatory community, site owners and environmental professionals. Speakers and attendees will join interactive sessions covering advances in remediation science and technology, new and prospective regulatory policies, and other critical issues affecting contaminated-site restoration.
Price: see the website below
Website: http://www.bnpevents.com/PE/RTS/index.htm
Contact: REMTEC, 888-530-6714
17) 5th European Mosquito Control Association Workshop
Monday through Friday, March 9 - 13, 2009
Turin, Italy
at Conference Hall, 23rd Corso Stati Uniti
Sponsor: EMCA
The focus of this meeting will be devoted to current issues of concern including the risk to public health due to the potential spread of Chikungunya and other vector-borne diseases in Europe. Other related themes including the impact of climate change, use of GIS/GPS in mosquito control operations and registration and use of biocides in Europe will provide a varied programme. Key presentations from well-established international experts also will promote the initiatives of young researchers, encouraging them to participate actively.
Price: see the website below
Website: http://www.zanzare.eu/main.php
Contact: +393358425941 or info@zanzare.eu
18) Healthy People 2009
Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10 - 11, 2009
Loma Linda, California
at the Wong Kerlee International Conference Center, Loma Linda University
Sponsor: Loma Linda University School of Public Health
The conference theme is "Lifestyle Strategies for Prevention and Intervention: Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes."
Price: see http://www.llu.edu/llu/sph/cpe/healthypeople/register.html
Website: http://www.llu.edu/llu/sph/cpe/healthypeople/
Contact: Venice Brown, 909-558-8382 vbrown@llu.edu
Online Calendar. All upcoming events extending are listed in a searchable calendar: http://www.iceh.org/cgi-bin/searchevents.cgi
Most of the articles below come from Environmental Health News, http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) resource. IPMopedia in the latest addition to the Toxipedia resource website. IPMopedia offers free and up-to-date integrated pest management advice direct from green gardening experts.
http://toxipedia.org/wiki/display/ipmopedia/IPM+Education+Project
National Healthy Schools Day. National Healthy Schools Day is a day to promote and celebrate healthy school environments that are conducive to learning and protect occupant health. This year's activities are scheduled for April 27th.
http://www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org/
Students in grades 4 to 12 invited to share ideas about climate change on new EPA blog. The blog will present a new topic each week. The website will also include other tools such as a carbon calculator for students to evaluate their energy use, and daily action steps. US Environmental Protection Agency.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/1D6F1750E647469B85257559005C67E3
Updated asthma guidelines for health-care providers. These guidelines are aimed at integrating environmental management of asthma into pediatric health care. National Environmental Education Foundation.
http://neefusa.org/health/asthma/asthmaguidelines.htm
International film competition. The International Network on Children's Health, Environment and Safety (INCHES) is launching an International Film Competition on Health and Environment. The competition, called "Focus on Children in a Healthy Environment" and centered on the themes "Climate" and "Environmental Health", will run until September 1, 2009 and is open to all nationalities and ages.
http://www.inchesnetwork.net/filmcompetition.html
New lead rule released. Beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. US Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
Fact sheet on melamine. The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units have published a new fact sheet titled "Melamine: Information for Pediatric Health Professionals."
http://aoec.org/PEHSU/documents/melamine_factsheet.pdf
Online tutorial offers help to governments, groups seeking Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) grants. Local governments and community groups eligible for funding from EPA's Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program are being alerted to a new online tutorial aid that offers help in completing their 2009 grant applications.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/C2FFB5DCF3C793CC8525755400691026
Growing Up Healthy in the Red River Valley Photovoice Exhibit. The aim of this photovoice project was to understand concerns women may have about pesticides (or other chemicals) used in their homes and communities.
http://redriverkids.blogspot.com/
Report: Girl, Disrupted. Girl, Disrupted: Hormone Disruptors and Women's Reproductive Health is a 35-page report that was written for nonscientists to explain what's known, what's suspected and what should be the focus of additional research regarding contaminants linked to conditions including early puberty, infertility, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast cancer and others.
http://www.healthandenvironment.org/articles/doc/5492
Regulating Emerging Technologies in Silicon Valley and Beyond. A report provides a case study of the regulatory landscape faced by Santa Clara County in the 1980s and traces the clear and alarming parallels to today's health and environmental regulations for nanotechnology. Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition.
http://www.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_nanotech
Toward a new U.S. chemicals policy: Rebuilding the foundation to advance new science, green chemistry and environmental health. Existing policies have produced a U.S. chemicals market in which the safety of chemicals for human health and the environment is undervalued relative to chemical function, price and performance. Environmental Health Perspectives.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0800404/abstract.html
Groups want lead out of lipstick. The US Food and Drug Administration has yet to release the results of its own testing for lead in lipstick, despite pressure from senators and repeated calls from health groups, officials of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported. United Press International.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/02/09/Groups_want_lead_out_of_lipstick/UPI-12721234224388/
State appeals ruling blocking mercury emissions rules. The state Department of Environmental Protection has appealed a Commonwealth Court ruling blocking the continued implementation of state regulations that would quickly reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pennsylvania.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09041/948002-454.stm
[Editor's note: See a related article about the Obama administration's efforts to strengthen rules on mercury: http://www.startribune.com/nation/39209087.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ, another about the EPA's decision not to fight a New Jersey rule: http://www.northjersey.com/environment/EPA_will_stop_fighting_NJ_on_tighter_mercury_pollution_controls.html and a third article about California's challenge to warnings about mercury in canned tuna: http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_11567805?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com ]
Mediterranean diet 'can protect from Alzheimer's.' Eating a Mediterranean diet can protect the brain against developing Alzheimer's and other memory problems, a new study suggests. London Daily Telegraph, England.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/4569592/Mediterranean-diet-can-protect-from-Alzheimers.html
Maryland may ban food additives linked to ADHD. Maryland is poised to become the first state in the nation to require food packaging to include warning labels if the product is made with certain food coloring additives that have been linked to ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Daily Green.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/food-colorings-47020907
Growth hormone could help reverse autism-like condition in girls. A hormone that promotes brain development could serve as a possible treatment for Rett syndrome, the most common form of autism-like symptoms in girls, new research claims. London Daily Telegraph, England.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/4570525/Growth-hormone-could-help-reverse-autism-like-condition-in-girls.html
Retailers face penalties for selling toxic toys. A federal law regulating toxic chemicals in children's products goes into effect Tuesday, putting pressure on retailers to clear the shelves of toys containing illegal amounts of lead and other toxic compounds. San Francisco Chronicle, California.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/09/BAP115NMEH.DTL
[Editor's note: Read related articles: http://www.syracuse.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/politics-6/123396774135000.xml&storylist=topstories, http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toys6-2009feb06,0,4793143.story and http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-consumer-lead31-2009jan31,0,309448.story ]
Ohio drops lead-paint suit as unwinnable. Ohio gave up its legal fight against lead-paint manufacturers Monday after Attorney General Richard Cordray concluded that the state wasn't likely to win the suit. Cincinnati Enquirer, Ohio.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090210/NEWS01/902100328/1055/NEWS
The dioxin debate. A group of one hundred organizations is calling on the government to release a twenty-year-old report on a toxic group of chemicals called dioxins. Environment Report, Michigan.
Monday, February 09, 2009.
http://www.glrc.org/story.php?story_id=4342
Toxic contamination starts at home: Study. When women from 120 middle-class homes learned their bodies contained low levels of toxic chemicals, most of them blamed chemical spills, waste dumping or secret military experiments. They were stunned to learn the truth was closer to home. Canwest News Service, Canada.
Monday, February 09, 2009.
http://www.canada.com/Health/story.html?id=980710
A new window into hormone-altering chemicals. A new interactive database, including a timeline showing how human fetuses develop, displays scientific data about controversial chemicals in a graphic way. Environmental Health News.
Monday, February 09, 2009.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/critical-windows
Marijuana testicular cancer link. The study of 369 men, published in the journal Cancer, found being a regular marijuana user doubled the risk compared to those who never smoked it. BBC.
Monday, February 09, 2009.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7869709.stm
Burning controversy. In these hard economic times, an increasing number of homeowners are installing outdoor wood boilers to heat their homes. In Maine, where wood is plentiful and burning wood is a tradition, smoke from the devices ignited a firestorm of controversy, pitting neighbor against neighbor. Living On Earth.
Sunday, February 08, 2009.
http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=09-P13-00006&segmentID=6
Biomonitoring facility could link chemicals to diseases. Biomonitoring involves sampling human fluids and tissues to find out the chemicals to which people been exposed and see if the levels fluctuate over time. The types of diseases the subjects develop is noted in hopes of matching certain chemicals and levels with health outcomes. Canwest News Service.
Saturday, February 07, 2009.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Health/Biomonitoring+facility+could+link+chemicals+diseases/1265778/story.html
State to test effect of firefighting foam on water, soil. Minnesota Department of Health will sample drinking water supplies at sites around the state where firefighting foams may have resulted in perfluorochemicals (PFCs) seeping into the ground. Fox 9 Minnesota News.
Saturday, February 07, 2009.
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/MPCA_MDH_Test_Firefighting_Foam_Water_Feb_6_2009
'Environmental justice' sought. A few lawmakers are making a determined effort to help Marylanders become better informed about industrial and other potentially undesirable projects proposed in their communities. Annapolis Capital, Maryland.
Saturday, February 07, 2009.
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/02_06-39/ENV
Does colloidal silver boost immunity or overall health? Considered potentially toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, silver enjoys a lustrous reputation in alternative health circles. Proponents believe that silver in its many forms can kill germs, boost the immune system and generally improve health. Los Angeles Times.
Saturday, February 07, 2009.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-skeptic9-2009feb09,0,2063918.story
State law limits truck idling to save fuel. Truckers who travel Pennsylvania's highways must comply with a new law that restricts heavy-duty diesel engines from idling more than five minutes per hour. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pennsylvania.
Saturday, February 07, 2009.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_610639.html
[Editor's note: Read a related article about Staten Island's decision to fine drivers idling engines near schools: http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1233233106129430.xml&coll=1 ]
Poison in teething drug kills 84 Nigerian children. At least 84 Nigerian children have died after ingesting teething medicine that contained a solvent typically found in antifreeze, the country's health minister said Friday. CNN.
Saturday, February 07, 2009.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/02/06/nigeria.poison/index.html
Children's Environmental Health: an underrecognised area in paediatric health care. The recognition that adverse environments can significantly and specifically affect the growth and development of a child from early intrauterine life through to adolescence, as well as impact their health later in adulthood, is relatively recent and has not fully reached health care providers involved in paediatric care.
Friday, February 06, 2009.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/9/10/abstract
Some workplaces may alter cancer risk. The occupation or industry in which one works may either increase or decrease risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, an immune system cancer often found in middle-aged adults. Reuters UK.
Friday, February 06, 2009.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNewsMolt/idUKTRE5146BQ20090205?sp=true
Dietetic association urges commitment to healthy lifestyle. The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position statement on weight management calling for people to make a "lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors" that includes the prevention of weight gain. The Downey Patriot, California.
Friday, February 06, 2009.
http://www.thedowneypatriot.net/view_full.php?article=0000049474
Sunlight could hold key to MS prevention. A new study of families through three generations has found a link between multiple sclerosis and insufficient exposure to sunlight and lack of vitamin D in pregnancy or childhood. The prevalence of MS is higher in countries further away from the equator. ABC News, Australia.
Friday, February 06, 2009.
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2008/s2484363.htm
Living near big power line may up Alzheimer's risk. Older people living within 50 meters of major power lines are at increased risk of dying from Alzheimer's disease or senile dementia, research from Switzerland shows. Reuters Health.
Friday, February 06, 2009.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/02/05/eline/links/20090205elin004.html
Is recycling coal fly ash at farms environmentally safe? Tons of coal fly ash -- the same substance that caused a massive emergency in Tennessee -- are recycled in soil, raising questions about buildup of arsenic and other toxic substances in food crops. Environmental Health News.
Friday, February 06, 2009.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/recycling-coal-waste-at-farms
Toddlers less able to detox arsenic than infants. As babies grow into toddlers, their ability to alter arsenic into less harmful forms changes, leaving them less able to get rid of the cancer-causing metal and perhaps, more susceptible to its effects. Environmental Health News.
Friday, February 06, 2009.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/toddlers-less-able-to-detox-arsenic
Children's illnesses from pollutants cost Mainers $380 million. A hefty $380.9 million -- that's the annual cost in Maine of childhood illnesses caused by exposure to toxic chemicals and other pollutants, according to a new report from a University of Maine researcher. Bangor Daily News, Maine.
Friday, February 06, 2009.
http://www.bangornews.com/detail/98887.html
Keep you, your unborn baby safe. Steer clear of these pregnancy no-no's to help keep you and your baby safe and healthy. Don't use chemicals. Products including herbicides, pesticides, paint, stains and some cleaning solutions may be harmful to your baby. Wilmington News Journal, Ohio.
Thursday, February 05, 2009.
http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?SectionID=45&SubSectionID=142&ArticleID=173285&TM=71335.35
Not just HFCS and peanut butter: Here are 10 other risky foods. As if we don't have enough to be worried about already. In the midst of food safety scares from salmonella in peanut butter and mercury in high fructose corn syrup, Sprig has produced a list of 10 other foods that can be dangerous. US News & World Report.
Thursday, February 05, 2009.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2009/02/04/not-just-hfcs-and-peanut-butter-here-are-10-other-dangerous-foods.html
[Editor's note: Read a related article about contaminated peanut butter going to schools and disaster victims: http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-salmonella-fema6-2009feb06,0,1907573.story ]
Study: hormone use doubles breast cancer risk. New evidence suggests that the decline in the use of hormone therapy may be tied to a dip in the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer. All Things Considered, NPR.
Thursday, February 05, 2009.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100255457
[Editor's note: Read a related article about a connection between exposure to chemicals [including phthalates and bisphenol A] in everyday products and breast cancer risk: http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=99790&catid=8 ]
6 surprising sources of air pollution in your home. The most widely quoted statistic about air quality is this: the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor air can be two- to five-times more polluted than the air outdoors. The Daily Green.
Thursday, February 05, 2009.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/indoor-air-pollution-47020404
Melamine in milk linked to kidney disease in children. A study of kidney disease risk in Chinese children who were exposed to milk contaminated with melamine shows that exposure to melamine-contaminated powdered formula increased the risk of urinary stones by up to sevenfold. Reuters Health.
Thursday, February 05, 2009.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/02/04/eline/links/20090204elin024.html
Child care goes 'green.' The Oregon Environmental Council endorses day-care providers who strive to reduce a wide range of environmental toxins -- such as pesticides and lead. Now the Oregon program, the first of its kind in the nation, is launching pilots in seven states. Salem Statesman Journal, Oregon.
Thursday, February 05, 2009.
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090205/NEWS/902050347/1001
Oakland port truck pollution burdens public health, study says. Air pollution from diesel trucks visiting the Port of Oakland places an economic burden on the Bay Area by increasing the risk of people getting sick; missing work, school and other activities; and even dying prematurely Contra Costa Times, California.
Thursday, February 05, 2009.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/traffic/ci_11629867?nclick_check=1
Study: Radiation levels high for cardiac CT scans. Patients are receiving the equivalent of 600 chest X-rays when they get CT scans for heart disease and not enough clinics are using known ways to reduce this exposure, researchers reported yesterday. Reuters.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/02/04/study_radiation_levels_high_for_cardiac_ct_scans/
Groups sue Pittsburgh company over chromium pollution. by New Jersey environmental regulators for chromium pollution was sued in federal court today by an environmental group and a community organization claiming a stalled clean-up at a former industrial site that poses health risks for people in Jersey City. Newark Star-Ledger, New Jersey.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/chromium_ppg_industries.html
Older autos source of flame retardants. Dust in used cars contains high levels of potentially toxic flame retardant chemicals, known as PBDEs, reports a study that measured them in older autos found at US dealerships. Environmental Health News.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/older-autos-flame-retardants/
Smoking in pregnancy cuts blood flow to the fetus. Smoking during pregnancy reduces blood flow to the developing fetus and, in turn, retards growth, new research suggests. Reuters Health.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/02/03/eline/links/20090203elin028.html
Mobile phone cancer link 'still uncertain.' Mobile telephone use is unlikely to cause cancer, although the effects of long term use, and on children, are still unknown, according to an EU study released on Tuesday. Agence France-Presse.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009.
http://www.theage.com.au/world/mobile-phone-cancer-link-still-uncertain-20090204-7x0h.html
Traffic-related air pollution shortens lifespan. People living close to highways, large roads or other sources of high levels of traffic-related air pollution die earlier than those farther away, finds a study conducted in Toronto, Ontario. Environmental Health News.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/traffic-related-air-pollution-shortens-lifespan/
Ottawa slaps toxic designation on chemicals used in shampoos, conditioners. The federal government is placing on its list of toxic substances two silicon-based chemicals widely used in shampoos and conditioners [D4 and D5], where they help give hair the silky, smooth feeling often played up in advertisements. Toronto Globe and Mail, Ontario.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090203.CHEMICALS03//TPStory/Environment
Green bulbs undergo safety testing. Yellowhead County will continue to hand out CFL light bulbs unless they are proven to be harmful by Health Canada. Health Canada is currently testing certain types of CFL bulbs following a British health warning that some of the bulbs can emit higher than normal UV radiation levels. Edson Leader, Canada.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009.
http://www.edsonleader.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1416246
Indonesia to ratify Stockholm Convention. After around nine years of delay, the government looks finally set to ratify an international convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants this month. The Stockholm Convention on POPs attempts to curb the production and use of hazardous chemicals and pesticides around the world. Jakarta Post, Indonesia
Tuesday, February 03, 2009.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/03/indonesia-ratify-stockholm-convention.html
Stimulant drugs cause cocaine-like brain changes. A common stimulant drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can cause brain changes in mice similar to those seen in cocaine addiction, U.S. researchers said on Monday. Reuters.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009.
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0247127820090202
Study links children's lead levels, SAT scores. Could a decades-long drop in the concentration of lead in children's blood help explain rising SAT scores? A Virginia economist who pored over years of national data says there's an "incredibly strong" correlation, which adds to a growing body of research on lead's harmful effects. USA Today.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-02-02-lead-SAT_N.htm
Heavy metals found in kids' face paints. Health Canada has found heavy metals in children's face paints exceeding the government's own proposed impurity limits, but can't take action because the standards aren't in place yet, internal documents show. Canwest News Service, Canada.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009.
http://www.vancouversun.com/Business/Heavy%20metals%20found%20kids%20face%20paints/1245378/story.html
Idaho lab develops arsenic removal technique. The Idaho National Laboratory has developed a technique for removing arsenic from water that is seven times more effective than anything currently available, Energy Department officials say. Associated Press.
Monday, February 02, 2009.
http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/745359.html
Public employees warn Obama about Dow dioxin cleanup deal. A watchdog group of government employees charged last week that a Michigan dioxin cleanup deal under negotiation between Dow Chemical and the U.S. EPA would set a precedent-setting abdication of public health protection to a polluter. Michigan Messenger, Michigan.
Monday, February 02, 2009.
http://michiganmessenger.com/12518/public-employees-warn-obama-about-dow-dioxin-cleanup-deal
Hoosier streams still have high levels of mercury. Levels of mercury remain high in several Indiana streams and rivers, despite years of effort to reduce the contaminant, which can cause neurological damage. Indianapolis Star, Indiana.
Monday, February 02, 2009.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090202/LOCAL18/902020350
Numerous items recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. High School Musical Manicure Kits are being recalled by Fantas-Eyes due to risk of lead exposure. JAKKS Pacific has recalled Spa Factory Aromatherapy kits because they could explode. Wheeling WTRF TV, West Virginia. Monday, February 02, 2009.
http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=51167
Thyroid hormone levels of pregnant Inuit women and their infants exposed to environmental contaminants. While this study provided little evidence that the environmental contaminants analysed in this study [PCB congener 153, HO-PCBs, PCP and HCB] affect thyroid hormone status in Inuit mothers and their infants, the possibility that PCP may
decrease thyroxine levels in neonates requires further investigation. Environmental Health Perspectives.
Sunday, February 01, 2009.
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0800219/abstract.html
Long-term traffic-related exposures and asthma onset in schoolchildren in Oslo, Norway. Investigators were not able to find positive associations of long-term traffic-related exposures with asthma onset or with current respiratory symptoms in 9- to 10-year-old children. Environmental Health Perspectives.
Sunday, February 01, 2009.
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/11491/abstract.html
Ask AP: Does road salt affect human, environmental health? Road-salt dust would fall into a larger category of air pollution known as particulate matter. That includes dust stirred up by highway traffic and released into the air by industries such as rock quarrying and gravel mining. Associated Press.
Sunday, February 01, 2009.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090130/LIFESTYLE14/901300435
Controlling radon lessens risk of lung cancer. Even before those Garth Elementary test results were made public, Gov. Steve Beshear had proclaimed January as Kentucky Radon Action Month, underscoring the importance of testing for radon exposure. Lexington Herald-Leader, Kentucky.
Sunday, February 01, 2009.
http://www.kentucky.com/148/story/679506.html
Parkinson's link to manganese. Manganese, a metal that is naturally present in the human body, may contribute to Parkinson's disease when defective genes interact to enhance its toxicity, according to a study published on Sunday. Agence France-Presse.
Sunday, February 01, 2009.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Tech%2Band%2BScience/Story/STIStory_332966.html
Petition calls for ban of popular herbicide. The New York-based Natural Resources Defense Council is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban the sale of 2,4-D, the common name for 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and products containing the herbicide. Florence Times Daily, Alabama.
Sunday, February 01, 2009.
http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090201/ARTICLES/902010346/1011/NEWS?Title=Petition_calls_for_ban_of_popular_herbicide
Fungicide maker in birth defect storm. The DuPont chemical linked with fish abnormalities and a possible cancer cluster on the Sunshine Coast has been at the centre of a storm over genetic defects in children born overseas. Brisbane Times, Australia.
Sunday, February 01, 2009.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/fungicide-maker-in-defect-storm/2009/02/01/1233423016011.html?s_rid=smh:top5
Retrofitting begins on diesel school buses. Thousands of diesel-powered school buses in the state are being retrofitted to reduce fumes that fill cabins. Bergen County Record, New Jersey.
Saturday, January 31, 2009.
http://www.northjersey.com/environment/38684992.html
Lead poisoning declines. Highland Park and Detroit's east side have the highest incidence of lead poisoning in the state, but prevention efforts are working -- resulting in a 35 percent reduction in child lead poisoning statewide since 2003, according a study released Friday. Detroit News, Michigan.
Saturday, January 31, 2009.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090131/METRO/901310379/1409/METRO
Birth defects soar due to pollution. Every 30 seconds, a baby is born with physical defects in China, thanks to the country's degrading environment, an official of the National Population and Family Planning Commission has said. China Daily.
Saturday, January 31, 2009.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-01/31/content_7433211.htm
Compact fluorescent light bulbs: Do energy savings outweigh mercury hazard? Many people are turning to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. But there is also a concern because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury. US Environmental Protection Agency.
Friday, January 30, 2009.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/00C07CCB32CF4FAB8525754D0073D8D1
Silent stalker: Household mold can cause damage to health and wallet. All mold's tiny spores need are water and food. Thousands grow naturally outside, but it's when they become house guests that these molds present problems for the structure and its inhabitants. Northern Virginia Daily.
Friday, January 30, 2009.
http://www.nvdaily.com/lifestyle/2009/01/silent-stalker-household-mold.html
Hair dyes not linked to multiple myeloma risk. Women who've used hair dyes, even for decades, do not seem to have an elevated risk of multiple myeloma, a cancer in which malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, a new U.S. study suggests. Reuters Health.
Friday, January 30, 2009.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/01/29/eline/links/20090129elin002.html
Quick, cheap test for mad cow. North American and German researchers announced a breakthrough on Friday toward a cheap, fast blood test for BSE, or so-called 'mad cow disease' in livestock. Agence France-Presse.
Friday, January 30, 2009.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20090130-118315.html
Home renovations by affluent families can unleash lead threat. Home renovations, repairs and painting can lead to elevated lead levels in children and are changing the dynamics of lead-poisoning risk among children, according to a new U.S. study. HealthDay News.
Friday, January 30, 2009.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/01/29/home-renovations-by-affluent-families-can-unleash.html
Chemicals 'may reduce fertility.' Perfluorinated chemicals [including PFOA and PFOS] commonly found in food packaging, upholstery and carpets may be damaging women's fertility, say US scientists. BBC.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7855323.stm
PFOA slows breast development in mice exposed via mom. Breast gland development is delayed in mice that were exposed for only a short time through their mothers -- during late pregnancy or while nursing -- to a now widely used chemical found in nonstick cookware and food packaging. Environmental Health News.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/pfoa-impairs-breast-development-in-mice/
Analysis finds toxins high in contained ash spill. High levels of arsenic and elevated levels of radioactive radium have been found in the sludge released in a massive coal ash spill at a Tennessee power plant, Duke University scientists reported Wednesday. Associated Press.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://www.fayobserver.com/article_ap?id=139464
Canada first country to ask companies to report use of nanomaterials. Canada is poised to become the first government to require companies to provide information about their use of potentially harmful nanomaterials in products. Canadian Press.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1409797
Nonprofit group addresses pollutants with residents. Residents from across the cape region met with members of the Citizens for Clean Power this week to address environmental and public health concerns in the First State relating to air and water pollutants. Salisbury Daily Times, Maryland.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090129/DCP01/901290356
Study finds moms share phthalates with their babies. Researchers in Taiwan find that phthalates can pass from pregnant women to their unborn babies and affect reproductive development in their daughters. Environmental Health News.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/phthalates-in-moms-and-babies/
Warnings Botox can cause birth defects. Botox can cause birth defects, women contemplating the anti-wrinkle treatment have been warned. The Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia (CPSA) on Tuesday urged its members to stick to national guidelines for the use of Botox. Australian Associated Press.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lifeandstyle/lifematters/warnings-botox-can-cause-birth-defects/2009/01/27/1232818427668.html
Cured meats tied to childhood leukemia risk. Children who regularly eat cured meats like bacon and hot dogs may have a heightened risk of leukemia, while vegetables and soy products may help protect against cancer, a new study suggests. Reuters Health.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/01/28/eline/links/20090128elin003.html
Water-cleanup experiment caused lead poisoning. Lead concentrations spiked in many children living in the nation's capital after the local water authority altered the treatment used to disinfect drinking water. Science News.
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/40275/title/Water-cleanup_experiment_caused_lead_poisoning
Bisphenol A data in NHANES suggest longer than expected half-life, substantial non-food exposure, or both. This study investigated the relationship between urine BPA concentration and fasting time in a population-based sample. Overall, BPA levels did not decline rapidly with fasting time in this sample. Environmental Health Perspectives.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0800376/abstract.html
Residential exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides and risk of childhood leukemia. Study findings suggest that PCBs, which are considered probable human carcinogens and cause perturbations of the immune system, may represent a previously unrecognized risk factor for childhood leukemia. Environmental Health Perspectives.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0900583/abstract.html
Pollutants remain in Americans' blood despite bans. Researchers have found that levels of some of the most troublesome contaminants for human health are lower than in previous years but persist in most Americans' blood, even decades after being banned. Environmental Science & Technology.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es803694d?cookieSet=1
C8 study finds tie to high blood pressure. A huge health study that focuses on a chemical that DuPont uses to make Teflon has found a link to high blood pressure. Columbus Dispatch, Ohio.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/01/28/C8study.ART_ART_01-28-09_B3_2NCNA6H.html?sid=101
GE loses to EPA in ruling on river dredging. Environmentalists are heralding a federal court decision rejecting General Electric Co.'s challenge of a federal Superfund law requiring it to clean up polluted sites, including a much-anticipated one along the Hudson River. Lower Hudson Valley Journal News, New York.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://www.lohud.com/article/2008901280361
MPCA issues air quality alert. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued a health advisory for the southern two-thirds of Minnesota. Rochester Post-Bulletin, Minnesota.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=382273
Environmental contaminants may help beat breast cancer: SFU researcher. A Simon Fraser University researcher has found that ubiquitous environmental contaminants such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can play a role in beating breast cancer. Vancouver Sun, Canada.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Environmental%20contaminants%20help%20beat%20breast%20cancer%20researcher/1223573/story.html
It's closer to you than you think. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) somehow affect every person's life in the United States, maintains Jody Allen Crowe, an educator who's become an expert on the subject. Crookston Daily Times, Minnesota.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://www.crookstontimes.com/news/x1722733640/It-s-closer-to-you-than-you-think
Chickenpox vaccine not tied to strokes in kids. Unlike chickenpox itself, the vaccine against chickenpox does not increase the risk of stroke or brain inflammation in children, according to a large US study. Reuters Health.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/01/27/eline/links/20090127elin024.html
Higher asthma rates linked to fast food. The team found that while breastfed children have a lower risk of asthma -- confirming what others have found -- that protective effect vanishes if they eat fast food more than once or twice a week. Canwest News Service, Canada.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Higher%20asthma%20rates%20linked%20fast%20food/1223838/story.html
Peanut processor knowingly sold tainted products. The Georgia peanut plant linked to a salmonella outbreak that has killed eight people and sickened 500 more across the country knowingly shipped out contaminated peanut butter 12 times in the past two years, federal officials said yesterday. Washington Post.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/27/AR2009012702992.html
[Editor's note: read a related article about how the recall depended on company approval: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/health/policy/03peanut.html?_r=1 ]
