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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
Thursday June 5, 2008
12:30 - 1:20 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Room T-435
Sponsor: University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Speaker Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD, MPH, is the acting assistant professor of the Division of General Pediatrics.
Price: unknown
Website: http://depts.washington.edu/envh580/
Contact: Sarah Fischer, fischs@u.washington.edu
Sunday through Thursday, June 8 - 12, 2008
Denver, Colorado
Sponsor: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
The conference theme is "Public Health Epidemiologists: Adapting to a Changing World." The conference will include public health epidemiologists who self-identify as infectious disease, chronic disease, maternal and child health, environmental, occupational, injury and general epidemiologists.
Price: see http://www.cste.org/annualconference/reg/registration.asp
Website: http://www.cste.org/annualconference/
Contact: Shundra Clinton, 770-458-3811 or sclinton@cste.org
as part of the 2008 Northwest Hazardous Materials Management Conference
Monday June 9, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Troutdale, Oregon
at McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey Street
Sponsor: North American Hazardous Materials Managers Association, NW Chapter
State and local governments, green business representatives, regional chemical policy and management experts, toxics reduction advocates and interested citizens will come together in a day of presentation and discussion. Mark Schapiro, editorial director for the Center for Investigative Reporting and author of the recent book Exposed, will keynote. The Chemical Policy Forum is part of the North American Hazardous Materials Managers Association, NW Chapter, Conference June 9 to 12, 2008. Register at the NAHMMA website as listed below for the forum or for the full conference that includes the forum. Forum registration without lunch is available on the day of the event.
Price: forum is $15 includes lunch; entire conference is $145 for members, $195 for nonmembers
Website: (forum) http://www.nahmma.org
(conference) http://www.nahmma.org/cde.cfm?event=210842
Contact: (forum) Lisa Heigh, 503-797-1611 or lisa.heigh@oregonmetro.gov or
(conference) North American Hazardous Materials Management Association, 877-292-1403 or nahmma@imigroup.org
Monday through Wednesday, June 9 - 11, 2008
San Jose, Costa Rica
at the Ramada Plaza Herradura
Sponsor: The Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances, Universidad Nacional (IRET-UNA) and International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH)
The conference theme is "Multiple Exposures, Multiple Effects" and will include presentations on cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, reproductive disorders, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases and more.
Price: see http://www.epicoh-neureoh2008.com/index.php?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=3&pid=4
Website: http://www.epicoh-neureoh2008.com/index.php
Contact: Jennifer Crowe, 506-853-5957 or info@epicoh-neureoh2008.com
Tuesday June 10, 2008
1:00 p.m. Eastern time
Sponsor: Clinical Directors Network, Inc.
The presenter will be Mike Rowland, MD, of the Maine Migrant Health Program.
Price: unknown
Website: http://www.cdnetwork.org/NewCDN/LibrarySearch.aspx?more=upcoming
Contact: eLearning, 212-382-0699 x231 or eLearning@cdnetwork.org
Wednesday through Friday, June 11 - 13, 2008
San Jose, Costa Rica
at the Ramada Plaza Herradura
Sponsor: The Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances, Universidad Nacional (IRET-UNA) and International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH)
The conference theme is "Multiple Exposures, Multiple Effects" and will include presentations on neurotoxic disorders in children, fetal origins, neurotoxic disorders in adults, neurobehavioral changes by different neurotoxic agents and more.
Price: see http://www.epicoh-neureoh2008.com/index.php?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=3&pid=4
Website: http://www.epicoh-neureoh2008.com/index.php
Contact: Jennifer Crowe, 506-853-5957 or info@epicoh-neureoh2008.com
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 17 - 18, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sacramento, California
at California State University Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Solano Hall, Room 2001
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)
This course is the first part of a two-part series and is designed for participants who wish to gain beginning to intermediate skills in designing, implementing and testing Microsoft Access relational database applications. This comprehensive class using Access 2003 covers in depth the table, query, form, report, page and macro objects and how to use them through extensive hands-on exercises. These database subjects are taught using real-world examples with actual field data. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $495, $395 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/comp-401_06-08_sacramento.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Tuesday through Thursday, June 17 - 19, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Las Vegas, Nevada
at the Palace Station Hotel and Conference Center, 2411 West Sahara Avenue
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)
This course provides an overview that will cover the basic terms, concepts and logic that underlie modern scientific sampling. Much of the class will be devoted to the understanding of how to apply the basic concepts of probability to sampling problems and how to use probability to measure the effectiveness of the sampling process. We will discuss the difference between purposive and random sampling and discuss why random sampling (and its many variations) is so frequently used in manufacturing, science and government. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $595, $495 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/stat-403_06-08_las_vegas.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Thursday June 19, 2008
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Portland, Oregon
at the Doubletree Hotel-Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah
Sponsor: Oregon Environmental Council
Have you ever wondered what happens to those pharmaceuticals that you flush down the toilet? What about the hospitals and nursing homes that do the same, or the effect of the effluent that streams from the plants that manufacture them? Ilene Ruhoy, MD, will discuss how prescription drugs enter the environment, the potential consequences of their presence in the environment, and how these pollutants affect us as well as fish and other species.
Price: $35, $25 for members and nonprofit or governmental agency employees
Website: http://www.oeconline.org/events
Contact: Oregon Environmental Council, 503-222-1963 or info@oeconline.org
Thursday, June 19, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sacramento, California
at California State University Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Solano Hall, Room 2001
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)
This is the second part of the Managing Data with Microsoft Access for Professionals training class. In the introductory class, the students learned the basic elements of database design and implementation. Now they build on and deepen those skills while being introduced to more advanced Access topics such as PivotCharts, PivotTables, Data Access Pages and SQL. This second class is highly recommended to complete the comprehensive Access training series. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $250, $195 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/comp-402_06-08_sacramento.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Thursday and Friday, June 19 - 20, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bellingham, Washington
Emerald Bay at the Bellingham Yacht Club, 2625 South Harbor Loop Drive
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center
This introductory course provides participants with an understanding of the foundations of aquatic toxicology and how these concepts are applied to managing pollutants in aquatic environments. The course covers terminology, common test designs and endpoints such as lethality, cancer and endocrine disruption. Important legacy and emerging pollutants of concern such as heavy metals, organic pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, pharmaceuticals and personal care products will also be presented. Continuing education units are available.
Price: $495, $395 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify.
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/etox-410_06-08_bellingham.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Saturday June 21, 2008
Tucson, Arizona
at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 10000 North Oracle Road
Sponsor: National Center for Environmental Health, Environmental Health Services Branch and National Environmental Health Association
This is a one-day interactive workshop combining presentations and small-group exercises to provide attendees with knowledge and tools to explore, respond to, intervene upon and communicate about mold and moisture.
Price: free
Website: http://www.neha.org/training/index.html
Contact: National Environmental Health Association, 303-756-9090 or staff@neha.org
Saturday June 21, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tucson, Arizona
at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 10000 North Oracle Road
Sponsor: National Center for Environmental Health, Environmental Health Services Branch and National Environmental Health Association
Environmental health managers from state, tribal and local environmental health programs are invited to participate in this workshop. By the end of the one-day, interactive workshop, participants will have developed an action plan to improve the capacity of their programs to perform the essential services of environmental public health as measured by the Environmental Public Health Performance Standards (EnvPHPS).
Price: free
Website: http://www.neha.org/pdf/AEC/2008/EnvPHPS_Information_Form.pdf
Contact: Kristen Kuhar, 303-756-9090 x 341 or kkuhar@neha.org
Sunday through Wednesday, June 22 - 25, 2008
Tucson, Arizona
Sponsor: National Environmental Health Association
A description of the event will be posted at the website below.
Price: unknown
Website: http://www.neha.org/AEC/2007/index.html
Contact: 303-756-9090 or staff@neha.org
Monday June 23, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Austin, Texas
at the Hilton Garden Inn, 500 North IH-35
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)
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. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $250, $195 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/chem-403a_06-08_austin.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Monday and Tuesday, June 23 - 24, 2008
Chicago, Illinois
at the Hyatt Regency Chicago
Sponsor: Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research
The objective of the society is to foster pediatric and perinatal epidemiologic research. This research includes the study of any factors that influence maternal health and the health and development of children, from conception through adolescence. The work presented at Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research's annual meeting represents the cutting edge of research in pediatric and perinatal epidemiology.
Price: unknown
Website: http://www.sper.org/Annual_Meeting.htm
Contact: Marcia Feldkamp, 801-257-0566 x 203 or Marcia.feldkamp@hsc.utah.edu
Tuesday through Friday, June 23 - 27, 2008
Chicago, Illinois
at the Hyatt Regency Chicago
Sponsor: Society for Epidemiologic Research
The Society for Epidemiologic Research was established in 1968 as a forum for sharing the latest in epidemiologic research. The Society for Epidemiologic Research is committed to keeping epidemiologists at the vanguard of scientific developments. The topics for this meeting could include 1) climate change and human health: risks and responses; 2) unequal racial/ethnic distribution of breast cancer subtypes: identifying mechanisms by which adverse social environments may modulate genetic vulnerabilities; 3) social and environmental determinants of diabetes: what we can learn from national to community level data; and more.
Price: see http://www.epiresearch.org/meeting/reginfo.html
Website: http://www.epiresearch.org/meeting/index.html
Contact: Jacqueline Brakey, 801-525-0231 or membership@epiresearch.org
Monday through Friday, June 23 - 27, 2008
Billings, Montana
at the Holiday Inn Conference Center
Sponsor: Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council and the US Environmental Protection Agency
The conference will provide the opportunity for dialog, sharing and learning about tribal environmental management issues, challenges and concerns. Presenters will share valued knowledge and experiences of environmental management of air, water, brownfields, solid waste, pesticides and other EPA-sponsored programs and related projects. Also attending will be environmental advocates and celebrities supporting the restoration and protection of the environment and human health on Indian Reservations.
Price: $175
Website: http://www.ntcem8.org/index.html
Contact: Karla Two Two, 406-252-2550
Wednesday through Saturday, June 25 - 28, 2008
Los Angeles, California
at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars
Sponsor: National Assembly on School-based Health Care (NASBHC)
This convention will focus on taking action against health inequities. Conference tracks include mental health, primary care, evaluation and quality, operations and administration, policy and advocacy, youth and community engagement, and leadership in adolescent and child health.
Website: http://www.nasbhc.org/site/c.jsJPKWPFJrH/b.2708163/
Contact: National Assembly on School-based Health Care, 202-638-5872 or info@nasbhc.org
Saturday through Wednesday, June 28 - July 2, 2008
Monterey, California
at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, 1 Old Golf Course Road
Sponsor: Program Committee of the Teratology Society, Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) and Neurobehavioral Teratology Society (NBTS). See http://teratology.org/meetings/2008/sponsors.asp for a complete list.
The 2008 scientific program covers important issues in birth defects research and education, ranging from the latest findings in basic research on embryonic and fetal hypoxia to hot topics in nutrition and food safety as they relate to normal and abnormal fetal and child development.
Price: see http://www.teratology.org/meetings/2008/registration_information.asp
Website: http://teratology.org/meetings/2008/index.asp
Contact: Teratology Society, 703-438-3113
Online Calendar. Upcoming events extending more than one month in the future 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/
New Members. The Partnership for Children's Health and the Environment welcomes these new members:
For a searchable database with a wealth of information about PCHE members, please visit the PCHE website: http://www.partnersforchildren.org/members.html
Job opening: Seattle, Washington. Washington Toxics Coalition is seeking a full-time Field Organizer. The position's primary responsibilities include mobilizing and developing the grassroots base, expanding the online organizing program, and developing and implementing the year-round organizing strategy. The application deadline is June 10, 2008.
http://www.watoxics.org/about/employment/field-organizer/
Measurement study funding opportunity. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications proposing an observational exposure measurement study to identify and characterize the determinants of exposure for early life stages (i.e., very young children less than three years of age) to chemicals in their environment. Applications are due July 15, 2008.
http://www.epa.gov/nerl/opportunities/announcement.html
Special journal on human health and mercury. The Journal of Environmental Research (Vol. 107, No. 1, May 2008) has published a special issue on human health and exposure to mercury, containing selected papers from the Eighth International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00139351
Experts revive debate over cellphones. Researchers who have raised concerns about the link between cellphones and cancer say that just because science can't explain the mechanism doesn't mean one doesn't exist. New York Times, 3 June 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/health/03well.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Chlorine 'may cause birth defects.' Tap water treated with chlorine can double the risk of serious heart and brain abnormalities in unborn babies, say scientists. Newcastle Journal, England, 3 June 2008.
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/uk-news-world/2008/06/02/chlorine-may-cause-birth-defects-84229-21012530/
Few take advantage of free lead testing for children. Only one in three Indiana children on Medicaid has received a free lead poisoning test even though the toxic metal can damage a child's brain, a newspaper found. Associated Press, 3 June 2008.
http://www.reporter-times.com/stories/2008/06/02/state.qp-0567855.sto
Cancer study hopes to increase prevention. To better understand how to prevent cancers, the American Cancer Society is recruiting 500,000 adults for a new study. Researchers will look at the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. Lafayette Journal and Courier, Indiana, 3 June 2008.
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/LIFE03/806030305
State holds coal plant to tough pollution controls. Revisiting its approval of a coal-burning power plant, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that Duke's Cliffside plant must meet the most stringent pollution controls available. Raleigh News & Observer, North Carolina, 3 June 2008.
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1094231.html
Vitamin D for babies may prevent type 1 diabetes. A new analysis of current research provides "the strongest evidence to date" that giving small children supplemental vitamin D will help prevent them from developing type 1 diabetes later on. Reuters Health, 2 June 2008.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2008/05/30/eline/links/20080530elin021.html
Conference sheds light on autism. Stanford's autism conference offered researchers' data about genetic factors connected to the disorder and possible environmental elements that may play a role. Palo Alto Daily News, California, 2 June 2008.
http://www.paloaltodailynews.com/article/2008-6-2-autism
Low-birth weight may increase autism risk, especially in girls. Autism strikes low birthweight baby girls at a higher rate than similar-sized boys when the infants are compared with larger children, according to a study that suggests risk factors for the disorder vary by sex. Bloomberg News, 2 June 2008.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=aTFctNRzXIYg&refer=home
Study finds breastfed girls protected from chest illness. Breastfeeding protects baby girls from serious chest infections, but does little to prevent respiratory illnesses in boys, researchers have found. London Guardian, England, 2 June 2008.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/jun/02/medicalresearch.health
Breast cancer fall mirrors HRT decline. The first fall in the number of new breast cancer cases in more than 20 years has been linked with a sharp decline in the use of hormone replacement therapy. Sydney Australian, Australia, 2 June 2008.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23794693-23289,00.html
'Forget climate change, we should spend on nutrition.' Malnutrition should be the world's major priority for aid and development, a panel of eight leading economists, including five Nobel laureates, declared yesterday. London Times, England, 31 May 2008.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4033272.ece
Pilots group warns of health risks posed by toxic fumes in cabin air. An international pilots' group said Friday that airlines should monitor the level of potentially toxic fumes from the engines in their cabins. Associated Press, 31 May 2008.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/30/europe/EU-GEN-Aviation-Cabin-Fumes.php
Sniffing out the dangers in fragrance. Listings of scent ingredients are unregulated, and only have to be labeled on the package as "fragrance." Meanwhile, some research suggests the chemicals may act as hormone disrupters, carcinogens, and cause neural damage. Toronto CP24 TV, Ontario, 30 May 2008.
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_23221.aspx
EPA restricts rat poisons to protect children. The government imposed new restrictions Thursday on some of the biggest-selling rat poisons, citing the danger they pose to children, pets and wildlife. Associated Press, 30 May 2008.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/politics/story/373295.html
Eye on safety as formaldehyde use increases. Formaldehyde isn't just for embalming anymore. It's used in hundreds of household products. But as its use has increased, so has concern about its safety. All Things Considered, NPR, 30 May 2008.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90957184
Suit targets air quality along freeways. A coalition of environmental groups will sue the US EPA today to overturn vehicle emissions limits for Southern California, charging that they don't address hazardous pollution faced by 1.5 million people living next to freeways. Los Angeles Times, California, 29 May 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-air29-2008may29,0,1454251.story
The hidden chemical in cans. Tests conducted for The Globe and Mail and CTV have found high levels of bisphenol A in canned food sold in Canada. Is it time to consider cutting back on canned goods? Toronto Globe and Mail, Ontario, 29 May 2008.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080528.wcans29/BNStory/Front/
[Editor's note: see a related article in the New York Times at http://topics.nytimes.com:80/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/b/bisphenol_a/index.html ]
Rising lead, crime linked. A new study from the University of Cincinnati suggests that there's a connection between young children with high levels of lead in their blood and whether they commit crimes as adults. Cincinnati Enquirer, Ohio, 28 May 2008.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/NEWS01/805280382/1077/COL02
Children who lived in Katrina trailers may face lifelong ailments. Doctors fear that tens of thousands of youngsters may face lifelong health problems because the temporary housing supplied by FEMA contained formaldehyde fumes up to five times the safe level. Associated Press, 28 May 2008.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/19285309.html?location_refer=Homepage
Prenatal fish intake benefits kids' brains. Three-year-olds whose mothers ate more fish while pregnant with them score better on several tests of cognitive function than their peers whose mothers avoided seafood, a new study shows. Reuters, 28 May 2008.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL75877420080527
Chemicals polluting kids. A nonprofit, consumer advocacy group is pushing to pass the "Kids Safe Chemical Act." Tampa Bay WTSP TV, Florida, 28 May 2008.
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=81316
TCE study of IBM workers hits snag. An attempt to study cancer rates among IBM workers hit a snag after a federal health agency said it didn't have funding to continue the project this year, despite congressional action urging it to do so. Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, New York, 28 May 2008.
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080527/NEWS01/805270357
State sues EPA on smog regulations. More than a dozen states, including Connecticut, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming that new regulations don't go far enough to protect public health from smog. Greater Danbury News Times, Connecticut, 28 May 2008.
http://www.newstimes.com/ci_9400632
Drinking organic milk 'may cut risk of heart disease and cancer.' A comparison of conventional and organic dairy farms found the organic variety contained significantly higher levels of health-boosting fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins. Daily Mail, United Kingdom, 28 May 2008.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1022266/Drinking-organic-milk-cut-risk-heart-disease-cancer.html
Secondhand smoke leaves kids prone to severe infections. In addition to developing asthma and respiratory infections, children in households where someone smokes are more likely to catch a whole range of severe infections, including meningococcal disease. Many even have to be hospitalized, a new study found. Health Day News, 28 May 2008.
http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=615884
Exposé: Chemicals in food. If not for the work of a muckraking journalist a century ago, the FDA might never have existed. Now, with information from investigative journalists, the Senate is challenging the FDA to back up legislation on bisphenol A. Bill Moyers' Journal, PBS, 28 May 2008.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/05232008/watch2.html
Discovery of lead in turf raises concerns. Two federal agencies, spurred by findings of lead in a few synthetic athletic fields on the East Coast, are examining whether synthetic turf poses risks for the people who play on it. Portland Oregonian, Oregon, 27 May 2008.
http://www.oregonlive.com/prepfootball/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/121185511199650.xml&coll=7
Do dust mites make allergies worse? Most people with allergies or asthma know well the hazards of dust mites, the microscopic household critters long said to be one of the most common triggers of allergic symptoms. New York Times, 27 May 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/health/27real.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Maine's message to toymakers is clear: Get the lead out. A newly passed Maine law has established the country's strictest lead standard for children's products, and toymakers that don't comply could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines. Portland Press Herald, Maine, 26 May 2008.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=189846&ac=PHnws
Cosmetics firms heed calls for organics. Interest in natural and organic products can be attributed in part to social responsibility -- but concerns about carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, and neurotoxins have consumers searching for more than the season's newest colors. Boston Globe, Massachusetts, 26 May 2008.
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2008/05/26/cosmetics_firms_heed_calls_for_organics/
Coca-Cola to phase out use of controversial additive after DNA damage claim. Coca-Cola, the world's biggest soft drinks company, is phasing out a controversial additive [sodium benzoate] that may cause hyperactivity and DNA damage. London Independent, England, 25 May 2008.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/cocacola-to-phase-out-use-of-controversial-additive-after-dna-damage-claim-834021.html
Push to ban plastic toy chemicals linked to health issues in baby boys. Boutique sex toy retailers are warning customers that some of their products contain plastic-softening chemicals [phthalates] being subject to bans in Europe and some US states. Melbourne Age, Australia, 25 May 2008.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/push-to-ban-plastic-toy-chemicals-linked-to-health-issues-in-babyboys/2008/05/24/1211183189561.html
Candies' potential hazards emphasized. Kids usually don't care what's in candy, as long as it tastes good. So keeping them from eating Mexican candies that contain lead can be a challenge. Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska, 25 May 2008.
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1219&u_sid=10342923
FDA warns mothers about nipple cream. A brand of cream, promoted to nursing mothers to help soothe dry or cracked nipples, contains ingredients that may cause respiratory distress, vomiting and diarrhea in infants, the agency said. Associated Press, 25 May 2008.
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/wire/sns-ap-fda-nipple-cream,0,2037758.story
'Spare the air!' alerts come with stricter limits this year. A tighter federal smog standard that took effect May 1 has redefined as more serious the pollution level that triggers local regulators' calls for reducing driving. Sacramento Bee, California, 24 May 2008.
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/963327.html
"Convincing evidence" that grilling meat can cause cancer. It's hard to imagine a summer weekend without the aroma of meat on the grill, but the American Institute of Cancer Research is urging everyone to rethink this all-American pastime [due to the heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced during grilling]. Bergen County Record, New Jersey, 24 May 2008.
http://www.northjersey.com/health/Convincing_evidence_that_we_shouldnt_barbecue.html
On cancer's trail. In over six decades of atomic health testing, no one had ever noticed that uranium, at low doses, can act like an estrogen. Now scientists are asking about its role in breast cancer, especially in the Navajo nation. High Country Newsm 24 May 2008.
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=17708#
How safe are vaccines? Spurred by claims that vaccinations can be linked to autism, increasing numbers of parents are raising questions about whether vaccines, far from panaceas, are actually harmful to children. Time Magazine, 23 May 2008.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1808438,00.html
Disney recalls sleeping bags, magic wands over lead paint. Thousands of sleeping bags and magic wands contaminated by excessive levels of lead paint are being recalled by The Walt Disney Co., federal inspectors said Thursday. Associated Press, 23 May 2008.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_9347282
Waukegan firm recalls magnets with lead paint. A Chicago suburban locally-based scientific supply company performed a voluntary recall of 2.3 million magnets for violating federal lead paint standards. Lake County News Sun, Illinois, 23 May 2008.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/965994,5_1_WA23_MAGNETS_S1.article
UNH experts say toxins inside gaming devices not a big threat. But experts like Christopher Bauer, professor of chemistry chair of the University of New Hampshire's chemistry department, say such studies often can't be taken at face value. Foster's Daily Democrat, New Hampshire, 23 May 2008.
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/GJNEWS_01/118714791/-1/FosNEWS
Scientists link PCBs, diabetes. PCBs, toxic chemicals found nearly everywhere on the planet, may be fueling the diabetes epidemic, according to a study by SUNY Upstate Medical University researchers. Syracuse Post-Standard, New York, 23 May 2008.
http://www.syracuse.com/business/index.ssf?/base/business-12/121153305530260.xml&coll=1
Pollution danger higher than earlier estimated. Microscopic air pollutants from trucks, cars, power plants and wood burning may pose greater health problems than previously believed, according to state researchers. San Francisco Chronicle, California, 23 May 2008.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/22/BAFB10RFT5.DTL
L.A. firm is fined $10 million over lead-tainted lunchboxes. A company that sold 100,000 lead-tainted lunchboxes to the state health department last year has been ordered to pay a $10-million fine for violating California laws on toxic substances. Los Angeles Times, California, 22 May 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-lunchbox22-2008may22,0,3286179.story
Nonstick toxicity. By mimicking the action of estrogen, a chemical used to manufacture nonstick coatings can promote cancer development, researchers report. Science News, 22 May 2008.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/32405/description/Nonstick_toxicity
USDA axes the sole national survey to chart pesticide use. Consumers lost a key source of information about what's sprayed on their food on Wednesday, the last day the government published a long-standing national survey that tracks the amount of pesticides used on crops. Associated Press, 22 May 2008.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/bayandstate/ci_9336987?nclick_check=1
Study finds toxic chemicals in baby products. Toxic chemicals are put into baby and children products on a regular basis, according to a study released Tuesday by a network of environmental organizations. San Francisco KPIX TV, California, 21 May 2008.
http://cbs5.com/consumer/toxi.baby.products.2.728692.html
Health warning issued. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is warning consumers not to drink two dietary supplements produced by an Atlanta company. Somerset County Daily American, Pennsylvania, 21 May 2008.
http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2008/05/21/news/news/news904.txt
Effects of nanotubes may lead to cancer, study says. Microscopic, high-tech "nanotubes" that are being made for use in a wide variety of consumer products cause the same kind of damage in the body as asbestos does, according to a study in mice. Washington Post, 21 May 2008.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/20/AR2008052001331.html
[Editor's note: see a related article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/29/AR2008052902949.html ]
C8 researchers seek more data for health study. Scientists researching whether a chemical used to make the nonstick product Teflon [C8 or PFOA] is a health risk are seeking 40,000 new interviews with residents who consumed water containing traces of the chemical. Associated Press, 21 May 2008.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x1657959542
Choke screen. What are the health impacts of waste incineration? Detroit Metro Times, Michigan, 21 May 2008.
http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=12902
USDA to tighten cow slaughter rules. The government plans to close a loophole in meat inspection rules that led to the record recall of 143 million pounds of ground beef this year, Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer said Tuesday. Baltimore Sun, Maryland, 21 May 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-usda21-2008may21,0,3633332.story
