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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.
Thursday July 3, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Portland, Oregon
at the Screening Room, 925 Northwest 19th Avenue
Sponsor: Health and Environment Committee, a subcommittee of the Northwest District Association
Join Neighbors West Northwest for two locally-produced documentaries, "Living Diesel" and "What's in Our Air?" "Living Diesel" explores the effects of this pollution on human health and the resolutions being explored and implemented, with the help of new government policies and the good will of some private companies. "What's in our Air?" looks at the health impacts of air pollution in residential neighborhoods and documents neighbors' activism to counter the effects of air pollution. A wine and beer bar will provide no-host refreshments and snacks.
Price: free
Contact: Neighbors West Northwest, 503-823-4288
Tuesday July 8, 2008
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern time
Sponsor: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Environmental Health Initiative (EHI)
Scientific research and experience has clearly established that environmental contaminants can cause developmental disorders. The LDDI Scientific Consensus Statement outlines the current scientific understanding of the links between environmental factors and learning and developmental disabilities. It also identifies important research areas that hold promise of further advancing our understanding of these links. This statement is intended as a guide to scientists, medical professionals, policymakers, public health advocates and the general public in advancing their efforts to address the important individual and social issues raised by learning and developmental disabilities.
Price: free
Website: http://www.ehinitiative.org/Projects/tele_con.htm
Contact: Laura Abulafia, 202-387-1968 or Laura@aaidd.org
Tuesday through Thursday, July 8 - 10, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Austin, Texas
at the Hilton Garden Inn, 500 North Interstate 35
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_07-08_austin.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Thursday July 10, 2008
11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Portland, Oregon
at Kaiser Permanente's Town Hall in the Ballroom, 3704 North Interstate Avenue
Sponsor: Northwest Health Foundation
Public policies have an enormous impact on our personal health and well-being, as well as on that of our communities. Community-based research partnerships (CBRP) are uniquely qualified to devise and propose healthy public policies. In this half-day training, CBPR practitioners will learn how to design a policy-change project from the ground up, as well as how to use completed research to impact policy.
Price: free, but space is limited and registration is required
Website: http://nwhf.org/registration_form_new.php
Contact: David Rebanal, 503-220-1955 or rebanal@nwhf.org
Friday July 11, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Washington, DC
at the Ronald Reagan International Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Sponsor: The Center for Science in the Public Interest
Become part of the growing movement to reinvigorate public sector science and end corporate and political influence over the scientific process. Sessions will include 1) Tackling the Climate Crisis: Unleashing Government Research, 2) Curbing Conflicts in Medical & Environmental Science, 3) Rebuilding Research Capacity at Regulatory Agencies, 4) Clean Energy -- Do Special Interests Drive the Agenda?, and more.
Price: unknown
Website: http://www.cspinet.org/integrity/conflictedscience_conf.html
Contact: Integrity in Science Project, science@cspinet.org
Friday July 11, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Eugene, Oregon
at Serbu Youth Campus, Carmichael Training Room, 2727 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Sponsor: Northwest Health Foundation
Public policies have an enormous impact on our personal health and well-being, aw well as that of our communities. Community-based research partnerships (CBRP) are uniquely qualified to devise and propose healthy public policies. In this half-day training, CBPR practitioners will learn how to design a policy-change project from the ground up, as well as how to use completed research to impact policy.
Price: free, but space is limited and registration is required
Website: http://nwhf.org/registration_form_new.php
Contact: David Rebanal, 503-220-1955 or rebanal@nwhf.org
Monday July 14, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Reno, Nevada
at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, 500 North Sierra Street
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_07-08_reno.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Monday July 14, 2008
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Pacific time
Sponsor: Collaborative for High Performance Schools
Interested in learning more about the CHPS program? CHPS is offering a free one-hour online/phone seminar. Participants will learn about the various resources and programs CHPS offers, the CHPS implementation roadmap, upcoming resources that are under development at CHPS, the newest states developing CHPS programs and the 2009 CHPS Criteria edition that will be released in June. School district officials, design professionals, nonprofits, product and service providers, students and anyone else are invited to join CHPS staff for this informative introduction to the program.
Price: free
Website: http://www.chps.net/events/trainingRSVP.htm
Monday and Tuesday, July 14 - 15, 2008
Crystal City, Virginia
Sponsor: Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR)
The Association of American Colleges and Universities, in partnership with the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research, announces the next phase of The Educated Citizen and Public Health, a project designed to help faculty members create coherent undergraduate curricula that engage students with the world's major questions through the lens of public health. Application Deadline: February 27, 2008
Price: see financial support and obligations at the website below
Website: http://www.aacu.org/public_health/SummerInstitute08.cfm
Contact: Nicole De Marco, 202-387-3760 ext. 810 or demarco@aacu.org
Tuesday July 15, 2008
10:00 a.m. Pacific time/1:00 p.m. Eastern time
Sponsor: Collaborative on Health and the Environment
American industrial animal farms contribute to major environmental and human-health problems, according to a recent report from the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. The two-year study outlines the negative impacts that the industrial farm animal production system has on public health, the environment, rural communities and animal welfare, and it proposes some measures to reduce them. Among the topics the speakers will discuss are hormones, pollution and overuse of antibiotics. Featured speakers will include Robert Lawrence, MD, MPH, professor of environmental health sciences, health policy, and international health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (a primary sponsor of the Pew report), and David Wallinga, MD, MPA, director of food and health at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
Price: free
Website: http://www.healthandenvironment.org/articles/partnership_calls/3868
Tuesday July 22, 2008
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Washington, DC
at EPA headquarters
Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss certain modifications of the Voluntary Children's Chemical Evaluation Program (VCCEP). EPA will present the modifications it is considering for VCCEP due to the comments received from stakeholders and the public on VCCEP's performance and implementation. Requests to participate in the meeting must be submitted to by July 17, 2008. Please identify the modification(s) you wish to discuss.
Price: free
Website: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/vccep/index.htm
Contact: roman.catherine@epa.gov
Wednesday July 23, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Boulder, Colorado
at the University of Colorado Humanities Building, 1775 Central Campus Mall
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center
Do you want to learn more about the health effects of chemical exposures? Join Steven G. Gilbert, award-winning author, director and founder of the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders, for this course. The course identifies potential health hazards of toxic chemicals and methods for preventing exposure. Chemicals we encounter in everyday life are used as examples to evaluate the hazards and risk of exposure and put them into perspective. Learn the basic principles of toxicology, tools for assessing the toxicology of chemicals, effects of chemicals on the body, and why some people are more sensitive to chemicals than others. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $150, $95 reduced tuition is available for those who qualify.
Website: http://nwetc.org:80/etox-510_07-08_boulder.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Saturday through Thursday, July 26 - 31, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia
at the Atlanta Convention Center
Sponsor: National Medical Association (NMA)
The 2008 NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly offers an exciting venue to interact with the largest spectrum of African American physicians, academicians and scientists in the country as well as other allied health professionals. The focus for the conference is the "Elimination of Health Disparities." Educational sessions include Environmental Exposures Affecting Our Children, Update on Lead Exposure, Impact of Asthma on African American Communities: Clinical Lessons for Treating Patients for Environmental Toxins, and more.
Price: see website below for prices
Website: http://www.nmanet.org/
Contact: National Medical Association, 202-347-1895
Tuesday July 29, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the Northwest Environmental Training Center, 650 South Orcas Street, Suite 220
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center
Do you want to learn more about the health effects of chemical exposures? Join Steven G. Gilbert, award-winning author, director and founder of the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders, for this course. The course identifies potential health hazards of toxic chemicals and methods for preventing exposure. Chemicals we encounter in everyday life are used as examples to evaluate the hazards and risk of exposure and put them into perspective. Learn the basic principles of toxicology, tools for assessing the toxicology of chemicals, effects of chemicals on the body, and why some people are more sensitive to chemicals than others. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $150 until July 5th, $245 after, $175 reduced tuition is available for those who qualify.
Website: http://nwetc.org/etox-510_07-08_seattle.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
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: Portland, Oregon. The Oregon Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility seeks an environmental health program director to work 20 to 25 hours per week. Health and vacation benefits are provided. Primary duties will include 1) coordinating a program of environmental-health presentations for health-care professionals, including developing materials, expanding outreach, scheduling presentations and training speakers; 2) Organizing and participating in environmental-health public-awareness events and activities; and 3) recruiting, motivating and guiding members of the environmental health committee to contribute substantially to PSR's work in our community and state; 4) supervising volunteers and interns; and 5) assisting in writing grants. To apply, send a cover letter and resume in confidence to Rachel Larson: rachel@oregonpsr.org
Job opening: Rockville and Bethesda, Maryland. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Department of Bioethics, NIH Clinical Center are announcing a new vacancy for a research bioethicist. The incumbent will provide leadership regarding human subjects' protections and bioethics for the National Children's Study, a large epidemiological longitudinal cohort study of the effects of the environment on child health and development. Additional information about this position, located in Rockville and Bethesda, MD, will be posted by approximately June 30, 2008. Announcement numbers: Health Scientist Administrator # NICHD-08-273950-CR-DE and NICHD-08-273950-MP. Medical Officer # HHS/NIH-2008-2704.
http://www.USAJobs.opm.gov
Children's Health and the Environment: A video introduction for state policy makers. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) offers an introductory video for state legislators and others on children's environmental health. The video was funded through an EPA assistance agreement and features prominent scientists and legislators with expertise in pediatric environmental health.
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/environ/envhealth/cehvid2.htm
New web portal. The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) announce their new web portal.
http://aoec.org/PEHSU/index.html
Court upholds dump housing payout. A ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court handed a legal victory to thousands who sued the city of New Orleans, its public housing authority and its school board for putting their homes and school on a toxic waste dump. New Orleans Times-Picayune, Louisiana, 1 July 2008.
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1214890235123810.xml&coll=1
Pentagon fights EPA on pollution cleanup. The Defense Department is resisting orders from the EPA to clean up Fort Meade and two other military bases where it says dumped chemicals pose "imminent and substantial" dangers to public health and the environment. Washington Post, 30 June 2008.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/29/AR2008062901977.html?hpid=topnews
Feds to enforce rule on freight rail traffic. The Bush administration will begin enforcing a new rule tomorrow that seeks to minimize the chances of terrorists attacking freight trains carrying hazardous chemicals that can be fatal if inhaled. Gannett News Service, 30 June 2008.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/NEWS01/806300401/1008
Popcorn bags face possible new rules. A state senator is proposing that California become the first state to ban a class of potential carcinogens used in some popcorn bags, pizza boxes and other grease-resistant food packaging. Los Angeles Daily News, California, 30 June 2008.
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_9739428
Vitamin deficient. A recent study, investigating cancer among blacks and low-income adults in Southern states, found a striking difference in the numbers of black adults who have vitamin D deficiency compared to whites -- even after controlling for factors such as sun exposure and diet. Charleston Gazette, West Virginia, 30 June 2008.
http://wvgazette.com/News/200806290294
A new 'vast waste-land'? The biggest loser in the great HDTV switch-over could be our environment when 80 to 200 million televisions could be discarded over the next 30 months. Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, Virginia, 29 June 2008.
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/062008/06292008/390050
US issues health warning over mercury fillings. They're in millions of mouths worldwide, but have been linked to heart disease and Alzheimer's. Now a report concedes they may have a toxic effect on the body. London Independent, England, 29 June 2008.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/us-issues-health-warning-over-mercury-fillings-856582.html
Experts to discuss one puzzling autism case, as a second case has arisen. Federal health officials will call together some of the world’s leading experts on an obscure disease to discuss the controversial case of a 9-year-old girl from Athens, Ga., who became autistic after receiving numerous vaccinations. New York Times, 29 June 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/28/health/28vaccine.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=health&adxnnlx=1214768035-SPyK6CxQFbmprncoX4uvCA
Food safety inspectors struggle to cope with swelling volume of imports. Border inspectors charged with inspecting food imports from Mexico are becoming overwhelmed in their efforts to keep Americans safe. Dallas Morning News, Texas, 29 June 2008.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/mexico/stories/062908dnintproductsafety.3ee5b22.html
Smokey fires affecting Calif. health. Hundreds of lightning-sparked wildfires have turned the air of Northern California into an unhealthy stew of smoke and ash, forcing the cancellation of athletic events and other outdoor activities. Associated Press, 29 June 2008.
http://cbs2chicago.com/national/fires.california.wildfires.2.759559.html
Cancer risk from cellphone use is still a matter for study. Scientists still can't say with certainty that placing a cellphone against the head is completely safe, especially for heavy users and people who began using the devices as children. Los Angeles Times, California, 28 June 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-tumors30-2008jun30,0,7512602.story
[Editor's note: See a related story at http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=a4c44798-d055-4a53-91d4-e14c718f426a&&Headline=Mobiles%20pose%20no%20health%20risk%20%3A%20study ]
The dark side of sunscreens. Sunscreens, as most people know, are important for guarding against burns, skin cancer and premature aging. But certain ingredients might not be safe. Washington Post, 28 June 2008.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/26/AR2008062603224.html
[Editor's note: See a related article at http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/index.php ]
The toxic truth: what you can do to avoid chemicals. When I was tested recently by lobby group Environmental Defence for 69 toxins -- from pesticides to dangerous metals -- it turned out I have 47 of them. CTV News, British Columbia, 28 June 2008.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080625/BC_Toxic_Truth_What_You_Can_Do_080625/20080625/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
Wells need to be examined for arsenic. Private well owners throughout Washington state are being urged to test their water for arsenic, a naturally occurring chemical that can be harmful to people's health when ingested over many years. Kitsap Sun, Washington, 28 June 2008.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/jun/27/wells-need-be-examined-arsenic/
Our strict, chemical-laden diet. How can we expect to live long enough to enjoy a hard-earned retirement if the food industry is trying to kill us? Oakland Tribune, California, 28 June 2008.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_9723329
Parents turn to natural products to clean homes safely. Parents are starting to look closely at the labels on cleaning products, realizing the ingredients inside are not good for their families. Appleton Post-Crescent, Wisconsin, 28 June 2008.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080628/APC04/806280608
Lead allowed to stay in lipstick. A bill that would have banned lead in lipstick in California has failed. The bill (Senate Bill 1712, sponsored by Sen. Carole Migden D-San Francisco) would have required companies to lower the amount of lead in lipstick. Tampa Bay WTSP TV, Florida, 28 June 2008.
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/health/story.aspx?storyid=83631&catid=12
N.J. senator calls for action on turf fields that contain lead. Sen. Bob Menendez sent a letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission Thursday that urged the agency to expand its investigation into possibly hazardous lead levels in artificial turf. Associated Press, 27 June 2008.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-06-26-lead-turf-field_N.htm
Tap water chemicals not linked to penis defect. Though some research has linked chemicals in chlorinated tap water to the risk of birth defects, a new study finds no strong evidence that the chemicals contribute to a common birth defect of the penis. Reuters, 27 June 2008.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/ReproductiveHealth/wireStory?id=5253856
Greenpeace outraged over illegal cargo in capsized vessel. Greenpeace expressed outrage regarding the discovery of an illegal shipment of the super-toxic pesticide endosulfan on the capsized MV Princess of Stars with 865 passengers and crew on board since the pesticide has been banned in the Philippines since 1994. GMA News, Philippines, 27 June 2008.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/103669/Greenpeace-outraged-over-illegal-cargo-in-capsized-vessel
Toxic baby bottles measure advances. California is poised to become the first state in the nation to ban the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in food and beverage containers designed for children three years and under. Beverly Hills California Chronicle, California, 27 June 2008.
http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/66367
The pesticide of last resort. Last fall, Connecticut became the first to ban the use of pesticides (which includes herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides) on the grounds of elementary and middle schools -- a decision that has put it at the forefront of a nationwide movement. Mother Jones, 26 June 2008.
http://www.motherjones.com//news/featurex/2008/06/the-pesticide-of-last-resort.html
Toxic smoke and mirrors. Overexposure to manganese has caused Parkinson's-like symptoms for thousands of welders. So why does the welding industry still get a free chemical pass? Mother Jones, 26 June 2008.
http://www.motherjones.com/commentary/columns/2008/07/witness-smoke-and-mirrors.html
The Mattel loophole. Some companies would be permitted to skirt independent lab testing of children's products in favor of their own in-house certification, thanks in large part to lobbying by the world's biggest toymaker, the Tribune has found. Chicago Tribune, Illinois, 25 June 2008.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-matteljun25,0,889911.story
[Editor's note: See a related article about toy safety standards at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062302163.html ]
Lead from car batteries contaminates African town. A cottage industry that employed people, including many mothers, to extract poisonous lead from used car batteries has been blamed for the deaths of nearly 20 children in a Senegalese fishing town. Associated Press, 25 June 2008.
http://www.macon.com/world/story/386708.html
Analysis: U.S. poor are vulnerable to 'neglected' diseases. Tropical diseases [caused by chronic viral, bacterial and parasitic infections] that ravage Africa, Asia and Latin America commonly occur among the poor in the USA, leaving thousands of people shattered by debilitating complications including mental retardation, heart disease and epilepsy. USA Today, 25 June 2008.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-06-23-neglected-diseases_N.htm
Family ties can determine how genes react to environmental factors. How our genes behave can change over time in ways that could run in the family, new research has shown. London Daily Telegraph, England, 25 June 2008.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2188598/Family-ties-can-determine-how-genes-react-to-environmental-factors.html
Poorer patients have poorer survival after cancer diagnosis. Low socioeconomic status increases a cancer patient's risk of dying, say U.S. researchers who analyzed data on almost 14,000 breast, prostate and colorectal patients in seven states. HealthDay News, 25 June 2008.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/06/23/poorer-patients-have-poorer-survival-after-cancer.html
How much toxic formaldehyde do you inhale? The Environmental Protection Agency will conduct a four-part investigation into the possible health risks of exposure to formaldehyde in homes, schools and office buildings nationwide. The Daily Green, 25 June 2008.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/formaldehyde-47062404
States struggle to deal with nanotech health fears. The science of the very small could pose some very big problems for state and local agencies, according to a new report by Wisconsin researchers. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin, 25 June 2008.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=765573
Chemical seepage prompts call for food packaging crackdown. An Australian consumer group, Choice, is calling for the regulation of the use of phthalates in baby food packaging. ABC News, Australia, 24 June 2008.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/24/2283891.htm
EU toughen pesticide rules. European Union agriculture ministers on Monday agreed on draft proposals to tighten the use of pesticides across Europe, banning those that cause cancer or pose unnecessary health risks to humans. Associated Press, 24 June 2008.
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&date=20080623&id=8815295
[Editor's note: See a related article about possible effects of the new rules on crop production at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/06/22/eapest122.xml ]
Biofuel use 'increasing poverty.' The replacement of traditional fuels with biofuels has dragged more than 30 million people worldwide into poverty, an aid agency report says. BBC, UK, 24 June 2008.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7472532.stm
Canada confirms new mad cow case. A new case of mad cow disease was confirmed Monday in Canada, its 13th case since 2003. Associated Press, 24 June 2008.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-canada-mad-cow,0,5992965.story
Fluoride's glory may be cresting. Fluoride, the chemical widely credited with dramatically cutting cavities and promoting oral hygiene, is having its scientific credentials questioned in the city that literally swallowed it first. Chicago Tribune, Illinois, 23 June 2008.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-fluoride-jones_23jun23,0,6241215.story
[Editor's note: See a related article about fluoridation of water supplies at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0701edit2jul01,0,4648421.story ]
Wonder drugs that can kill. A series of drug recalls have pulled back the curtain to show how medical studies have been misinterpreted or taken out of context to make medical treatments appear safer and more effective than they actually are. Discover, 23 June 2008.
http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jul/20-wonder-drugs-that-can-kill
Federal advisory raises questions on turf fields. Adding fuel to the controversy over synthetic turf, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended older, worn-down playing fields made of nylon should be tested for lead. New York Newsday, New York, 22 June 2008.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-liturf0622,0,6471796.story
DNV approves cosmetic pesticide ban. In an almost unanimous decision Monday, the District of North Vancouver joined 140 communities from across Canada to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides on residential properties. Vancouver North Shore News, British Columbia, 22 June 2008.
http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/story.html?id=e7ad41a2-19a2-4e9f-9f88-460ac2e127f0
Forces of darkness make pitch to Congress to fight light pollution. Despite human health problems and detrimental impacts to many other species caused by misdirected lighting, the federal government has not made rules aimed at limiting light pollution. US News & World Report, 22 June 2008.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/thinking-harder/2008/6/20/forces-of-darkness-make-pitch-to-congress-to-fight-light-pollution.html
Smoking causes more deaths. An international team, led by researchers at the Glasgow University, has found that smoking increases chances of dying from cancers of the colon, rectum and prostate as well as from lymphatic Leukaemia. Zee News, India, 22 June 2008.
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=450429&sid=env&ssid=28
Fish-eating Indians have crucial stake in clean Columbia River. The Umatilla tribe has been pressing environmental regulators in Washington and Oregon to raise their assumptions about how much fish people eat. Clark Columbian, Washington, 22 June 2008.
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/06/06222008_Fisheating-Indians-have-crucial-stake-in-clean-Columbia-River.cfm
We're in chemical overload. Over the last 50 years, from 70,000 to 100,000 different chemicals have been introduced into the world's markets with about 1,500 new ones added each year. And consumers are the lab rats. Montreal Gazette, Quebec, 21 June 2008.
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=e4c6d71f-2a6f-4952-98c7-24866f28aa67
Air quality officials issue health notice for coastal areas. Fine particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing or aggravating heart and lung diseases. Asheville Citizen-Times, North Carolina, 21 June 2008.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880620099
Catching your breath. Breath can reveal exposure to pollutants such as benzene and chloroform, providing a measure of internal dose that is missed by sampling polluted air. Science News, 21 June 2008.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/33377/title/Catching_your_breath
Lawmakers propose mapping cancer cases on the Web. Legislation calling for two state agencies to post information on the Internet so people can see the number of cancer cases in their neighborhood received mixed reviews yesterday from activists on Long Island and elsewhere. New York Newsday, New York, 21 June 2008.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stlegi0621,0,3128471.story
Experts warn about mold. Public health experts at the University of Iowa offered a key advice to flood victims: Don't mess with mold. Des Moines Register, Iowa, 21 June 2008.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080621/NEWS/806210333/-1/NEWS04
Environmental group seeks permanent ban on field burning. The Olympic Track and Field Trials, a national sports spectacle that begins next week in Eugene, has stirred the embers of an ongoing environmental debate over field burning. Portland Oregonian, Oregon, 21 June 2008.
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/121402411349660.xml&coll=7
[Editor's note: See a related article about the health impacts of burning at http://www.redding.com/news/2008/jun/20/fires-sink-air-quality-reading/ ]
Traffic pollution puts kids at higher allergy risk. A child's risk of developing allergies increases by up to 50 percent from pollution caused by traffic, a rate that increases the closer the child grows up next to major roads, a new study says. HealthDay News, 20 June 2008.
http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=8528256&nav=3w6r
Stress during childhood increases the risk of allergies. Stress events during childhood are increasingly suspected of playing a role in the later development of asthma, allergic skin disorders, or allergic sensitisations. Medical News Today, United Kingdom, 20 June 2008.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111916.php
Wal-Mart charm key chains recalled because of lead. Wal-Mart is recalling another seven charm key chains because they contain excessive amounts of lead that threatens the health of children. The Daily Green, 20 June 2008.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/lead-charm-key-chains-47062001
CDC recommends turf fields should be tested. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that certain artificial turf fields be tested for lead and that young children should be kept away from fields with high lead levels. Bergen County Record, New Jersey, 20 June 2008.
http://www.northjersey.com/health/CDC_recommends_turf_fields_should_be_tested.html
U.S. agencies to clean up uranium on Navajo land. The U.S. government will spend tens of millions of dollars to clean up uranium contamination across the vast Navajo Reservation, but the effort is unlikely to erase decades of frustration. Phoenix Arizona Republic, Arizona, 20 June 2008.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0620uranium0620.html
NASA lab plies Southern California skies for pollution answers. A NASA mission to explore the mysteries of the foul air we breathe took to the skies this week. Riverside Press-Enterprise, California, 20 June 2008.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_nasa20.4b5ec0a.html
How much does animal testing tell us? The basic reason for animal trials is to determine two issues before any new compound is introduced into a human: safety and efficacy, whether a compound is safe for human ingestion and also whether or not a product works for its intended purpose. Time Magazine, 19 June 2008.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1815241,00.html
N.Y. lawmakers urged to ban substances toxic to kids. With the legislative session coming to a close, health and consumer advocates Tuesday urged the Legislature to pass bills to protect children from carcinogenic and developmentally stunting toxins. Albany, New York, 18 June 2008.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/NEWS01/80617055/-1/special68
Measles outbreak rekindles vaccine debate. The recent measles outbreak is renewing health officials' push to keep immunization rates high. But it's an emotional and scientific issue. Naperville Sun, Illinois, 18 June 2008.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/lifestyles/1008540,6_5_NA17_VACCINES_S1.article
FDA warns about fraudulent cancer treatments. Yesterday, the FDA told companies to stop selling their products because they present a direct safety hazard--or they could face possible criminal charges. Washington Post, 18 June 2008.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/17/AR2008061701274.html
Healthy lifestyle triggers genetic changes: study. Comprehensive lifestyle changes, including a better diet and more exercise, can lead not only to a better physique but also to swift and dramatic changes at the genetic level. Reuters, 18 June 2008.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2008/06/17/eline/links/20080617elin011.html
Bush administration says it expects US food inspectors in China by end of year. The United States expects to have food and drug inspectors placed in three Chinese cities by the end of this year, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said Tuesday. Associated Press, 18 June 2008.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/20108984.html?location_refer=Health%20%20%20Wellness
Veolia wants to import banned chemical. Words might fly like fists in the upcoming public hearing the Environmental Protection Agency will conduct into a request by Veolia Environmental Services to import, for purposes of incineration, [PCBs] a banned chemical from Mexico. Beaumont Enterprise, Texas, 18 June 2008.
http://www.zwire.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2287&dept_id=512504&newsid=19782070
AMA passes resolution in support of chemical policy reform. The American Medical Association calls upon the United States government to implement a national modern, comprehensive chemicals policy that is in line with current scientific knowledge on human and environmental health and that requires a full evaluation of the health impacts of both newly developed and industrial chemicals now in use. Science & Environmental Health Network, June 2008.
http://www.sehn.org/news-jun08-2.html
