EPA detects brain-damaging toxic near school

EPA detects brain-damaging toxic near school

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-12-15-epa-toxic-schools_N.htm

 

"Government regulators have found high levels of manganese, a dangerous metal that can affect the brain, in the air outside a school in eastern Ohio."

Hispanic Farmworkers Seek Tighter Controls on Pesticide Use

Hispanic Farmworkers Seek Tighter Controls on Pesticide Use

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=348950&CategoryId=12394

"Hispanic farmworkers in California poisoned by pesticides are demanding that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exercise greater control over toxic substances used in agriculture."

Parents rally to put brakes on moldy trailer classrooms in Parkchester

Parents rally to put brakes on moldy trailer classrooms in Parkchester
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2009/12/15/2009-12-15_parents_rally_to_put_brakes_on_moldy_trailer_classrooms_in_parkchester.html

"SHOW-AND-TELL for these public school pupils involves dangerous mold in their trailer classrooms, parents charge.At Public School 106 in Parkchester, parents are rallying against the city's decision to place their children back in the trailers after a recent inspection and cleanup effort found mold in the trailers and 100 cats living underneath them."

Plasticizer may be tied to boys' breast enlargement

Plasticizer may be tied to boys' breast enlargement
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=2339376&sponsor=

"Plastic cups are pictured. Dr. Elif N. Ozmert recommends avoiding the use of plastic cups and food coverings, particularly for hot foods, in order to limit exposure to phthalates."

Nena Baker talks chemicals on Grit.tv

Nena Baker talks chemicals on Grit.tv
http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/12/listen-up-nena-baker-talks-chemicals-on-grittv.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+everything_ewg+%28EWG%3A+Everything%29

"If you don't have the time to read Nena Baker's book about the toxic chemicals we're exposed to every day (though we recommend it), here's your chance to get the skinny from the author in less than 15 minutes."

Is Dirty Electricity Making You Sick?

Is Dirty Electricity Making You Sick?

http://www.prevention.com/health/health/healthy-lifestyle/is-dirty-electricity-making-you-sick/article/9e60d47569225210VgnVCM10000030281eac____

 

"Too many electromagnetic fields surrounding us--from cell phones, wifi, and commonplace modern technology--may be seriously harming our health. Here's how to minimize your exposure."

Preparing for MCS Awareness Month 2010

Now is the time to start thinking about what each of us as individuals and organizations can do in May for MCS Awareness and Education Month.  It's only 4 months away an it often takes time to contact politicians and community leaders to coordinate events. So, it is a good time to think about what we'd each like to do and create a plan for when to launch it into motion.  Last year, MCS America published an Event Planning Kit.  This kit is full of ideas for ways to promote awareness, including:

Governor Proclamations

School Programs

Health Providers

Library Displays

State Capitol Events

Press Releases

Media Coverage

A Handy MCS Fact Sheet

and, Real Life Examples of Prior Events

 

This kit can still be downloaded from http://mcs-america.org/MCSAwarenessMonthEventPlanningKit.pdf.

 

Even putting a few brochures up on bulletin boards when you visit medical providers or head out to shop is helpful.   

 

Good luck with all your efforts... no matter how big or small!

 

 

Choose non-toxic decor for a non-polluting apartment

Choose non-toxic decor for a non-polluting apartment
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/print.asp?id=

"LINDA Xu and her fiance are having fun decorating their new apartment in Zhabei District - but it's not just about looking nice, it's about ensuring their family's health.

They are choosing non-toxic and low-toxicity materials. They plan to get a safety/toxicity check of the air and let the decorated apartment stand vacant and "air out" for several months before they move in."

Report Shows Overuse of Disinfectants Is Harmful

Report Shows Overuse of Disinfectants Is Harmful
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=2826

"A new report links disinfectant chemicals with chronic illnesses and conditions such as asthma, hormone imbalance, and immune system problems. The report, Disinfectant Overkill: How Too Clean May Be Hazardous to Our Health, was released by the national environmental health group Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), and cites more than 40 peer-reviewed reports and scientific studies that document the health impacts of chemicals found in household disinfectants. Chemicals reviewed in the report include chlorine bleach, ammonia, triclosan and triclocarban, ammonium quarternary compounds, and nano-silver."

Mycotoxin Warning issued over Heinz baby food

Warning issued over Heinz baby food  

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/11/baby-food-recall.html   

 
"The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Heinz Canada are warning the public that Heinz Mixed Cereal for babies should not be consumed.
 
They say the product — Heinz Mixed Cereal, a Baby Cereal, Stage 2, From 6 Months, in the 227 gram package — may contain elevated levels of ochratoxin A and is being recalled."

Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Make Popcorn

Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Make Popcorn
http://www.sphere.com/nation/article/toxic-chemical-diacetyl-still-finding-its-way-into-microwave-popcorn/19273632

"Two years ago, Orville Redenbacher soared from the graveyard and announced in weeks of TV ads that his popcorn was now free of diacetyl. That's the chemical in artificial butter flavoring that has been blamed for sickening hundreds of workers, killing a handful and destroying the lungs of at least three microwave popcorn addicts.

Almost every other popcorn maker followed suit.

But now, government health investigators are reporting that the "new, safer, butter substitutes" used in popcorn and others foods are, in some cases, at least as toxic as what they replaced."

CDC Analyzes Toxics In Humans

CDC Analyzes Toxics In Humans
http://www.ewg.org/pressrelease/cdc-biomonitoring-results?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+everything_ewg+%28EWG%3A+Everything%29

"With its fourth and most ambitious edition of its National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, released today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) casts the issue of pollution in people in sharp focus."

Scarborough family clears home of chemicals for documentary

Scarborough family clears home of chemicals for documentary  
Chemerical examines use of household chemicals 
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/230391--scarborough-family-clears-home-of-chemicals-for-documentary

"The Goode family used to have upwards of 45 chemical containing products lurking under their sinks, in their bathroom, and in their laundry room. They weren't anything sinister. Just the usual products found in the cleaning and hygiene aisle of the local grocery or drug store - toothpaste, laundry detergent, sink cleaner, furniture polish, window cleaner and many other items found in the typical home. But, after signing up to be the stars of filmmaker Andrew Nisker's latest documentary, Chemerical, the Scarborough family found their everyday products weren't as innocent as they thought."
 

Pollutants Cluster Under Power Lines

Pollutants Cluster Under Power Lines
http://news.discovery.com/earth/power-lines-contaminants-pcb.html

"Researchers at the University of Kalmar in Sweden have now shown for the first time that this phenomenon is real. They took samples from pine needles at several sites directly beneath a 400 kilovolt power line in southern Sweden, and at distances up to several miles away."

Fluoride flows freely on Friday

Fluoride flows freely on Friday
http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2009/12/12/fluoride-flows-freely-friday/

"FRIDAY is F Day – the day when the first fluoridated water will flow through Rockhampton's taps.  And, for some anti-fluoride campaigners, a day to be feared."

Toxic air in your car

Toxic air in your car
http://www.malaya.com.ph/12112009/edchua.html

 

"'Your automobile could pose some risks to your life, even before it moves.'  ENTERING you car, without first opening the windows for a few minutes to allow air from the outside to circulate and aerate the inside, especially when parked under the sun, may be hazardous to your health."

Physicians knowledge of childhood food allergies needs room for improvement

Physicians knowledge of childhood food allergies needs room for improvement  
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/cmh-pko120909.php 
 
"With an estimated four to six percent of children in the U.S. suffering from food allergies, a new study shows that pediatricians and family physicians aren't always confident they have the ability to diagnose or treat food allergies."

City on emission to cut idling

City on emission to cut idling  
http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2009/12/09/12090571-sun.html

"Signs remind drivers neighbours may be choked if pollution invades their homes"

Toxic effects of low doses of Bisphenol-A on human placental cells.

Benachour N, Aris A.

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2009 Dec 15;241(3):322-8. Epub 2009 Sep 18.

Laboratory of Research in Reproductive and Gestational Health, Quebec, Canada.

Humans are exposed daily to a great number of xenobiotics and their metabolites present as pollutants. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is extensively used in a broad range of products including baby bottles, food-storage containers, medical equipment, and consumer electronics. Thus, BPA is the most common monomer for polycarbonates intended for food contact. Levels of this industrial product are found in maternal blood, amniotic fluid, follicular fluid, placental tissue, umbilical cord blood, and maternal urine. In this study, we investigated toxic effects of BPA concentrations close to levels found in serum of pregnant women on human cytotrophoblasts (CTB). These cells were isolated from fresh placentas and exposed to BPA for 24 h. Our results showed that very low doses of BPA induce apoptosis (2 to 3 times) as assessed using M30 antibody immunofluorescent detection, and necrosis (1.3 to 1.7 times) as assessed through the cytosolic Adenylate Kinase (AK) activity after cell membrane damage. We also showed that BPA increased significantly the tumor-necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) gene expression and protein excretion as measured by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA luminescent test, respectively. Moreover, we observed that induction of AK activation and TNF-alpha gene expression require lower levels of BPA than apoptosis or TNF-alpha protein excretion. Our findings suggest that exposure of placental cells to low doses of BPA may cause detrimental effects, leading in vivo to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity and pregnancy loss.

PMID: 19769995 [PubMed - in process]

EPA to Strengthen Oversight of Pesticide's Impact on Children and Farmworkers

EPA to Strengthen Oversight of Pesticide's Impact on Children and Farmworkers 

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/worker-rsk-assmnt.html

Debate underway over CA's green chemistry revolution

Debate underway over CA's green chemistry revolution  
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/assignment_7&id=7160331

"In 2011, California manufacturers will be forced to use non-toxic chemicals in their products. The state's "Green Chemistry" program is just in the planning phase, but advocates say it will improve public health. Opponents call it a costly experiment."

The Benefits of Coming Clean on Your Company's Toxic Footprint

The Benefits of Coming Clean on Your Company's Toxic Footprint  
http://www.greenerdesign.com/blog/2009/12/04/benefits-coming-clean-your-companys-toxic-footprint

"This is the third and final part of a series exploring how to reduce your company's toxic footprint by reducing and eliminating the "worst of the worst" toxic chemicals and promoting use of "best of the best" green ones."

Study Shows Infants Exposed to Hundreds of Harmful Chemicals before Birth

Study Shows Infants Exposed to Hundreds of Harmful Chemicals before Birth  

http://www.ombwatch.org/node/10623/  

 

"A new study has found up to 232 industrial chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of infants born in 2007 and 2008. The identified chemicals include known carcinogens, neurotoxins, endocrine disruptors, and numerous other compounds toxic to various organs and systems. The study, commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Rachel's Network, reveals the extent of exposure to harmful substances faced by pregnant mothers and underscores the need to create public policies to prevent future exposures."

South Whitehall Township seeking fines from 'bubble' couple, who have filed new lawsuit

South Whitehall Township seeking fines from 'bubble' couple, who have filed new lawsuit  
http://www.mcall.com/news/all-a9_5bubble.7109056dec08,0,810360.story

"South Whitehall says it has spent more than $60,000 in legal bills in its case against resident Craig Bowes, who a judge ruled illegally erected a ''bubble'' home on his property to protect his wife from illness."

Safety isn't guaranteed in Toyland

Safety isn't guaranteed in Toyland

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/04/AR2009120403824_pf.html

 

"Consumer groups offer tips for keeping toxins out of children's hands and mouths."

Time to Look at Your Home in a Different Light, Basements, Part

Welcome to MCS

Time to Look at Your Home in a Different Light
Basements, Part 1
PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/December2009pg15161718.pdf
Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsdecember2009.htm#_Time_to_Look

Genetic studies reveal new causes of severe obesity in childhood

Genetic studies reveal new causes of severe obesity in childhood  
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/uoc-gsr120409.php

"Although the increased prevalence of obesity over the past 30 years is undoubtedly driven by environmental factors, genetic factors play a major role in determining why some people are more likely to gain weight than others. 
 
Some of the children in the study had been formally placed on the Social Services 'at risk' register on the assumption that the parents were deliberately overfeeding their children and causing their severe obesity. They have now been removed from the register."

With amino acid diet, mice improve after brain injury  

May set stage for treating brain damage in people  

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/chop-waa120209.php  
 
"Neurology researchers have shown that feeding amino acids to brain-injured animals restores their cognitive abilities and may set the stage for the first effective treatment for cognitive impairments suffered by people with traumatic brain injuries.
 
"We have shown in an animal model that dietary intervention can restore a proper balance of neurochemicals in the injured part of the brain, and simultaneously improves cognitive performance," said study leader Akiva S. Cohen, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia."

Young adults' blood lead levels linked to depression, panic disorder

Young adults' blood lead levels linked to depression, panic disorder 
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/jaaj-yab120309.php  
 
"Young adults with higher blood lead levels appear more likely to have major depression and panic disorders, even if they have exposure to lead levels generally considered safe, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals."

Attention to bodily sensations and symptom perception in individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance.

Comment:  These types of questionairres are rarely valid because the questions are nonspecific in terms of acertaining the reason behind the answer.  Do you feel anxious in public, for example, could indicate an antisocial personality or anxiety disorder if a person has no other reason to feel anxious.  But someone who has to look out for exposures, or is regularly ridiculed and teased for being in a wheel chair has a real, valid, and concrete reason to be anxious and this should not be taken as antisocial personality disorder.   It's a normal response. But questionairres assume what they are looking for... antisocial personality or anxiety disorder.  I doubt the below questionairre is any different.

Environ Health Prev Med. 2009 Dec 2. [Epub ahead of print]

Attention to bodily sensations and symptom perception in individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance.

Skovbjerg S, Zachariae R, Rasmussen A, Johansen JD, Elberling J.
The Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 40, 2.th, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark, sinsko01@geh.regionh.dk.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) is characterized by non-specific symptoms attributed to exposure to environmental odours or chemicals at levels below those known to induce adverse health effects. A clarification of whether psychological processes involved in sensory perceptions are associated with IEI would add to our understanding of this complex disorder.

 

PURPOSE: To examine if measures of somato-sensory amplification, autonomic perception and absorption are associated with IEI. METHODS: The study included individuals with self-reported or physician-diagnosed IEI. Participants (n = 732) completed questionnaires that included items on descriptive variables of IEI, the Somato-Sensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), the Autonomic Perception Questionnaire (APQ), the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS) and a Negative Affectivity Scale (NAS).

 

RESULTS: Multiple, hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed significant positive associations between SSAS, APQ, and IEI, while small and inverse associations were seen between TAS and IEI.

 

CONCLUSIONS: The association with SSAS and APQ suggests that perceptual personality characteristics are important in understanding this disorder.

PMID: 19953345 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]