"When you choose to use fragrances, chemicals, or pesticides,
You are not simply making a choice for yourself,
You are making a choice for everyone around you."
© MCS America


Tuesday, March 31, 2009

SCIENCE: Prevalence of fragrance sensitivity in the American population

"Results aggregated from both surveys found that 30.5% of the general population reported scented products on others irritating, 19% reported adverse health effects from air fresheners, and 10.9% reported irritation by scented laundry products vented outside."
 
J Environ Health. 2009 Mar;71(7):46-50.
 
Prevalence of fragrance sensitivity in the American population
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19326669

Caress SM, Steinemann AC.
University of West Georgia, Carrollton 30118, USA. scaress@westga.edu

This study determined the percentages of individuals who report adverse effects from exposure to fragranced products in the U.S. population and in subpopulations of those with asthma or chemical sensitivity. Data were collected through telephone interviews from two geographically weighted, random samples of the continental U.S. in two surveys during 2002-2003 and 2005-2006 (1,057 and 1,058 cases, respectively).

Respondents were asked if they find being next to someone wearing a scented product irritating or appealing; if they have headaches, breathing difficulties, or other problems when exposed to air fresheners or deodorizers; and if they are irritated by the scent from laundry products, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets that are vented outside.

Results aggregated from both surveys found that 30.5% of the general population reported scented products on others irritating, 19% reported adverse health effects from air fresheners, and 10.9% reported irritation by scented laundry products vented outside.

This study reveals that a considerable percentage of the U.S. population reports adverse health effects or irritation from fragranced products, with higher percentages among those with asthma and chemical sensitivity.

PMID: 19326669

Saturday, March 28, 2009

CORRECTED LINKS: Re: Newsletter: MCS America News - April 2009

The newsletter contained incorrect "entire edition" links.  Please find below a corrected newsletter with working links.
 

MCSA NEWS

April 2009, Volume 4, Issue 4

 

Entire PDF Edition: http://mcs-america.org/april2009.pdf  (View, Download, and Print)
Entire Online Edition:
http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm  (View as a Webpage)

 

Direct Links to Articles Inside This Issue:

 

The Economy Versus Human Health:  What's the Price?

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg123.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_The_Economy_versus

 

Applying for Disability Benefits for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:  Litigation

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg45.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Applying_for_Disability_2

 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment: Part 3, Treatment

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg678910.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Chronic_Fatigue_Syndrome_1

 

Chemicals Affect All of Us

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg11.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Chemicals_Affect_All

 

Welcome to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:  Time to Look at Your Home in a Different Light

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg1213.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Welcome_to_Multiple

 

Proposed Treatment of Light, Sound, Touch, and Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg1415.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Proposed_Treatment_of

 

Fast Metabolism Linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg16.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Fast_Metabolism_Linked

 

Toxic Chemicals Emitted by Scented Laundry Detergents and Fabric Softener

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg17181920.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Cardiovascular_Evidence_of_

 

Q&A:  MCS and Natural Disasters

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg21.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Q&A:__Insurance_

 

Q&A:  Clipping the Olfactory Nerve

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg22.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Q&A__Clipping

 

Toxic Exposures Linked to Mental Health

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg23.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Toxic_Exposures_Linked

 

Low Amino Acids Linked to Fibromyalgia

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg24.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Low_Amino_Acids

 

Letters to the Editor:  Denny Foil

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg25.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Letters_to_the

 

Patient Support and Resources

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg2627282930313233.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Resources_and_Support

 

Community News

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg34.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Community_News_3

 

Featured Research

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg353637.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Featured_Research_Studies_4

 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities America
http://www.mcs-america.org  

admin@mcs-america.org

 

 

Copyrighted © 2009  MCS America

 

You have received this newsletter because you subscribed to it.

If you wish to unsubscribe, please send a message to unsubscribe@mcs-america.org.

 

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NEWSLETTER: MCS America News - April 2009

MCSA NEWS

April 2009, Volume 4, Issue 4

 

Entire PDF Edition: http://mcs-america.org/february2009.pdf  (View, Download, and Print)
Entire Online Edition: http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsfebruary2009.htm   (View as a Webpage)

 

Direct Links to Articles Inside This Issue:

 

The Economy Versus Human Health:  What's the Price?

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg123.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_The_Economy_versus

 

Applying for Disability Benefits for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:  Litigation

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg45.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Applying_for_Disability_2

 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment: Part 3, Treatment

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg678910.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Chronic_Fatigue_Syndrome_1

 

Chemicals Affect All of Us

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg11.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Chemicals_Affect_All

 

Welcome to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:  Time to Look at Your Home in a Different Light

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg1213.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Welcome_to_Multiple

 

Proposed Treatment of Light, Sound, Touch, and Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg1415.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Proposed_Treatment_of

 

Fast Metabolism Linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg16.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Fast_Metabolism_Linked

 

Toxic Chemicals Emitted by Scented Laundry Detergents and Fabric Softener

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg17181920.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Cardiovascular_Evidence_of_

 

Q&A:  MCS and Natural Disasters

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg21.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Q&A:__Insurance_

 

Q&A:  Clipping the Olfactory Nerve

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg22.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Q&A__Clipping

 

Toxic Exposures Linked to Mental Health

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg23.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Toxic_Exposures_Linked

 

Low Amino Acids Linked to Fibromyalgia

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg24.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Low_Amino_Acids

 

Letters to the Editor:  Denny Foil

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg25.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Letters_to_the

 

Patient Support and Resources

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg2627282930313233.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Resources_and_Support

 

Community News

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg34.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Community_News_3

 

Featured Research

PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/april2009pg353637.pdf

Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsapril2009.htm#_Featured_Research_Studies_4

 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities America
http://www.mcs-america.org  

admin@mcs-america.org

 

 

Copyrighted © 2009  MCS America

 

You have received this newsletter because you subscribed to it.

If you wish to unsubscribe, please send a message to unsubscribe@mcs-america.org.

 

This newsletter may be forwarded provided it is forwarded in it's entirety.

Some individuals may receive this newsletter through forwarded posts from independent listserves/groups .

If you no longer wish to receive mail, contact your administrator or unsubscribe from your listserv/group.

Friday, March 27, 2009

ACTIVISM: Company to perfume its car parks

This is in the UK.  Please flood them with complaints saying this would keep us OUT of the parking garage instead of bring us in.  A simple 2 line comment will suffice if that's all there is time for.

For example:  "Adding fragrance to the stairwells will not make a facility more pleasant for drivers.  Fragrances are a personal choice and the wrong scent can be extremely unpleasant.   In addition, fragrances will make the facility an inaccessible health hazard and for the millions of people with asthma, fragrance sensitivity, or respiratory problems.  Please reconsider this important disability access issue.  It's a potential liability hazard to your organization.  The bottom line is that adding fragrance does not remove odors.  It adds to them.  Only regular cleaning removes odors." 

Comments may be sent via:  http://www.ncp.co.uk/contactus.aspx?pointerid=66ab40ab473546ecb02e882095de04a5


Company to perfume its car parks

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7967979.stm

Car park company, NCP, intends to pump out people's favourite fragrances into smelly stairwells in a bid to bring more drivers into its multi-story car parks. 


Parking lot group eyeing lot fragrance


http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/03/27/Parking_lot_group_eyeing_lot_fragrance/UPI-68811238176338/

LONDON, March 27 (UPI) -- National Car Parks says it is looking into ways to replace the offending odors of Britain's parking lots with more pleasant smells for drivers.


The British private parking lot operator learned in a poll of 2,000 drivers that one-third of respondents would avoid a parking lot that featured offending smells, The Daily Mail said Friday.

The benefits of whole-house in-duct air cleaning in reducing exposures to fine particulate matter of outdoor origin: A modeling analysis.

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2009 Mar 25. [Epub ahead of print] Links

The benefits of whole-house in-duct air cleaning in reducing exposures to fine particulate matter of outdoor origin: A modeling analysis.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19319161

[1] aEnvironmental Health & Engineering Inc., 117 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA 02494-2725, USA [2] bHarvard Extension School, 51 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

Health risks of fine particle air pollution (PM(2.5)) are an important public health concern that has the potential to be mitigated in part by interventions such as air cleaning devices that reduce personal exposure to ambient PM(2.5). To characterize exposure to ambient PM(2.5) indoors as a function of residential air cleaners, a multi-zone indoor air quality model was used to integrate spatially resolved data on housing, meteorology, and ambient PM(2.5), with performance testing of residential air cleaners to estimate short-term and annual average PM(2.5) of outdoor origin inside residences of three metropolitan areas. The associated public health impacts of reduced ambient PM(2.5) exposure were estimated using a standard health impact assessment methodology. Estimated indoor levels of ambient PM(2.5) varied substantially among ventilation and air cleaning configurations. The median 24-h average indoor-outdoor ratio of ambient PM(2.5) was 0.57 for homes with natural ventilation, 0.35 for homes with central air conditioning (AC) with conventional filtration, and 0.1 for homes with central AC with high efficiency in-duct air cleaner. Median modeled 24-h average indoor concentrations of PM(2.5) of outdoor origin for those three configurations were 8.4, 5.3, and 1.5 mug/m(3), respectively. The potential public health benefits of reduced exposure to ambient PM(2.5) afforded by air cleaning systems were substantial. If the entire population of single-family homes with central AC in the modeling domain converted from conventional filtration to high-efficiency in-duct air cleaning, the change in ambient PM(2.5) exposure is estimated to result in an annual reduction of 700 premature deaths, 940 hospital and emergency room visits, and 130,000 asthma attacks in these metropolitan areas. In addition to controlling emissions from sources, high-efficiency whole-house air cleaner are expected to reduce exposure to particles of outdoor origin and are projected to be an effective means of managing public health impacts of ambient particle pollution.Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology advance online publication, 25 March 2009; doi:10.1038/jes.2009.16.

PMID: 19319161 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Cellular and mitochondrial glutathione redox imbalance in lymphoblastoid cells derived from children with autism.

FASEB J. 2009 Mar 23. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Cellular and mitochondrial glutathione redox imbalance in lymphoblastoid cells derived from children with autism.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19307255?ordinalpos=1&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum

*Department of Pediatrics; andDepartment of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.

Research into the metabolic phenotype of autism has been relatively unexplored despite the fact that metabolic abnormalities have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several other neurobehavioral disorders. Plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress have been reported in autistic children; however, intracellular redox status has not yet been evaluated. Lymphoblastoid cells (LCLs) derived from autistic children and unaffected controls were used to assess relative concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized disulfide glutathione (GSSG) in cell extracts and isolated mitochondria as a measure of intracellular redox capacity. The results indicated that the GSH/GSSG redox ratio was decreased and percentage oxidized glutathione increased in both cytosol and mitochondria in the autism LCLs. Exposure to oxidative stress via the sulfhydryl reagent thimerosal resulted in a greater decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio and increase in free radical generation in autism compared to control cells. Acute exposure to physiological levels of nitric oxide decreased mitochondrial membrane potential to a greater extent in the autism LCLs, although GSH/GSSG and ATP concentrations were similarly decreased in both cell lines. These results suggest that the autism LCLs exhibit a reduced glutathione reserve capacity in both cytosol and mitochondria that may compromise antioxidant defense and detoxification capacity under prooxidant conditions.-James, S. J., Rose, S., Melnyk, S., Jernigan, S., Blossom, S., Pavliv, O., Gaylor, D.W. Cellular and mitochondrial glutathione redox imbalance in lymphoblastoid cells derived from children with autism.

PMID: 19307255 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Health of US Veterans of 1991 Gulf War: A Follow-Up Survey in 10 Years.

J Occup Environ Med. 2009 Mar 24. [Epub ahead of print] Links

Health of US Veterans of 1991 Gulf War: A Follow-Up Survey in 10 Years.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19322107

From the Department of Veterans Affairs (Dr Kang, Dr Mahan), Environmental Epidemiology Service; Institute for Clinical Research Inc. (Ms Li), Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Washington DC; Department of Veterans Affairs (Dr Eisen), Health Services Research and Development Service; and Department of Defense (Dr Engel), Deployment Health Clinical Center at Walter Reed, Wash.

OBJECTIVE:: To assess periodically the health status of a cohort of 1991 Gulf War veterans by comparing various health outcomes with those of their military peers who were not deployed to the Gulf. METHODS:: We conducted a follow-up health survey to collect health information among population-based samples of 30,000 veterans (15,000 Gulf War veterans and 15,000 Gulf Era veterans) using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS:: Gulf veterans reported significantly higher rates of unexplained multi-symptom illness, chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness, posttraumatic stress disorder, functional impairment, health care utilization, a majority of selected physical conditions and all mental disorders queried during the survey than did Gulf Era veteran controls. CONCLUSIONS:: Fourteen years after deployment, 1991 Gulf War veterans continue to report a higher prevalence of many adverse health outcomes, compared with Gulf Era veterans.


PMID: 19322107 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Monday, March 23, 2009

Gulf War Syndrome Linked To Chemical Exposure

Gulf War Syndrome Linked To Chemical Exposure        
http://www.sciencecodex.com/gulf_war_syndrome_linked_to_chemical_exposure
 
A new study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers is the first to pinpoint damage inside the brains of veterans suffering from Gulf War syndrome – a finding that links the illness to chemical exposures and may lead to diagnostic tests and treatments.

Dr. Robert Haley, chief of epidemiology at UT Southwestern and lead author of the study, said the research uncovers and locates areas of the brain that function abnormally. Recent studies had shown evidence of chemical abnormalities and shrinkage of white matter in the brains of veterans exposed to certain toxic chemicals, such as sarin gas during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
<snip>

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Lower Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Psychosom Med. 2009 Mar 17. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Lower Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19297309?ordinalpos=1&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Institute for Cellular Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.

Objective: To examine blood pressure circadian rhythm in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and appropriate normal and fatigued controls to correlate parameters of blood pressure regulation with perception of fatigue in an observational cohort study. The cause of CFS remains unknown and there are no effective treatments. Methods: To address whether inactivity was a confounder, we performed a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the following three subject groups: 1) CFS patients (Fukuda Diagnostic criteria) (n = 38); 2) normal controls (n = 120); and 3) a fatigue comparison group (n = 47) with the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). All patients completed a measure of fatigue severity (Fatigue Impact Scale). In view of the different demographics between the patient groups, patients were age- and sex-matched on a case-by-case basis to normal controls and blood pressure parameters were compared. Results: Compared with the control population, the CFS group had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (p < .0001) and mean arterial blood pressure (p = .0002) and exaggerated diurnal variation (p = .009). There was a significant inverse relationship between increasing fatigue and diurnal variation of blood pressure in both the CFS and PBC groups (p < .05). Conclusion: Lower blood pressure and abnormal diurnal blood pressure regulation occur in patients with CFS. We would suggest the need for a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of agents to increase blood pressure such as midodrine in CFS patients with an autonomic phenotype.

PMID: 19297309 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Altered amino acid homeostasis in subjects affected by fibromyalgia.

Clin Biochem. 2009 Mar 9. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Altered amino acid homeostasis in subjects affected by fibromyalgia.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19281806?ordinalpos=2&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate plasma amino acids (AA) concentrations in patients affected by fibromyalgia (FM) and to study the relationships between their levels and FM clinical parameters. DESIGN AND METHODS: 20 AA were assessed in 34 FM patients and in 18 healthy volunteers by means of a modified version of the Waters picotag method. RESULTS: Significant lower plasma taurine, alanine, tyrosine (Tyr), valine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine concentrations and sum of essential AAs were observed in FM patients vs healthy controls (P<0.05). Tyr CAAs ratio and the sum of AAs competing with tryptophan for brain uptake resulted significantly reduced in FM (p<0.05). Significant correlation were found between FM clinical parameters and certain AAs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a probable defects of gut malabsorption of certain AAs in FM patients. Moreover, given the reduced Tyr CAAs ratio in FM patients, a possible impairment of cathecolaminergic system in the FM syndrome may be suggested.

PMID: 19281806 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Adsorption and regeneration on activated carbon fiber cloth for volatile organic compounds at indoor concentration levels.

J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2009 Jan;59(1):31-6. Links

Adsorption and regeneration on activated carbon fiber cloth for volatile organic compounds at indoor concentration levels.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19216185

Yao M, Zhang Q, Hand DW, Perram D, Taylor R.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA. myao@mtu.edu

There are increasing concerns about indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) regarding their health effects and frequent occurrence. Adsorption using granular activated carbon (GAC) is a safe methodology for removing VOCs from indoor air. Although GAC has been widely used to remove VOCs from indoor air, the use of activated carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) is a promising substitute to the conventional activated carbon because of its regenerative properties; hence, this paper provides promising results for the application of ACFC as a regenerative adsorbent for the removal of VOCs from indoor air. The impacts of operating variables on the adsorption/regeneration performance of the ACFC were assessed. A single-layer ACFC exhibited remarkable adsorption and regenerative properties using 100 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) toluene as the indoor contaminant. The use of Joule heating regeneration technique showed that the ACFC was rapid and efficient in removing the low initial loading of toluene. Even after continuous adsorption/regeneration cycles the ACFC showed very good performance. After over 300 heating and cooling cycles the ACFC showed excellent durability and adsorption capacity.

PMID: 19216185 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Neonate Exposure to Thimerosal Mercury from Hepatitis B Vaccines.

Am J Perinatol. 2009 Mar 12. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Neonate Exposure to Thimerosal Mercury from Hepatitis B Vaccines.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19283656?ordinalpos=12&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.

Infant exposure to ethylmercury (EtHg) has not only increased but is starting earlier as a result of the current immunization schedule that uses thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCVs). Although vaccination schedule varies considerably between countries, infants in less-developed countries continue to be exposed to EtHg derived from more affordable TCVs. We studied the exposure of newborns to EtHg from hepatitis B vaccines; hospital records (21,685) were summarized for the years 2001 to 2005 regarding date of birth, vaccination date, and birth weight. Most of the vaccinations occurred in the first 24 hours postdelivery; over the 5 years, there was an increase in vaccinations within hours of birth (same day), from 7.4% (2001) to 87.8% (2005). Nearly 94.6% of infants are now being vaccinated within the first 24hours. Range of mercury exposure spread from 4.2 to 21.1 mug mercury/kg body weight for those receiving TCVs with the highest thimerosal concentration; these exposure levels are conservative for 2% of children receiving vaccines within 2 to 3 postnatal days, when they are still going through physiological postnatal weight loss. Because of the particular timing (transitioning from in utero to ex utero metabolism) and specific aspects of exposure (i.e., parenteral mode, bypassing gastroenteric barriers) and dose (related to vaccine manufacturer and with variation in birth weight), this study reveals critical issues that can modulate toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of organomercurials in neonates.

PMID: 19283656 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Exposure to Lead and Mercury in Young Larvae Induces More Severe Deficits in Neuronal Survival and Synaptic Function than in Adult Nematodes.

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2009 Mar 15. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Exposure to Lead and Mercury in Young Larvae Induces More Severe Deficits in Neuronal Survival and Synaptic Function than in Adult Nematodes.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19288233?ordinalpos=8&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease in Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Southeast University Medical School, 210009, Nanjing, China.

In the present study, we investigated the possibly neurotoxic effects of metal (Pb and Hg) exposure at different developmental stages on neuronal loss in the GABAergic nervous system and synaptic functions in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Our data suggest that neuronal survival in GABAergic neurons and cholinergic transmission were relatively stable during development in nematodes. Moreover, neurodegeneration, as shown by the neuronal loss and dorsal/ventral cord gaps, was more severely induced by Pb and Hg exposure at the L1 through L3 larval stages than at the L4 larval and young-adult stages. Similarly, pre- and postsynaptic functions were more severely impaired by Pb and Hg exposure at the L1 through L3 larval stages than at the L4 larval and young-adult stages. Furthermore, both aldicarb and levamisole resistance were significantly correlated with neuronal loss, dorsal cord gap, and ventral cord gap in Pb- and Hg-exposed nematodes, suggesting that neuronal survival was noticeably correlated with synaptic function in metal-exposed nematodes during development. Therefore, younger (L1-L3) larvae show more sensitivity to neurotoxicity of neuronal survival and synaptic function than L4 larvae and young adult nematodes.

PMID: 19288233 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Monday, March 16, 2009

Public health implications of wireless technologies

Public health implications of wireless technologies

Cindy Sagea, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author and David O. Carpenterb

aSage Associates, 1396 Danielson Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, USA

bInstitute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA


Received 18 January 2008; 
accepted 30 January 2009. 
Available online 14 March 2009.

Abstract

Global exposures to emerging wireless technologies from applications including mobile phones, cordless phones, DECT phones, WI-FI, WLAN, WiMAX, wireless internet, baby monitors, and others may present serious public health consequences. Evidence supporting a public health risk is documented in the BioInitiative Report. New, biologically based public exposure standards for chronic exposure to low-intensity exposures are warranted. Existing safety standards are obsolete because they are based solely on thermal effects from acute exposures. The rapidly expanding development of new wireless technologies and the long latency for the development of such serious diseases as brain cancers means that failure to take immediate action to reduce risks may result in an epidemic of potentially fatal diseases in the future. Regardless of whether or not the associations are causal, the strengths of the associations are sufficiently strong that in the opinion of the authors, taking action to reduce exposures is imperative, especially for the fetus and children. Such action is fully compatible with the precautionary principle, as enunciated by the Rio Declaration, the European Constitution Principle on Health (Section 3.1) and the European Union Treaties Article 174.

Keywords: Wireless technology; Brain cancer; Radiofrequency; Cell phones; Wireless antenna facilities; Childrens' health

Article Outline

1. Introduction and background
2. Evidence supporting a public health risk
2.1. Malignant brain tumors
2.2. Plausible biological mechanisms for a relationship between RF exposure and cancer
2.2.1. DNA damage and oxidative stress
2.2.2. Stress proteins (heat shock proteins or HSP)
2.2.3. RF-induced gene expression changes
3. Sleep, cognitive function and performance
3.1. Plausible biological mechanisms for neurobehavioral effects
3.1.1. The melatonin hypothesis
3.1.2. Blood–brain barrier alterations
4. What are sources of wireless radiation?
5. Problems with existing public health standards (safety limits)
6. Prudent public health responses
7. Conclusions and recommended actions
References

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Indoor allergens, environmental avoidance, and allergic respiratory disease.

Allergy Asthma Proc. 2008 Nov-Dec;29(6):575-9.Click here to read Links

Indoor allergens, environmental avoidance, and allergic respiratory disease.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19173784

Section of Allergy, Immunology, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA. rkb@medicine.wisc.edu

Indoor allergen exposure to sources such as house-dust mites, pets, fungi, and insects plays a significant role in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma. The identification of the major allergens has led to methods that can quantitate exposure, e.g., immunoassays for Der p 1 in settled dust samples. Sensitization and the development of allergic respiratory disease result from complex genetic and environmental interactions. New paradigms that examine the role of other environmental factors, including exposure to proteases that can activate eosinophils and initiate Th2 responses, and epigenetics, are being explored. Recommendations for specific environmental allergen avoidance measures are discussed for house-dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, and fungi. Specific measures to reduce indoor allergen exposure when vigorously applied may reduce the risk of sensitization and symptoms of allergic respiratory disease, although further research will be necessary to establish cost-effective approaches.

PMID: 19173784 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Mitochondrial impacts of insecticidal formate esters in insecticide-resistant and insecticide-susceptible Drosophila melanogaster.

Pest Manag Sci. 2009 Mar 11. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Mitochondrial impacts of insecticidal formate esters in insecticide-resistant and insecticide-susceptible Drosophila melanogaster.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19278021

Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

BACKGROUND: Previous research on insecticidal formate esters in flies and mosquitoes has documented toxicity profiles, metabolism characteristics and neurological impacts. The research presented here investigated mitochondrial impacts of insecticidal formate esters and their hydrolyzed metabolite formic acid in the model dipteran insect Drosophila melanogaster Meig. These studies compared two Drosophila strains: an insecticide-susceptible strain (Canton-S) and a strain resistant by cytochrome P450 overexpression (Hikone-R).

RESULTS: In initial studies investigating inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, two proven insecticidal materials (hydramethylnon and sodium cyanide) caused significant inhibition. However, for insecticidal formate esters and formic acid, no significant inhibition was identified in either fly strain. Mitochondrial impacts of formate esters were then investigated further by tracking toxicant-induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, a biomarker of apoptosis and neurological dysfunction. Formic acid and three positive control treatments (rotenone, antimycin A and sodium cyanide) induced cytochrome c release, verifying that formic acid is capable of causing mitochondrial disruption. However, when comparing formate ester hydrolysis and cytochrome c release between Drosophila strains, formic acid liberation was only weakly correlated with cytochrome c release in the susceptible Canton-S strain (r(2) = 0.70). The resistant Hikone-R strain showed no correlation (r(2) < 0.0001) between formate ester hydrolysis and cytochrome c release.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide confirmation of mitochondrial impacts by insecticidal formate esters and suggest links between mitochondrial disruption, respiratory inhibition, apoptosis and formate-ester-induced neurotoxicity. Copyright (c) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID: 19278021 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics.]

Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2009 Jan-Feb;100(1):53-60.Click here to read Links

[Allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics.]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19268112

[Article in Spanish]

Servicio de Dermatología. Hospital General Universitario de Valencia. Valencia. España. cecipru@comv.es.

INTRODUCTION: Contact dermatitis to cosmetics is a common problem in the general population, although its prevalence appears to be underestimated. We reviewed cases of allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics diagnosed in our dermatology department over a 7-year period with a view to identifying the allergens responsible, the frequency of occurrence of these allergens, and the cosmetic products implicated. METHODS: Using the database of the skin allergy department, we undertook a search of all cases of allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics diagnosed in our department from January 2000 through October 2007. RESULTS: In this period, patch tests were carried out on 2,485 patients, of whom 740 were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis and the cause was cosmetics in 202 of these patients (170 women and 32 men), who accounted for 27.3 % of all cases. A total of 315 positive results were found for 46 different allergens. Allergens most often responsible for contact dermatitis in a cosmetics user were methylisothiazolinone (19 %), paraphenylenediamine (15.2 %), and fragrance mixtures (7.8 %). Acrylates were the most common allergens in cases of occupational disease. Half of the positive results were obtained with the standard battery of the Spanish Group for Research Into Dermatitis and Skin Allergies (GEIDAC). The cosmetic products most often implicated among cosmetics users were hair dyes (18.5 %), gels/soaps (15.7 %), and moisturizers (12.7 %). CONCLUSION: Most patients affected were women. Preser vatives, paraphenylenediamine, and fragrances were the most frequently detected cosmetic allergens, in line with previous reports in the literature. Finally, in order to detect new cosmetic allergens, cooperation between physicians and cosmetics producers is needed.

PMID: 19268112 [PubMed - in process]

Chronic fatigue: is it endocrinology?

Clin Med. 2009 Feb;9(1):34-8. Links

Chronic fatigue: is it endocrinology?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19271598

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth and Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. kme@doctors.org.uk

Fatigue and stress-related illnesses often become diagnoses of exclusion after extensive investigation. 'Tired all the time' is a frequent reason for referral to the endocrine clinic, the implicit question being--is there a subtle endocrine pathology contributing to the patient's symptoms? Often initial assessment suggests not but there are no clear data to address the question of whether overt pathology will develop in the future. This study observed outcomes after five years in 101 consecutive and unselected referrals to secondary care for 'fatigue?cause', where initial assessment did not suggest treatable endocrine pathology. The findings suggest that the clinical diagnosis of fatigue, based on history and tests to exclude anaemia, hypothyroidism and diabetes, is secure: these patients do not subsequently demonstrate excess morbidity and mortality, and their presenting symptoms are not early features of significant endocrine pathology.

PMID: 19271598 [PubMed - in process]

Patient-centered outcome criteria for successful treatment of facial pain and fibromyalgia.

 J Orofac Pain. 2009 Winter;23(1):47-53. Links

Patient-centered outcome criteria for successful treatment of facial pain and fibromyalgia.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19264035

Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. lstutts@phhp.ufl.edu

AIMS: To define treatment success from the facial pain and fibromyalgia pain patient perspective across four domains (pain, fatigue, emotional distress, interference with daily activities) through the use of the Patient-Centered Outcomes (PCO) Questionnaire. METHODS: Participants included 53 facial pain (46 women, seven men) and 52 fibromyalgia (49 women, three men) patients who completed the PCO Questionnaire. The PCO assesses four relevant domains of chronic pain: pain, fatigue, distress, and interference in daily activities. Participants rated their usual levels, expected levels, levels they considered successful improvements, and how important improvements were in each of the four domains following treatment. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were performed to determine whether differences existed across domains and across pain groups. RESULTS: Both groups of participants defined treatment success as a substantial decrease in their pain, fatigue, distress, and interference ratings (all approximately 60%). Fibromyalgia participants reported high levels of pain (mean = 7.08, SD = 2.04), fatigue (mean = 7.82, SD = 1.71), distress (mean = 6.35, SD = 2.46), and interference (mean = 7.35, SD = 2.21). Facial pain participants' ratings of these domains were significantly lower for pain (mean = 5.62, SD = 2.38), fatigue (mean = 5.28, SD = 2.64), distress (mean = 4.34, SD = 2.78), and interference (mean = 4.10, SD = 3.06). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the high expectations of individuals with facial pain and fibromyalgia regarding treatment of their symptoms. Health care providers should incorporate these expectations into their treatment plans and discuss realistic treatment goals with their pain patients.

PMID: 19264035 [PubMed - in process]

Toxic ignorance and right-to-know in biomonitoring results communication: a survey of scientists and study participants

Research
Toxic ignorance and right-to-know in biomonitoring results communication: a survey of scientists and study participants
Rachel Morello-Frosch*1, Julia Green Brody2, Phil Brown3,4, Rebecca Gasior Altman4, Ruthann A Rudel2 and Carla Pérez5
Environmental Health 2009, 8:6
Abstract
Background: Exposure assessment has shifted from pollutant monitoring in air, soil, and water
toward personal exposure measurements and biomonitoring. This trend along with the paucity of
health effect data for many of the pollutants studied raise ethical and scientific challenges for
reporting results to study participants.
Methods: We interviewed 26 individuals involved in biomonitoring studies, including academic
scientists, scientists from environmental advocacy organizations, IRB officials, and study
participants; observed meetings where stakeholders discussed these issues; and reviewed the
relevant literature to assess emerging ethical, scientific, and policy debates about personal exposure
assessment and biomonitoring, including public demand for information on the human health effects
of chemical body burdens.
Results: We identify three frameworks for report-back in personal exposure studies: clinical
ethics; community-based participatory research; and citizen science 'data judo.' The first approach
emphasizes reporting results only when the health significance of exposures is known, while the
latter two represent new communication strategies where study participants play a role in
interpreting, disseminating, and leveraging results to promote community health. We identify five
critical areas to consider in planning future biomonitoring studies.
Conclusion: Public deliberation about communication in personal exposure assessment research
suggests that new forms of community-based research ethics and participatory scientific practice
are emerging.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Epidemiological evidence for an association between use of wireless phones and tumor diseases.

Pathophysiology. 2009 Mar 4. [Epub ahead of print]

Epidemiological evidence for an association between use of wireless phones and tumor diseases.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/19268551

Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K.
Department of Oncology, University Hospital, SE-701 85 Orebro, Sweden.

During recent years there has been increasing public concern on potential cancer risks from microwave emissions from wireless phones. We evaluated the scientific evidence for long-term mobile phone use and the association with certain tumors in case-control studies, mostly from the Hardell group in Sweden and the Interphone study group. Regarding brain tumors the meta-analysis yielded for glioma odds ratio (OR)=1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.9-1.1. OR increased to 1.3, 95% CI=1.1-1.6 with 10 year latency period, with highest risk for ipsilateral exposure (same side as the tumor localisation), OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.4-2.4, lower for contralateral exposure (opposite side) OR=1.2, 95% CI=0.9-1.7. Regarding acoustic neuroma OR=1.0, 95% CI=0.8-1.1 was calculated increasing to OR=1.3, 95% CI=0.97-1.9 with 10 year latency period. For ipsilateral exposure OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.1-2.4, and for contralateral exposure OR=1.2, 95% CI=0.8-1.9 were found. Regarding meningioma no consistent pattern of an increased risk was found. Concerning age, highest risk was found in the age group <20 years at time of first use of wireless phones in the studies from the Hardell group. For salivary gland tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer no consistent pattern of an association with use of wireless phones was found. One study on uveal melanoma yielded for probable/certain mobile phone use OR=4.2, 95% CI=1.2-14.5. One study on intratemporal facial nerve tumor was not possible to evaluate due to methodological shortcomings. In summary our review yielded a consistent pattern of an increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma after >10 year mobile phone use. We conclude that current standard for exposure to microwaves during mobile phone use is not safe for long-term exposure and needs to be revised.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Polyvalent type IV sensitizations to multiple fragrances and a skin protection cream in a metalworker.

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2009 Feb 10. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Polyvalent type IV sensitizations to multiple fragrances and a skin protection cream in a metalworker.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19243479

Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany.

Summary Fragrances are very common in everyday products. A metalworker with chronic hand eczema and previously diagnosed type IV sensitizations to epoxy resin, balsam of Peru, fragrance mix and fragrance mix II was diagnosed with additional type IV sensitizations to geraniol, hydroxycitronellal, lilial, tree moss, oak moss absolute, citral, citronellol, farnesol, Lyral((R)), fragrance mix II and fragrance mix (with sorbitan sesquioleate). In addition, a type IV sensitization to the skin protection cream containing geraniol and citronellol used at the workplace was detected, and deemed occupationally relevant in this case. The patient could have had contact to fragrances through private use of cosmetics and detergents. On the other hand, the fragrance-containing skin protection cream supports occupational exposure. This case report demonstrates that fragrance contact allergy has to be searched for and clarified individually, which requires a thorough history and a detailed analysis of the work place.

PMID: 19243479 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Role of Oxidative Stress in Ultrafine Particle-Induced Exacerbation of Allergic Lung Inflammation.

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009 Mar 5. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Role of Oxidative Stress in Ultrafine Particle-Induced Exacerbation of Allergic Lung Inflammation.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19264975?ordinalpos=3&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy , Helmholtz Zentrum/Technische Universitat Munchen, ZAUM Center for Allergy and Environment, Neuherberg and Munich, Germany; Focus Network Nanoparticles and Health (NanoHealth) , Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany.

RATIONALE: The effects of ultrafine particles inhalation on allergic airway inflammation is of growing interest. The mechanisms underlying these effects are currently under investigation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of oxidative stress on the adjuvant activity of inhaled elemental carbon ultrafine particles (EC-UFP) on allergic airway inflammation. METHODS: Ovalbumin-sensitized mice were exposed to EC-UFP(504microHg/m(3) for 24 h) or filtered air immediately prior to allergen challenge and systemically treated with Nacetylcysteine or vehicle prior and during EC-UFP inhalation. Allergic inflammation was measured up to one week after allergen challenge by means of bronchoalveolar lavage, cytokine/total protein assays, lung function and histology. Isoprostane levels in lung tissue served to measure oxidative stress. Transmission electron microscopy served to localize ECUFP in lung tissue and both EMSA and immunohistochemistry to quantify/localize NF-kappaB activation. MAIN RESULTS: In sensitized and challenged mice EC-UFP inhalation increased allergen-induced lung lipid peroxidation and NF-kappaB activation in addition to inflammatory infiltrate, cytokine release and airway hyperresponsiveness. Prominent NF-kappaB activation was observed in the same cell types in which EC-UFP were detected. N-acetylcysteine treatment significantly reduced the adjuvant activity of EC-UFP. In non sensitized or sensitized but not challenged mice EC-UFP exposure induced a moderate increase in isoprostanes, but no significant effect on other parameters of lung inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate a critical role for oxidative stress in EC-UFP-induced augmentation of allergen-induced lung inflammation, where EC-UFP exposure has potentiating effects in lung allergic inflammation. Our data support the concept that allergic individuals are more susceptible to the adverse health effects of EC-UFP.

PMID: 19264975 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Friday, March 6, 2009

Microbial volatile organic compounds

Crit Rev Toxicol. 2009;39(2):139-93.Click here to read Links

Microbial volatile organic compounds.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19204852

University of Kuopio, Department of Environmental Science, Kuopio, Finland. anne.korpi@uku.fi

Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are a variety of compounds formed in the metabolism of fungi and bacteria. Of more than 200 compounds identified as MVOCs in laboratory experiments, none can be regarded as exclusively of microbial origin or as specific for certain microbial species. Thus, the recognition of microbially contaminated areas by MVOC measurements is not successful with current methods. In this review, the basic physical and chemical properties of 96 typical MVOCs have been summarised. Of these, toxicological and exposure data were gathered for the 15 MVOCs most often analysed and reported in buildings with moisture and microbial damage. The most obvious health effect of MVOC exposure is eye and upper-airway irritation. However, in human experimental exposure studies, symptoms of irritation have appeared at MVOC concentrations several orders of magnitude higher than those measured indoors (single MVOC levels in indoor environments have ranged from a few ng/m(3) up to 1 mg/m(3)). This is also supported by dose-dependent sensory-irritation response, as determined by the American Society for Testing and Materials mouse bioassay. On the other hand, the toxicological database is poor even for the 15 examined MVOCs. There may be more potent compounds and other endpoints not yet evaluated.

PMID: 19204852 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Approach to sick building problem in schools: a workshop "Saga Forum on Environment" project]

Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2009 Jan;64(1):26-31. Links

[Approach to sick building problem in schools: a workshop "Saga Forum on Environment" project]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19246857

[Article in Japanese]

Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Saga Medical School, Saga, Japan. ichiba@cc.saga-u.ac.jp

OBJECTIVE: Saga University has the "Saga Forum of Environment" project conducted in collaboration with the Saga city local government. In this project, a workshop was held to study the sick building syndrome at schools. The purpose of this workshop was to evaluate indoor air pollution levels in elementary and junior high schools in Saga city. METHODS: The levels of aldehydes and volatile organic compounds (VOC) were measured in 96 classrooms of the 49 schools in August. The sampling of these chemicals were performed by the passive sampler method and measured by high-performance liquid chromatograph or gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer by participants of the workshop. RESULTS: In 40% of all classrooms, formaldehyde levels were higher than that of the standard of Japanese Ministry of Education. Relatively high levels of formaldehyde were found in some music classrooms. The origin of formaldehyde was thought to be musical instruments, furniture or wooden floors. A significant correlation was found between formaldehyde level and room temperature. The classrooms with ventilators showed lower levels of formaldehyde than those without ventilators. The levels of most VOCs except that of alpha-pinene were low. CONCLUSION: There is still room for improvement of air pollution in elementary and junior high schools.

PMID: 19246857 [PubMed - in process]

Toxic ignorance and right-to-know in biomonitoring results communication: a survey of scientists and study participants.

Environ Health. 2009 Feb 28;8(1):6. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Toxic ignorance and right-to-know in biomonitoring results communication: a survey of scientists and study participants.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19250551

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Exposure assessment has shifted from pollutant monitoring in air, soil, and water toward personal exposure measurements and biomonitoring. This trend along with the paucity of health effect data for many of the pollutants studied raise ethical and scientific challenges for reporting results to study participants. METHODS: We interviewed 26 individuals involved in biomonitoring studies, including academic scientists, scientists from environmental advocacy organizations, IRB officials, and study participants; observed meetings where stakeholders discussed these issues; and reviewed the relevant literature to assess emerging ethical, scientific, and policy debates about personal exposure assessment and biomonitoring, including public demand for information on the human health effects of chemical body burdens. RESULTS: We identify three frameworks for report-back in personal exposure studies: clinical ethics; community-based participatory research; and citizen science 'data judo.' The first approach emphasizes reporting results only when the health significance of exposures is known, while the latter two represent new communication strategies where study participants play a role in interpreting, disseminating, and leveraging results to promote community health. We identify five critical areas to consider in planning future biomonitoring studies. CONCLUSION: Public deliberation about communication in personal exposure assessment research suggests that new forms of community-based research ethics and participatory scientific practice are emerging.

PMID: 19250551 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Visible and near-infrared spectral changes in the thumb of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clin Chim Acta. 2009 Feb 25. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Visible and near-infrared spectral changes in the thumb of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19248775

Department of Virology, Center for Infectious Disease Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients show a persistent fatigue condition with muscle pain and impairment of concentration, memory, and sleep. Presently, the physiological basis of CFS remains unclear. In this study, spectroscopic differences in the thumb were compared between 103 CFS patients and 122 healthy controls to examine possible changes of levels of oxygenated or deoxygenated hemoglobin. METHODS: Visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy was used to examine possible changes in the region of 600-1100 nm. RESULTS: Vis-NIR spectra showed sharp peaks at 694, 970 and 1060 nm and broad peaks in the regions of 740-760 and 830-850 nm. As these peaks are possibly related to oxyhemoglobin, cytochrome c oxidase and water, levels of these factors were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis of the absorbance of Vis-NIR spectra showed a significant decrease in water content, a significant increase in oxyhemoglobin content, and a significant increase in the oxidation of heme a+a(3) and copper in cytochrome c oxidase in CFS patients. CONCLUSIONS: These changes imply accelerated blood flow and energy metabolism in the thumbs of CFS patients.

PMID: 19248775 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Prevalence of Fibromyalgia: A Survey in Five European Countries.

Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Feb 26. [Epub ahead of print]Click here to read Links

Prevalence of Fibromyalgia: A Survey in Five European Countries.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19250656?ordinalpos=6&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Egas Moniz, Lisboa, Portugal.

OBJECTIVE: A survey was performed in 5 European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) to estimate the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in the general population. METHODS: In each country, the London Fibromyalgia Epidemiological Study Screening Questionnaire (LFESSQ) was administered by telephone to a representative sample of the community over 15 years of age. A positive screen was defined as the following: (1) meeting the 4-pain criteria alone (LFESSQ-4), or (2) meeting both the 4-pain and the 2-fatigue criteria (LFESSQ-6). The questionnaire was also submitted to all outpatients referred to the 8 participating rheumatology clinics for 1 month. These patients were examined by a rheumatologist to confirm or exclude the FM diagnosis according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. The prevalence of FM in the general population was estimated by applying the positive-predictive values to eligible community subjects (ie, positive screens). RESULTS: Among rheumatology outpatients, 46% screened positive for chronic widespread pain (LFESSQ-4), 32% for pain and fatigue (LFESSQ-6), and 14% were confirmed FM cases. In the whole general population, 13 and 6.7% screened positive for LFESSQ-4 and LFESSQ-6, respectively. 3The estimated overall prevalence of FM was 4.7% (95% CI: 4.0 to 5.3) and 2.9% (95% CI: 2.4 to 3.4), respectively, in the general population. The prevalence of FM was age- and sex-related and varied among countries. CONCLUSION: FM appears to be a common condition in these 5 European countries, even if data derived from the most specific criteria set (LFESSQ-6) are considered.

PMID: 19250656 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Shopping for Answers: Unscented doesn't mean fragrance-free

Comment:  This is a good reminder in clear language explaining the problem with "unscented" products.
 
Shopping for Answers: Unscented doesn't mean fragrance-free
http://www.sacbee.com/grogan/story/1672613.html

"Unscented means that it leaves no fragrance on hair or skin, but the product may have a masking fragrance, which is used to disguise the smells of the other ingredients. Fragrance-free means there is no perfume added to the product."

Support for Those Living Alone with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

Singles with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) face unique financial and social challenges when compared to their counterparts with other family members.  When help is needed to hold things together, it can be difficult to find.


Shopping - When a single person cannot shop, there are no family members to assist.


Financial - When a single person can no longer work, there is no other recourse for income from other family members to help cover basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical care.


Doctor Visits - Family members attending medical appointments often provide an air of patient credibility that is compromised when one sees a physician alone. In addition, since many doctors offices are unsafe environments, family members can assist by communicating with the doctor when the individual with MCS is compromised.


Transportation - Family members often provide transportation and are able to run errands for a disabled member. Singles still have the same errands, but no one to run them.


Advocacy - Family members who are healthy and not compromised can be valuable resources for wading through the mounds of paperwork related to disability, financial affairs, and social services.


Housing -Safe housing is the number one challenge for people with MCS. Family units provide the financial backing to enable renting or purchasing stand alone units which can be renovated to the needs of the MCS member. Singles face the unique challenge of lacking the financial capability to afford these expensive modifications and often live in toxic community settings such as an apartment complex.


Dating - Despite chronic illness, singles with MCS may still want to date and socialize.


A support group for singles with MCS is located at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mcs-singles and addresses the challenges of living as a single with MCS, examines solutions, provides a place for general discussion, and is a resource for peer support.


Disclaimer: This is not a dating group.

Monday, March 2, 2009

How to Get Toxic Cleaners Out of Your Workplace

This is a good guide to share with schools and workplace administrators when
requesting safer cleaning practices.

2007 - Labour Enviornmental Alliance Society
How to Get Toxic Cleaners Out of Your Workplace and Out of the Enviornment
Cleaners and Toxics Guide

http://www.toxicfreecanada.ca/pdf/Toxins%20Guide.pdf

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