The mission of MCS America (MCSA) is to propagate medical, legal, and social recognition for multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) as a disorder of organic biological origin induced by toxic environmental insults; to provide support and referral services to the individuals with all illnesses of environmental origin; and to ensure that environmental toxicants are identified, reduced, regulated, and enforced through lobbying for effective legislation. © MCS America
Friday, June 29, 2012
Experts Say Protocols for Identifying Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Inadequate & Other Endrocrine News
http://www.newswise.com/articles/simpler-lifestyle-found-to-reduce-exposure-to-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals
Exposure to Environmental Chemicals In the Womb Reprograms the Rodent Brain To Disrupt Reproduction
http://www.newswise.com/articles/exposure-to-environmental-chemicals-in-the-womb-reprograms-the-rodent-brain-to-disrupt-reproduction
Experts Say Protocols for Identifying Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Inadequate
http://www.newswise.com/articles/experts-say-protocols-for-identifying-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-inadequate
Monsanto Sneak Attack, Message from Rio, Obama's Betrayal
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Chemicals in furniture target of Calif. lawmakers
http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Chemicals-in-furniture-target-of-Calif-lawmakers-3661414.php#photo-3117387
"The foam in furniture sold in California has to meet flammability standards set by state regulators in 1975. The cheapest way for furniture makers do that is by using chemicals, many of which have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems and other health concerns, but are not banned."
Potential changes to green building standards rile chemical, vinyl trade groups
Bisphenol A exposure linked to brain tumor diagnosis.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2012/05/2012-0605-bpa-brain-cancer-meningioma/
"Exposure to bisphenol A may be a risk factor for a common type of brain tumor called meningioma, reports a study from China. This is the first study to suggest a link between brain cancer and the chemical, which is widely used in consumer products.
Those with the highest urine BPA levels were about 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with meningioma compared to those with lower concentrations.
This link was observed even after accounting for other factors associated with meningioma. More research is needed to confirm the findings."
Cytoprotective effect of hyaluronic acid and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose against DNA damage induced by thimerosal in Chang conjunctival cells.
Ye J, Zhang H, Wu H, Wang C, Shi X, Xie J, He J, Yang J.
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2012 Jun 24. [Epub ahead of print]
Department of Ophthalmology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, College of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, yejuan@zju.edu.cn.
To investigate genotoxicity of the preservative thimerosal (Thi), and the cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of hyaluronic Acid (HA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on Chang conjunctival cells.
Cells were divided into three groups. One group was exposed to Thi at various concentrations (0.00001 %∼0.001 %) for 30 min; the other two groups were pretreated with 0.3 % HA or 0.3 % HPMC for 30 min before the Thi exposure. After cell viability was evaluated, alkaline comet assay and detection of the phosphorylated form of the histone variant H2AX (γH2AX) foci were used to determine DNA damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed by the fluorescent probe, 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA).
A significant change of cell viability was observed after exposure to 0.001 % Thi for 30 min. DNA single- and double-strand breaks were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner with Thi exposure. In addition, intracellular ROS induced by Thi was dose-dependent, except at 0.001 % less ROS was induced than at 0.0005 %. However, cells pretreated with 0.3 % HA or 0.3 % HPMC showed significantly increased cell survival, decreased DNA damage, and decreased ROS production compared to cells exposed to Thi alone. Pretreatment with 0.3 % HA was found to be even more protective than 0.3 % HPMC.
Thi can induce DNA damage in human conjunctival epithelial cells, probably due to oxidative stress. HA and HPMC are protective agents that have antioxidant properties and can decrease DNA damage induced by Thi. Pretreatment of 0.3 % HA may be more protective of the ocular surface than 0.3 % HPMC.
Expression profiling and gene ontology analysis in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) liver following exposure to pulp and paper mill effluents.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22728206.1
Costigan SL, Werner J, Ouellet JD, Hill LG, Law RD.
Aquat Toxicol. 2012 Jun 1;122-123C:44-55. [Epub ahead of print]
Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada.
Many studies link pulp and paper mill effluent (PPME) exposure to adverse effects in fish populations present in the mill receiving environments. These impacts are often characteristic of endocrine disruption and may include impaired reproduction, development and survival. While these physiological endpoints are well-characterized, the molecular mechanisms causing them are not yet understood. To investigate changes in gene transcription induced by exposure to a PPME at several stages of treatment, male and female fathead minnows (FHMs) were exposed for 6days to 25% (v/v) secondary (biologically) treated kraft effluent (TK) or 100% (v/v) combined mill outfall (CMO) from a mill producing both kraft pulp and newsprint. The gene expression changes in the livers of these fish were analyzed using a 22K oligonucleotide microarray. Exposure to TK or CMO resulted in significant changes in the expression levels of 105 and 238 targets in male FHMs and 296 and 133 targets in females, respectively. Targets were then functionally analyzed using gene ontology tools to identify the biological processes in fish hepatocytes that were affected by exposure to PPME after its secondary treatment. Proteolysis was affected in female FHMs exposed to both TK and CMO. In male FHMs, no processes were affected by TK exposure, while sterol, isoprenoid, steroid and cholesterol biosynthesis and electron transport were up-regulated by CMO exposure. The results presented in this study indicate that short-term exposure to PPMEs affects the expression of reproduction-related genes in the livers of both male and female FHMs, and that secondary treatment of PPMEs may not neutralize all of their metabolic effects in fish. Gene ontology analysis of microarray data may enable identification of biological processes altered by toxicant exposure and thus provide an additional tool for monitoring the impact of PPMEs on fish populations.
A New Sensor for the Assessment of Personal Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22736952.1
Atmos Environ. 2012 Jul 1;54:679-687. Epub 2012 Feb 7.
Chen C, Campbell KD, Negi I, Iglesias RA, Owens P, Tao N, Tsow F, Forzani E.
Center for Bioelectronics & Biosensors, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University.
To improve our understanding of indoor and outdoor personal exposures to common environmental toxicants released into the environment, new technologies that can monitor and quantify the toxicants anytime anywhere are needed. This paper presents a wearable sensor to provide such capabilities. The sensor can communicate with a common smart phone and provides accurate measurement of volatile organic compound concentration at a personal level in real time, providing environmental toxicants data every three minutes. The sensor has high specificity and sensitivity to aromatic, alkyl, and chlorinated hydrocarbons with a resolution as low as 4 parts per billion (ppb), with a detection range of 4 ppb to 1000 ppm (parts per million). The sensor's performance was validated using Gas Chromatography and Selected Ion Flow Tube - Mass Spectrometry reference methods in a variety of environments and activities with overall accuracy higher than 81% (r(2) > 0.9). Field tests examined personal exposure in various scenarios including: indoor and outdoor environments, traffic exposure in different cities which vary from 0 to 50 ppmC (part-per-million carbon from hydrocarbons), and pollutants near the 2010 Deepwater Horizon's oil spill. These field tests not only validated the performance but also demonstrated unprecedented high temporal and spatial toxicant information provided by the new technology.
Register Now for Post-Exertion Malaise Webinar, July 19
Register Now for Post-Exertion Malaise Webinar, July 19
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=17071
On Thursday, July 19 at 2 pm EST, the CFIDS Association of America will host a webinar on the information that ME/CFS patients ask for most post exertion relapse.
The webinar - "Top 10 Things You Need to Know about Post-Exertion Relapse" - will feature the Pacific Fatigue Lab's exercise physiologists Staci Stevens, Chris Snell, and Mark Van Ness.
This trio of fatigue analysts has worked for years, helped by CFIDS Association funding, to develop: 1) measures of post-exertion malaise (PEM), as a diagnostic test for chronic fatigue syndrome, and 2) measures of multiple body system functions as part of comprehensive disability evaluations.
Your questions invited. You can help shape their presentation by submitting any questions you have when you register.
REGISTER for the webinar at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/468532592
[Cell phones: health risks and prevention].
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=22670334
[Article in Italian]
Talamanca IF, Giliberti C, Salerno S.
Ann Ig. 2012 Jan-Feb;24(1):3-23.
Source
Facoltà di Scienze, Matematiche, Fisiche e Naturali, Sapienza Università di Roma. irene.figatalamanca@uniroma1.it
Abstract
The paper describes first of all the electromagnetic radiation of cellular phones and presents the physical parameters used to measure and evaluate the absorption of emissions of radio stations and cellular phones. It then presents selected research results of the experimental studies in vivo and in vitro which examine the biological effects of the emissions of cellular phones. The review of the epidemiologic evidence focuses in particular the epidemiologic studies on the use of cell phones and brain tumours, identifying some of the reasons of the conflicting results obtained. Studies dealing with the health risks involved in the increasing use of cellular phones by adolescents and children, more sensitive to this exposure, are also presented showing the need for special caution. The problem of hypersensitivity observed in some individuals is also briefly discussed. Finally the paper presents a summary of the main prevention measures necessary in order to reduce the risks in the framework of the "precautionary principle" including prevention policies and exposure limits in various countries.
PMID: 22670334 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Monday, June 25, 2012
Can Exposure to Toxins Change Your DNA?
http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/06/can-exposure-toxins-change-your-dna
"Let's face it, we're devoting enormous amounts of time and energy to minimize our exposures to toxins (think BPA, pesticides, and all the rest of the seemingly ubiquitous chemicals). But now an emerging body of research points to the disturbing possibility that such self-protective strategies might sometimes come decades, or even a century, too late.
If your great-grandmother experienced a brief toxic exposure, these studies suggest, you and your children could be at risk for reproductive illnesses and possibly other conditions. The presumed mechanism of this unfortunate inheritance is not a mutation in the DNA itself but rather changes in the biochemical on-off switches that determine whether or not specific genes get activateda field of study known as epigenetics."
Farmworkers plagued by pesticides, red tape
http://www.iwatchnews.org/2012/06/25/9159/farmworkers-plagued-pesticides-red-tape
"Laboring in the blackberry fields of central Arkansas, the 18-year-old Mexican immigrant suddenly turned ill. Her nose began to bleed, her skin developed a rash, and she vomited. The doctor told her it was most likely flu or bacterial infection, but farmworker Tania Banda-Rodriguez suspected pesticides. Under federal law, growers must promptly report the chemicals they spray. It took the worker, and a Tennessee legal services lawyer helping her, six months to learn precisely what chemical doused those blackberry fields. The company ignored her requests for the information. The Arkansas State Plant Board initially refused to provide records to her lawyer, saying it didn't respond to out-of-state requests. An Arkansas inspector, dispatched after the complaint, didn't initially discern what pesticides were used the day the worker became ill, records show. When answers finally arrived the fungicide was Switch 62.5WG, a chemical that can irritate the eyes and skin Banda-Rodriguez had already left Arkansas to follow the season to Virginia and ultimately returned to Mexico. She never learned whether the pesticide sickened her. The episode is as telling a snapshot today as it was six years ago for one of America's most grueling and lowest-paying vocations. Pesticides can endanger farmworkers, but thin layers of government protect them and no one knows the full scope of the environmental perils in the fields."
Is Your Couch Trying to Kill You?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-24/is-your-couch-trying-to-kill-you-.html
"Imagine if government officials knew that certain chemicals were hazardous enough to cause health problems as serious as cancer and neurological defects, yet were largely powerless to restrict them. That, in a nutshell, is the state of chemical regulation in the U.S. On paper, the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate or ban toxic substances. In practice, the agency faces so many hurdles that it hasn't tried to do so since it made an ill-fated run at asbestos in 1991."
U.S. consumers say 'No' to antibiotics
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Consumer-Corner/2012/06/24/Consumer-Corner-US-consumers-say-No-to-antibiotics/UPI-78791340526960/
"A U.S. consumer group is campaigning to get local supermarkets to sell only meat that has been raised without antibiotics. The campaign by Consumers Union, the public policy arm of Consumer Reports, coincides with the release of a study that suggests 86 percent of Americans want meat raised without antibiotics, which can be a difficult task due to misleading and unapproved labels, Consumer Reports said last week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this year issued guidelines to cut back the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food."
Chemical giants push for global green 'standards' at Rio
http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-rio20/chemical-giants-push-global-gree-news-513471
"Rattled in Europe by the REACH regulation and carbon dioxide emission curbs, international chemical companies are at the Rio Earth Summit determined to push for a global approach to environmental policy but with a light regulatory touch. Speaking ahead of the Rio summit, international chemical firms were keen to convey the message that environmental standards are better if they are implemented globally."
Delhi govt wakes up to the menace of chemically enhanced veggies
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-govt-wakes-up-to-the-menace-of-chemically-enhanced-veggies/1/202133.html
"Several studies have established the fact that the level of harmful chemicals in India's edible crops is perilously high because of excessive exposure to pesticides or other growth enhancers. Now, the Delhi government is planning to weed out this health hazard by detecting the specific contaminants in vegetables and fruits with the help of mega scanners right at the entry point."
Convulsion Risk From CSL Flu Vaccine Linked to Components
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-20/convulsion-risk-from-csl-flu-shot-linked-to-viral-components.html
"Convulsions in children immunized with a CSL Ltd. (CSL) flu shot probably were caused by an excessive immune response to viral components in the vaccine, according to preliminary findings of a two-year study."
Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm309136.htm?source=govdelivery
"You're at the beach, slathered in sunscreen. Your 5-month-old baby is there, too. Should you put sunscreen on her? Not usually, according to Hari Cheryl Sachs, M.D., a pediatrician at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."
Minutes of the 'Stakeholder Dialogue Group' on EMF
Minutes of the 'Stakeholder Dialogue Group' on EMF
http://ec.europa.eu/health/electromagnetic_fields/eu_actions/stakeholder_dialogue_group/index_en.htm
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Dr. Michael Maes' neuro-immune explanation for the remitting/relapsing nature of ME/CFS
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=17058
Abstract:
This paper proposes a neuro-immune model for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Fake meat: is science fiction on the verge of becoming fact?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/jun/22/fake-meat-scientific-breakthroughs-research
"The race to make fake meat just got interesting. Two scientists on opposite sides of the world both claim to be on the verge of serving up the first lab-grown hamburger and saving the planet in the process. The new reality is so close, you can almost taste it."
Friday, June 22, 2012
Report: Coal-fired plants cause deaths, asthma attacks
http://www.mcall.com/business/mc-coal-power-plants-enviromental-effects-20120619,0,685314.story
"Coal-fired power plants owned by PPL and seven other energy companies contribute to thousands of deaths, asthma attacks and hospital visits, according to a report issued Tuesday by an environmental group."
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Farm Bill Battles, GMO Labeling Threats and GE Dangers
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Toronto Hospital is First to Recognize Symptoms from Wireless Radiation
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/18/4569762/toronto-hospital-is-first-to-recognize.html
The hospital released a statement saying the symptoms include disrupted sleep, headaches, nausea, dizziness, heart palpitations, memory problems, and skin rashes. These symptoms are now labelled Electro-magnetic Hyper-sensitivity, or "EMS"."
Blog Archive
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2012
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June
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- Experts Say Protocols for Identifying Endocrine-Di...
- Monsanto Sneak Attack, Message from Rio, Obama's B...
- Chemicals in furniture target of Calif. lawmakers
- Potential changes to green building standards rile...
- Bisphenol A exposure linked to brain tumor diagnosis.
- Safe Schools 2012
- Cytoprotective effect of hyaluronic acid and hydro...
- Expression profiling and gene ontology analysis in...
- A New Sensor for the Assessment of Personal Exposu...
- Register Now for Post-Exertion Malaise Webinar, Ju...
- [Cell phones: health risks and prevention].
- Can Exposure to Toxins Change Your DNA?
- Farmworkers plagued by pesticides, red tape
- Is Your Couch Trying to Kill You?
- U.S. consumers say 'No' to antibiotics
- Chemical giants push for global green 'standards' ...
- Delhi govt wakes up to the menace of chemically en...
- Convulsion Risk From CSL Flu Vaccine Linked to Com...
- Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually
- Minutes of the 'Stakeholder Dialogue Group' on EMF
- Dr. Michael Maes' neuro-immune explanation for the...
- Fake meat: is science fiction on the verge of beco...
- Report: Coal-fired plants cause deaths, asthma att...
- Farm Bill Battles, GMO Labeling Threats and GE Dan...
- Toronto Hospital is First to Recognize Symptoms fr...
- Toronto Hospital is First to Recognize Symptoms fr...
- American Thyroid Association (ATA) Issues Policy S...
- Asthma and the inner city: East St. Louis children...
- Kids' allergy risks may go up with antibacterial u...
- Momentum Builds for Legislation to Curb Use of Tox...
- Studies of Human Microbiome Yield New Insights
- New Research Confirms Neurotoxicity of Pesticide S...
- Brain injury tied to malaria drug, doctor says
- Determination of synthetic musk compounds in indoo...
- Tri-decabrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocy...
- The Deadly Price of Delay
- American Lung Association's State of the Air app
- Toxic capsules help the medicine go down in China
- Cell Phone Dangers | Dr. Devra Davis @ National In...
- Diesel exhaust fumes cause lung cancer, WHO says
- Slow your glow: spray tanning found to be toxic
- An iPad could give me a miscarriage, claims pregna...
- Class Claims Miracle-Gro Sold Toxic Bird Food
- Have No Friends? It Might Be BPA's Fault
- EPA suggests tougher soot-pollution standards; not...
- FCC asks about cell phone safety
- MMR: A mother's victory. The vast majority of doct...
- Skewed Results? Failure to Account for Clinical Tr...
- Tell EPA: Say no to "Agent Orange" Corn and toxic ...
- Unanswered Questions: A Review of Compensated Case...
- State takes aim at mercury pollution
- Former UW burn doctor admonished for advocacy on b...
- Bali goes green with bamboo buildings
- Poisoned by plastic: Chemicals in water bottles an...
- Widow and mom takes toxic chemical message to Capitol
- Smart meters are 'massive surveillance' tech - pri...
- Prenatal exposure to organomercury, thimerosal: Im...
- EPA and Partners Announce “My Air, My Health Chall...
- Impaired blood pressure variability in chronic fat...
- Farm Bill, Agent Orange, Hemp History
- NIH, EPA announce competition for personal air pol...
- Stress + pollution = health risks for low-income kids
- Flame retardant linked to obesity, anxiety, develo...
- Healthy Environments Across Generations
- Anne Mazar: Mosquito prevention doesn't come out o...
- About Non-Toxic Paint (video)
- NEWSLETTER: MCS America News - June 2012
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