Monday, December 22, 2014

Self-reporting of symptom development from exposure to radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters in victoria, australia: a case series.

Altern Ther Health Med. 2014 Nov;20(6):28-39.
Self-reporting of symptom development from exposure to radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters in victoria, australia: a case series.
Abstract
Context • In 2006, the government in the state of Victoria, Australia, mandated the rollout of smart meters in Victoria, which effectively removed a whole population's ability to avoid exposure to human-made high-frequency nonionizing radiation. This issue appears to constitute an unprecedented public health challenge for Victoria. By August 2013, 142 people had reported adverse health effects from wireless smart meters by submitting information on an Australian public Web site using its health and legal registers. Objective • The study evaluated the information in the registers to determine the types of symptoms that Victorian residents were developing from exposure to wireless smart meters. Design • In this case series, the registers' managers eliminated those cases that did not clearly identify the people providing information by name, surname, postal address, and/or e-mail to make sure that they were genuine registrants. Then they obtained consent from participants to have their deidentified data used to compile the data for the case series. The author later removed any individual from outside of Victoria. Participants • The study included 92 residents of Victoria, Australia. Outcome Measures • The author used her medical experience and judgment to group symptoms into clinically relevant clusters (eg, pain in the head was grouped with headache, tinnitus was grouped with ringing in the ears). The author stayed quite close to the wording used in the original entries. She then calculated total numbers and percentages for each symptom cluster. Percentages were rounded to the nearest whole number.Results • The most frequently reported symptoms from exposure to smart meters were (1) insomnia, (2) headaches, (3) tinnitus, (4) fatigue, (5) cognitive disturbances, (6) dysesthesias (abnormal sensation), and (7) dizziness. The effects of these symptoms on people's lives were significant. Conclusions • Review of some key studies, both recent and old (1971), reveals that the participants' symptoms were the same as those reported by people exposed to radiofrequency fields emitted by devices other than smart meters. Interestingly, the vast majority of Victorian cases did not state that they had been sufferers of electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) prior to exposure to the wireless meters, which points to the possibility that smart meters may have unique characteristics that lower people's threshold for symptom development.

PMID: 25478801 [PubMed - in process]

Friday, November 14, 2014

NEWS, Science, & Links Summary for the W/E 11/14/2014

New support group for people with MCS in Montanta
http://mtmcsconnect.wix.com/mtmcsconnect
www.facebook.com/mtmcsconnect

Dr Molot 12 May 2014 Conference at McGill University
Women are more susceptible to the effects of the environment on health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJDJBsOkqq4

Spain officially recognises Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, the condition of
the 'bubble people'
http://www.sensibilidadquimicamultiple.org/2014/09/spain-recognises-mcs-bubble-people-2014.html

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity means Peter Lloyd can't leave his house...
or enjoy any modern pleasures inside
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/electromagnetic-hypersensitivity-means-peter-lloyd-7948249

Woman who is 'allergic' to the 21st century has no physical contact with the
outside world
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/woman-who-is-allergic-to-the-21st-century-has-no-physical-contact-with-the-outside-world/story-fni0cx2y-1227092832555?nk=d70c1dcd5ac9a95bcda6681666fdea38

False Allegations of Child Abuse in Cases of Childhood Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis (ME)
http://www.tymestrust.org/pdfs/falseallegations.pdf

Disclaimer:
Articles and links are not necessarily the opinion of MCS America, Lourdes
Salvador, and/or the volunteers who assemble this information. We will be
not responsible for misuse of this information. Posting does not constitute
endorsement. We have no financial interest in anything posted. This post is
provided free of charge via volunteer effort.

New support group for people with MCS in Montanta

New support group for people with MCS in Montanta

Dr Molot 12 <ay 2014 Conference at McGill University

Dr Molot 12 May 2014 Conference at McGill University
Women are more susceptible to the effects of the environment on health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJDJBsOkqq4 

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Woman who is 'allergic' to the 21st century has no physical contact with the outside world

Woman who is 'allergic' to the 21st century has no physical contact with the outside world
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/woman-who-is-allergic-to-the-21st-century-has-no-physical-contact-with-the-outside-world/story-fni0cx2y-1227092832555?nk=d70c1dcd5ac9a95bcda6681666fdea38

"FOR almost five years, I've lived in one single room, stripped of all possessions – apart from a fold-out bed that doesn't even have a mattress."

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity means Peter Lloyd can't leave his house... or enjoy any modern pleasures inside

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity means Peter Lloyd can't leave his house... or enjoy any modern pleasures inside
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/electromagnetic-hypersensitivity-means-peter-lloyd-7948249

"The 42-year-old says he is desperate to be housed in an isolated wooden hut because virtually every aspect of modern life causes him pain"

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Allergic diseases and multiple chemical sensitivity in korean adults.

Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2014 Sep;6(5):409-14. doi: 10.4168/aair.2014.6.5.409. Epub 2014 Mar 21.
Allergic diseases and multiple chemical sensitivity in korean adults.

Jeong I1, Kim I1, Park HJ2, Roh J3, Park JW2, Lee JH2.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a clinical syndrome representing multi-organ and psychological symptoms caused by chronic exposure to various chemicals in low concentrations. We evaluated the prevalence and related factors of MCS targeting Korean adults using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI©).
METHODS:
A total of 446 participants were recruited from Severance Hospital. Participants underwent a questionnaire interview including questions on sociodemographic factors, occupational and environmental factors, allergic diseases, and the QEESI©. Among them, 379 participants completed the questionnaire and the QEESI©. According to the QEESI© interpretation results, participants were divided into very suggestive (VS) group and less suggestive (LS) group.
RESULTS:
The estimated prevalence of MCS was higher in allergic patients than non-allergic participants (19.7% and 11.3%, respectively, P=0.04). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, ages of 30-39 (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.25-6.95) and those of 40-49 (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.02-6.21) were significantly related to MCS compared to those aged less than 30 years. Female sex (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.11-4.18), experience of dwelling in a new house (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.04-4.03), and atopic dermatitis (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.04-3.69) were also significantly related to MCS. However, only age of 30-39 in the allergic group was significant in the stratified analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
The estimated prevalence of MCS was higher among allergic patients than non-allergic participants. People with experience of dwelling in a new house and atopic dermatitis were more at risk of being intolerant to chemicals. Further studies to provide the nationally representative prevalence data and clarify risk factors and mechanisms of MCS are required.

PMID:  25228997 [PubMed]

Spain officially recognises Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, the condition of the 'bubble people'

Spain officially recognises Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, the condition of the 'bubble people
'http://www.sensibilidadquimicamultiple.org/2014/09/spain-recognises-mcs-bubble-people-2014.html

"MCS didn't "exist" before from an administrative point of view, which involved a "complete defencelessness situation" for the sufferers.
The addition of the condition to the healthcare system has been carried out in accordance with the WHO approved ICD guidelines which other countries had already adopted for this disease."

Saturday, August 9, 2014

How to Better Accommodate Travelers with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - By Glenn Hasek

How to Better Accommodate Travelers with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - By Glenn Hasek

August, 4 2014
Green Lodging News
"Prior to one of her recent trips, Judy Smith called the motel where she was going to be staying and requested that no chemicals, air fresheners or room deodorizers be used in her room. Unfortunately, housekeeping only got the message about not using cleaning chemicals and not the part about not using air fresheners or room deodorizers."

[A new classification code is available in the Danish health-care classification system for patients with symptoms related to chemicals and scents.]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2014 May 26;176(11). pii: V10120627.

[A new classification code is available in the Danish health-care classification system for patients with symptoms related to chemicals and scents.]
[Article in Danish]

Elberling J1, Bonde JP, Vesterhauge S, Bang S, Linneberg A, Zachariae C, Johansen JD, Blands J, Skovbjerg S.

Author information:
1Videncenter for Duft- og Kemikalieoverfølsomhed, Hud- og allergiafdelingen, Gentofte Hospital, Niels Andersensvej 65, 2900 Hellerup. jelberling@dadlnet.dk.

Abstract

From July 2012, a classification code for multiple chemical sensitivity has been available in the Danish healthcare classification system. The overall purpose is to register hospital contacts in Denmark. The diagnostic code is labelled "Symptoms related to chemicals and scents", DR688A1, and classified as a subcategory to "Medically unexplained symptoms", DR688A, which is a specialization of the ICD-10 code "R68.8 Other specified general symptoms and signs". The classification was decided with reference to the present lack of scientific understanding.

PMID: 25096843 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Biological definition of multiple chemical sensitivity from redox state and cytokine profiling and not from polymorphisms of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes.

2010 Nov 1;248(3):285-92. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2010.04.017. Epub 2010 Apr 27.

Biological definition of multiple chemical sensitivity from redox state and cytokine profiling and not from polymorphisms of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a poorly clinically and biologically defined environment-associated syndrome. Although dysfunctions of phase I/phase II metabolizing enzymes and redox imbalance have been hypothesized, corresponding genetic and metabolic parameters in MCS have not been systematically examined.

OBJECTIVES:

We sought for genetic, immunological, and metabolic markers in MCS.

METHODS:

We genotyped patients with diagnosis of MCS, suspected MCS and Italian healthy controls for allelic variants of cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5), UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT1A1), and glutathione S-transferases (GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1). Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids, antioxidant (catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and glutathione metabolizing (GST, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)) enzymes, whole blood chemiluminescence, total antioxidant capacity, levels of nitrites/nitrates, glutathione, HNE-protein adducts, and a wide spectrum of cytokines in the plasma were determined.

RESULTS:

Allele and genotype frequencies of CYPs, UGT, GSTM, GSTT, and GSTP were similar in the Italian MCS patients and in the control populations. The activities of erythrocyte catalase and GST were lower, whereas Gpx was higher than normal. Both reduced and oxidised glutathione were decreased, whereas nitrites/nitrates were increased in the MCS groups. The MCS fatty acid profile was shifted to saturated compartment and IFNgamma, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, PDGFbb, and VEGF were increased.

CONCLUSIONS:

Altered redox and cytokine patterns suggest inhibition of expression/activity of metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes in MCS. Metabolic parameters indicating accelerated lipid oxidation, increased nitric oxide production and glutathione depletion in combination with increased plasma inflammatory cytokines should be considered in biological definition and diagnosis of MCS.

Letter to the Editor: Go fragrance-free

Letter to the Editor:  Go fragrance-free
 
 

Your Smart Phone Is Making Birds Stupid

Your Smart Phone Is Making Birds Stupid
http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2014/05/09/exposure-to-extremely-low-levels-electrosmog-disrupts-key-biological-processes-for-migratory-birds-study-says/

"A new study by scientists in Germany has shown exposure to so-called "electrosmog" adversely affects migratory birds' biological navigation systems.  Despite speculation to the contrary, electrosmog, or electromagnetic radiation created by the use of electronic devices, has not been shown to affect biological processes at levels lower than those considered to be safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).  For the first time, biologists at the University of Oldenburg have shown that robins lose their magnetic compass when exposed to AM radio waveband electromagnetic interference at levels as low far below the threshold defined by the WHO."

Nothing to smell here: Utilities Commission hopes to go fragrance-free

Nothing to smell here: Utilities Commission hopes to go fragrance-free
http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/government/nothing-smell-here-utilities-commission-hopes-go-fragrance-free

"The Nevada Public Utilities Commission is asking the public to go fragrance-free to accommodate people with chemical sensitivities."

How doctors are failing to spot the brain injury that could be behind 30,000 cases of 'chronic fatigue'

How doctors are failing to spot the brain injury that could be behind 30,000 cases of 'chronic fatigue'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2631263/How-doctors-failing-spot-brain-injury-30-000-cases-chronic-fatigue.html
"Patients misdiagnosed with CFS when they have brain damage
Post-traumatic hypopituitarism (PTHP) is often cause by head injury
Symptoms include depression, obesity, fatigue and chronic pain"

Brain imaging reveals clues about chronic fatigue syndrome

Brain imaging reveals clues about chronic fatigue syndrome
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-05-brain-imaging-reveals-clues-chronic.html

"A brain imaging study shows that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome may have reduced responses, compared with healthy controls, in a region of the brain connected with fatigue. The findings suggest that chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with changes in the brain involving brain circuits that regulate motor activity and motivation."

Allsup Spotlights Research during Fibromyalgia Awareness Month in May

Allsup Spotlights Research during Fibromyalgia Awareness Month in May
http://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/2014/05/19/allsup-spotlights-research-during-fibromyalgia-awareness-month-in-may-a-506630.html#.U5TFRXZwXhk

"More than five million Americans experience chronic pain, headaches, tingling in their hands and feet, problems with thinking and memory and trouble sleeping due to fibromyalgia, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Many individuals with fibromyalgia are unable to continue working and are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, according to Allsup, a nationwide SSDI representation company."

Women for a Healthy Environment Urges Companies, Co-Workers, "Don't Spray for a Day"

Women for a Healthy Environment Urges Companies, Co-Workers, "Don't Spray for a Day"
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1928277

"Don't spray for a day," is the call to companies across Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware today as Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) conducts its annual Fragrance Free Day during National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.  "We all want to work in a pleasant environment, but some of the products we use as employers or employees can unwittingly put others at risk and potentially cost businesses millions of dollars," said Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, executive director, Women for a Healthy Environment.

Sensitive skin in Brazil and Russia: An epidemiological and comparative approach.

Sensitive skin in Brazil and Russia: An epidemiological and comparative approach.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24899520

"Conclusion:  Respondents with rather sensitive or very sensitive skin are 2 or 3 times more reactive to climatic, environmental factors, cosmetics and food intake."

Long-Term Exposure To Microwave Radiation Provokes Cancer Growth: Evidences From Radars And Mobile Communication Systems

Long-Term Exposure To Microwave Radiation Provokes  Cancer Growth: Evidences From Radars And Mobile Communication Systems
http://exp-oncology.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/110.pdf

Wireless Radiation Produces Health Effects by Activation of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels Presentation by Dr. Martin Pall, PhD

Wireless Radiation Produces Health Effects by Activation of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

Presentation by Dr. Martin Pall, PhD., Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences, Washington State University, presents to Oregon State Legislature House Committee on Health Care. Feb 24, 2014.

City of Lake Wales Issues Proclamation for Fibromyalgia (FM), Mialgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) And Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Awareness Day

City of Lake Wales Issues Proclamation for Fibromyalgia (FM), Mialgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) And Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Awareness Day. 

ME sufferer prays for a cure while trapped in own home for 20 years

ME sufferer prays for a cure while trapped in own home for 20 years
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/me-sufferer-prays-for-a-cure-while-trapped-in-own-home-for-20-years/story-fni0fit3-1226944817943

"FOR two decades Jenny Meagher has been trapped in her own home, unable to even concentrate on television, hoping research will give her the breakthrough she needs to return to life.   While she rejects the term, Ms Meagher has been held captive by what most people call chronic fatigue syndrome, but which she prefers to label as myalgic encephalomyelitis.  Whatever it is called, the 50-year-old Malvern mother's life has been largely placed on hold since she first suffered a virus 20 years ago which opened the door for the condition to take hold.  "It means I am basically housebound except for doctors' appointments," Ms Meagher said."

My illness 'stole my life'

My illness 'stole my life'
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/assignments/living-with-an-invisible-illness/10104212/My-illness-stole-my-life

"I live in constant fear. This sounds over dramatic but the reality of living for years and years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was horrible, just the worst thing I had ever experienced.

I had severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)) for more than five years. Most symptoms have eased now, but I am constantly worried it will return. I am terrified it will come back and steal my life again.

I am very careful about over-extending myself, I can't stay up late or skip meals because over time that leads to the symptoms coming back, which is completely disabling.

I also can't over do exercise as any type of exhaustion sets me up to head back down that path. So even now my life is limited by the after effects and how I try to prevent this illness from taking hold again."

Letters: Go green if you can'

Letters: Go green if you can'
http://www.sookenewsmirror.com/opinion/letters/261701891.html

"It's great to see new businesses in Sooke like the car wash/laundry, but my first reaction actually was -- how many chemicals are going to go down their drains?
My husband and I moved to this area from Victoria, because I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, severe reactions similar to asthma and allergies to all chemicals, petroleum derivatives, additives, colourings, etc., in foods, cleaning products, shampoo, laundry detergents, and so on.

We are fortunate to have our own washer and dryer, so we won't be using Sooke Laundry, yet I can't help but feel bad about the business, because the facilities are so nice, clearly a great deal of care, thought, and planning went into making it, yet the scented detergents, fabric softeners, and air "fresheners" customers use will create a toxic indoor environment, and the dryers will vent a toxic soup outside, so we will be avoiding food-related businesses near them.

It's a shame they didn't choose to be "Green," and require customers to use only unscented, biodegradable, phosphate and chemical-free laundry products, and for the car wash to provide soap which is "Green" as well.

The machines will now be permeated with these chemicals. The dryers may not be able to be cleared of the scents/chemicals (or it will take a long while), but the washing machines can over time be cleaned if white vinegar and baking soda are used, and no detergents are ever used again.

The chemicals in the car wash soap will leave a residue, and when it rains, will wash off the cars and go into the ground and drains.

On a positive note, people are realizing that the laundry smell they associate with cleanliness/freshness is actually toxic/fake, as more kids are sadly diagnosed with asthma and other allergies, and parents are switching to simpler products which are safe for the environment, humans, animals, plants -- life in general.

We live in such a beautiful place, there are so many ways we pollute it, and it's so easy to do the right thing. There's a lot of information about green products on Dr. David Suzuki's and The Green Party's websites. There are more and more locally-made products which are safe to use, and they can be found at farmers' markets and health food stores. Read the labels. If the ingredient list is very long, and you can't pronounce/recognize most of them, they're likely chemicals you don't want in/on your body.

Helene Harrison
Shirley

Testing finds trace amounts of pesticides in island's water


"A new pesticide study detected trace levels of altrazine in four streams sampled along the Hamakua Coast.  The chemical, considered a restricted-use pesticide, was more commonly used during the sugar plantation days.  The samples were taken at the Kapehu, Alia, Makea and Honolii streams as part of the statewide pesticide sampling project, conducted by state departments of health and agriculture.  Samples also were taken from coastal areas near the Hualalai and Waikoloa resort areas in West Hawaii. Trace amounts of pesticides were detected in water samples at those locations."

Glyphosate found in breast milk

Glyphosate found in breast milk
http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2374941/glyphosate_found_in_breast_milk.html

"A pilot study of American mothers' milk has found levels of the herbicide glyphosate around 1,000 times higher than allowed in European drinking water. Campaigners are demanding a ban on the use of glyphosate on food crops."

Monday, May 26, 2014

Brain may never fully recover from exposure to paint, glue, degreasers

Brain may never fully recover from exposure to paint, glue, degreasers
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140512213734.htm

Date:May 12, 2014
Source:        American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
Summary:    People who are exposed to paint, glue or degreaser fumes at work may experience memory and thinking problems in retirement, decades after their exposure, according to a new study. Researchers assessed the workers' lifetime exposure to chlorinated solvents, petroleum solvents, and benzene, including the timing of last exposure and lifetime dosage. Benzene is used to make plastics, rubber, dye, detergents and other synthetic materials. Chlorinated solvents can be found in dry cleaning solutions, engine cleaners, paint removers and degreasers. Petroleum solvents are used in carpet glue, furniture polishes, paint, paint thinner and varnish.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Why Congress Can't Fix Our Crazy Chemical Safety System

Why Congress Can't Fix Our Crazy Chemical Safety System
http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/why-congress-can-t-fix-our-crazy-chemical-safety-system-20140501

"How broken is the nation's chemical-safety system? Of the 80,000 or so chemicals currently used in commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency has only tested 200 since Congress gave the agency its marching orders nearly four decades ago.  And of the 200 tested chemicals, only five have been banned or regulated.  That porous safety net comes courtesy of a law that everyone—from doctors to industry groups, Democrats to Republicans—agrees needs fixing. But despite a bright start on a reform bill and the best of intentions this term, it's taken just 12 months to go from bipartisanship to bickering, and what was once a promising push for chemical-safety reform may stall in its tracks."

Weight gain during pregnancy may protect babies from chemicals

Weight gain during pregnancy may protect babies from chemicals
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2014/may/weight-gain-during-pregnancy

"Gaining more weight during pregnancy can substantially reduce a baby's exposure to pesticides that accumulate in a mother's body, according to new research. Pregnant women who don't gain enough weight lose fat as the fetus grows, which releases fat-soluble chemicals such as DDT into the bloodstream."

Philly School District blocks a federal study after health risks are exposed

Philly School District blocks a federal study after health risks are exposed
http://www.citypaper.net/article.php?Philly-School-District-blocks-a-federal-study-after-health-risks-are-exposed-20288

"The crisis-wracked School District of Philadelphia has quietly abandoned a federal agency's plans for further study of environmental-health risks in its aging school buildings. An initial review found pervasive dampness, mold or water damage — conditions that may aggravate asthma and other respiratory ailments — but the District has refused to make the complete findings public."

'They Have To Go': The Environmental And Health Costs Of Portable Classrooms

'They Have To Go': The Environmental And Health Costs Of Portable Classrooms
 
"Some of them smell really bad," she says. "Some of them, the lighting is really bad. It's dark. It's dank. And when it's that kind of an atmosphere, it sets a tone for your meetings or for your classroom. It doesn't feel very welcoming. It's not a good place to be."
 

Settlement to remove suspected carcinogen from some cosmetics

Settlement to remove suspected carcinogen from some cosmetics
http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/05/05/43983/settlement-to-remove-suspected-carcinogen-from-som/

"More than two dozen cosmetics manufacturers and retailers that sell cosmetics have agreed to stop making or selling products that contain a potentially carcinogenic ingredient.  The agreements settle lawsuits against 26 companies, filed by the Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health over cocamide diethanolamine, known as cocamide DEA.  It's in shampoos, hand soaps, lotions and other cosmetics. It puts the suds in soaps and emulsifies lotions.  It also has been  found to cause cancer in test animals and it may cause cancer in humans, according to the International Agency on Research into Cancer (IARC)."

Environment as influential as genes in autism, study says

Environment as influential as genes in autism, study says
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/05/05/environment-as-influential-as-genes-in-autism-study-says/ 
 
"Environmental factors are more important than previously thought in leading to autism, as big a factor as genes, according to the largest analysis to date to look at how the brain disorder runs in families. Sven Sandin, who worked on the study at King's College London and Sweden's Karolinska institute, said it was prompted "by a very basic question which parents often ask: 'If I have a child with autism, what is the risk my next child will too?'" The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), suggest heritability is only half the story, with the other 50 percent explained by environmental factors such as birth complications, socio-economic status, or parental health and lifestyle."

Household chemicals linked to slight weight gain

Household chemicals linked to slight weight gain
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2014/may/household-chemicals-weight-gain

"Women exposed to higher levels of bisphenol A and certain phthalates may gain slightly more weight over time, according to new research.  "We found that these chemicals were associated with a small weight gain, though their contribution may be minor compared with other factors, such as diet and smoking," said Dr. Qi Sun, a Harvard School of Public Health professor who was senior author of the study."

Jacky Vanderniet fights pain of myalgic encephalomyelitis

Jacky Vanderniet fights pain of myalgic encephalomyelitis
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/jacky-vanderniet-fights-pain-of-myalgic-encephalomyelitis/story-fnjj6013-1226913044831

"JACKY Vanderniet will wake up this morning feeling much the same way she has for the past 20 years – exhausted and in pain. After being diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis in 1994, Mrs Vanderniet's previously active life descended into a constant battle with chronic fatigue-like symptoms that have severely affected her ability to function normally as a mother, wife and worker."

Study: Defective EBV Virus is the Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS); polyDNA Recommends Gene-Eden-VIR and Novirin to Reduce Fatigue Linked to a Viral Infection

Study: Defective EBV Virus is the Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS); polyDNA Recommends Gene-Eden-VIR and Novirin to Reduce Fatigue Linked to a Viral Infection
 
"Extensive research shows a link between EBV and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). However, researchers wanted to go beyond observing a correlation. They wanted to understand the molecular mechanism that leads from an EBV infection to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Over many years, scientists proposed many different mechanisms. In all of them, the active EBV played a major role. Now, scientists report some unusual findings. Researchers wanted to know "if people with chronic fatigue syndrome were mounting an effective immune response against EBV. They also looked for direct evidence of an active EBV infection (1)." Surprisingly, they found "no evidence of active EBV infection (1)" in CFS patients."

ME sufferers invited to event as part of ME Awareness Week

ME sufferers invited to event as part of ME Awareness Week
http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/news/11197537.ME_sufferers_invited_to_event_as_part_of_ME_Awareness_Week/


"REDDITCH sufferers of ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are being invited to attend a film show in Kidderminster as part of national ME and CFS Awareness Week.
The week is running from Sunday, May 11 to Saturday, May 17 across the country to highlight ME and its effects, and there will be a series of DVD presentations organised by Worcestershire ME Support Group at the Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster from 12pm to 5pm on Saturday, May 17, with plenty of breaks between the screenings.
There is a Redditch Support Group in Woodrow Library which runs on the first Thursday of each month from 2-4pm. "

Foggy's offers support to those with 'invisible illnesses'

"MONDAY is International Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Awareness Day and Salisbury's Foggy's group is inviting anyone who suffers from so-called 'invisible illnesses' to come along to its monthly meetings."

Stigma of chronic fatigue illness adds to suffering - survey

Stigma of chronic fatigue illness adds to suffering - survey
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/stigma-chronic-fatigue-illness-adds-suffering-survey/5/189853

"A new survey shows people with debilitating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) feel misunderstood and stigmatised, and more public education about the condition is needed.  Dr Don Baken, a clinical psychologist at the School of Psychology at Massey University's Manawatü campus who has researched the issue, says the impact on sufferers of Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) can be devastating, and feeling stigmatised just adds to this."

Stigma of chronic fatigue illness adds to suffering - survey

Stigma of chronic fatigue illness adds to suffering - survey
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/stigma-chronic-fatigue-illness-adds-suffering-survey/5/189853

"A new survey shows people with debilitating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) feel misunderstood and stigmatised, and more public education about the condition is needed.  Dr Don Baken, a clinical psychologist at the School of Psychology at Massey University's Manawatü campus who has researched the issue, says the impact on sufferers of Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) can be devastating, and feeling stigmatised just adds to this."

Fibromyalgia group busy: Monday, May 12 is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Fibromyalgia group busy
Monday, May 12 is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

INTERVIEW: Margaret Humphries - Chemical sensitivity

INTERVIEW:  Margaret Humphries - Chemical sensitivity
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2014/05/margaret-humphries-chemical-sensitivity-.html

Picnic to raise fibromyalgia awareness

Picnic to raise fibromyalgia awareness
http://www.wlky.com/news/picnic-to-raise-fibromyalgia-awareness/25923064

"Monday is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, and next weekend, a local support group is hosting an event to help raise awareness.  The fifth-annual Fibromyalgia Awareness Picnic will be held on May 18 at the Brown-Foreman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park.  The event starts at 2 p.m. and is hosted by the Kentuckiana Fibromyalgia Support Group."

Local woman continues fight to raise awareness of fibromyalgia

Local woman continues fight to raise awareness of fibromyalgia
http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/6086458-74/fibromyalgia-pain-diagnosed#axzz31Rl4uC4B

"More than 35 years ago, Ellen Williams was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Since then her four siblings have been diagnosed with the same life-altering disorder.  Monday is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, when those with the condition and others do their part to educate people about this chronic pain disorder that affects an estimated 10 million Americans.  Locally, proclamations were presented to Williams by White Oak Mayor Ina Jean Marton, East McKeesport Mayor Robert Howard and McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko. Mayors from Pittsburgh, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Pompano Beach, Fla., have thrown their support behind those with the disorder."

The charity set up by a trailblazing Limavady man for sufferers of ME and fybromyalgia has almost quadrupled in size in just over four months.

Charity to light up Limavady
http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/community-news/charity-to-light-up-limavady-1-6045702

"The charity set up by a trailblazing Limavady man for sufferers of ME and fybromyalgia has almost quadrupled in size in just over four months."

Friday, May 9, 2014

Metabolic and genetic screening of electromagnetic hypersensitive subjects as a feasible tool for diagnostics and intervention.

Metabolic and genetic screening of electromagnetic hypersensitive subjects as a feasible tool for diagnostics and intervention.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24812443

De Luca C1, Chung Sheun Thai J2, Raskovic D3, Cesareo E3, Caccamo D4, Trukhanov A5, Korkina L1.
Mediators Inflamm. 2014;2014:924184. doi: 10.1155/2014/924184. Epub 2014 Apr 9.

Abstract
Growing numbers of "electromagnetic hypersensitive" (EHS) people worldwide self-report severely disabling, multiorgan, non-specific symptoms when exposed to low-dose electromagnetic radiations, often associated with symptoms of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and/or other environmental "sensitivity-related illnesses" (SRI). This cluster of chronic inflammatory disorders still lacks validated pathogenetic mechanism, diagnostic biomarkers, and management guidelines. We hypothesized that SRI, not being merely psychogenic, may share organic determinants of impaired detoxification of common physic-chemical stressors. Based on our previous MCS studies, we tested a panel of 12 metabolic blood redox-related parameters and of selected drug-metabolizing-enzyme gene polymorphisms, on 153 EHS, 147 MCS, and 132 control Italians, confirming MCS altered (P < 0.05-0.0001) glutathione-(GSH), GSH-peroxidase/S-transferase, and catalase erythrocyte activities. We first described comparable-though milder-metabolic pro-oxidant/proinflammatory alterations in EHS with distinctively increased plasma coenzyme-Q10 oxidation ratio. Severe depletion of erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids with increased ω 6/ ω 3 ratio was confirmed in MCS, but not in EHS. We also identified significantly (P = 0.003) altered distribution-versus-control of the CYP2C19∗1/∗2 SNP variants in EHS, and a 9.7-fold increased risk (OR: 95% C.I. = 1.3-74.5) of developing EHS for the haplotype (null)GSTT1 + (null)GSTM1 variants. Altogether, results on MCS and EHS strengthen our proposal to adopt this blood metabolic/genetic biomarkers' panel as suitable diagnostic tool for SRI.
PMID: 24812443 [PubMed - in process]

Sunday, May 4, 2014

EMR Awareness Month 2014

RE:  EMR Awareness Month 
  
Dear Readers and Partners;

Sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation affects 9.8 million men, women, and children of all races in America (Levallois, 2002).  Even though sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation is of widespread epidemic prevalence, public awareness of the disabling health effects of common electromagnetic exposures and ways to manage and accommodate sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation remains limited. Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month, May 2014, bestows upon us a great opportunity to work towards increased public awareness of sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation.
 
Organizations around the world have put forth great effort to establish May of each year as Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month. Many are working to improve awareness and appropriate healthcare around the world.  Activities are organized around the month of May and continue throughout the year.  MCS America plays a special role during this time and is committed to promoting awareness of electromagnetic fields which may cause sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation and trigger reactions in those with sensitivity.
 
This entire month of May is dedicated to planning for individuals and organizations in the U.S. to hold local events during Sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation Awareness Month and beyond. You will find numerous ideas for promoting awareness, educating others, increasing recognition, and planning community events. There are many editable sample materials which may be downloaded and used locally.
 
Electromagnetic radiation awareness events are expected to take place across the United States this May.  MCS America provides an
Electromagnetic Radiation Event Planning Kit to help you plan both small and large awareness events.  MCS America can help publicize your event on news feeds, blogs, newspapers, our newsletter, and other venues. Submit your event to admin@mcs-america.org. We value your feedback on the usefulness of the sample materials and welcome suggestions for future materials.
 
We would like to thank you for any and all efforts towards increased awareness in your locality. We look forward to assisting you in any way we can. Working together, we can help America to take control of electromagnetic exposures and eradicate sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation.
 
Sincerely,
 
MCS America
 

 
 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

News Release -MCS Awareness Month

From Ohio Network for the Chemically Injured, please find attached the 2014 Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Awareness Month News Release and related article will help you better understand those who have this devastating disability and show you how easy it is to provide required disability accommodations.

 

Please feel free to make copies to post and distribute, forward to others and your local media.

Comparing non-specific physical symptoms in environmentally sensitive patients: Prevalence, duration, functional status and illness behavior.

Comparing non-specific physical symptoms in environmentally sensitive patients: Prevalence, duration, functional status and illness behavior.

 

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Little is known about the potential clinical relevance of non-specific physical symptoms (NSPS) reported by patients with self-reported environmental sensitivities. This study aimed to assess NSPS in people with general environmental sensitivity (GES) and idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) and to determine differences in functional status and illness behavior.

METHODS:

An epidemiological study was conducted in the Netherlands, combining self-administered questionnaires with the electronic medical records of the respondents as registered by general practitioners. Analyses included n=5789 registered adult (≥18years) patients, comprising 5073 non-sensitive (NS) individuals, 514 in the GES group and 202 in the IEI-EMF group.

RESULTS:

Participants with GES were about twice as likely to consult alternative therapy compared to non-sensitive individuals; those with IEI-EMF were more than three times as likely. Moreover, there was a higher prevalence of symptoms and medication prescriptions and longer symptom duration among people with sensitivities. Increasing number and duration of self-reported NSPS were associated with functional impairment, illness behavior, negative symptom perceptions and prevalence of GP-registered NSPS in the examined groups.

CONCLUSION:

Even after adjustment for medical and psychiatric morbidity, environmentally sensitive individuals experience poorer health, increased illness behavior and more severe NSPS. The number and duration of self-reported NSPS are important components of symptom severity and are associated with characteristics similar to those of NSPS in primary care. The substantial overlap between the sensitive groups strengthens the notion that different types of sensitivities might be part of one, broader environmental illness.

Training Physicians in Environmental Health: A Strategy to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Healthcare Costs

Training Physicians in Environmental Health: A Strategy to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Healthcare Costs

By Lauren Zajac, MD, MPH

http://www.psr.org/environment-and-health/environmental-health-policy-institute/responses/training-physicians-in-environmental-health.html

The lack of environmental health education in medicine contributes to lost opportunities for physicians to prevent or intervene early in environmentally-related diseases. Despite the importance of environmental exposures on disease morbidity (the WHO estimates that 13% of total disease burden in the United States is related to the environmental risk factors), medical students receive very little training on how to recognize and manage environmentally-related diseases.[1] On average, medical students receive seven hours of environmental health training in 4 years of medical school; approximately one-third of graduating medical students believe that their EH training was "inadequate."[2], [3]


Integrating environmental health into medical school


Although the typical medical school curriculum is very full, there are ample opportunities for seamless integration of environmental health into both pre-clinical courses and clinical rotations. Many medical schools have adapted an "organ system-based" approach to pre-clinical courses, and environmental etiologies and mechanisms of action can be incorporated into this structure. For example, the neurotoxic effects of pesticides and heavy metals can be incorporated into a neurology course. Environmental medicine can also be incorporated in medical schools that still use the traditional "basic sciences" approach to pre-clinical courses. For example, the neurotoxic effects of pesticides can be incorporated into neuro-anatomy and toxicology or biochemistry courses.


In the clinical rotations, the skills of taking an environmental and occupational history during a patient interview can be emphasized, environmental disease management strategies can be highlighted (i.e. reducing environmental asthma triggers in a patient's home), and patient referrals to relevant resources to address environmental exposures can be integrated into disease management skills. For example, patients can be referred to a lead poisoning program at the Department of Health, or to legal aid services to assist with housing quality issues.


Many medical schools have also incorporated "doctoring" courses into the pre-clinical years; these provide a great venue for teaching the importance of addressing environmental and social determinants of health. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), which provides accreditation for medical schools, has recently modified curriculum requirements to include "public health sciences," and environmental health is a subset of this topic. Educational and clinical competencies on environmental health have been developed.[4] Hopefully this requirement will push medical schools to better integrate environmental medicine into a student's experience over four years of training.


Opportunities for physicians to learn


After medical school is complete, there are still abundant opportunities to incorporate environmental health into a physician's training including lectures during residency programs, rotations with environmental specialists during residency, and continuing medical education (CME) lectures on environmental health for practicing physicians.


Given the large variety of possible environmental exposures in our industrial society, from air pollution to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and given the increased media attention and general public awareness on these issues, physicians today are likely to frequently encounter environmentally-related diseases and also receive questions from patients about environmental health concerns. It would be unrealistic to expect every graduating medical student and practicing physician to be an expert in environmental medicine. However, introducing the topic of environmental health in a more substantial way during pre-clinical and clinical years (and beyond) will better equip future physicians to counsel on preventing exposures, promptly identify exposures, and make the appropriate referrals for further management when required. One such referral would be to Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units-PEHSUs- or to Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinics.


To illustrate the importance of integrating environmental health into medical training and practice, consider the example of a 5-year-old child, Annie, with persistent asthma, who has had multiple emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma attacks in the past two years. These visits to the hospital are expensive, cause Annie to miss school, and affect her quality of life and that of her family. By taking a thorough environmental health history at clinic visit, Annie's new pediatrician, who received integrated environmental health training in medical school, quickly identified both cockroaches and bathroom mold as her two major triggers. In addition to providing refills for her controller and rescue medications, Annie's doctor referred the family to local Department of Health for mold remediation resources, provided information on integrated pest management techniques to safely eliminate cockroaches, and also referred her to the local PEHSU for further guidance about making her home environment healthier. This more comprehensive approach to asthma management, which includes environmental medicine, will likely reduce the number of emergency visits and hospitalizations for asthma, since Annie's triggers have been eliminated from her home. It will improve Annie's quality of life, lead to a healthier home environment for her and her family, and also decrease healthcare spending on hospital visits and admissions. This approach makes sense.


Importance of pediatricians, family physicians


As an environmental pediatrician, I would be remiss not to emphasize the incredible importance of increasing environmental health awareness among pediatricians and family physicians. Children are more susceptible to the effects of toxic environmental exposures.[5] Preventing exposures at an early age can lead to a lifetime of health benefits. It can also lead to substantial healthcare cost savings; a recent study estimated that the annual cost of environmentally attributable pediatric disease in the United States (such as asthma, lead poisoning, some cancers, etc) is an astounding $76 billion.[6] Imagine if these environmentally attributable diseases were prevented through a more coordinated and substantial effort about medical professionals, allied health professionals, and public health departments! A first step to achieving this big goal is improving training in environmental health in medical school and continuing medical education.


For physicians or allied healthcare providers that would like to learn more about the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU), please click here.


The PEHSU system provides quality environmental medicine consultations for health professionals, parents, caregivers, and patients. The PEHSU are also dedicated to increasing environmental medicine knowledge among healthcare professionals around children's environmental health by providing consultation and training. Finally, the PEHSU provide information and resources to school and community groups to help increase the public's understanding of children's environmental health.


[1] World Health Organization (WHO). Quantifying Environmental Health Impacts. Accessed April 11, 2014.
[2] Shenk M, Popp SM, Neale AV, Demers RY. Environmental medicine content in medical school curricula. Acad Med 1996; 71(5): 499-501.
[3] AAMC Medical Student Graduation Questionnaire: 2013 All Schools Summary Report. Accessed April 11, 2014.
[4] Gehle KS, Crawford JL, Hatcher MT. Integrating environmental health into medical education. Am J Prev Med 2011; 41 (4S3): S296-S301.
[5] Etzel R, Balk S, eds. Pediatric Environmental Health: 3rd Edition. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2012.
[6] Trasande L, Liu Y. Reducing the Staggering Costs Of Environmental Disease In Children, Estimated At $76.6 Billion In 2008. Health Aff 2011; 30 (5): 863-870.


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

BPA-free plastics may be less safe than those with chemical

BPA-free plastics may be less safe than those with chemical
http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/BPA-free-plastics-may-be-less-safe-than-those-5302319.php

"BPA, a chemical that mimics the hormone estrogen, has been used to harden plastics for more than 40 years but has been banned from baby bottles and children's products because of growing concerns that it may be linked to a host of health issues.  Now comes news from Oakland's Center for Environmental Health that some cups labeled BPA-free contain other chemicals that appear to pose an equal if not greater health hazard.  Those chemicals, acting a lot like BPA, have a disruptive effect on the body's naturally produced hormones, raising the same concerns for the health risks associated with BPA - that exposure to them may lead to cancer, diabetes, reproductive problems, early development and obesity, especially in young children. The research isn't definitive, but a growing number of studies, mostly done on animals, have raised those suspicions."

Pro-Vaccine Messages Actually Backfire, Study Finds

Pro-Vaccine Messages Actually Backfire, Study Finds
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/pro-vaccine-messages-actually-backfire-study-finds-n41611

"Public health messages aimed at boosting childhood vaccination rates may be backfiring, a new report finds.  Current efforts that use scientific studies, vaccine facts and images and stories of disease-sickened kids actually increased fears about vaccine side effects among some parents. Even when they successfully refuted claims about a link between vaccines and autism, they made parents who were the most wary less inclined to inoculate their children."

"But anti-vaccination advocates say the study correctly spotlights the suspicion that some parents have for public health claims about vaccines — and their resentment of efforts to spin the message.  "It is a big mistake for public health officials to assume that those resisting public health messaging about vaccines and diseases are ignorant, uneducated, 'anti-science' and that they lack social conscience," said Barbara Loe Fisher, president of the National Vaccine Information Center and a frequent critic of vaccines."

2014 Stanford Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symposium: Advances in Clinical Care and Translational Research

2014 Stanford Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symposium: Advances in Clinical Care and Translational Research

Fukushima's children at centre of debate over rates of thyroid cancer

Fukushima's children at centre of debate over rates of thyroid cancer
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/09/fukushima-children-debate-thyroid-cancer-japan-disaster-nuclear-radiation

"Three years after the worst nuclear accident in a generation, the Japanese prefecture is reporting a rise in the number of children showing cancer symptoms. But is this directly related to the disaster, or is the testing more rigorous?"

QEESI Study Draws Connection between Chronic Illness and Chemical Sensitivity

QEESI Study Draws Connection between Chronic Illness and Chemical Sensitivity
http://tpr.org/post/qeesi-study-draws-connection-between-chronic-illness-and-chemical-sensitivity

"Sensitivity to household chemicals, perfumes, and air pollution often go undetected, but now there's a way for patients, especially those with mysterious medical symptoms, to discover if they are sensitive to certain chemicals.  The QEESI, or Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory, is now available online. This 15-minute questionnaire developed by San Antonio researcher Dr. Claudia Miller, allows individuals to rate their reactions to things like car exhaust, nail polish, paints, and pesticides.  Dr. Claudia Miller developed the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory to help doctors and patients pinpoint chemical sensitivities that may be causing health problems.  Dr. Miller, a researcher at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and professor at the University of Texas School of Medicine, developed the test because chemical sensitivities are common in an estimated 20 percent of chronically-ill patients, but are rarely diagnosed by physicians.  The QEESI delivers an evaluation that can help doctors determine if their patients' illnesses stem from chemical intolerances."

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Is The Central Valley's Air Pollution Affecting Our Cells And Genes?

Is The Central Valley's Air Pollution Affecting Our Cells And Genes?
http://kvpr.org/post/central-valleys-air-pollution-affecting-our-cells-and-genes

"Here in the Central Valley – in one of the most polluted air basins in the country – we know that poor air is bad for our health. We feel it in our eyes and throat, and when we struggle to breathe.  But what if air pollution is affecting us at a deeper, cellular level?  That's exactly what Dr. Kari Nadeau discovered a few years ago. She's a Stanford School of Medicine professor with an expertise in asthma and allergies."

Worcester ZBA calls for experts, puts smart grid on hold

Worcester ZBA calls for experts, puts smart grid on hold
http://www.telegram.com/article/20140113/NEWS/301139631/1116
 
"Plans to erect a specialized communications tower in the Tatnuck Square area as part of National Grid's "smart grid" pilot program remain on hold."

Study - Major pesticides are more toxic to human cells than their declared active principles

Study - Major pesticides are more toxic to human cells than their declared active principles
http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/aip/179691.pdf

Study - Major pesticides are more toxic to human cells than their declared active principles

Study - Major pesticides are more toxic to human cells than their declared active principles

Multiple chemical sensitivity caused by exposure to ignition coal fumes: a case report.

Multiple chemical sensitivity caused by exposure to ignition coal fumes: a case report.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24472417
 
Yun MJ, Kang DM, Lee KH, Kim YK, Kim JE.
Ann Occup Environ Med. 2013 Nov 1;25(1):32. doi: 10.1186/2052-4374-25-32.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Although multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a well-known disorder caused by environmental exposures, MCS caused by occupational exposure has been reported in Korea. Therefore, we report a MCS case caused by environmental exposure to ignition coal after a differential diagnosis to exclude other diseases.
CASE REPORT:
Since 2011, a 55-year-old woman had experienced edema, myalgia, and other symptoms when she smelled ignition coal near her workplace. She had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome(FMS) and was treated, with no improvement of symptoms. Since then, she showed the same symptoms after exposure to city gas, the smell of burning, and exhaust gas. To avoid triggering substances, she moved to a new house and used an air purifier. She quit her job in November 2012. After visiting our hospital, she underwent a differential diagnosis for FMS, chronic fatigue syndrome, and somatization disorder. She was diagnosed with MCS by the Korean version of the Quick Environment Exposure Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI). She was educated about the disease and to avoid triggering substances. She received ongoing treatment for her symptoms.
CONCLUSION:
This case showed that symptoms began after smelling ignition coal. After that, her triggers was increased such as the smell of city gas, burning, and exhaust gas. This case is the first reported in Korea of MCS due to environmental exposure after ruling out other diseases.
PMID: 24472417 [PubMed]

Pesticide Exposure Linked to Alzheimer's Risk

"A new study finds that serum levels of a pesticide metabolite are associated with increased risk for a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Researchers are reporting that high levels of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), a metabolite of the notorious pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), were associated with a greater than 4-fold increase in AD risk vs lowest levels."

Sunday, January 26, 2014

The Camping Cure for Environmentla Illness

The Camping Cure for Environmental Illness
Living outside changes you. When environmental illness left me too sick to stay in my high-rise, I turned to nature to heal
http://aeon.co/magazine/being-human/environmental-illness-cured-by-camping/

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