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.

Beachwood Ohio Proclamation for MCS Awareness Month

Beachwood Ohio Proclamation for MCS Awareness Month
http://www.beachwoodohio.com/DocumentCenter/view/665

Fannin County proclaims May 2014 as First Annual MAY MCS Awareness Month

Fannin County proclaims May 2014 as First Annual MAY MCS Awareness Month
http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_89579.shtml 

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

http://earthfix.opb.org/communities/article/overcrowded-underfunded-schools-turn-to-environmen/

 

"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

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1908740

 

"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'

Foggy's offers support to those with 'invisible illnesses'
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/salisbury/salisburynews/11194436.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

http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/fibromyalgia-group-busy-1.1026342

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."

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]

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