Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A New Target in Fighting Brain Disease: Metals

A New Target in Fighting Brain Disease: Metals
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204740904577192901072611524.html

"Research into how iron, copper, zinc and other metals work in the brain may help unlock some of the secrets of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
 
One of the many theories explaining Alzheimer's disease is that some of the harm is caused by toxic metals accumulating in brain. Now a new study lends more credibility to the toxic metal theory. Shirley Wang has details on Lunch Break."

Monday, January 30, 2012

NEWSLETTER: MCS America News - February 2012

MCSA NEWS
February 2012, Volume 7, Issue 2

 

Entire PDF Edition: http://mcs-america.org/February2012.pdf (View, Download, and Print)

 

Direct Links to Articles Inside This Issue:

 

Introduction to MCS Awareness Month 2012

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg2.pdf

 

How to Promote MCS Awareness Activities

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg3.pdf

 

MCS Governor Proclamations

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg45.pdf

 

MCS Awareness in Schools

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg67.pdf

 

Educating Health Providers

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg89101112131415161718192021.pdf

 

Real Life Examples of MCS Awareness Activities

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg2223.pdf

 

MCS Awareness at the Library

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg24.pdf

 

MCS Awareness at the State Capitol

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg25.pdf

 

Issuing a Press Release

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg26.pdf

 

MCS Awareness Through Media Coverage

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg27.pdf

 

MCS Fact Sheet

http://mcs-america.org/February2012pg28.pdf

 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities America

http://www.mcs-america.org

admin@mcs-america.org

 

Copyrighted © 2012 MCS America

 

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Alzheimer's-like brain changes seen in young who breathed polluted air.


"A study examining postmortem brains of children and young adults suggests that exposure to air pollution causes changes in the brain that are similar to those seen in Alzheimer's patients."

Sunday, January 29, 2012

N.Y. school to review environmental tests in medical mystery

N.Y. school to review environmental tests in medical mystery
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/28/health/new-york-students-illness/index.html

"A school system in upstate New York, where more than a dozen female high school students are suffering from uncontrolled verbal outbursts and twitching, said it has hired a company to review environmental testing within the school and community."

Mechanisms of aluminum adjuvant toxicity and autoimmunity in pediatric populations.

Mechanisms of aluminum adjuvant toxicity and autoimmunity in pediatric populations.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Mechanisms%20of%20aluminum%20adjuvant%20toxicity%20in%20pediatric%20populations

Tomljenovic L, Shaw C. Lupus. 2012;21(2):223-30.

Source
1Neural Dynamics Research Group, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Abstract
Immune challenges during early development, including those vaccine-induced, can lead to permanent detrimental alterations of the brain and immune function. Experimental evidence also shows that simultaneous administration of as little as two to three immune adjuvants can overcome genetic resistance to autoimmunity. In some developed countries, by the time children are 4 to 6 years old, they will have received a total of 126 antigenic compounds along with high amounts of aluminum (Al) adjuvants through routine vaccinations. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, safety assessments for vaccines have often not included appropriate toxicity studies because vaccines have not been viewed as inherently toxic. Taken together, these observations raise plausible concerns about the overall safety of current childhood vaccination programs. When assessing adjuvant toxicity in children, several key points ought to be considered: (i) infants and children should not be viewed as "small adults" with regard to toxicological risk as their unique physiology makes them much more vulnerable to toxic insults; (ii) in adult humans Al vaccine adjuvants have been linked to a variety of serious autoimmune and inflammatory conditions (i.e., "ASIA"), yet children are regularly exposed to much higher amounts of Al from vaccines than adults; (iii) it is often assumed that peripheral immune responses do not affect brain function. However, it is now clearly established that there is a bidirectional neuro-immune cross-talk that plays crucial roles in immunoregulation as well as brain function. In turn, perturbations of the neuro-immune axis have been demonstrated in many autoimmune diseases encompassed in "ASIA" and are thought to be driven by a hyperactive immune response; and (iv) the same components of the neuro-immune axis that play key roles in brain development and immune function are heavily targeted by Al adjuvants. In summary, research evidence shows that increasing concerns about current vaccination practices may indeed be warranted. Because children may be most at risk of vaccine-induced complications, a rigorous evaluation of the vaccine-related adverse health impacts in the pediatric population is urgently needed.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Costs of childhood asthma due to traffic-related pollution in two california communities

Costs of childhood asthma due to traffic-related pollution in two california communities
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2012/01/24/09031936.00157811.abstract

S.J. Brandt, L. Perez, N. Künzli, F. Lurmann, and R. McConnell
Abstract
Recent research suggests the burden of childhood asthma attributable to air pollution has been underestimated in traditional risk assessments, and there are no estimates of these associated costs. We estimated the yearly childhood asthma-related costs attributable to air pollution for Riverside and Long Beach, California, including: 1) the indirect and direct costs of health care utilization due to asthma exacerbations linked to traffic-related pollution (TRP); and 2) the costs of health care for asthma cases attributable to local TRP exposure.
We estimated these costs using estimates from peer-reviewed literature and the authors' analysis of surveys (Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, California Health Interview Survey, National Household Travel Survey, and Health Care Utilization Project).
A lower-bound estimate of the asthma burden attributable to air pollution was $18 million yearly. Asthma cases attributable to TRP exposure accounted for almost half of this cost. The cost of bronchitic episodes was a major proportion of both the annual cost of asthma cases attributable to TRP and of pollution-linked exacerbations.
Traditional risk assessment methods underestimate both the burden of disease and cost of asthma associated with air pollution, and these costs are borne disproportionately by communities with higher than average TRP.

Wood smoke adds billions to health bill, says report

 
"THE smoky haze from wood fires is Sydney's biggest source of air pollution in winter, and wood smoke will add $8 billion to the health budget by 2030, says an independent report commissioned by the state government and kept secret for six months."

Cadmium Exposure and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in U.S. Children

Cadmium Exposure and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in U.S. Children
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1104152

Abstract

Background: Low-level environmental cadmium (Cd) exposure in children may be associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate associations between urine cadmium concentration and reported learning disabilities (LD), special education utilization, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in US children using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.

Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from a subset of participants in NHANES (1999-2004) who were 6-15 years old and had spot urine samples analyzed for cadmium. Outcomes were assessed by parent or proxy-respondent report. We fit multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models to estimate associations between urinary cadmium and the outcomes.

Results: When we compared children in the highest quartile of urinary cadmium with those in the lowest quartile, odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for several potential confounders were 3.21 (95% CI: 1.43-7.17) for LD, 3.00 (95% CI: 1.12-8.01) for special education, and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.28-1.61) for ADHD. There were no significant interactions with sex, but associations with LD and special education were somewhat stronger in males, and the trend in the ADHD analysis was only evident among those with above median blood lead levels.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that children who have higher urinary cadmium concentrations may have increased risk of both LD and special education. Importantly, we observed these associations at exposure levels that were previously considered to be without adverse effects and these levels are common among U.S. children.

Citation: Ciesielski T, Weuve J, Bellinger DC, Schwartz J, Lanphear B, Wright RO 2012. Cadmium Exposure and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in U.S. Children. Environ Health Perspect :-. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104152

Is his apartment making Oshawa man sick?

Is his apartment making Oshawa man sick?
http://www.durhamregion.com/oshawa/article/1287118

"Matter before the court, as residents claim wiring under floors caused sores, arthritis"

Hurricane Survivors Can't Sue Feds Over Toxic FEMA Trailers

Hurricane Survivors Can't Sue Feds Over Toxic FEMA Trailers
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/27/43419.htm
"Mississippi and Alabama residents cannot sue the U.S. government over formaldehyde-laden trailers that the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided when Hurricane Katrina made thousands of homes uninhabitable, the 5th Circuit ruled."

Organic Dairy Report/Ratings Arranged by Cow Star Ratings

Organic Dairy Report/Ratings Arranged by Cow Star Ratings
http://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html

Oshawa mayor visit's electrifying apartment unit

 
"Oshawa's mayor paid a visit Friday to the apartment of Katherine Loader and her husband who allege faulty or mislaid wiring has caused unhealthy electromagnetic radiation in their apartment."

Poison Food, Occupy Monsanto, and Organic Corruption

 

SUBSCRIBE & Read Past Issues | OCA Homepage |

Beware of Agent Orange Burgers

Dioxin, a chemical component of the herbicide Agent Orange, is perhaps the most toxic compound synthesized by man. Yet it is still being produced by chemical companies and pesticide manufacturers such as Monsanto, AND dioxin pollution increased 10% in 2010.

Now, as the Environmental Protection Agency is set to release the first part of the dioxin risk assessment it's been working on since 1985, food industry lobbyists are attempting to block EPA action yet again. Why? The EPA is likely to confirm what the FDA has reported:

"Although dioxins are environmental contaminants, most dioxin exposure occurs through the diet, with over 95% coming through dietary intake of animal fats."

The food industry doesn't want you to know that you can easily exceed the daily dioxin limit proposed by the EPA by consuming a single large meal of non-organic animal products. Most of all, the food industry doesn't want to have to take responsibility for the dioxin contamination. If they did, they would have to submit to common-sense food safety measures, like those embraced by the organic industry, that ban toxic pesticides and slaughterhouse waste from animal feed.

Tell the EPA to release its report on schedule and to not bow down to food industry lobbyists who don't want us to know what we're eating. Then watch this NutritionFacts.org video to learn which foods are most likely to contain dioxin.

Take Action & Watch the Video

And, if you haven't already, please take action on our "Stop Agent Orange Frankencorn" campaign to stop the new generation of genetically engineered crops designed to withstand being drenched with 2,4-D, the 7th-largest source of dioxin pollution in the US.

Learn More & Take Action

 
 
 

Cornucopia Institute Slams Industry and USDA for Violating Organic Standards

The Cornucopia Institute announced it has formally requested the USDA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate corruption at its National Organic Program (NOP). The NOP is accused of corruption resulting in the use of illegal synthetics in organic food and then allowing powerful corporations to "game the system" for approval "after the fact."

Learn More & Take Action

 
 
 

Support the OCA and the OCF

The nationwide food fight for safe food and sustainability is escalating.

In 2012, whether we're talking about getting antibiotics out of animal feed or labeling GMOs, we're fighting harder than ever. With the 2012 California ballot initiative, and GMO labeling legislation gaining momentum in Vermont, Washington, Connecticut and other states, we have a real chance to hit Monsanto with the skull and crossbones they fear so much - mandatory labels on genetically engineered food. We also plan to step up our efforts to strengthen organic standards and significantly expand the market for organic food and products, especially those produced locally and regionally.

Please be as generous as you can during our January and February fundraising drive.

Donate to the Organic Consumers Association (tax-deductible)

Donate to the Organic Consumers Fund (non-tax-deductible, but necessary for our efforts in California)

 
 
 

Organic Consumers Association Occupies Monsanto Headquarters

Shareholders of Monsanto stocks gathered at the headquarters of the world's largest biotech company in St. Louis on Tuesday.

Activist Adam Eidinger, an OCA member representing Harrington Investments (a socially responsible investor's group), got inside the meeting to speak in favor of a shareholders' resolution which would have studied the "material financial risks or operational impacts associated with its (Monsanto's) chemical products and genetically modified organisms." Outside the meeting a crowd of OCA demonstrators gathered in protest. As expected, the resolution was voted down, but the message that Monsanto will someday have to pay for its crimes was heard loud and clear.

Watch TV Coverage Here

Photos Here

 
 
 

New Movie Queen of the Sun Wonders: What Are the Bees Telling Us?

From the director of The Real Dirt on Farmer John comes the new documentary Queen of the Sun, a profound and disturbing look at the global bee crisis. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the struggles of biodynamic & organic beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world. Engaging and ultimately uplifting, Queen of the Sun features Michael Pollan, Vandana Shiva, Raj Patel, Jeffrey Smith and Gunther Hauk.

Watch Instantly & Buy the DVD

 
 
 

Attention Programmers!

The Organic Consumers Association is seeking a qualified individual or organization interested in consulting, assisting, and potentially managing a transition to a new content management system for our website. Knowledge of CFM & PHP, as well as systems such as Drupal, Mura, Expression Engine, etc., could be of great benefit to our mission.
 
Please send an email to tech [AT] organicconsumers.org and include detailed information outlining your expertise as well as references.

 
 
 

Little Bytes: Top Stories of the Week

Monsanto: 'There is No Need for, or Value in Testing the Safety of GM Foods in Humans'

Warning: Medical Experts Are Now Working for Drug Companies

The Uphill Battle Against Citizens United and Corporate Personhood

The Scientist: Jim Hansen Risks Handcuffs to Make His Research Clear

Drinking Toxic Fruit Juices May Lead to Arsenic Poisoning

 
 
 

Sponsored Message

Eden Foods Offers OCA Customers 15% Discount

Eden Foods is one of the few national organic food producers who goes beyond the USDA Organic Standards. Although Eden Foods is USDA certified, their products do not bear the USDA seal, because they say the USDA standard really represents a "minimum standard" that Eden Foods goes far beyond.

As a subscriber to Organic Bytes, you can enjoy a 15% discount rate on any Eden Foods products by going here.

Learn More

 
 
 

Connect With OCA!

Facebook Pages:

Twitter Feeds:

More:

 
 
 

 

 



California Public Utilities Commission meeting: Smart Meter opt-out

California Public Utilities Commission meeting
Wednesday, February 1 at 9 am
Arrive by 8:45 to register to speak; people are usually allowed to speak without registration.
 
Item  # 28 -- Smart Meter opt-out
(Proceeding # A.11-03-014)
This is the first item on the regular agenda.
You will be allowed one minute to comment during the public comment time, which is at the beginning of the meeting.
 
Agenda: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/agenda/docs/3288.pdf  
 
Address: 505 Van Ness, San Francisco  
Corner of Van Ness  & McAllister, kitty corner to SF City Hall
 
PARKING
·         Opera Plaza
o    601 Van Ness Avenue (entrance on Golden Gate Ave.)
·         Civic Center Garage
o    355 McAllister St (at Larkin)

MASS TRANSIT

Muni:
·         Lines 47, 49 and 9 will bring you to the corner of Van Ness Avenue and McAllister Street, location of the CPUC.
·         Lines 21, 16AX, and 8X will bring you within one block of the CPUC located at the corner of Van Ness Avenue and McAllister Street.

BART:
·         Exit BART at the Civic Center/U.N. Plaza station
·         Above ground you will be near 7th or 8th Streets
·         From 7th St. walk through U.N. Plaza, Fulton St. and Civic Center Plaza toward City Hall
·         At City Hall, on Polk St. turn right toward McAllister St.
·         At McAllister turn left toward Van Ness Ave.
·         Cross Van Ness Ave. to CPUC on corner
·         From 8th St. walk down Grove St. to Van Ness Ave.
·         At Van Ness Ave. turn right, walk one block to McAllister St.
·         CPUC on corner of Van Ness Ave. and McAllister St.

Ferry Building: (CPUC can be reached by taxi or Muni)
·         Muni F Line (old streetcars) can be picked up in front of the Ferry Building
·         Travel up Market Street
·         Disembark at Van Ness Avenue
·         Walk 4 blocks up N. Van Ness Avenue to McAllister St.
·         CPUC on corner of Van Ness Avenue and McAllister St.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Chronic fatigue syndrome and impaired peripheral pulse characteristics on orthostasis-a new potential diagnostic biomarker.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and impaired peripheral pulse characteristics on orthostasis-a new potential diagnostic biomarker.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22273713

Allen J, Murray A, Di Maria C, Newton JL.
Physiol Meas. 2012 Jan 25;33(2):231-241. [Epub ahead of print]

Source
Microvascular Diagnostics, Regional Medical Physics Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK.
Abstract
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is frequently reported in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with orthostatic intolerance, a common symptom that can be objectively assessed. The frequent finding of autonomic dysfunction and symptoms on standing has the potential to provide a diagnostic biomarker in chronic fatigue. In this study we explored the clinical value of non-invasive optical multi-site photoplethysmography (PPG) technology to assess cardiovascular responses to standing. Multi-site PPG pulses were collected from tissue pads of the ears, fingers and toes of 14 patients with CFS and 14 age-matched sedentary subjects using a measurement protocol of a 10 min baseline (subject supine) followed by 3 min of tilting on a tilt table (head-up to 70°). Percentage change in pulse timing (pulse transit time, PTTf) and pulse amplitude (AMP) at each site were calculated using beat-to-beat pulse wave analysis. A significant reduction in the overall pulse timing response to controlled standing was found for the CFS group (using summed absolute percentage change in PTTf for ear, finger and toe sites, median change of 26% for CFS and 37% for control with p = 0.002). There were no significant differences between subject groups for the AMP measure at any site. Changes in AMP with tilt were, however, weakly significantly and negatively correlated with fatigue severity (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of timing measures produced an area under the curve of 0.81. Experimental linear discriminant classification analysis comparing both timing and amplitude measures produced an overall diagnostic accuracy of 82%. Pulse wave abnormalities have been observed in CFS and represent a potential objective measure to help differentiate between CFS patients and healthy controls.
 
PMID: 22273713 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

With Prevalence of Nanomaterials Rising, Panel Urges Review of Risks

With Prevalence of Nanomaterials Rising, Panel Urges Review of Risks
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/science/nanomaterials-effects-on-health-and-environment-unclear-panel-says.html?_r=1&smid=fb-share

"Tiny substances called nanomaterials have moved into the marketplace over the last decade, in products as varied as cosmetics, clothing and paint. But not enough is known about their potential health and environmental risks, which should be studied further, an expert panel of the National Academy of Sciences said on Wednesday."

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Common Household Chemicals Might Harm Kids' Immunity

Common Household Chemicals Might Harm Kids' Immunity
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_121144.html

"Study found lower response to vaccines in those with higher levels of PFCs in their blood"

Children near DuPont plant exposed to more PFOA than moms.

Children near DuPont plant exposed to more PFOA than moms.

"Children living near DuPont's plant in West Virginia are exposed to much higher concentrations of an industrial chemical than their mothers, according to a newly published study. Children under 5, who are exposed from drinking water as well as their mothers' breast milk, had 44 percent more of the perfluorinated chemical in their blood than their mothers. The study was undertaken by scientists who have spent seven years trying to determine whether the DuPont chemical is making people sick in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The discovery about moms and their children comes as scientists elsewhere linked the chemical, known as PFOA, and related chemicals to reduced effectiveness of childhood vaccinations. The compounds are used to manufacture Teflon cookware, food packaging and other products."

Chemical may make vaccines less effective, study says

Chemical may make vaccines less effective, study says
http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/201201240123

"Researchers have found that children exposed to the toxic chemical C8 may experience reduced effectiveness of childhood vaccinations, according to a significant new study being published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study discovered lower levels of antibodies that vaccines provide to fight infections among children with elevated exposures to C8 and similar chemicals that have been widely used in nonstick food packaging, stain-resistant textiles, nonstick cookware and water-resistant clothing."

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Pesticide Toxic to Bees and Aquatic Life Contaminates Surface Waters

Pesticide Toxic to Bees and Aquatic Life Contaminates Surface Waters
http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/science-a-environmental/30332-pesticide-toxic-to-bees-and-aquatic-life-contaminates-surface-waters.html

"Research published this month in the online edition of the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology finds that the neonicotinoid pesticide imidacloprid contaminates surface waters in agricultural regions. Imidacloprid is a systemic pesticide, meaning it is taken up by a plant's vascular system and expressed through pollen, nectar, and gutation droplets, and is highly toxic to bees, birds and aquatic organisms. The study, "Detections of the Neonicotinoid Insecticide Imidacloprid in Surface Waters of Three Agricultural Regions of California, USA, 2010–2011," concludes that imidacloprid commonly moves offsite and contaminates surface waters at concentrations that could harm aquatic organisms following use under irrigated agriculture conditions."

How Toxic Is Your Office Space?

 
"There are a host of chemicals found in the typical office environment that may cause long-term health issues."

When is a Trade Secret Not a Trade Secret? When it is Revealed at a European Parliament Exhibition

When is a Trade Secret Not a Trade Secret? When it is Revealed at a European Parliament Exhibition
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/24/4210079/when-is-a-trade-secret-not-a-trade.html

"For the first time ever, a full fragrance formula will be published and given out to visitors along with the fragrance at an exhibition in the European Parliament from January 31st to February 2nd 2012."

Many baby products have toxic flame retardants, analysis finds

Many baby products have toxic flame retardants, analysis finds
http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/blog/bal-many-baby-prodcuts-have-toxic-flame-retardants-analysis-finds-20120123,0,3367732.story

"Flame retardants found in 85 percent of baby items"

Mercury's Harmful Reach Has Grown, Study Suggests


"The strict new federal standards limiting pollution from power plants are meant to safeguard human health. But they should have an important side benefit, according to a study being released on Tuesday: protecting a broad array of wildlife that has been harmed by mercury emissions."

Monday, January 23, 2012

Chemicals Used During Medical Imaging Tests May Damage Thyroid

Chemicals Used During Medical Imaging Tests May Damage Thyroid
http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LY9KLW6JTSEC01-0IFO4CO79V1L7EUJAU5BJT6SMD

"Chemicals used to enhance pictures obtained from medical imaging tests may lead to overactive or underactive thyroid glands, a study showed.

Patients injected with contrast material were about twice as likely as those who didn't get the chemical to develop hyperthyroidism, when the gland produces too much thyroid hormone and can cause rapid or irregular heart rates, according to a study today in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Results also showed an increased risk for hypothyroidism."

Is Your Office Making You Sick?

 
"Study Finds PFCs in Office Workers' Blood; Workers in New Offices Have Even Higher Levels of the Potentially Toxic Chemical"

American Academy of Environmental Medicine Opposes the Installation of Smart Meters

American Academy of Environmental Medicine Opposes the Installation of Smart Meters
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AAEM-Resolution.pdf

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Why Do Smells Make Some People Sick?

Why Do Smells Make Some People Sick?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120182914.htm

"ScienceDaily (Jan. 20, 2012) — Do you get a headache from the perfume of the lady next to you at the table? Do cleaning solutions at work make your nose itch? If you have symptoms prompted by everyday smells, it does not necessarily mean you are allergic but rather that you suffer from chemical intolerance. According to Linus Andersson at Umeå University, this hypersensitivity can be the result of an inability to get used to smells.

Normally your smell perceptions diminish rapidly, as when you enter a friend's apartment. Even though you clearly notice smells just inside the door, you don't think about them for long. For people with chemical intolerance, on the other hand, smells seem always to be present. Psychology researcher Linus Andersson has exposed both intolerant and non-intolerant individuals to smells and compared their reactions."

Threat of toxic playgrounds

Threat of toxic playgrounds
http://www.smh.com.au/national/threat-of-toxic-playgrounds-20120121-1qb5s.html

"THE health of thousands of children may be at risk from long-term exposure to toxic chemicals from artificial turf that has become a popular replacement for grass on sporting ovals and school playgrounds around the country."

Thousands of women could be at risk from 'silent Thalidomide'

Thousands of women could be at risk from 'silent Thalidomide'
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/thousands-of-women-could-be-at-risk-from-silent-thalidomide-6292889.html

"A drug intended to prevent miscarriage is blamed for causing cancer in the daughters – and possibly even granddaughters – of women who took it decades ago."

Documentary examines how toxic water at the nation's largest Marine base damaged lives

Documentary examines how toxic water at the nation's largest Marine base damaged lives
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/documentary-reveals-how-contaminated-water-at-the-nations-largest-marine-base-damaged-lives/2012/01/10/gIQAfpy4GQ_story.html

"Mike Partain didn't believe the rumors about a place called Baby Heaven until he visited a Jacksonville, N.C., graveyard and wandered into a section where newborns were laid to rest.

Surrounded by hundreds of tiny marble headstones, he started to cry. A documentary film crew that followed him for a story about water contamination at Camp Lejeune heard his whimpers through a microphone clipped to his clothes. The crew dashed from another part of the graveyard and found him asking, "Why them and not me?""

Dumb and Dangerous: The Problems with Smart Grids

Dumb and Dangerous
The Problems with Smart Grids
http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/03/18/the-problems-with-smart-grids/

"How is it that so many intelligent, inside-the-beltway environmentalists are buying into an eco-health-safety-finance debacle with the potential to increase energy consumption, endanger the environment, harm public health, diminish privacy, make the national utility grid more insecure, cause job losses, and make energy markets more speculative?

Answer: by not doing their homework.

Welcome to the Smart Grid – a government-funded money machine capable of intruding into every aspect of our lives. Smart Grid technologies – initially funded to the tune of $3.4 billion through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and slated to cost $11 billion through 2011 – are enough to make even diehard liberals demand a claw back of misspent tax dollars.

On the surface, Smart Grids sound  'green' – with promises of saving energy, creating new power-line corridors run on wind and solar, way-stations to power-up electric vehicles, energy-efficient upgrades to an aging power infrastructure, and real-time customer knowledge of electricity use.

And there's the enticing communications factor: a nationwide high-speed broadband information technology barreling down high-tension electric corridors called Broadband-Over-Power-Lines (BPL). What could be more perfect for communicating facts about the planet, funding enviro-candidates, pushing legislation, and organizing Earth Days?

But few who actually study how these new systems functionwant anything to do with them. Other than those who stand to make enormous profits and the physicists or engineers who dream up such stuff, Smart Grids are giving knowledgeable people the willies."

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Dry-cleaning chemical can increase risk of bipolar disorder: study

Dry-cleaning chemical can increase risk of bipolar disorder: study
http://www.thestar.com/article/1118524--dry-cleaning-chemical-can-increase-risk-of-bipolar-disorder-study

"A new study has found early exposure to a chemical commonly used in dry-cleaning can increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress syndrome."

Easy ways to clear your indoor air

Easy ways to clear your indoor air
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/home/sc-home-0116-indoor-air-20120120,0,7822753.story

"According to the EPA, most of us spend about 90 percent of our time indoors. And although there are plenty of laws and regulations about outdoor air pollution, most of us don't give a second thought to the air in our homes.

But we should: "… a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors," advises the EPA."

Pathway Genes belong to Major Targets of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Adipose Cells.

Pathway Genes belong to Major Targets of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Adipose Cells.

Kim MJ, Pelloux V, Guyot E, Tordjman J, Bui L-C, Chevallier A, et al. 2012. Inflammatory Environ Health Perspect :-. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104282

Background: Epidemiological studies emphasized the possible role of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in obesity and the metabolic syndrome. These pollutants are stored in adipose tissue (AT).

Objectives: To study the effects of POPs on human adipose cells and rodent AT.

Methods: Using the human Multipotent Adipose-Derived Stem (hMADS) cells, we carried out large scale gene expression analysis to identify the major pathways modified by TCDD, PCB126 and PCB153 and to evaluate their toxic effects. The effect of TCDD on gene expression and AT histology was also assessed in mice.

Results: The most significantly regulated genes in both precursor cells and adipocytes were those involved in the inflammatory/immune response, cancer and metabolism pathway. Interestingly, the fold induction and the number of modulated genes were higher in precursors than in adipocytes suggesting that the former could be more sensitive to the effect of pollutants. When cells were treated by combinations of pollutants, the effects of the AhR ligands, TCDD and PCB126, were dominant when compared to those of the non dioxin-like PCB153. The effects of AhR ligands were reduced by the AhR antagonist alpha-naphtoflavone. The regulation of inflammatory pathway was observed in wild type AT but not in AhR knock-out mice.

Conclusions: Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that adipose cells were targets of AhR ligands and suggested that inflammation was one of the main regulated pathways. These observations suggest a possible contribution of pollutants to the low-grade AT inflammation which accompanies the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases.

Dump Toxic Fragrances

Dump Toxic Fragrances
http://www.coronadonewsca.com/opinion/article_8e172540-42de-11e1-bf0c-0019bb2963f4.html

"I was shocked to learn about all the chemical poisons in scented products. Look at this: The Environmental Health Association of Ontario lists (just for scented candles) these chemical ingredients: Acetone, Benzene, 2-Butanone, Carbon Disulfide, Carbon Tetrachloride, Cresol, Chlorobenzene, Carbon Monoxide, Cyclopentene, Ethylbenzene, Lead, Mercury Phenol, Styrene Tetrachloroethene, Toluene, 1,1,1-Trichloroethan, Trichloroethene, Trichlorofluoromethane, and Xylene. Studies show that these toxins are being off-gassed without the candles being lit."

Association found between phthalates and obesity in young children

Association found between phthalates and obesity in young children
http://www.labmate-online.com/news/microscopy-and-microtechniques/4/breaking_news/association_found_between_phthalates_and_obesity_in_young_children/18248/

"A link has been found between exposure to phthalates and obesity in young children, which included increased BMI and waist circumference.

The research, conducted by the Children's Environmental Health Center at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, found that the man-made chemicals can mimic hormones in the body."

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eating mercury-tainted fish affects essential stress hormones in children.

Eating mercury-tainted fish affects essential stress hormones in children.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2011/12/2011-1227-mercury-fish-lowers-kids-cortisol/

"Eating fish can raise mercury levels that alter hormones and increase chronic stress and immune responses in children, despite the heart benefits of fish consumption.

A study raises concern about children's exposure to mercury through fish eating, tying it for the first time to hormone changes that increase chronic stress and associated immune system dysfunction."

The Indoor Pollution Threat You May Not Have Known Existed

The Indoor Pollution Threat You May Not Have Known Existed
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/01/19/the-indoor-pollution-threat-you-may-not-have-known-existed/

"Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, but have you ever thought about the purity of the air that you are breathing as you sit inside your home, office or even a restaurant?

Indoor air quality is considered to be the fourth greatest pollution threat to Americans by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Even if you can never see, and can't always smell, the chemicals inside your home, they are there.  It comes from cleaning products, drycleaning chemicals, plastic products like computer keyboards, furniture, paint, carpeting and more.

With the help of the Greenguard Environmental Institute, part of Underwriters Laboratories, "Good Morning America" set out to investigate exactly what kind of threat indoor air pollution posed to the average person by setting up a child's nursery with a new crib, changing table, rocker and decorations.

Seven days of testing later, the results were in.  The air in our new nursery contained 300 different chemicals  — compared to just two right outside the same house."

Kaiser Permanente converting to safer IV equipment

Kaiser Permanente converting to safer IV equipment
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/kaiser-permanente-to-use-safer-iv-equipment/2012/01/17/gIQArdLs9P_story.html

"Kaiser Permanente, one of the country's largest health-care providers, plans to announce Thursday that it is converting its intravenous equipment to more eco-friendly alternatives free of two chemicals that have been shown to harm humans and the environment, officials said."

Beware of air fresheners

Beware of air fresheners
http://news.hjnews.com/opinion/article_5b162e12-4251-11e1-aa26-0019bb2963f4.html

"A neighbor of mine is quite concerned with health issues. When I was in his house I noticed it was very clean and very fragrant. He and his wife had plug-in fragrance emitters and candles. I told him of the dangers of perfumes and fragrance products, but he seemed to think I was looney. Perhaps if he and others read this, it may help spread the information and create an opportunity to discuss the health dangers of "nice" smells."

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

School board will enact perfume policy

School board will enact perfume policy
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MCS-America/95671789291

"New rules regulating synthetic scents, such as perfumes and body sprays, worn by students and teachers at Greater Essex County District School Board schools are in the works.

Trustee Julia Burgess said synthetic fragrances cause some people to have allergic reactions. She raised the issue at Tuesday night's school board meeting."

Dirty freeway air puts Southern California health at risk, say activists

Dirty freeway air puts Southern California health at risk, say activists
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19754442

"A growing body of science has confirmed common-sense instinct that dirty freeway air is seriously bad for health, and that research is now spurring Los Angeles activists and regulators to consider new ways of addressing pollution."

Perfume ban among N.H. bills in 2012

Perfume ban among N.H. bills in 2012
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120117/NEWS/201170361/-1/NEWSMAP

"With hundreds of bills filed every legislative session, they don't all get noticed by the general public. However, wading through all the bills for 2012, there are some that stand out and might be considered unusual.

One of those bills, House Bill 1444, seeks to prohibit state employees who work with the public from wearing fragrances or using scented products during regular business hours."

Kicked out of the courtroom? That stinks

COMMENT:  Common sense says not to wear scents in public places, just like common sense says not to smoke in public.  It's no different.  Both are TOXIC to everyone, not allergic.

Kicked out of the courtroom? That stinks
http://qctimes.com/news/local/kicked-out-of-the-courtroom-that-stinks/article_43dd7440-40ca-11e1-8563-0019bb2963f4.html

""We were told to stay in the hallway and not attend the proceedings, because we were all wearing perfume!" Liby said. "It seems that the court reporter inside the courtroom was allergic to perfumes and lotions."

Scent Free Workplace - Circulation Department Wiki

Scent Free Workplace - Circulation Department Wiki
http://2717.wikidot.com/scent-free-work-place

 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Raising a stink about the contents of fragrances

Raising a stink about the contents of fragrances
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ecoconsumer/2017234419_ecoconsumer14m.html

"Fragrances evoke emotions and bring back memories, and we all have our favorites. But when they come in a bottle or a box, the reality is not so romantic. More than 3,000 different chemicals are used to create fragrances in cosmetics, household cleaners and other consumer products."

Herbicides have no place in home garden care

Herbicides have no place in home garden care
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/13/HO811MKQET.DTL

"Q: In a recent column (Nov. 13) you answered a reader who was reluctant to use the herbicide Roundup to combat Japanese anemone. Why? Is it poisonous? I thought it was a salt that got into the plant root and destroyed it. I found it great to control my neighbor's bamboo from invading my yard. I cut the stalk when approximately 18-24 inches tall, then squirt some Roundup down the hole in the stalk. Within a week or so, the bamboo dies. (Until another stalk shoots up!)"

Toxic sofa killed our puppy

Toxic sofa killed our puppy
Settee was sprayed with fabric protector
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4060253/Puppy-is-put-down-after-inhaling-furniture-spray.html

"A PUPPY died after a sofa treated with a toxic spray to protect the fabric DESTROYED its lungs."

Two Voorhees residents to receive the Camden County Freedom Medal

Two Voorhees residents to receive the Camden County Freedom Medal
http://sj.sunne.ws/2012/01/13/two-voorhees-residents-to-receive-the-camden-county-freedom-medal/
 
"Thirteen Camden County residents have been chosen to receive the 2012 edition of the Camden County Freedom Medal for their unselfish contributions to improving their community.  The award, created in 2001, is presented to civic leaders who demonstrate the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Coalition picks Toxics-Free Kids Act as first priority

Coalition picks Toxics-Free Kids Act as first priority
http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/14/1948472/coalition-picks-toxics-free-kids.html

"The environmental community has just one priority bill – a ban on toxic flame retardants in baby and children' s products – in a 2012 legislative session consumed by the state budget crisis."

Nurses' miscarriages linked to chemicals at work

Nurses' miscarriages linked to chemicals at work
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/13/us-nurses-miscarriages-idUSTRE80C1N720120113

"(Reuters Health) - Nurses who worked with chemotherapy drugs or sterilizing chemicals were twice as likely to have a miscarriage as their colleagues who didn't handle these materials, in a new study."

Pollution tied to disease risk in L.A. black women

Pollution tied to disease risk in L.A. black women
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/13/us-pollution-disease-risk-idUSTRE80C1TP20120113

"(Reuters Health) - In a study of more than 4,000 black women in Los Angeles, those who lived in areas with higher levels of traffic-related air pollution were at increased risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure."

Are schools making kids sick?

Are schools making kids sick?
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/14/health/school-indoor-air-pollution/index.html

"As a third-grader in Winsted, Connecticut, last year, Matthew Asselin was sick -- a lot. He was lethargic and plagued with a persistent wet cough, respiratory infections and painful headaches.

As the school year wound down, Matthew's health worsened. He was out for two weeks in the spring with pneumonia and then developed a sinus infection so severe he needed to spend the night at the hospital, where he received intravenous antibiotics and breathing treatments.

In all, Matthew missed 53 days of school.

But over the summer, a strange thing happened. Matthew was healthy. He was energetic. He could ride his bike for hours at a time.

"When we put him back in school this year, within three weeks, he missed 10 days with a respiratory infection," Melissa Asselin said. That's when Matthew's mother had an a-ha moment."

Friday, January 13, 2012

Plastizer increases miscarriage risk.

Plastizer increases miscarriage risk.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2011/12/2012-0111-phthalates-miscarriage/ 
 
"In the first study of its kind, scientists studied couples trying to conceive a child for the first time and found that women with greater exposure to a phthalate associated with plastics were more likely to experience a pregnancy loss."

Chemical found in deodorants, face cream and food products is discovered in tumours of ALL breast cancer patients

Chemical found in deodorants, face cream and food products is discovered in tumours of ALL breast cancer patients
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2085585/Parabens-Chemical-everyday-items-needs-investigation-scientists-discover-tumours-ALL-breast-cancer-patients.html

"Parabens are a chemical compound found in everyday toiletry products

'The fact that parabens were present in so many of the breast tissue samples does justify further investigation,' say study leaders

A chemical widely used as a preservative in cosmetics, food products and pharmaceuticals has been found in tissue samples from 40 women with breast cancer."

Lupus. 2012;21(2):140-5.

Still's disease, lupus-like syndrome, and silicone breast implants. A case of 'ASIA' (Shoenfeld's syndrome).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/222350%2044
 
Jara Lj, Medina G, Gómez-Bañuelos E, Saavedra M, Vera-Lastra O.
Lupus. 2012;21(2):140-5.

Source
1Direction of Education and Research, Hospital de Especialidades Centro Medico La Raza, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico.
Abstract
In recent years, four conditions, siliconosis, Gulf War syndrome (GWS), macrophagic myofasciitis syndrome (MMF) and post-vaccination phenomena, were linked to a previous exposure to an adjuvant, suggesting a common denominator, and it has been proposed to incorporate comparable conditions under a common syndrome entitled Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA). We report a case of a female who at the age of 11 years was diagnosed with Still's disease. At the age of 22 she underwent silicone breast implants and presented with a transient lupus-like syndrome. Then, at 25 years old she had a severe activation of Still's disease in association with rupture of silicone breast implants. When the prostheses were removed, the clinical picture improved. This case fulfills the criteria for ASIA and complements seven previous reports of Still's disease in association with silicone breast implants.
PMID: 22235044 [PubMed - in process]

Gulf War Syndrome as a part of the autoimmune (autoinflammatory) syndrome induced by adjuvant (ASIA).

Gulf War Syndrome as a part of the autoimmune (autoinflammatory) syndrome induced by adjuvant (ASIA).

Israeli E.  Lupus. 2012;21(2):190-4.

Source
The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Abstract
Gulf War syndrome (GWS) is a multi-symptom condition comprising a variety of signs and symptoms described in the literature, which not been fully resolved. The various symptoms of the condition include muscle fatigue and tiredness, malaise, myalgia, impaired cognition, ataxia, diarrhoea, bladder dysfunction, sweating disturbances, headaches, fever, arthralgia, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal and sleep disturbances. In addition, excessive chemical sensitivity and odour intolerance is reported. The aetiology of the condition is unclear, but many reviews and epidemiological analyses suggest association with pyridostigmine bromide (PB), certain vaccination regimes, a variety of possible chemical exposures, including smoke from oil-well fires or depleted uranium from shells, as well as physical and psychological stress. Recently, Shoenfeld et al. suggested that four conditions - siliconosis, macrophagic myofaciitis (MMF), GWS and post-vaccination phenomena - that share clinical and pathogenic resemblances, may be incorporated into common syndrome called 'Autoimmune (Autoinflammatory) Syndrome induced by Adjuvants' (ASIA). Symptoms and signs of the four conditions described by Shoenfeld et al. show that at least eight out of ten main symptoms are in correlation in all four conditions. Namely, myalgia, arthralgias, chronic fatigue, neurological cognitive impairment, gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, skin manifestations and appearance of autoantibodies. Regardless of the aetiology of GWS, be it exposure to environmental factors or chemical drugs, vaccinations or the adjuvants in them, GWS fits well with the definition of ASIA and is included as part of 'Shoenfeld's syndrome'.
PMID: 22235052 [PubMed - in process]

Cadmium-laced jewelry removed from stores

Cadmium-laced jewelry removed from stores
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/cadmium-laced-jewelry-removed-from-stores/2012/01/11/gIQAydS7rP_story.html

"More than a dozen of the most popular retailers have stopped selling jewelry that contains more than trace levels of a toxic metal called cadmium, accepting a new standard that consumer advocates say is tougher than the one endorsed by Washington."

Pool chlorine tied to lung damage in elite swimmers

Pool chlorine tied to lung damage in elite swimmers
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-chlorine-lungdamagetre80a2bn-20120111,0,5216476.story

"Competitive swimmers who train at indoor chlorinated swimming pools may have lung changes similar to those seen in people with mild asthma, a new study has found."

Researchers Identify that Environmental Exposure to Organochlorines May Impact Male Reproduction

Researchers Identify that Environmental Exposure to Organochlorines May Impact Male Reproduction
http://www.newswise.com/articles/gw-researcher-and-colleagues-identify-that-environmental-exposure-to-organochlorines-may-impact-male-reproduction

"Melissa Perry, Sc.D., M.H.S., professor and chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the GW School of Public Health and Health Services and adjunct associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, led an observational study indicating that environmental exposure to organochlorine chemicals, including Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p'-DDE (the main metabolite of the insecticide DDT) can affect male reproduction. The research was published online on Dec. 21, 2011 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives."

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