Sal Talks Tax Deductions

Sal Talks Tax Deductions

PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg24.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg24.htm

It's tax time and April 15th is a mere two weeks away.  In my earlier career as an accountant, I was often asked questions about costly medical deductions.  Many people have high medical costs that may be deducible, including those who were in accidents, had surgery, or suffer from conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, multiple chemical sensitivity, and many other disabilities.  Here are the answers to the most common inquiries. 

 

Key Words:  MCS, mulitple chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatiuge, disability, taxes, deductions, medical

U.S. Governor Proclamations: MCS Awareness Month

U.S. Governor Proclamations:  MCS Awareness Month

PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg20212223.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg20212223.htm

 

Proclamations signed may be viewed on the pages that follow.  All proclamations may be viewed and downloaded at: 
http://mcs-america.org/index_files/proclamations.htm

Autism Is Not Merely Behavioral

Autism Is Not Merely Behavioral

PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg1819.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg1819.htm

 

On February 19, 2008, John McKenzie reported on Carly Fleischmann, an autistic youth who is unable to speak and found her voice by communicating by typing on a computer.  This is exceptionally interesting and breaks through many of the barriers and misconceptions about autism, which has been correlated with symptoms of mercury poisoning. 

Societal Costs of Firbomyalgia

Societal Costs of Firbomyalgia

PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg17.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg17.pdf

 

Fibromyalgia is a disorder classified by the presence of chronic widespread pain, often accompanied by fatigue.  Have you ever wondered what fibromyalgia costs society and sufferers?  Researchers at Ghent University in Belgium did and what they found is alarming!  Costs before diagnosis were compared to later costs, assuming the diagnosis had never been made.  Failure to diagnose true cases of fibromyalgia increases costs in excess doctor visits, investigations, and prescriptions. 

The Lighter Side: Comedy About MCS

The Lighter Side:  Comedy About MCS
PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg16.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg16.htm

Common Solvents Harm Health

Common Solvents Harm Health

PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg15.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg15.htm

 

Many chemicals normally regarded as safe have been shown to produce negative airway symptoms after contact.  Millqvist, a researcher from the Asthma and Allergy Research Group in Sweden, published a review covering the causes of increased airway symptoms from chemicals in the occupational environment. 

Fragrance Trespass

Fragrance Trespass
PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg1314.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg1314.htm

A recent Minnesota legislative proposal for a fragrance-free educational campaign in Minneapolis schools made waves across the nation and is applauded by students, teachers, and the media.   The intent is to discourage students and staff from wearing scented products that are a major source of toxic chemical inhalation which produce negative health effects, especially in children and those with asthma, lung disease, and heart disease.

What You Should Know About Pollen Allergy

What You Should Know About Pollen Allergy
PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg9101112.pdf  

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg9101112.htm

 

Every spring, summer, and fall, trees, grasses, amd weeds release tiny pollen grains, which hitch rides on currents of air and are supposed to fertilize parts of other plants. But many times they do not reach their target. Instead, pollen enters the noses and throats of people, and thus triggers pollen allergy, a sort of seasonal allergic rhinitis, which many people know as hay fever. Many things can cause allergy, such as foods, animals, insects, dust, medicines, which can be avoided to a great extent but pollen is one of the most common cause of allergy, there is really no easy way for avoiding, airborne pollen, even while staying indoors with the window closed when the pollen count is high.

Activist's Corner: Fragrance Letter

Activist's Corner:  Fragrance Letter

PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg8.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg8.htm

 

I recently had the opportunity to visit your establishment.  I was dismayed to find air fresheners or plug-ins intentionally placed inside your business establishment and/or restrooms in the mistaken belief that they would make the establishment more appealing to buyers by covering up odors.  The converse is true.  I did not buy anything that day. 

Mission of Truth: Critical Thinking, Part 3: Analyzing ABC Nightline on MCS and Dr. William Rea

Mission of Truth:  Critical Thinking, Part 3:  Analyzing ABC Nightline on MCS and Dr. William Rea
PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg567.pdf

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg567.htm

 

ABC's recent episode of Nightline entitled Controversial Clinic for the 'Chemically Sensitive' provides a perfect opportunity for the practice of critical thinking.  This month, we will critically evaluate the information presented in this story, which aired on March 20, 2008.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Beleaguered, Part 3

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Beleaguered, Part 3
PDF: http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg1234.pdf 

Text:  http://www.mcs-america.org/April2008pg1234.htm

Over the past two months, a basic overview of the industry disinformation campaign against multiple chemical sensitivity was presented.  Last month we examined the pharmaceutical industry's influence.  This month we will examine the chemical and insurance industry's influence.
 
Thomas Orme, Ph.D., a proponent for the insurance industry, was seriously concerned about multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in 1994.  However, his concern was not for those being injured by toxic chemicals, but rather that the injured were requesting that insurance companies cover the cost of treatment and were seeking payment through worker's compensation and Social Security Disability programs when they became disabled.  He was also fearful of the injured pressing for workplace and housing accommodations under the American's with Disabilities Act.

An ecological approach to facilitate successful employment outcomes among people with multiple chemical sensitivity.

Work. 2007;29(4):341-9. Links

An ecological approach to facilitate successful employment outcomes among people with multiple chemical sensitivity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18057574?dopt=AbstractPlus

Koch L, Rumrill P, Hennessey M, Vierstra C, Roessler RT.

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. lckoch@uark.edu

Many adults with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) must prematurely exit the workforce because of the severity of their MCS symptoms, the resulting disability stigma, and their unmet needs for on-the-job accommodations. To help individuals with MCS continue working or re-enter employment, rehabilitation professionals must understand the barriers resulting in unemployment and implement interventions to reduce or remove those barriers. In this article, the Ecological Model of Career Development is presented as a scheme for identifying barriers and implementing rehabilitation interventions to improve the employment outcomes among people with MCS.

PMID: 18057574 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Disease makes dubious doctor a believer

Disease makes dubious doctor a believer
http://www.al.com/living/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/living/120643834717090.xml&coll=1&thispage=1

Before suffering illness Bryan Evans wasn't sure CFS was real

Dr. Bryan Evans used to enjoy playing volleyball at the gym with friends a
couple times a week. <snip> But eventually that high began to wane
as his body continued a downward
spiral. He suffered from excruciating muscle aches and pains, profuse
sweating and total exhaustion without exerting any energy, unexplained
weight loss and gain, skin rashes, headaches and a number of other
debilitating problems.

AAEM Responds to ABC Nightline Program on MCS and Dr Rea

AAEM Responds to ABC Nightline Program on MCS and Dr Rea   
http://aaemonline.org/abcresponse.pdf
 

WebMD: Fragrance Allergies: A Sensory Assault

WebMD

Fragrance Allergies: A Sensory Assault
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/fragrance-allergies-a-sensory-assault

<snippets>
The use of fragrance in products is on the rise -- and so is the number of people affected by them. WebMD offers ways to protect yourself if you're sensitive to scents.

Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?
You catch a whiff of a co-worker's new fragrance, and within minutes, you have a whopper of a headache.
You pop open that new bottle of dish-washing liquid, and by the time you've washed the pots and pans, your hands and arms are covered in hives.
You walk into a friend's home and smell freshly baked pumpkin pie. Only after you start sneezing uncontrollably and feeling dizzy, weak, and sick to your stomach do you learn she hasn't been baking -- she's been burning a scented candle.
Your favorite fashion magazine arrives, and as soon as it's out of the mailbox your eyes are watering and you're sneezing nonstop. The culprit: scented fragrance advertising inserts.
If this sounds like you, you may be one of a growing number of people with fragrance allergies or sensitivities that can have mild to severe health consequences.
------
Experts theorize that one reason fragrance allergies appear to be increasing is that fragrances themselves have become such a prominent part of our world. According to the AAD, some 5,000 different fragrances -- and countless other fragrance combinations -- are used in products today. And they can be a powerful, toxic brew.
------
And that is precisely the logic behind several recent legal actions aimed at cleaning up our personal air space.
In July 2007, a government worker from Detroit sued her employers under the Americans With Disabilities Act for what her lawsuit claims is "fragrance toxicity" in the workplace. Her claim: Exposures to fragrances also means increased exposure to chemical neurotoxins that adversely impact brain function. The suit is pending.
In the fall of 2007, a group of students from California State University, Stanislaus, became so concerned about these same chemical exposures they asked campus officials to institute a fragrance-free policy. Their request cited headaches, nausea, and inability to concentrate, all caused by overpowering fragrance use among some students and faculty. The students are waiting for the administration's decision.
Workers in the Portland, Ore., Bureau of Emergency Communications were recently banned from wearing fragrances under what has become one of the nation's first government workplace "fragrance-free" policies. Portland State University followed suit, and now similar programs are in place at Cecil College in Maryland.
-----
For Most people, fragrance allergy symptoms abate once the scent is out of range. But this isn't always the case. For some, repeated exposures cause an increase in symptoms that occur more often and last longer. According to the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, a small but growing segment is affected by a little understood and even somewhat controversial condition known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).
For people with MCS, Dalton says sensitivity to one fragrance or odor can snowball into a crippling multiple chemical sensitivity that leaves its victims defenseless in the face of an ever-widening number of chemical odors and fragrances.
To further complicate matters, doctors can't quite agree on what's behind any fragrance reaction, and whether it's even a true allergy or simply a response to an irritant.
-----
Some experts aren't even sure if it's the fragrance itself that is the real culprit, or just one part of a mix of chemicals -- as many as 200 or more -- that are used to create both fragrances we smell and the masking agents used in unscented products.
"Because the 'fragrance' is what we smell when we have an onset of symptoms, we blame the fragrance. But, in fact, it's possible that the reaction we are getting may instead be the result of the many chemicals used in the formulation of the fragrance," Dalton tells WebMD. This, she says, includes both products we can smell and those labeled as "unscented," which frequently rely on a whole host of chemicals to dampen the scent.
-----
Regardless of what is behind your fragrance allergy, experts agree that reducing exposure is key.
"The most important thing you can do in that respect is to remove yourself from the offending fragrance." Avoidance is really the most effective treatment, Slankard tells WebMD.

Trauma experience in individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance and individuals with somatoform disorders.

J Psychosom Res. 2007 Dec;63(6):657-61. Links

Trauma experience in individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance and individuals with somatoform disorders.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18061757&itool=iconabstr&itool=pubmed_DocSum

Bailer J, Witthöft M, Bayerl C, Rist F.

Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany. Josef.Bailer@zi-mannheim.de

OBJECTIVE: Results from previous studies suggest that past trauma experience increases the risk for medically unexplained somatic symptoms and somatoform disorders (SFD). This cross-sectional study examined the link between various lifetime traumas, idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI), and SFD. METHODS: Two clinical groups of 54 subjects with IEI and 44 subjects with SFD were compared to 54 subjects (comparison group, CG) free from both IEI and SFD regarding self-reported traumas. The subjects were mainly recruited via advertisements in local newspapers. From 970 individuals screened for IEI and multiple somatic symptoms, 152 were included through a two-step selection procedure consisting of screening questionnaires, a medical examination, and structured interviews for IEI and mental disorders. RESULTS: In all three groups at least one potential traumatic event was reported rather frequently (CG: 70%; IEI: 82%; SFD: 73%). But contrary to our expectation, significant group differences were neither found in regard to the proportion of subjects with any trauma, nor traumas fulfilling DSM-IV criteria (CG: 41%; IEI: 48%; SFD: 59%), nor multiple traumas (CG: 43%, IEI: 56%, SFD: 39%). Only two trauma categories were endorsed more frequently by the two clinical groups than by the CG: the unspecified 'other' category (IEI, SFD>CG) and 'life-threatening illness' (IEI>CG). CONCLUSION: No clear evidence was found for increased rates of trauma experience in IEI and SFD. However, the results of this exploratory study should be considered as preliminary. Comparing larger IEI and SFD groups with a representative population-based sample may yield different results.

PMID: 18061757 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Student Suspended Over Perfume

Comment:  This shows a total lack of understanding of perfume.  I hope the suspension serves to be a model for others use of perfume.

"Jordan says the assistant principal told her Kimberly's teacher was allergic.  "I said we went and bought new perfume," Jordan said."

 

Student Suspended Over Perfume
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6130496&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Kimberly Jordon, a 13 year old student at Eustis Middle School, was suspended for wearing perfume to school.  Her mother Jennifer Jordon said she simply cannot believe it.  "If she goes to school stinking they're going to be calling children and family services on me saying I'm an unfit mother," Jordon said. "She goes to school clean and they're suspending her so she's getting punished either way."  <snip>

Proximity to point sources of environmental mercury release as a predictor of autism prevalence.

Health Place. 2008 Feb 12 [Epub ahead of print] Links

Proximity to point sources of environmental mercury release as a predictor of autism prevalence.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18353703?dopt=AbstractPlus

Palmer RF, Blanchard S, Wood R.

University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio Department of Family and Community Medicine, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio Texas, Mail Code 7794, TX 78229-3900, USA.

The objective of this study was to determine if proximity to sources of mercury pollution in 1998 were related to autism prevalence in 2002. Autism count data from the Texas Educational Agency and environmental mercury release data from the Environmental Protection Agency were used. We found that for every 1000 pounds of industrial release, there was a corresponding 2.6% increase in autism rates (p<.05) and a 3.7% increase associated with power plant emissions(P<.05). Distances to these sources were independent predictors after adjustment for relevant covariates. For every 10 miles from industrial or power plant sources, there was an associated decreased autism Incident Risk of 2.0% and 1.4%, respectively (p<.05). While design limitations preclude interpretation of individual risk, further investigations of environmental risks to child development issues are warranted.

PMID: 18353703 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE  AVAILABLE TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC
FATIGUE  SYNDROME/ME

Chronically Ill  People Now Have an Emergency Fund to
Draw on During Times of Financial  Hardship

Chronically ill people generally have  little to celebrate about, but that's
all about to change. Members of Reaching  Out, a website dedicated to helping
those who suffer from Fibromyalgia and  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, now have
an exciting program to rely on during  financial emergencies. The program,
called "Emergency Outtie Fund," began in  March 08 and is the brainchild of
Karen Clinton, Support Group Administrator,  Carrie Nelson, Editor of Reaching Out's
free monthly newsletter, and Sparrow  Ivy, Website Administrator of
Reaching Out's site at _www.reaching-out.info_ (http://www.reaching-out.info/) .  "
We started the fund," commented Sparrow  Ivy, "because we saw so many members
having to choose between filling their  monthly prescriptions or paying rent."
Of course, for many chronically ill, they are no strangers to having to
choose between two necessary items. "You can  practically watch someone go through
the sad and unfortunate stages you went  through earlier," commented Sparrow.

"It starts off with losing your sources  of income. Then there's the loss
of health and life insurance, prescription and  other work related benefits.
Then we quickly deplete our savings and our friends' and families' ability to
help. Finally, we start the process of deciding if we're going to fix our
vehicle or buy that prescription. After watching our Member's go this bitter
process over and over, it became  unbearable, so we decided to start this fund."
Reaching Out was started in 2004 by a small group of people who were
battling Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME and other associated illness.

Their services, all free, includes a website which offers advocacy, small, email
support groups, links, current updates on treatment and research, 24-hour
chat  and bulletin board, and stories of courage for all survivors. Also
available is  a terrific free monthly 18-page newsletter which can be seen in some of
the best  doctor's offices in the U.S. and Canada or sent to an email
address. They've won two web awards and were listed in the top five websites by
Karen Richards on About.com in 2007.

If you'd  like more information about this topic, or to schedule an
interview, please call  Dr. John Ivy at 208/255-1216 or email_ reachingoutsite@aol.com_
(mailto:reachingoutsite@aol.com?subject=Press%20Release%20for%20Reaching%20Out) .

 

Contact:  Dr. John Ivy                                                 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel.  208/255-1216
Email: reachingoutsite@aol.com
   

EI News, Science, & Links Summary for the W/E 3/21/2008

Proclamations

Kansas - Toxic Injury Awareness and Education Month - May 2008
http://mcs-america.org/kansas2008ti.pdf

Michigan - Toxic Chemical Injury Awareness and Education Month - May 2008
http://mcs-america.org/michigan2008tci.pdf

New Mexico - Toxic Injury Awareness and Education Month - May 2008
http://mcs-america.org/newmexico2008ti.pdf

March 22, 2008

Allergies knock out school board member for months
http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local/story/227173.html

March 21, 2008

Hair Analysis Gives Look Inside Body
http://www.nbc10.com/health/15667329/detail.html

Scientists Tie Chemical Reaction to Creation of Smog
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/science/jan-june08/ozone_03-21.html

Fearing TCSA Push, Industry Opposes State Toxics Bills (subscription only)
http://www.insideepa.com/

US concern over fragrance use hits Europe
http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/news/ng.asp?n=84146-allergy-fragrance-ban

Try using 'green' cleaning products to insure safe, healthy household
http://www.moorparkacorn.com/news/2008/0321/Health_and_Wellness/024.html

March 20, 2008

Possible Cause Of 'Chemo Brain' In Breast Cancer Patients Found
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319152426.htm

Toxic Vapors Found In Buildings In St. Louis Park
http://wcco.com/local/vapors.st.louis.2.681485.html

Lead residue poisons three children in Tacoma rental home
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004295838_apwaleadpoisoning1stldwritethru.html

The Autoimmune Epidemic: Bodies Gone Haywire in a World Out of Balance
http://www.alternet.org/story/80129/

Controversial Clinic for the 'Chemically Sensitive'
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4489265

Study says diesel emissions raise cancer risk
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/19/BA1PVMN0O.DTL

What Every Buyer and Seller Needs to Know about Household Toxins
http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-03-19/what-every-buyer-and-seller-needs-to-know-about-household-toxins/

March 19, 2008

How Green Are 'Organic' Shoes?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339490,00.html

Getting tough on toxic chemicals
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/03/17/getting-tough-toxic-chemicals.html#

New Study: Common Chemical May Make Toys Toxic
http://cbs2chicago.com/health/toxic.toys.phthalates.2.680842.html

Cortisol may alleviate chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms: study
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/03/19/cortisol-study.html

March 18, 2008

Study links SoCal's polluted air to brain, heart problems
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_air19.3aa6abb.html

Pollution Visible From East Asia To North America In New Satellite Image
http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2008/03/080317164336.htm

Hawaii AspartameTask Force Resolution by Rep. Green, M.D.; Former FDA
Investigator Art Evangelista Details Neurotoxicity
http://www.opednews.com/articles/life_a_dr__bett_080318_hawaii_aspartametask.htm

ME: 'Invisible disease' is now easier to read
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/03/18/scime118.xml

GYPSY MOTH: Infestation could get worse; Maryland looking for new ways to
fight it
http://www.dailytimesonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080318/NEWS01/80318058/1002

Counties going ahead with spray plan, despite pleas from concerned residents
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=948178

Home cleaners hold untested chemicals
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/347160

March 17, 2008

Popular Hissing Cockroaches Host Potent Mold Allergens
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538709/

Is mold in a school making students sick?
http://www.winknews.com/news/local/16762381.html

Dingell, Stupak Investigating Corruption of Science Panels at EPA
http://www.ewg.org/node/26175

Dept. of Defense delayed brain injury scans
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-03-17-tbi_N.htm

Agency believes it has the authority it needs to regulate nanomaterials
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/government/86/8611gov1.html

Two inquiries look at threat diacetyl may pose to cooks
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/355371_diacetyl18.html

Lawmakers Probe EPA Conflicts
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jeUws0YW_ERohyoQeQuNrEnFxZFwD8VFEF480

March 16, 2008

Snuffing Out Puffing Neighbors
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/03/16/snuffing_out_puffing_neighbors?mode=PF

That 'new' smell could be fumes: Solutions rid homes of formaldehyde
http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/mar/16/0316_housefumes/

Health effects of mold exposure
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/story/467195.html

Mold problem kept quiet
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/story/467189.html

Man-made menace
http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=5&subLeft=7&chklogin=N&autono=316969&tab=r

Don't panic, says lawyer in lawsuit over mold in Suffolk school
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/03/dont-panic-says-lawyer-lawsuit-over-mold-suffolk-school

March 15, 2008
Blocked study draws attention to PCBs
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080315/GPG0101/803150585/1207/GPGnews

MMR take-up 'lower among educated'
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i9EUHPHOxqRLFZ8TPSeL3XcQYt2Q

Toxic Planet, Toxic Birds, Toxic People?
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977285102

Greg Sellnow: Do we really need to outlaw fragrances?
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=41&a=333184

Scents making some students sick; Legislator proposes fragrance-free
campaign
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=942644

Parents told to avoid lindane-laced lice shampoo
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080315/lice_shampoo_080315/20080315/?hub=TorontoHome

Using High Efficiency Particle Air Filters May Improve Cardiovascular Health
http://www.naturalnews.com/z022844.html

Suffolk teacher sues city for mold problems
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/southofjames/dp-local_suffmold_0315mar15,0,3579534.story

March 14, 2008

Mercury in canned tuna: Think twice about that lunch
http://www.wfaa.com/projectgreen/greenarticles/stories/green080314_jb_tuna.536c9e4c.html

EFSA evaluates Southampton study on food additives and child behaviour
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178694648892.htm

March 13, 2008

Asthma In Children Linked To Cleaning Products And Air Freshener Use During
Pregnancy
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/100525.php

After attempt to clear air, perfume problem lingers
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-fashqa1308mar13,0,1277625.column

March 5, 2008

U.S. EPA fines Southern California technology company $208,000 for "nano
coating" pesticide claims on computer peripherals
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/16a190492f2f25d585257403005c2851?

Chemical and Electrically Safer Housing

Seagonville Ecology Housing
15126 Beckett Rd.
Seagoville, TX 75159
972-287-2059

Links

Living With Electrohypersensitivity
http://www.weepinitiative.org/livingwithEHS.html

BVHS Goes Scent Free - March 31, 2008
http://www.bowvalleyhigh.ca/pdf/parent_sent_letter.pdf

Green This Life
http://www.greenthislife.com/

Scientific Studies

Particulate matter, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

Coagulation cascade and fibrinolysis in patients with multiple-drug allergy
syndrome.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18254481?dopt=AbstractPlus

Proton MR Spectroscopy in the Evaluation of Cerebral Metabolism in Patients
With Fibromyalgia: Comparison With Healthy Controls and Correlation With
Symptom Severity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18339723?dopt=AbstractPlus

Influence of ozone concentration and temperature on ultra-fine particle and
gaseous volatile organic compound formations generated during the
ozone-initiated reactions with emitted terpenes from a car air freshener.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18336999?dopt=AbstractPlus

Lourdes Salvador
www.mcs-america.org

Disclaimer:
Articles and links are not necessarily the opinion of MCSA or Lourdes
Salvador and neither will be 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.

Particulate matter, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.

Neurotoxicology. 2008 Jan 4 [Epub ahead of print] Links

Particulate matter, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

Mohankumar SM, Campbell A, Block M, Veronesi B.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI, United States.

Particulate matter (PM), a component of air pollution has been epidemiologically associated with sudden deaths, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. The effects are more pronounced in patients with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, diabetes or obstructive pulmonary disorders. Clinical and experimental studies have historically focused on the cardiopulmonary effects of PM. However, since PM particles carry numerous biocontaminants that are capable of triggering free radical production and cytokine release, the possibility that PM may affect organs systems sensitive to oxidative stress must be considered. Four independent studies that summarize the neurochemical and neuropathological changes found in the brains of PM exposed animals are described here. These were recently presented at two 2007 symposia sponsored by the Society of Toxicology (Charlotte, NC) and the International Neurotoxicology Association (Monterey, CA).

PMID: 18289684 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Environmental contaminants and pregnancy outcomes.

Fertil Steril. 2008 Feb;89(2 Suppl):e111-6; discussion e117.

Environmental contaminants and pregnancy outcomes.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18308050?dopt=AbstractPlus

Windham G, Fenster L.

Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California 94804, USA. gayle.windham@cdph.ca.gov

OBJECTIVE: To review selected environmental, occupational, and other important risk factors for the following adverse pregnancy outcomes: low birth weight (LBW), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and preterm delivery (PTD). DESIGN: The evidence is explored in greater detail for environmental tobacco smoke, drinking water disinfection byproducts, and organochlorine (DDT) and organophosphate pesticides, partly using a weight of evidence approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Low birth weight and IUGR are surrogate measures of fetal growth that are determined at delivery. Low birth weight is defined as <2,500 grams, and occurs in about 7% of US births. Intrauterine growth retardation is commonly defined as birth weight less than the tenth percentile for gestational week, using a standard population. Preterm delivery is birth at <37 weeks gestational age, and occurs in approximately 12% of US births. RESULT(S): Numerous factors are associated with these endpoints that may be important to consider in studies of environmental exposures, such as young or old maternal age, race/ethnicity, multiple births, low socioeconomic status, inadequate prenatal care, low maternal weight gain, and infections and premature rupture of the membranes. Environmental contaminants found associated with increased risk of one or more of the endpoints include: tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, air pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, chlorination byproducts, and solvents. CONCLUSION(S): Future research directions include measurement of exposure biomarkers during critical windows and consideration of genetic polymorphisms.

PMID: 18308050 [PubMed - in process]

Controversial Clinic for the 'Chemically Sensitive'

Forgive me if this is a repost.  For those who have not seen this, it was very disappointing.  The first two lines of this article had me growling like a dog.  I put the key words that started this off all wrong in red (individual mails and/or HTML groups) and quotes (if you have daily digest or the group is plain text).  <sigh>   Such a bad.... and very likely intentional... choice of words that discredited us before the article got off the ground.  There is a link for an introductory video on this article. Has anyone seen the entire show? 

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Controversial Clinic for the 'Chemically Sensitive'

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4489265

What if you "thought" that the world around you was making you sick? If you "feared" that the house you live in, the car that you drive and everyday activities such as watching television and talking on a cell phone were making you ill?

Dr. William Rea says he has treated more than 30,000 people, from all over the world, who "believe" the world around them has made them sick. Very sick.

What Every Buyer and Seller Needs to Know about Household Toxins

What Every Buyer and Seller Needs to Know about Household Toxins

http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-03-19/what-every-buyer-and-seller-needs-to-know-about-household-toxins/

We all have many home items that we take for granted. They may be appliances we couldn't live without-say, the refrigerator we absentmindedly open and close several times a day, or the toaster or the coffee maker. Maybe they're products that we might use to keep our home clean, such as vacuum cleaners or liquid cleansers.  But what do you do with these everyday items when they cease to be useful? Maybe they break down, or maybe you bought another item that you prefer more.  What can you do, now that these items have become potentially hazardous household waste? There are several options-some that will quickly relieve you of the items, others that may require you to hang on to them for a while.  In many cases, people toss out the products, such as alkaline batteries and fluorescent light bulbs, with their normal trash. But they shouldn't.  Chemicals in these products can "get into the air, food, water and people's bodies, and we want to keep them where they belong, which is not in those places," says Leslie Kline, Fresno County, Calif.'s recycling coordinator. "Some chemicals like pesticides, we want to make sure they don't get into the ground and the water."<snip>

Bow Valley taking leave of their scents - High school will become scent-free environment by March 31

BVHS goes Scent Free -  March 31
http://www.bowvalleyhigh.ca/

Attached is the letter and the PowerPoint to be linked to the BVHS.

Letter:  http://www.bowvalleyhigh.ca/pdf/parent_sent_letter.pdf

PowerPoint:  http://www.bowvalleyhigh.ca/pdf/scentfree.ppt 

Bow Valley taking leave of their scents:  High school will become scent-free environment by March 31
http://www.cochranetimes.com/News/385892.html

Throughout the month of March, Bow Valley High School will be transitioning to become a scent-free school. This is occuring due to the reactions of several students and staff members, who suffer from "environmental sensitivities" and reactions to fragrances and/or scents.  This issue must be dealt with in a timely manner because extended exposure to the fragrances and/or scents increases the severity of such reactions.

Emitted terpenes from a car air freshener

 Hazard Mater. 2008 Feb 7 [Epub ahead of print]

Influence of ozone concentration and temperature on ultra-fine particle and gaseous volatile organic compound formations generated during the ozone-initiated reactions with emitted terpenes from a car air freshener.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18336999?dopt=AbstractPlus

Lamorena RB, Lee W.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 373-1 Daejon, Republic of Korea.

Experiments were conducted to identify the emissions from the car air freshener and to identify the formation of ultra-fine particles and secondary gaseous compounds during the ozone-initiated oxidations with emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The identified primary constituents emitted from the car air freshener in this study were alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, p-cymene, and limonene. Formation of ultra-fine particles (4.4-160nm) was observed when ozone was injected into the chamber containing emitted monoterpenes from the air freshener. Particle number concentrations, particle mass concentrations, and surface concentrations were measured in time dependent experiments to describe the particle formation and growth within the chamber. The irritating secondary gaseous products formed during the ozone-initiated reactions include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, acetone, and propionaldehyde. Ozone concentration (50 and 100ppb) and temperature (30 and 40 degrees C) significantly affect the formation of particles and gaseous products during the ozone-initiated reactions. The results obtained in this study provided an insight on the potential exposure of particles and irritating secondary products formed during the ozone-initiated reaction to passengers in confined spaces.

PMID: 18336999 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Lawmakers Probe EPA Conflicts

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jeUws0YW_ERohyoQeQuNrEnFxZFwD8VFEF480

A House committee opened an investigation Monday into potential conflicts of interest in scientific panels that advise the Environmental Protection Agency.  The House Energy and Commerce Committee cited the case of eight scientists who were consultants or members of EPA science advisory panels assessing the human health effects of toxic chemicals while getting research support from the chemical industry on the same chemicals they were examining.t.

Comment:  Smoking neighbors has been an issue that has come up many times.  Smoke, like fragrance, travels easily between apartments and in common hallways to other units.  Many times, smokers will think they can sneak a cigarette if no one sees them, but the smell always gives them away.  It's nice to see this getting some attention.

Snuffing Out Puffing Neighbors

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/03/16/snuffing_out_puffing_neighbors?mode=PF

Multiunit housing is one of the few remaining places where the boundary lines between smokers and everybody else are still as amorphous as the wispy streaks left by a cigarette. But emboldened by renters like the Corleys and condo owners who are no longer content to hold their noses around unwanted secondhand smoke, a coalition of anti-smoking groups is preparing to scale the walls of one of the last smoker havens. Their tactics promise to be subtle: condition the public through education at the local level, roll out a bunch of examples – landlords or condo associations that banned smoking voluntarily – and gradually make smoke-free housing the norm.

That 'new' smell could be fumes: Solutions rid homes of formaldehyde

Comment:  This is some good information and certainly helpful in exploring the myriad of places formaldehyde may lurk besides FEMA trailers.  Formaldehyde is often missed as a contaminant in the home. 

 

That 'new' smell could be fumes:  Solutions rid homes of formaldehyde

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/mar/16/0316_housefumes/

 

"Years ago, people were proud to have people come over and smell their new house," said Frank Laskey, president of Capital Construction in Ballston Spa. "That new car smell, there was some cache attached to that." Now, experts realize that the smell is actually the off-gassing of formaldehyde, a common chemical that is a possible carcinogen and can trigger allergies when people are trapped indoors with it.  <snip>  But the gas that forms the main ingredient in glues used in plywood, particle board, paneling, insulation, paint and carpeting is not just a problem in FEMA trailers. Cigarettes, permanent press fabrics and gas stoves also give off formaldehyde.  <snip>   The good news is that it goes away. Carpets and fabrics off-gas formaldehyde for between six months and three years, and wood products do so for three to five years, Laskey said. The bad news is that until it does dissipate, people who are sensitive to it may experience irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Proton MR Spectroscopy in the Evaluation of Cerebral Metabolism in Patients With Fibromyalgia

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2008 Mar 13 [Epub ahead of print]

Proton MR Spectroscopy in the Evaluation of Cerebral Metabolism in Patients With Fibromyalgia: Comparison With Healthy Controls and Correlation With Symptom Severity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18339723?dopt=AbstractPlus

Petrou M, Harris RE, Foerster BR, McLean SA, Sen A, Clauw DJ, Sundgren PC.

Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology; Department of Emergency Medicine; and the Center for Statistical Consultation and Research, Department of Statistics; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Widespread pain sensitivity in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) suggests a central nervous system (CNS)-processing problem. Therefore, it is conceivable that metabolic alterations exist in pain-processing brain regions of people with FM compared with healthy controls (HC) and that such metabolic data could correlate with clinical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to test these hypotheses using proton MR spectroscopy ((1)H-MR spectroscopy). Materials and METHODS: There were 21 patients with FM and 27 HC who underwent conventional structural MR imaging and additional 2D-chemical shift imaging (CSI) MR-spectroscopy sequences. For the 2D-CSI spectroscopy, larger volumes of interest (VOIs) were centered at the level of the basal ganglia and the supraventricular white matter. Within these larger areas, 16 smaller voxels were placed in a number of regions previously implicated in pain processing. N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine(Cr), choline (Cho)/Cr and NAA/Cho ratios were calculated for each voxel. Subjects underwent clinical and experimental pain assessment. RESULTS: Mean metabolite ratios and ratio variability for each region were analyzed by using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Correlations between clinical symptoms and metabolite ratios were assessed. Cho/Cr variability in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was significantly different in the 2 groups; a significant correlation between Cho/Cr in this location and clinical pain was present in the FM group. Evoked pain threshold correlated significantly with NAA/Cho ratios in the left insula and left basal ganglia. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that there are baseline differences in the variability of brain metabolite relative concentrations between patients with FM and HC, especially in the right DLPFC. Furthermore, there are significant correlations between metabolite ratios and clinical and experimental pain parameters in patients with FM.

PMID: 18339723 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]