In Toys and More, Are Chemicals Safe or Harmful?

In Toys and More, Are Chemicals Safe or Harmful?
http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/safp/627040.html

"Chemicals with the tongue-twisting name of phthalates (pronounced THAL ates) are nearly ubiquitous in consumer products, found in items from soaps, lotion and cosmetics to plastics and toys."

Older New England schools have toxic caulking

Older New England schools have toxic caulking
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20090906older_new_england_schools_have_toxic_caulking/srvc=home&position=recent
"Federal environmental officials say students and staff at hundreds of older schools in New England and other parts of the country may face potential health risks because of toxic caulking in windows and masonry."

Vote near on banning chemical from some baby products

Vote near on banning chemical from some baby products
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13272796?nclick_check=1

 

"It's being dubbed as the battle between babies and the chemical industry. On Tuesday the Assembly will vote on SB 797, which would ban the use of a chemical in feeding products and packaging designed for children under 3 years old by 2011."

Q&A Diagnostic Tools for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Q&A  Diagnostic Tools for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/September2009pg22.pdf  
Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsseptember2009.htm#_Welcome_to_Multiple  
 
"Q:  I am seeing more and more patients with complaints of non-allergic sensitivities to chemical substances.  What exactly is multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and are there any diagnostic tools to determine if a patient has MCS?

A:  Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a disorder incited by toxic chemical substances.  People with MCS have a reduced ability to metabolize chemical substances, leading to toxicity.  This results in inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, among other things which can be revealed in a thorough medical workup.  MCS is often mistaken as an allergy.  Allergy testing will rule out allergy as a cause for reactions to specific substances."

Makers of Vaccination Refuse to Take the H1N1

Makers of Vaccination Refuse to Take the H1N1
http://thetruthaboutmcs.blogspot.com/2009/09/makers-of-vaccination-refuse-to-take.html


Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatiuge, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical

Canada to buy unadjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women, health officer says

Canada to buy unadjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women, health officer says
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gnSV0qbZNXGfDNG3UOfJNrx7FqRQ

"Canada will purchase supplies of unadjuvanted swine flu vaccine to offer to pregnant women who might otherwise choose not to be vaccinated, the country's chief public health officer has revealed."

Chemical industry extinguishes effort to curb toxic fire retardants

Playing with fire
Chemical industry extinguishes effort to curb toxic fire retardants
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=1179904

"State Sen. Mark Leno was thwarted in his efforts to keep toxic chemicals out of children's pillows and furniture."

EPA Fines Tree Nursery for Pesticide Misuse, Worker Safety Violations

EPA Fines Tree Nursery for Pesticide Misuse, Worker Safety Violations
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=2362 
 
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined a Minden, Nevada-based ornamental tree nursery for misusing pesticides contrary to labeling requirements and failing to comply with federal pesticide worker safety laws."

Toymaker giant Mattel exempt from toxics testing rules

Toymaker giant Mattel exempt from toxics testing rules
http://www.saferstates.com/2009/09/toymaker-giant-mattel-exempt-from-toxics-testing-rules.html
    
"New toy safety regulations are in the news again after the Consumer Product Safety Commission has granted the country's largest toymaker an exemption."

How little PVC is too much?

How little PVC is too much?
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/08/31/f-pvc-school-supplies.html

"The back-to-school season is in full swing, and for parents looking to outfit their children with new school supplies, the store shelves are lined with seemingly limitless options. With that in mind, the Canadian interest group Environmental Defence, working with the Center for Health, Environment and Justice in the U.S., has released a back-to-school buyer's guide for parents wanting to ensure their children return to class with products that won't harm their health or the planet's."

Honolulu City Council moves to kill conduct bill (odor)

Honolulu City Council moves to kill conduct bill (odor)
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090904/NEWS03/909040372/-1/NEWS03?source=nletter-

"A City Council committee yesterday snuffed out a bill that would have regulated bad odors and other behavior on city transit vehicles and facilities."

 

Comment:  I find it interesting that the high amounts of offensive fragrances worn by some passengers was not addressed here, particularly because these fragrances contain multitudes of chemicals untested for human safety which are reported to exacerbate asthma, chemical sensitivity, and other ailments.

Air conditioning linked to fewer heart-related hospitalizations.

Air conditioning linked to fewer heart-related hospitalizations.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/air-conditioning-related-to-fewer-hospitalizations-in-elderly/

"A new study finds that fewer older people are hospitalized due to heart problems associated with air pollution if they live in places that have more homes with central air conditioning."

Organic or local? What's on consumers' minds when it comes to produce?

Organic or local?
What's on consumers' minds when it comes to produce? 
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/asfh-ool090309.php

"The emerging trend toward healthier, fresher foods that are also gentle on the environment presents new dilemmas for conscientious consumers. Marketers tout the attributes of "organic" food, while the "local foods movement" is gaining popularity throughout the world. The "organic-or-local" debate is particularly interesting when it comes to fruits and vegetables; proponents of each system offer strong evidence to support their cause. Consumers frequent local farmers' markets because they expect higher quality, freshness and taste, and lower prices."
 

Indoor plants found to release volatile organic compounds

Indoor plants found to release volatile organic compounds  
Study indicates need for further research to determine environmental, health impacts  
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/asfh-ipf090309.php   
 
"Potted plants add a certain aesthetic value to homes and offices, bringing a touch of nature to indoor spaces. It has also been shown that many common house plants have the ability to remove volatile organic compounds-gases or vapors emitted by solids and liquids that may have adverse short- and long-term health effects on humans and animals-from indoor air. But take heed when considering adding some green to your environment; in addition to giving off healthy oxygen and sucking out harmful VOCs, a new study shows that some indoor plants actually release volatile organic compounds into the environment."

Environmental Pollutants in Disease

Environmental Pollutants in Disease 
PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/September2009pg24.pdf  
Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsseptember2009.htm#_Environmental_Pollution_in  
 
"Environmental pollution has become ubiquitous.  Modern people have run to all corners of the earth seeking fresh, clean air and few have found it.  Air pollution comes in the forms of industrial emissions, cigarettes, pesticide applications, fragrances in personal care products, air 'fresheners', laundry products, and cleaning chemicals.  All of these sources of pollution expose people to toxic compounds.  During toxic exposures, inflammation and oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in tissue injury and disease according to researchers."

Diesel Exhaust Is Linked To Cancer Development Via New Blood Vessel Growth

Diesel Exhaust Is Linked To Cancer Development Via New Blood Vessel Growth  
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/depexposure.htm 
 
"Scientists here are the first to demonstrate that the link between diesel fume exposure and cancer lies in the ability of diesel exhaust to induce the growth of new blood vessels that serve as a food supply for solid tumors."

Pensioner is first to get compensation for 'toxic sofa' injuries

Pensioner is first to get compensation for 'toxic sofa' injuries
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/6122741/Pensioner-is-first-to-get-compensation-for-toxic-sofa-injuries.html

"A pensioner has become the first person to be given compensation for suffering severe burns after sitting on a "toxic sofa"."

Flu epidemic reopens national debate on safety of vaccinations

Flu epidemic reopens national debate on safety of vaccinations

http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/event/article/id/19585/

"Daily doses of news about the advancing spread of the H1N1 flu virus has added fuel to the national debate over how safe vaccinations are. And what was considered to be a fringe movement advanced by conspiracy theorists and some Oprah Winfrey viewers now seems to be moving into the mainstream: vaccines cause autism."

Mass. Health Bill Would Allow Warrantless Arrests, Quarantines

Mass. Health Bill Would Allow Warrantless Arrests, Quarantines

http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/health-care/1797

"A pandemic and disaster preparation bill (S. 2028) passed unanimously by the Massachusetts Senate earlier this year is receiving wide-spread criticism as citizens mobilize to oppose its passage in the commonwealth's House of

Representatives."

Dr. Russell Blaylock: What To Do If Force Vaccinated

Dr. Russell Blaylock:  What To Do If Force Vaccinated
http://www.rense.com/general87/vaccin.htm

"Dr Blaylock's List of suggestions on How to Reduce the Toxic Effects of the A/H1N1 Vaccine, is as follows:"

Gulf War Syndrome Researchers Blame Sarin Gas and Toxic Exposures

Gulf War Syndrome Researchers Blame Sarin Gas and Toxic Exposures
PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/September2009pg13.pdf  
Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsseptember2009.htm#_Gulf_War_Syndrome  

"Toomey and colleagues, researchers at the Boston Veterans Administration Healthcare System, confirmed that Gulf War deployment is associated with subtle declines of motor speed and sustained attention as influenced by exposure to toxicants during deployment.  Toomey found that exposure to sarin gas released during the Khamisiyah destruction is correlated with long-term reduced motor speed in veterans that has not resolved after 10 years.  Self-reported exposure to these toxicants is also significantly associated with attention deficits."
 

Images suggest childhood lead exposure linked to faulty brain wiring.

Images suggest childhood lead exposure linked to faulty brain wiring.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/childhood-lead-exposure-can-permanently-rewire-brain/

"Exposure to low to moderate levels of lead before birth and as a child can  permanently change the brain's structure in a way that may alter if and how  it transmits messages, a new study finds. The conclusions are based upon comparisons of  images of the brain's nerves and their protective coverings - collectively called white matter."

Keeping chemicals out of the classroom

Keeping chemicals out of the classroom
http://www.chapelhillnews.com/sports/story/51867.html

 

"Richard Pressinger's pitch to parents is simple: build a school free of harmful chemicals and fragrances and watch how much more a child can learn -- and with fewer sick days, too.  The former certified educator spent the summer renovating his 20-by-20 foot garage to open "The Natural School," where lunches will be organic, pesticides forbidden and even the art supplies unscented.  Now, all he needs are the students."

AAN Collaborates with CDC on H1N1 Vaccine Safety Monitoring

AAN Collaborates with CDC on H1N1 Vaccine Safety Monitoring
http://www.aan.com/press/index.cfm?fuseaction=release.view&release=757

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) are requesting neurologists to report any possible new cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination using the CDC and U. S. Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)."

I'll take my lipstick unleaded, please

I'll take my lipstick unleaded, please
http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/09/ill-take-my-lipstick-unleaded-please/

"You may have missed the Federal Food and Drug Administration's latest study on lead in lipstick. After all, how many women peruse the latest ($35) issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Science while touching up for their next appointment?"

Prenatal Exposure to Organohalogens, including Brominated Flame Retardants, influences Motor, Cognitive, and Behavioral Performance at School Age

Prenatal Exposure to Organohalogens, including Brominated Flame Retardants, influences Motor, Cognitive, and Behavioral Performance at School Age

http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0901015/abstract.pdf

Elise Roze, Lisethe Meijer, Attie Bakker,
Koenraad N. J. A. Van Braeckel, Pieter J. J. Sauer, Arend F. Bos
doi: 10.1289/ehp.0901015 (available at http://dx.doi.org/)

Abstract
Background. Organohalogen compounds (OHCs) are known to have neurotoxic effects on the developing brain. Our objective was to investigate the influence of prenatal exposure to such compounds, including brominated flame retardants, on motor, cognitive, and behavioral outcome in healthy children at school age.

Methods. This study was part of the prospective Groningen-infant-COMPARE study.  It included 62 children in whose mothers 4,4′-DDE, PCP, PCB-153, 4OH-CB-107, 4OH-CB-146, 4OH-CB-187, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, and HBCDD had been determined in the 35th week of pregnancy. Thyroid hormones were determined in umbilical cord blood. When the children were five to six years old we assessed their neuropsychological functioning. This included motor performance (coordination, fine motor skills), cognition (intelligence, visual perception, visuomotor integration, inhibitory control, verbal memory, and attention), and behavior.

 

Results. Brominated flame retardants correlated with worse fine manipulative abilities, worse attention, better coordination, better visual perception, and better behavior. The chlorinated OHCs correlated with less choreiform dyskinesia. The hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls correlated with worse fine manipulative abilities, better attention, and better visual perception. The wood protective agent (PCP) correlated with worse coordination, less sensory integrity, worse attention, and worse visuomotor integration.

Conclusions. Our results demonstrated for the first time that transplacental transfer of polybrominated flame retardants is associated with the development of children at school age. Due to the widespread use of these compounds, especially in the USA where concentrations in the environment are four times higher than in Europe, these results cause serious concern.

 

Mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired oxidative-reduction activity, degeneration, and death in human neuronal and fetal cells induced by low-level exposure to thimerosal and other metal compounds

Mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired oxidative-reduction activity, degeneration, and death in human neuronal and fetal cells induced by low-level exposure to thimerosal and other metal compounds

http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a910652305~db=all~jumptype=rss

D. A. Geier;  P. G. King; M. R. Geier
Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, Volume 91, Issue 4 June 2009 , pages 735 - 749

Abstract
Thimerosal (ethylmercurithiosalicylic acid), an ethylmercury (EtHg)-releasing compound (49.55% mercury (Hg)), was used in a range of medical products for more than 70 years. Of particular recent concern, routine administering of Thimerosal-containing biologics/childhood vaccines have become significant sources of Hg exposure for some fetuses/infants. This study was undertaken to investigate cellular damage among in vitro human neuronal (SH-SY-5Y neuroblastoma and 1321N1 astrocytoma) and fetal (nontransformed) model systems using cell vitality assays and microscope-based digital image capture techniques to assess potential damage induced by Thimerosal and other metal compounds (aluminum (Al) sulfate, lead (Pb)(II) acetate, methylmercury (MeHg) hydroxide, and mercury (Hg)(II) chloride) where the cation was reported to exert adverse effects on developing cells. Thimerosal-associated cellular damage was also evaluated for similarity to pathophysiological findings observed in patients diagnosed with autistic disorders (ADs). Thimerosal-induced cellular damage as evidenced by concentration- and time-dependent mitochondrial damage, reduced oxidative-reduction activity, cellular degeneration, and cell death in the in vitro human neuronal and fetal model systems studied. Thimerosal at low nanomolar (nM) concentrations induced significant cellular toxicity in human neuronal and fetal cells. Thimerosal-induced cytoxicity is similar to that observed in AD pathophysiologic studies. Thimerosal was found to be significantly more toxic than the other metal compounds examined. Future studies need to be conducted to evaluate additional mechanisms underlying Thimerosal-induced cellular damage and assess potential co-exposures to other compounds that may increase or decrease Thimerosal-mediated toxicity.

A bad mix: exposure may be "safe" only with one chemical at a time.

A bad mix: exposure may be "safe" only with one chemical at a time.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/bad-mix-exposures-safe-only-one-chemical-at-a-time#do

"Exposure to a mixture of pollutants found in food, water and air have more severe effects than each chemical alone.
Exposure to a mixture of environmental chemicals is far more harmful to male rats than exposure to the individual chemicals would predict, even when the level of each contaminant in the mixture causes no effect by itself. The results indicate that assessing the risk of chemicals one-compound-at-a-time will underestimate potential harm. People are exposed to hundreds of chemicals at a time, if not more.  People could be affected by mixtures of chemicals that are currently considered "safe" based on their individual toxicities."

Christiansen S, M Scholze, M Dalgaard, AM Vinggaard, Marta Axelstad, Andreas Kortenkamp and Ulla Hass. Synergistic disruption of external male sex organ development by a mixture of four antiandrogens. Environmental Health Perspectives doi:10.1289/ehp.0900689.  http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0900689/abstract.html
 

Teaching Kids to Eat Green

Teaching Kids to Eat Green
http://thetruthaboutmcs.blogspot.com/2009/09/teaching-kids-to-eat-green-visit-msnbc.html

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

A Safe Journey Back to School, An Investigative Report

A Safe Journey Back to School
An Investigative Report
PDF Version:      http://mcs-america.org/September2009pg12345678910.pdf
Online Version:  http://mcs-america.org/mcsanewsseptember2009.htm#_A_Safe_Journey

 

"The days of the bogyman still hold vivid recollection for many adults who lived in fear of turning off the lights or standing too close to the bed as children.  While the bogyman is recognized as an imaginary childhood fear, today's childhood bogyman is far from imaginary and it doesn't hide under the bed.  It hides in the nation's schools and threatens children's health, stultifying them through toxic exposures.  Children succumb to chronic physical, mental, and behavioral disorders as a result.  Toxic exposures in schools create hebetudes out of children, who are no longer able to learn, grow, and thrive with vigor."