Getting Started in Green Cleaning: Reducing Asthma Triggers Where New York Children Learn

Getting Started in Green Cleaning: Reducing Asthma Triggers Where New York Children Learn
Wednesday May 5, 2010
1:00 p.m. Pacific / 4:00 p.m. Eastern time

Sponsor: US EPA/2 for New York State Mid-Hudson-Capital District schools and communities and cosponsored by New York State Education Department, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and New York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds (SBGA)

Asthma is asthma is a chronic disease that can triggered by environmental exposures and the leading cause of school absences and occupational illness of custodians. Topics will include saving money, boosting attendance and achievement and reducing risks to health. Participants will learn how to find and use certified green cleaning products, improve indoor air quality and generate parent and community interest and support for school actions. Allan Wakefield will be the presenter.

Price: free
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDRMRmxjR2lLOVF3Vy1vUVdtbFk0YXc6MA

Exposure to bisphenol A may alter hormone levels in men.

Exposure to bisphenol A may alter hormone levels in men.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/bpa-may-alter-hormone-levels-in-men/

"A new study finds associations between exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and the blood levels of thyroid and reproductive hormones."

Scientists fume over California's pesticide plans

Scientists fume over California's pesticide plans
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100504/full/news.2010.218.html

"State aims to approve use of strawberry fumigant methyl iodide."

Educated parents less likely to let daughters get HPV shots

Educated parents less likely to let daughters get HPV shots
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100505/parents-hpv-shots-100505/20100505/?hub=TorontoNewHome 
 

"The finding of the study, published Tuesday in the journal PLoS Medicine, adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests vaccination efforts are being eroded not by people who are under-educated, but by upper-middle class folks with degrees."

 

[Comment:  Makes sense... can't pull the wool over their eyes and expect blind trust.]

Linda Sepp, a Victim of MCS, Evicted with No Safe Place to Go!

I think what Linda Sepp (http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/804292--woman-evicted-despite-chemical-sensitivity-claim) wants more than anything else is for us to create a ruckus... write a short note on her behalf to her WJ landlord and/or the local politician and Environmental Health Center. Even in her darkest moment, she wants our needs to be known and accommodated. Here is the property owners website.

http://www.wjproperties.ca/

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

[Patients' experience with treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome]

[Patients' experience with treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome]
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2009 Jun 11;129(12):1214-6.  [Article in Norwegian]

Bjørkum T, Wang CE, Waterloo K.

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome is a highly debated condition. Little is known about causes and treatment. Patients" experience is important in this context.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:828 persons with chronic fatigue syndrome (ICD-10 code: G93.3) were included in the study. They were recruited through two Norwegian patient organizations (ME-association and MENiN). The participants filled in a questionnaire on their experience with various approaches to alleviate their condition.

RESULTS: Pacing was evaluated as useful by 96% of the participants, rest by 97%, and 96% of the participants considered complete shielding and quietness to be useful. 57% of the participants who had received help to identify and challenge negative thought patterns regarded this useful. 79% of the participants with experience from graded training regarded this to worsen their health status. Overall, the results were similar, irrelevant of the severity of the condition.

INTERPRETATION: Most participants in this study evaluated pacing, rest and complete shielding and quietness to be useful. The experience of the participants indicate that cognitive behaviour therapy can be useful for some patients, but that graded training may cause deterioration of the
condition in many patients. The results must, however, be interpreted with care, as the participants are not a representative sample, and we do not
know the specific content of the approaches.

PMID: 19521443 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Full text in Norwegian at:
http://www.tidsskriftet.no/index.php?seks_id=1845496

2009 - EPA - Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Information for Older Adults and Their Caregivers

2009 - EPA - Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Information for Older Adults and Their Caregivers
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/pcmp/pcmp_english_100-F-09-001.pdf

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Information for Older Adults and Their Caregivers

2009 EPA
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Information for Older Adults and Their Caregivers
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/pcmp/pcmp_english_100-F-09-001.pdf

Philadelphia Housing Authority pays $9M to girl disabled by mold

Philadelphia Housing Authority pays $9M to girl disabled by mold
http://whyy.org/cms/news/uncategorized/2010/05/04/philadelphia-housing-authority-pays-9m-to-girl-disabled-by-mold/37240

"The Philadelphia Housing Authority will pay more than nine million dollars to the family of a girl who has become severely disabled because of mold in her privately-managed apartment. The apartment was subsidized with public money and inspected by PHA."

Air Quality Better in Northeast, Midwest

Air Quality Better in Northeast, Midwest
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_98137.html

"But report finds 175 million people still exposed to dangerous levels of smog and soot"

Communicating serum chemical concentrations to study participants: follow up survey

[Comment:  I hardly think the concern ought to be over whether people are concerned about their chemical body burden.  They should be!  To me, the lack of concern is more concerning!]

 

Communicating serum chemical concentrations to study participants: follow up survey
http://www.ehjournal.net/content/9/1/20/abstract

Alexandra J Buck , John E Vena , Bridget M McGuinness , Maureen A Cooney  and Germaine M Louis
Environmental Health 2010, 9:20doi:10.1186/1476-069X-9-20

Published:4 May 2010

Abstract (provisional)

Background
A considerable literature now supports the importance of effective communication with study participants, including how best to develop communication plans focusing on the uncertainty of health risks associated with particular environmental exposures. Strategies for communicating individual concentrations of environmental chemicals in human biological samples in the absence of clearly established safe or hazardous levels have been discussed from a conceptual basis and to a lesser extent from an empirical basis. We designed and evaluated an empirically based communication strategy for women of reproductive age who previously participated in a prospective study focusing on persistent environmental chemicals and reproductive outcomes.

Methods
A cohort of women followed from preconception through pregnancy or up to 12 menstrual cycles without pregnancy was given their individual serum concentrations for lead, dichloro-2,2-bisp-chlorophenyl ethylene, and select polychlorinated biphenyl congeners. Two versions of standardized letters were prepared depending upon women's exposure status, which was characterized as low or high. Letters included an introduction, individual concentrations, population reference values and guidance for minimizing future exposures. Participants were actively monitored for any questions or concerns following receipt of letters.

Results
Ninety-eight women were sent letters informing them of their individual concentrations to select study chemicals. None of the 89 (91%) participating women irrespective of exposure status contacted the research team with questions or concerns about communicated exposures despite an invitation to do so.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that study participants can be informed about their individual serum concentrations without generating unnecessary concern.

Linda Sepp: Toxic dilemma

[Comment:  This article is about our own Linda Sepp who has fought courageously for our cause.  My heart goes out to Linda in torment for the oppression she is enduring because of the toxic world we live in where affordable, safe housing is nearly impossible to find.]

Toxic dilemma
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/804292--woman-evicted-despite-chemical-sensitivity-claim

"The day Linda Sepp had dreaded arrived with a knock at the door at 10 a.m. Tuesday.  The 50-year-old woman with chemical sensitivities was roused from her sleep by enforcement officers from the sheriff's office. After a four-year eviction battle, they had come to throw her out of her High Park apartment."

Sensitivity and Specificity of the CDC Empirical Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Case Definition

Sensitivity and Specificity of the CDC Empirical Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Case Definition
http://www.scirp.org/Journal/Abstract.aspx?paperID=1622&JournalID=148

Leonard A. Jason, Meredyth Evans, Abigail Brown, Molly Brown, Nicole Porter, Jessica Hunnell, Valerie Anderson, Athena Lerch

KEYWORDS
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Empirical Case Definition, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fukuda Criteria

ABSTRACT
In an effort to bring more standardization to the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) Fukuda et al. case definition [1], the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed an empirical case definition [2] that specifies crite-ria and instruments to diagnose CFS. The present study investigated the sensitivity and specificity of this CFS em-pirical case definition with diagnosed individuals with CFS from a community based study that were compared to non-CFS cases. All participants completed questionnaires measuring disability (Medical Outcome Survey Short-Form-36) [3], fatigue (the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory) [4], and symptoms (CDC Symptom Inventory) [5]. Findings of the present study indicated sensitivity and specificity problems with the CDC empirical CFS case defi-nition.

Full Text

http://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperDownload.aspx?paperID=1621&fileName=Psych.20100100001_74557327.pdf

Radiation Risks Nearly Double for Younger CT Scan Patients

Radiation Risks Nearly Double for Younger CT Scan Patients
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_98311.html

"Doctors should consider age when evaluating risks, study suggests"

Consequences of spills can last for decades

Consequences of spills can last for decades
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/03/oil.spill.environmental.impacts/index.html

"As oil began approaching the coast of the United States, environmental scientists said the effects of the spill in the Gulf of Mexico could have ecological and biological consequences for years, if not decades."

TELEPHONE SEMINAR: The Information Age and EMF/RF Illness

The Information Age and EMF/RF Illness: The Potential for EMF and Radiofrequency/Microwave Radiation Illnesses and How Smart Choices in New Technologies Can Reduce Potential Risks.

CHE will host this international, in-depth discussion of current electromagnetic field research, science, health implications and policy initiatives on Tuesday May 11, 2010 at 9 AM Pacific / noon Eastern. As wireless technologies expand exponentially the potential impact on health is of great concern. On this call we will explore what the consequences might be of global wireless technologies on various health endpoints, including cancer, Alzheimers and other neurodegenerative diseases and how new science can impact institutional shifts in policy and precautionary measures.  

Featured speakers will include:

Cindy Sage, MA, Co-Coordinator of CHE-EMF

Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD, Professor in oncology and cancer epidemiology at the University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden

Sam Milham, MD, Epidemiologist for Washington State Department of Health

Michael Segell, Senior Editor, Prevention Magazine

RSVP: http://www.healthandenvironment.org/partnership_calls/7243

AWARENESS MONTH: May Declared "Electromagnetic Sensitivity Month"

May Declared "Electromagnetic Sensitivity Month"
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/96528

"The Alliance for Irish Radiation Protection (AIRP) has declared the month of May as Electromagnetic Sensitivity Month in Ireland in line with growing world-wide concern about the dangers of microwave radiation."

Pollution poses recreational hazards

Pollution poses recreational hazards
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100503/MAN04/5030445

"Invisible pollutants in both rural and urban areas cause you to run slower, breathe harder and get a second-rate workout."

Shampoo, Cosmetics May Form Cancer-Causing Substance in Water Supplies

Shampoo, Cosmetics May Form Cancer-Causing Substance in Water Supplies
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/100429-shampoo-cancer-causing-substance/

"Your shampoo may seem harmless, but it could be contributing to the formation of a mysterious cancer-causing substance, a new study says."

Studies find remarkably high levels of flame retardants in California's children.

Studies find remarkably high levels of flame retardants in California's children.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/remarkably-high-levels-of-flame-retardants-in-california-children/

"Two new studies show remarkably high levels of PBDE flame retardants in the bodies of California children. PBDE body burden levels in two separate populations of California children were 10 to 1,000 times higher than European children, 2 to 10 times higher than other U.S. children and adults, and approached levels measured in occupationally-exposed adults."

Do Your Part: Create a healthy home for your newborn

Do Your Part: Create a healthy home for your newborn
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/03/1919356/do-your-part-create-a-healthy.html

"New moms and dads certainly have plenty to worry about, especially with information in the news about toxic bottles, bedding, and even toys. It might seem overwhelming for parents-to-be but there are several easy ways you to create a healthy home for your child while doing your part to leave a cleaner environment for their future."

Statement of Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., and Daniel Rotrosen, M.D. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, on Food Allergy Awareness Week 2010

Statement of Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., and Daniel Rotrosen, M.D. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, on Food Allergy Awareness Week 2010
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2010/niaid-03.htm

"The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the lead institute at the National Institutes of Health for food allergy research, is pleased to commemorate Food Allergy Awareness Week from May 9–15, 2010. First established in 1997 by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), a patient and family advocacy organization, this week is set aside each year to focus public attention on this growing health problem. FAAN's theme for this year, Respect Every Bite, reminds us of the daily threat faced by people with food allergy, as exposure to even trace amounts of allergenic foods can cause allergic symptoms."

DNA referees

DNA referees
http://www.latimes.com/news/health/la-he-epigenetics-20100503,0,5900529.story

"Scientists are just beginning to understand the effect lifestyle choices and other environmental factors have on altering gene behavior, a rapidly emerging field called epigenetics."

AWARENESS MONTH: Christiane Tourtet's Library Display for MCS/EMS Awareness Month!

Christiane Tourtet's Library Display for MCS/EMS Awareness Month! Thank you Christiane for such a wonderful job educating everyone who comes through the library during May! Good job!
http://www.nettally.com/prusty/Formww.htm

Yellow MCS Awareness Month T-shirts

T-shirts Available through Cafe Press. Links for each design may be found at http://mcs-america.org/index_files/MCSstore.htm. The MCS America stores for the environment provide clothing and gift items geared towards MCS awareness, as well as fragrance, pollution, and environmental awareness. Wear and shop in good health and let everyone around you know you care! These items are provided at wholesale cost. Our Cafe Press mark-up is 0%. MCS America provides the artwork and maintenance of these stores on a volunteer basis to further the awareness of MCS and to upport the mission of MCS America.The MCS America stores for the environment provide clothing and gift items geared towards MCS awareness, as well as fragrance, pollution, and environmental awareness. Wear and shop in good health and let everyone around you know you care! These items are provided at wholesale cost. Our Cafe Press mark-up is 0%. MCS America provides the artwork and maintenance of these stores on a volunteer basis to further the awareness of MCS and to support the mission of MCS America.

Happy MCS Awareness Month!

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

AWARENESS MONTH: Observance of MCS/EMS Awareness Month May 2010 in Florida, USA

Observance of MCS/EMS Awareness Month May 2010 in Florida, USA
http://www.nettally.com/prusty/Formww.htm

 

"CHRISTIANE TOURTET, B.A., Founder and President of International MCS/EMS Awareness, presents her 2010 MCS/EMS Awareness Month Display at The Dr. B. L. Perry, Jr. Public Branch Library, Tallahassee, Florida"

AWARENESS MONTH: Event: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Electromagnetic Sensitivity Awareness Month

Event:  Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Electromagnetic Sensitivity Awareness Month

http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=community_fmCommunityEvents

Date:  May 2010

Location: Dr. B.L. PERRY , Jr. Public Branch Library,
Tallahassee, Florida

Description: The 11th Annual Exhibit of Christiane Tourtet B.A. Founder/President of International MCS/EMS Awareness, will feature Governors and Mayors Proclamations, brochures, educational materials, for the public awareness of the devastating illnesses/disabilities of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS), which have spread worldwide at an alarming rate, affecting over 47 millions people in USA, and are the direct consequences of massive global chemical and electromagnetic pollution.

More Information: http://www.nettally.com/prusty/mcs.htm

Contact Person:

Christiane Tourtet B.A.,
Founder / President

International MCS / EMS Awareness

E-Mail: tourtet@yahoo.com

PODCAST: Human Exposure to PBDEs, with Heather Stapleton

Human Exposure to PBDEs, with Heather Stapleton
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.trp050110

"Flame retardants known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are added to products such as furniture, car seats, textiles, and electronics. These chemicals improve safety by giving consumers more time to react if a fire breaks out. But now they are also showing up in the food we eat, the dust in our houses, and the bodies of possibly the entire U.S. population; meanwhile, recent evidence suggests the potential for worrisome neurodevelopmental effects. In this podcast, Heather Stapleton discusses what we know about routes of PBDE exposure and how these exposures may affect human health. Stapleton is an assistant professor of environmental chemistry at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University and coauthor of "Metabolism of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) by human hepatocytes in vitro""

Lessons in toxic overload

Lessons in toxic overload
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/lessons-in-toxic-overload-20100501-u0a1.html

"BUILDINGS being constructed under the federal government's schools stimulus program are riddled with safety hazards, from slippery tiles and toxic carpets to poisonous fumes from unflued heaters."

Treat contact dermatitis by avoiding irritating ingredients

Treat contact dermatitis by avoiding irritating ingredients
http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Allergies/Treat-contact-dermatitis-by-avoiding-irritating-in/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/666142?contextCategoryId=40154

"The key to warding off skin reactions to specific cosmetic products is to stop using the offending products, as treatment will fail if exposure continues, and desensitization cannot be done, says an associate professor at McGill University in Montreal.

"It's surprising how little we know about the products we use," says Denis Sasseville, M.D., a past president of the Canadian Contact Dermatitis Society and director of the Contact Dermatitis Clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal. "Patch testing is the key (to identifying allergic reactions)."

Dr. Sasseville says that while the incidence of adverse reactions to cosmetics including soaps, perfumes, deodorants, make-up, nail polish, hair products, fragrances and sunscreens remains low, it still represents more than 50 percent of skin reactions that present at his clinic.

"Many patients say that they are allergic, but they are not," Dr. Sasseville explains. "After a comprehensive investigation, we find out that they have irritancy and not true allergy.""