Society seminar presentation focused on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc
Society seminar presentation
http://sacfs.asn.au/news/2010/06/06_05_society_seminar_presentation.htm
Saturday 5 June 2010

The Society's recent seminar held on Saturday 8 May focused on Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity.

Reports accuse WHO of exaggerating H1N1 threat, possible ties to drug makers

Reports accuse WHO of exaggerating H1N1 threat, possible ties to drug makers
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/04/AR2010060403034.html

"European criticism of the World Health Organization's handling of the H1N1 pandemic intensified Friday with the release of two reports that accused the agency of exaggerating the threat posed by the virus and failing to disclose possible influence by the pharmaceutical industry on its recommendations for how countries should respond."

Toxic towns: People of Mossville 'are like an experiment'

Toxic towns: People of Mossville 'are like an experiment'
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/26/toxic.town.mossville.epa/index.html

"For decades, Mossville residents have complained about health problems"

Toxic Pesticide May Be Sprayed On Local Fields

Toxic Pesticide May Be Sprayed On Local Fields
Methyl Iodide May Soon Replace Methyl Bromide

http://www.ksbw.com/news/23786871/detail.html

 

"A chemical considered so toxic that many chemists refuse to even handle it may soon be sprayed on strawberry fields around the Central Coast.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is looking to replace methyl bromide -- a pesticide that, when sprayed, drifts into the atmosphere and damages the ozone layer -- with methyl iodide to control pests on Ag field in Salinas and Watsonville."

LEED Buildings Rated Green ... and Often Toxic

LEED Buildings Rated Green ... and Often Toxic

http://www.fastcompany.com/1656162/are-leed-buildings-unhealthy

"The report's yet another blow to LEED and its nonprofit administrator the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which have become prime targets for environmental groups in recent years. The standard is seen as eco-lite and too industry-friendly. Some of the stiffest attacks come from energy conservationists, who say that LEED buildings don't live up to their own benchmark -- a criticism borne out by the USGBC's internal research. A 2008 study found that one-fourth of freshly certified projects weren't conserving as much energy as their LEED seals indicate, and most weren't tracking energy consumption at all."

Shrek glass recall: Toxic cadmium found on glasses

Shrek glass recall: Toxic cadmium found on glasses
http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/new-economy/2010/0604/Shrek-glass-recall-Toxic-cadmium-found-on-glasses

"Some 12 million glasses are included in McDonald's Shrek glass recall. The glasses' designs contain traces of cadmium, a toxic chemical."

Let's make our lawns safer for families, pets

Let's make our lawns safer for families, pets
http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2010/06/lets_make_our_lawns_safer_for.html

"The parks, however, are not as idyllic as they seem. Just last month on Good Friday, the pesticide Dimension was applied to certain spots on the grassy areas in our parks and on school grounds, and on the athletic fields. Dimension is a respiratory, skin and eye irritant; may cause central nervous system damage; and is toxic to bees, fish and birds. And Dimension doesn't just wash away with the rain; it remains in the soil for months. According to the organization Beyond Pesticides (beyondpesticides.com), studies have shown that lawn pesticides, which include herbicides and insecticides, are tracked indoors where their residues remain for up to a year in air, on surfaces and on carpets."

Air pollution may help trigger cardiac arrest

Air pollution may help trigger cardiac arrest
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6525HK20100603

"The dirtier the air, the more likely people are to suffer sudden cardiac arrest, new research from Australia shows."

Toxic chemicals finding their way into the womb

Toxic chemicals finding their way into the womb

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/01/backpack.cord.blood/?hpt=Sbin

"Five years ago Molly and Zachery Gray were in the midst of a dark, lonely spiral. It began with Molly's first miscarriage.  "It was a really emotional process of being so joyful and so happy and ready to make that step into parenthood and that being pulled away from you," said Molly, 32. "[The pregnancy is] happening and all of a sudden it's gone. It's really hard."  After a second miscarriage the Grays were on a desperate hunt for answers. After Molly got pregnant a third time, she heard about a small study to test the blood of pregnant women for chemicals. She signed up."

There's no place like home for babies to pick up toxins

There's no place like home for babies to pick up toxins

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-06-03-cancerandchemicals03_st_N.htm

 

"A crawling baby learns about her world with every step, building her muscles as she discovers the difference between smooth bathroom tiles and squishy living room rugs. To her burgeoning taste buds, both taste great.  But research shows that babies pick up more than new skills as they explore their environments."

Formaldehyde causes cancer, EPA declares

Formaldehyde causes cancer, EPA declares
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/capital/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1275546699250110.xml&coll=1

"The EPA has concluded that formaldehyde is carcinogenic when inhaled by humans, a finding that could lead to stringent new regulations of the widely used chemical."

Flame retardants linked to longer time to get pregnant, finds California study.

Flame retardants linked to longer time to get pregnant, finds California study.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/flame-retardants-associated-with-increased-time-to-pregnancy/ 
 
"Women with higher blood concentrations of PBDE flame retardants may take significantly longer to get pregnant. PBDEs are widespread in the environment and found almost universally in people."

EPA Sets Stronger National Air Quality Standard for Sulfur Dioxide

EPA Sets Stronger National Air Quality Standard for Sulfur Dioxide

http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide 
 
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final new health standard for sulfur dioxide (SO2). This one-hour health standard will protect millions of Americans from short-term exposure to SO2, which is primarily emitted from power plants and other industrial facilities. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma and cause other respiratory difficulties. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the effects of SO2."

EPA Proposes New Permit Requirements for Pesticide Discharges

EPA Proposes New Permit Requirements for Pesticide Discharges
http://www.epa.gov/npdes 
 
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new permit requirement that would decrease the amount of pesticides discharged to our nation's waters and protect human health and the environment. This action is in response to an April 9, 2009 court decision that found that pesticide discharges to U.S. waters were pollutants, thus requiring a permit."

Green Washing: Do You Know What You're Buying?

Green Washing: Do You Know What You're Buying?
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.118-a246

"In a United States where climate change legislation, concerns about foreign oil dependence, and mandatory curbside recycling are becoming the "new normal," companies across a variety of sectors are seeing the benefit of promoting their "greenness" in advertisements. Many lay vague and dubious claims to environmental stewardship. Others are more specific but still raise questions about what their claims really mean. The term for ads and labels that promise more environmental benefit than they deliver is "greenwashing." Today, some critics are asking whether the impact of greenwashing can go beyond a breach of marketing ethics—can greenwashing actually harm health?"

SUSTAINABLE LIVING -- An Obsession for the Perfect Lawn May Have a Toxic Cost

SUSTAINABLE LIVING -- An Obsession for the Perfect Lawn May Have a Toxic Cost
http://www.sanfernandosun.com/sanfernsun/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5300&Itemid=1 
  
"A  farmer friend pointed out to me recently that homeowners in our community use more chemicals on their lawns than most farmers use on their crops. Sure enough, a little research turned up some really startling statistics behind theAmerican obsession for the perfect lawn."

9 Better Baby Lotions and Potions You Can Make in Minutes

[Comment:  I would leave the essential oils out of these recipes.  Otherwise, they're quite natural, healthy, food grade options over toxic baby products.]

 

9 Better Baby Lotions and Potions You Can Make in Minutes
http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/9_better_baby_lotions_and_potions_you_can_make_in_minutes/

"Your skin may appear to be an impermeable barrier, but it's actually a complex filtering system that blocks some substances and absorbs others. What you put on your skin can end up in your body, so you should choose personal care products with the same attention you give to choosing healthy foods. Better yet – make your own products by using ingredients that are safe enough to eat! This is especially important for babies since their developing bodies are uniquely vulnerable, but also because their hands and feet often end up in their mouths. They literally eat the products you put on them."

CSL Recalls Flu Shot as Side Effects Rise Nine-Fold (Update1)

CSL Recalls Flu Shot as Side Effects Rise Nine-Fold (Update1)
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-01/csl-recalls-flu-shot-as-side-effects-rise-nine-fold-update1-.html

"CSL Ltd., the Southern Hemisphere's only flu vaccine maker, recalled its seasonal shot for children in Australia after investigations failed to explain a nine-fold increase in fever and convulsions."

Scented billboard entices with a whiff of grilled steak

Scented billboard entices with a whiff of grilled steak
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/06/03/512824/a-whiff-of-grilled-steak-markets.html

"There's something in the air along a busy Iredell County road, and it's not just exhaust fumes: It's the smell of grilled steak, courtesy of what appears to be the nation's first-ever scented highway billboard.  "

<snip>

"Such scented outdoor advertising has few precedents, said Jeff Golimowski, spokesman for the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. ScentAir previously erected a fragrant street-level, mural-style sign in Israel, but the most famous example came in San Francisco in 2006, when the state's milk promotion board installed strips that gave bus shelters the smell of fresh chocolate chip cookies.

The campaign attracted plenty of publicity but crumbled after little more than a day, amid complaints from people with asthma or environmental allergies. Others questioned the tact of placing a tempting food smell in an area where poor and homeless people would encounter it."

Allergies Might Trigger Depression

[Comment:  Dr. Rapp has been saying this for years!  Drugs make money... telling people to avoid a certain food or mold doesn't.  The reality is that if you treat the allergy, there is no depression.]

 

Allergies Might Trigger Depression
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_99295.html

"Study found mood of those with sensitivities worsened when exposed to allergens"

Urban Environmental Pollution

Urban Environmental Pollution
http://www.uep2010.com/index.asp
 
Sunday through Wednesday, June 20 - 23, 2010
Boston, Massachusetts
at the Westin Boston Waterfront

Sponsor: Elsevier and the editors of the journal Environmental Pollution

The conference theme is "Overcoming Obstacles to Sustainability and Quality of Life." This new conference will focus on the latest information about urban air pollution problems and what measures can be taken to overcome obstacles to sustainability and life quality. The role of urban vegetation in storm water retention, air pollution and temperature reduction, green roofs, resurfacing buildings, reducing albedo, reducing asthma and other advances will be presented.

ATSDR Basic Course for Health Assessment and Consultation

ATSDR Basic Course for Health Assessment and Consultation
http://app2.erg.com/registration/course_detail.cgi?212

Monday through Friday, June 7 - 11, 2010
Atlanta, Georgia
at CDC/ATSDR, Chamblee Building 106, Room 1B, 4770 Buford Highway NE

Sponsor: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

This course focuses on the process of assessing public health implications of exposures to contaminants being released from hazardous waste sites and identifying public health actions. This assessment process applies to all the different products (public health assessments, health consultations, health advisories, etc.) that we produce. The course will provide an overview on all four factors of CERCLA/SARA (104(i)(6)(F)) that form the basis of public health assessments produced by and for ATSDR. Registration deadline is Tuesday, June 1, 2009. Continuing education for this activity is pending.

Air Pollution - A Matter of the Heart

Air Pollution - A Matter of the Heart

http://www.neha.org/2010aec/

Monday June 7, 2010
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Washington, DC and virtual
at EPA East Building Room 1153

Sponsor: National Center For Environmental Research and the American Heart Association

Through decades of research, scientists have discovered links between air pollution and serious health effects. New research points to the heart as a major target of these harmful impacts, with evidence linking air pollution to cardiovascular disease and even death. Join renowned scientists for a briefing on the latest research on air pollution and cardiovascular health: 1) Bob Devlin (EPA) presents the major cardiac and respiratory impacts of exposure to air pollution; and 2) Joel Kaufman (University of Washington) presents the Multi Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Air Study (MESA Air), the largest, most expensive nationwide study of air pollution and health ever funded by EPA. It is the result of a unique partnership with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Please RSVP to receive instructions for webconferencing by June 2nd.

Price: free

Consuming Chemicals

Consuming Chemicals
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?5180

Rethinking What We Heat, Serve and Eat

"What do breast milk, food cans, microwave popcorn, and fast-food French fry boxes have in common with meat, fish and dairy products? They're all avenues of human ingestion of potentially harmful chemicals associated with everyday plastics."

Do LEED-Certified Green Buildings Protect Human Health?

Do LEED-Certified Green Buildings Protect Human Health?
http://www.ehhi.org/leed/

"The lead author of this study is John Wargo, Ph.D., professor of Risk Analysis and Environmental Policy at Yale University. Wargo summarized the study, "Although the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification program has effectively encouraged energy efficiency in buildings, tighter buildings often concentrate chemicals released from building materials, cleaning supplies, fuel combustion, pesticides and other hazardous substances.""

EPA Releases Draft Formaldehyde Assessment Report for Peer Review and Public Comment

EPA Releases Draft Formaldehyde Assessment Report for Peer Review and Public Comment
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris_drafts/recordisplay.cfm?deid=223614

 

"On June 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release for independent peer review and public comment a draft human health assessment for formaldehyde that focuses on evaluating the potential toxicity of inhalation exposures to this chemical. Formaldehyde is widely used and can be found in many consumer products."

WOMEN IN BUSINESS: 'Organics overcame my chronic fatigue'

WOMEN IN BUSINESS: 'Organics overcame my chronic fatigue'
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/local/news/women-in-business-organics-overcame-my-chronic-fat/3915154/

"A battle with chronic fatigue syndrome was the catalyst that saw Teena Cooke create a new business specialising in organic skincare."

Relationship between Urine Bisphenol-A (BPA) Level and Declining Male Sexual Function.

Relationship between Urine Bisphenol-A (BPA) Level and Declining Male Sexual Function.

Li DK, Zhou Z, Miao M, He Y, Qing D, Wu T, Wang J, Weng X, Ferber J, Herrinton L, Zhu Q, Gao E, Yuan W.
J Androl. 2010 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]

 

Abstract

The adverse effect of Bisphenol-A (BPA) on the male reproductve system observed in animal studies has not been well examined in human populations. BPA is potentially a serious public health problem due to its widespread presence in the human body. This study was conducted among 427 male workers in regions where high levels of BPA exposure existed. All participants provided urine samples which were tested for BPA concentration using high-performance liquid chromatography. Male sexual dysfunction was ascertained using standard male sexual function inventories. Male sexual dysfunction was measured in four domains using seven indices. After controlling for potential confounders using linear regression, increasing urine BPA level was associated with worsening male sexual function on a continuous scale. All seven indices demonstrated this negative dose-response correlation. Increasing urine BPA level was associated with decreased sexual desire (p< 0.001), more difficulty having an erection (p<0.001), lower ejaculation strength (p<0.001), and lower level of overall satisfaction with sex life (p<0.01). A similar negative correlation was also observed among participants exposed to BPA from only environmental sources (no occupational exposure to BPA), although the estimates in this group were less stable due to a smaller sample size. Our results reveal a dose-response correlation between a biological measure of urine BPA level and declining male sexual function. This finding may enhance the understanding of the BPA effect in human populations and have important public health implications given the widespread human exposure to BPA.

Pesticides may increase risk of ADHD in children

Pesticides may increase risk of ADHD in children
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/05/31/prsb0531.htm

"Children with higher-than-average levels of a common metabolite were twice as likely to have ADHD than were those whose levels were undetectable."

The Coalition Agasint Chemical Trespass May Sue Leon County Board of Commissioners

The Coalition Agasint Chemical Trespass May Sue Leon County Board of Commissioners
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/160152

"In a letter dated May 26th 2010, addressed to Leon County Board Commissioners, Rackleff, Daily and Sauls, in Tallahassee, FL . Dr. Tom Termotto, National Coordinator for the Coalition Against Chemical Trespass, expressed his indignation, in view of the 5 to 2 decision of the Leon County Board of Commissioners, to revert to the previous Mosquito Control policy and implementation."