Bill targets hazardous ingredients in cosmetics

Bill targets hazardous ingredients in cosmetics
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/bill-targets-hazardous-ingredients-in-cosmetics-815961.html?printArticle=y

"Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky introduced legislation this week that would toughen safety standards for cosmetics, including requiring regular government testing of products for hazardous ingredients."

Use of Household Cleaners Linked to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

Use of Household Cleaners Linked to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=3945

"A new study published in BioMed's online journal, Environmental Health, links endocrine disrupting pesticides and other chemicals in household cleaning products to an elevated risk of breast cancer. Researchers at the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, MA and Boston University found that women who use household cleaners more often have double the risk of breast cancer, compared to women who use household cleaners less frequently. The study includes over 1,500 women selected from Cape Cod, MA and found a correlation between cases of breast cancer and the number of women who reported using household cleaners, particularly solid, slow-release air fresheners when used more than seven times a year, and mold removers when used more than once a week."

National Conversation Leadership Council Teleconference - July 27, 2010, 2pm

The National Conversation Leadership Council will meet next Tuesday, July 27, 2010 from 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm (EDT) by teleconference. The Leadership Council will use this call to discuss (1) options for developing a results-oriented action agenda, (2) progress on work group reports, (3) updates on the community conversation process, and (4) Leadership Council operations. Members of the public may listen to the meeting by phone. Please e-mail nationalconversation@cdc.gov for more information. 

The National Conversation is making great progress - stay tuned for a project update next week!

 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Guidelines for South Australian Hospitals

[Comment:  We need to be doing more of this type of thing in the USA.]

 

Government of South Australia
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Guidelines for South Australian Hospitals
http://www.health.sa.gov.au/Portals/0/MCSHospitalGuidelines-peh-sahealth-1005.pdf

"The need for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) guidelines for South Australian health services was first raised by people with MCS.

Several groups and individuals should be acknowledged for their significant efforts in raising awareness for the need for MCS guidelines in South Australia and for their commitment to extending the knowledge base relating to MCS. These groups include the SA Task Force on MCS, the consumer group, and the MCS Reference Group which includes consumers, clinicians, Local and State Government representatives, and the Myalgicencephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Society of SA. The MCS Reference Group is now active in addressing issues around local Council use of pesticides, and will also serve as a forum for information exchange, particularly aetiological, clinical, and toxicological information.

In response to the Social Development Committee Parliamentary Review of MCS, the Department of Health was directed to develop MCS guidelines for SA hospitals. A review of national and international literature and MCS hospital guidelines was conducted that resulted in the decision to adopt the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital MCS Guidelines, and adapt these for use by South Australian Hospitals."

The Reckless Self-Interest of the Fragrance Industry

The Reckless Self-Interest of the Fragrance Industry
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Environment/fragrance_industry_2207100625.html

"The Cancer Prevention Coalition has warned that people must be protected from exposure to fragrance ingredients that may cause cancer or fetal, hormonal or reproductive toxicity. But federal agencies are not regulating these ingredients, leaving the public at risk."

Keeping a House Too Clean could Cause Breast Cancer

Keeping a House Too Clean could Cause Breast Cancer
http://www.mns.co.uk/012115930.html

"According to breast cancer researchers at the American Silent Spring Institute, women who overuse household cleaning products could be twice as likely to get breast cancer. The researchers say that cleaners that combat mold, mildew and foul-smelling air are the ones to watch out for."

The Story of Cosmetics (2010)

The Story of Cosmetics (2010)



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

Alaska Supreme Court Issues Restraining Order on Herbicide Spraying By Railroad

Alaska Supreme Court Issues Restraining Order on Herbicide Spraying By Railroad
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=3934

"Alaska's Supreme Court halted plans to use glyphosate to kill weeds along track owned by the Alaska Railroad, which is believed to be the only herbicide-free stretch of rail in the country. This decision is in response to an emergency petition filed by Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) and others against the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARC) who requested the use of glyphosate for weed control."

Toxic Living: Going green with household products

Toxic Living: Going green with household products
http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=140764&catid=7

"Toxic chemicals in the home can be eliminated by simply changing your cleaning products. They are filled with harsh fumes and ingredients that could land you in the hospital, if you aren't careful."

Could PCBs Help Boost Blood Pressure?

Could PCBs Help Boost Blood Pressure?
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_101218.html

"People in an Alabama city who had higher levels of the chemicals known as PCBs in their bodies were much more likely to have high blood pressure, a recent study found, but it's not clear if the PCBs actually caused their hypertension."

Traffic Pollution Linked to Risk Factor for Sudden Cardiac Death

Traffic Pollution Linked to Risk Factor for Sudden Cardiac Death
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_101197.html

"High exposures tied to reduced heart rate variability in those with lung, heart disease, researchers find"

Parents Can Help Limit Kids' Exposure to Medical Imaging

Parents Can Help Limit Kids' Exposure to Medical Imaging
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100720/LIFE/7200351/Raising-kids-requires-a-special-kind-of-bravery

"Expert advises asking some questions before allowing X-rays or CT scans"

ACTION: Support the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010

Support the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2708/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4412

"Lead in lipstick? Cancer-causing chemicals in baby shampoo? Chemicals linked to birth defects, fertility problems, and hormone imbalance in your lotion, sunscreen, and cosmetics? It's time to fix it.

We have the opportunity right now to make sure that products we put on our bodies and safe and free from harmful chemicals. Now Congress needs to hear from you how incredibly important this is!"

 

[Comment:  Please see link above to take action with a form letter to congress.]

Toxic Living: Dangers of plastics and lead to children

Toxic Living: Dangers of plastics and lead to children
http://www.wkyc.com/news/health/health_article.aspx?storyid=140594&catid=7

"Did you know, nearly 4,000 children are diagnosed with lead poisoning each year in Cuyahoga County alone? And some plastic products can also be just as toxic."

The ugly side of beauty, some cosmetics can be toxic

The ugly side of beauty, some cosmetics can be toxic
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10201/1073854-314.stm

"It didn't get much attention nationally, just a few paragraphs in papers such as the Kennebec Journal and a segment on the local news.  But the quiet protest by a group of high school and college students in Waterville, Maine, in February was one of a growing number across the country. They gathered at the post office to mail 12 beauty products to an environmental lab, where they would be tested for toxins and other dangerous ingredients that many commonly used products contain."

Self-reported chemicals exposure, beliefs about disease causation, and risk of breast cancer in the Cape Cod Breast Cancer and Environment Study: a case-control study

Self-reported chemicals exposure, beliefs about disease causation, and risk of breast cancer in the Cape Cod Breast Cancer and Environment Study: a case-control study

Ami R. Zota , Ann Aschengrau , Ruthann A. Rudel  and Julia GREEN Brody
Environmental Health 2010, 9:40doi:10.1186/1476-069X-9-40.  Published:20 July 2010

Abstract (provisional)

Background
Household cleaning and pesticide products may contribute to breast cancer because many contain endocrine disrupting chemicals or mammary gland carcinogens. This population-based case-control study investigated whether use of household cleaners and pesticides increases breast cancer risk.

Methods
Participants were 787 Cape Cod, Massachusetts, women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1988 and 1995 and 721 controls. Telephone interviews asked about product use, beliefs about breast cancer etiology, and established and suspected breast cancer risk factors. To evaluate potential recall bias, we stratified product-use odds ratios by beliefs about whether chemicals and pollutants contribute to breast cancer; we compared these results with odds ratios for family history (which are less subject to recall bias) stratified by beliefs about heredity.

Results
Breast cancer risk increased two-fold in the highest compared with lowest quartile of self-reported combined cleaning product use (Adjusted OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.3) and combined air freshener use (Adjusted OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.0). Little association was observed with pesticide use. In stratified analyses, cleaning products odds ratios were more elevated among participants who believed pollutants contribute "a lot" to breast cancer and moved towards the null among the other participants. In comparison, the odds ratio for breast cancer and family history was markedly higher among women who believed that heredity contributes "a lot" (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.9, 3.6) and not elevated among others (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5, 1.1).

Conclusions
Results of this study suggest that cleaning product use contributes to increased breast cancer risk. However, results also highlight the difficulty of distinguishing in retrospective self-report studies between valid associations and the influence of recall bias. Recall bias may influence higher odds ratios for product use among participants who believed that chemicals and pollutants contribute to breast cancer. Alternatively, the influence of experience on beliefs is another explanation, illustrated by the protective odds ratio for family history among women who do not believe heredity contributes "a lot." Because exposure to chemicals from household cleaning products is a biologically plausible cause of breast cancer and avoidable, associations reported here should be further examined prospectively.

Washington State Denies State Registration of Methyl Iodide

Washington State Denies State Registration of Methyl Iodide
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=3928

"Washington state has denied approval of the highly toxic fumigant-based pesticide methyl iodide, and environmentalists hope other regulators follow its lead."

Army vet seeks chemical-spray compensation

Army vet seeks chemical-spray compensation
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/07/19/gagetown-army-base-chemical-exposure-veteran.html?ref=rss

"A Canadian army veteran who says chemical spraying in the 1960s at a New Brunswick base is slowly killing him has appealed to the federal government for compensation."

Wood Smoke Activist - August 2010 Issue

Wood Smoke Activist - August 2010 Issue

http://woodburnersmoke.net/wood_smoke_activist_august_2010.pdf

How to Keep Your Family Safe from Toxic Chemicals

How to Keep Your Family Safe from Toxic Chemicals

http://www.parents.com/parents/printableStory.jsp;jsessionid=KVL3YJZGWWIFGCQCEAQSCAQ?storyid=/templatedata/parents/story/data/1278685432805.xml&catref=prt1440&storyid=/templatedata/parents/story/data/1278685432805.xml

"BPA ... Phthalates... You know they can be dangerous for your family, but you may not know all the ways they enter your body, or -- most important -- how you can limit your exposure. Parents investigates."

Ten Discoveries about the Biology of CFS

Ten Discoveries about the Biology of CFS
http://esme-eu.com/resources-guidelines/ten-discoveries-about-the-biology-of-cfs-article35-112.html

"This summary of important CFS research findings is reproduced with kind permission from the Summer 2008 issue of The CFIDS Chronicle, a quarterly publication of the CFIDS Association of America."

MSNBC: Pharmaceuticals in US Water Supply

MSNBC: Pharmaceuticals in US Water Supply
http://thetruthaboutmcs.blogspot.com/2010/07/msnbc-pharmaceuticals-in-us-water.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

U.S. Government to Gulf War Vets: DROP DEAD!

U.S. Government to Gulf War Vets: DROP DEAD!
http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire/US_Government_to_Gulf_War_Vets_DROP_DEAD,201032777.aspx
Gary Mull, Ph.D.

"This new and no-holds-barred documentary exposes the 19 year secret U.S. Government program whose consequences have caused the needless suffering and deaths of our brave Gulf War vets. Total killed since 1991 – 75,000+ - Nearly 40% more than died in Vietnam! Does anyone care?? Could your father, husband, son or daughter be among those our government considers EXPENDABLE?!!"

Gulf oil spill: Fouling air as well as water?

[Comment:  Let's hope the report is truthful rather than avoiding responsibility and placating the public.]

 

Gulf oil spill: Fouling air as well as water?

http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/print/content/view/print/314785

"The EPA says some communities in Louisiana face a 'moderate health risk' due to hydrocarbon fumes from the Gulf oil spill. Researchers will report air quality findings this week.

Smoke rises from a controlled burn of contained oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil well leak on the Gulf of Mexico near the coast of Louisiana Friday, July 16. Researchers suspect adverse health effects from air pollution tied to the Gulf oil spill."

Meat with antibiotics off the menu at some hospitals

Meat with antibiotics off the menu at some hospitals
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-hospital-meat-20100718,0,6684853,print.story

"Concerned about drug-resistant pathogens, medical professionals push to limit antibiotic use in animal farming"

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. Wins a $20K Grant on Chase Community Giving

[Comment:  Way to go Marly!]

 

P.A.N.D.O.R.A.-Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research & Advocacy, Inc Wins a $20K Grant on Chase Community Giving
http://www.pr.com/press-release/249651

"P.A.N.D.O.R.A., the charity organization behind the NeuroEndocrineImmune (NEI) Center™, a community patient-driven scientific research center, to be located in the state of New Jersey, wins a $20,000.00 Grant from Chase Community Giving as announced on July 13, 2010.

It is estimated that there are in the U.S. 20 million individuals suffering from disabling, painful and highly difficult to treat chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivity, environmental and Gulf War Illnesses."

Governments and Organizations Recognizing Chemical Sensitivity

Governments and Organizations Recognizing Chemical Sensitivity

http://mcs-america.org/index_files/MCSRecognition.htm

 

American Lung Association
American Medical Association
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals (1994)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/hpguide.html#faq1
"The current consensus is that in cases of claimed or suspected MCS, complaints should not be dismissed as psychogenic, and a thorough workup is essential. Primary care givers should determine that the individual does not have an underlying physiological problem and should consider the value of consultation with allergists and other specialists." (page 20)
 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
MCS Disorder and Environmental Illness as Handicaps (1992)
http://fairhousing.com/include/media/pdf/mcsd.pdf
"The General Counsel has accepted the attached memorandums the Department's position on the issue of when Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder (MCS) and Environmental Illness (EI) are "handicaps" within the meaning of subsection 802 (h) of the Fair Housing Act (the "Act"), 42 U.S. C. 3602(h), and the Department's implementing regulation, 24 C.F.R. 100.201 (1991).  In sum, MCS and EI can be associated with physical impairments which substantially impair one or more of a person's major life activities.  Thus, individuals disabled by MCS and EI can be handicapped within the meaning of the Act.  However, while MCS or EI can be handicaps under the Act, ordinary allergies generally would not be."
 
U.S. Department of Education
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Policy and Resources (2001)
http://www.naturalworldhealing.com/mcs-usgovt-policy.htm
"MCS Is Now Recognized as a Disability.  Both the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) have recognized MCS as a disabling condition. People with MCS have won several Workers Compensation cases. A recent human rights lawsuit in Pennsylvania established the right of an affected person to safe living space in subsidized housing. Both the Maryland State Legislature and New Jersey State Department of Health have commissioned studies of MCS. The NJ study provides an excellent overview of medical and legal issues related to MCS."
 
Social Security
DI 24515.064 Evaluation Of Specific Issues — Environmental Illness (1996)
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0424515064!opendocument
"In claims alleging disability due to environmental illness, it is often difficult to identify abnormal signs and laboratory findings which can be associated with the alleged symptoms. Therefore, in evaluating claims based on environmental illness, all of the claimant's symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings must be considered to determine if there is a medically determinable impairment and the impact of any impairment on the claimant's ability to work. This evaluation should be made on an individual case-by-case basis to determine if the impairment prevents substantial gainful activity."
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
Indoor Environmental Quality Policy
http://www.thecanaryreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/CDC-2009-Indoor-Environmental-Quality.-internal-policy542.pdf
"Fragrance is not appropriate for a professional work environment, and the use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines." (page 9)
 
The German Institute of Medicine
MCS, CFS, FMS: coding according to ICD-10-GM (2008)
http://mcs-america.org/GermanInstituteofMedicineRecognitionofMCS.pdf
MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) is classified under:
T78.4 ... Allergy, not otherwise specified;
Chapter 19 (injuries, poisoning and certain other consequences of toxic causes),
Section T66-T78 (Other and unspecified effects of external causes)
 
Japanese Ministry of Health
ICD10 codes: T65.9 poisoning and other unspecified substances, toxic substances, unspecified
http://www.dis.h.u-tokyo.ac.jp/scripts/search/ICD10_searchw.asp?searchstring=T65.9
MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) is classified under:
T659 … Toxic effect of unspecified substance
T659 QV58... chemical sensitivity
 

A role for the body burden of aluminium in vaccine-associated macrophagic myofasciitis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

A role for the body burden of aluminium in vaccine-associated macrophagic myofasciitis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Exley C, Swarbrick L, Gherardi RK, Authier FJ.

Med Hypotheses. 2009 Feb;72(2):135-9. Epub 2008 Nov 11.

Birchall Centre for Inorganic Chemistry and Materials Science, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK. c.exley@chem.keele.ac.uk

Abstract

Macrophagic myofasciitis and chronic fatigue syndrome are severely disabling conditions which may be caused by adverse reactions to aluminium-containing adjuvants in vaccines.

 

While a little is known of disease aetiology both conditions are characterised by an aberrant immune response, have a number of prominent symptoms in common and are coincident in many individuals.

 

Herein, we have described a case of vaccine-associated chronic fatigue syndrome and macrophagic myofasciitis in an individual demonstrating aluminium overload.

 

This is the first report linking the latter with either of these two conditions and the possibility is considered that the coincident aluminium overload contributed significantly to the severity of these conditions in this individual.

 

This case has highlighted potential dangers associated with aluminium-containing adjuvants and we have elucidated a possible mechanism whereby vaccination involving aluminium-containing adjuvants could trigger the cascade of immunological events which are associated with autoimmune conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome and macrophagic myofasciitis.

PMID: 19004564 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2010 - Minnesota Department of Health - Mold Fact Sheet

http://freepdfhosting.com/2be58126f7.pdf

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

New law will lead to greener but higher-priced furniture

[Comment:  Here is a higher price we're willing to pay!]

 

New law will lead to greener but higher-priced furniture
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/2010-07-18-formaldehyde-free-furniture_N.htm

"Not too long ago, many mass-market furniture makers weren't all that interested in the no-formaldehyde-added wood that Todd Vogelsinger was trying to sell them from Columbia Forest Products. After all, consumers and regulators weren't exactly demanding that furniture be formaldehyde-free."