CDC's National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, Updated Tables, July 2010

CDC's National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, Updated Tables, July 2010
http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/

"Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted on its website updated data tables for the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, an ongoing assessment of the U.S. population's exposure to environmental chemicals using laboratory technology known as biomonitoring."

EPA Publishes Latest Data on Industrial and Toxics Releases in the U.S.

EPA Publishes Latest Data on Industrial and Toxics Releases in the U.S.
http://www.epa.gov/tri 

 

"Data on Toxics Release Inventory available the same month it is collected"

A new 'green' painting option

[Comment:  This reads like a an advertisement.  Nonetheless, I thought perhaps it might be of interest to a few.]

 

A new 'green' painting option
http://moorestown.elauwitmedia.com/2010/07/28/a-new-%E2%80%98green%E2%80%99-painting-option/

"Moorestown residents looking to paint their homes now have an environmentally responsible option. The Rainer Painting Company, owned by local resident Joe Rainer, offers organic paint options for indoor painting projects."

Large metro duck die-off blamed on chemicals

Large metro duck die-off blamed on chemicals
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15618069

"Chemicals prevalent in everyday products may be partly to blame for the deaths of more than 1,000 ducks during the winters of 2007 and 2008, according to a study released Tuesday by federal wildlife officials."

Growing Health Crisis in Gulf of Mexico T.I.L.T.

Growing Health Crisis in Gulf of Mexico T.I.L.T.
http://thetruthaboutmcs.blogspot.com/2010/07/growing-health-crisis-in-gulf-of-mexico.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

Disputed chemical bisphenol-A found in paper receipts

Disputed chemical bisphenol-A found in paper receipts
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/26/AR2010072605001.html

"As lawmakers and health experts wrestle over whether a controversial chemical, bisphenol-A, should be banned from food and beverage containers, a new analysis by an environmental group suggests Americans are being exposed to BPA through another, surprising route: paper receipts."

Radiation Questions Over a Body Scanner

Radiation Questions Over a Body Scanner
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/business/27road.html?_r=1
 
"IN about two years, if all goes according to the plans of the Transportation Security Administration, those vintage airport magnetometer metal detectors will be replaced by electronic body scanner machines at all 2,200 security checkpoints in all 450 commercial airports in the United States."

URGENT ACTION: Spanish patient with chronic mercury intoxication goes on hunger strike

[Comment:  Below is a message from an organization requesting help.  Please consider taking a couple of minutes of time to send an email to support Professor Perez.  There is a sample message below.]
 

----- Original Message -----

Please circulate:
 
URGENT: SPANISH PATIENT WITH CHRONIC MERCURY INTOXICATION GOES ON HUNGER STRIKE
 
As of yesterday, July 26, 2010, Professor Servando Perez, President of Mercuriados Spain (people affected by chronic mercury intoxication), has began a hunger strike. Prof Perez was diagnosed two years ago as having Chronic Mercury Intoxication and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS). His case went to the highest court in Spain and a judged ruled that Prof Perez had chronic mercury intoxicaton due to dental fillings and that the Spanish public health care system (Social Security) should treat his condition with chelation or refer him to a private clinic to do so and pay the costs. This was an incredible legal precendent.
 
Needless to say that Professor Perez has not been treated yet and the Social Security has been doing everything possible to make sure that him, as with other MCS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephylitis and Fibromyalgia patients in Spain, do not receive proper medical services from the public health care system.
Because of this, Mercuriados Spain and many other associations, we have been carrying out campaigns, popular initatives, lobbying, legal suits, and may other strategies to change this situation. But with no positive results.
 
Professor Perez' health has deteriorated and a month ago he went to emergency at the Santiago de Compostela University Hospital. They refused to attend him and he said he would not leave the hospital until the judge's order for a chelation was carried out.
In the past month, at the hospital, Prof Perez has endured all kinds of harrassment and pressures to leave. He has even been "diagnosed" as having a psyquiatric illness despite the fact that his illness is organic.
 
We, the Spanish MCS, CFS/ME and FMS associations have mounted a campaign to support Prof Perez with emails, phone calls to the hospital, press, etc.

And now, the latest harrassing strategy by the hospital is to refuse to give him food without additives. Faced with all of this, Servando Perez has started a hunger strike. Yes, he could try to get a bank loan and pay for a private chelation, but this would not help the rest of us ill people in Spain waiting to get treatment in the public health care system. The hospital says that they refuse to refer him to a private clinic (and pick up the tab) because it would set a precedent, and soon all the people with chronic heavy metal intoxication in Spain would have to be treated. And they don't want to do that with our tax money.
 
Servando Perez has opted for the brave and hard road to try to change the desperate situation we live with in Spain, those of us with these illnesses. And we are proud of Servando's action.
 
We write you to inform you and to ask you for your support.
Please write or phone the Subdirector of the Hospital Santiago de CompoDr Jose-Ramón Gómez at jose.ramon.gomez.fernandez@sergas.es
stela, Dr Jose-Ramón Gómez at jose.ramon.gomez.fernandez@sergas.es
or phone him at (34) 98.1950970.
 
We are all Servando Perez!
 
Thank you,
Clara Valverde
President 
Liga SFC (CFS/ME League, Spain)
www.ligasfc.org

 

Sample Letter: 

 

Dr Jose-Ramón Gómez,

 

It has come to my attention that Professor Servando Perez has been denied life saving medical treatment for mercury intoxication.  Simple chelation treatment may potentially reverse mercury intoxication and return the Professor to being a productive and contributing citizen. 

 

From a financial perspective, it makes no sense for the hospital to deny the cure of chelation.  It will cost the hospital much more in emergency services to treat the various body systems and diseases which mercury intoxication will destroy.  The cost for chelation is pennies in comparison.

 

From a humanistic perspective, no person should be left to die a slow and painful death when there is a simple and cost effective treatment.  

 

Please allow Professor Perez to undergo chelation.

 

Sincerely,

Report: Children's exposure to toxic chemicals costs Michigan billions

Report: Children's exposure to toxic chemicals costs Michigan billions
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100726/LIFESTYLE03/7260387/1040/Report--Children-s-exposure-to-toxic-chemicals-costs-Michigan-billions

"Lansing -- Michigan could save billions annually by protecting children from exposure to environmental hazards, according to a study released today.

 

The study found treating those disorders costs Michigan an average of $5.85 billion each year. If all diseases with an environmental link were included, the number would be higher."

 

Disabilities debate rages 20 years later

[Comment: All this and we still don't see air quality addressed at all... so sad.]

 

Disabilities debate rages 20 years later
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/07/26/ada.history/index.html?iref=allsearch

"When President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990, he addressed concerns the sweeping civil rights law would be ''too vague or costly, or may lead endlessly to litigation.''"

Activists frustrated at Obama's environmental record

Activists frustrated at Obama's environmental record

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2010/0725/Activists-frustrated-at-Obama-s-environmental-record

"Environmental activists were delighted to have Barack Obama replace George W. Bush as president. But greens are increasingly unhappy with Obama's record – especially on climate change."

Urban air pollutants may damage IQs before baby's first breath, scientists say

Urban air pollutants may damage IQs before baby's first breath, scientists say

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/air-pollutants-and-childrens-iqs

"In a sweltering summer in New York City back in 1999, Yolanda Baldwin was eight months pregnant with her first child. She lived near a gas station and across the street from an intersection choked with exhaust-spewing cars and buses. Sometimes the air was so thick with pollution that she could see it, breathe it, smell it, even taste it. And she often wondered what it might be doing to her unborn child."
 

JAN Newsletter, Volume 8, Issue 3, Third Quarter 2010

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Newsletter, Volume 8, Issue 3, Third Quarter 2010
http://askjan.org/ENews/2010/Enews-V8-I3.htm

E-News topics include:
1.A Step by Step Process Can Be Useful in the Workplace
2.Aging as Windows Ages
3.Confidentiality and Travel Accommodations for Hidden Disabilities
4.Accommodating Voice Disorders in the Workplace
5.Report from EXCEL
6.JAN Releases New Resources
7.E-vents
8.JAN Exhibit and Training Schedule
9.Subscribe to JAN Newsletter

Ear aches: Noise pollution rattles nerves, harms health

Ear aches: Noise pollution rattles nerves, harms health
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_15562767?nclick_check=1

"Turn down the volume to save your hearingOrinda couple revs up fight against leaf blowers"

U.S. farmers may face crackdown on pesticide use

U.S. farmers may face crackdown on pesticide use
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/07/25/98047/us-farmers-may-face-crackdown.html 

"The nation's farmers could face severe restrictions on the use of pesticides as environmentalists, spurred by a favorable ruling from a judge in Washington state, want the courts to force federal regulators to protect endangered species from the ill effects of agricultural chemicals."

Some Cosmetics Contain Toxic Chemicals

Some Cosmetics Contain Toxic Chemicals
http://www.news4jax.com/news/24361953/detail.html

"Bill Introduced In Congress To Regulate Harmful Ingredients"

Hawaii Proclaimed July 2010 Toxic Injury Awareness and Education Month!

Thanks to the hard work of Sue Quimby and help of several others, Hawaii proclaimed July Toxic Injury Awareness and Education Month!

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is mentioned in the first line as being synonymous with Toxic Injury.

This is the first time in 4 years anyone has been able to have a proclamation signed in Hawaii!

Thank you Governor Lingle and Lieutenant Governor Aiona for addressing toxic injuries, such as MCS, in Hawaii!

A Hawaii Citizens Conference on toxics and MCS is planned for July 28th on the island of Oahu. There will be sign waving at the capitol building, plus speakers at Ala Moana park. Please join the festivities!



Students, Parents, Teachers - Please join us!

Let’s SIGN WAVE at the Hawaii State Capitol, Beretania Sidewalk

EVENT: Hawaii Citizens Conference

SUBJECT: Toxic Awareness And Education. Let’s Keep Hawaii Clean For All Generations!

DATE: Wednesday, July 28th, 10 am to 11 am

ACTIVITY: Picnic At Ala Moana Beach Park, Magic Island Starting At 11:30 Am, “Bring Your Own Bento/Plate Lunch.” Guest Speakers Are Scheduled – Q & A, Informational Flyers, And Community Service Certificates Will Be Handed Out.

SUPPORTED BY: Sierra Club, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, MCS Hawaii.

Contact: Sue at (808) 927-1019 for more information.

Thank you for your support!

How Safe are Cosmetics? 8 Myths You Shouldn't Believe

How Safe are Cosmetics? 8 Myths You Shouldn't Believe
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/how-safe-are-cosmetics-8-myths-you-shouldn-t-believe

"The new Story of Cosmetics video explains why personal care products in the United States contain untested and downright dangerous ingredients.

The (very) good news is the U.S. House of Representatives just introduced a bill to fix all that. But in the meantime (until they pass it!), make sure you don't fall prey to these common myths:"

Tetrahydrobiopterin as a Novel Therapeutic Intervention for Autism .

Tetrahydrobiopterin as a Novel Therapeutic Intervention for Autism .

 

Frye RE, Huffman LC, Elliott GR. Neurotherapeutics. 2010 Jul;7(3):241-249.
Division of Child and Adolescent Neurology and The Children's Learning Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030.

 

Abstract

 

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) is an essential cofactor for several critical metabolic pathways that have been reported to be abnormal in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of BH(4) is reported to be depressed in children with ASD. Over the past 25 years, several clinical trials have suggested that treatment with BH(4) improves ASD symptomatology in some individuals. Two ongoing clinical protocols may help further define the efficacy of BH(4) treatment in children with ASD. First, children with ASD who had low concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid or urine pterins were treated in an open-label manner with 20 mg/kg per day of BH(4). The majority of children (63%) responded positively to treatment, with minimal adverse events (AEs). Second, a double-blind placebo-controlled study examining the efficacy of 20 mg/kg per day of BH(4) treatment in children with ASD is currently underway. Safety studies from the commercially available forms of BH(4) document the low incidence of AEs, particularly serious AEs. Studies have also documented the ability of BH(4) to cross the blood-brain barrier. Based on the importance of BH(4) in neurodevelopmental metabolic pathways, the safety of BH(4) treatment, and the evidence for a therapeutic benefit of BH(4) treatment in children with ASD, we conclude that BH(4) represents a novel therapy for ASD, one that may gain wider use after further clinical studies have established efficacy and treatment guidelines.

 

PMID: 20643376 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Radon in indoor spaces: an underestimated risk factor for lung cancer in environmental medicine.

Radon in indoor spaces: an underestimated risk factor for lung cancer in environmental medicine.

Schmid K, Kuwert T, Drexler H. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2010 Mar;107(11):181-6. Epub 2010 Mar 19.
Institut für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin der Universität Erlangen- Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. klaus.schmid@rzmail.uni-erlangen.de

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Occupational medicine has long recognized radon to be a cause of lung cancer, especially among miners working under ground. Until recently, however, little scientific evidence was available about the risk to the general population caused by indoor radon.

 

METHODS: The authors analyzed literature that they found by a selective search in the light of the recently published S1 guideline of the German Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Arbeitsmedizin und Umweltmedizin) and a recent publication of the German Commission on Radiological Protection (Strahlenschutzkommission).

 

RESULTS: Exposure to indoor radon and its decay products is a major contributor to the radiation exposure of the general population. In Germany, the mean radiation exposure due to radon in living rooms and bedrooms is about 49 Bq/m(3). It is well documented in the scientific literature that indoor radon significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, probably in a linear dose-response relationship with no threshold. Every 100 Bq/m(3) increase in the radon concentration is estimated to increase the relative risk for lung cancer by 8% to 16%. After cigarette smoking, radon is the second main cause of lung cancer in the general population without occupational exposure.

 

CONCLUSIONS: From the point of view of preventive environmental medicine, it is important to identify buildings with high radon concentrations, initiate appropriate measures, and minimize radon exposure, particularly in new buildings.

PMCID: PMC2853156 Free PMC Article

Results of a long-term study of vapor intrusion at four large buildings at the NASA Ames Research Center.

Results of a long-term study of vapor intrusion at four large buildings at the NASA Ames Research Center.

Brenner D. J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2010 Jun;60(6):747-58.
Neptune and Company, Inc., Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA. dbrenner@neptuneinc.org

Abstract

Most of the published empirical data on indoor air concentrations resulting from vapor intrusion of contaminants from underlying groundwater are for residential structures. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Park site, located in Moffett Field, CA, and comprised of 213 acres, is being planned for redevelopment as a collaborative research and educational campus with associated facilities. Groundwater contaminated with hydrocarbon and halogenated hydrocarbon volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is the primary environmental medium of concern at the site. Over a 15-month period, approximately 1000 indoor, outdoor ambient, and outdoor ambient background samples were collected from four buildings designated as historical landmarks using Summa canisters and analyzed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency TO-15 selective ion mode. Both 24-hr and sequential 8-hr samples were collected. Comparison of daily sampling results relative to daily background results indicates that the measured trichloroethylene (TCE) concentrations were primarily due to the subsurface vapor intrusion pathway, although there is likely some contribution due to infiltration of TCE from the outdoor ambient background concentrations. Analysis of the cis-1,2-dichloroethylene concentrations relative to TCE concentrations with respect to indoor air concentrations and the background air support this hypothesis; however, this indicates that relative contributions of the vapor intrusion and infiltration pathways vary with each building. Indoor TCE concentrations were also compared with indoor benzene and background benzene concentrations. These data indicate significant correlation between background benzene concentrations and the concentration of benzene in the indoor air, indicating benzene was present in the indoor air primarily through infiltration of outdoor air into the indoor space. By comparison, measured TCE indoor air concentrations showed a significantly different relationship to background concentrations. Analysis of the results show that indoor air samples can be used to definitively define the source of the TCE present in the indoor air space of large industrial buildings.

PMID: 20565001 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Indoor air quality modeling for PM(10), PM (2.5), and PM (1.0) in naturally ventilated classrooms of an urban Indian school building.

Indoor air quality modeling for PM(10), PM (2.5), and PM (1.0) in naturally ventilated classrooms of an urban Indian school building.

Goyal R, Khare M. Environ Monit Assess. 2010 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print]
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India, radhagoel02@yahoo.co.in.

Abstract

Assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms of school buildings is of prime concern due to its potential effects on student's health and performance as they spend a substantial amount of their time (6-7 h per day) in schools. A number of airborne contaminants may be present in urban school environment. However, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) is of great significance as they may significantly affect occupants' health. The objectives of the present study are twofold, one, to measure the concentrations of PM(10) (<10 [Formula: see text]m), PM(2.5) (<2.5 [Formula: see text]m), and PM(1.0) (<1.0 [Formula: see text]m) in naturally ventilated classrooms of a school building located near a heavy-traffic roadway (9,755 and 4,296 vehicles/hour during weekdays and weekends, respectively); and second, to develop single compartment mass balance-based IAQ models for PM(10) (NVIAQM(pm10)), PM(2.5) (NVIAQM(pm2.5)), and PM(1.0) (NVIAQM(pm1.0)) for predicting their indoor concentrations. Outdoor RSPM levels and classroom characteristics, such as size, occupancy level, temperature, relative humidity, and CO(2) concentrations have also been monitored during school hours. Predicted indoor PM(10) concentrations show poor correlations with observed indoor PM(10) concentrations (R (2) = 0.028 for weekdays, and 0.47 for weekends). However, a fair degree of agreement (d) has been found between observed and predicted concentrations, i.e., 0.42 for weekdays and 0.59 for weekends. Furthermore, NVIAQM(pm2.5) and NVIAQM(pm1.0) results show good correlations with observed concentrations of PM(2.5) (R (2) = 0.87 for weekdays and 0.9 for weekends) and PM(1.0) (R (2) = 0.86 for weekdays and 0.87 for weekends). NVIAQM(pm10) shows the tendency to underpredict indoor PM(10) concentrations during weekdays as it does not take into account the occupant's activities and its effects on the indoor concentrations during the class hours. Intense occupant's activities cause resuspension or delayed deposition of PM(10). The model results further suggests conductance of experimental and physical simulation studies on dispersion of particulates indoors to investigate their resuspension and settling behavior due to occupant's activities/movements. The models have been validated at three different classroom locations of the school site. Sensitivity analysis of the models has been performed by varying the values of mixing factor (k) and newly introduced parameter R (c). The results indicate that the change in values of k (0.33 to 1.00) does not significantly affect the model performance. However, change in value of R (c) (0.001 to 0.500) significantly affects the model performance.

PMID: 20635200 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Neurotoxicity of fungal volatile organic compounds in Drosophila melanogaster.

Neurotoxicity of fungal volatile organic compounds in Drosophila melanogaster.

Inamdar AA, Masurekar P, Bennett JW. Toxicol Sci. 2010 Jul 19. [Epub ahead of print]
Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, New Jersey.

Abstract
Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in indoor environment as products of microbial metabolism. In damp indoor environments, fungi are associated with poor air quality. Some epidemiological studies have suggested that microbial VOCs have a negative impact on human health. Our study was designed to provide a reductionist approach towards studying fungal VOC-mediated toxicity using the inexpensive model organism, Drosophila melanogaster and pure chemical standards of several important fungal VOCs. Low concentrations of the following known fungal VOCs: 0.1% of 1-octen-3-ol and 0.5% of 2-octanone, 2,5 dimethylfuran, 3-octanol and trans-2-octenal caused locomotory defects and changes in GFP- and antigen-labeled dopaminergic neurons in adult Drosophila melanogaster. Locomotory defects could be partially rescued with L-DOPA. Ingestion of the antioxidant, Vitamin E, improved the survival span and delayed the VOC-mediated changes in dopaminergic neurons indicating that the VOC-mediated toxicity was due, in part, to generation of reactive oxygen species.

PMID: 20643751 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

UCLA Study finds irritable bowel syndrome is not psychological

[Comment:  We knew that! Glad they proved it. It is quite annoying that medical conditions are considered psychological until a cause or physical change is found. It's ignorance.  It would not be surprising if 98% of all people believed to be ill for mental reasons actually have a physical disorder which has been overlooked.]

 

UCLA Study finds irritable bowel syndrome is not psychological

http://www.csn-deutschland.de/blog/en/ucla-study-finds-irritable-bowel-syndrome-is-not-psychological/

"Finding removes the idea once and for all that IBS symptoms are not real and are "only psychological"

A large academic study has demonstrated structural changes in specific brain regions in female patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that causes pain and discomfort in the abdomen, along with diarrhea, constipation or both.

A collaborative effort between UCLA and Canada's McGill University, the study appears in the July issue of the journal Gastroenterology.

The findings show that IBS is associated with both decreases and increases in grey matter density in key areas of the brain involved in attention, emotion regulation, pain inhibition and the processing of visceral information."

What's all the 'chlorpyri-fuss' about? We filed a lawsuit to ban it!

What's all the 'chlorpyri-fuss' about? We filed a lawsuit to ban it!
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jsass/d.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+switchboard_jsass+%28Switchboard%3A+Jennifer+Sass%27s+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

"Today NRDC filed a lawsuit against EPA for 'unreasonable delay and failing to act' on our 2007 petition to cancel one of the most hazardous pesticides on the market, chlorpyrifos. Yay NRDC, and our partners in this lawsuit, Pesticide Action Network North America, and Earthjustice."

Flame retardants in house dust match residents blood levels.

Flame retardants in house dust match residents blood levels.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/pbdes-in-house-dust-predict-levels-in-blood/ 
 
"People who live in houses with higher levels of flame retardant chemicals in the dust have themselves higher levels of the chemicals in their blood, a finding that implicates dust as a major exposure source for the compounds."

Federal suit seeks ban of common pesticide

Federal suit seeks ban of common pesticide
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/22/BAD41EIGTG.DTL

"Two environmental groups sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday, demanding that the federal government decide whether to ban a widely used pesticide that has been linked to illnesses, including asthma and developmental problems such as attention deficit disorder."

Smog Might Trigger Cell Death in the Heart, Study Finds

Smog Might Trigger Cell Death in the Heart, Study Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100721205553.htm

"An early study in rats provides the first direct indication that a major component of smog might trigger cell death in the heart, researchers reported at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2010 Scientific Sessions -- Technological and Conceptual Advances in Cardiovascular Disease."

EPA Awards $5.6 Million to Spur New Clean Diesel Technologies

EPA Awards $5.6 Million to Spur New Clean Diesel Technologies

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $5.6 million for emerging technologies projects as part of a summer-long roll out of $120 million in clean diesel grants. The awards will provide opportunities to advance cutting-edge technologies in the marketplace, and support both environmental innovation and green jobs to reduce diesel emissions. Diesel pollution is linked to thousands of premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and millions of lost work days."

 

More information on the National Clean Diesel Campaign: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel

 

More information about fuel savings and reducing the carbon footprint of vehicles: http://www.epa.gov/smartway

Swimming pool disinfectants linked to cancer

Swimming pool disinfectants linked to cancer
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7904318/Swimming-pool-disinfectants-linked-to-cancer.html

"Swimming pools can give you cancer, because disinfectants in the water react with sunscreen, sweat, and skin to form a toxic cocktail of chemicals, a study has suggested.

The disinfectant used to keep pool water free from disease can also react with swimmers' urine and hair to cause conditions including asthma and bladder cancer.

Products like sunscreen and oil are packed with nitrogen, which reacts with the disinfectant to create toxic chemicals capable of mutating genes. "