CHE News Feed

Call for suggestions for the 16th International Congress of Endocrinology & The Endocrine Society's 96th Annual Meeting & Expo.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:25:17 -0700

The Annual Meeting Steering Committee seeks suggestions for topics, speakers and new and innovative formats that will incorporate basic research, clinical investigation and clinical practice, with a goal of providing a venue for bridging the gaps in science and practice. The deadline for suggestions is July 24th.

NC House approves bill that keeps fracking moratorium in place.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:00:45 -0700

The state House approved a fracking policy Friday that keeps in place a moratorium on shale gas exploration until at least March 2015 and includes a number of public protections and environmental safeguards. Raleigh News & Observer, North Carolina.

Air pollution can trigger heart arrhythmias: study.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:48:45 -0700

For people with existing heart problems, exposure to high levels of air pollution can trigger the irregular heartbeats that may lead to a stroke or heart attack, according to a new study. Reuters.
[See the study: Acute exposure to air pollution triggers atrial fibrillation]

EPA finalizes list of 109 chemicals to undergo endocrine disruptor screening.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:39:52 -0700

The listed chemicals, the second group of substances selected for inclusion in the EDSP, will undergo Tier 1 screening, a battery of tests designed to identify substances that have the potential to interact with the estrogen, androgen, or thyroid hormone systems. Bloomberg BNA.

Invitation to participate: Parkinson's disease and its potential effects on relationships.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:33:44 -0700

Jackie Hunt Christensen invites those affected by Parkinson's disease to complete a survey to provide "snapshots" of the lives of people affected by PD that will be used to inform a larger discussion about Parkinson's and relationships. The survey will be available until September 11, 2013.

Parabens: endocrine disruptors in cosmetics and food?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:29:19 -0700

As one would expect from dietary exposure, the highest doses go to the youngest members of society, who are also likely to be at greatest risk from the effects of exposure to potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Health & Environment.

One woman's battle with electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:14:38 -0700

According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of those with EHS varies significantly around the world, and estimates put the number as low as a few individuals per million in the population. The sensitivity is particularly concentrated in the United Kingdom and Sweden, where according to surveys, 1 to 4 per cent of the population believe they are affected. Toronto Star, Canada.
[See a related article: Cellphone towers often unwelcome neighbours]

Environment-friendly diesel oil.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:36:01 -0700

Diminishing energy resources, unstable oil prices, global warming and climatic extremes have led the world to focus on alternate, environment friendly and renewable energy resources. Over 40 countries of the world are evaluating the potential of consuming pure vegetable oil to manufacture diesel. Lahore Nation, Pakistan.

Would Americans be better off eating a mostly organic diet?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:33:42 -0700

Is there definitive scientific proof that an organic diet is healthier? Not yet. Robust scientific studies comparing food grown organically and food grown conventionally don't exist, thanks to a lack of funding for this kind of research in humans. Wall Street Journal.

Michael Marsh: chlorociprin a toxic topic in Salinas Valley.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:32:00 -0700

In 2010, the latest year for which there is readily available data, just in Monterey County, agribusiness used almost four million pounds of fumigants, including chloropicrin, methyl bromide and 1,3, dichloropropene. That's approximately 10 pounds of fumigant for each man, woman and child in our county! Salinas Californian, California.

Blackened lives in Philippine charcoal field.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:17:16 -0700

A sinewy man covered in thick soot stands in a grey cloud of smoke, watching over a slow-burning pile of wood that sustains his life but may also eventually kill him. Agence France-Presse.

Mining blamed for Mt Isa lead woes: study.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:03:22 -0700

Lead contamination in Mount Isa children is certainly linked to mining operations in the city, a scientific study has found. Mining company Xstrata has long argued lead contamination in the city is a naturally occurring phenomenon given what's in the ground. Australian Associated Press.
[See the article: Identification of environmental lead sources and pathways in a mining and smelting town: Mount Isa, Australia]

Efforts to reduce risks to kids run into a powerful foe in Maine.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:56:42 -0700

Overseen by a former chemical industry lobbyist, Maine's Department of Environmental Protection resists regulations on substances that may be harmful to children and fetuses. Portland Press Herald, Maine.

Frogs feminized, but atrazine's effects on people uncertain.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:53:04 -0700

Atrazine, one of the most widely used farm pesticides in the United States, has feminized male frogs and other animals in some scientific studies. But research examining potential effects in people is relatively sparse. Environmental Health News.
[See a related article: Special report: Syngenta's multi-million dollar campaign to protect atrazine, discredit critics]

Cost of resiliency in kids uncovered.

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:40:12 -0700

Children living in poverty who appear to succeed socially may be failing biologically. Students able to overcome the stress of growing up poor are labeled "resilient" because of their ability to overcome adversity, but University of Georgia researchers found this resiliency has health costs that last well into adulthood. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Is resilience only skin deep? Rural African Americans' socioeconomic status-related risk and competence in preadolescence and psychological adjustment and allostatic load at age 19]

Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields: a content analysis of British newspaper reports.

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:30:35 -0700

Double-blind experiments have found no convincing evidence that electromagnetic fields cause these symptoms. In this study, we assessed whether recent newspaper reporting in the UK reflected this scientific evidence. PLOS One.

Small farmers buffeted by climate change.

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:13:21 -0700

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has long warned that a quarter of the world's farmland is "highly degraded." The main culprits are natural disasters, including droughts, floods and desertification. These pressures have now reached critical levels, with climate change expected to worsen the situation. Inter Press Service.
[See the UN report: The State of Food and Agriculture 2013]

Pandora's terrifying promise: can nuclear power save the planet?

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:10:54 -0700

Pandora's Promise, which appears in theaters in June and will be broadcast by CNN in the fall, features five "converts" who argue that the dire threat of climate change requires humanity to embrace nuclear power as an alternative to fossil fuels. The Nation.

Toxic driveways? Cities ban coal tar sealants.

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:01:07 -0700

Could your driveway be making you sick? Mounting research suggests it could. It's prompting more cities, states and businesses to ban a common pavement sealant linked to higher cancer risks and contaminated soil. USA Today.

Afflicted: living with Lyme.

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:38:13 -0700

Occurrences of Lyme disease are rising in Vermont, where the per-capita incidence trails only Delaware. The rate has increased 12-fold since 2002, according to data from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention. Burlington Free Press, Vermont.

Inhaling auto emissions makes good cholesterol go bad.

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 22:25:43 -0700

Inhaling motor vehicle emissions may transform good, protective cholesterol into bad, artery-clogging cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, says a new study by researchers at the University of Washington and the University of California-Los Angeles. USA Today.
[See the study: Fine particulate air pollution and the progression of carotid intima-medial thickness: a prospective cohort study from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and air pollution]

Breast cancer risk has risen for South Asian women.

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:44:05 -0700

The breast cancer risk for British Asian women has increased, a study carried out in Leicester suggests. Experts said lifestyle factors such as obesity, or more coming forward for screening could explain the change. BBC.

Prenatal nitrate intake from drinking water and selected birth defects in offspring of participants in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:18:04 -0700

Higher water nitrate intake was associated with several birth defects in offspring, but did not strengthen associations between nitrosatable drugs and birth defects. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Instruments for assessing risk of bias and other methodological criteria of published animal studies: a systematic review.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:16:58 -0700

Our review highlights a number of risk of bias assessment criteria that have been empirically tested for animal research including randomization, concealment of allocation, blinding and accounting for all animals. Additionally, there is a need for empirically testing additional methodological criteria, and assessing the validity and reliability of a standard risk of bias assessment instrument. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Validation of trichloroacetic acid exposure via drinking water during pregnancy using a urinary TCAA biomarker.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:15:48 -0700

Results suggest individual tap water intake is most influential in determining TCAA exposure variability in this cohort, and that TCAA ingestion at home is a valid proxy for TCAA exposure for unemployed women but less satisfactory for employed women. Environmental Research.

In utero arsenic exposure and infant infection in a United States cohort: a prospective study.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:14:52 -0700

Our results provide initial evidence that in utero As exposure may be related to infant infection and infection severity and provide insight into the early life impacts of fetal As exposure. Environmental Research.

Exercise challenge in Gulf War illness reveals two subgroups with altered brain structure and function.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:10:46 -0700

To study the causal relationship between exercise, the brain, and changes in symptoms, 28 Gulf War veterans and 10 controls completed an fMRI scan before and after two exercise stress tests to investigate serial changes in pain, autonomic function, and working memory. PLOS One.

Assessment of outdoor radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure through hotspot localization using kriging-based sequential sampling.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:06:40 -0700

In this study, a novel methodology is proposed to create heat maps that accurately pinpoint the outdoor locations with elevated exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in an extensive urban region (or, hotspots), and that would allow local authorities and epidemiologists to efficiently assess the locations and spectral composition of these hotspots, while at the same time developing a global picture of the exposure in the area. Environmental Research.

Disconnect by Dr. Devra Davis wins the 2013 Silver Nautilus Book Award.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:01:47 -0700

Deemed one of today's most innovative books for revealing industry war-games against science and new evidence on health risks of cellphone radiation, Disconnect clearly articulates a clear, compelling and comprehensive look at this issue. SBWire.
[See the book on the publisher's website: Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Is Doing to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family]

NYC-style cap on soda size would target the overweight, not the poor.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:31:23 -0700

Challenging criticism that the restriction is discriminatory against the poor, the study finds low-income individuals would not be disproportionately affected. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health News.
[See the study: Caloric effect of a 16-ounce (473-mL) portion-size cap on sugar-sweetened beverages served in restaurants]

Mapping environmental health hazards and vulnerable communities.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:28:08 -0700

A new report documents some of the concerns that have long been raised by advocates focused on environmental health in the Coachella Valley: poorer communities in the eastern portion of the valley face significant air and water pollution problems, and are especially vulnerable for a variety of reasons. My Desert.
[See the report: Revealing the Invisible Coachella Valley: Putting Cumulative Environmental Vulnerabilities on the Map]

New book shapes environmental health through storytelling.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:23:43 -0700

"The Return", a 32-page comic-book created by the UW Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (CEEH) and the Northwest Indian College, seeks to help more young people understand environmental health. University of Washington Daily.

Future of e-cigarettes in question on European crackdown.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:16:56 -0700

A U.K. government decision this week to treat the steel tubes as a medicine and a plan by France to ban them from public venues raises questions about what health risks the devices carry. Bloomberg News.

Common chemical may damage teeth.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:11:03 -0700

Bisphenol-A (BPA), which is found in many resins and plastics that people use everyday, has been linked to a number of health problems in animal studies. But now researchers fear it may also damage tooth enamel in humans. Voice of America.
[See the study: Enamel defects reflect perinatal exposure to bisphenol A]

NSW greens call for fluoride inquiry.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:51:30 -0700

The New South Wales Greens will press the state government to hold a public inquiry into the safety of fluoridated water, after the NSW Court of Appeal ruled against an anti-fluoride campaigner's bid to prevent the chemical being added to drinking water. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

How cooking can be a deadly chore.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:35:52 -0700

In remote villages and city slums, women tend to fires for hours on end, breathing in smoke that is the equivalent of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, according to the World Health Organization. CNN.

Study: you're in trouble, Roundup.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:32:44 -0700

A network of environmental groups, Friends of the Earth International, tested the urine of 182 European city dwellers, from 18 countries, and found traces of the potentially-dangerous herbicide glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup, in 44% of samples. Wall Street Journal.
[See the study results: Determination of Glyphosate residues in human urine samples from 18 European countries and another study of glyphosate: Glyphosate induces human breast cancer cells growth via estrogen receptors]

Environmental science leader receives award.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:12:55 -0700

Pete Myers, founder, CEO and chief scientist of Environmental Health Sciences, was awarded the $50,000 Frank Hatch "Sparkplug" Award for Enlightened Public Service by The John Merck Fund. "He has helped the field of toxicology incorporate emerging scientific understanding of endocrine disrupting chemicals. And in doing so, Pete has impacted government policies and research agendas around the world, as well as the way corporations are thinking about chemicals in their products. JMF's grantees often use Pete's work as the foundation for their programs."

Urine bisphenol-A level in relation to obesity and overweight in school-age children.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:00:24 -0700

After adjustment for potential confounders, a higher urine BPA level, at the level corresponding to the median urine BPA level in the U.S. population, was associated with more than two-fold increased risk of having weight >90th percentile among girls aged 9-12. The association showed a dose-response relationship with increasing urine BPA level associated with further increased risk of overweight. The same association was not observed among boys. PLOS One.

Call for proposals: Environmental Health and Safety of Nanotechnology.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:42:23 -0700

Fundamental research is sought by the National Science Foundation to understand, evaluate, and lessen the impact of nanotechnology on the environment and biological systems. The full proposal window is January 15 - February 20, 2014.

Call for proposals: Susceptibility and Variability in Human Response to Chemical Exposure.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:38:18 -0700

Currently, EPA risk assessments acknowledge that susceptibility can depend on a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors including genetics, stage in life, health status, and cumulative lifetime exposure profile. However, better characterization of these factors to provide a more quantitative understanding of susceptibility is needed, particularly for vulnerable groups such as highly exposed populations. The closing date is September 10, 2013.

Call for proposals: Tribal Support for the National Environmental Information Exchange Network.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:35:44 -0700

The overall goal of this cooperative agreement is to enhance tribal participation in the Exchange Network which is a partnership to support better environmental decisions through improved exchange of, and access to, environmental information. The deadline for submissions is August 30, 2013.

New report: Saving Energy, Improving Health: Potential Impacts of Energy Efficiency Program Design on Noise and Air Pollution Exposure.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:24:00 -0700

The purpose of this report from the San Francisco Department of Public Health is to call attention to additional potential health benefits of energy efficiency programs.

The Washington Post launches "Sponsored Views."

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:44:53 -0700

The product offers an opportunity for advocacy, communications and government affairs professionals to place their message in front of key constituents. Washington Post.

Lawsuit only way to fight pollution from port's railyard project.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:36:56 -0700

We will not achieve clean air without aggressively tackling air pollution from the diesel-powered ships, trucks and trains that serve our ports and freight transportation system. Further, many communities affected by port-related pollution are low-income, working-class communities of color. Long Beach Press-Telegram, California.

Turf may be synthetic, but health issues are real.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:35:47 -0700

Greenwich High School students are right to question the health and safety of the synthetic turf field that has been installed in their school and in so many other schools throughout this state and the country. Greenwich Time, Connecticut.

YPF, New Jersey reach pollution settlement.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:24:54 -0700

Argentina's state-run oil company, YPF SA, has reached a deal with the state of New Jersey that might allow the company to avoid billions of dollars in potential liabilities related to the contamination of the Passaic River. Dow Jones Newswires.

Black carbon linked to attention problems in boys.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:08:39 -0700

Exposure to traffic-related air pollution was associated with decreased attention skills in a group of Boston-area boys studied by researchers. Environmental Health News.
[See the study: Associations between traffic-related black carbon exposure and attention in a prospective birth cohort of urban children]

No smoke, plenty of fire fuels e-cigarettes.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:04:21 -0700

E-cigarettes are far from universally accepted as a public health tool; regulators are agonizing over whether to restrict them as "gateway" products to nicotine addiction and tobacco smoking, or embrace them as treatments for would-be quitters. A big issue is the lack of long-term scientific evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes, prompting critics like the British Medical Association (BMA) to warn of the dangers of their unregulated use. Reuters.

Cleaning up China.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:03:16 -0700

How do you spur change in an opaque autocracy where policy decisions move in predetermined five-year cycles? If you're President Obama, you can try going straight to the top, as he did in recent meetings with China's new leader, Xi Jinping. Time Magazine.

Ontario Agent Orange probe finally arrives.

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:57:47 -0700

On Thursday morning, the provincial government will release the results of an investigation into Ontario's widespread use of the herbicide 2,4,5-T -- also known as Agent Orange -- that has been linked to birth defects, various forms of cancer and skin disorders. Toronto Star, Ontario.
[See a related story: Agent Orange chemical exposure left Ontario workers prone to disease: study and the report: Report of the Independent Fact-Finding Panel on Herbicide 2,4,5-T: Final Report]

CHE call: The Rise of the US Environmental Movement: A Conversation with Kate Davies, June 20th.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:48:46 -0700

On this call Kate Davies and Elise Miller, CHE's director and author of the book's forward, will discuss the environmental health movement's historical, ideological, and cultural roots as well as talk about its strategies and successes.

Public hearing and call for comments: proposed Rule & Regulation for Secure Medicine Return.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:48:43 -0700

The King County, Washington, Board of Health is working to protect human health by reducing the harm of prescription drugs in our community by creating a system for the safe disposal of unused medicines. Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday June 19th, or brought to the meeting on June 20th.

High bioavailability of bisphenol A from sublingual exposure.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:43:44 -0700

These findings demonstrate that BPA can be efficiently and very rapidly absorbed through the oral mucosa by the sublingual route. This efficient systemic entry route of BPA may lead to far higher BPA internal exposures than known for BPA absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Differential DNA methylation in umbilical cord blood of infants exposed to low levels of arsenic in utero.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:42:38 -0700

Our findings suggest that in utero exposure to low levels of arsenic may affect the epigenome. Long-term follow-up is planned to determine whether the observed changes are associated with health outcomes. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Gestational exposure of mice to secondhand cigarette smoke causes bronchopulmonary dysplasia blocked by the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:39:38 -0700

Gestational exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke irreversibly disrupts lung development leading to BPD-like condition with hypoalveolarization, decreased angiogenesis, and diminished lung secretory function. Environmental Health Perspectives.
[See a related article regarding a different agent: Fetal exposure of rhesus macaques to bisphenol A alters cellular development of the conducting airway by changing epithelial secretory product expression]

Associations of urinary cadmium with age and urinary proteins: further evidence of physiological variations unrelated to metal accumulation and toxicity.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:35:24 -0700

At low exposure levels, urinary cadmium and age are associated through nonlinear and non-monotonous [sic] relationships that appear to be mainly driven by the recent cadmium intake and physiological variations in the excretion of creatinine and proteins. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Lifetime pesticide use and telomere shortening among male pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:33:40 -0700

Seven pesticides previously associated with cancer risk in the epidemiologic literature were inversely associated with relative telomere length in buccal cell DNA among cancer-free pesticide applicators. Replication of these findings is needed since we cannot rule out chance or fully rule out bias. Environmental Health Perspectives.

A panel study of occupational exposure to fine particulate matter and changes in DNA methylation over a single workday and years worked in boilermaker welders.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:31:02 -0700

Acute and chronic exposure to PM2.5 generated from welding activities was associated with a modest change in DNA methylation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene. Environmental Health.

FCC seeks data on radiofrequency risk.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:11:10 -0700

The Federal Communications Commission seeks comments on whether it should reassess its radiofrequency exposure limits and policies for cell phones and towers, the agency announced in a proposed rule. Comments are due by September 3rd. Courthouse News Service.

Pregnant women with severe morning sickness who take antihistamines are significantly more likely to experience adverse outcomes.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:43:54 -0700

The findings, the first to link antihistamine use to adverse pregnancy outcomes, are important because babies born before 37 weeks often are hospitalized longer than full term babies, can experience problems breathing and feeding, are more prone to infection and can suffer from developmental problems. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Antihistamines and other prognostic factors for adverse outcome in hyperemesis gravidarum]

Call for proposals: Healthy Schools: Environmental Factors, Children's Health and Performance, and Sustainable Building Practices.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:37:12 -0700

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications proposing research that will inform school (K-12 educational facilities) building design, construction and operation practices in order to foster safe and healthy school environments and maximize student achievement and teacher and staff effectiveness. The closing date is October 8, 2013.

Organic growers lose decision in suit versus Monsanto over seeds.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:20:34 -0700

Monsanto Co. on Monday won another round in a legal battle with U.S. organic growers as an appeals court threw out the growers' efforts to stop the company from suing farmers if traces of its patented biotech genes are found in crops. Reuters.

Grandma's experiences leave a mark on your genes.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:08:29 -0700

Your ancestors' lousy childhoods or excellent adventures might change your personality, bequeathing anxiety or resilience by altering the epigenetic expressions of genes in the brain. Discover Magazine.
[See a related article: Dad's life stress exposure can affect offspring brain development, Penn Study finds and the cited study: Paternal stress exposure alters sperm microRNA content and reprograms offspring HPA stress axis regulation]

Loss of trees linked to higher death rates in humans.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:03:52 -0700

A team from the U.S. Forest Service, led by Geoffrey Donovan, set out to see what effect the loss of all these trees was having, if any, on human health. TreeHugger.
[See the study: The relationship between trees and human health: evidence from the spread of the emerald ash borer]

Heat-related deaths after an extreme heat event -- four states, 2012, and United States, 1999-2009.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:55:16 -0700

This report describes 32 heat-related deaths in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia that occurred during the 2 weeks following the storms and power outages in June and July 2012.

Victoria outdoor smoking ban debate to begin.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:47:13 -0700

Major health groups are pressuring the Victorian government to finally back a new outdoor smoking ban. Australian Associated Press.

New software lets people check pollution at home.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:31:58 -0700

New software developed by the National Institute of Development Administration reveals air pollution levels in Bangkok from car exhaust pipes -- and how much traffic police and residents are exposed to carcinogenic fumes. Bangkok Nation, Thailand.

New sunscreen labels made protection clear for consumers.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:02:23 -0700

You should think twice about packing your old sunscreen this summer. New federal regulations require companies to replace products with ones whose packaging clearly indicates protection levels and has no misleading language. Bergen County Record, New Jersey.

Maine House strongly endorses GMO labeling bill.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:59:23 -0700

It's not often that Democrats and Republicans in the Maine House come close to reaching unanimous agreement on something. But after about 45 minutes of debate, that's where they stood on a bill to require food retailers to label products containing genetically modified seeds or ingredients. Maine Public Broadcast Network, Maine.
[See a related article: Study says genetically modified feed impacts pig health and the study referenced: A long-term toxicology study on pigs fed a combined genetically modified (GM) soy and GM maize diet, plus another article: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could allow GM crops on national wildlife refuge lands]

India's battle to ban chewing tobacco.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:58:06 -0700

A public health campaign in India has led to a widespread ban on gutka, a popular form of chewing tobacco. Wall Street Journal.

European coal pollution causes 22,300 premature deaths a year, study shows.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:52:57 -0700

Air pollution from Europe's 300 largest coal power stations causes 22,300 premature deaths a year and costs companies and governments billions of pounds in disease treatment and lost working days, says a major study of the health impacts of burning coal to generate electricity. The Guardian, United Kingdom.
[See the report: Silent Killers: Why Europe must replace coal power with green energy]

Mom's obesity tied to higher risk of premature babies.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:37:00 -0700

Pregnant women who are overweight or obese are more likely to give birth prematurely, according to a new study from Sweden, which found that link was strongest for babies born the earliest and therefore most at risk of complications. Reuters Health.
[See the study: Maternal obesity and risk of preterm delivery]

Growing evidence of radioactive contamination in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:33:05 -0700

Human rights activists say uranium is being mined illegally in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Doctors record an increase in the number of pre-birth deformities in areas close to mines. Deutsche Welle, Germany.

New report: Redrawing the Energy-Climate Map,

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:08:36 -0700

The International Energy Agency (IEA) today urged governments to swiftly enact four energy policies that would keep climate goals alive without harming economic growth.

Vegetable fats tied to less prostate cancer spread.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:56:22 -0700

Researchers found that replacing some carbohydrates with those healthy fats was also tied to a lower risk of dying from any cause during the study. But the opposite was true for saturated and trans fats often found in meat and processed foods. Reuters.
[See the study: Fat intake after diagnosis and risk of lethal prostate cancer and all-cause mortality]

Call for comments: National Healthy Housing Standard.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:51:34 -0700

The draft Standard is posted for public comment through Wednesday, July 31, 2013. We encourage and welcome feedback from health and housing practitioners, advocates, and other stakeholders in healthy housing on the proposed requirements and stretch provisions.

Neurocognitive, mental health, and glucose disorders in farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:48:14 -0700

Farmers showed clinical symptoms eczema, saliva secretion, fatigue, headache, sweating, abdominal pain, nausea, superior distal muscle weakness, inferior distal muscle weakness, inferior proximal muscle weakness, breath muscle weakness, hand tingling, foot tingling, epiphoria, polyuria, miosis, dyspnoea, bradycardia, and rhinorrhoea, which all significantly correlated with the number of working years. These findings indicate that farmers who work with OPs are prone to neuropsychological disorders and diabetes. Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju.

Effects of persistent organic pollutants on the developing respiratory and immune systems: a systematic review.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:38:23 -0700

This review of 41 studies finds limited evidence for prenatal exposure to DDE, PCBs and dioxins and risk of respiratory infections. Evidence was limited also for postnatal exposure to PCBs, specifically ndl-PCBs, and reduced immune response after vaccination in childhood. The review indicates lack of association between postnatal exposure to PCBs/ndl-PCBs and risk of asthma-related symptoms. For the other exposure-outcome associations reviewed evidence was inadequate. Environment International.

Why is type 1 diabetes increasing?

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:33:08 -0700

This review provides an overview of some of the most well-known theories found in the literature: hygiene, viral, vitamin D deficiency, breast milk, and cow's milk hypotheses. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology.
[See other articles about diabetes: Organohalogenated contaminants in domestic cats' plasma in relation to spontaneous acromegaly and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a clue for endocrine disruption in humans?; Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and insulin resistance in children: results from the GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohorts; Long-term exposure to road traffic noise and incident diabetes: a cohort study and Prolonged environmental exposure of arsenic through drinking water on the risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes]

Estrogen-like disruptive effects of dietary exposure to bisphenol A or 17a-ethinyl estradiol in CD1 mice.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:30:27 -0700

Overall, BPA was found to have modest, sex specific endocrine disruptive effects on a variety of end points below the established no observed adverse effect level. The dose response characteristics for many of the effects were nonmonotonic and not predictable from high-dose extrapolations. International Journal of Toxicology.

The obesogenic effect of high fructose exposure during early development.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:28:45 -0700

We review the evidence suggesting that high fructose exposure during critical periods of development of the fetus, neonate and infant can act as an obesogen by affecting lifelong neuroendocrine function, appetite control, feeding behaviour, adipogenesis, fat distribution and metabolic systems. Nature Reviews Endocrinology.
[See other articles about body weight and composition: Adipocytes under assault: environmental disruption of adipose physiology and Perinatal polychlorinated biphenyl 126 exposure alters offspring body composition]

Changes in antioxidant capacity of blood due to mutual action of electromagnetic field (1800 MHz) and opioid drug (tramadol) in animal model of persistent inflammatory state.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:25:33 -0700

The aim of the study was to examine the possible, parallel/combined effects of electromagnetic radiation, artificially induced inflammation and a centrally-acting synthetic opioid analgesic drug, tramadol, (used in the treatment of severe pain) on the antioxidant capacity of blood of rats. Pharmacological Reports.

Call for papers: Health and Transportation for TRB 2014

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:17:36 -0700

The Health and Transportation Subcommittee of the Transportation Research Board seeks research papers about using transportation and travel analysis/models in coordination with public health analysis/models to understand how transportation and land use systems affect public health outcomes. Papers for publication and/or presentation must be submitted by August 1, 2013.

New resource: Livable Communities Discussion Board.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:11:11 -0700

The site is an online community of practitioners in public, private, and non-profit agencies and organizations at the local, State, and Federal levels, who are interested in helping communities provide more transportation choices, encourage access to good jobs and affordable housing, support quality schools, and promote safer streets and roads.

Pedaling towards equity: communities of color lead surge in bike use.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:31:43 -0700

A first-of-its-kind report, released today by the League of American Bicyclists and the Sierra Club, features data on demographic ridership, the effect of safe cycling infrastructure on ridership, new immigrant perceptions of bicycling, as well as the economic impact of transportation and health inequity. Compass.
[See the report: The New Majority: Pedaling Towards Equity]

County 4Culture seeks artists for environmental health projects.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:34:51 -0700

Artists interested in using their skills to engage communities and take a new look at the toxic materials in everyday life are invited to answer 4Culture's call for two new public art projects. A collaborative effort between the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program and 4Culture, the project will commission artists to combine hazardous materials information and art in a comic book and a short film. Renton Patch, Washington.

'Diabetes epidemic' declared as New York City deaths tied to the disease hit all-time high.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:15:39 -0700

City health officials Monday declared a "diabetes epidemic," saying deaths linked to the disease have reached an all-time high in the five boroughs. New York Daily News, New York.

Ticks that spread red-meat allergy.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:14:09 -0700

If Lyme disease isn't reason enough to avoid ticks, here's another: the inability to enjoy a burger. Odd as it seems, researchers say that bites from the voracious lone star tick are making some people allergic to red meat -- even if they've never had a problem eating it before. Wall Street Journal.

EPA schedules to evaluate risks of some trichloroethylene uses.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:09:27 -0700

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will peer review its draft risk assessment of trichloroethylene that determined car mechanics, other small-business workers, and hobbyists inhaling the solvent could be harmed by it. Bloomberg BNA.
[Note: The peer review will be held in three meetings through the telephone and Internet on July 9, July 17, and August 7. Parties interested in addressing the peer review panel must contact EPA by July 6: Susie Warner, 301-670-4990 or SWARNER@scgcorp.com.]

Natural ways to protect yourself against GMOs.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:06:11 -0700

Whether we like it or not, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) currently dominate much of our commercial food supply. At last count, as much as 70 percent of the food in an average grocery store in the United States contained GMO ingredients. Huffington Post.

Autism: can there be a cure without a cause?

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:03:32 -0700

Researchers still don't have many answers about the disorder that has a wide -- but vague -- range of symptoms. Like everything else associated with autism, finding a cure is difficult. And complicated. And then difficult some more. Hanover Evening Sun, Pennsylvania.

Smarter CT scanning of kids would prevent 3,020 cancers each year.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:34:11 -0700

Approximately 3,020 cancers could be prevented each year if doctors were more judicious about ordering CT scans, which use 100 to 500 times more ionizing radiation than regular X-ray machines, for kids, according to a new study. Los Angeles Times.
[See the study: The use of computed tomography in pediatrics and the associated radiation exposure and estimated cancer risk]

CHE-Washington Children's Environmental Health Working Group meeting June 13th.

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:55:12 -0700

The presentation will be "Get those toxins out of your mouth!" with Dennis Weaver, founder of Change Your Food -- Change Your Life! The meeting will be at the University of Washington arboretum with an option to attend by phone.

New report: Advancing Healthy Housing -- A Strategy for Action.

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:54:07 -0700

This report from outlines goals and priorities in healthy housing for the next three to five years based upon the consensus opinion of the federal interagency Healthy Homes Work Group.

'Just one word...plastics.'

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:38:00 -0700

As ubiquitous as plastics in our lives is the "Made in China" label on many plastic items. But China is more than a source of baubles. Three stories in this issue illustrate how Chinese chemical interests have become more sophisticated. Chemical & Engineering News.

Rail project at Los Angeles port draws environmental group ire.

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:18:28 -0700

In California, a high-profile lawsuit is seeking to halt construction of a new $500 million rail yard next to the Port of Los Angeles. Activists, including a national environmental group that's spearheading the opposition, say the massive project would mean even more pollution for nearby neighborhoods that already have some of the worst air in the country. Morning Edition, NPR.

Kenya's flower farms no bed of roses.

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:17:28 -0700

IPS visited a few flower farms in Naivasha, in Kenya's Rift Valley Province, where access is restricted and the grounds are monitored by security guards. Here, for hundreds of workers like Mumbi, a healthy rose means a shortened lifespan. Inter Press Service.

Toxic legacy: fish, fish everywhere, but not a bite to eat.

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:58:57 -0700

Though New Bedford is the number one fishing port in the country, fishing in the harbor itself was banned by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in 1979 because the fish can contain dangerous amounts of the cancer-causing chemicals that litter the harbor floor. New Bedford Standard-Times, Massachusetts.

An epidemiologist's nightmare.

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:45:54 -0700

To find levels of pollution high enough to cause a noticeable rise in cancer, epidemiologists have had to look to China, where lax environmental standards and the rush to industrialization surpass anything still happening in the developed world. Yet even in these extreme situations, the evidence can be frustratingly ambiguous. Discover.

Asthma cases increasing in city due to air pollution: study.

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:30:34 -0700

Dr. Ravindra Mehta, Consultant Pulmonologist and Chief of Critical Care, Apollo Hospitals said, "There is an increase in asthma and allergic tendencies in the city owing to the increase in population and air pollution." Chennai New Indian Express, India.
[See the studies referenced in the article: Asthma and the diversity of fungal spores in air and Epidemiology of asthma in India]

Job opening: North Berkeley, California.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 21:59:09 -0700

The Green Science Policy Institute (GSP) is hiring a science and policy associate to contribute to our scientific research and policy work reducing toxic chemicals in consumer products to protect human health and the global environment. Applications must be received by June 30, 2013.

Fruit and vegetable intakes are associated with lower risk of bladder cancer among women in the Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:48:13 -0700

Our findings suggest that greater consumption of fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of invasive bladder cancer among women and highlight the need for specific subgroup analyses in future studies. The Journal of Nutrition.

Understanding environmental justice policies.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:45:42 -0700

Environmental justice, the right of all people to be treated fairly and equally when it comes to the development and enforcement of environmental laws and policies, was a revolutionary concept when the civil rights movement began to take shape more than 30 years ago. The idea that low-income residents near an industrial zone, for example, had the same rights when it came to noise or air pollution limits as a middle-income family on the other side of the town had never been adequately addressed. Triple Pundit.

Don't take your vitamins.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:31:46 -0700

Nutrition experts argue that people need only the recommended daily allowance -- the amount of vitamins found in a routine diet. It turns out that large quantities of supplemental vitamins can be quite harmful, including increased risk of lung cancer, prostate cancer and heart disease. New York Times.

Backlash growing against GMOs.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:30:43 -0700

More than 500 people spent the better part of a day waving signs and protesting in Kalispell's Depot Park on May 25. These demonstrators were part of the March Against Monsanto, which included more than two million people in 52 countries protesting genetically modified foods. Kalispell Daily Inter Lake, Montana.

New Mexico county first in nation to ban fracking to safeguard water.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:24:20 -0700

In embracing the ban, landowners turned their back on potentially lucrative royalty payments from drilling on their property and joined in a groundswell of civic opposition to fracking that is rolling west from Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania in the gas-rich Marcellus shale formation. Los Angeles Times, California.

Fears over asbestos in Australian schools.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:23:20 -0700

Parents, teachers and principals have called for the wide-scale removal of asbestos in Victorian schools, as state government audits reveal many buildings need the toxic material cleaned up immediately. Melbourne Age, Australia.

Toys sold near public schools found with toxic chemicals.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:19:52 -0700

The EcoWaste Coalition said 125 of 325 samples being sold near elementary schools in Metro Manila, which included play makeup, toy rings and toy animals, showed high levels of arsenic, antimony, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury. Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippines.
[See the coalition report: EcoWaste Coalition finds 125 poison toys on sale near public schools in 7 metro cities]

Climate change may be making children sick.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:14:38 -0700

Cases of vector-borne diseases have increased rapidly in Pakistan this year, particularly in Sindh. Experts have linked this phenomenon to climate change and the region's irregular rain patterns. Karachi News International, Pakistan.
[See related articles: Climate change linked to more pollen, allergies, asthma and Climate change in the Arctic affecting health in parts of Europe]

Meet a plasticarian (that's a person who does not use plastic).

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:13:02 -0700

The ubiquitous material, found in or on everything from your toothbrush and your shampoo bottle to your ready meals and your computer, has become the subject of international scrutiny. And consumers are listening. The Independent, United Kingdom.

Legal battle over drilling pollution in the Amazon.

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 19:10:57 -0700

In a case that dates back two decades, indigenous groups successfully sued oil giant Texaco (now Chevron) for polluting the Ecuadorian Amazon. Chevron media advisor, Jim Craig, claims the trial was a fraud. Juan Pablo Saenz, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, says they are now going after Chevron's assets in countries other than Ecuador. Living On Earth.

Breastfeeding benefits babies' brains.

Sat, 8 Jun 2013 22:39:00 -0700

The research found that by age 2, babies who had been breastfed exclusively for at least three months had enhanced development in key parts of the brain compared to children who were fed formula exclusively or who were fed a combination of formula and breastmilk. The extra growth was most pronounced in parts of the brain associated with language, emotional function, and cognition, the research showed. Brown University.
[See the study: Breastfeeding and early white matter development: a cross-sectional study]

Heat waves, as climate change increases, prove more deadly for poor, minorities.

Sat, 8 Jun 2013 22:19:35 -0700

A lack of air conditioning -- or an inability to afford turning on a unit due to high energy costs -- is just one of the many factors that leave the poor relatively ill-equipped to combat heat. Impoverished communities may also face less access to air-conditioned malls, cooling stations or swimming pools. And their bodies may be less prepared for the added toll of hot weather due to the cumulative burden of air pollution and social stressors, such as crime and poverty, as well as the health problems to which such exposures may have contributed, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Huffington Post.

Pollution in Northern Hemisphere helped cause 1980s African drought.

Sat, 8 Jun 2013 22:17:10 -0700

New University of Washington research, to be published in Geophysical Research Letters, shows that the drought was caused at least in part by Northern Hemisphere air pollution. University of Washington.

Richardson High student lauded for devising quick, cheap way to filter arsenic from water.

Sat, 8 Jun 2013 21:55:22 -0700

The ingredients sound like material for an elementary school science project. But Thabit Pulak's project recently won major awards at two international science fairs. And it has at least some potential to help people living on the other side of the world. Dallas Morning News, Texas.

Asbestos risk to children 'greater over lifetime.'

Sat, 8 Jun 2013 21:44:44 -0700

A committee that advises the government on cancer has said children are more vulnerable to asbestos than adults over their lifetime. It says a five-year-old is five times more likely than an adult of 30 to develop mesothelioma, a type of cancer linked to asbestos, if they are exposed to it at the same time. BBC.
[See the committee report: Statement on the Relative Vulnerability of Children to Asbestos Compared to Adults]

Chemical companies seek to limit federal green building.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 12:40:43 -0700

Generally supportive of efficiency programs because they promote the use of insulation and other chemical products, the American Chemistry Council in Washington and other groups say the green-building standards are veering into the trickier area of health policy. Bloomberg Businessweek.

Massachusetts industries show significant declines in the use and release of carcinogens.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 12:29:41 -0700

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute at the University of Massachusetts Lowell released a report today showing that Massachusetts companies have dramatically reduced their use and environmental releases of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer. Toxics Use Reduction Institute.
[See the report: Opportunities for Cancer Prevention: Trends in the Use and Release of Carcinogens in Massachusetts and a similar improvement due to regulation in Los Angeles: Good news about Los Angeles air pollution]

National parks dishing up healthier fare this summer.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 12:14:23 -0700

Today the National Park Service is announcing a new nationwide plan -- the Healthy and Sustainable Food Program -- to make certain all its parks offer healthy food and beverage choices. USA Today.

Call for endorsements: Health Professionals Letter Regarding Clean Vehicles.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 12:08:32 -0700

The American Lung Association invites health professionals to sign a letter to the EPA supporting proposed cleaner gasoline and vehicle standards.

Endocrinologists' expertise needed in EU deliberations on endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 12:04:56 -0700

As the European Commission prepares to take action on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), The Endocrine Society submitted an open letter urging the governing body to call upon the expertise of endocrinologists during its deliberations. The Endocrine Society.

Mobile phones and cancer. Part 1: Epidemiology of tumours in the head.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 12:00:36 -0700

Only for gliomas (malignant brain tumours) weak and inconsistent indications for an association with long-term use of a mobile phone were found. The Hague: Health Council of the Netherlands.

Hopkins: nutrition during first 1,000 days crucial for childhood and economic development.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 11:31:26 -0700

Professor Robert Black, Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, led the consortium of experts who produced this series -- a follow-up to the groundbreaking 2008 Lancet Nutrition Series, which revealed how pivotal the first 1,000 days -- from the start of pregnancy until the child's second birthday -- are to the well-being of both the individual and the society in which he or she lives. Health, Medical, and Science Updates.
[See the series in the Lancet's online first list and related news articles: Battle against hunger lost without gender empowerment and With 47 million Americans on food assistance, Congress considers cuts]

From Nieman Reports: new newsrooms may seem small, but they can pack a punch.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 11:27:33 -0700

Small means that we interact constantly with one another. I sit 10 feet from our immigration reporter, Julián Aguilar, and we'll swap story ideas on environmental issues near the Texas-Mexico border. I'm 20 feet from our crack data reporter, Ryan Murphy, who basically starts mapping oil and gas wastewater disposal wells or Texas cities running out of water almost before we've finished discussing the idea. Nieman Journalism Lab.

The poor people's plate: poverty, race, GMOs and our food.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 10:55:04 -0700

My family is but one of billions of poor families around the world with unseen stories of survival, struggle and in the U.S. eventual death from diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, to name a few, all in large part due to what we are eating. San Francisco Bay View, California.

Boulder's town gas processes and the resulting contamination.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 10:52:38 -0700

It is important to know which processes were used at Boulder's 13th Street site because each gas-making technique creates a different fingerprint of contaminants. So what exactly are the contaminants of concern at the 13th Street site and other former town gas sites around the country? Boulder Weekly, Colorado.

Deadly asbestos left throughout our city.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 10:49:52 -0700

In Australia, we are surrounded by asbestos. It's in our roofs, our pipes and our telecommunications network. Before the 1980s, it was one of the most ubiquitous building materials used in construction; now it is synonymous with sickness, pain and enormous public liability payouts. Ballarat Courier, Australia.
[See a related article from New York: Company must turn over documents in asbestos litigation: appeals court]

New health threats for China as it grows richer: Lancet.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 10:43:25 -0700

The Chinese are increasingly facing diseases of affluence such as cancer, according to a study to be published Saturday in a leading medical journal, with threats to health including diet, pollution and city living. Agence France-Presse.
[See the collection of studies and articles related to health in China in The Lancet]

Lautenberg chemical bill drawing skepticism.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 10:16:36 -0700

One of Sen. Frank Lautenberg's last bills could represent the best chance to update the nation's chemical safety regulations. But the legislation is drawing deep skepticism from some environmental groups and state officials who fear it could actually weaken safety standards. Center for Public Integrity.

Protecting the the food connection.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 09:57:49 -0700

It makes us a little nervous when we read about an outbreak of hepatitis A caused by problems in the food chain. The food industries may complain about oversight, but history and recent experiences prove just how valuable it is. Lompoc Record, California.

More data needed to assess radiation's role in cancer among Fukushima kids.

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 09:56:25 -0700

Health experts are at odds on whether radiation from the Fukushima nuclear accident led to an unexpectedly high occurrence rate of thyroid gland cancer among children in Fukushima Prefecture. Asahi Shimbun, Japan.
[See a related article: Radiation levels fall 40 percent in Fukushima evacuation zones]

Lead acts to trigger schizophrenia.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 11:59:25 -0700

Mice engineered with a human gene for schizophrenia and exposed to lead during early life exhibited behaviors and structural changes in their brains consistent with schizophrenia. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health News.
[See the study: Chronic exposure of mutant DISC1 mice to lead produces sex-dependent abnormalities consistent with schizophrenia and related mental disorders: a gene-environment interaction study]

Job opening: Washington, DC, or San Francisco.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 11:56:16 -0700

The Natural Resources Defense Council is recruiting a doctorate-level scientist (PhD, MD, DrPH, ScD, etc.) to join the Health and Environment Program. The individual in this position serves as a scientific expert on issues related to the impact of toxic chemical exposures on human health.

This is your brain on coffee.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 11:23:34 -0700

Men who reported drinking two or three cups of coffee a day were 10 percent less likely to have died than those who didn't drink coffee, while women drinking the same amount had 13 percent less risk of dying during the study. Other recent studies have linked moderate coffee drinking -- the equivalent of three or four 5-ounce cups of coffee a day or a single venti-size Starbucks -- with more specific advantages: a reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, basal cell carcinoma (the most common skin cancer), prostate cancer, oral cancer and breast cancer recurrence. New York Times.
[Links to the studies are within the article.]

Formula-feeding linked to metabolic stress and increased risk of later disease.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 11:08:40 -0700

New evidence from research suggests that infants fed formula, rather than breast milk, experience metabolic stress that could play a part in the long-recognized link between formula-feeding and an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other conditions in adult life. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Early diet impacts infant rhesus gut microbiome, immunity, and metabolism]

Governmental anti-obesity initiatives are not working: Association of Black Faculty Nursing Journal.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 10:51:18 -0700

He found that higher consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity directly correlated to lower obesity rates while higher rates of smoking correlated with higher obesity rates. Menifield says these findings show that governmental programs must work toward solving many social problems at once, since they are often interrelated. Health, Medical, and Science Updates.
[See a related article from the study author: Obesity in America]

British Columbia's Hupacasath First Nation challenges Canada-China free trade agreement.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 10:17:45 -0700

The Hupacasath First Nation has launched a court challenge to the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, arguing that it infringes on aboriginal rights. Canadian Press.

Democrats call on Obama's budget office to cough up rules.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 10:15:40 -0700

Obama's White House Office of Management and Budget is a place where tough environmental and health rules go to die. The Senate confirmed Sylvia Matthews Burwell as the new director, and now Democrats are calling on her to fix whatever's been delaying environmental, health and safety rules at office for months and, in some cases, years. Mother Jones.

Sweden orders all women with PIP implants to get them removed.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 10:05:35 -0700

Tests showed some of the French-made implants contain a type of silicone that irritates tissue, according to the Swedish Medical Products Agency. Last month, a Europe-wide consumer group warned the chemical may harm babies in the womb. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.

Wildfire smoke a rising health concern with climate change.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 10:01:16 -0700

Suffocating smoke blew into the streets and schools of Cashmere, Wash., in September -- the billowing byproduct of wildfires blazing in forests surrounding the town and a harbinger of what experts say is a public health threat that increases with climate change. Huffington Post.

Confronting China's cadmium-laced rice crisis.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 10:00:35 -0700

Doing nothing about toxic cadmium in rice paddies appears to be no longer an option in Hunan Province. Sellers' stalls are empty at one of China's largest wholesale markets in north-central Hunan in the face of a heavy-metal contamination scare. Beijing Caixin, China.

Lautenberg's death leaves chemical safety bill hanging.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 09:50:58 -0700

The death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., at 89 came just as he was shepherding what some believe - and others fear - may be the most significant federal law in his considerable political career. Lautenberg's priority for more than a decade had been modernizing the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Houston Chronicle.

Health disparities among blacks, Hispanics linked to education, economics, lifestyle.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 09:44:34 -0700

New reports on medical conditions among blacks and Hispanics show that health-care disparities persist in minority communities across the state, triggering generally higher rates of illness, injury and death than among Missouri's whites. St. Louis Beacon, Missouri.
[See the reports: African American Health Disparities in Missouri and Hispanic Health Disparities in Missouri]

Mercury linked to neural tube defects in Chinese newborns.

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 09:27:29 -0700

Babies with two serious neural tube birth defects had higher levels of mercury in their placentas than babies without the birth defects, according to a study conducted in China. Environmental Health News.
[See the study: Placental concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic and the risk of neural tube defects in a Chinese population]

CHE partnership call: Primary Prevention of Asthma: A Roadmap, June 18th.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:53:27 -0700

This call will explore science and policy questions with three people who have been involved in a groundbreaking effort to develop a "roadmap" for the primary prevention of asthma.

Differential gene body methylation and reduced expression of cell adhesion and neurotransmitter receptor genes in adverse maternal environment.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:45:47 -0700

The adverse maternal environment resulted in either hyper or hypomethylation at differentially methylated sites. Translational Psychiatry.

Ulcerative colitis and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a highly exposed population of community residents and workers in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:42:12 -0700

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) was significantly increased in association with PFOA exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives.
[See a related article: Design, methods and population for a study of PFOA health effects among highly exposed Mid-Ohio Valley community residents and workers]

Management options for reducing the release of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes to the environment.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:41:00 -0700

Environmental releases of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria can in many cases be reduced at little or no cost. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Consumer-perceived risks and choices about pharmaceuticals in the environment: a cross-sectional study.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:40:02 -0700

It can be concluded that the environmental impact of a drug will be hardly considered in decisions about pharmaceuticals for severe diseases like cancer, and this may be due to the fact that these decisions are predominantly affective in nature. However, for less severe health risks, people are willing to balance health and environmental considerations. Environmental Health.

Assessment of outdoor radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure through hotspot localization using kriging-based sequential sampling.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:38:19 -0700

EPA survey shows $384 billion needed for drinking water infrastructure by 2030.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:33:56 -0700

The survey EPA released today shows that the nation's water systems have entered a rehabilitation and replacement era in which much of the existing infrastructure has reached or is approaching the end of its useful life. This is a major issue that must be addressed so that American families continue to have the access they need to clean and healthy water sources.
[See the report: Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment: Fifth Report to Congress]

New report: Priorities for Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:13:30 -0700

In January 2013, President Barack Obama issued 23 executive orders directing federal agencies to improve knowledge of the causes of firearm violence, what might help prevent it, and how to minimize its burden on public health. The CDC and the CDC Foundation asked the IOM, in collaboration with the National Research Council, formed a committee whose proposed research agenda focuses on the characteristics of firearm violence, risk and protective factors, interventions and strategies, the impact of gun safety technology, and the influence of video games and other media.

New report: Health, United States, 2012.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 11:05:43 -0700

Health, United States is an annual report on trends in health statistics. Detailed tables and charts display health statistics trends over time on birth and death rates, infant mortality, life expectancy, morbidity and health status, risk factors, use of ambulatory and inpatient care, health personnel and facilities, financing of health care, health insurance and managed care, and other health topics.

New report: State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables 2013.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 10:57:23 -0700

This report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information for each state on fruit and vegetable consumption, and environmental and policy indicators of support for consumption.

Obama administration releases final rules on employment-based wellness programs.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 10:22:13 -0700

The final rules support workplace health promotion and prevention as a means to reduce the burden of chronic illness, improve health, and limit growth of health care costs, while ensuring that individuals are protected from unfair underwriting practices that could otherwise reduce benefits based on health status.

Call for proposals: National Innovative Partnerships for Addressing Obesity through Environmental Supports for Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 10:07:49 -0700

CDC seeks to create or enhance national innovative collaborations to raise awareness, engage in collective action, and facilitate environmental and system improvements that promote healthy eating and physical activity in places where individuals live, learn, and work (e.g., child care centers, hospital and medical care facilities, workplaces, communities, and schools). The application closing date is June 24, 2013.

Chemicals: a worry for pregnant women?

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 09:50:50 -0700

Now the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has issued a paper --looking at the "potential but unproven" risks from exposure to environmental chemicals in pregnancy. BBC, United Kingdom.
[See the Scientific Impact Paper from RCOG: Chemical Exposures During Pregnancy: Dealing with Potential, but Unproven, Risks to Child Health]

Why heart health matters to your brain.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 09:47:36 -0700

People suffering from type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at an increased risk of cognitive decline, according to a new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: The influence of subclinical cardiovascular disease and related risk factors on cognition in type 2 diabetes mellitus: The DHS-Mind study]

Neighborhood features could prevent obesity.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 09:21:58 -0700

The five-year study found that significantly fewer people became obese when living in neighborhoods with healthier food environments, compared to those who had fewer healthy food options within a mile of their homes. Drexel Now.
[See the study: Neighborhood health-promoting resources and obesity risk (the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) and another study about obesity: Timing and duration of obesity in relation to diabetes: findings from an ethnically diverse, nationally representative sample]

About 1,800 attend contentious hearing over Delaware City Refinery permit.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 09:10:12 -0700

Environmental groups concerned about pollution from the Delaware City Refinery questioned Tuesday whether the operators and the state are complying with key public health requirements, while plant supporters accused the groups of spreading false information. Wilmington News Journal, Delaware.

Province plans to introduce ban on cosmetic pesticides for lawns.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 08:57:45 -0700

Manitoba says it plans to roll out a ban on the sale of cosmetic pesticides this month, which means some homeowners would have to find a different way of dealing with weeds and dandelions. CTV News, British Columbia.

Scientists: Key parts of federal Keystone pipeline review are 'without merit.'

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 08:47:46 -0700

Dozens of leading scientists in the fields of climate change, public health and ecology have told the State Department that the findings of its draft assessment of the impacts of the Keystone XL pipeline are "without merit in many critical areas." Inside Climate News.

Inside China's cancer villages.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 08:46:38 -0700

Death rates in China communities near chemical, pharmaceutical or power plants exceed the national average, but residents face a wall of denial and intimidation. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

The toxic soup you're swimming in.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 08:41:47 -0700

Most of us assume the products we wash and coat ourselves with -- buying them because the nice label says they'll do us good -- won't wash ashore in our kidneys, liver, brain or bloodstream, where researchers are now finding them. Baltimore Sun, Maryland.

Pollution is a slow poison in India.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 08:40:08 -0700

With neither Delhi's air nor its noise pollution levels registering a healthy trend in the recent past, on World Environment Day city doctors and health experts have warned about the major health hazards that the city people -- especially children -- could be exposing themselves to because of the constant exposure to the oppressively high pollution levels. Hindu, India.

Iowa copes with nitrate surge in drinking water.

Wed, 5 Jun 2013 08:38:59 -0700

Recent floods are washing fertilizer off Iowa farms and into rivers that provide drinking water to much of the state. Public officials say the problem will pass, but others worry about the potential risks of a compound called nitrate, which has reached levels never seen in Iowa. Associated Press.

Nano GO Consortium -- a team science approach to assess engineered nanomaterials: reliable assays and methods.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 12:32:16 -0700

Two articles in this issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, Xia et al. (2013) and Bonner et al. (2013) report results of a unique collaborative approach to environmental health research. The consortium behind these studies (the Nano GO Consortium), which is developing standardized methods for assessing the health and safety implications of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), represents a new model of shared science that may offer lessons for other emerging and fast-evolving areas of research. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Health risks from lead-based ammunition in the environment.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 12:12:51 -0700

There is an urgent need to end a major source of lead for animals and humans: spent lead bullets and shotgun pellets. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Almost 800 doctors, nurses, and health professionals ask President Obama and the FDA to end nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 11:57:45 -0700

"Current patterns of antibiotic use in agriculture not only increase the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections in people but also support an agricultural system that harms public and environmental health," says Ted Schettler, MD, Science Director for the Science and Environmental Health Network and Science Advisor for HCWH. Health Care Without Harm.

New report: Interprofessional Education for Collaboration: Learning How to Improve Health from Interprofessional Models across the Continuum of Education to Practice -- Workshop Summary.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 11:46:25 -0700

In 2012, the global forum held its first two workshops, focusing on linkages between Interprofessional education (IPE) and collaborative practice. The workshops set the stage for defining and understanding IPE and provided living histories of speakers from around the world who shared experiences working in and between Interprofessional education and Interprofessional or collaborative practice.

Apigenin-rich foods may help defeat cancer cells.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 11:41:05 -0700

Researchers at The Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center found that the compound identified as apigenin, which is found in many fruits and vegetables specifically in the Mediterranean diet, could stop breast cancer cells from inhibiting their own death. Environmental News Network.
[See the study: Molecular basis for the action of a dietary flavonoid revealed by the comprehensive identification of apigenin human targets and related articles: 'Superfoods' shown to fight prostate cancer and Surprising superfoods]

Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 10:36:14 -0700

Results showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increase in oxidative stress, as evidenced by the increase in levels of MDA (a marker of lipid peroxidation) and protein carbonyl (a marker of protein oxidation) and unaltered GSH content in blood. Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

NIH, ONC, and EPA award $100,000 to winner of health and technology challenge.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 10:30:18 -0700

The winning team created the Conscious Clothing system, a wearable breathing analysis tool that calculates the amount of particulate matter that is inhaled. The system uses groove strips, stretchy, conductive strips of knitted silver material wrapped around the ribcage, to measure breath volume, and collects and transmits data in real time, via Bluetooth, to any Bluetooth-capable device. National Institutes of Health.
[See a related article: Microsampling air pollution]

Cuomo: four SUNY schools in Central New York receive $15 million to start environmental health and medicine institute.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 10:26:45 -0700

The state awarded $60 million in the second round of the NY SUNY 2020 grant program, including $15 million for a project that will allow four Central New York colleges and universities to team up with private companies to form the SUNY Institute of Environmental Health and Environmental Medicine.

The fight to protect Turkey's green spaces began decades ago.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 09:58:27 -0700

The laws to protect the environment from unchecked construction and development have been systematically undermined in order to allow grand government-favoured projects to go ahead without effective controls or regulation, and with no regard for human and environmental considerations. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Group: beware of toxic rainwear.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 09:51:18 -0700

EcoWaste Coalition said 23 rainwear from Divisoria, Manila, were found to have large amounts of lead and cadmium, two heavy metals listed in the World Health Organization's list of Ten Chemicals of Major Public Health Concern. Manila Standard Today, Philippines.
[See more about the investigation: EcoWaste Coalition: rain gear for kids tainted with toxic chemicals]

Fukushima tuna pose little health risk.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 09:48:59 -0700

The radiation dose someone would get from eating tuna tainted with pollution from Fukushima is far below the levels that should cause health concern. This is the conclusion of researchers who have measured the radioactivity in marine organisms, notably tuna, caught in the Pacific Ocean since 2011 BBC.
[See the study: Evaluation of radiation doses and associated risk from the Fukushima nuclear accident to marine biota and human consumers of seafood]

Swiss billionaire gets 18 years jail for Italian asbestos deaths.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 09:48:27 -0700

A billionaire Swiss industrialist convicted for his part in Italy's biggest asbestos scandal had his jail sentence lengthened to 18 years on Monday, in a ruling campaigners said would set a precedent for work-safety lawsuits. Reuters.
[See another article about asbestos: Abbott defends record on asbestos]

GOP members of Congress tie Missouri's reliance on coal to debate over climate change.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 09:33:25 -0700

Republican members of Missouri's congressional delegation are becoming more vocal in their opposition to proposed EPA regulations that could affect states like Missouri that rely heavily on coal for energy production. St. Louis Beacon, Missouri.

Vegetarians live longer than meat-eaters, study finds.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 08:55:59 -0700

Vegetarians live longer than meat-eaters, according to a study published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine, a Journal of the American Medical Association. Wall Street Journal.
[See the study: Vegetarian dietary patterns and mortality in Adventist Health Study 2]

Exide Technologies FAQ: everything you need to know about recycling lead batteries in LA.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 08:45:18 -0700

Exide Technologies is attempting to persuade a judge to let it reopen after the Department of Toxic Substances Control suspended operations at its Vernon plant in April. What do we know about the environmental hazards posed by battery recycling? Los Angeles KPCC, California.

'Okinawa bacteria' toxic legacy crosses continents, spans generations.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 08:42:08 -0700

During the Vietnam War, the Pentagon drenched South Vietnam with 76 million liters of herbicides -- including Agents Blue, White and Orange -- in a bid to destroy its enemies' crops and jungle hiding places. The U.S. government assured Vietnamese people and their own troops that these "rainbow herbicides" were perfectly harmless to human health. But it was lying. Japan Times, Japan.

Early life socioeconomic factors influence development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 07:47:08 -0700

Researchers found that children who experience adversity, such as food insecurity, have an increased risk of developing RA as adults. NIEHS Environmental Factor.
[See the study: Childhood socioeconomic factors and perinatal characteristics influence development of rheumatoid arthritis in adulthood]

Barium distributions in teeth reveal early-life dietary transitions.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 07:44:55 -0700

A new study published May 22 in the journal Nature shows that chemical signatures in teeth can be used to uncover aspects of early-life dietary transitions. NIEHS Environmental Factor.
[See the study: Barium distributions in teeth reveal early-life dietary transitions in primates]

Researchers bring environmental health perspective to pediatrics meeting.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 07:42:12 -0700

Birnbaum and Mount Sinai School of Medicine lead researcher Philip Landrigan, MD, were featured speakers May 4 at the PAS State of the Art Plenary, "Contemporary Issues in Environmental Health for Pediatricians." NIEHS Environmental Factor.

Science talks on EDCs and smoking update Council.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 07:37:25 -0700

At the May 14-15 session, members heard presentations on a new international report on the state of the science for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and new intramural findings on genome-wide interactions with smoking. NIEHS Environmental Factor.

Ill. passes nation's toughest fracking regulations.

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 07:05:27 -0700

Among the provisions in the proposed legislation are requirements that drillers disclose the chemicals they use and that they test water before and after fracking. Companies also would be liable for any water pollution. USA Today.

CHE call: Stress as an Endocrine Disruptor: Maternal Psychosocial Stress during Pregnancy and Fetal Development, June 6th.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 13:01:12 -0700

This call at 10:00 a.m. Pacific / 1:00 p.m. Eastern time will examine current research on prenatal stress in relation to neurodevelopment and reproductive development, discuss how stress may alter endocrine function, and present data from recent studies that illustrate these concepts.

Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may influence birth weight among infants in a Swedish cohort with background exposure: a cross-sectional study.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 12:55:22 -0700

Our results indicate that prenatal exposure to di-ortho PCBs and PBDE(4) may influence birth weight in different directions, i.e. PCB exposure was associated with higher birth weight and PBDE exposure with lower birth weight. Environmental Health.

Evidence mounts that 4 lifestyle changes will protect heart, reduce death risk.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 12:16:47 -0700

A large, multi-center study led by Johns Hopkins researchers has found a significant link between lifestyle factors and heart health, adding even more evidence in support of regular exercise, eating a Mediterranean-style diet, keeping a normal weight and, most importantly, not smoking. EurekAlert!
[See the study: Low-risk lifestyle, coronary calcium, cardiovascular events, and mortality: results from MESA]

Increasing incidence of burnout due to magnetic and electromagnetic fields of cell phone networks and other wireless communication technologies.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 12:04:52 -0700

Weak ambient magnetic fields (e.g. from transformers in devices) and various radio-frequency resonances increase the level of free radicals and their reaction products that have toxic effects. The nonionizing radiation of cell phone networks and other wireless communication technologies (cell towers, cell phones, Wi-Fi, etc.) also leads to cell stress. Umwelt-Medizin-Gesellschaft (Environmental Medicine Society).

Statement on the passing of Senator Frank R. Lautenberg.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 11:53:50 -0700

Senator Lautenberg was a long-time leader on environmental protection, transportation and protecting public health.

Dry-cleaning solvent and degreaser exposure linked to increased risk of some cancers.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 11:07:13 -0700

Trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure has possible links to increased liver cancer risk, and the relationship between TCE exposure and risks of cancers of low incidence and those with confounding by lifestyle and other factors need further study, according to a study published May 30 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Risk of cancer among workers exposed to trichloroethylene: analysis of three Nordic cohort studies]

Call for input: Call for examples of good risk management practices related to radiofrequency risk management.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 10:58:10 -0700

The World Health Organization invites comments. Of special interest are actions and policies that aim to lower exposure levels of the population at large (including in the occupational setting) and to deal with questions raised by members of the public. Please make any written submission before June 30, 2013.

Artificial sweeteners may do more than sweeten.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 10:39:27 -0700

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a popular artificial sweetener can modify how the body handles sugar. Washington University in St. Louis.
[See the study: Sucralose affects glycemic and hormonal responses to an oral glucose load]

Obesity, adiposity, and dyslipidemia: A consensus statement from the National Lipid Association.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 10:35:58 -0700

It is hoped that the information derived from these proceedings will promote a greater appreciation among clinicians of the impact of excess adiposity and its treatment on dyslipidemia and prompt more research on the effects of interventions for improving dyslipidemia and reducing cardiovascular disease risk in overweight and obese patients. Journal of Clinical Lipidology.

After the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 10:10:07 -0700

Three years after the spill, scientists continue to evaluate what they know -- and don't know -- about the largest spill in U.S. history. From a basic science perspective, "it was a fascinating opportunity to see what happens when you perturb a large body of water with a large body of oil," says Christopher M. Reddy, a scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Chemical & Engineering News.

Bangladeshis pay dearly for climate change.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 10:05:04 -0700

Severe floods and drought are forcing thousands of people in Bangladesh to flee from their homes to Dhaka. Many have lost their homes to riverbank erosion in the south of Bangladesh and have migrated because of the climate change. Al Jazeera.
[See a related article: Rising sea levels swamp Bangladeshis]

Russia tries to kick habit with anti-smoking law.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 10:04:02 -0700

Tobacco restrictions came into force in Russia on Saturday which President Vladimir Putin hopes will create a healthier workforce and help reverse a population decline, but they face stiff opposition in a country where four in ten people smoke. Reuters.

Study finds high levels of arsenic in Brazilian rice.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 09:41:30 -0700

The country that has been dubbed the "world's breadbasket" is facing issues with high arsenic levels in the most common food of its people. According to the researchers, the highest level of arsenic found in Brazilian rice samples they examined was 222 nanograms per gram of rice. Epoch Times.
[See the study: Speciation of arsenic in rice and estimation of daily intake of different arsenic species by Brazilians through rice consumption]

Getting the drift: methyl bromide application and adverse birth outcomes in an agricultural area.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 09:36:41 -0700

Little is known about the potential effects of the pesticide methyl bromide to the general population, but new research links it to adverse birth outcomes. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Cancer-cluster study seeking to debunk 'Erin Brockovich' has glaring weaknesses.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 09:24:27 -0700

Even before the film Erin Brockovich depicted the true-life plight of a California town with poisoned water, state scientist John Morgan was calling claims of a cancer cluster there pure fiction -- and he's continued the fight. Center for Public Integrity.

The West's toxic hypocrisy over lead paint.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 09:14:41 -0700

Rich countries banned deadly lead pigments years ago. So how come they export 28,000 tonnes a year to poorer countries, asks campaigner Perry Gottesfeld. New Scientist.

Linking industrial pollution to cancer in Toms River.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 09:11:32 -0700

The debate as to whether environmental pollution caused a deadly cancer cluster in Toms River has gone on for decades. Journalist Dan Fagin reexamines the scientific evidence, refocusing attention on issues that may have been overlooked and stressing the role that epidemiology can play. Montclair NJ Spotlight, New Jersey.

Unsafe harbor? Elevated blood lead levels in refugee children.

Mon, 3 Jun 2013 09:07:28 -0700

Overall, just 2.6 percent of children aged 1 to 5 years now have blood lead levels above the U.S. reference level. In contrast, refugee children from developing countries constitute stubborn pockets of elevated blood lead levels in the United States. Environmental Health Perspectives.

A failure to police chemical plants.

Sun, 2 Jun 2013 23:21:04 -0700

The deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Tex., in April has highlighted glaring shortcomings in federal and state regulation of facilities that produce, store and use toxic chemicals. Chemical disasters imperil millions of Americans who live and work close to industrial plants in dense cities and sprawling suburbs. New York Times.

CAFOs and environmental justice: the case of North Carolina.

Sun, 2 Jun 2013 23:18:15 -0700

A growing body of research suggests that emissions from today's industrial-scale farms -- called concentrated animal feeding operations -- may contribute not only respiratory ailments in nearby residents but also decreased quality of life, mental stress, and elevated blood pressure. Environmental Health Perspectives.

State proposing added restrictions on chloropicrin.

Sun, 2 Jun 2013 23:17:12 -0700

California Department of Pesticide Regulation officials believe chloropicrin, a soil fumigant commonly used by strawberry growers, poses enough of a health risk for it to propose new restrictions that go beyond those recommended by the EPA. Santa Maria Times, California.

Environmental groups file suit against EPA emissions standards.

Sun, 2 Jun 2013 23:16:19 -0700

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade has joined up with a number of other environmental groups to challenge what they call archaic emission quality standards that are lackadaisically enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. St. Charles Herald Guide, Louisiana.

Lead-tainted ginger case: California sues Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, others.

Sun, 2 Jun 2013 23:11:06 -0700

The state attorney general has accused several large California grocery stores, including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, of selling lead-tainted ginger and plum candies in a case that underscores how little consumers know about the food they eat. San Jose Mercury News, California.

Sacramento delta fish have unsafe mercury levels, study finds.

Sun, 2 Jun 2013 23:03:00 -0700

The first comprehensive study of rivers and streams in California has found that sport fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed have higher concentrations of mercury and PCBs than anywhere else in the state. Sacramento Bee, California.

Science should focus on 'new' environmental health risks, EU report says.

Sat, 1 Jun 2013 22:32:27 -0700

Several new health risks are emerging from new chemicals, products and changing lifestyle patterns, an EU report says. Euractiv.com.
[See the report: Environment and Human Health: Joint EEA-JRC Report]

When cow's milk isn't the culprit.

Sat, 1 Jun 2013 22:29:01 -0700

Parents and doctors may be overly quick to blame cow's milk when infants experience adverse food reactions, according to a study in Archives of Disease in Childhood. Wall Street Journal.
[See the study: Mislabelled cow's milk allergy in infants: a prospective cohort study]

After years of war, Ugandan children face new deadly threat.

Sat, 1 Jun 2013 22:25:26 -0700

Scott Dowell, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, is leading its investigation into nodding syndrome. Usually, he says, investigators can figure out the cause of a strange outbreak after just a few weeks. This hasn't been the case here. Weekend Edition, NPR.

No rise in cancer seen from Japan's nuclear disaster -- UN.

Sat, 1 Jun 2013 22:19:33 -0700

The evacuation of tens of thousands of people helped prevent rising cancer rates and other health problems after Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster, the world's worst in 25 years, U.N. scientists said on Friday. Reuters.

The fire within: chronic disease, inflammation and diet.

Sat, 1 Jun 2013 15:30:51 -0700

According to a growing body of research over the last few decades, most chronic health problems are branches on a single disease tree. The roots of this tree are inflammatory initiators, which stimulate varying growth patterns (i.e., diseases) depending on your unique genetic factors. PCC Sound Consumer.

Public comments sought on proposed coal ash cleanup settlement with Rotary Drilling Supply in Jefferson County, Mo.

Fri, 31 May 2013 10:46:40 -0700

EPA Region 7 and Rotary Drilling have reached a proposed agreement to address environmental impacts from the unauthorized disposal of approximately 140,000 tons of coal ash from the Rush Island Power Plant owned and operated by Union Electric Company (d/b/a Ameren Missouri). The 30-day public comment period opens on May 30, 2013, and runs through June 28, 2013.

Circulating and dietary magnesium and risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Fri, 31 May 2013 10:43:02 -0700

Circulating and dietary magnesium are inversely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, which supports the need for clinical trials to evaluate the potential role of magnesium in the prevention of CVD and ischemic heart disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

New report: The Economic Impact of National School Nutrition Standards on Schools and the Beverage Industry.

Fri, 31 May 2013 10:28:48 -0700

This report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest concludes that if USDA follows the recommendations of the Center for Science in the Public Interest and other health experts, nutritionally sound beverage standards in the final regulations should have little to no financial impact on schools or the beverage industry.

Meat safety: good news bad news for American meat.

Fri, 31 May 2013 09:26:23 -0700

May kicked off with a report blasting USDA inspectors for not regulating some pork plants, including one whose carcasses were repeatedly contaminated with feces and running abscesses. Yesterday the World Organization for Animal Health upgraded the country's risk for mad cow disease to "negligible." Chicago Tribune, Illinois.
[See a related article: Michigan tracks cattle from birth to plate]

Coming off fossil fuels is akin to quitting smoking.

Fri, 31 May 2013 09:23:22 -0700

The idea that society is hooked on fossil fuels -- addicted to the carbon compounds that underwrite everything from the plastic in our toothbrushes to the petrol in our cars -- is nothing new. But a new paper takes the analogy one step further. The Guardian, United Kingdom.
[See the study: Fossil fuel addiction and the implications for climate change policy]

Australian TV show criticised by law firm over asbestos.

Fri, 31 May 2013 09:19:25 -0700

The renovation series showed contestant Jarrod Coppock removing vermiculite, which can contain asbestos. A Slater & Gordon asbestos lawyer said the show sent the wrong message by repeatedly showing Coppock creating clouds of dust while using power tools to remove ceiling material. Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia.

Baton Rouge's corroded, overpolluting neighbor: Exxon Mobil.

Fri, 31 May 2013 09:13:23 -0700

Louisiana's state government gives Exxon permission to pump out millions of pounds of air pollution each year from its Baton Rouge complex. But because of accidents and leaks, from 2008 to 2011 the Exxon Mobil Baton Rouge complex put out nearly 4 million pounds of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, without the government's approval, according to data obtained from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality through a public records request and analyzed by NPR. All Things Considered, NPR.

New online course: Human Health and Global Environmental Change.

Fri, 31 May 2013 07:45:50 -0700

This free edX online course explores global environmental changes, examining their causes as well as their health consequences, and engages students in thinking about their solutions.

EPA proposes rules to protect Americans from exposure to formaldehyde.

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:30:27 -0700

These rules ensure that composite wood products produced domestically or imported into the United States meet the formaldehyde emission standards established by Congress.

Job opening: Portland, Oregon.

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:21:27 -0700

Oregon Environmental Council is recruiting a communications director to focus on expanding OEC's media presence and maintaining an engaging online presence via multiple channels. The position will be open until filled, but review of applications begins July 1st.

Call for presentations: Oregon Public Health Association Annual Conference & Meeting.

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:16:39 -0700

Proposals for presentations for this conference are due by June 17, 2013. The conference is scheduled for October 14th and 15th in Corvallis.

New journal: Endocrine Disruptors.

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:10:34 -0700

The first issue of this new academic journal is available online.

What makes us fat? Toxins cause weight gain.

Thu, 30 May 2013 12:26:28 -0700

Bruce Blumberg is on the trail of what he believes to be the missing piece of the obesity-epidemic puzzle: obesogens, or chemicals in food, packaging, personal-care products, furniture, paint, and hundreds of other common household items that interfere with our body's hormone production and cause weight gain. Men's Journal.
[See a related article: Is genetically modified food making us fat?]

Vestibular schwannoma and cell-phones. Results, limits and perspectives of clinical studies.

Thu, 30 May 2013 12:24:45 -0700

No clinical association has been demonstrated between cell and cordless phone use and vestibular schwannoma. Existing studies are limited by their retrospective assessment of exposure. European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases.

New report: Environmental Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty.

Thu, 30 May 2013 12:07:32 -0700

EPA requested that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convene a committee to provide guidance to its decision makers and their partners in states and localities on approaches to managing risk in different contexts when uncertainty is present.

Talk Radio: wireless radiation pollution and the electro-hypersensitive with Andrew Geller and Magda Havas.

Thu, 30 May 2013 12:05:03 -0700

Andrew Geller hosts this show about wireless radiation pollution and its health impacts. His guests are Magda Havas, associate professor of Environmental & Resource Studies at Canada's Trent University and Michael Bevington, a trustee of Electro-Sensitivity UK. Microwave Factor.

Early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease pathology in urban children: Friend versus Foe responses -- it is time to face the evidence.

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:54:40 -0700

Epidemiological, cognitive, structural, and functional neuroimaging and mechanistic studies into the association between air pollution exposures and the development of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in children are of pressing importance for public health. BioMed Research International.

Consensus Statement from Global Scientists.

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:44:02 -0700

The Millennium Alliance for Humanity and the Biosphere has published "Scientific Consensus on Maintaining Humanity's Life Support Systems in the 21st Century: Information for Policy Makers." All from concerned citizens to professional scientists, as well as organizations, are invited to endorse the statement.

Terror fears keep toxic plants hidden from public.

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:16:47 -0700

Around the United States, hundreds of buildings like the one in West, Texas, store some type of ammonium nitrate. They sit in quiet fields and by riverside docks, in business districts and around the corner from schools, hospitals and day care centers. Associated Press.

Elevated levels of radiation found at popular Seattle park.

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:13:23 -0700

Elevated radiation levels at a popular Seattle park [Magnuson Park] have parents worried about their children's safety and upset that the government is just now telling them about the problem. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington.

The women who say they are allergic to modern life: Blinding headaches. Violent sickness. Even blackouts. So could wi-fi, mobile phones and TV screens be to blame?

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:08:02 -0700

The symptoms reported by sufferers of electro-hypersensitivity, or EHS, range from headaches to nausea, sickness, severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding and even blackouts. Yet EHS is a controversial condition. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.

Summer heat bakes pollution, raises respiratory health risk.

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:05:52 -0700

High levels of air pollution can increase asthma, respiratory infections, lung cancer and even death, and heat makes it worse, a U.S. researcher says. United Press International.

Battery recycler Exide's problems aren't just local.

Thu, 30 May 2013 10:55:50 -0700

Exide Technologies, one of the world's largest makers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries, has left a trail of pollution and health worries across the country. Since 2010, seven plants nationally have been linked to health-risk levels of airborne lead. Los Angeles Times.

MMR jab timebomb 'will leave babies deaf and blind.'

Thu, 30 May 2013 10:50:03 -0700

The measles outbreak in South Wales is only the first stage of a long-term problem that could lead to disabling outbreaks of mumps and rubella. During pregnancy, rubellla can leave babies with lifelong disabilities that can be avoided only by vaccination, one of Britain's leading scientists is warning. Times of London, United Kingdom.

New report: Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School.

Thu, 30 May 2013 10:46:46 -0700

The recommendations in this report from the Institute of Medicine provide approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school.

Visionary Leadership Awards Reception June 14th.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:47:35 -0700

The UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment will honor three extraordinary women for their visionary leadership to improve reproductive health by preventing harmful environmental exposures. The reception will be held in San Francisco.

Blood lead level and measured glomerular filtration rate in children with chronic kidney disease.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:44:28 -0700

There was no significant association between blood lead levels and directly measured glomerular filtration rate in this relatively large cohort of children with chronic kidney disease, although associations were observed in some subgroups. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Associations between fine and coarse particles and mortality in Mediterranean cities: results from the MED-PARTICLES Project.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:42:24 -0700

We found evidence of adverse effects of PM2.5 on mortality outcomes in the European Mediterranean region. Associations with PM2.5-10 were positive but smaller in magnitude. Environmental Health Perspectives.

A prospective study of arsenic exposure, arsenic methylation capacity, and risk of cardiovascular disease in Bangladesh.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:36:45 -0700

Arsenic exposure from drinking water and incomplete methylation capacity of arsenic were adversely associated with heart disease risk. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Long-term air pollution exposure and cardiorespiratory mortality: a review.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:35:20 -0700

In this review, we summarize the evidence from epidemiological studies on long-term exposure to fine and coarse particles, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and elemental carbon on mortality from all-causes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease. Environmental Health.

Effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields on teenagers and adults.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:34:30 -0700

ELF magnetic field exposure did not have any effects on the physiological parameters or eight subjective symptoms in either group. Neither group correctly perceived the magnetic fields. Environmental Health.

Job opening: Santa Barbara, California.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:23:49 -0700

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders is recruiting an operations manager to serve as the lead for all general financial, operational, and administrative activities. The application deadline is June 15, 2013.

Job opening: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:18:55 -0700

SAFSF is recruiting a special projects coordinator with a broad knowledge of sustainable agriculture and food systems issues and philanthropy. This full-time position will be based ideally in a home office, preferably on the East Coast or in the Midwest. The application deadline is June 15, 2013.

Wal-Mart pleads guilty to federal environmental crimes and civil violations and will pay more than $81 million.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:17:36 -0700

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. pleaded guilty today in cases filed by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles and San Francisco to six counts of violating the Clean Water Act by illegally handling and disposing of hazardous materials at its retail stores across the United States.

Hormone disrupting chemicals affect blood vessels in the uterus.

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:03:16 -0700

Chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties affect cells in the uterus which are important for the growth of new blood vessels. Health Canal.
[See the thesis: Effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on human endometrial endothelial cells in vitro]

Cell phones and children: follow the precautionary road.

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:44:31 -0700

While the government has deemed radio frequency radiation to be safe, there is no current significant research to make this claim. Pediatric Nursing.

Study identifies benefits and potential environmental/health impacts of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:37:47 -0700

The study showed that the batteries that use cathodes with nickel and cobalt, as well as solvent-based electrode processing, show the highest potential for certain environmental and human health impacts. PR Newswire.
[See the study: Application of life-cycle assessment to nanoscale technology: lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles]

Oregon Senate OKs bill to boost pesticide alternatives on state-owned lands.

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:33:00 -0700

Gov. John Kitzhaber is the final stop for a bill that requires state agencies to minimize their use of pesticides, coordinate their efforts and find alternatives on state-owned lands. Salem Statesman Journal, Oregon.

Panel introduces medical monitoring plan in C8 case.

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:30:01 -0700

The panel created as a result of a lawsuit against DuPont has released its recommended medical monitoring protocols for individuals exposed to a chemical known as C8, also known as PFOA, a class of chemicals used in Teflon and Gore-Tex. West Virginia Record, West Virginia.

The emerging field of human macroecology.

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:26:41 -0700

An innovative field of study, dubbed "human macroecology", is emerging as a hothouse for new and exciting discoveries regarding the close parallels between the dynamics of human societies and natural processes. Scientific American.

Smoking in your car with children to be outlawed in UK.

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:23:40 -0700

A bid to ban smoking in cars carrying children as passengers has been backed by doctors and health charities in the UK. The proposal, which was launched in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, would introduce fines for those who light up inside vehicles when children are traveling with them. Edinburgh Scotsman, United Kingdom.

Fiery leader of breast cancer group puts chemical exposures in spotlight.

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:23:09 -0700

Jeanne Rizzo, president and CEO of the Breast Cancer Fund, which targets breast cancer prevention, has taken on corporate giants such as Campbell Soup Co. Last year they relented to public pressure and pledged to remove BPA from all can linings. Greenwire.

Specific absorption rate and temperature increase in the human eye due to electromagnetic fields exposure at different frequencies.

Wed, 29 May 2013 11:10:24 -0700

This study indicated that when the eye exposed to EM fields at the frequencies of 900 and 1800 MHz, the highest SAR values at two chosen frequencies was in the cornea, and the highest temperature at the frequency of 900 MHz was in the anterior chamber while the highest for the frequency of 1800 MHz was in the vitreous.International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer.

Mediterranean diet seems to boost aging brain power.

Wed, 29 May 2013 10:36:16 -0700

A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, indicates research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Mediterranean diet improves cognition: the PREDIMED-NAVARRA randomised trial]

Cancer and birth defects in Iraq: the nuclear legacy.

Wed, 29 May 2013 10:21:52 -0700

Ten years after the Iraq war of 2003 a team of scientists based in Mosul, northern Iraq, have detected high levels of uranium contamination in soil samples at three sites in the province of Nineveh which, coupled with dramatically increasing rates of childhood cancers and birth defects at local hospitals, highlight the ongoing legacy of modern warfare to civilians in conflict zones. ScienceDaily.
[See the report: Environmental pollution by depleted uranium in Iraq with special reference to Mosul and possible effects on cancer and birth defect rates]

War-gaming cell phone science protects neither brains nor private parts.

Wed, 29 May 2013 10:19:02 -0700

While important studies are carried out, we need to protect children from wireless routers, baby monitors, and numerous other sources of microwave radiation that can affect the brains and bodies of infants and toddlers, and we need to protect young men and women who wish to become parents of healthy children. Huffington Post.

Did cellphone cause woman's breast cancer?

Wed, 29 May 2013 09:57:13 -0700

A breast cancer surgeon in California, Dr. John West, is collecting data on the possible connection between cellphones and breast cancer. Cellphone makers warn users to keep phones a couple of inches from their body. WGAL News, Pennsylvania.
[See a related article: Keeping cell phone in bra may lead to breast cancer]

Carrying mobile phones in front pocket could affect fertility in men.

Wed, 29 May 2013 09:01:11 -0700

Where do you carry your mobile phone? Lots of men carry them in their front pocket. But, if you want to become a father someday, that may not be a good idea. KATV, Arkansas.
[See a related study: Biophysical evaluation of radiofrequency electromagnetic field effects on male reproductive pattern]

Can statins cut the benefits of exercise?

Wed, 29 May 2013 08:54:11 -0700

Until the current study, no experiment scrupulously had explored the interactions of statin drugs and workouts in people. And the results, as it turns out, are worrisome. New York Times.
[See the study: Simvastatin impairs exercise training adaptations]

Study shows dangers of BPA chemical used in plastic packaging.

Tue, 28 May 2013 11:53:28 -0700

Researchers found that feeding BPA to pregnant rats was associated with lasting alterations to the "epigenetic" structure of genes in the brain tissue of their offspring, causing possible changes to certain aspects of sex-specific behaviour, such as chasing, sniffing and aggression. The Independent, United Kingdom.
[See the study: Sex-specific epigenetic disruption and behavioral changes following low-dose in utero bisphenol A exposure]

Pesticide exposure tied to PD risk.

Tue, 28 May 2013 11:42:39 -0700

Based on an analysis of 89 prospective and case-control studies, exposure to bug or weed killers and solvents increased the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by 33% to 80%, reported Gianni Pezzoli, MD, of the Parkinson Institute. MedPage Today.
[See the study: Exposure to pesticides or solvents and risk of Parkinson disease]

Global majority faces water shortages 'within two generations.'

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:49:46 -0700

The majority of the 9 billion people on Earth will live with severe pressure on fresh water within the space of two generations as climate change, pollution and over-use of resources take their toll, 500 scientists have warned. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

European sunscreen roadblock on US beaches.

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:44:06 -0700

Eight sunscreen ingredient applications have been pending before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for years -- some for up to a decade -- for products available in many overseas countries. Wall Street Journal.

Cancer rates climb in China.

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:38:51 -0700

Cancer in Shanghai is soaring to record levels, with reasons including diet, lack of exercise, stress, environmental pollutants and longer life. "These figures have sounded the alarm," says Dr. Gong Yangming. Shanghai Daily, China.

Lead, arsenic a risk on Utah bike trails?

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:22:20 -0700

Lead and arsenic contamination can be found along some of Utah's most popular rails-to-trails pathways. The re-purposed rail routes showed heavy metals hundreds of times higher than natural background levels and more than 20 times higher than the levels that triggered a Superfund cleanup. Salt Lake Tribune, Utah.

UN: post-Fukushima collective thyroid dose about 3.3 percent of dose from Chernobyl.

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:16:02 -0700

The health effects from the Fukushima nuclear accident are substantially smaller than those from the Chernobyl disaster, and the increase in cancer incidence in Japan will be negligible, according to a U.N. panel's estimates. Asahi Shimbun, Japan.

Mom's obesity in pregnancy bad for baby's heart health: study.

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:06:10 -0700

A mother's obesity during pregnancy appears to set her baby up for an increased risk of heart attack and stroke when he or she is older, Canadian researchers are reporting. Postmedia News.
[See the study: Differential methylation in glucoregulatory genes of offspring born before vs. after maternal gastrointestinal bypass surgery]

Calcium supplements linked to longer lifespans in women: McGill study.

Tue, 28 May 2013 09:54:56 -0700

"Higher amounts of calcium were potentially linked to longer lifespans in women, regardless of the source of the calcium," says Goltzman. Health, Medical, and Science Updates.
[See the study: Calcium and vitamin D Intake and mortality: results from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos)]

Ovarian cancer incidence trends in relation to changing patterns of menopausal hormone therapy use in the United States.

Tue, 28 May 2013 09:54:48 -0700

After a marked reduction in MHT use around 2002, ovarian cancer incidence rates demonstrated an accelerated decline, with the largest changes for endometrioid carcinomas. This strong temporal association, although not proving a causal role of hormones in ovarian carcinogenesis, suggests that future analytic research supporting cancer control efforts should clarify the role of hormonal exposures on the development and behavior of subtypes of ovarian cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Marijuana users have better blood sugar control.

Tue, 28 May 2013 09:49:11 -0700

Current marijuana users had significantly lower fasting insulin and were less likely to be insulin resistant, even after excluding patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: The impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among US adults]

Gym class reduces probability of obesity, study finds for first time.

Tue, 28 May 2013 09:20:09 -0700

A new study from Cornell University finds that increasing the amount of time that elementary schoolchildren spent in gym class reduces the probability of obesity. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: The impact of physical education on obesity among elementary school children]

Job opening: Atlanta, Georgia.

Tue, 28 May 2013 08:44:51 -0700

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recruiting a director for the National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR). The open period ends Friday June 28, 2013.

Evaluation of the association between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and diabetes in epidemiological studies: a National Toxicology Program workshop review.

Tue, 28 May 2013 08:38:19 -0700

Heterogeneity of the studies precluded conducting a meta-analysis, but the overall evidence is sufficient for a positive association of some organochlorine POPs with type 2 diabetes. Environmental Health Perspectives.

In situ expression of heat-shock proteins and 3-nitrotyrosine in brains of young rats exposed to a WiFi signal in utero and in early life.

Tue, 28 May 2013 08:33:56 -0700

No significant difference was observed among exposed and sham-exposed groups. These results suggest that repeated exposure to WiFi during gestation and early life has no deleterious effects on the brains of young rats. Radiation Research.

US advisory on mercury in fish tied up at health department.

Mon, 27 May 2013 22:34:10 -0700

Updated federal advice on mercury levels in fish appears to have stalled within the US Department of Health, frustrating scientists and advocacy groups who argue that exposure to mercury may be dangerous at lower levels than previously thought. Reuters.

'The Return' illustrates Native American environmental health story.

Mon, 27 May 2013 22:28:59 -0700

Through imaginative storytelling and art, "The Return" conveys environmental health from a Native American perspective. University of Washington News.

Expand health survey beyond Fukushima: UN.

Mon, 27 May 2013 22:25:40 -0700

Japan's health survey on the effects of the March 2011 nuclear crisis should be expanded to include areas outside Fukushima Prefecture, a UN expert said. Japan Times, Japan.

Far too few of us use sunscreen.

Mon, 27 May 2013 22:23:19 -0700

Joseph Sobanko's patients often ask him which sunscreen is best. Whether the patient is blond or dark, freckled or fair, the Penn Medicine skin-cancer specialist has the same answer: Whichever sunscreen you'll actually use. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania.

Statewide survey maps sport fish contamination in California rivers and streams.

Mon, 27 May 2013 22:22:02 -0700

Concentrations of contaminants such as methylmercury and pesticides in sport fish were found to be low at the majority of locations sampled in the first-ever systematic statewide survey of California rivers and streams. Lake County News, California.

Asthma plagues Peace Bridge neighborhood.

Mon, 27 May 2013 22:18:47 -0700

Some 660 students attend the D'Youville Porter School. A quarter have asthma. Instruction at the elementary school includes reading, writing and, for some pupils, how to use an inhaler. The school is a few blocks from the Peace Bridge, where diesel truck pollution has been linked to high asthma rates. Buffalo Investigative Post, New York.
[See a related article from Philadelphia: Apparently roach-related asthma compounds misery]

Cell phone radiation exposure on brain and associated biological systems.

Mon, 27 May 2013 12:29:00 -0700

This review concludes that the regular and long term use of microwave devices (mobile phone, microwave oven) at domestic level can have negative impact upon biological system especially on brain. It also suggests that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role by enhancing the effect of microwave radiations which may cause neurodegenerative diseases. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology.

Biotech crops risky to consume, says former pro-GMO scientist.

Mon, 27 May 2013 11:57:52 -0700

Vrain cites Russian and European studies in saying that "diets containing engineered corn or soya cause serious health problems in laboratory mice and rats." He adds that studies have also questioned the efficacy of proteins produced by engineered plants. Business Mirror.

New resource: The A to Z Guide to Political Interference in Science.

Mon, 27 May 2013 11:18:29 -0700

The Union of Concerned Scientists has created this guide to document abuse in the federal government of scientists who have seen their work manipulated, suppressed, or distorted, while agencies have systematically limited public and policy maker access to critical scientific information.

Tougher standards to fight corruption in the resources industry.

Sun, 26 May 2013 08:32:01 -0700

Last week, the United Kingdom and France joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which requires countries to fully disclose taxes, royalties and other fees they receive from oil, gas and mining income. Australia ABC News, Australia.

Breeding the nutrition out of our food.

Sun, 26 May 2013 08:28:51 -0700

Unwittingly, we have been stripping phytonutrients from our diet since we stopped foraging for wild plants some 10,000 years ago and became farmers. Each fruit and vegetable in our stores has a unique history of nutrient loss, I've discovered, but there are two common themes. New York Times.

Childhood ADHD linked to obesity in adulthood.

Sun, 26 May 2013 08:09:40 -0700

May 20 study in Pediatrics reports that men who had ADHD in childhood are twice as likely to be obese in middle age, even if they no longer exhibit symptoms of the disorder. Scientific American.
[See the study: Obesity in men with childhood ADHD: a 33-year controlled, prospective, follow-up study]

Fuming over pollution in Buffalo, New York.

Sun, 26 May 2013 08:05:10 -0700

Asthma is an epidemic on the lower west side of Buffalo, N.Y. Studies found asthma rates are nearly four times the national average in the neighborhoods that share their air with the Peace Bridge and the 6 million cars, trucks and buses that cross it annually. Buffalo News, New York.
[See a related article: Bushwick's struggles with asthma: what's poverty's role?]

C-sections tied to child obesity.

Sat, 25 May 2013 08:35:14 -0700

More babies born via cesarean section grow up to be heavy kids and teens than those delivered vaginally, according to a new study of more than 10,000 UK infants. Reuters.
[See the study: Association of caesarean delivery with child adiposity from age 6 weeks to 15 years]

New rules to address fracking on Indian lands.

Sat, 25 May 2013 08:33:18 -0700

Hydraulic fracturing on Indian land may become more difficult under new rules proposed by the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management. Navajo Times, Arizona.

Fluoride increasingly removed from water supply despite lack of evidence it is harmful.

Sat, 25 May 2013 08:08:02 -0700

Depending on who you ask, and when, fluoride is either one of the top public health initiatives of the 20th century, or a poison artificially injected into the water supply. Toronto National Post, Ontario.

Scientists discover Bt toxins found in Monsanto crops damage red blood cells.

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:41:23 -0700

Studies are showing that Bt toxins found in Monsanto crops are harmful to mammalian blood by damaging red blood cells and more. RBCs are responsible for delivering oxygen to the body tissues through blood flow. Collective Evolution.
[Links to the studies cited are included in the article.]

CHE partnership call: Cancer: The Professional and the Personal: A Conversation with Dr. Susan Love and Susan Braun.

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:12:45 -0700

On this call on Tuesday May 28, 2013, Dr. Love will tell her story of how she has learned "The only difference between a researcher and a patient is a diagnosis." She'll then be joined by Susan Braun, CEO of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation's leading cancer research foundations.

Fish oil supplements may help fight against Type 2 diabetes.

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:07:10 -0700

Widely used fish oil supplements modestly increase amounts of a hormone that is associated with lower risk of diabetes and heart disease, according to a study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Effect of fish oil on circulating adiponectin: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials]

Phys ed should be provided by schools: National Academy of Sciences.

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:06:04 -0700

Given the implications for the overall health, development, and academic success of children, schools should play a primary role in ensuring that all students have opportunities to engage in at least 60 minutes per day of vigorous or moderate-intensity physical activity, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Health, Medical, and Science Updates.

EPA gets surprise boost from ruling on cell towers.

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:01:08 -0700

A Supreme Court ruling this week on government regulation of new cellphone towers -- which gives local authorities 150 days to process an application for a new tower or antenna -- could be a boon for U.S. EPA and could shield the agency from lawsuits, environmental law experts say. Greenwire.

FracFocus drillers' registry to create chemicals database.

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:56:03 -0700

FracFocus, the website drillers use to disclose chemicals in hydraulic fracturing, is revamping its system next week to let regulators for the first time search and aggregate the information. Bloomberg News.

Rooting out bad science.

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:46:34 -0700

Today, science journalists can continue to perform this important function, but should go beyond the high-profile scandals to reveal an under-reported aspect of contemporary research -- the low-level misconduct that corrodes the scientific enterprise. Columbia Journalism Review.

Senators push for safer chemicals.

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:42:18 -0700

A bill unveiled by Sens. Frank Lautenberg and David Vitter on Wednesday would give the Environmental Protection Agency new authority to take action on dangerous chemicals and require more scrutiny of chemicals before they reach the market. Politico.
[See a related article: How David Vitter and Frank Lautenberg struck a deal on chemical safety legislation]

Scientists warning over poisons in your home.

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:38:14 -0700

A declaration signed by almost 89 experts, many of them from the UK, warns the existing regulation of phthalates and bisphenol A is 'entirely inadequate.' London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.

Marijuana pesticide contamination becomes health concern as legalization spreads.

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:36:32 -0700

Experts warn that unwelcome chemicals, including pesticides, may be tagging along with THC, marijuana's primary mind-bending ingredient, and threatening the health of marijuana users. Huffington Post.

Think again: the poisoned children of Coldwater Creek.

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:35:31 -0700

Coldwater Creek was once a thing of beauty, but there was one problem that the residents knew nothing about: Some of the deadliest toxic chemicals known to man had been dumped into there. The residents have paid a ghastly price, and the contamination may continue to plague future generations. St. Louis Magazine, Missouri.

Asthma, sleep and poor marks at school: a US study connects the dots.

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:22:13 -0700

When children have poorly controlled asthma symptoms, the condition can disrupt their sleep and lead to lower marks in school, according to the results of a US study. Globe and Mail, Ontario.

Wi-Fi technology -- an uncontrolled global experiment on the health of mankind.

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:16:07 -0700

This paper discusses the potential health hazard and lack of scientific assessment and regulatory actions in protection of the life on the planet. Informa Healthcare.

New resource: Healthier School Snacks.

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:05:15 -0700

Salud America! released this package of research, the first of six packages to reduce and prevent Latino childhood obesity. Each package contains an in-depth scientific research review, a shorter Issue brief, and an informational video and infographic.

New resource: Asthma Triggers: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, Doctors and Nurses.

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:41:38 -0700

This e-book from Moms Clean Air Force helps caregivers control some of the asthma triggers indoors, but also reminds us that we can only protect ourselves from air pollution triggers by supporting strong regulations to clean our air.

Intergenerational effects of in utero exposure to Ramadan in Tunisia.

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:38:08 -0700

Babies whose mothers had been in utero during Ramadan were smaller and thinner, and had smaller placentas, than those whose mothers had not been in utero during Ramadan. American Journal of Human Biology.

Status and trends of diabetes in Chinese children: analysis of data from 14 medical centers.

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:54:14 -0700

The prevalence of childhood diabetes in China has increased dramatically, with type 2 diabetes exceeding type 1 diabetes. The incidence rate of abnormal glucose metabolism in obese children has reached 28.26%. World Journal of Pediatrics.
[See a related news article: Diabetes in India rising, with women at a particular disadvantage]

Call for comments: Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis.

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:48:45 -0700

The purpose of this guidance is to provide EPA analysts with technical information on how to consider environmental justice in regulatory analyses. Comments are due by July 8, 2013.

Call for proposals: Healthy Eating Research: Building Evidence to Prevent Childhood Obesity.

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:26:09 -0700

The program supports research on environmental and policy strategies with strong potential to promote healthy eating among children to prevent childhood obesity, especially among lower-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity. Concept papers are due July 10, 2013.

Call for proposals: Environmental Sustainability.

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:49 -0700

The Environmental Sustainability program supports engineering research with the goal of promoting sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being and that are also compatible with sustaining natural (environmental) systems. Proposals will be accepted until February 20, 2014.

Pesticide spraying may spread norovirus.

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:48:46 -0700

A new study suggests that contaminated water used to dilute or reconstitute agricultural pesticides may be one way the virus is entering the food supply. Environmental Health Perspectives.
[See the study: Persistence of human norovirus in reconstituted pesticides -- pesticide application as a possible source of viruses in fresh produce chains]

Climate change and health: lessons learned from older Americans.

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:34:07 -0700

The paper explores connections between what is expected to be an increase in the population of older Americans living in places relatively more affected by climate change. It All Starts with Science.
[See the study: Climate change and older Americans: state of the science and another about climate and health: The racial/ethnic distribution of heat risk-related land cover in relation to residential segregation]

Linking geological and health sciences to assess childhood lead poisoning from artisanal gold mining in Nigeria.

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:44:51 -0700

Results inform ongoing efforts in Nigeria to assess lead contamination and poisoning, treat victims, mitigate exposures, and remediate contamination. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Job opening: Miami, Florida.

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:41:03 -0700

The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work at Florida International University invites applications for a departmental chair position with tenure. The selection and review process began May 10, 2013, and will remain open until the position is filled.

Bipartisan Senate bill would give EPA power to ban dangerous chemicals.

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:16:21 -0700

In a rare display of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, a group of key senators unveiled legislation Wednesday that would require chemical companies to provide more health and safety information about their products and give regulators more power to force harmful compounds off the market. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

What's in your green tea?

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:14:17 -0700

A new report by an independent laboratory shows that green tea can vary widely from one cup to the next. Some bottled varieties appear to be little more than sugar water and some green tea leaves, particularly those from China, are contaminated with lead, though the metal does not appear to leach out during the brewing process. New York Times.
[See the report: Green Tea Supplements, Drinks, and Brewable Teas Review]

The big fat truth.

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:08:25 -0700

More and more studies show that being overweight does not always shorten life -- but some public-health researchers would rather not talk about them. Nature.
[See the study, as included previously in this update: Association of all-cause mortality with overweight and obesity using standard body mass index categories: a systematic review and meta-analysis]

Chlorine, swimming pool helper, has a checkered past.

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:07:40 -0700

Over the next few months, chlorine will ensure that countless swimming pools don't turn into microbe-choked petri dishes. But in other incarnations, chlorine is a bane of our existence. New York Times.

Portland, Oregon, voters say no to fluoride in the water.

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:06:27 -0700

Portland is the largest city in the country that doesn't have fluoridated water, and voters have resoundingly decided it's going to remain that way. Los Angeles Times.

Styrene can be listed as carcinogen on government report, federal judge rules.

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:01:01 -0700

Styrene can be listed as a reasonably anticipated human carcinogen in a U.S. report identifying substances that potentially put people at increased risk for cancer, a federal judge decided May 15th. Bloomberg BNA.

New rules for disposing of old thermostats in California.

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:49:49 -0700

California took an aggressive step on Wednesday to ensure that mercury-laden thermostats in homes and businesses do not wind up in landfills and pollute the environment. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Did my faulty breast implants kill my darling daughter?

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:30:43 -0700

As experts warn leaking implants may harm babies, mothers are terrified they have paid a terrible price for their vanity. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.
[See the study: The PIP scandal: an analysis of the process of quality control that failed to safeguard women from the health risks]

High pesticide levels found in local produce [in Lebanon].

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:29:55 -0700

The Consumer Protection Department of the Economy and Trade Ministry reawakened old food concerns Wednesday, warning shoppers that recent tests showed signs of pesticide overuse in locally grown fruits and vegetables. Beirut Daily Star, Lebanon.

More girls taking up smoking, study finds.

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:27:20 -0700

More than 13 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 18 in Shanghai have tried smoking and almost 4 percent of them are smokers, according to a survey by Shanghai Jiao Tong University's public health school. The study also found that there was a rising number of girls smoking. Shanghai Daily, China.

Health disparities in Philadelphia's Latino community.

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:07:38 -0700

A democracy is only as strong as its people. We need to be aware of health disparities in our nation, and especially in our city, and address them. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania.

Scans of teens, children raise cancer risk.

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:05:07 -0700

Children and teenagers who have CT scans are more likely to develop cancer in later years, a major Australian study has found. Melbourne Age, Australia.
[See the study: Cancer risk in 680,000 people exposed to computed tomography scans in childhood or adolescence: data linkage study of 11 million Australians]

Illinois House panel OKs fracking measure.

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:04:38 -0700

A bill to regulate horizontal hydraulic fracturing in Illinois was unanimously passed by a House committee Tuesday amid chants of "shame" from opponents who packed the hearing. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

Mothers-to-be are warned that lack of iodine causes low IQ.

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:55:07 -0700

Women who do not get enough iodine during pregnancy are putting the intelligence of their unborn children at risk, according to researchers at the University of Surrey. Times of London, United Kingdom.
[See the study: Iodine deficiency in the U.K.: an overlooked cause of impaired neurodevelopment?]

Early exposure to air pollution tied to higher risk of hyperactivity in children.

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:47:48 -0700

Breathing in pollutants released into the air isn't healthy for developing lungs, but a new study says it's harmful for developing brains too. Time Magazine.
[See the study: Traffic-related air pollution exposure in the first year of life and behavioral scores at seven years of age]

Pain relievers do not cause asthma, study finds.

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:20:46 -0700

Some parents have been worried about giving their children pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, based on reports that children who take the drugs are more likely to develop asthma. But a new study suggests that the relationship may be little more than a statistical oversight. New York Times.

EPA may add Superfund sites in Indianapolis, 2 other Indiana places; adds Martinsville site.

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:40:26 -0700

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that it's considering adding a site in the Keystone Corridor to the Superfund National Priorities List because of groundwater contamination. Indianapolis Star, Indiana.
[See a related article from Massachusetts: Attleboro's defunct Walton & Lonsbury plant placed on national Superfund list]

Cleaner air will help reduce childhood asthma.

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:56:35 -0700

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a healthy air standard that would prevent tens of thousands of asthma attacks by cleaning up gasoline and emissions from cars and light trucks. Predictably, Big Oil has already declared the public health benefits minimal. Helena Independent Record, Montana.
[See a related editorial: How can I help clean up the air?]

Syria's makeshift oil refineries: 'It is like hell.'

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:55:40 -0700

As a result of the rush to make quick money, open-air refineries have been set up in al-Raqqa province, shrouding the region with plumes of black smoke, and exposing the local population to the dangers of the thick smog. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Quebec area where cancer rates are 80 times higher to be studied.

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:59:04 -0700

It's been more than 15 years since her husband died of a brain tumour, but Candide Bélanger feels she may finally get some answers about why he died. The couple had lived for 17 years next to the Valcartier military base, where many experts believe the drinking water was laced with TCE. Globe and Mail, Ontario.

New tracking of a patient's radiation exposure.

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:57:00 -0700

Some hospital groups are measuring and reporting patients' cumulative medical radiation exposure from tests and scans, but the idea of hospitals collecting and reporting radiation doses for individual patients is controversial. Wall Street Journal.

Is bottled water bad for you?

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:45:31 -0700

Plastic water bottles have become part of the average Australian's daily kit. In a bid to stay hydrated many of us spend a lot buying bottles of water. But should we be throwing them out after a single use? Sydney Morning Herald, Australia.

U.S. making progress on fighting global hunger.

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:41:10 -0700

Although there are fewer hungry people, the United Nation said last year that about 870 million people, or one in eight in the world, are chronically undernourished. The global number of hungry people declined from 18.6 percent to 12.5 percent of the world's population. Des Moines Register, Iowa.

'Upset' emissions: flares in the air, worry on the ground.

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:38:53 -0700

"Upset" releases, often triggered by equipment breakdowns, are occurring more often than U.S. government reports reflect, impacting residents on the fence line of industry, The Center for Public Integrity found. Center for Public Integrity.

Pollution risks worse for developing world women.

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:33:24 -0700

Environmental factors are responsible for 23 percent of the overall global disease burden, according to World Health Organization research. Addressing such pollution could save the lives of 6 million women a year. United Press International.
[See the WHO information: Public health and environment]

'Cadmium rice' is China's latest food scandal.

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:22:49 -0700

"Cadmium rice", as it's dubbed, or rice laced with levels of the metal cadmium that exceed national safety standards, has become the latest food scare in China, sparking a scandal in a nation long used to unsafe food. New York Times.

As the FDA reviews the safety of a key chemical in anti-bacterial soaps, doctors say plain old soap is still best.

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:22:19 -0700

The debate over the safety of anti-bacterial soap is reemerging as the Food and Drug Administration is currently preparing a review on the safety of triclosan, a key germ-killing ingredient found in an estimated 75 percent of anti-bacterial soaps, as well as some toothpastes, dish soaps and hand sanitizers. Bergen County Record, New Jersey.

Proposals seek to reduce power plant water pollution.

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:17:27 -0700

Federal environmental regulators have proposed a range of options designed to reduce toxic pollutants discharged by certain power plants close to waterways. Muskogee Daily Phoenix, Oklahoma.

The health toll of immigration.

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:25:50 -0700

A growing body of mortality research on immigrants has shown that the longer they live in this country, the worse their rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. And while their American-born children may have more money, they tend to live shorter lives than the parents. New York Times.

After nearly 30 years, Camp Lejeune coming clean.

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:10:45 -0700

The former Hadnot Point fuel farm, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune's main fuel depot until it was ordered closed in the 1980s, is the site of what's considered the worst case of drinking-water contamination in the nation's history. But the Marines stress that that's just what it is -- history. Associated Press.

When you eat chicken you could be eating arsenic.

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:29:43 -0700

A new study from Johns Hopkins University updates 2006 research that found excess levels of arsenic in U.S. chicken. Living On Earth.
[See more about the study: Poultry drug increases levels of toxic arsenic in chicken meat]

"March Against Monsanto" planned for over 30 countries; San Diego march May 25.

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:06:06 -0700

Monsanto, the chemical conglomerate, has been the major force pushing genetically modified seeds, crops, and herbicides worldwide. Growing evidence suggests potentially serious negative health impacts from some of these products. East County Magazine, California.

Calgary dentists report more cavities in kids after fluoride removed from water.

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:03:05 -0700

Calgary pediatric dentists are noticing big changes in their young patients' dental health since the city's fluoridation program ended in 2011, and it's not good. Calgary Herald, Alberta.
[See related articles from Oregon: Fluoride question divides Portland]

Perinatal bisphenol A exposure and adult glucose homeostasis: identifying critical windows of exposure.

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:39:53 -0700

Our findings suggest that BPA may contribute to metabolic disorders relevant to glucose homeostasis and the effects of BPA were dose, sex, and time-dependent. Fetal development stage may be the critical window of susceptibility to BPA exposure. PLOS One.

Job opening: Pesticide Action Network North America.

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:17:44 -0700

PAN is seeking a self-motivated, highly organized and collaborative professional with experience and skills in online content production and management, writing and editing for the web, HTML and CSS, image and graphic design and Web 2.0 applications. Selections of candidates for interview will be made beginning the week of May 13, 2013, and continue as well qualified candidates present themselves.

Swedish review strengthens grounds for concluding that radiation from cellular and cordless phones is a probable human carcinogen.

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:12:52 -0700

Studies carried out in Sweden indicate that those who begin using either cordless or mobile phones regularly before age 20 have greater than a fourfold increased risk of ipsilateral glioma. Pathophysiology.

Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity in relation to serum dioxin concentrations: the Seveso Women's Health Study.

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:09:14 -0700

We found an increase in metabolic syndrome associated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), but only among women who were youngest at exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives.

New infographic: The Truth About ACEs.

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:04:29 -0700

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as part of a growing network of leaders working to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the need to develop effective innovative interventions, published this infographic about the prevalence and effects of ACEs.

Chinese protesters take to streets over plans for a chemical plant.

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:48:55 -0700

Thousands of protesters have gathered in the southern Chinese city of Kunming for the second time this month to voice concerns over the environmental impact of a planned chemical plant. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Possible link between light pollution and cancer.

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:46:41 -0700

The cause of breast cancer still remains a mystery. However, a researcher at the University of Connecticut believes he may have discovered why there's been such large a jump in the number of cases over the past few decades. And his hypothesis is gaining momentum. Corpus Christi KRIS TV, Texas.

Mexican communities sue Pemex on environmental justice.

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:34:07 -0700

Fed up with oil spills from facilities belonging to Mexico's state oil company Pemex, residents of two communities in the southeastern state of Tabasco are taking the country's largest company to court in a bid for compensation for damage to the environment and agriculture. Inter Press Service.

The true costs of our clothing.

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:32:12 -0700

Most us hunting for bargains in a clothing store check the price tag on a T-shirt but never look at the tag that indicates where the garment was made. But as the recent garment factory disaster in Bangladesh shows, frequently the true cost of a piece of clothing isn't always shown on the price tag. Denver Post, Colorado.
[See a related article: Standards clash in Bangladesh reforms]

New York City's plan to raise age for cigarette purchases spreads.

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:14:05 -0700

State lawmakers in New Jersey and New York have joined New York City's push to ban the sale of cigarettes to those younger than age 21, a sign that the city's plan has started to gain traction elsewhere. Wall Street Journal.

Get fit in middle age to cut heart failure risk, study says.

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:15:21 -0700

What's more, the reduction in risk is independent of other modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, the researchers said.

With focus on toxics, Duwamish cleanup could leave other health problems unsolved.

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:42:38 -0700

In all, the study touches on a broad array of the cleanup plan's potential impacts, including effects on tribal identity, the labor market and family downtime. Investigate West.
[See the report: Health Impact Assessment: Proposed Cleanup Plan for the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site]

Mother's documentary exposes 'America's secret epidemic.'

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:21:04 -0700

Two years ago, Rubin formed a nonprofit, the Lead Safe America Foundation, recruiting national experts for the board. Since then, Rubin has assisted 2,000 families coping with lead poisoning and contamination. Portland Tribune, Oregon.

Take caution with cellphones.

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:09:58 -0700

Squint at your cellphone manual long enough and you'll find suggestions you might not expect - limit exposure to children, keep away from reproductive organs, operate with a wired headset. Rep. Andrea Boland (D-Maine) says that given the evidence, the message needs to be made much clearer. Epoch Times.

Global health by the numbers.

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:07:10 -0700

The World Health Organization's summary of their 168-page 2013 statistical report on global health, outlines some key trends in this year's accounting of health on Earth. Toronto Star, Ontario.
[See the report: World Health Statistics 2013]

Limit on lead contamination suits clears Missouri Legislature.

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:22:22 -0700

The Missouri Legislature passed and sent to the governor late Wednesday a bill that would limit lawsuits by people who say they have suffered injuries from exposure to lead mine tailings and chat piles in St. Francois County. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri.

Even low lead exposure hinders kids' reading.

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:22:24 -0700

Young children exposed to lead -- even at low levels -- are at risk for not meeting reading readiness benchmarks in kindergarten, a large study of urban children found. Medpage Today.
[See the study: Elevated blood lead levels and reading readiness at the start of kindergarten]

Day care centers can get state grants to improve environmental health standards.

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:50:34 -0700

The [Pennsylvania] state Department of Public Welfare is offering $200,000 in mini-grants to child care centers to work toward achieving higher quality environmental health standards. Harrisburg Patriot-News, Pennsylvania.

Study casts doubt on some findings about sodium.

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:39:11 -0700

Are Americans getting mixed messages about how much sodium they should be consuming? Lately, yes, and some of those messages are muddled because studies themselves are muddled, a panel of doctors has concluded. Los Angeles Times.
[See the IOM report: Sodium Intake in Populations: Assessment of Evidence]

Smoke travels to non-smoking hotel rooms, study shows.

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:34:58 -0700

Anyone who has ever walked into a "non-smoking" hotel room and detected cigarette smoke will not be surprised by the findings of a new study: When a hotel allows smoking in any of its rooms, the smoke gets into all of its rooms, the study suggests. USA Today.
[See the study: Thirdhand smoke and exposure in California hotels: non-smoking rooms fail to protect non-smoking hotel guests from tobacco smoke exposure]

The at risk list.

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:26:25 -0700

Almost all of Alaska's indigenous villages are learning to live with the dramatic changes in the far north: the thinning sea ice, the melting of the frozen sub-soil known as permafrost. But for some villages the consequences of climate change are a direct threat to their existence. The Guardian, United Kingdom.
[See a related article: An undeniable truth? From Palin to Parnell, Alaska's politicans have struggled to reconcile policy with actuality]

Bill would enforce environmental justice, keep polluters out of poor urban areas.

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:23:56 -0700

The state has talked a lot in recent years about environmental justice -- a term used to question why major polluting facilities are often located in the poorest urban areas. But to many local activists, New Jersey has decidedly not backed up its words with deeds. Montclair NJ Spotlight, New Jersey.

First responders sue in Paulsboro, New Jersey, derailment.

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:18:54 -0700

Twenty-four plaintiffs who rushed to the scene of a November train derailment in Paulsboro sued on Monday, alleging that the rail company's negligence caused the derailment, and that it downplayed the dangers of a chemical spill. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania.

Focus on preventing cancer.

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:58:33 -0700

To what lengths will women go to prevent breast cancer from striking their lives and robbing them of time spent with loved ones? On Tuesday Angelina Jolie informed the world that she underwent an elective double mastectomy. Thousands of women each year face decisions like Jolie's. But what if fewer women had to? San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Global retailers join safety plan for Bangladesh.

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:05 -0700

Under mounting pressure to improve working conditions in Bangladesh's garment factories, several of the world's largest apparel companies agreed on Monday to a landmark plan to help pay for fire safety and building improvements. New York Times.

Move to restrict asbestos trade blocked.

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:12:50 -0700

An attempt to blunt the threat of asbestos in developing countries has failed. Russia and six allies last week blocked a move to have chrysotile, or white asbestos, listed under a UN convention that requires member countries to decide whether they wish to take the risk of importing hazardous substances. New Scientist.

Kalamazoo, Michigan, residents struggle with EPA over "Mount PCB."

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:06:43 -0700

Decades' worth of wood pulp and grey clay waste from the paper mill industry -- laced with polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs -- are in the middle of a Kalamazoo, Mich., neighborhood. City officials are worried the pile will leach into the aquifer that supplies the drinking water for more than 120,000 people. Environment Report.

Studies: endocrine disruptors, cocaine common in Minnesota waters.

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:56:37 -0700

Minnesota researchers found 56 chemicals -- including cocaine -- in the state's waters, according to two new studies that raise questions about potential impacts on wildlife and human health. WisconsinWatch.org.
[See the report: MPCA studies find unregulated chemicals widespread in lakes and rivers]

Cut cancer-causing chemicals used by women.

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:34:51 -0700

Breast Cancer UK says there is "compelling" evidence that bisphenol A (BPA) could be contributing to the rapid increase in the number of women being diagnosed with the disease. Australian Associated Press.
[See a petition from Breast Cancer UK: Ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in all food and drink packaging]

Poverty as a childhood disease.

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:30:13 -0700

Poverty in this country is now likely to define many children's life trajectories in the harshest terms: poor academic achievement, high dropout rates, and health problems from obesity and diabetes to heart disease, substance abuse and mental illness. New York Times.
[See the statement from the Academic Pediatric Association: APA Task Force on Childhood Poverty: A Strategic Road Map]

A destructive beetle threatens trees -- and people who live near them.

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:21:44 -0700

A new study showed that deaths from cardiovascular and lower respiratory illnesses rose as ash trees vanished. The study found that the emerald ash borer's effects can be linked to more than 21,000 deaths -- an additional 24 deaths per 100,000 people every year. Washington Post.
[See the study: The relationship between trees and human health: evidence from the spread of the emerald ash borer]

Call for comments: Request for Information and Citations on Methods for Cumulative Risk Assessment.

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:15:39 -0700

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting information and citations on approaches and methods for the planning, analysis, assessment, and characterization of cumulative risks to human populations and the environment. Information and citations may be submitted on or before Friday June 28, 2013.

Blasting oysters with electrons to prevent food poisoning.

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:59:47 -0700

Researchers have studied how electron-beam pasteurization of raw oysters may reduce the possibility of food poisoning through viruses like norovirus and hepatitis. Digital Journal.
[See the study: Electron-beam pasteurization of raw oysters may reduce viral food poisoning]

North Carolina to air study on PCB pollution in Yadkin River.

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:48:57 -0700

Fish in one of North Carolina's largest watersheds are more polluted by an industrial contaminant than previously reported and state health officials have failed to expand warnings against eating PBC-contaminated fish, according to a new study. Associated Press.

Haifa U links West Nile Virus to global warming.

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:58:44 -0700

Global warming causes the spread of West Nile Virus in Europe, Israel and other regions, according to a new study conducted at the University of Haifa for the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm, which was released on Sunday. Jerusalem Post, Israel.
[See the study: Permissive summer temperatures of the 2010 European West Nile fever upsurge]

Technology, food additives and air pollution causing dementia earlier than ever.

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:41:26 -0700

Researchers found a sharp rise in the deaths from dementia and other neurological disease in under-74s, and believe that the figures cannot be explained away by the fact we live longer. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.
[See the study: Changing patterns of neurological mortality in the 10 major developed countries -- 1979-2010]

Agent Orange tied to aggressive prostate cancer risk.

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:11:37 -0700

Men who were exposed to Agent Orange chemicals used during the Vietnam War are at higher risk for life-threatening prostate cancer than unexposed veterans, researchers have found. Reuters Health.
[See the study: Agent Orange as a risk factor for high-grade prostate cancer]

Exercise-induced hippocampal anti-inflammatory response in aged rats.

Sun, 12 May 2013 22:59:12 -0700

These findings indicate a favorable effect of physical exercise in the balance between hippocampal pro- and anti-inflammatory during aging, as well as reinforce the potential therapeutic of exercise in reducing the risk of neuroinflammation-linked disorders. Journal of Neuroinflammation.

The prenatal environment and type 1 diabetes.

Sun, 12 May 2013 22:53:25 -0700

In sum, there is circumstantial evidence, but no proof of principle, that maternal or intrauterine conditions may modulate genetic risk of type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia.

Cancer clusters or chance?

Sun, 12 May 2013 21:55:23 -0700

One of the many lessons of the cancer cluster in Toms River, New Jersey, is how hard it is to prove that one exists, or to pinpoint a cause. The task is time-consuming, expensive, and often inconclusive. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania.

Cell phone use, acoustic neuroma and cancer of the pituitary gland.

Sat, 11 May 2013 22:54:44 -0700

Cell phone use was associated with increased risk of acoustic neuroma and cancer of the pituitary gland in a prospective study of more than 790,000 women in the United Kingdom. PR Log.
[See the study: Mobile phone use and risk of brain neoplasms and other cancers: prospective study]

Study finds an increase in arsenic levels in chicken.

Sat, 11 May 2013 22:45:23 -0700

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University said they found levels of arsenic in chicken that exceeded amounts that occur naturally, and warned that they could lead to a small increase in the risk of cancer for consumers over a lifetime. New York Times.
[See the study: Roxarsone, inorganic arsenic, and other arsenic species in chicken: a U.S.-based market basket sample]

Nitrates in rivers hit record levels in Iowa.

Sat, 11 May 2013 22:44:34 -0700

The predicament shows that voluntary conservation efforts on farms aren't working and do not bode well for the future of the area's water supply, Stowe said. Des Moines Register, Iowa.

Nations agree to phase out toxic chemical HBCD.

Sat, 11 May 2013 22:41:57 -0700

Governments have agreed to phase out the use of the toxic chemical HBCD [hexabromocyclododecane], and restrict trade in four other dangerous substances, the head of the UN's anti-pollution division said Friday. Agence France-Presse.

Modeling exposures to organophosphates and pyrethroids for children living in an urban low-income environment.

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:24:16 -0700

Our analyses indicate a profile of factors that describe individuals likely to receive high doses of one or multiple pesticides and could allow for more targeted intervention strategies. More generally, this work provides a standard framework to evaluate and describe exposures to prevalent residential pesticides via multiple pathways. Environmental Research.

Elevated cadmium levels linked to disease: men especially affected.

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:10:16 -0700

People with higher levels of cadmium in their urine -- evidence of chronic exposure to the heavy metal found in industrial emissions and tobacco smoke -- appear to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to die of liver disease than those with lower levels, according to a study by Johns Hopkins scientists. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Cadmium exposure and liver disease among US adults]

Positive social support at work shown to reduce risk of diabetes.

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:02:27 -0700

Dr. Sharon Toker of Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Management has found that low levels of social support and high levels of stress in the workplace can accurately predict the development of diabetes over the long term -- even in employees who appear to be healthy otherwise. Medical Xpress.
[See the study: Work characteristics as predictors of diabetes incidence among apparently healthy employees]

Nations agree to new chemical ban, export controls.

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:47:17 -0700

A summit on chemicals and hazardous wastes ended Friday with an agreement to globally phase out a widely used flame retardant and to accept stricter requirements for disclosing information about exports of four other chemicals. Associated Press.

Soy and tomato combo may be effective in preventing prostate cancer.

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:33:57 -0700

Tomatoes and soy foods may be more effective in preventing prostate cancer when they are eaten together than when either is eaten alone, said a University of Illinois study. College News, Illinois.
[See the study: The interactions of dietary tomato powder and soy germ on prostate carcinogenesis in the TRAMP model]

Burlington County environmental health photo contest.

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:15:47 -0700

"We encourage residents to submit photos displaying environmental successes or challenges in your communities to demonstrate how we can impact our environment," said Freeholder Director Joe Donnelly. South Jersey Local News.

DDT and sucralose: a case study in chemophobia.

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:52 -0700

Nobody wants illness and death in their family, so we're easily frightened by a claim that common chemicals can hurt or even kill us. This gives an unfair advantage to "team chemophobia" -- the general public is very impressionable when it comes to health claims. This means that "team chemistry" has to be extra vigilant of fraudulent health claims. Scientific American.

Government told to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas.

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:58:28 -0700

Almost 200 cancer specialists have written to the Victorian Government calling for a ban on smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas. The members of the Cancer Council's clinical network believe the ban will protect Victorians from second-hand smoke and help stop quitters from relapsing. Australia ABC News, Australia.

Rwanda moves to prevent food contamination.

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:57:48 -0700

The Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) have started an operation to control mycotoxins, a toxic substance that affects food and animal feeds, especially maize and cassava. Kigali New Times, Rwanda.

Pesticides under fire for risks to pollinators.

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:22:06 -0700

Even as European regulators act, however, scientists are divided on whether pollinators are exposed to enough of the pesticides to pose a grave threat to their colonies, in part because of a paucity of data and the challenges of doing rigorous field trials. Science.

Remember the BP oil spill? Malformed fish do.

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:09:30 -0700

These effects might be found in everything from other fish to the famous Gulf shrimp and oysters. Scientific American.
[See the study: Multitissue molecular, genomic, and developmental effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on resident Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis)]

Air pollution raises risk of diabetes precursor in kids.

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:00:13 -0700

Exposure to air pollution raises the risk of resistance to insulin, a typical warning sign of diabetes, according to a study of almost 400 German children. Bloomberg News.
[See the study: Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and insulin resistance in children: results from the GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohorts]

CHE partnership call: 25 Years of the Superfund Research Program: Highlights and Hopes, May 23rd.

Thu, 9 May 2013 12:40:13 -0700

This call will include an overview of the Superfund Program's history, highlighting some of the accomplishments of scientists, trainees and research translation efforts.

Call for proposals: National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.

Thu, 9 May 2013 12:23:23 -0700

EPA's National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced by diesel engines and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas. The closing date for receipt of proposals is Tuesday, June 25, 2013.

Could eating peppers prevent Parkinson's? Dietary nicotine may hold protective key.

Thu, 9 May 2013 11:26:20 -0700

New research reveals that Solanaceae -- a flowering plant family with some species producing foods that are edible sources of nicotine -- may provide a protective effect against Parkinson's disease. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Nicotine from edible Solanaceae and risk of Parkinson disease]

Former Microsoft Canada president agrees school Wifi is a potential health hazard.

Thu, 9 May 2013 11:16:21 -0700

Frank Clegg, one of the biggest names in Canadian technology, announced today that he stands behind parents who object to wireless internet in schools. Citizens for Safe Technology.

Federal and provincial governments lose appeal against First Nation oil sands lawsuit.

Thu, 9 May 2013 09:56:05 -0700

A First Nation from Alberta is hailing a court victory in its fight against expanded oil sands development near traditional territories and hunting grounds with the dismissal of a government appeal attempting to block their case. Indian Country Today Media Network.

Sun's blood pressure benefits 'may outdo cancer risks.'

Thu, 9 May 2013 09:50:29 -0700

The health benefits of exposing skin to sunlight may far outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer, according to scientists. Edinburgh University research suggests sunlight helps reduce blood pressure, cutting heart attack and stroke risks, and even prolonging life. BBC.

Why does lung cancer strike so many women who've never smoked?

Thu, 9 May 2013 09:41:56 -0700

While the chance of non-smokers developing lung cancer is much lower than that of smokers, the latest figures show that 14 percent of the new lung cancer cases each year in Britain are unrelated to smoking. And the toll is rising. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.

San Francisco surrenders in fight over cell phone warnings.

Thu, 9 May 2013 09:40:14 -0700

San Francisco city leaders, after losing a key round in court against the cell phone industry, have agreed to revoke an ordinance that would have been the first in the United States to require retailers to warn consumers about potentially dangerous radiation levels. Reuters.

Swedish salmon sales 'breached EU ban' over dioxins.

Thu, 9 May 2013 09:35:07 -0700

Firms in Sweden have sold about 200 tonnes of Baltic salmon in Europe despite an E.U. ban targeting toxic chemicals in fish, officials say. BBC.

Coke to curb ads to kids, push diet drinks.

Thu, 9 May 2013 09:29:40 -0700

Coca-Cola Co. is broadening distribution of its low-calorie drinks and said it would put calorie counts on the front of its packaging around the world as it ramps up global efforts to counter criticism its sugary drinks are fueling obesity. Wall Street Journal.
[See another article about a manufacturer's decision to change course on a controversial product: Wrigley suspends production, sales of energy gum]

The state of scientific evidence on air pollution and human health in Nepal.

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:58:06 -0700

Although few studies have examined air pollution and health in Nepal, the existing studies indicate high pollution levels and suggest large health impacts. Nepal's dearth of scientific research on air pollution and health is not unique and likely is similar to that of many other developing regions. Environmental Research.

Call for information: input on a literature review approach: "Evaluation of the State of the Science for Transgenerational Inheritance of Health Effects."

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:43:54 -0700

Responses are requested from all interested parties, such as the research community, health professionals, educators, policy makers, industry, and the public. The response deadline date is June 28, 2013.

To [vitamin] D or not to D? That is the question.

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:42:13 -0700

Two leading experts in the field of vitamin D agreed to disagree yesterday here at the 2013 European Congress on Endocrinology during a lighthearted debate on the subject of whether or not everyone needs more vitamin D. Medscape.com.

The acid ocean: Arctic's soaring CO2 leaves fish and hunters gasping for life.

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:17:48 -0700

The Arctic Ocean is absorbing carbon dioxide at a far greater rate than was previously thought, threatening fish stocks and the livelihoods of indigenous peoples, a report suggests. The Independent, United Kingdom.
[See a related study: Arctic microbial community dynamics influenced by elevated CO2 levels]

Apparel retailers confront tough options.

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:10:56 -0700

The deadly apparel-plant fires in Bangladesh last year and last month's building collapse, revealed safety hazards, labor-rights violations and unauthorized subcontracting of Western brands' orders. But labor activists say the same problems are rampant in low-cost Asian countries. Wall Street Journal.

One company's objections could cause rewrite of proposed rules on fracking.

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:10:02 -0700

Critics got an answer last week to the question of just how much influence big business will have over a commission that's supposed to be setting safety standards for gas exploration in North Carolina: a lot. Wilmington Star-News, North Carolina.

Do electronic cigarettes really help smokers quit?

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:08:10 -0700

Anecdotal evidence indicates that the devices, on the market for about a decade, help smokers quit. Yet there's little hard science to back up the claim, and the gadgets are not regulated as medicines. Scientific American.

Hospitals go green on cleaning supplies.

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:00:12 -0700

Ferdinand de Veyra still remembers the smell: strong, very much like rubbing alcohol. Six years ago, as a new custodian at UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus, he used cleaning products that irritated his eyes and caused him to cough. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Companies save millions through cleaner production.

Wed, 8 May 2013 10:57:53 -0700

Dr. John Wasswa, a senior lecturer of environmental chemistry at Makerere University, explains that construction of industries in the Lake Victoria basin is not the problem. To him, the problem is that our industrialists are so adamant that they reject the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) guidelines to protect the environment and achieve cleaner production. NewVision.

Arkansas residents sick from Exxon oil spill are on their own.

Wed, 8 May 2013 10:53:47 -0700

The Arkansas Department of Health says people with dizziness, nausea and headaches have the option to leave, and it is their personal choice. Inside Climate News.

Decades after war, Agent Orange still causes suffering in Vietnam.

Wed, 8 May 2013 10:48:27 -0700

Fifty kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, a withered trunk of a dead tree stands amid a mangrove forest in Vietnam's Can Gio district -- a reminder of the damage caused by Agent Orange, a defoliant that was sprayed over wide parts of the nation by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Asahi Shimbun, Japan.

Get the lead out: why the best way to improve health in poor countries is to clean up industrial pollution.

Wed, 8 May 2013 10:23:38 -0700

There are far more pressing environmental threats for the average person in a poor country -- threats that directly impact human health and well-being in the hear and now. Take lead. Time Magazine.

The health impact of indoor air pollution is a real environmental health issue.

Wed, 8 May 2013 09:59:05 -0700

The health impact of indoor air pollution is a real environmental health issue, which is believed to have a bearing on respiratory conditions such as asthma. Balkans.com Business News.
[See the HITEA website: Health Effects of Indoor Pollutants: Integrating microbial, toxicological and epidemiological approaches]

Kids' chemical injuries down, but may rise in summer.

Wed, 8 May 2013 09:26:53 -0700

Injuries from gasoline, lamp oil and similar chemicals have dropped considerably among small U.S. children in the last decade, according to a new study. Reuters.
[See the study: Pediatric hydrocarbon-related injuries in the United States: 2000-2009]

Michigan study finds hazardous chemicals in gardening water hoses.

Wed, 8 May 2013 09:15:23 -0700

High levels of hazardous chemicals, many of which have been banned in children's products, were found in garden hoses for the second year in row. Fox News.
[See the report: Hazardous Chemicals Found in Gardening Water Hoses]

Africa is riskiest place to be born, report says.

Wed, 8 May 2013 09:09:47 -0700

More than 1 million babies die the day they are born every year, and the 14 countries with the highest rates of first-day deaths are all in Africa, according to a new report released Tuesday. Associated Press.
[See the report: Surviving the First Day: State of the World's Mothers 2013]

Child miners: India's crying shame.

Wed, 8 May 2013 09:06:39 -0700

"We know that we are gambling with our lives, and our children's lives, every day -- but with no poverty alleviation projects or alternate forms of employment reaching this part of the state, we are forced to mine coal for our livelihood," said Shanti Tete, a woman working in the mines. Al Jazeera.

California governor proposes changes to state's consumer safety law.

Wed, 8 May 2013 09:05:40 -0700

Gov. Jerry Brown said Tuesday that he intends to change California's landmark consumer-safety law in an attempt to reduce frivolous lawsuits and give the public clearer information about toxic chemicals. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

New report: Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Selected Airborne Chemicals: Volume 14.

Tue, 7 May 2013 12:57:35 -0700

This report is the latest update on acute exposure guideline levels (AEGLs) for extremely hazardous substances (EHSs) from the Committee on Acute Exposure Guideline Levels.

Call for comments: proposed rule and regulation for secure medicine return.

Tue, 7 May 2013 12:48:43 -0700

The King County, Washington, Board of Health will hold a briefing and public hearing on Thursday May 16th. Written comments can also be submitted by May 15th.

The association of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance/secretion with persistent organic pollutants in two First Nations communities in northern Ontario.

Tue, 7 May 2013 12:45:43 -0700

These findings confirm that POP concentrations in plasma may be higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic individuals. No association was however seen between POP concentrations and markers of insulin resistance/secretion in non-diabetic individuals. Diabetes & Metabolism.

Exercise-related changes in estrogen metabolism may lower breast cancer risk.

Tue, 7 May 2013 12:07:06 -0700

Changes in estrogen breakdown, or metabolism, may be one of the mechanisms by which aerobic exercise lowers a woman's breast cancer risk, according to data published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: The effects of aerobic exercise on estrogen metabolism in healthy premenopausal women]

The incidence rate and mortality of malignant brain tumors after 10 years of intensive cell phone use in Taiwan.

Tue, 7 May 2013 12:02:52 -0700

In conclusion, we do not detect any correlation between the morbidity/mortality of malignant brain tumors and cell phone use in Taiwan. European Journal of Cancer Prevention.

Psychiatry's guide is out of touch with science, experts say.

Tue, 7 May 2013 11:23:02 -0700

Dr. Thomas R. Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, said in an interview Monday that his goal was to reshape the direction of psychiatric research to focus on biology, genetics and neuroscience so that scientists can define disorders by their causes, rather than their symptoms. New York Times.

Letter campaign: Glade: Stop Keeping Toxic Secrets.

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:37:43 -0700

Women's Voices for the Earth invites all to submit a letter to SC Johnson requesting that all ingredients in Glade air freshener be disclosed. An editable letter is available on the website.

Joe Schwarcz: No evidence radio-frequency devices are hazardous to health.

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:22:52 -0700

Over the last 30 years, more than 25,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published on electromagnetic fields and health, many devoted to nonthermal effects. Health agencies do not find present evidence persuasive of a hazard at ordinary exposure levels; and given the extent of research that has been carried out, it is unlikely that one will be identified in the future. Montreal Gazette, Canada.

Pittsburgh summit explores health effects of air pollution.

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:13:29 -0700

Although the region's air is cleaner than it has been in a century, it should be much better than it is, said Mr. Schwartz, the keynote speaker today at a regional summit on air quality and health. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pennsylvania.

Shanghai battery factory raises pollution concerns.

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:11:06 -0700

Shanghai residents are suffering a rise in cancer rates due to environmental degradation -- and public anger about the matter was demonstrated recently after officials had to shut down plans to construct a battery factory next to a river in the Songjiang District of Shanghai. Epoch Times.

Radioactive materials lost in more than 30 incidents over past decade.

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:09:59 -0700

Radioactive materials have gone missing from businesses, hospitals and even schools more than 30 times over the last decade, a freedom of information request to the UK's health and safety authorities has revealed. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Monster beverage under fire.

Tue, 7 May 2013 09:52:31 -0700

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera sued Monster Beverage Corp. in California state court Monday, accusing the company of marketing its caffeinated energy drinks to children despite alleged health risks. Wall Street Journal.

FDA proposes tighter regulations on tanning beds.

Tue, 7 May 2013 09:51:48 -0700

Citing growing evidence of the health risks associated with sunlamps and tanning beds, the Food and Drug Administration on Monday said it would seek tighter regulations and more-detailed labeling of the devices, in part to discourage their use by people under 18. Washington Post.

'AC, carpeted rooms triggering asthma attacks.'

Tue, 7 May 2013 09:37:23 -0700

Long hours spent in air-conditioned and carpeted rooms and genetic factors are now being increasingly seen as major causes of asthma, which was earlier attributed mainly to vehicular exhaust and other forms of air pollution. Times of India, India.

Sucking your child's pacifier clean may have benefits.

Tue, 7 May 2013 09:25:30 -0700

Findings add to growing evidence that some degree of exposure to germs at an early age benefits children, and that microbial deprivation might backfire, preventing the immune system from developing a tolerance to trivial threats. New York Times.
[See the study: Pacifier cleaning practices and risk of allergy development]

FDA warns pregnant women of migraine drug risk.

Tue, 7 May 2013 09:23:03 -0700

U.S. health regulators are warning doctors and women of child-bearing age that half-a-dozen medications used to treat migraine headaches -- all containing the ingredient valproate sodium -- can decrease children's intelligence if taken while their mothers are pregnant. Associated Press.

Particulate matter components and subclinical atherosclerosis: common approaches to estimating exposure in a Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cross-sectional study.

Mon, 6 May 2013 12:23:10 -0700

Employing commonly-used exposure estimation approaches, all of the PM2.5 components considered, except silicon, were associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness, with the evidence being strongest for organic carbon; no component was associated with increased coronary artery calcium. Environmental Health.
[See a related article: PM2.5, oxidant defence and cardiorespiratory health: a review]

EPA C8 guidelines too weak, study says.

Mon, 6 May 2013 12:11:51 -0700

A new Harvard paper "highlights the urgent need for regulatory agencies to consider the most recent human health and toxicology data to set appropriate safety limits for chronic, long-term exposures to PFOA in drinking water." Charleston Gazette, West Virginia.
[See the study: Serum vaccine antibody concentrations in children exposed to perfluorinated compounds]

Despite EPA and massive regulation, we have no real sense of nanomaterial toxicity, no policy for health risks.

Mon, 6 May 2013 12:00:47 -0700

For the first time, researchers from institutions around the country have conducted an identical series of toxicology tests evaluating lung-related health impacts associated with widely used engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Health, Medical, and Science Updates.
[See the journal report with links to the studies: Nano GO Consortium -- a team science approach to assess engineered nanomaterials: reliable assays and methods]

Predictors of children's active commuting to school: an observational evaluation in five US communities.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:52:28 -0700

Programs and policies sensitive to parents' concerns, e.g. adult-led walk to school groups, and targeting Latinos and girls appear promising for increasing ACS. Journal of Physical Activity & Health.

Potential effect of physical activity based menu labels on the calorie content of selected fast food meals.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:44:07 -0700

The menu with calories and the number of miles to walk to burn those calories appeared the most effective in influencing the selection of lower calorie meals (p = 0.0007) when compared to the menu with no nutritional information provided. Appetite.

Trees plus man-made pollution creates smog, study suggests.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:18:11 -0700

Molecules emitted by trees interact with man-made air pollution and create tiny particles that can get lodged in the lungs, potentially leading to lung cancer and asthma, researchers suggest. HealthDay News.
[See the study: Epoxide as a precursor to secondary organic aerosol formation from isoprene photooxidation in the presence of nitrogen oxides]

Air monitoring picks up arsenic threat in New Zealand urban areas.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:17:25 -0700

New Zealanders burning treated timber to keep warm in winter have caused airborne arsenic levels in some of the country's towns and cities to exceed national and international guidelines, a government research institute warned Monday. Xinhua News Agency, China.

Fever hits thousands in parched US West farm region. California and federal public health officials say.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:14:56 -0700

Valley fever, a potentially lethal but often misdiagnosed disease infecting more and more people around the nation, has been on the rise as warming climates and drought have kicked up the dust that spreads it. Associated Press.

Neighbors resist a plan to clean a toxic canal.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:13:18 -0700

The disputes illustrate a predicament that often crops up in environmental remediation: those affected see the cure as worse than the disease. New York Times.

Guadeloupe and Martinique threatened as pesticide contaminates food chain.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:01:56 -0700

Chlordecone, a chemical once used on banana crops, is threatening livelihoods and public health in the French West Indies. After polluting the soil, the chemical is wreaking havoc out at sea, an environmental disaster that now threatens the whole economy. The Guardian, United Kingdom.
[See the studies mentioned in the article: Cognitive, visual, and motor development of 7-month-old Guadeloupean infants exposed to chlordecone and Exposure to an organochlorine pesticide (chlordecone) and development of 18-month-old infants]

Drive for cleaner energy has stalled, but shale gas could help.

Mon, 6 May 2013 10:54:06 -0700

This is the International Energy Agency's third comprehensive tracking of progress in clean energy technology. Stark messages emerge from our analysis: progress is not fast enough; glaring market failures are preventing adoption of clean energy solutions. Christian Science Monitor.
[Editor's note: While burning natural gas may be more environmentally benign than burning coal, getting the gas out of the ground can not be considered clean. Many CHE partners would not agree that the only way -- or even that a healthful way -- to reduce coal burning is to increase shale gas extraction.]

Mold, come out with your hands up.

Mon, 6 May 2013 10:36:58 -0700

Bill Sothern has built a career on investigating and remediating environmental hazards -- mainly mold colonies, water damage and debilitating airborne agents like secondhand smoke, chemical vapors, lead and asbestos. New York Times.

Flame retardants linked to lower IQs, hyperactivity in children.

Mon, 6 May 2013 09:59:40 -0700

A new study confirms that exposure in the womb to fire-beating chemicals in furniture and carpet pads may hinder child development. Scientific American.

EHN special report: 'chemicals of high concern' found in thousands of children's products.

Mon, 6 May 2013 09:38:57 -0700

An Environmental Health News analysis of thousands of reports from America's largest companies shows that toys and other children's products contain low levels of dozens of industrial chemicals, including some unexpected ingredients that will surprise a public concerned about exposure. Environmental Health News.
[See the database: Children's Safe Product Act Reports and related articles: BPA reported in few children's products; Parabens used as preservatives; Low levels of phthalates in more than 700 products; Methyl ethyl ketone in 469 products; D4 and nonylphenol in textiles, plastics; Two toxic metals: antimony, molybdenum used as pigments and J&J removes some chemicals from its baby shampoo, other products]

Residents near US ports say expansions taking heavy toll.

Mon, 6 May 2013 09:26:07 -0700

Diesel trucks help move $1 billion worth of cargo annually in and out of Port Newark, a cornerstone of the nation's third-largest port system and the source of tens of thousands of jobs. But the pollution exacts a heavy toll on residents, environmental advocates say. Washington Post.

Study: exposure to flame retardant chemicals means firefighters face higher cancer risk than previously thought.

Sun, 5 May 2013 21:35:54 -0700

New research by a Blue Hill scientist shows that during a fire, firefighters are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic, cancer-causing chemicals created when commercial flame retardants burn. Bangor Daily News, Maine.
[See the study: Persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in firefighters from Northern California]

Where do old cellphones go to die?

Sun, 5 May 2013 21:31:01 -0700

Americans replace their cellphones every 22 months, junking some 150 million old phones in 2010 alone. Ever wondered what happens to all these old phones? The answer isn't pretty. And the growing toxic nightmare that is e-waste is not confined to third world outposts. New York Times.

Did Camp Lejeune's toxic wells make kids sick?

Sun, 5 May 2013 21:20:10 -0700

At Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina, a recent report from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has indicated that the contamination at Camp Lejeune may go back as far as 1953. Michigan Congressman John Dingle is calling for further hearings on the issue. Fox News.

Autism study finds link to environment, even in womb.

Sat, 4 May 2013 22:28:58 -0700

A new study of twins suggests that environmental factors, including conditions in the womb, may be at least as important as genes in causing autism. Associated Press.

Court ruling aims to reduce diesel fumes at Chicago's Union Station.

Sat, 4 May 2013 22:11:23 -0700

A recent federal court decision will require the owner of a downtown building to maintain its ventilation system, improving air quality at nearby Union Station by sucking out diesel fumes from the station's tunnels. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

Fracking chemical rule sent back for revisions.

Sat, 4 May 2013 22:08:54 -0700

North Carolina's fracking board put off voting on a chemical disclosure standard Friday in response to objections from energy conglomerate Halliburton and top officials within the state's environmental agency. Raleigh News & Observer, North Carolina.
[See another article about similar regulation in Colorado: Push for tougher oil and gas laws comes down to wire in legislative session]

High levels of metal in underground air raise concerns.

Sat, 4 May 2013 22:06:04 -0700

Millions of people travel on underground urban transit systems in cities across the world. Researchers at Southampton University say metal in the air thrown up by trains running on metal tracks could pose a health risk. BBC.
[See the study: Physicochemical characterization of airborne particulate matter at a mainline underground railway station]

FDA to investigate added caffeine.

Sat, 4 May 2013 21:55:02 -0700

Michael R. Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine at FDA, answers questions about his concerns and possible FDA actions.

Toxic wastes spreading diseases in India.

Sat, 4 May 2013 21:47:27 -0700

Toxic waste sites in India with elevated levels of lead and chromium are causing disease, disability and even death, leading to loss of healthy years of life among people, according to a new research. Malayala Manorama, India.
[See the study: Burden of disease from toxic waste sites in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines in 2010]

CHE-Washington Children's Environmental Health Working Group Meeting May 9th.

Fri, 3 May 2013 11:37:54 -0700

The speaker will be Dr. Tom Buchanan, vice president of Washington State Physicians for Social Responsibility, speaking about legislative updates and the Columbia Nuclear Generating Station. Attendance is in-person in Seattle or by phone.

Cadmium exposure induces hematuria in Korean adults.

Fri, 3 May 2013 11:36:17 -0700

The present study shows that high cadmium exposure is associated with a risk of hematuria. In contrast, no significant correlations between hematuria and blood lead or mercury were found in the multivariate analyses. Environmental Research.

EPA strengthens conflict of interest review process for science review panels.

Fri, 3 May 2013 11:30:41 -0700

EPA has put a new oversight process in place to ensure that contractors follow all existing conflicts of interest guidance and requirements. In addition, EPA will now ensure that the public has the opportunity to review and comment on a peer review panel's composition when influential scientific documents are being considered.

Relationship between urinary bisphenol A levels and prediabetes among subjects free of diabetes.

Fri, 3 May 2013 11:19:58 -0700

Higher urinary BPA levels are found to be associated with prediabetes independent of traditional diabetes risk factors. Acta Diabetologica.
[See another article about diabetes and exposures: Risk of incident diabetes in relation to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter in Ontario, Canada]

Decades-old question: Is antibacterial soap safe?

Fri, 3 May 2013 11:13:41 -0700

It's a chemical that's been in U.S. households for more than 40 years, from the body wash in your bathroom shower to the knives on your kitchen counter to the bedding in your baby's basinet. But federal health regulators are just now deciding whether triclosan is ineffective, or worse, harmful. Associated Press.

Fill gaps in Keystone XL draft environment report or reject pipeline, NCAI tells Obama administration.

Fri, 3 May 2013 11:12:46 -0700

Noting a lack of "critical information", the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) urged the U.S. government to either fill the gaps in its environmental assessment of the Keystone XL pipeline or reject it entirely. Indian Country Today Media Network.

Secondhand smoke is more damaging for teen girls than boys.

Fri, 3 May 2013 11:04:45 -0700

Even non-smokers can experience health hazards from cigarette smoke, and the latest study suggests the dangers may depend on your gender. Time Magazine.
[See the study: Gender difference in the relationship between passive smoking exposure and HDL-cholesterol levels in late adolescence]

Pollution fears in China as ban on plastic foam items lifted.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:55:56 -0700

The end of a 14-year ban in China on the sale and use of disposable food containers made of plastic foam has sparked concerns over pollution and potential health risks. Shanghai Daily, China.

Fukushima nuclear plant leaking contaminated water.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:51:56 -0700

More than two years after the meltdowns at Fukushima, the plant's operator is dealing with a new crisis -- millions of litres of contaminated water inside the complex. TEPCO has confirmed that groundwater is flooding into the plant's reactor buildings at the astonishing rate of 285 litres a minute. Radio Australia, Australia.

More drinking blamed for rise in breast cancer cases.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:39:33 -0700

Diagnoses of breast cancer in women under 50 have exceeded 10,000 a year for the first time, according to Cancer Research UK.There are almost 50,000 new cases at all ages a year. While the reason behind the increase is unclear, the charity suggested that a rise in alcohol intake, the use of the contraceptive pill and women having fewer children and in later life could be to blame. Times of London, United Kingdom.
[See the data: Breast cancer statistics]

Fracking ourselves to death in Pennsylvania.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:37:18 -0700

A new generation of downwinders is getting sick as an emerging industry pushes the next wonder technology -- in this case, high-volume hydraulic fracturing. TomDispatch.
[See another article about fracking: Fracking giant Halliburton nixes NC's chemical disclosure rule]

Bee die-off is linked to many causes.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:26:38 -0700

A lethal combination of pesticides, parasites and disease, coupled with a shortage of flowers, has been identified as the cause of a perilous decline in honeybees. But there is insufficient evidence to single out insecticides that many beekeepers blame for the die-off, federal officials said. Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota.
[See the report: Report on the National Stakeholders Conference on Honey Bee Health]

The rise of the tick.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:22:53 -0700

With incisor-like claws that can tunnel beneath your skin in seconds, ticks are rapidly becoming the world's scariest purveyors of deadly pathogens. Outside.

Class, poverty and climate change backdrop Kingsolver book.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:16:30 -0700

It may be one of those New York Times best-sellers on sale at the airport but Susan Clark is not fooled; Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behaviour is a novel that sets out to tackle the biggest single issue we are facing. Ecologist.

Business owners take aim at proposed smoking laws.

Fri, 3 May 2013 10:15:39 -0700

Small-business owners took aim on Thursday at the New York City Council's package of antismoking legislation, including a proposal to raise the minimum age to purchase cigarettes to 21. New York Times.
[See a related article from the UK: Cigarettes will NOT be sold in plain packaging: Cameron ditches plan designed to deter young people from smoking]

The right amount of vitamin D for babies: 400 IU daily dose for suggested for infants under one year of age.

Thu, 2 May 2013 12:08:05 -0700

It was clear, as early as the three-month mark, that there was no advantage to the higher doses of vitamin D and that 400 IU per day was sufficient. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Effect of different dosages of oral vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status in healthy, breastfed infants as well as a related article: Researchers pinpoint upper safe limit of vitamin D blood levels, study suggests and its reference study: Vitamin D levels for preventing acute coronary syndrome and mortality: evidence of a non-linear association]

Outdoor recess time can reduce the risk of nearsightedness in children.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:55:58 -0700

Two new studies add to the growing evidence that spending time outdoors may help prevent or minimize nearsightedness in children. MedicalXpress.
[See the studies: Outdoor activity during class recess reduces myopia onset and progression in school children and Effect of day length on eye growth, myopia progression, and change of corneal power in myopic children]

Twenty years of research suggests asbestos regulations need updating.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:47:38 -0700

Asbestos regulations were last updated in the mid 1980s, and more than 20 years of health research suggests it's time to update those regulations again, said NIEHS Senior Medical Advisor Aubrey Miller, MD, during a March 23rd keynote speech at the annual international Asbestos Awareness Conference. NIEHS Environmental Factor.

First Nation threatens to shut down BC copper mine.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:29:11 -0700

A threat by a BC First Nation to shut down a BC mine is a small sign of a potentially "catastrophic" uprising in Canada if Aboriginal Peoples don't become full participants in natural resource extraction, a prominent think-tank warned Wednesday. Vancouver Sun, British Columbia.
[See another article about indigenous resistance to business enterprise: 9th Circuit allows Hopi case against Arizona Snowbowl to be heard]

Creek spill an overdue wakeup call.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:24:02 -0700

When Colorado lawmakers overwhelmingly approved updating state oil and gas regulations in 2007 and regulators wrote the rules to implement the changes, some issues were put aside with the promise they would be resolved later. Denver Post, Colorado.

GE in talks with New York on wider cleanup of Hudson River pollution.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:20:47 -0700

General Electric Co. is in talks with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on expanding its cleanup of contaminants in the Hudson River, according to the head of the state's canal agency. Business Week.
[See another article about a clean-up challenge: Ford property pollution spreads, expert says]

Directors face prospect of unlimited liability in pollution case.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:19:25 -0700

A battle over who should pay to clean up the toxics that leaked out of a factory in Southwestern Ontario -- and into the groundwater underneath nearby homes -- is raising concerns on Bay Street. Globe and Mail, Ontario.

Air quality a factor for foreign workers in China.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:16:42 -0700

Marc van der Chijs fondly remembers the 13 years he spent developing Tudou -- China's version of YouTube -- while living in Shanghai. But when his four-year-old-son started coughing and his nose wouldn't stop running, van der Chijs decided it was time to leave. Vancouver Sun, British Columbia.

Supreme court ruling may force British cities to clean up and ban dirty cars.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:10:32 -0700

The UK's highest appeal court has ruled that the government has breached European Union air quality laws by failing to reduce cancer-causing pollutants. The Telegraph, United Kingdom.

The long road to recovery: environmental health impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Thu, 2 May 2013 11:09:48 -0700

Incidences of death and illness, though small in number compared with some storms, have come in many forms, the effects still unfolding as time goes by. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Killing bacteria, with a little help from breast milk.

Thu, 2 May 2013 10:54:57 -0700

MRSA is a scary germ in a world where old antibiotics don't always work. But now, researchers have managed to make MRSA sensitive to methicillin again by pairing the drug with a protein complex first discovered in breast milk. Science.
[See the study: Sensitization of Staphylococcus aureus to methicillin and other antibiotics in vitro and in vivo in the presence of HAMLET]

Autism-Lyme correlation debunked.

Thu, 2 May 2013 10:04:33 -0700

The hypothesized link between autism and Lyme disease loses ground with a new study that found no evidence of an infection in patients with the social development disorder. The Scientist.
[See the study: Serologic markers of Lyme disease in children with autism]

Lipstick's allure may come with heavy metal price.

Thu, 2 May 2013 09:03:40 -0700

The quest for lusher, ruby-red lips may be exposing women to dangerous metals, including cadmium, a highly toxic element linked with renal failure, a UC Berkeley study suggests. Los Angeles Times.
[See the study: Concentrations and potential health risks of metals in lip products]

Surprising source of lead poisoning in Amazon.

Thu, 2 May 2013 09:01:58 -0700

Lead is valuable in the Peruvian Amazon since it is easily molded to make perfect weights for fishing lines and nets. That convenience comes at a cost. Three out of every four children in communities in the Corrientes River basin have blood lead levels higher than those considered excessive under U.S. health guidelines. Environmental Health News.
[See another article about lead exposures: Calif. sues: Lead in candied ginger, plum]

Top 10 selections: April 2013.

Wed, 1 May 2013 13:02:35 -0700

For our third quarterly Top 10 list, we again selected from several dozen candidate news articles, journal articles, policy decisions and reports that have had a significant impact or are likely to have a significant impact on thinking and action in the field of environmental health. Comments are welcome.

The JPC-SE Position Statement on Asbestos: a long-overdue appeal by epidemiologists to ban asbestos worldwide and end related global environmental injustice.

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:57:44 -0700

Recently, the Joint Policy Committee (JPC) of the Societies of Epidemiology (SE), a consortium of national and international epidemiologic societies and organizations, released a statement calling for the global ban of asbestos use. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Gut bacteria and melamine toxicity.

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:55:56 -0700

In a new analysis of specific mechanisms possibly involved with melamine toxicity, researchers from China, the United Kingdom, and the United States have found that at least one intestinal bacterial species, Klebsiella terrigena, may play a role. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Exposure to TDCPP appears widespread.

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:53:11 -0700

Two new studies document the presence of the flame retardant tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) in dust from homes, offices, and automobiles. They also report some of the first data on urine levels of a metabolite of this flame retardant. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Environmental exposures in the context of child care.

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:44:43 -0700

Environmental health standards in child care settings nationwide -- which can include not just centers but also private homes, workplaces, universities, and places of worship -- still lag behind those of schools, where children are older, larger, and somewhat less susceptible to environmental exposures. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Systems biology and birth defects prevention: blockade of the glucocorticoid receptor prevents arsenic-induced birth defects.

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:37:03 -0700

Our findings highlight a novel approach to computationally identify a targeted biological pathway for examining birth defects prevention. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Job opening: Washington, DC.

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:31:18 -0700

The Union of Concerned Scientists seeks a senior climate scientist to research, scope, and develop longer term analytical products to advance the climate campaign in future years, covering topics including climate impacts and energy sector resilience to climate change. The application deadline is May 2nd.

Job opening; Bethesda, Maryland.

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:28:55 -0700

The successful candidate(s) will become part of an interdisciplinary team at Abt Associates conducting novel and required research in support of national-level environmental programs. Projects encompass support of various environmental regulations through benefit-cost analyses, risk assessment, exposure assessment/modeling, and methods development in these areas.

Globalization, climate change, and human health.

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:22:28 -0700

The processes of global change are more systemic, involving disruption or depletion (not merely local pollution). Remediating or adapting to these changes requires an understanding of dynamic systems, their complexity and associated uncertainties, and coordinated policy responses across relevant sectors. New England Journal of Medicine.

Maternal diet sets up junk food addiction in babies.

Wed, 1 May 2013 11:56:53 -0700

Research from the University of Adelaide suggests that mothers who eat junk food while pregnant have already programmed their babies to be addicted to a high fat, high sugar diet by the time they are weaned. Health, Medical, and Science Updates.
[See the study: Increased maternal nutrition alters development of the appetite-regulating network in the brain]

Smoking 'poses bigger risk to women.'

Wed, 1 May 2013 11:00:09 -0700

Women who smoke have a higher risk of cancer than men, Norwegian investigators found. They looked at the medical records of 600,000 patients and discovered the bowel cancer risk linked to smoking was twice as high in women than men. BBC.
[See the study: The increased risk of colon cancer due to cigarette smoking may be greater in women than men]

New concerns over cell phone radiation.

Wed, 1 May 2013 10:55:26 -0700

For years, scientists insisted there was no connection between cell phones and cancer, but now some credible experts are re-evaluating that position. Milwaukee CBS 58 TV, Wisconsin.

Breast implants may delay cancer diagnosis: study.

Wed, 1 May 2013 10:53:19 -0700

Breast implants may delay cancer diagnosis in women, said a study Wednesday that urged a thorough probe into the potential health risks of this type of cosmetic surgery. Agence France-Presse.

Thousands of kids' products contain toxic chemicals, report says.

Wed, 1 May 2013 09:45:14 -0700

More than 5,000 products, including clothing, toys and bedding, contain toxic chemicals that could be dangerous for children's health, yet stores still stock them and consumers know little about their content, an advocacy group [Washington Toxics Coalition] reported this week. McClatchy Newspapers.
[See the report: Chemicals Revealed]

Federal report says EPA falling short in ensuring chemical safety.

Wed, 1 May 2013 09:38:18 -0700

Given a new approach, federal environmental officials have made progress in managing toxic chemicals under existing laws, but whether that means they will ultimately ensure the safety of chemicals is "unclear," a government report has found. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania.
[See the GAO report: EPA Has Increased Efforts to Assess and Control Chemicals but Could Strengthen Its Approach]

Diesel program cutting emissions, but funding to be slashed.

Wed, 1 May 2013 09:17:35 -0700

More than 50,000 high-polluting diesel engines have been cleaned up or removed from U.S. roads in a federal program designed to reduce smog and greenhouse gases, according to a new Environmental Protection Agency report to Congress. While industry and environmental officials call the program a success, it is now threatened with a 70 percent cut in funding under the Obama Administration's new budget. Environmental Health News.
[See the EPA report: Second Report to Congress: Highlights of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program]

One child in seven obese or overweight in Scotland.

Wed, 1 May 2013 08:56:07 -0700

More than one in seven five-year-olds in Scotland is clinically overweight or obese and could benefit from help with their diet and exercise, latest figures show. Edinburgh Scotsman, United Kingdom.

FDA looks at caffeine impact on kids after Wrigley gum.

Wed, 1 May 2013 08:51:28 -0700

Wrigley's new Alert Energy Caffeine Gum has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to look into the potential impact that added caffeine may have on children and adolescents. Reuters.

Lack of iodine may lead to literacy problems.

Wed, 1 May 2013 08:44:41 -0700

Babies whose mothers have low levels of iodine during pregnancy have worse literacy skills in childhood. "Our research found children may continue to experience the effects of insufficient iodine for years after birth," said public health specialist Kristen Hynes, who led the study. Times of London, United Kingdom.
[See the study: Mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy is associated with reduced educational outcomes in the offspring: 9-year follow-up of the Gestational Iodine Cohort]

Smoking associated with fracture nonunion, longer healing times.

Wed, 1 May 2013 08:29:28 -0700

Study data presented at the AAOS 2013 Annual Meeting revealed that smoking is associated with increased nonunion rates, longer healing times, and higher rates of wound complications in long-bone fractures. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
[See the presentation abstract: Blowing smoke: a meta-analysis of smoking on fracture healing and post-operative infection]

Lamar Smith, GOP push politicization of scientific research.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:28:39 -0700

Republicans on the House science committee are making an unprecedented move to require oversight of the scientific research process, pushing a bill that would in effect politicize decisions made by the National Science Foundation, according to a draft of the legislation acquired by The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post.

What really makes us fat?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:24:31 -0700

If we are to make progress in the struggle against obesity and its related chronic diseases, he believes we must accept the existence of alternative hypotheses of obesity, refuse to accept substandard science, and find the willingness and the resources to do better. EurekAlert!
[See the BMJ essay: The science of obesity: what do we really know about what makes us fat? An essay by Gary Taubes]

Does overall diet in midlife predict future aging phenotypes? A cohort study.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:08:58 -0700

By considering healthy aging as a composite of cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, mental, and cognitive function, the present study offers a new perspective on the impact of diet on aging phenotypes. The American Journal of Medicine.
[See other articles about lifestyle and health: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and risk of incident cognitive impairment; Relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality and Polychlorinated biphenyl 153 is a diet-dependent obesogen that worsens nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in male C57BL6/J mice]

Chemicals on federal radar pervasive in Chicago.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:55:10 -0700

On the brink of federal regulatory review, chemicals in deodorants, lotions and conditioners are showing up in Chicago's air at levels that scientists call alarming. The airborne compounds -- cyclic siloxanes -- are traveling to places as far as the Arctic, and can be toxic to aquatic life. "These chemicals are just everywhere," said Keri Hornbuckle, an engineering professor at the University of Iowa. Environmental Health News.
[See the study: Cyclic siloxanes in air, including identification of high levels in Chicago and distinct diurnal variation]

Tainted fish: chemicals trigger consumption warnings.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:34:58 -0700

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health Services warn residents to limit their consumption of wild fish to prevent possible health problems from chemical contamination, as do many other states. Great Lakes Echo, Michigan.

PCD seeks measures to combat toxic waste.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:34:02 -0700

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) will propose measures to Cabinet to strictly control the movement of hazardous industrial waste -- after discovering the illegal transfer of 30 million tonnes of waste from manufacturers to unknown destinations. Bangkok Nation, Thailand.

Studies: air pollution linked to brain damage.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:26:00 -0700

Scientists in 2004 studied the brain tissue of children and young adults in Mexico who had died of accidents and were stunned by what they found -- a discovery that rocked the world of neuroscience and has gone largely untested until now. Scripps Howard News Service.

Toxic chemicals bill needed to protect children.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:14:51 -0700

It is imperative that we draw up a list of priority chemicals that impact children's health. This in turn may lead to more rapid phaseout of toxic chemicals from child-related products. And to replace toxics, we should place greater emphasis on introducing safer alternatives. Hartford Courant, Connecticut.

Flame retardants to be removed from nap mats.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:11:52 -0700

A Minnesota company has pledged to remove flame-retardant chemicals from the children's nap mats it sells in California as part of a lawsuit settlement announced Monday by the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland. San Francisco Chronicle, California.
[See another article about flames and foam items: Nanocoating helps furniture foam fight fire without troubling flame retardants]

Tainted well water case ends in guilty verdict.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:10:48 -0700

After a former suburban Chicago water official was convicted Monday for lying about secretly mixing carcinogen-tainted well water into the village's drinking supply, the sense of bitterness and betrayal among residents remained. Associated Press.

Children on track for a heart attack.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:06:40 -0700

Do you know how old your kids' arteries are? It's a potentially important question as scientists increasingly uncover links between healthy habits in childhood and risk for heart disease later in life. Wall Street Journal.
[See the study: Triglyceride to HDL-C ratio and increased arterial stiffness in children, adolescents, and young adults]

US-born kids have more allergies, asthma.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:45 -0700

Kids and teens who are born abroad and immigrate to the U.S. are about half as likely to have asthma and allergies as those who are born in the U.S., according to a new study. Researchers suspect there are environmental factors in the U.S. that trigger allergies. Reuters Health.
[See the study: Prevalence of allergic disease in foreign-born American children]

Risk of incident diabetes in relation to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter in Ontario, Canada.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:01:49 -0700

This study suggests that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may contribute to the development of diabetes. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Blood lead levels and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations in peripubertal boys.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:57:42 -0700

In peripubertal boys with low-level lead exposure, higher BLLs were associated with lower serum IGF-1. Inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-growth axis may be one possible pathway by which lead exposure leads to growth delay. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Exercise attenuates PCB-induced changes in the mouse gut microbiome.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:55:45 -0700

This study provides the first evidence that oral exposure to PCBs can induce substantial changes in the gut microbiome, which may then influence their systemic toxicity. Importantly, these changes can be attenuated by behavioral factors, such as voluntary exercise. Environmental Health Perspectives.

To protect worker health NIOSH recommends new exposure levels for nanomaterials.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:40:33 -0700

CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) today recommended that occupational exposures to carbon nanotubes and nanofibers be controlled to reduce worker's potential risk for certain work-related lung effects.

New urgency targets mysterious kidney disease in Central America.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:35:13 -0700

Over the last two years, the Center for Public Integrity has examined how a rare type of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is killing thousands of agricultural workers along Central America's Pacific Coast, as well as in Sri Lanka and India. Scientists have yet to definitively uncover the cause of the malady, although emerging evidence points to toxic heavy metals contained in pesticides as a potential culprit. The Center for Public Integrity.
[See the study: Chronic kidney disease in Nicaragua: a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with physicians and pharmacists]

Bee-harming pesticides banned in Europe.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:01:31 -0700

Europe will enforce the world's first continent-wide ban on widely used insecticides linked to serious harm in bees, after a European commission vote on Monday. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Concerns grow about hormone-disrupting chemicals in Wisconsin water.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:46:57 -0700

All over the country, chemicals known to disrupt or act like hormones seem to have permeated the waters and may be harming wildlife -- or people. Madison Cap Times, Wisconsin.

Factory collapse in Bangladesh should trigger better safety laws.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:28:48 -0700

Consumers in Canada and around the world saw the true cost of cheaply made clothes with the collapse of an illegally built garment factory in Bangladesh this past week. Toronto Star, Ontario.

Ontario's costly recycling program for electronics falls short.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:25:52 -0700

Ontarians pay millions for green recycling of electronic waste, but at least some of it ends up in Third World dumping grounds, harming the environment and the workers who dispose of it. Toronto Star, Ontario.

Could e-cigarettes save smokers' lives? Some health advocates think so.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:25:07 -0700

Are electronic cigarettes dangerous and potentially hazardous to health or an important tool that can help people quit smoking? It depends on whom you ask. Globe and Mail, Ontario.

Supporters of the anti-fracking charter amendment say it protects people.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:23:03 -0700

Supporters of a Youngstown anti-fracking charter amendment on the May 7 ballot say the proposal returns the rights to clean air, pure water and self-government to the people. But opponents of the citizens-based initiative see the proposal quite differently. Youngstown Vindicator, Ohio.
[See another story about concerns over fracking; Pennsylvania residents concerned about health effects of hydrofracking]

Scientist's target: carcinogenic products.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:20:36 -0700

In the 1970s, as a University of California, Berkeley researcher, Arlene Blum wrote in a scientific paper that a flame retardant used in children's pajamas was a carcinogen. Then, in 2006, Blum learned from an industry leader that the same flame retardant that she had written about three decades prior was being embedded in the foam of many couches and baby products. Initially, Blum was flabbergasted. Then she took action. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Chemicals sprayed in orchards causing fatal brain cancer in Kashmir.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:05:00 -0700

Toxic chemicals sprayed on fruit trees in Kashmir orchards is causing fatal brain cancer in the valley. A study found that 90 percent of patients who die from malignant brain tumor in the valley is linked to orchards where pesticides, insecticides and fungicides are used. New Delhi Hindustan Times, India.
[See the study: Pesticides and brain cancer linked in orchard farmers of Kashmir]

Illness from raw milk hits farm-to-table advocates.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:01:53 -0700

It was the post that blogger Jo-Lynne Shane says she almost didn't write. When the Pottstown-area woman and her three children got sick from raw milk early last year, she knew she owed it to her readers to write about it. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania.

The science of sleepy teenagers.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:53:51 -0700

The amount of sleep teenagers get varies between countries, geographic region, and social class, but all studies show they are going to bed later and not getting as much sleep as they need because of early school starts. Slate.

UN chemicals summit expected to adopt new controls.

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:22:00 -0700

At the start of a major conference to regulate chemical and hazardous waste safety, top officials voiced optimism Saturday that delegates will approve new international controls on several industrial compounds and agree to clamp down on some cross-border pollution. Associated Press.

Living in a toxic land: a history of neglect, risk in Lanare.

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:21:25 -0700

In the wide-open spaces of southwest Fresno County, California, Lanare, a town of 590, is deceptively risky. People in Lanare's ZIP code die a decade sooner than those in the Woodward Park area of northeast Fresno. The town lacks health care, sewers, schools and clean water. Fresno Bee, California.
[See another story about a contaminated area, in Jamaica: NCU scientists name areas with 'poisoned' soil]

Health issues rise with bad air.

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:17:22 -0700

According to the American Lung Association, more than 40 percent of people in the United States live in areas where air pollution threatens their health. That means more than 127 million people are living in areas with dangerous levels of either ozone or particle pollution that can cause wheezing and coughing, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature death. Carlisle Sentinel, Pennsylvania.

Is air pollution contributing to hardened arteries?

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:41:45 -0700

The latest research, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, found that exposure to air pollution may increase heart attacks and strokes by accelerating the process of atherosclerosis. Time.
[See the study: Fine particulate air pollution and the progression of carotid intima-medial thickness: a prospective cohort study from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution]

Oregon needs to aggressively reduce pollution, City Club of Portland report says.

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:14:43 -0700

Oregon needs to aggressively reduce pollution from aging wood stoves, older long-haul diesel trucks and off-road diesel equipment to cut high levels of Portland-area air toxics, a City Club of Portland committee says in a report released today. Portland Oregonian, Oregon.
[See the report: Invisible Enemies: Reducing Air Toxics in the Portland Airshed]

House votes for safer children's products.

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:13:53 -0700

Minnesota state representatives voted Friday to ban companies from intentionally putting formaldehyde in child care products. Fargo Inforum, North Dakota.

Judge affirms $81 million of damages awarded to 12 Oregon soldiers for toxic exposure in Iraq.

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:12:11 -0700

A federal judge in Portland Friday affirmed $75 million in punitive damages a jury awarded to 12 Oregon National Guard veterans last fall in a case against government contractor KBR, Inc. for its conduct in Iraq a decade ago. Portland Oregonian, Oregon.

USDA whistleblowers: chemical use in poultry plants a serious health hazard.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:49:00 -0700

GAP is making publicly available affidavits from two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors that illustrate serious health hazards regarding chemical use they observed at multiple poultry processing plants. Government Accountability Project.

Effect of passive smoking on female breast cancer in China.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:47:29 -0700

Results suggest a possible association between passive tobacco smoke and female breast cancer in China. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health.

Grants offered to improve environmental health in early childhood education programs.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:43:43 -0700

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is offering $200,000 in mini-grants to child care centers to work toward achieving higher quality environmental health standards. Each child care center will be eligible to apply for up to $5,000 to make environmental health improvements. MarketWatch.

Health Care Without Harm presents its 2013 Sustainability Awards at CleanMed in Boston, MA.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:40:42 -0700

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) has honored six outstanding individuals with its annual awards, given in a variety of categories to persons who have contributed to the development of sustainable health care. PR Web.

Wood fires focus of pollution cut.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:30:43 -0700

The humble wood fire may soon be subject to new national standards or even a buyback program, amid concerns that Australia's 1 million fireplaces remain a major source of air pollution. Melbourne Age, Australia.
[See another article from the US regarding burning and air quality: Mesa County's burn season contributes to air pollution]

EU GMO policy paradox: farmers can't plant GM corn, but it can be imported.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:28:00 -0700

The EU is unique in the world for its strong stance against genetically-modified organisms, primarily based upon concerns over potential health risks and environmental contamination. But many scientists say the opposition to GM crops is based more on fear than evidence. International Business Times.
[See the study: Paradoxical EU agricultural policies on genetically engineered crops]

Diabetes warning over soft drinks.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:39:19 -0700

Drinking one or more cans of sugary soft drinks a day is linked to an increased risk of diabetes in later life, a study suggests. A can a day raises the relative risk of Type-2 diabetes by about a fifth, compared with one can a month or under, say European scientists. BBC.
[See the study: Consumption of sweet beverages and type 2 diabetes incidence in European adults: results from EPIC-InterAct]

Latin America 'threatened by rising cancer cases.'

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:30:36 -0700

Cancer is threatening to overwhelm Latin American countries, experts writing in Lancet Oncology warn. There are far fewer cases of cancer in the region than in the US or Europe -- but the proportion who die is far higher, they say. BBC.
[See the study: Planning cancer control in Latin America and the Caribbean]

Experts avoid sounding alarm on chemicals -- but adjust their own habits.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:28:28 -0700

None of the dozens of experts interviewed recommended that people abstain from well water or swimming to avoid known or suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been found in lakes, rivers and groundwater. At the same time, many of the researchers said they had begun trying to limit their own and their children's exposures, taking a "better safe than sorry" approach. WisconsinWatch.org.

Heavy use of herbicide Roundup linked to health dangers -- US study.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:13:38 -0700

Heavy use of the world's most popular herbicide, Roundup, could be linked to a range of health problems and diseases, including Parkinson's, infertility and cancers, according to a new study. Reuters.
[See the study: Glyphosate's suppression of cytochrome P450 enzymes and amino acid biosynthesis by the gut microbiome: pathways to modern diseases]

Measles vaccination plan in England targets 1m children.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:10:27 -0700

One million schoolchildren in England who missed MMR jabs are to be targeted by a vaccination plan aimed at curbing the growing threat of measles. Health officials warn epidemics similar to the one in Swansea, which has seen nearly 942 cases, could occur anywhere. BBC.

CHE call: When There Is No Epidemiologist.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:25:07 -0700

Two recent studies document community efforts to measure community health, using the principles of community based participatory research. On this May 2nd call, Dr. Wilma Subra will discuss her work with communities located near drilling/fracking sites, Dr. Michael Hendryx will describe his work in Appalachian mountain top mining communities, and Luis Olmedo will discuss his work with Imperial Visions Action Network assisting citizens in addressing environmental problems while also helping them understand government's limitations and capabilities.

New report: State Chemicals Policy: Trends and Profiles.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:20:03 -0700

This report describes recent state legislative and policy efforts to prevent the hazards and risks associated with toxic chemicals, which are often known as "chemicals of concern." It also highlights state actions and experiences to advance needed reforms of federal chemicals policy.

Forest conservation could reduce malaria transmission.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:18:03 -0700

Preserving the biodiversity of tropical forests could have the added benefit of cutting the spread of malaria, according to a new study. Environmental News Network.
[See the study: Biodiversity can help prevent malaria outbreaks in tropical forests]

Air pollution and congenital heart defects.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:16:54 -0700

Generally there were no evidence for an association between gaseous air pollutants and congenital heart defects.Our results for PM10 and congenital heart defects confirm results from previous studies. The results for PM2.5 need further investigations. Environmental Research.

Addressing the social determinants of health within the patient-centered medical home: lessons from pediatrics.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:10:06 -0700

The following suggestions based on pediatric guidelines and practices can be used to inform the development of transformative PCMHs designed to address the social context of patient care, especially those patient-centered medical homes serving low-income populations. JAMA.

National Healthy Schools Day.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:59:52 -0700

Beginning April 30 and lasting all week, the Healthy Schools Network and coalition members across the nation will be hosting events across the country in celebration of the 11th Annual National Healthy School Day. The public is invited to host a local activity that educates others and celebrates your school's successes.

Petition invitation: Take the Toxic Chemicals out of My Couch.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:53:31 -0700

The public is invited to sign a petition requesting to stop the use of toxic flame retardant chemicals in furniture and baby products. Signers are able to add comments to the petition.

Environmental justice soldiers on without a king, queen -- or major dollars.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:32:43 -0700

While mainstream environmental organizations lick their wounds over the failure of climate-change legislation and their startling lack of diversity, people of color and those living on low incomes continue to bear the brunt of climate-change impacts. Colorlines.

When food isn't the answer to hunger.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:26:57 -0700

In some situations, giving individuals or charitable groups cash to buy food can make food aid cheaper, faster and fairer. But by strengthening and not undercutting local farmers, cash aid also helps countries to avoid hunger later. New York Times.

Florida environmental regulators delay consideration of controversial water-pollution limits.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:20:20 -0700

Environmentalists declared at least a temporary victory after persuading the state Environmental Regulation Commission to put off the adoption of limits for more than 30 water pollutants. Orlando Sentinel, Florida.

Environment: federal court clears way for new EPA regulations on water pollution from fossil fuel power plants.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:08:43 -0700

A federal appeals court this week cleared the way for the EPA to issue new regulations aimed at stemming mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium water pollution from power plant discharges. Summit County Citizens Voice, Colorado.

California suspends operations at Los Angeles-area battery recycler.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:06:12 -0700

State regulators took the highly unusual step Wednesday of suspending operations at a Vernon battery recycler that has discharged harmful quantities of lead for years and more recently has been deemed to pose a danger to as many as 110,000 people because of arsenic emissions. Los Angeles Times.

Dyer: third option for planet warming.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:04:41 -0700

It's a grim choice: either financial meltdown if we act decisively to halt climate change, or physical meltdown if we don't. But there is, unfortunately, a third alternative. In fact, it's the likeliest outcome by far. Salt Lake Tribune, Utah.
[See another article about climate change: Washington, DC, under water: what sea level rise looks like]

Born sooner and smaller; PFOS affects fetal growth in the womb.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:24 -0700

Babies with higher PFOS exposures in the womb are born smaller and sooner, reports a new study from Taiwan. Environmental Health News.
[See the study: Perfluorinated compounds in umbilical cord blood and adverse birth outcomes]

Setbacks for coal industry; rulings for EPA, new health studies.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:32:08 -0700

In reversing a decision by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, the Sixth District U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati faulted the Corps' failure to consider the cumulative environmental impacts of past mining, a failure of which Kentucky regulators are also guilty. Lexington Herald-Leader, Kentucky.

Japan court rejects demand to evacuate children.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:03 -0700

A Japanese court has rejected a demand that a city affected by the fallout of the country's 2011 nuclear disaster evacuate its children. The unusual lawsuit was filed on behalf of the children by their parents and anti-nuclear activists in June 2011. The Sendai High Court handed down its ruling Wednesday. Associated Press.

Lead poisoning persists despite progress.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:13:37 -0700

Childhood lead poisoning is no longer as widespread as it was three decades ago, when national measures to reduce exposure took effect. But the environmental illness still disproportionately harms low-income, minority children, who often live in neighborhoods where lead in paint, soil and other sources persists for decades. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Association of time-location patterns with urinary cotinine among asthmatic children under household environmental tobacco smoke exposure.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:24:47 -0700

Our study suggests that the major source of ETS exposure for children is due to longer period of exposures among children living with adult smokers at home. Environmental Research.

Viruses from sewage contaminate deep well water.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:17:07 -0700

After the team detected viruses in the sewage, the same viruses appeared simultaneously in all six wells a few weeks later, usually after rain or snowfall melt. The scientists could correlate when the pathogens popped up in the well water with their appearance in the sewage system. Chemical and Engineering News.

Living near freeway may clog arteries.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:57:12 -0700

Living near heavy traffic holds double trouble for arteries, with independent effects from road noise and air pollution on atherosclerosis, a population-based study showed. MedPage Today.

Phthalate exposure and children's health.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:52:29 -0700

Several epidemiological studies suggest fetal and childhood exposure to some phthalates may perturb normal development, with several studies consistently reporting increased risk of allergic diseases with DEHP and BBzP exposure. Current Opinion in Pediatrics.

Beijing air laden with arsenic, other heavy metals: study.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:12:10 -0700

Beijing's polluted air contains excessive amounts of heavy metals, which can damage the nervous system and cause cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to a report released Tuesday that tested the capital's air over a 15-day period during December and January. Beijing Global Times, China.

EPA wants power plants to dump less pollution into waterways.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:00:12 -0700

Power plants may have to do something -- though it's not yet sure just what that is and how much -- to reduce the toxic chemicals and metals they dump into the nation's waterways. Louisville Courier-Journal, Kentucky.

American Lung Association "State of the Air 2013" report finds air quality improves nationwide despite more spikes in unhealthy air days.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:55:21 -0700

This report released today finds significant progress in the reduction of year-round particle pollution (soot) across the nation, but many cities that ranked among the most polluted had more unhealthy days of high ozone (smog) and short-term particle pollution than in the 2012 report.

Physicians, scientists call for moratorium on mountaintop removal.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:45:18 -0700

A new report from a group of independent physicians and scientists calls for an immediate moratorium on mountaintop removal mining. The group is particularly concerned about the association between reproductive outcomes and mountaintop removal. Charleston State Journal, West Virginia.
[See the analysis: The Health Impacts of Mountaintop Removal Mining]

Cassava and mental deficits.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:39:10 -0700

Konzo, a disease that comes from eating bitter cassava that has not been prepared properly -- that is, soaked for days to break down its natural cyanide -- has long been known to cripple children. Now researchers have found that children who have no obvious physical symptoms may still have mental deficits. New York Times.
[See the study: Neuropsychological effects of konzo: a neuromotor disease associated with poorly processed cassava]

'Cal Enviroscreen' ranks zip codes statewide by pollution.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:37:03 -0700

You can look up your own community. Cal Enviroscreen measures a broad range of pollutants and health indicators in every zip code across the state. San Francisco KQED Public Radio, California.

Concerns grow about hormone-disrupting chemicals in Wisconsin water.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:36:12 -0700

Despite growing evidence of risks, Wisconsin has issued little guidance on how endocrine disruptors in its lakes, streams and groundwater constitute danger for fish, wildlife or people. These chemicals are largely unregulated. Oshkosh Northwestern, Wisconsin.

Epilepsy drug in pregnancy tied to autism risk.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:30:52 -0700

Women who take the epilepsy drug valproate during pregnancy are three times more likely to have a child with an autism spectrum disorder, suggests new research based on close to 700,000 babies born in Denmark. Reuters Health.
[See the study: Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism]

A quarter of Angelenos breathe noxious freeway pollutants every morning.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:28:43 -0700

The researchers measured pollutant concentrations upwind and downwind of the 91, 210, 110 and 101 freeways using a zero-emission vehicle equipped with specialized instruments to quantify the amount of ultrafine particles and other tailpipe pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. UCLA Newsroom.

Call for comments: Control of Air Pollution from Motor Vehicles: Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:12:53 -0700

Two public hearings will be held on April 24, 2013. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and on April 29, 2013. in Chicago, Illinois. The public can also listen, but not comment, via telephone. Written comments will be accepted until June 13, 2013.

New report: Reducing Tobacco-Related Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Workshop Summary.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:06:51 -0700

Experts explored a number of topics, including the changing demographics of tobacco users and the changing patterns of tobacco product use; the influence of tobacco use on cancer incidence and cancer treatment outcomes; tobacco dependence and cessation programs; federal and state level laws and regulations to curtail tobacco use; tobacco control education, messaging, and advocacy; financial and legal challenges to tobacco control efforts; and research and infrastructure needs to support tobacco control strategies, reduce tobacco related cancer incidence, and improve cancer patient outcomes.

SAR exposure from UHF RFID reader in adult, child, pregnant woman, and fetus anatomical models.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:40:44 -0700

Exposure of pregnant women and fetuses resulted in maximum peak SAR10_{10 g} values close to the values suggested by the guidelines (2 W/kg) in some of the exposure scenarios with the antenna positioned in front of the abdomen and with a 100% duty cycle and 1 W radiated power. Bioelectromagnetics.

Scientists urge UN to take action on chemicals in consumer products and pesticides.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:38:42 -0700

Today, a group of influential scientists called for swift action by the UN system to prevent harm from a wide variety of synthetic chemicals in consumer products and pesticides that play a role in increased incidences of reproductive diseases, cancer, obesity, and type-2 diabetes worldwide.

EPA proposes to reduce toxic pollutants discharged into waterways by power plants.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:30:26 -0700

In accordance with a consent decree and in line with requirements under the Clean Water Act, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today will propose a range of options to help reduce dangerous pollutants, including mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium that are released into America's waterways by coal ash, air pollution control waste and other waste from steam electric power plants.

Toddlers becoming so addicted to iPads they require therapy.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:23:25 -0700

Dr Graham said that young technology addicts experienced the same withdrawal symptoms as alcoholics or heroin addicts, when the devices were taken away. He warned that the condition prevented young people from forming normal social relationships, leaving them drained by the constant interaction. The Telegraph, United Kingdom.

WNY's most toxic site defies US effort, threatens water.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:07:15 -0700

More than 40 years after the nation's only commercial effort to reprocess nuclear fuel was closed down, the West Valley nuclear waste site is arguably Western New York's most toxic location. Buffalo News, New York.

Flame retardants: despite investigation, EPA says its hands are tied.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:02:22 -0700

As the Obama administration launches a broad investigation of flame retardants used in furniture and other household goods, the nation's top environmental regulators are running into the limitations of a federal law that makes it practically impossible to ban hazardous chemicals. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

Study links autism with antidepressant use during pregnancy.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:24 -0700

A cautiously worded study has found that "in utero exposure to both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and nonselective monoamine reuptake inhibitors was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders, particularly without intellectual disability." New York Times.
[See the study: Parental depression, maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy, and risk of autism spectrum disorders: population based case-control study]

Twin study shows environment interacts with genes in autism.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:52:59 -0700

Scientists have found patterns of change in gene activity involved in autism in a study that shed light on how environmental factors can work to turn certain genes on or off and contribute to the development of the brain disorder. Reuters.
[See the study: Methylomic analysis of monozygotic twins discordant for autism spectrum disorder and related behavioural traits]

Pollution is radically changing childhood in China's cities.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:46:12 -0700

Levels of deadly pollutants up to 40 times the recommended exposure limit in Beijing and other cities in China have struck fear into parents and led them to take steps that are radically altering the nature of urban life for their children. New York Times.

City to raise age limit on tobacco sales.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:45:39 -0700

New York City is planning to raise the legal age to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products to 21 from 18, a proposal that would make New York the first major city in the nation to bring the minimum age above 19. Wall Street Journal.

Burning question: is it okay to heat food in plastic?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:41:19 -0700

Plastic is ubiquitous but there are two chemicals in it to watch out for when it comes to what your body ingests: phthalates and bisphenol A. Wall Street Journal.

Asthma more prevalent in children near rail yard.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:12:33 -0700

Children who live and attend school near the BNSF Railway cargo distribution hub in San Bernardino, Calif., are twice as likely to develop asthma as children who live five miles away in Fontana, researchers at Loma Linda University Medical Center say. Riverside Press-Enterprise, California.
[See more about the study: Loma Linda University collaborates with local community on environmental justice for residents near the San Bernardino rail yard]

Call for proposals: Obesity Prevention in Children.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:01:30 -0700

Successful applicants will receive grants to fund activities over a 2.5-year period for programs that seek to improve the knowledge and healthy lifestyle choices (behaviors) of children with the support of the adults in their lives who influence their diet, food preparation and activity level. Community-based education program activities will be funded in the following locations: Louisville, Kentucky (Jefferson County); Chicago, Illinois (Cook County); Las Vegas, Nevada (Clark County); Charlotte, North Carolina (Mecklenburg County); or Washington, DC (District of Columbia).

Association between blood lead and walking speed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2002).

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:34:52 -0700

Blood lead concentration was associated with decreased walking speed in women, but not in men. Our results contribute to the growing evidence that lead exposure, even at low levels, is detrimental to public health. Environmental Health Perspectives.

A C. elegans screening platform for the rapid assessment of chemical disruption of germline function.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:32:52 -0700

The assay was highly predictive of mammalian reproductive toxicities with a 69% maximum balanced accuracy. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Residential proximity to methyl bromide use and birth outcomes in an agricultural population in California.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:30:42 -0700

Residential proximity to methyl bromide use during the second trimester was associated with markers of restricted fetal growth in our study. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Adverse benzo(a)pyrene effects on neurodifferentiation are altered by other neurotoxicant coexposures: interactions with dexamethasone, chlorpyrifos, or nicotine in PC12 cells.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:28:53 -0700

Our results indicate that, although benzo(a)pyrene can act directly as a developmental neurotoxicant, its impact is greatly modified by coexposure to other, commonly encountered neurotoxicants from prenatal drug therapy, pesticides, or tobacco. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Improving the human hazard characterization of chemicals: a Tox21 update.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:26:38 -0700

This communication outlines the efforts of the Tox21 partners leading up to the time when FDA joined the collaboration, describes the approaches taken to develop the science and technologies currently being used, assesses the current status, and identifies problems that could impede further progress as well as approaches to address those problems. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Association of urinary monomethylated arsenic concentration and risk of hypertension: a cross-sectional study from arsenic contaminated areas in northwestern China.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:25:08 -0700

Our findings suggested that arsenic exposure, especially high level of cumulative arsenic exposure, was positively associated with the prevalence of hypertension, and that higher concentration of urinary monomethylated arsenic might be related to the increased susceptibility to hypertension. Environmental Health.

Diesel exhaust but not ozone increases fraction of exhaled nitric oxide in a randomized controlled experimental exposure study of healthy human subjects.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:23:55 -0700

Differences in the induction of airway inflammation may explain divergent responses to diesel exhaust and ozone, with implications for the use of FENO as an index of exposure to air pollution. Environmental Health.

New book: The Business of Baby.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:08:44 -0700

The Business of Baby, an eye-opening work of investigative journalism, exposes how our current cultural practices during pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year of a baby's life are not based on the best evidence or the most modern science, revealing how American moms and their babies are being undermined by corporate interests.

The toxic assault on our children.

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:07:07 -0700

Biologist, mother and activist Sandra Steingraber discusses her fight against fracking and toxins contaminating our air, water and food. Moyers & Company.

Florence Williams explains her obsession with 'Breasts.'

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:54:55 -0700

Florence Williams, the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for science and technology, explained that she had been nursing her second child and wondered about toxins in her breast milk. Los Angeles Times.

Light drinking in pregnancy not linked to development problems in childhood.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:44:37 -0700

Researchers, from University College London, used information on 10,534 7-year-olds from home-visit interviews and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers to identify social and emotional behaviour (such as hyperactivity, attention or conduct problems). The children were also tested for cognitive performance in maths, reading and spatial skills. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Light drinking versus abstinence in pregnancy -- behavioural and cognitive outcomes in 7-year-old children: a longitudinal cohort study]

Double up: diet, exercise together are key to success.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:29:27 -0700

Folks who want to get in better shape and eat healthier are often encouraged to make one change at a time, but a new study finds that people are the most successful when they tackle their diet and exercise habits simultaneously. USA Today.

Rights groups hail tribal win in India Vedanta case.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:19:31 -0700

Rights groups on Friday said India's Supreme Court had set a "landmark" precedent in forcing British resources giant Vedanta to obtain the approval of tribal people before mining their land. Vedanta's investment has emerged as a test case, pitting industrial development interests against those of indigenous peoples and the environment. Agence France-Presse.

Clean up call as lethal asbestos loophole is still open decade on.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:05:56 -0700

Communities across Scotland are still being exposed to toxic dangers from the demolition of old factories due to a loophole that was first highlighted more than a decade ago. London Daily Express, United Kingdom.

Cairo's air pollution indoors and outdoors high, threaten health and environment.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:03:54 -0700

The average Cairene inhales more than 20 times the acceptable level of air pollution every day, according to the World Health Organization. That means that every Cairo resident's daily air pollution intake is akin to smoking a pack of cigarettes. Egypt Independent, Egypt.

Why is the toxic dispersant used after BP's Gulf disaster still the cleanup agent of choice in the US?

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:46:32 -0700

Great Britain, the home country of BP, has banned the stuff. So has Sweden. But BP says as long as the US allows it, they'll use Corexit dispersant on their next oil spill. Mother Jones.

Coal-backed research takes on mining health studies.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:45:09 -0700

Scientists backed by a $15 million industry-funded research project are picking apart -- and trying to disprove -- a series of studies that found coalfield residents near mountaintop-removal mining operations face greater risks of serious illness and premature death. Charleston Gazette, West Virginia.

FSA says acrylamide, furan levels no risk to consumers.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:32:32 -0700

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) released interim results from its fifth and latest study examining levels of acrylamide, furan and the process contaminants in a range of retail foods produced in the United Kingdom. It found the acrylamide and furan levels reported do not increase concern about the risk to human health and FSA has not changed its advice to consumers. Food Product Design.

Seeking carcinogen-linked DNA in tissue samples.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:28:18 -0700

Researchers have developed a mass spectrometry technique that identifies and quantifies chemical signatures of carcinogen exposure in tissue samples preserved from from cancer patients over the past decades. Chemical & Engineering News.
[See the study: Human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues: an untapped specimen for biomonitoring of carcinogen DNA adducts by mass spectrometry]

Study: hookah no safer than cigarettes, just differently dangerous.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:21:15 -0700

Cigarette smoking may have earned a reputation as an unhealthy, cancer-causing pastime, but water pipes seem to have largely evaded the stigma. Now, new research shows that water pipes may simply be dangerous in slightly different ways, according to a study. Los Angeles Times.
[See the study: Comparison of nicotine and carcinogen exposure with water pipe and cigarette smoking]

Waiting to exhale in China.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:02:08 -0700

You can't breathe the air, you can't drink the water -- China's pollution woes have been splattered all over newspapers and websites in the past few months, and they're leaving a trail of sludge and smog behind. Dubai Gulf News, United Arab Emirates.

Coal: dust impacts at issue as Army Corps considers Northwest export plans.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:57:47 -0700

Federal and state regulators assessing proposals for coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest are being urged to look closely at the environmental impacts of fugitive dust and coal from trains and storage piles. Greenwire.

Large study finds no vaccine link to nerve disorder.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:56:38 -0700

In a review of data covering 13 years and millions of patients, researchers found no evidence of a link between being vaccinated against tetanus, hepatitis, pneumonia or flu, and developing the nerve-degenerating disorder Guillain-Barre. Reuters.

Judge removes BPA from list of toxics.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:55:57 -0700

As part of a lawsuit against a California agency, a judge ordered Friday that bisphenol A, a controversial chemical used in plastics and metal food containers, be removed from the state's list of reproductive toxicants. The chemical industry called the preliminary injunction a minor victory. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Port weighs toxic cleanup methods on Bellingham waterfront.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:55:08 -0700

In Washington state, the Port of Bellingham's proposed cleanup plan may not remove all the toxic mercury left in the water and on the land by discharges from Georgia-Pacific West Inc.'s chlorine plant, but it appears to be typical of what is being done at contaminated aquatic sites around the country. Tacoma News Tribune, Washington.

Immunotoxicity of perfluorinated alkylates: calculation of benchmark doses based on serum concentrations in children.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:16:23 -0700

When the results are converted to approximate exposure limits for drinking water, current limits appear to be several hundred fold too high. Current drinking water limits therefore need to be reconsidered. Environmental Health.

Residential proximity to major roads and adverse birth outcomes: a hospital-based study.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:15:12 -0700

The present study demonstrated that air pollution is an independent risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. Environmental Health.

Cigarette butts litter waterways, create toxic aquatic ecosystems.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:12:24 -0700

Cigarette butts are in fact toxic waste. Not only are these small stubs an eyesore, but they can also leach toxic chemicals and carcinogens into the environment, poisoning wildlife and contaminating waterways. Environmental News Network.
[See the Legacy news release: Billions of pieces of toxic trash are leaching deadly chemicals]

New issue: Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:04:00 -0700

The May/June 2013 issue is now online, with an emphasis on studies of air pollution effects.

Government's role in protecting health and safety.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:46:54 -0700

Law and public opinion recognize protection of health and safety as a core government function, but public health actions are sometimes characterized as inappropriately intrusive. New England Journal of Medicine.

New report: Non-Ionizing Radiation, Part 2: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:41:54 -0700

The topic of this monograph from IARC is the evaluation of the carcinogenicity of radiation in the radiofrequency (RF) range (30 kHz to 300 GHz) of the electromagnetic spectrum. This type of radiation is emitted by devices used in wireless telecommunication, including mobile phones, and by many other sources in occupational and general environmental settings.

Study outlines overlooked impacts of mountaintop removal.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:36:20 -0700

Mountaintop removal is having frequently overlooked impacts on forests, biodiversity, climate and public health, and an updated federal review is needed to more fully examine those issues, according to a new study by government and university scientists. Charleston Gazette, West Virginia.
[See the study: The overlooked terrestrial impacts of mountaintop mining]

US industrial sand production increases dramatically, yet industry says worker protection too costly.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:30:55 -0700

Industrial sand production is but one of the ways workers can be exposed to the silica dust that can put them at increased risk of developing lung cancer and other lung diseases, including silicosis. The Pump Handle.

Is organic better? Ask a fruit fly.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:23:34 -0700

By nearly every measure, including fertility, stress resistance and longevity, flies that fed on organic bananas and potatoes fared better than those who dined on conventionally raised produce. New York Times.
[See the study: Organically Grown Food Provides Health Benefits to Drosophila melanogaster]

Reporting asbestos in public buildings now mandatory.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:04:36 -0700

A Canadian province has passed a bill that will make Saskatchewan the first province in the country to require mandatory reporting of asbestos in public buildings. CBC Canada.

Hold your breath, there's trouble in the air.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:04:02 -0700

The city of Mumbai is getting more polluted. As a result, residents' susceptibility to health problems is rising -- from sinusitis to respiratory problems, high blood pressure and heart disorders. Mumbai Daily News and Analysis, India.

UK nuclear power station has been leaking radioactive waste 'for months.'

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:03:14 -0700

A nuclear power station in Kent has been leaking radioactive waste for months according to the Environment Agency. The substance, a radioactive variant of hydrogen, can increase the risk of cancer, according to the U.S. EPA. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.

Draft federal plan for oil exploration seen as flawed.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:57:10 -0700

Conservation groups say a draft federal plan authorizing oil exploration off the Eastern Seaboard doesn't do enough to protect marine mammals -- and they have support from a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers concerned about impacts to the economies of coastal communities. Summit County Citizens Voice, Colorado.

Unhealthy mercury levels persist in Connecticut waterways and fish.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:53:13 -0700

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has worked to curb mercury in the air and water by implementing tighter emissions restrictions, banning the manufacture and sale of most mercury-added products and encouraging proper recycling. But unhealthy mercury levels (more than 0.2 parts per million) in most fish persist, resulting in restrictions on local fish consumption. New Haven Register, Connecticut.

Sparse crop of new antibiotics confronts 'nightmare bacteria.'

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:42:30 -0700

Despite surging cases of infections unresponsive to existing antibiotic drugs, the number of medications under development or receiving approval from the Food and Drug Administration is dwindling and remains "alarmingly low," a new report warns. Los Angeles Times.
[See the report: 10 x '20 Progress -- development of new drugs active against gram-negative bacilli: an update from the Infectious Diseases Society of America]

Autism has strong genetic link in mice: study.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:39:16 -0700

Scientists have long been stumped by what causes autism, with many suggesting that toxic chemicals and pollution exposure and certain medications taken by pregnant mothers could play a role. A new study suggests that, at least in mice, the most important factor causing autism is likely an individual's genes. US News & World Report.
[See the study: Quantitative trait loci for interhemispheric commissure development and social behaviors in the BTBR T+ tf/J mouse model of autism]

A million children at risk of measles, doctors warn.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:20:23 -0700

More than a million schoolchildren could be susceptible to measles due to the MMR vaccine scare, warn child health doctors in the UK. They say a generation of unprotected children are now in secondary school, where they are at greater risk. BBC.

American Academy of Pediatrics endorses legislation to protect children from unhealthy chemical exposures.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:14:22 -0700

Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) endorsed the Safe Chemicals Act of 2013, a bill introduced by US Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) that would reform chemical management policy in the United States. AAP.

Bisphenol A-associated epigenomic changes in prepubescent girls: a cross-sectional study in Gharbiah, Egypt.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:06:26 -0700

These data indicate that BPA may affect human health through specific epigenomic modification of genes in relevant pathways. Environmental Health.

New report: Fostering Independence, Participation, and Healthy Aging Through Technology -- Workshop Summary.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:51:35 -0700

The workshop examined the ways in which technology can foster independence and healthy aging among working-age individuals with disabilities and among individuals who are developing disabilities while they age.

Sandra Steingraber: prepared sentencing statement for the Reading Town court, April 17, 2013.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:49:20 -0700

On March 18, I willfully stood on private property owned by the Inergy company and blocked access to a compressor station site that is being constructed in order to prepare explosive hydrocarbon gases, propane and butane, for storage in abandoned salt caverns that are located beside and beneath Seneca Lake. Sandra Steingraber.

Impacts of radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) from cell phone towers and wireless devices on biosystem and ecosystem -- a review.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:41:44 -0700

Based on current available literature, it is justified to conclude that RF-EMF radiation exposure can change neurotransmitter functions, blood-brain barrier, morphology, electrophysiology, cellular metabolism, calcium efflux, and gene and protein expression in certain types of cells even at lower intensities. Biology and Medicine.

As cancer rates rise in China, trust remains low.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:26:15 -0700

That even the Chinese state is highlighting a link between the poor environment and cancer reflects an atmosphere of deep concern, verging on panic, over public health, as more and more people ask: Is China killing itself in the pursuit of spectacularly fast, very dirty, economic growth? New York Times.

C8 lawsuits to go before U.S. District Court.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:25:28 -0700

All C8 personal injury lawsuits against DuPont over water contamination at its Washington Works plant have been moved to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Point Pleasant Register, West Virginia.

This art is all made from a newly invented kind of wood.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:23:20 -0700

Plywood is stuck together with lots of nasty chemicals, so a university student invented a new method to make it cleaner. And now a bunch of artists have convened an exhibition with art made from the new material. Fast Company.

Sandy, Katrina a taste of what global warming will bring, UGA ecologist says.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:17:50 -0700

Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy were separated by more than 1,300 miles and eight years, but they share one big thing in common, according to University of Georgia ecologist James Porter: They were exactly the sort of destructive superstorms we will see more frequently, as global warming advances. Athens Banner-Herald, Georgia.

The kids are (not) all right.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:09:56 -0700

According to a UNICEF report issued last week -- "Child Well-Being in Rich Countries" -- the United States once again ranked among the worst wealthy countries for children, coming in 26th place of 29 countries included. Only Lithuania, Latvia and Romania placed lower. New York Times.

US infant mortality rate declines.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:42:09 -0700

Infant mortality in the United States has declined 12 percent since 2005 after holding steady for many years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infant mortality also declined for all major racial and ethnic groups, but dropped the most among African Americans, who continue to have double the infant death rate of whites. Los Angeles Times.
[See the CDC data: Recent declines in infant mortality in the United States, 2005-2011]

CHE Alaska call: Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) in the Artic Environment: Sources, Transport, and Health Concerns for Fish, Wildlife, and People, April 24th.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:31:51 -0700

Join Dr. Craig Butt, post-doctoral research fellow in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University for a discussion of the biological fate of PFCs in the arctic where he looked at PFCs in ringed seals and seabirds in the Canadian Arctic. Pam Miller, Executive Director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics will give an update on international actions of the Stockholm Convention (POPs Treaty) to phase out these persistent chemicals.

Unethical reporting.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:47:45 -0700

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection is currently in process of reviewing scientific evidence concerning whether the radiation emitted by wireless communication devices is harmful. However, some of the evidence published in peer-review journals may have to be discarded due to the flaws. The Scientist.

FDA lets drugs approved on fraudulent research stay on the market.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:46:20 -0700

The FDA in 2011 announced years' worth of studies from a major drug research lab were potentially worthless, but it has not pulled any of the compounds from the market nor identified them. ProPublica.

New York nuke waste in limbo as concerns rise.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:21:54 -0700

Over one million kilograms of nuclear waste sit in limbo on the banks of the Hudson River, in dry cask storage units and spent fuel pools just 60 kilometers north of New York City, according to environmental organisations. Inter Press Service.

China's toxic harvest: a 'cancer village' rises in protest.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:10:51 -0700

Farmers in Niuchong Village, in China's Hubei province, have united to protest water and air pollution caused by Dasheng Chemical, which operates a local phosphate mine and fertilizer factory. Villagers blame a rapid rise in cancer cases in the village on the company and the negligence of the local government. MarketPlace.

As critics press for action, Chemical Safety Board investigations languish.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:03:14 -0700

Three years after the Tesoro and Deepwater Horizon accidents, both inquiries remain open -- exemplars of a chemical board under attack for what critics call its sluggish investigative pace and short attention span. A former board member calls the agency "grossly mismanaged." Center for Public Integrity.

Seattle, King Co. settle with feds over pollution.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:50:32 -0700

The city of Seattle and King County have agreed to make a total of $1.46 billion in upgrades to their sewer systems to reduce the amount of polluted water that enters Puget Sound and other waterways, under settlements reached with the federal government. Associated Press.

Detroit's lead cleanup and environmental future.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:49:53 -0700

Children with exposure to excessive lead levels in Detroit still exceed the national average, and funding for lead cleanup from the Center for Disease Control is dwindling. Brian Bienkowski discusses the decrease of lead poisoning in Detroit and the motor city's environmental future. Great Lakes Echo, Michigan.

Children falling victims to air pollution in Bangalore, says study.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:44:06 -0700

The rising pollution in the City has led to drastic increase in asthma among children during summer, according to a study conducted by Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP) of Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Deccan Herald, India.

Settlement proposal would drop San Francisco's bid to label cellphone dangers.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:46:46 -0700

The July 2010 lawsuit alleged that the cellphone disclosure requirements violated federal law, including merchants' First Amendment rights to not provide information with which they disagreed. San Francisco Examiner, California.

Occupational safety and health, green chemistry, and sustainability: a review of areas of convergence.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:01:42 -0700

Examples of potential hazards are presented in case studies with suggested solutions such as implementing the hierarchy of controls and prevention through design principles in green chemistry and green building practices. Environmental Health.

EPA publishes 18th annual US Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:59:02 -0700

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 18th annual report of overall U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions showing a 1.6 percent decrease in 2011 from the previous year.

The gulf between identification of endocrine disruptors and regulatory restrictions being placed on their use.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:53:27 -0700

There is a lengthy and complex process between something being identified as presenting a certain type of hazard, and something being banned (or in REACH vocabulary, the chemical not being authorised for a proposed use) because it is deemed to pose too great a threat to health. Health & Environment.

Call for comments: Passenger Screening Using Advanced Imaging Technology.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:51:56 -0700

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is proposing to revise its civil aviation security regulations to clarify that TSA may use advanced imaging technology (AIT) to screen individuals at security screening checkpoints. Submit comments by June 24, 2013.

Updated resource: TEDX's Critical Windows of Development.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:29:57 -0700

Perfluorinated compounds are in our cookware, carpets, clothing, and cosmetics, as well as in our food, water, soil and of course, our bodies. Now they can be found in TEDX's Critical Windows of Development website tool.

Pulitzer Prize recognizes environmental coverage.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:08:38 -0700

For their "rigorous reports on flawed regulation of the nation's oil pipelines," InsideClimate News won the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. The New York Times won the explanatory reporting category for its penetrating look into business practices by Apple.

Jeremy Grantham on population growth, China and climate sceptics.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:34:15 -0700

The language "it's too late" is very unsuitable for most environmental issues. It's too late for the dodo and for people who've starved to death already, but it's not too late to prevent an even bigger crisis. Part 1 of 2. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Smoking, air pollution major health threats in China.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:24:23 -0700

Chinese and international medical experts have warned that second-hand smoke and air pollution are among the major health threats in China. Xinhua News Agency, China.

FDA: dietary supplement dangerous.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:18:28 -0700

Dietary supplements are commonly used to lose weight and build muscle, but the Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding exposure to a potentially-harmful ingredient: the stimulant dimethylamylamine, or DMAA. CNN.
[See the FDA warning: Stimulant potentially dangerous to health, FDA warns]

Wood heater link to heart, lung diseases.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:09:56 -0700

About 1 million homes in Australia regularly use wood-burning heaters, despite links to heart and lung disease. Health and environment experts are calling on the federal government to better regulate their use. Sydney Morning Herald, Australia.

Flame retardants in consumer products are linked to health and cognitive problems.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:09:03 -0700

Synthetic chemicals added to consumer products to meet federal and state flammability standards are showing up in waterways, wildlife and even human breast milk. Washington Post.

Protests grow over dye in Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:00:26 -0700

For better or worse, decades of clever marketing and our love of convenience foods have made Kraft Macaroni & Cheese part of Americana. So why should customers in Europe have a safer version of this beloved comfort food than Americans? Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio.

From homemaker to hell-raiser in Love Canal.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:47:48 -0700

Long before Erin Brockovich became a movie, Lois Gibbs helped secure an environmental victory of greater heft. Love Canal’s war against the toxic chemicals under its feet prompted the federal government to create the Superfund cleanup program and earned Gibbs the Goldman Environmental Prize. Center for Public Integrity.

Book launch: The Rise of the U.S. Environmental Health Movement.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:05:45 -0700

Come and celebrate the publication of this book by Kate Davies with a short presentation, video and conversation. April 22nd at the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle.

MicroRNA expression in response to controlled exposure to diesel exhaust: attenuation by the antioxidant n-acetylcysteine in a randomized crossover study.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:53:45 -0700

Systemic MicroRNAs with plausible biological function are altered by acute moderate-dose diesel exhaust (DE) exposure. Oxidative stress appears to mediate DE-associated changes in miR-144. Environmental Health Perspectives.

450K epigenome-wide scan identifies differential DNA methylation in newborns related to maternal smoking during pregnancy.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:51:53 -0700

We identified a set of genes with methylation changes present at birth in children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Determinants and within-person variability of urinary cadmium concentrations among women in northern California.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:49:51 -0700

Urinary cadmium levels varied with several individual characteristics and a single measurement of urinary cadmium in a 24-hour sample did not accurately reflect medium to long-term body burden. Environmental Health Perspectives.

The impact of endocrine disruption: a consensus statement on the state of the science.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:47:32 -0700

With the present state of the science of EDCs, we are now poised to have an important impact on disease prevention. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Human exposure assessment of indoor dust: importance of particle size and spatial position.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:45:12 -0700

By improving sampling strategies, we can obtain more accurate results and the correlations between PBDEs in human tissues and indoor dust will be much more accurate. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Implementing systematic review at the National Toxicology Program: status and next steps.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:42:21 -0700

The draft approach involves a seven-step framework for incorporating systematic review methodology into OHAT literature-based health assessments. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Interaction of occupational manganese exposure and alcohol drinking aggravates the increase of liver enzyme concentrations from a cross-sectional study in China.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:39:41 -0700

Occupational exposure to manganese can lead to a dose-dependent increase of liver enzyme concentrations, and interact with alcohol drinking to potentially aggravate the liver damage. Environmental Health.

Statins and diabetes.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:36:56 -0700

A laboratory study has shown for the first time that coenzyme Q10 offsets cellular changes that may be linked to a side-effect of some statin drugs -- an increased risk of adult-onset diabetes. Environmental News Network.
[See the study: Coenzyme Q10 ameliorates the reduction in GLUT4 transporter expression induced by simvastatin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes]

Call for nominations: Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative Champion Awards.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:04:54 -0700

The American Lung Association recognizes schools that have taken positive strides to create a healthier learning environment using the strategies outlined in the Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative. Application materials are due by June 15th.

Call for presentations: Conjoint Meeting of the International Federation of Fertility Societies and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:45:54 -0700

The educational and program committees have identified educational needs through gap analyses for education in the areas of male and female infertility, reproductive perturbations by environmental toxicants,and many other areas. Submissions will be accepted through May 1st.

Vitamin D may reduce risk of uterine fibroids, according to NIH study.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:38:24 -0700

Women who had sufficient amounts of vitamin D were 32 percent less likely to develop fibroids than women with insufficient vitamin D, according to a study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health. NIEHS.
[See the study: Vitamin D and the risk of uterine fibroids]

Nanosponges to suck up toxins.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:23:28 -0700

Engineers at the University of California, San Diego have invented a "nanosponge" capable of safely removing a broad class of dangerous toxins from the bloodstream, including toxins produced by MRSA, E. Coli, poisonous snakes and bees. Discovery.

Tool to allot pollution-fighting funds a job killer?

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:59:09 -0700

A new screening tool is being created to guide government money to areas that need the most help combating pollution and poverty. But some fear the rankings could backfire if businesses use them to steer away from places perceived as bad investment risks. Modesto Bee, California.

Conquer produce aisle confusion to ditch grocery guilt.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:48:23 -0700

An endlessly growing stream of information and misinformation about our food system can make shopping for groceries mentally exhausting particularly when your health, the planet's health and your pocketbook all factor into your decisions. Portland Oregonian, Oregon.

Chicago activist wins Goldman Environmental Prize.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:47:36 -0700

As a young community organizer, Kimberly Wasserman went door to door in her working-class neighborhood to learn about residents' concerns about power plants. Now, seven months after plants closed in Chicago's two largest Hispanic enclaves, Wasserman will be honored today as the 2013 North American winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize. Associated Press.
[Read about another prize winner: Colombian activist's work earns environmental prize]

New evidence: mobile phones may up brain cancer risk.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:09:25 -0700

A study in Antioxidants & Redox Signaling provides a bit more evidence suggesting that using mobile phones or cell phones in the U.S. can boost the risk of brain cancer. FoodConsumer.
[See the study: Is human saliva an indicator of the adverse health effects of using mobile phones?]

Dateline NBC video: Andrea Canning reports on health risks of BPA, triclosan and phthalates.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:06:28 -0700

NBC Correspondent Andrea Canning embarks on a study of her everyday products to better understand her exposure to chemicals -- BPA, triclosan and phthalates -- also considered hormone disruptors.

Job opening: Washington, DC, and global.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:51:52 -0700

The International Rescue Committee's Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit has an opening for an Emergency Response Team Environmental Health Coordinator. The Emergency Response Team serves as the standing team of specialized professionals ready to deploy to an emergency within 72 hours. The application deadline is June 12, 2013.

Africa: poverty no bar to fighting deadly undernutrition.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:29:58 -0700

Some of the world's poorest countries, including two in sub-Saharan Africa, are showing the greatest political commitment to tackling hunger and undernutrition, while some of the most economically powerful nations are failing to make adequate effort, according to new research released on Thursday. All Africa.
[See a related story: Millions face starvation as world warms, say scientists]

New York county makes strides against lead poisoning; battle not over.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:29:18 -0700

Oneida County has reduced its number of children with the highest levels of lead poisoning by 72 percent since 2006. Despite the strides, however, the county still has the worst lead poisoning problem in the state, including New York City -- 29 children per 1,000 tested. Utica Observer-Dispatch, New York.

20 years later, Fort Gillem contamination still spreading.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:28:23 -0700

Two decades after the U.S. Army discovered hazardous chemicals dumped at Fort Gillem seeping into residential wells in neighboring Forest Park, officials say the Army still hasn't done enough to clean up carcinogens migrating from groundwater into surface water and, potentially, into the air residents breathe. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia.

Worrisome levels of lead found in imported rice.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:25:53 -0700

Reporting at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, a group of researchers announced the results of their analysis of rice from Asia, Europe and South America. The imports, which currently make up about 7 percent of rice consumed in America, contained higher than acceptable levels of lead. Time Magazine.

Louisiana company recalls nearly half million pounds of meat.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:24:11 -0700

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination. No illnesses have been reported. Associated Press.

Exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds can lead to trouble.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:23:04 -0700

As the public has become more aware of the harmful effects of neotoxicants in the environment, grassroots efforts have brought about positive changes, such as the banning of bisphenol A, or BPA, in plastic baby bottles. Salisbury Post, North Carolina.

Dead dolphins and shrimp with no eyes found after BP clean-up.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:20:23 -0700

Hundreds of beached dolphin carcasses, shrimp with no eyes, contaminated fish, ancient corals caked in oil and some seriously unwell people are among the legacies that scientists are still uncovering in the wake of BP's Deepwater Horizon spill. The Independent, United Kingdom.

Think those chemicals have been tested?

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:18:17 -0700

Many Americans assume that the chemicals in their shampoos, detergents and other consumer products have been thoroughly tested and proved to be safe. This assumption is wrong. New York Times.

Chevron fire report shows troubled history.

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:25:32 -0700

A string of unheeded warning signs, missteps and lost opportunities spanned the decade leading up to last summer's disastrous fire at Chevron's Richmond refinery, according to the company's own investigation into the blaze. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Study confirms link between mesothelioma, taconite.

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:10:29 -0700

A new study finds that working in the taconite industry increases the risk of mesothelioma, a rare and deadly lung cancer. Every year a worker spent in the industry increased the risk of mesothelioma by 3 percent. Duluth News Tribune, Minnesota.

New diseases, toxins and toxicants harming marine life.

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:07:09 -0700

Scientists are just now beginning to understand how toxins and toxicants in the water are spurring the resurgence of some diseases and the creation of others, largely by weakening marine animals' immune systems. National Geographic News.

California adds BPA plastics chemical to warnings list.

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:05:50 -0700

California's environmental science agency has added the controversial plastics-softening chemical, bisphenol A, to its official list of chemicals known to cause birth defects. Los Angeles Times.

Lake Erie has garbage patch that rivals those in oceans.

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:04:32 -0700

Many of the chemicals in these particles are not expelled, leaving the chemicals in the fish and other animals, which could make its way up the food chain, Rios told the conference. Indian Country Today Media Network.

Modest population-wide weight loss could result in reductions in type 2 diabetes and cardio disease.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:01:15 -0700

In 1996, five years after the start of the weight loss period, there was an abrupt downward trend in death from diabetes. This lasted six years during which energy intake status gradually recovered and physical activity levels were reduced. In 2002, death rates returned to pre-crisis trends and a dramatic increase in diabetes death was observed. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Population-wide weight loss and regain in relation to diabetes burden and cardiovascular mortality in Cuba 1980-2010: repeated cross sectional surveys and ecological comparison of secular trends]

New resource: Chemical Hazard Assessment Database.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:46:47 -0700

The IC2 has developed the Chemical Hazard Assessment Database to enable users to search for GreenScreen™ and Quick Chemical Assessment Tool (QCAT) assessments.

Urinary bisphenol A and obesity in US children.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:44:23 -0700

In a representative sample of children, urinary BPA was associated with obesity, predominantly in non-Hispanic white boys, independent of major risk factors. American Journal of Epidemiology.

Call for proposals: Regional Integrated Pest Management Program - North Central Region.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:38:16 -0700

The RIPM program supports projects that develop individual pest control tactics, integrate individual tactics into an IPM system, and develop and implement extension and education programs. Proposals are due by May 16, 2013.

Thirdhand smoke causes DNA damage in human cells.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:23:23 -0700

The findings of this study demonstrate for the first time that exposure to thirdhand smoke is genotoxic in human cell lines. Mutagenesis.

The urban brain: analysing outdoor physical activity with mobile EEG.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:21:11 -0700

A new form of high-dimensional correlated component logistic regression analysis showed evidence of lower frustration, engagement and arousal, and higher meditation when moving into the green space zone; and higher engagement when moving out of it. British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Prenatal substance abuse: short- and long-term effects on the exposed fetus.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:01:48 -0700

This report reviews data regarding the prevalence of exposure and available technologies for identifying exposure as well as current information regarding short- and long-term outcomes of exposed infants, with the aim of facilitating pediatricians in fulfilling their role in the promotion and maintenance of infant and child health. Pediatrics.

Reaction of the immune system to low-level RF/MW exposures.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:17:11 -0700

In this review, the impacts of weak RF/MW fields, including cell phone radiation, on various immune functions, both in vitro and in vivo, are discussed. The bulk of available evidence clearly indicates that various shifts in the number and/or activity of immunocompetent cells are possible, however the results are inconsistent. The Science of the Total Environment.
[See other articles about radiofrequency radiation: Studying the protein expression in human B lymphoblastoid cells exposed to 1.8-GHz (GSM) radiofrequency radiation (RFR) with protein microarray; Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices and Non-thermal continuous and modulated electromagnetic radiation fields effects on sleep EEG of rats]

Mercury, diabetes link found by IU researchers.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:04:28 -0700

A new study found that higher levels of mercury exposure in young adults increased their risks for type 2 diabetes later in life by 65 percent. Health, Medical, and Science Updates.
[See the study: Mercury exposure in young adulthood and incidence of diabetes later in life: the CARDIA trace element study]

Environment Canada wants oil and gas companies to come clean on fracking fluids.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:41:43 -0700

In newly released correspondence obtained by Postmedia News, Environment Canada's top official told the main Canadian oil and gas lobby group the government needed more information about the unidentified fluids used in fracking. Postmedia News.

Tepco faces decision to dump radioactive water in Pacific.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:40:15 -0700

Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s discovery of leaks in water storage pits at the wrecked Fukushima atomic station raises the risk the utility will be forced to dump radioactive water in the Pacific Ocean. Bloomberg News.

Madrid air pollution reaches alarming levels.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:37:38 -0700

Since it's tricky or maybe even impossible to blame any one hospital visit or death on air pollution, researchers are investigating various types of pollution and looking for links to the population's health as a whole to glean more information. Deutsche Welle, Germany.

'Diesel death zone' cleanup faces Supreme Court challenge.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:36:08 -0700

A decade ago, diesel exhaust swathed the Port of Los Angeles and neighborhoods just outside its fence in a deadly blanket of soot. The port's neighbors faced cancer risks so high that physicians dubbed the area the "diesel death zone." The air is clearer these days because of the port's Clean Truck Program, but the program could be in jeopardy. Greenwire.

Mexico City tries to shake residents out of salt dependency.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:04:09 -0700

With governments all over the world trying to get people to eat less salt, the local authorities in Mexico City are trying a particularly direct method -- removing shakers from tables. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Climate Conversations -- climate impact on kids, home and the modern family?

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:03:19 -0700

After decades of climate change research by scientists, advocacy by NGOs and reporting by journalists, few people outside an existing tribe of the concerned have been persuaded that there is a need to act urgently to deal with climate change -- or even that it particularly matters to them. Reuters.

Organic pollutants poison the roof of the world.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:58:47 -0700

Toxic chemicals are accumulating in the ecosystems of the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau, researchers warn in the the first comprehensive study to assess levels of certain organic pollutants in that part of the world. Nature.
[See the study: Monsoon-driven transport of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls to the Tibetan Plateau: three year atmospheric monitoring study]

Month of birth impacts on immune system development.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:47:36 -0700

The research, from scientists at Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Oxford, provides a potential biological basis as to why an individual's risk of developing the neurological condition multiple sclerosis (MS) is influenced by their month of birth. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Month of birth and thymic output]

Sustained stress heightens risk of miscarriage.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:44:59 -0700

Following the pregnancies of women from the Israeli town of Sderot, which is constantly under threat of rocket bombings from Gaza, and women from nearby Kiryat Gat, which is outside of Gaza's rocket range, the researchers demonstrated that those living under rocket fire were 59 percent more likely to miscarry than their neighbors. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Prenatal stress and risk of spontaneous abortion]

Call for comments: Walking as a Way for Americans to get the Recommended Amount of Physical Activity for Health.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:15:52 -0700

This docket intends to obtain information from the public on walking as an effective way to be sufficiently active for health. The information obtained will be used to frame an anticipated Surgeon General's call to action on this issue. Individuals and organizations interested in providing information must submit their written comments on or before May 1, 2013.

Most kids' meals served at restaurant chains unhealthy, study finds.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:05:30 -0700

More than 90 percent of kids' meals offered by the nation's chain restaurants fail to meet the National Restaurant Association's definition of a healthy meal for children, according to new study released Thursday by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Food Safety News.
[See the study: Kids' Meals: Obesity on the Menu]

Study: two-thirds of pesticides got flawed EPA approval.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:59:06 -0700

Many pesticides used in consumer products and agriculture received federal approval through a loophole that doesn't require thorough testing, according to a study released Wednesday by an environmental group. USA Today.
[See the NRDC report: Superficial Safeguards: Most Pesticides Are Approved by Flawed EPA Process]

Culprit in heart disease goes beyond meat's fat.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:36:08 -0700

Researchers say the work could lead to new treatments for heart disease -- perhaps even an antibiotic to specifically wipe out the bacterial culprit -- and also to a new way to assess heart disease risk by looking for TMAO in the blood. New York Times.
[See the study: Intestinal microbiota metabolism of l-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis]

Walking improves cancer outcomes.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:24:21 -0700

Just in the last few months, 2 very interesting studies have been published on the relationship between exercise, physical activity, body mass index, and colorectal cancer. Medscape.
[See the studies: Prospective analysis of body mass index, physical activity, and colorectal cancer risk associated with β-catenin (CTNNB1) status and Associations of recreational physical activity and leisure time spent sitting with colorectal cancer survival]

Cancer risk may be reduced via omega-3s, according to new study.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:21:30 -0700

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered a key mechanism by which dietary omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) could reduce the tumor growth and spread of cancer, a disease that kills some 580,000 Americans a year. Health, Medical, and Science Updates.
[See the study: Epoxy metabolites of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) inhibit angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis]

Whole genome sequencing identifies zoonotic transmission of MRSA isolates with the novel mecA homologue mecC.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:18:37 -0700

This study demonstrates that mecC-MRSA ST130 isolates are capable of transmission between animals and humans, and underscores the potential of whole genome sequencing in epidemiological investigations and source tracking of bacterial infections. EMBO Molecular Medicine.

Barrick's woes in Chile deepen as Pascua Lama is suspended.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:06:19 -0700

The appeals court said Pascua-Lama should be halted amid allegations the project is polluting precious groundwater and rivers in the Atacama desert region, one of the driest areas on earth. Toronto Globe and Mail, Canada.

Diesel soot toxification.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:03:25 -0700

Economic and environmental amenities of diesel engines such as high fuel efficiency led to increased popularity. Their major disadvantage with regard to environmental and health protection is the typically enhanced production of diesel particulate matter comprising soot and unburned carbonaceous compounds. Environmental Science & Technology.

Lead exposure in older homes means children 'pay with their lives.'

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:50:41 -0700

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines last week estimating that roughly 535,000 youngsters may have unsafe levels of the toxic metal in their blood. FairWarning.
[See the CDC report: Blood lead levels in children aged 1-5 years -- United States, 1999-2010]

Child cancer link to pesticides.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:39:40 -0700

Parents who call in pest controllers to get rid of termites in the year before pregnancy are twice as likely to have a child with a brain tumour, according to an Australian national study. West Australian, Australia.
[See the study: Exposure to pesticides and the risk of childhood brain tumors]

CHE-Washington Children's Environmental Health Working Group meeting April 11th.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:06:09 -0700

Aileen Gagney of the American Lung Association will present an overview of asthma and allergies. Attendance is available in-person in Seattle or by phone.

Utility of an alternative bicycle commute route of lower proximity to motorised traffic in decreasing exposure to ultra-fine particles, respiratory symptoms and airway inflammation -- a structured exposure experiment.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:04:05 -0700

Exposure to particle number concentration (and the incidence of offensive odour and nasopharyngeal irritation) can be significantly lowered when utilising a route of reduced proximity to motorised traffic whilst bicycle commuting (without significantly affecting commute distance or duration), which may bring important benefits for both healthy and susceptible individuals. Environmental Health.

Ozone is associated with cardiopulmonary and stroke emergency hospital visits in Reykjavik, Iceland 2003--2009.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:03:18 -0700

We found an increase in daily emergency hospital visits associated with O3, indicating that low-level exposure may trigger cardiopulmonary events or stroke. Environmental Health.

Association between maternal exposure to housing renovation and offspring with congenital heart disease: a multi-hospital case-control study.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:02:15 -0700

Maternal exposure to housing renovations may have an increased risk of giving birth to fetuses with some selected types of CHD. This relationship was stronger for women who moved into a newly decorated house. Environmental Health.

Exposure to fogger trucks and breast cancer incidence in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project: a case-control study.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:59:52 -0700

These findings support the hypothesis that seeing a fogger truck, a proxy measure for acute DDT exposure, may be associated with ER+PR+tumors, the most commonly diagnosed breast cancer subtype among American women. Environmental Health.

In utero exposure to environmental lead and manganese and neurodevelopment at 2 years of age.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:56:45 -0700

In utero exposure to environmental manganese and lead may have an adverse association with neurodevelopment at 2 years of age, and there is an interaction effect between the manganese and lead levels in the cord blood that could aggravate the effect. Environmental Research.

Environmental triggers of nocturnal dry cough in infancy: new insights about chronic domestic exposure to formaldehyde in the PARIS birth cohort.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:55:38 -0700

This study suggests that the impact of indoor environmental exposure on dry cough at night in infancy is different depending on the presence or not of parental history of allergy. Environmental Research.

Circulating levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are associated with left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction in the elderly.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:54:10 -0700

Circulating levels of POPs were related to impairments in both left ventricular systolic and diastolic function independently of major congestive heart failure risk factors, suggesting a possible role of POPs in heart failure. Environmental Research.

EPA updates mercury and air toxics standards for new power plants/ agency also proposes updates to oil and gas storage tank standards.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:46:53 -0700

The updates are largely technical in nature and will have no impact on the sensible, achievable and cost-effective standards already set for existing power plants. The public health benefits and costs of the rule remain unchanged.

Commonly manufactured nanomaterial induces neurovascular toxicity.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:32:48 -0700

Nanoalumina, a widely manufactured nanomaterial, can accumulate in brain cells, inducing nerve and blood vessel damage and protein degradation in the brain, according to a 2012 NIEHS-funded study from the University of Kentucky Superfund Research Program. NIEHS Research Brief.
[See the study: Autophagy is involved in nanoalumina-induced cerebrovascular toxicity]

New report: A Penny for Prevention: The Case for Cleaner Gasoline and Vehicle Standards.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:18:48 -0700

This report from the American Lung Association identifies the health benefits from setting stronger standards that lower sulfur levels in gasoline and cut toxic tailpipe pollution that makes us sick.

A brisk walk lowers risk of heart disease as much as running: study.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:57:56 -0700

Research from the American Heart Association says that walking briskly can lower your risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. New York Daily News.
[See the study: Walking versus running for hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus risk reduction]

Exxon Mobil is found neligent in New Hampshire MTBE use.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:31:33 -0700

A New Hampshire jury said Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) should pay $236 million in damages after it found the company negligent when it added MTBE to gasoline and contaminated the state's drinking water. Bloomberg News.

China releases grim cancer statistics.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:25:41 -0700

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Beijing, according to data released by the city's Cancer Prevention and Control Research Office. Business Week.

Standing on shaky ground.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:24:58 -0700

A massive earthquake and series of tsunami triggered 2011's Fukushima nuclear disaster and exposed major shortcomings and widespread complacency in safety and preparedness. But the shockwaves reverberated well beyond Japan. Australia ABC News, Australia.

Air pollution scourge underestimated, green energy can help: UN.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:19:57 -0700

Air pollution is an underestimated scourge that kills far more people than AIDS and malaria -- and a shift to cleaner energy could easily halve the toll by 2030, UN officials said on Tuesday. Reuters.

Europe's toxic air is clearer but not clean.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:19:05 -0700

Europeans no longer see the kind of pollution that within living memory killed thousands of Londoners in the Great Smog of 1952, but the air they breathe still bears invisible threats scarcely less deadly, and little more controlled. Reuters.

From community health officer to top of US EPA.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:10:20 -0700

As US EPA administrator, Gina McCarthy would be responsible for more than 1,200 Superfund dumps and thousands of power plants and industrial facilities. But in 1982 as a local health official in Canton, Mass., her attention was fixed on one barn. Greenwire.

New Jersey senator to push bill to regulate chemicals.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:05:01 -0700

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D, NJ) plans to introduce today what he hopes will be signature legislation for his final term in office -- a bill aimed at ensuring the safety of the many chemicals that Americans come in contact with every day. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania.

Heavy metals, contaminants can turn fishing fun into deadliest catch.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:56:02 -0700

For 2013, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has advised that anglers do not eat channel catfish and carp caught in the Beaver River. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, contamination in the fish are high. Beaver County Times, Pennsylvania.

Do wind turbines cause a secret disease that drives you crazy?

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:01:54 -0700

Some sufferers insist that Wind Turbine Syndrome -- caused by the low-frequency sound of the spinning blades -- is a real phenomenon. Doctors are less sure. Is there a medical case, or is it just NIMBYism taking on physical form? Fast Company.

Ten retailers urged to pull potentially toxic products.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:01:20 -0700

How safe is your shampoo, sofa or shirt? Health and environmental groups will launch a national campaign Thursday to prod 10 major retailers including Walmart, Target and Costco to clear store shelves of products containing hazardous chemicals. USA Today.

Amid China air, water pollution, soil survey reveals century-old heavy metals.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:46:32 -0700

Soil samples across China have revealed remnants of toxic heavy metals dating back at least a century and traces of a pesticide banned in the 1980s, an environmental official said on Wednesday, revealing the extent of the country's pollution problems. Reuters.

Low levels of melatonin up risk for type 2 diabetes.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 12:21:00 -0700

Women secreting low levels of melatonin are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who have higher levels of this hormone, new observational research shows. Medscape.
[See the study: Melatonin secretion and the incidence of type 2 diabetes]

American babies born right after Fukushima show elevated rate of abnormalities.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 12:09:20 -0700

A new study shows elevated rates of congenital thyroid illness among infants born on West Coast right after the meltdown in Japan. AlterNet.
[See the study: Elevated airborne beta levels in Pacific/West Coast US States and trends in hypothyroidism among newborns after the Fukushima nuclear meltdown]

New report: Sharing Clinical Research Data: Workshop Summary.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:59:44 -0700

Pharmaceutical companies, academic researchers, and government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health all possess large quantities of clinical research data. If these data were shared more widely within and across sectors, the resulting research advances derived from data pooling and analysis could improve public health, enhance patient safety, and spur drug development. This report identifies barriers and challenges to sharing clinical research data, explores strategies to address these barriers and challenges, including identifying priority actions and "low-hanging fruit" opportunities, and discusses strategies for using these potentially large datasets to facilitate scientific and public health advances.

Call for comments: Walking as a Way for Americans to get the Recommended Amount of Physical Activity for Health.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:50:17 -0700

The information obtained will be used to frame an anticipated Surgeon General's call to action on this issue. Individuals and organizations interested in providing information must submit their written comments on or before May 1, 2013.

The impact of incinerators on human health and environment.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:47:33 -0700

The use of hydroclaves and plasma pyrolysis for the incineration of biomedical wastes leads to lesser environmental degradation, negligible health impacts, safe handling of treated wastes, lesser running and maintenance costs, more effective reduction of microorganisms, and safer disposal. Reviews on Environmental Health.

Environmental exposures: an underrecognized contribution to noncommunicable diseases.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:45:29 -0700

Environmental factors contribute significantly more to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) than previous reports have suggested. Prevention needs to shift focus from individual responsibility to societal responsibility and an understanding that effective prevention of NCDs ultimately relies on improved environmental management to reduce exposure to modifiable risks. Reviews on Environmental Health.

Human exposures to bisphenol A: mismatches between data and assumptions.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:44:21 -0700

This review addresses the assumptions used by previous risk assessment panels regarding the sources and routes of exposure to BPA (specifically, that BPA exposures occur solely via a few dietary sources) and how these assumptions have affected the interpretation of BPA studies. Reviews on Environmental Health.

A community participatory study of cardiovascular health and exposure to near-highway air pollution: study design and methods.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:42:12 -0700

This article describes our study design and methods and presents preliminary findings from east Somerville, one of the three study communities. Reviews on Environmental Health.

Climate change adaptation: weighing strategies for heat-related health challenges.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:30:13 -0700

A new overview outlines the critical elements needed to address one of the public health impacts of climate change: heat-related illnesses and deaths, which are expected to increase with more frequent and more intense heat waves. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Pharmaceuticals, other non-traditional chemicals, found in southern California drinking water, scientist says.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:27:40 -0700

A wide mix of modern chemicals were found at five water treatment plants in southern California, according to a research paper presented during the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. New Orleans Times-Picayune, Louisiana.

Estimating wastewater impacts from fracking.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:23:59 -0700

Wastewater produced by hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale is already overwhelming disposal options and will continue to do so as gas development increases, according to newly published research. Environmental Health Perspectives.
[See the study: Generation, transport, and disposal of wastewater associated with Marcellus Shale gas development]

PCBs found in kids fish oil vitamins.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:07:17 -0700

A local researcher is raising questions about the contents of some popular vitamin supplements after finding PCBs -- a toxic industrial chemical -- in some brands of kids vitamins and gummy supplements. Philadelphia WPVI TV, Pennsylvania.
[See the study: Children's daily exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls from dietary supplements containing fish oils]

Consumption junction: childhood obesity determined largely by environmental factors, not genes or sloth.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:05:20 -0700

New evidence is confirming that the environment kids live in has a greater impact than factors such as genetics, insufficient physical activity or other elements in efforts to control child obesity. Scientific American.
[See the three articles referenced: Characteristics of screen media use associated with higher BMI in young adolescents, Plate size and children's appetite: effects of larger dishware on self-served portions and intake and Sleep duration and adolescent obesity]

State of the science of endocrine disruptors.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:57:20 -0700

It is now impossible to examine an unexposed population anywhere on Earth. To improve health, environmental health scientists and toxicologists need to work more closely with colleagues in endocrinology, genetics, developmental biology, epigenetics, and clinical medicine to bring EDC research into the mainstream of science. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Suit filed -- traces of lead in baby food.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:56:09 -0700

Freshness isn't the only characteristic of baby food that might concern mothers. A case that kicked off Monday in Alameda County Superior Court points to another potential reason to be wary of the baby food on supermarket shelves: lead. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

EPA relaxes public health guidelines for radiological attacks, accidents.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:54:33 -0700

After years of internal deliberation and controversy, the Obama administration has issued a document suggesting that when dealing with the aftermath of a radioactive accident or attack, public health guidelines can be made thousands of times less stringent than what the EPA would normally allow. National Journal.
[See the guidelines: Protective Action Guides (PAGs)]

Interior pollution problem in mass-market car brands.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:52:41 -0700

Cancer-causing substances [polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] have been found in mass-market brands of cars sold in China, China Central Television reported yesterday. Shanghai Daily, China.

Cadmium contamination menaces cocoa exports.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:51:55 -0700

New European regulations on cadmium in cocoa beans increase the burden on African producers, who say livelihoods will be lost unless they are given time to adapt. Africa Report, Africa.

Eating one pack a day is like drinking FIVE LITRES of cooking oil a year: the frightening truth about crisps.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:46:32 -0700

Should packets of crisps carry a health warning? Evidence emerges to show the snack is bad news -- fuelling not just obesity and heart disease epidemics, it is also linked to developmental problems in unborn babies, hyperactivity in children, and potentially cancer in adults. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.
[See the book: Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us]

Toward primary prevention of cancer.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:45:25 -0700

Estimates suggest that at least one-third of all cancer cases worldwide could be prevented. An international team of public and occupational health experts from the World Health Organization, universities, and independent agencies now are making a case for a global strategy for preventing these exposures. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Even after melanoma, some people keep on using tanning beds.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:41:26 -0700

You would think that people who were diagnosed with melanoma -- the most deadly form of skin cancer -- would be meticulously careful about using sunscreen, avoiding tanning salons and generally protecting their skin. You would be wrong, researchers said Monday. Los Angeles Times.

Secret ingredients: who knows what's in your food?

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:38:22 -0700

Strident opposition to cochineal extract and castoreum arose not from safety issues but from the ingredients' origins. But these examples demonstrate that the public often lacks significant knowledge about the ingredients in foods and where they come from. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Chemical in food packaging can harm unborn babies, say French officials.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:30:48 -0700

France's health authority has released an alarming report on the potentially toxic effects of a controversial industrial chemical [BPA] used in food packaging on pregnant women and their unborn children. The Guardian, United Kingdom.
[See the report in French: Évaluation des risques du bisphÉnol A (BPA) pour la santÉ humaine]

Air pollution exposure in pregnancy linked to cancers.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:30:00 -0700

Children whose mothers have an increased exposure to air pollution from motor vehicles while pregnant may have a higher chance of developing certain cancers, a study found. Bloomberg News.

Toxic chemicals turn up in Great Lakes plastic pollution.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:26:15 -0700

Toxic chemicals clinging to plastics could cause health problems for fish and other organisms in the Great Lakes. They were discovered in samples from the first-ever Great Lakes plastic survey last summer, a University of Wisconsin assistant chemistry professor announced Monday. Great Lakes Echo, Michigan.

Improving pediatrician knowledge about environmental triggers of asthma.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 12:23:17 -0700

Pediatricians reported a significant improvement in knowledge about environmental triggers of asthma and a willingness to incorporate exposure history questions and remediation recommendations in their routine practice. Clinical Pediatrics.

UNC studies link viral infection response to smoking and nutrition.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 12:21:19 -0700

In addition to the long-term harmful effects of smoking, recent findings suggest that exposure to tobacco smoke may also affect how otherwise healthy people respond to flu infection. NIEHS Environmental Factor.

First two substances peer reviewed for listing in new Report on Carcinogens.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 12:17:29 -0700

A panel of experts concurred with the National Toxicology Program's preliminary decision to list 1-bromopropane and cumene as reasonably anticipated human carcinogens, based on sufficient laboratory animal data. NIEHS Environmental Factor.

The influence of urban design on neighbourhood walking following residential relocation: longitudinal results from the RESIDE study.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 12:05:29 -0700

This study provides longitudinal evidence that both transport and recreational-walking behaviours respond to changes in the availability and diversity of local transport- and recreational destinations, and demonstrates the potential of local infrastructure to support health-enhancing behaviours. Social Science & Medicine.

New report: FCC evaluation of radiofrequency exposure limits and policies.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 11:35:24 -0700

On March 27, 2013, the FCC voted to advance its review of its various rules pertaining to the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements related to radiofrequency (RF) emissions from radio transmitters.

Updated report: Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 11:30:10 -0700

The Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, Updated Tables, March 2013 provides new data since the release of the Fourth Report, 2009. These data include updated tables for 117 chemicals in the Fourth Report, 2009 and tables for 34 new chemicals. Review this publication for the most recent and complete biomonitoring data.

Genetically engineered salmon prompts environmental, health concerns as FDA nears decision.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 11:07:02 -0700

Environmentalists and consumer advocacy groups welcomed the grocery stores' public rejection of genetically modified salmon, but are continuing to put pressure on the FDA who they say is failing to adequately address the concerns of GE fish. Free Speech Radio News.

Engineered apples near approval.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 11:01:20 -0700

Any parent will tell you, it's hard to get a kid to eat an apple that's turned brown. So one Canadian firm is using genetic engineering to turn the browning reaction off in Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples, and the resulting fruit is close to clearing the last regulatory hurdles. Chemical & Engineering News.

New health worry in red meat.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 10:57:02 -0700

Doctors have long assumed that saturated fat and cholesterol in red meat are what raise the risk of heart disease. But a study in the journal Nature Medicine fingers another culprit: carnitine, a compound abundant in red meat that also is sold as a dietary supplement and found in some energy drinks. Wall Street Journal.

Sorting through the claims, counterclaims about environmental impact of 'fracking.'

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 10:56:24 -0700

It's difficult to find scientists who have not lined up on one side or another on hydraulic fracking for oil and natural gas. The anti-fracking groups have their scientific talking points, and the pro-fracking groups have their counterclaims. NBC News.

In China the kids aren't alright.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 08:45:22 -0700

Last fall, a startling new report revealed that air pollution caused an estimated 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide -- nearly 40 percent of those occurred in China. Now, those who have been following Beijing's "airpocalypse" are beginning to wonder: what effect is China's pollution having on children and the elderly? Huffington Post.

How fish consumption determines water quality.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 08:42:35 -0700

For anyone consuming large quantities of fish, one of the greatest risks comes from methylmercury, which builds up in the fat of carnivorous fish like salmon. Now Washington and Idaho are overhauling their outdated water quality rules to make sure it's safe to eat larger quantities of fish from local waters. High Country News.

Air pollution concerns go beyond China across the globe.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 08:26:15 -0700

China isn't the only country in Asia struggling for cleaner skies. Though Beijing was in the spotlight earlier this year when reports surfaced of dangerous levels of air pollution, countries such as India, Vietnam and Iran are also suffering as an emphasis on economic growth puts measures to deal with vehicle exhaust on the back burner. Asahi Shimbun, Japan.

Scientific articles accepted (personal checks, too).

Sun, 7 Apr 2013 11:10:17 -0700

Some researchers are now raising the alarm about what they see as the proliferation of online journals that will print seemingly anything for a fee. New York Times.

Mumbai agency awakens to cancer-causing cell phone towers.

Sun, 7 Apr 2013 10:47:11 -0700

The department of telecommunication has finally woken up to the fact that there may be a correlation between cancer and exposure to radiation from cell phone towers, after a comprehensive study conducted by a DoT body documented cancer deaths in areas overexposed to telecom towers in Mumbai. Mumbai Daily News and Analysis, India.

The Keystone XL oil pipeline: some questions and answers.

Sun, 7 Apr 2013 10:45:44 -0700

This year President Obama will decide whether to allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico. Few environmental issues in recent years have engendered so much passion and debate. Los Angeles Times.

Inspiring children to impact global warming.

Sun, 7 Apr 2013 08:41:39 -0700

Some adults worry that sharing the predicted threats of global warming will leave children fearful and hopeless. Others, like environmental lecturer and author Lynne Cherry, think that depends on what children are told. Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia.

Calls to ban dangerous chemicals.

Sun, 7 Apr 2013 08:21:38 -0700

A group of dangerous chemicals found in everything from children's toys to toothpaste and furniture are not being properly policed, campaigners warned yesterday. The impact of the chemicals, known as endocrine disruptors, on hormones has the potential to cause cancers, birth defects and environmental damage. The Independent, United Kingdom.

Southern California air regulators adopt fracking rules.

Sat, 6 Apr 2013 10:38:18 -0700

In the absence of statewide regulations for hydraulic fracturing, Southern California air-quality officials have enacted their own reporting rules for the controversial extraction process driving the country's oil and gas boom. Los Angeles Times.

Lead in soil may be an overlooked threat to kids' health.

Sat, 6 Apr 2013 08:17:35 -0700

The number of kids with dangerous levels of lead in their blood hasn't declined much in the past decade, as the government has remained focused on managing lead-based paint. Now researchers argue that more attention to contaminated soil is needed to prevent lead poisoning. Adirondack North Country Public Radio, New York.
[See the study: Linking source and effect: resuspended soil lead, air lead, and children's blood lead levels in Detroit, Michigan and a related article: Poor US kids poisoned by lead legacy, crippled by funding cuts]

US board faults California safety regulations in Chevron blaze.

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 11:02:51 -0700

The federal agency investigating the fire that broke out in August at Chevron Corp's oil refinery in Richmond, California, faulted the state's regulatory system for not being proactive enough in preventing accidents. Reuters.

State auditor to look at hazardous waste, brownfield programs.

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 10:26:37 -0700

Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich says his office will audit the state agency assigned to protect the environment and public health from hazardous waste, after Post-Dispatch stories that exposed problems with oversight that has cost taxpayers millions of dollars. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri.

Saving money, poisoning workers.

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 08:28:32 -0700

Medical experts and even companies that once made nPB had long warned that the chemical can cause neurological damage when inhaled at low doses for long periods. So how could it happen that Royale Comfort's workers were exposed to it? There is plenty of blame to go around. New York Times.

Sierra Club: pollution 'human rights abuse' to poor, minorities in metro Detroit: Report.

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 08:16:32 -0700

Metro Detroit's poor and minority populations face greater health and environmental challenges than most communities because of their proximity to industrial pollution, a new report from the Sierra Club states. Detroit Free Press, Michigan.

Anti-smoking drive targets families of inpatients.

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 08:15:07 -0700

Anyone with a close relative going into hospital for an operation or to give birth should stop smoking around them before and after their stay, under new advice from the government's health advisers. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Proximity to coal-tar-sealed pavement raises risk of cancer, study finds.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 22:17:50 -0700

People living near asphalt pavement sealed with coal tar have an elevated risk of cancer, according to a study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. Much of this calculated excess risk results from exposures in children, age six or younger, to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the sealant. Baylor Media Communications.
[See the study: Cancer risk from incidental ingestion exposures to PAHs associated with coal-tar-sealed pavement]

Nothing fishy about it: fish oil can boost the immune system.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 12:28:23 -0700

A new report appearing in the April 2013 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, helps provide clarity on this by showing that DHA-rich fish oil enhances B cell activity, a white blood cell, challenging the notion that fish oil is only immunosuppressive. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: DHA-enriched fish oil targets B cell lipid microdomains and enhances ex vivo and in vivo B cell function]

E-cigarettes primarily used to quit tobacco: study.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:30:26 -0700

Although the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes are unknown, a new survey finds people who use the devices think of them as a safer alternative to tobacco and a means to break the smoking habit. Reuters Health.
[See the study: 'Vaping' profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users]

Aid group tackles arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh water supply.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:24:40 -0700

A private Japanese aid group is helping people in Bangladesh deal with endemic arsenic contamination in local water supplies by training them in how to maintain wells and operate water purification facilities. Asahi Shimbun, Japan.

US asbestos imports condemned by health experts, activists.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:23:23 -0700

More than 50 countries have banned asbestos, a toxic mineral used in building materials, insulation, automobile brakes and other products. The United States isn't one of them. Center for Public Integrity.

Dredging can churn up historical contaminants.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:22:22 -0700

Dredging may be a solution to Great Lakes low water, but it can also lead to contaminated sediments re-merging into the water. Great Lakes Echo, Michigan.

Local cancer institute completes baseline health survey in Marcellus shale region.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 08:52:44 -0700

A survey that is a first step toward tracking possible health impacts from fracking in the gas drilling region of Northeast Pennsylvania has found tobacco use, obesity and a lack of health insurance are common in the area. Scranton Times-Tribune, Pennsylvania.

Bowel cancer rates in men soar by a quarter in 35 years: obesity, smoking and drinking to blame.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 08:54:28 -0700

Bowel cancer rates among men have soared by more than a quarter in the last 35 years, new figures have revealed, but the rise among women is far lower, according to a report from Cancer Research UK. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.
[See the data: Bowel cancer incidence statistics]

Smokers have worse colon cancer prognosis: study.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 08:47:56 -0700

Smokers are less likely to be alive and cancer-free three years after having surgery for colon cancer than people who have never smoked, according to a new study. Reuters Health.
[See the study: Associations between cigarette smoking status and colon cancer prognosis among participants in North Central Cancer Treatment Group Phase III Trial N0147]

In utero DDT and DDE exposure and obesity status of 7-year-old Mexican-American children in the CHAMACOS cohort.

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 22:07:46 -0700

We did not find a significant positive relation between in utero DDT and DDE exposure and obesity status of 7-year-old children. However, given the observed trend with age, continued follow-up will be informative. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Call for comments: IC2 Guidance for Alternatives Assessment and Risk Reduction.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:49:00 -0700

The Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) and participating states are pleased to announce that a draft version of the Guidance for Alternatives Assessment and Risk Reduction is available for public review and comment. The document will be available for 45 days and the comment period will end on Friday, May 3, 2013.

If you smoke, best to wait a bit after waking in the morning.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:46:15 -0700

The sooner a person smokes a cigarette upon waking in the morning, the more likely he or she is to acquire lung or oral cancer, according to Penn State researchers. Environmental News Network.
[See the study: Time to first cigarette and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) levels in adult smokers; National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2010]

Does vegetation encourage or suppress urban crime? Evidence from Philadelphia, PA.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:43:32 -0700

Results indicate that vegetation abundance is significantly associated with lower rates of assault, robbery, and burglary, but not theft. Landscape and Urban Planning.

Characterization, mapping, and mitigation of mercury vapour emissions from artisanal mining gold shops.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:31:42 -0700

This is the first full description of artisanal mining gold shop practices and of the character, quantity, and remediation of mercury emissions within urban mining centres. Environmental Research.

Associations between ambient air pollution and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:30:07 -0700

Among non-obese women, 1st trimester exposure to PM2.5 and carbon monoxide are associated with increased odds of Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy. Environmental Research.

A case-cohort study examining lifetime exposure to inorganic arsenic in drinking water and diabetes mellitus.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:29:01 -0700

Exposure to low-level inorganic arsenic in drinking water is associated with increased risk for type II DM in this population based on a comprehensive lifetime exposure assessment. Environmental Research.

Nanoparticles create spirals in the lungs.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:26:34 -0700

Scientists found that carbon nanoparticles rearrange the surfactant molecules from kidney bean shaped clusters into solid spirals. NIH Director's Blog.

Associations of serum and urinary magnesium with the pre-diabetes, diabetes and diabetic complications in the Chinese Northeast population.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:20:40 -0700

These results suggest that the potential impact of magnesium deficiency on metabolic syndrome, diabetes and diabetic complications needs to be received special attention. PLoS One.

Exposure to organochlorines and mercury through fish and marine mammal consumption: associations with growth and duration of gestation among Inuit newborns.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 10:14:24 -0700

Prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants was associated with reduced gestation duration, which is a recognized determinant of fetal growth. DHA intake during pregnancy appeared to have independent positive association with fetal growth by prolonging gestation. Environment International.

Urinary phthalate metabolites are associated with body mass index and waist circumference in Chinese school children.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:52:45 -0700

Some phthalate exposures were associated with BMI or WC in Chinese school children. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study and lack of some important obesity-related covariables, further studies are needed to confirm the associations. PLoS One.
[See a related article: Race/ethnicity-specific associations of urinary phthalates with childhood body mass in a nationally representative sample]

New report: Review of the Department of Labor's Site Exposure Matrix Database.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:48:33 -0700

The IOM reviewed the SEM database and its use of a particular database, Haz-Map, as the sources of its toxic substance-occupational disease link. This report describes the strengths and shortcomings of both databases, and offers recommendations for improvements that could be made in both databases with a focus on enhancing the scientific rigor of the links and thus the usability of SEM for both DOL claims examiners and former DOE workers.

New York isn't protecting Long Island's aquifer.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:34:23 -0700

How many pesticides are in our drinking water? How does 117 sound? That's the number of pesticides and pesticide break-down products currently detected in Long Island's groundwater. New York Newsday, New York.
[See a related article: Officials: pesticides in Long Island water pose no known health threat]

High Court upholds Israeli law placing onus of asbestos cleanup on company.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:31:21 -0700

In a precedent-setting decision, the High Court of Justice rejected a petition on Tuesday against a law placing substantial financial responsibility on a company to clean up asbestos waste in the Western Galilee. Haaretz, Israel.
[See another article about asbestos from Australia: NSW govt plan to tackle asbestos]

Chemical-free, produce-based beauty products are on the rise.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:29:58 -0700

When you're smoothing on your under-eye moisturizer tonight, why not try a taste? Wouldn't dream of putting that stuff in your mouth? Then perhaps you shouldn't put it on your face. Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio.

Nuclear power prevents more deaths than it causes.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:29:22 -0700

Using nuclear power in place of fossil-fuel energy sources, such as coal, has prevented some 1.8 million air pollution-related deaths globally and could save millions of more lives in coming decades, concludes a new study. Chemical & Engineering News.

Opinion: New flammability standard is a win for low-income communities of color.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:25:13 -0700

California's plan to update its furniture flammability standard is good news for low-income communities of color, which bear a disproportionate burden of the health risks from flame retardants. As evidence of the dangers from exposure to these chemicals accumulates, so too has the evidence that flame retardants in furniture do not make anyone safer from fire. Environmental Health News.

Lead exposure from surprising new source.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:20:57 -0700

Lily Aikings, director of the Barton County Health Department, recommends that parents that work in oilfields change clothing at the site, before getting into vehicles that children may ride in, and wash clothes separately so they do not mix with children's clothes. But that's only one potential risk factor children need to be protected from. Great Bend Tribune, Kansas.

A building not just green, but practically self-sustaining.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:19:56 -0700

To earn its environmental bragging rights, the Bullitt Center must complete a rigorous one-year certification process called the Living Building Challenge, which requires both water and energy self-sufficiency, among a list of 20 demands. New York Times.

BPA may be labeled 'toxicant' by California.

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:18:23 -0700

By now, many environmentally conscious consumers are wary of bisphenol A, a chemical in food containers, plastic bottles and other household items. A California state agency is wary, too, and will soon decide whether to call the compound a reproductive toxicant and place restrictions on it. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Health cobenefits and transportation-related reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the San Francisco Bay area.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 12:50:29 -0700

Increasing median daily walking and bicycling from 4 to 22 minutes reduced the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes by 14% (32-466 disability-adjusted life years, DALYs), increased the traffic injury burden by 39% (5907 DALYS), and decreased greenhouse gas emissions by 14%. American Journal of Public Health.

Estrogen plus progestin use linked with increased breast cancer incidence and mortality.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 12:03:48 -0700

Estrogen plus progestin use is linked with increased breast cancer incidence. In addition, prognosis is similar for both users and nonusers of combined hormone therapy, suggesting that mortality from breast cancer may be higher for hormone therapy users as well, according to a study published March 29 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. EurekAlert!
[See the study: Estrogen plus progestin and breast cancer incidence and mortality in the Women’s Health Initiative observational study]

Mixed signals: combinations of estrogen-mimicking chemicals strongly distort hormone action.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:59:47 -0700

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have used new techniques to study exposure to low doses of multiple xenoestrogens. And they've come to some disturbing conclusions. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Mixtures of xenoestrogens disrupt estradiol-induced non-genomic signaling and downstream functions in pituitary cells]

What you eat -- and how much -- affects your sleep, study says.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:54:52 -0700

A higher body mass index despite less sleep and fewer calories is one of many results that surprised authors of a study comparing sleep and dietary habits published online in Appetite in January. The Nation's Health.
[See the study: Dietary nutrients associated with short and long sleep duration. Data from a nationally representative sample]

Firemaster 550 an obesogen; linked to weight gain, early puberty, anxiety in rats.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:43:26 -0700

Rats exposed to the common flame retardant Firemaster 550 before birth and while nursing gained weight earlier and were obese as adults. Environmental Health News.
[See the study: Accumulation and endocrine disrupting effects of the flame retardant mixture Firemaster® 550 in rats: an exploratory assessment]

Western New York Industrial plant guilty of criminal pollution.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:24:52 -0700

A federal jury has returned a nationally-significant verdict against a local industrial plant that a citizens group insisted had been deceptively polluting the town's air and ground for years with toxic chemicals. CNHI News Service.

City investigates high cancer stats.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:22:03 -0700

Beijing health authorities have launched a pilot project to test for the rate of cancers in the city, and will offer free diagnostic tests to those surveyed who are considered to be at particularly high risk. People's Daily, China.

New report: Potential Health Risks to DOD Firing-Range Personnel from Recurrent Lead Exposure.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 07:56:27 -0700

In light of knowledge about the hazards posed by occupational lead exposure, the Department of Defense (DOD) asked the National Research Council to evaluate potential health risks from recurrent lead exposure of firing-range personnel.

CHE partnership call: Breast Cancer and the Environment: Prioritizing Prevention.

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 11:19:38 -0700

On this call on April 3rd, several speakers will provide their perspectives on the congressionally mandated Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee (IBCERCC) report that was published recently.

After five years, has the Bay Area wood burning ban spared the air?

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 11:12:52 -0700

Despite some lingering anger over wood-burning rules, Bay Area air quality officials say a five-year burn ban has paid off for the region's 7 million residents. Contra Costa Times, California.

Frequent flyers have oversized footprint when it comes to greenhouse gases, says study.

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 11:06:44 -0700

Alberta households should turn down the heat to reduce their carbon footprint, but it won't help much if the neighbour is taking dozens of airline flights a year, says a newly published University of Alberta study on income and household greenhouse gas emissions. Edmonton Journal, Alberta.
[See the study: Egregious emitters: disproportionality in household carbon footprints]

Registry would begin gathering information on US veterans exposed to toxic chemicals at Canadian base.

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 10:43:23 -0700

Last week Rep. Mike Michaud, ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, reintroduced a bill to help Maine veterans who trained at Gagetown after the testing period and may be concerned they were exposed to toxic levels of the herbicides. Bangor Daily News, Maine.

Sunscreen fear 'a risk to health.'

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 10:42:33 -0700

Warnings about possible health risks from tiny particles used in some sunscreens have rocked Australians' faith in them, a new federal government survey shows, and experts fear lives will be lost as a result. Melbourne Age, Australia.

Autism rate rises to 1 in 88 U.S. children.

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 08:15:33 -0700

Autism cases continue to rise in the U.S., where 1 in 88 children has been diagnosed with the disorder by age 8, according to figures released Thursday, and the rate in Missouri is even higher estimated at 1 in 72. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri.
[See a related article: Autism risk not increased by early vaccines: study]

ADHD seen in 11% of US children as diagnoses rise.

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 08:09:04 -0700

Nearly one in five high school age boys in the United States and 11 percent of school-age children over all have received a medical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to new data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York Times.
[See the CDC article: Increasing prevalence of parent-reported attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children -- United States, 2003 and 2007]

GMO health risks: What the scientific evidence says.

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:45:09 -0700

Many Americans are concerned about the spread of GMOs throughout agriculture -- and the perception that some members of the U.S. Congress are in the pocket of the Monsanto Co. isn’t helping. But just what are GM crops, and what evidence do we have to suggest that they are dangerous to human health? International Business Times.

List of health concerns related to BPA grows longer.

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 09:56:50 -0700

The chemical is called bisphenol A. Chances are you’ve never heard of it, yet you are being exposed BPA every day due to its use as a plastic hardener. It also can be a cause of a host of human dysfunctions in adults as well as children, scientists are learning. Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Washington.

EPA to study flame retardant chemicals. Finally.

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 08:19:59 -0700

The EPA announced this week that it will study the health and environmental risks of 23 chemicals, with an emphasis on chemical flame retardants that are found in many common products. Mother Jones.
[See the EPA news release: EPA announces chemicals for risk assessment in 2013, focus on widely used flame retardants]

New resource: plastics lessons.

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 22:18:40 -0700

Two new lessons on plastics are now available from Creative Change: The Life Cycle of Two Plastics (grades 6+) and Biomagnifcation and Plastics (grade 9+).

Petition: No More Junk in Schools!

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 17:44:00 -0700

MomsRising.org invites signatures to a petition to the USDA regarding healthful snacks in schools. The deadline is April 9th.

Sand from fracking could pose lung disease risk to workers.

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:53:34 -0700

Sand is a critical part of fracking, but sand is basically silica -- and breathing in silica is one of the oldest known workplace dangers. Inside the lungs, exposure to the tiny particles has been shown to sometimes lead to serious lung diseases like silicosis and lung cancer. All Things Considered, NPR.
[See a related article: The cost of fracking]

Reporting science without the drama.

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:51:47 -0700

Dramatic headlines, questionable science: "25,000 U.S. deaths linked to sugary drinks." Or: "1 in 10 U.S. deaths blamed on salt." As with other media science coverage, these articles left much to be desired. Researchers' findings are often misinterpreted and conclusions short-circuit full analysis. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

U.S. launches new batch of graphic anti-smoking ads.

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:49:36 -0700

Government health officials launched the second round of a graphic ad campaign Thursday that is designed to get smokers off tobacco, saying they believe the last effort convinced tens of thousands to quit. Associated Press.
[See related articles: Cigarette labels may educate about bladder cancer and Tobacco company reports early success with better-for-you cigarettes]

'Toms River' navigates an environmental legacy.

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:34:55 -0700

The inexact science that looks for links between cancer and pollution flows through "Toms River," an absorbing and thoughtful navigation of our era of synthetic chemicals. USA Today.
[CHE will host a teleconference call with the author on April 11th: A conversation with Dan Fagin, author of "Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation"]

Whirlpool among defendants in Ohio cancer cluster lawsuit.

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:34:02 -0700

A class action lawsuit on behalf of all who died resulting from exposure to cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or other toxins in a northwest Ohio cancer-cluster region was filed Thursday in Sandusky County against Whirlpool Corp. and other defendants. Associated Press.

EPA draws criticism for proposing stricter fuel pollutant controls.

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 08:23:07 -0700

The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday proposed new rules for reducing pollutants in gasoline, a move that would increase pump prices but would also likely result in cleaner air. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin.
[See the EPA news release: EPA proposes achievable cleaner fuels and cars standard, slashing air pollution and providing extensive health benefits]

Sara Shostak explores human, environmental health issues.

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:38:23 -0700

Shostak finds most people know very little about environmental health research and regulation. By writing about the history and recent and proposed transformations in environmental health science and policy-making, Shostak hopes to make these worlds more accessible. Brandeis Now.

Could some of our favorite flavorings be damaging our DNA?

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:26:18 -0700

Scientists from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center report in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology that teas, coffees and "smoky flavoring" could be damaging our DNA at levels comparable to that caused by chemotherapy drugs. Time.
[See the study: Biological clues to potent DNA-damaging activities in food and flavoring]

Haiti to plant millions of trees to boost forests and help tackle poverty.

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:09:12 -0700

Haitian President Michel Martelly will launch a drive to double the country's forest cover by 2016 from the perilous level of 2 percent - one of the lowest rates in the world. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Georgia residents unite to fight childhood obesity epidemic in state.

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:33:43 -0700

More than 30 organizations turned out at the Georgia state Capitol on Wednesday at an event against the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in the state. The "United Against Childhood Obesity" day is part of a statewide initiative to step up efforts to stem the worrying trend. TheGrio.

Native American women walking length of river, raising pollution awareness.

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:10:44 -0700

A group of Native American women are walking the length of the Mississippi River -- 1,200 miles -- in an effort to raise awareness about pollution. "The water effects all of us. We are all water," said walker Sharon Day, an Ojibwe tribe member. Brainerd Daily Dispatch, Minnesota.

$20M settlement for St. Lawrence River pollution.

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:01:46 -0700

Claims over industrial chemicals that leached in the groundwater and soil along the St. Lawrence River since the 1950s, polluting tribal land downstream and harming wildlife, were settled Wednesday under a nearly $20 million agreement that includes money for environmental restoration and health and cultural programs for the affected tribe. Associated Press.

White House supports rollback of cleanup standards for nuclear incidents.

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:00:13 -0700

The White House has endorsed a plan to relax long-held standards for cleaning up radioactive material released by a nuclear power plant disaster or act of terrorism, a group of federal officials say in a new draft report. National Journal.

Industry fights bans on pavement sealants made with toxic coal tar.

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:58:05 -0700

When suburban Chicago officials read about the hazards of spreading cancer-causing coal tar on playgrounds, parking lots and driveways, they moved to join other communities that have banned pavement sealants made with the industrial byproduct. The coal tar industry was ready for a fight. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

Toxic waste site near Kettleman City, California, to pay $311,000 in fines.

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:38:01 -0700

A toxic waste dump near the San Joaquin Valley farming community of Kettleman City has agreed to pay $311,000 in fines for failing to report 72 hazardous materials spills over the last four years, state officials announced Wednesday. Los Angeles Times.

Duwamish Valley residents face health threats, study shows as EPA chooses Superfund cleanup plan.

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:35:11 -0700

The residents of south Seattle’s 98108 ZIP code, some living cheek-by-jowl with the Duwamish River Superfund site, face a high degree of environmental health threats and are likely to live sicker and die younger than residents of other Seattle neighborhoods, says a new report by two nonprofit groups. Investigate West.
[See the report: Duwamish Valley Cumulative Health Impacts Analysis: Seattle, Washington]

Isotope fingerprints help researchers pinpoint source of mercury exposures.

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:24:08 -0700

A new study reports that by measuring ratios of mercury isotopes in urine samples, researchers could also distinguish between two common sources of mercury exposure: people’s dental fillings and the fish they eat. Chemical & Engineering News.
[See the study: New insight into biomarkers of human mercury exposure using naturally occurring mercury stable isotopes]

Long outlawed in the West, lead paint sold in poor nations.

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:19:30 -0700

A new study finds that household lead paint -- banned for years in the U.S. and Europe because of its health effects on children -- is commonly sold in the African nation of Cameroon. Yale Environment 360.
[See the study: Lead concentrations and labeling of new paint in Cameroon]

Stressful life events may increase stillbirth risk, NIH network study finds.

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:50:48 -0700

Pregnant women who experienced financial, emotional, or other personal stress in the year before their delivery had an increased chance of having a stillbirth, say researchers who conducted a National Institutes of Health network study.

Goodrich Corp. to help clean up perchlorate in Rialto, California, groundwater.

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:36:57 -0700

The Goodrich Corp. has agreed to pay at least $21.5 million to help clean up a giant perchlorate plume contaminating groundwater in the Rialto and Colton areas of San Bernardino County caused by Cold War-era munitions plants, federal authorities said Tuesday. Los Angeles Times.

Study raises new concerns over carcinogen found in food.

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:27:25 -0700

Coffee and bread contain a chemical that can give you cancer, according to a Technical University of Denmark study that has sparked politicians to condemn the presence of acrylamide in many ordinary food stuffs. Copenhagen Post, Denmark.
[See one of the studies referenced in the article: Acrylamide exposure and incidence of breast cancer among postmenopausal women in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study]

EPA announces chemicals for risk assessment in 2013, focus on widely used flame retardants.

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:11:50 -0700

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will begin assessments on 23 commonly used chemicals, with a specific focus on flame retardant chemicals, in order to more fully understand any potential risks to people’s health and the environment.

EPA report: more than half nation’s rivers in poor shape.

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:09:02 -0700

More than half of the country’s rivers and streams are in poor biological health, unable to support healthy populations of aquatic insects and other creatures, according to a nationwide survey released Tuesday. Associated Press.
[See the draft report: National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2008-2009: A Collaborative Survey]

Biggest Oklahoma earthquake in memory linked to oil industry.

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:38:13 -0700

In November 2011, a destructive 5.7-magnitude earthquake rocked the grasslands outside the small town of Prague, Oklahoma. According to the results of a new study, the temblor was potentially linked to the underground injection of wastewater from local oil operations. Mother Jones.
[See the study: Potentially induced earthquakes in Oklahoma, USA: Links between wastewater injection and the 2011 Mw 5.7 earthquake sequence]

Hypercleanliness may be making us sick.

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:50:24 -0700

A growing body of evidence suggests that all the antibacterial-wiping, germ-killing cleanliness of the developed world may actually be making us more prone to getting sick -- and that a little more dirt might help us stay healthier in the long run. Washington Post.

EPA announces expert panel to review fracking study.

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:48:24 -0700

The U.S. environmental regulator has selected experts in fields ranging from well-drilling to toxicology to review a highly anticipated report on the natural gas and oil extraction method commonly known as fracking. Reuters.

Inslee's climate change bill passes Legislature.

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 22:36:25 -0700

A measure championed by Gov. Jay Inslee to study the best practices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions passed the Washington state House on Monday and heads next to the governor's desk. Associated Press.

Temporary tattoos can cause long-lasting allergic reactions: FDA.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:35:08 -0700

That temporary henna tattoo may leave a longer-lasting physical effect than you had hoped for, and it may not be pretty, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday. Los Angeles Times.

B.C. mines causing toxic pollution.

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:58:01 -0700

A new study conducted by the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station concludes that the Elk River in southern British Columbia is being polluted to toxic levels by runoff from Canadian coal mines. Kalispell Daily Inter Lake, Montana.
[See a related article: NDP chides government for inaction on Elk River pollution]

National Toxicology Program peer reviewers back listing of cumene, 1-bromopropane in report on carcinogens.

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:42:17 -0700

A peer-review panel convened by the National Toxicology Program unanimously recommended that two widely used industrial chemicals, cumene and 1-bromopropane, be classified as reasonably anticipated human carcinogens. Bloomberg BNA.

Peru declares Amazon oil contamination emergency.

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 09:16:19 -0700

Peru's government declared an environmental state of emergency on Monday in a remote Amazon jungle region it says has been affected by years of contamination at the country's most productive oil fields, which are currently operated by Argentina-based Pluspetrol. Associated Press.

One in five French bottled waters contain drugs or pesticides.

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:13:45 -0700

An investigation has discovered traces of pesticides and prescription drugs -- including a medicine used to treat breast cancer -- in almost one in five brands of bottled water on the shelves of France's supermarkets. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

From great grandma to you.

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:21:51 -0700

The vices, virtues, inadvertent actions and accidental exposures of a pregnant mother may pose health consequences for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and perhaps even their offspring. Science News.

Office workers carry biomarker of potentially harmful flame retardant, study finds.

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:02:44 -0700

A flame retardant removed from children's pajamas 30 years ago but now used in polyurethane foam is prevalent in office environments, especially in older buildings, where urine testing of workers turned up widespread evidence of its biomarker, a new study led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers has found. ScienceDaily.

UN report urges Africa's leaders to put environmental health policies first.

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:59:06 -0700

Environmental factors contribute to almost 30 percent of Africa's disease burden. Such high rates of environment-related disease in Africa could seriously hinder the continent's sustainable growth. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Cigars expected to be targeted by FDA regulation.

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:58:08 -0700

Nearly four years after it began regulating cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration is poised to extend its reach to a broader range of tobacco products. At the top of that list: cigars, which have experienced a boom in recent years even as cigarette sales have declined. Washington Post.

WHO findings link arsenic to kidney disease.

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:45:22 -0700

Consequent to the World Health Organisation establishing the high content of arsenic as the cause of kidney disease in the dry zone, the Agriculture Ministry will recommend a quality control on pesticides imported to the country, a minister said yesterday. Colombo Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka.

Contamination from meth labs linked to illnesses.

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:40:51 -0700

Few studies have been conducted on contamination caused by meth manufacturing or the potential health effects of living in a space where meth was made. Some expert researchers, however, linked meth houses to respiratory, even neurological problems, in children. Springfield News-Leader, Missouri.

Judge tosses Naperville smart meter lawsuit.

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:36:26 -0700

A judge has dismissed a federal lawsuit against the city of Naperville filed by opponents to its smart meter program. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

DHA supplementation improved both memory and reaction time in healthy young adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:31:19 -0700

DHA supplementation improved memory and the RT of memory in healthy, young adults whose habitual diets were low in DHA. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Water as vital to national security as defense, UN says.

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:23:19 -0700

Stresses on water supplies aggravated by climate change are likely to cause more conflicts, and water should be considered as vital to national security as defense, a United Nations report said on Friday. Reuters.

It's official: traffic pollution can cause asthma in children.

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:01:23 -0700

Researchers in Europe have confirmed scientifically what parents in traffic-congested Southern California have known anecdotally for years: Poor air quality associated with busy roads can cause asthma in children. Los Angeles Times.
[See the study: Chronic burden of near-roadway traffic pollution in 10 European cities (APHEKOM network)]

Beekeepers sue US EPA to ban pesticide, protect bees.

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:00:11 -0700

Commercial beekeepers and environmental organizations filed a lawsuit Thursday against federal regulators for not banning the use of two pesticides they say harm honeybees. Associated Press.

Salt responsible for 2.3 million deaths worldwide, study suggests.

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:50:08 -0700

Eating too much salt contributed to 2.3 million deaths from heart attacks, strokes and other heart-related diseases throughout the world in 2010, representing 15 percent of all deaths due to these causes, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions. ScienceDaily.

Energy firms, environmentalists agree on fracking standards.

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:35:23 -0700

Energy companies and environmentalists have reached rare common ground over the controversial practice of fracking of fossil fuels, agreeing to a set of environmental standards that would diminish the environmental impact of drilling operations in the northeastern United States. Christian Science Monitor.

Court says New Jersey can waive its environmental rules.

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:33:11 -0700

A New Jersey appeals court ruled Thursday that the state Department of Environmental Protection was within its rights last year to adopt a new rule that lets officials waive many of their own rules upon request. Environmentalists plan to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Associated Press.

The new "obesogens."

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:45:10 -0700

The articles in this Institute focus on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which are suspected of altering when, why and how much the body creates fat cells or stores fat in existing cells. Environmental Health Policy Institute.

Illinois bill to reduce flame retardants goes nowhere.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:23:34 -0700

As nearly a dozen states consider legislation that would ban toxic flame retardants, Illinois apparently will remain on the sidelines of a growing debate about chemicals linked to cancer, developmental problems and impaired fertility. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

Researchers tie Gulf War illness to brain damage.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:22:23 -0700

Researchers say they have found physical proof that Gulf War illness is caused by damage to the brain - and that proof may ultimately help civilians who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. USA Today.

Whole Foods, Trader Joe's ban GMO salmon.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:21:41 -0700

Several U.S. grocery chains have agreed not to sell a genetically-engineered salmon that is nearing approval from the Food and Drug Administration after 17 years of development, a group of environmental and consumer groups said Wednesday. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Chemical, toy industries oppose bill requiring phase out of potentially toxic chemicals.

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:20:47 -0700

Parents, public health advocates and small business owners squared off with representatives from the chemical, toy and retail industries over a bill in Oregon's state legislature that would require the phase out of children's products made with potentially toxic chemicals. Portland Oregonian, Oregon.

Ending poverty hinges on tougher environmental goals: study.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:19:30 -0700

Governments must impose radical limits on everything from water use to greenhouse gases if they want to have any chance of ending global poverty, a group of scientists said. Reuters.

How to cut U.S. gasoline use in half by 2030.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:09:05 -0700

This week, the National Academy of Sciences put out a massive -- as in, 395-page -- report on how the United States can cut gasoline use in half by 2030. And, beyond that, how to cut greenhouse-gas emissions from transportation 80 percent by mid-century. Washington Post.

Sex specific impact of perinatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure over a range of orally administered doses on rat hypothalamic sexual differentiation.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:15:17 -0700

Collectively these data demonstrate that early life oral exposure to BPA at levels well below the current No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 50 mg/kg/day can alter sex specific hypothalamic morphology in the rat. NeuroToxicology.

Justices back loggers in water runoff case.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:10:11 -0700

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that logging companies and forestry officials in Oregon were not required to obtain permits from the Environmental Protection Agency for storm-water runoff from logging roads. New York Times.

UK air pollution: why are we only now waking up to this public health crisis?

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:07:05 -0700

Traffic fumes across the U.K. are provoking increased instances of asthma and other respiratory diseases. Experts say it's a public health crisis that officials are just now starting to address. The Guardian, United Kingdom.

Study links 180,000 global deaths to sugary drinks.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:55:39 -0700

Researchers reported Tuesday that they have linked 180,000 obesity-related deaths worldwide to sugary drinks, including about 25,000 adult Americans. USA Today.

Cigarette smoke may increase microbial virulence.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:52:03 -0700

A new study expands the potential health effects to a new front, showing that acute in vitro exposure of Staphylococcus aureus to cigarette smoke promoted biofilm formation and adhesion to human cells. Environmental Health Perspectives.
[See the study: Cigarette smoke increases staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation via oxidative stress]

Individual day-time noise exposure during routine activities and heart rate variability in adults: a repeated measures study.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:48:54 -0700

Individual day-time noise exposure was associated with immediate changes in heart rate variability, suggesting a possible mechanism linking noise to cardiovascular risk. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Harvard study: women abused young more likely to have autistic children.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:40:21 -0700

A new study from the Harvard School of Public Health finds that women who were abused when they were young appear to be more likely to have children with autism. Community Health.
[See the study: Association of maternal exposure to childhood abuse with elevated risk for autism in offspring]

Asphalt danger in luxury vehicles.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:25:27 -0700

Your car could give you cancer, according to a report on China Central Television which said interiors of vehicles made in China by some luxury automakers including Audi may contain harmful chemicals. Shanghai Daily, China.

Manufacturers sue EPA over soot rule.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:23:02 -0700

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is challenging the stronger standards on fine particulate matter, or soot, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued in December. NAM filed the lawsuit Friday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The Hill, District of Columbia.

3rd New York town wins in court over fracking ban.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:12:26 -0700

A third upstate New York town has won a court challenge to its ban on natural gas drilling as two previous cases are about to be argued before a state appeals court. Associated Press.

Plastic pollution not just a problem in oceans, but in Great Lakes.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:09:45 -0700

Scientists have conducted extensive research on the plastic-filled gyres of the ocean, but this past summer they decided to look inland for the first time and measure plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. Great Lakes Echo, Michigan.

Mississippi forbids local laws on nutrition, super-size drinks.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:05:30 -0700

Mississippi, the state with the highest rate of obesity, has banned its cities and counties from trying to stop restaurants from selling super-sized soft drinks or requiring them to post nutritional information about meals. Reuters.

High-carb intake in infancy has lifelong effects, study finds.

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:58:23 -0700

Consumption of foods high in carbohydrates immediately after birth programs individuals for lifelong increased weight gain and obesity, a University at Buffalo animal study has found, even if caloric intake is restricted in adulthood for a period of time. ScienceDaily.

Government changes course on graphic cigarette warnings.

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:56:16 -0700

The government has dropped its push for cigarette labels to carry images of diseased lungs and other graphic health warnings, and will craft new anti-smoking ads that do not run afoul of free speech rights. Reuters.

Antibiotics crisis prompts rethink on risks, rewards.

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:54:10 -0700

These "superbugs" are growing, but are not yet widespread, so the costly research needed to combat them is not worthwhile. Medical experts say this dilemma could return medicine to an era before Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. Reuters.
[See a related article: OMA wants ban on antibiotics in livestock feed]

Decision delayed on dangerous chemical in drinking water.

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:53:01 -0700

The chromium standard is bogged down in IRIS, the Integrated Risk Information System, which aims to insure the best science is employed as the EPA considers regulating risky chemicals. Part two of an investigative look at the safety of America's drinking water. Center for Public Integrity, PBS NewsHour.

Sewage plants struggle to treat wastewater produced by fracking operations.

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:41:12 -0700

A new study suggests that wastewater treatment plants can’t handle fracking wastewater’s high levels of contaminants: Water flowing out of the plants into the environment still has elevated levels of the chemicals from natural gas production. Chemical & Engineering News.

A new environment for fight against pollution.

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:48:21 -0700

Air pollution, one of the hottest topics at this year's meetings in China of the NPC and CPPCC, is an important factor in both the incidence and cause of respiratory diseases, according to Zhong Nanshan, a deputy to the National People's Congress and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. China Daily.

Oregon could ban genetically engineered fish, require labeling of genetically modified foods.

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:35:12 -0700

Oregon could become the first state in the nation to require the labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients under several bills in the Legislature. Portland Oregonian, Oregon.

Chesapeake Bay intersex fish mystery remains unsolved.

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:18:36 -0700

In some areas of the Chesapeake Bay, between 50 and 100 percent of bass are "intersex." Biologists say studies are falling short because of a lack of data on the type and quantity of pesticides that run into the bay from farms. Washington Post.

Budget cuts undermine Environment Canada's clean air regulations: emails.

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:18:00 -0700

The Harper government’s budget cuts to scientific research at Environment Canada have compromised the department’s capacity to crack down on cancer-linked pollution and its mandate to enforce clean air regulations. Postmedia News.

Doubts surface about safety of carrageenan, a common food additive.

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:13:04 -0700

Though studies on lab animals and human cells have suggested that carrageenan can cause gastrointestinal inflammation, many researchers and physicians say it's unclear whether the additive has the same impact on people who consume it. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.

Fears versus facts. Could our everyday toiletries be killing us?

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:05:31 -0700

Rates of hormone-related cancers, including breast, ovarian, testicular, endometrial and prostate cancer, have risen worldwide over the past 50 years, yet of the almost 800 chemicals known to be capable of interfering with human hormones, or suspected of doing so, only a small fraction has been investigated. Sydney Morning Herald, Australia.

To control asthma, start with the home instead of the child.

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:35:32 -0700

Nothing sends more kids to the hospital than asthma. So when doctors at Children's Hospital in Boston noticed they kept seeing an unusually high number of asthmatic kids from certain low-income neighborhoods, they wondered if they could do something about the environment these kids were living in. Morning Edition, NPR.

Triclosan or soap and water?

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:24:50 -0700

Despite its widespread use, only a relatively small amount of research into the potential health effects of triclosan has been published. Health and Environment Blog.

Water pollution: a Bay of Pigs moment in China.

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:26:59 -0700

Complaints about the environment in general worry China's central government as a potential threat to social stability. According to a retired Communist Party official, pollution has replaced land disputes as the main cause of social unrest in the country. It has been a major focus at this year’s National People’s Congress. Economist.

New York court: group can sue over soap chemical.

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:24:28 -0700

Environmental activists can try to prove a chemical, triclosan, found in some soaps is potentially dangerous and the Food and Drug Administration is failing to regulate it, a federal appeals court in New York said Friday. Associated Press.

Epidemic of birth defects in Iraq and our duty as public health researchers.

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:22:58 -0700

Birth defects and cancer rates are rising in Iraq after the 2003 invasion. To help restore public and environmental health to pre-invasion conditions there, medical interventions and large-scale environmental cleanup are urgently needed. Al Jazeera.

India's coal killing thousands.

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:21:27 -0700

India is developing rapidly, and much of that growth is fueled by one of the dirtiest energy sources, coal, and with even more coal plants planned, a new study shows that pollution from coal-fired power plants is killing up to 115,000 Indians every year. Living On Earth.

EPA fights to stop large mountaintop coal mine.

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:20:38 -0700

A standing-room only crowd packed a federal appeals courtroom in D.C. Thursday morning to hear arguments over whether the Environmental Protection Agency may rescind a dumping permit after it has been granted by the Army Corps of Engineers. DC Bureau, District of Columbia.

New report: Not Your Grandfather's Cigar: A New Generation of Cheap and Sweet Cigars Threatens a New Generation of Kids.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:47:20 -0700

Cheap, flavored, small cigars that appeal to young people are marketed aggressively and have resulted in high school kids and young adults being twice as likely as their older counterparts to be cigar smokers.

Ritualistic use of mercury remains a mystery -- but health effects aren't.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:37:07 -0700

The study found that Hispanics in Chicago use mercury for religious purposes and as a form of folk medicine. The study also found that "the mercury was available through natural goods stores called botanicas, mystics and curanderos" which "claimed that mercury serves to cure ailments, provide spiritual benefits, and/or solve domestic issues." Medill Reports.

Biophysical evaluation of radiofrequency electromagnetic field effects on male reproductive pattern.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:29:12 -0700

Present review examines the possible concern on radio frequency radiation interaction and biological effects such as enzyme induction, and toxicological effects, including genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, testicular cancer, and reproductive outcomes. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics.

Dr. Oz: "5 health risks I won't take -- and neither should you."

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:15:16 -0700

Here's my personal take on five important health concerns where the science isn't entirely clear. O, The Oprah Magazine.

Call for proposals: Science for Sustainable and Healthy Tribes.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:01:07 -0700

This solicitation is focused on research to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems that affect tribes. The closing date is June 25, 2013.

Saskatchewan backs mandatory asbestos registry for public buildings.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:09:10 -0700

The Saskatchewan government says it will back proposed legislation to make reporting of asbestos in public buildings mandatory. Canadian Press.

Doctors fear coal dust health impacts going unchecked.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:08:26 -0700

The Doctors for the Environment Australia group says the health impacts of coal dust on Latrobe Valley residents are being ignored. Australia ABC News, Australia.

Study finds no rheumatoid arthritis, pollution link.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:05:03 -0700

Although previous research has suggested a connection between exposure to air pollution and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a large new study of nurses finds no link. Reuters Health.
[See the study: Ambient air pollution exposures and risk of rheumatoid arthritis in the Nurses' Health Study]

Report: Camp Lejeune water highly contaminated with carcinogens.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:56:48 -0700

For much of Camp Lejeune's history, its drinking water was contaminated by potent carcinogens at levels rarely if ever seen in a large water system, a new federal report shows. Tampa Bay Times, Florida.
[See ATSDR's website on Camp Lejeune: Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and the new report: Analyses and Historical Reconstruction of Groundwater Flow, Contaminant Fate and Transport, and Distribution of Drinking Water Within the Service Areas of the Hadnot Point and Holcomb Boulevard Water Treatment Plants and Vicinities, U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Chapter A: Summary and Findings]

Sydney air quality, genetics 'influence asthma.'

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:53:50 -0700

Sydney's air pollution could boost the chances of developing childhood asthma, especially if children are already genetically predisposed to it, a study has found. It is the first study conducted on the effects of Sydney's air pollution on the development of asthma. Australian Associated Press.
[See the study: Development of asthmatic inflammation in mice following early-life exposure to ambient environmental particulates and chronic allergen challenge]

EHN wins journalism award for environmental justice series.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:52:55 -0700

Environmental Health News has won Honorable Mention in a national journalism competition for its 10-part series investigating environmental justice problems in communities across the country. The Oakes Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in environmental journalism, are bestowed by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Environmental Health News.

Exposure to road traffic noise and children's behavioural problems and sleep disturbance: results from the GINIplus and LISAplus studies.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:57:35 -0700

Road traffic noise exposure at home may be related to increased hyperactivity and more emotional symptoms in children. Environmental Research.

Job opening: Baltimore, Maryland.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:50:34 -0700

The Chesapeake Chapter, Physicians for Social Responsibility, seeks a part-time (30 hours) chapter director to recruit, train and engage health professionals to reverse climate change and promote healthy renewable energy and will help build a strong sustainable chapter. The Chesapeake PSR chapter engages the health community on climate change, militarism, nuclear arms and nuclear energy.

European Parliament vote on EDCs conveys urgency of protecting health.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:48:10 -0700

The European Parliament vote adopting MEP Asa Westlund's report on the protection of public health from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) today reflects the serious concern and the strong desire to see comprehensive and multifaceted EU policy action, says HEAL. Health and Environment Alliance.

Study: radiation for breast cancer can harm hearts.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:34:07 -0700

Women treated with radiation for breast cancer are more likely to develop heart problems later, even with the lower doses used today, troubling new research suggests. The risk comes from any amount of radiation, starts five years after treatment and lasts for decades, doctors found. Associated Press.
[See the study: Risk of ischemic heart disease in women after radiotherapy for breast cancer]

Erin Brockovich: the real-life unhappy ending.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:27:38 -0700

Miles O'Brien reports on the decline of Hinkley, Calif., the town featured in the movie Erin Brockovich that had its drinking water polluted by a giant utility. Here's the not-so-Hollywood version of what really happened in Hinkley and beyond. PBS NewsHour.

UNC study: fluoridated water helps adults maintain dental health through the years.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:26:59 -0700

Using water with fluoride significantly reduces tooth decay, even if that use didn’t start until adulthood, according to a new study by a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill. The study examined dental records of 3,779 older teens and adults. Raleigh News & Observer, North Carolina.
[See the study: Effects of fluoridated drinking water on dental caries in Australian adults]

Salt: the final frontier.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:03:00 -0700

When you live life well, you leave behind a difficult legacy... salt. It comes from municipal and industrial discharges, road salt, water softeners, landfill leachate, runoff, and virtually every activity we undertake. Environmental Science & Technology.

An advocate in pursuit of environmental justice at EPA.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:00:33 -0700

Matthew Tejada is taking over the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice after helping low-income communities in Houston fight air pollution in their neighborhoods. He talks to Yale Environment 360 about how his work in Texas prepared him for the challenges of his new post. Yale Environment 360.

Patchwork of bills cover flame retardants.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:59:39 -0700

Couches or car seats free of toxic flame retardants may soon be available, but you might have to pay more for them. That's one possible outcome of an ongoing U.S. debate over how to reduce the chemicals, which for three decades have permeated the foam in furniture and children's products. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Mining counties have higher death rates, study says.

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:46:54 -0700

Residents in the coal-mining communities of West Virginia suffer higher overall death rates than non-mining areas of Appalachia, according to a new University of Pittsburgh study made public Wednesday. Charleston Gazette, West Virginia.

CHE-Washington Children's Environmental Health Working Group Meeting March 14th.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:24:33 -0700

Margo Young, US EPA Region 10 Regional Children's Environmental Health Coordinator, will present "A Snapshot of EPA Data Tools for Community Use." Attendance is available in-person or by phone.

Mercury contaminated sediment sites -- an evaluation of remedial options.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:22:42 -0700

This review paper discusses remedial considerations (e.g. key chemical factors in fate and transport of mercury (Hg), source characterization and control, environmental management procedures, remediation options, modeling tools) and includes practical case studies for cleaning up Hg-contaminated sediment sites. Environmental Research.
[See a related article: Could an abandoned mercury mine area be cropped?]

New videos: birth defects.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:15:40 -0700

This series of videos from Birth Defect Research for Children help explain how toxins in our environment are causing our children to be born with birth defects and developmental disabilities.

Proteomic analysis on the alteration of protein expression in the early-stage placental villous tissue of electromagnetic fields associated with cell phone exposure.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:09:21 -0700

Cell phone EMF might alter the protein profile of chorionic tissue of early pregnancy, during the most sensitive stage of the embryos. Reproductive Sciences.

"2013 State of Our Schools" report from the Center for Green Schools at USGBC calls for immediate examination of America's school facilities.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:59:53 -0700

The US Green Building Council report calls on the GAO to conduct an updated survey on the condition of America's schools in order to paint a more complete picture of the scale and scope of today's needs.Washington, DC. Herald.
[See the report: 2013 State of Our Schools]

FDA issues heart warning for popular antibiotic.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:45:11 -0700

Azithromycin, sold as Zithromax and Z-Pak, may cause abnormal changes in the heart's electrical activity, the FDA said in a statement. USA Today.

Call for proposals: 2013 Assuring Radiation Protection.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:43:07 -0700

The goal of the 2013 Assuring Radiation Protection will be to coordinate Federal, State, and Tribal activities to achieve effective solutions to present and future radiation control problems. Applications are due April 1, 2013.

Environmental justice group holds health clinic in San Bernardino.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:23:13 -0700

An environmental justice group is claiming an important victory after a mobile health clinic tested and treated 20 Westside residents for many health problems, including some the group thinks are caused by the nearby BNSF rail yard. San Bernardino Sun, California.

Civil society wants bigger role in green climate fund planning.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:19:43 -0700

As the new board of the United Nations Green Climate Fund meets in Berlin this week, activist and watchdog groups here and around the world are expressing frustration over proposed rules they say are already significantly limiting civil society participation in the new initiative. Inter Press Service.

Quitting smoking helps hearts, even with weight gain.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:06:24 -0700

People who have quit smoking have a lower chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke than current smokers -- even if they put on a few extra pounds in the process, according to a new study. Reuters Health.
[See the study: Association of smoking cessation and weight change with cardiovascular disease among adults with and without diabetes]

ExxonMobil, public discuss pros and cons of chemical plant expansion at public hearing.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:05:06 -0700

ExxonMobil officials, members of the public and environmental agency staff met in Baton Rouge Tuesday to discuss a permit that would allow the capital area chemical plant to undertake expansion projects that will ultimately lead to higher emissions. New Orleans Times-Picayune, Louisiana.

West Virginia legislation would forbid heavy EPA fines.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:00:42 -0700

A House-passed bill viewed as critical by West Virginia coal operators, forbidding the federal Environmental Protection Agency from imposing heavy fines for excessive selenium in water, cleared its first hurdle Tuesday in the Senate. Beckley Register-Herald, West Virginia.

Science cop questions air pollution’s link to cancer.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:58:03 -0700

Fang has listed "three mistakes" Zhong made in saying air pollution causes cancer. Beijing Economic Observer, China.

Of mice and man.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:54:40 -0700

In the new approach, young mice engineered to lack immune systems receive transplants of portions of a patient’s immune system. As the mice mature, they develop a humanlike immune response to drugs or infectious agents. Science News.

How industry scientists stalled action on carcinogen.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:51:32 -0700

Today, tens of millions of Americans drink chromium-tainted tap water. Yet the controversy over whether people are dying of cancer from it is still being hotly debated. Some of the most powerful voices in the debate are companies with a stake in the outcome. They’ve hired scientists to convince regulators that the chemical compound is safe. Center for Public Integrity.

Ohio River commission warns that dozens of industrial plants may exceed new mercury limits.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:45:03 -0700

Dozens of industrial facilities along the Ohio River may not comply with a tougher mercury pollution standard that goes into effect in October, a regional water quality commission has warned. Louisville Courier-Journal, Kentucky.

Condo owners win secondhand smoke case.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:33:37 -0700

An Orange County jury has found a homeowners association negligent for failing to resolve a secondhand smoke dispute between neighbors at a Trabuco Canyon condominium. Orange County Register, California.

Breastfeeding may not ward off child obesity.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:28:22 -0700

Breastfeeding does not seem to protect babies against becoming overweight or obese kids, a large, new study says. Reuters Health.
[See the study: Effects of promoting longer-term and exclusive breastfeeding on adiposity and insulin-like growth factor-i at age 11.5 years]

Call for proposals: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative -- Childhood Obesity Prevention.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:07:54 -0700

This program is designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents 2-19 years. Proposals are due by April 11th.

CHE partnership call: Transgenerational Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Environmental Obesogens in Rodents.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:33:54 -0700

This March 20th call will feature authors of two recently published animal studies of obesogen research: both found that the obesity-related effects of prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals were passed down to the third generation descendants of the exposed animals.

Call for feedback on a revised website: Northwest Center for Public Health Practice.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:30:34 -0700

NWCPHP provides training, research, evaluation, and communication services to public health organizations. Their website was recently redesigned, and they ask colleagues to participate in a short survey to provide feedback.

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids and markers of kidney function among children and adolescents living near a chemical plant.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:27:55 -0700

Our findings suggest that the cross-sectional association between estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum PFOA observed in this and prior studies may be a consequence of, rather than a cause of, decreased kidney function. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Coffee and tea during pregnancy affect fetal growth.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:15:48 -0700

Drinking just two cups of coffee a day is associated with the risk of low birth weight. Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have conducted a study on 59,000 women in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. ScienceDaily.
[See the study: Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with birth weight but not with gestational length: results from a large prospective observational cohort study]

Cancer society honours anti-asbestos advocate.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:01:18 -0700

Howard Willems may have lost his battle with cancer, but his fight to raise asbestos awareness continues. On Monday, the National Council of the Canadian Cancer Society posthumously awarded Willems the 2013 Impact Award for Leadership in Public Policy, for leading the way in asbestos awareness. Regina Leader-Post, Ontario.
[See another article related to asbestos: Three offer guilty pleas to breaking asbestos law]

DDT exposure in womb tied to hypertension.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:55:19 -0700

Women who were exposed in the womb to a pesticide that pervaded the United States until it was banned four decades ago were found in a new study to have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure before age 50. San Francisco Chronicle, California.
[See the study: Prenatal exposure to the pesticide DDT and hypertension diagnosed in women before age 50: a longitudinal birth cohort study]

What coal-train dust means for human health.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:51:57 -0700

With five coal export terminals under consideration in Washington and Oregon, Northwest residents are grappling with how much coal dust will escape and what does that mean for public health? Puget Sound KUOW Public Radio, Washington.

Nonlegacy PCBs: pigment manufacturing by-products get a second look.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:44:16 -0700

Lesser-known PCBs continue to be generated and released into the environment, not from intentionally created commercial products but as unintentional by-products of manufacturing processes including those used to make certain pigments used in dyes, inks, and paints. Environmental Health Perspectives.

MD needs a database on pesticides.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:42:33 -0700

What pesticides are Maryland families exposed to on a regular basis? Good luck finding out. There's simply no way for the average person to discover what chemicals are being applied to farm fields or even backyards. Worse, it's nearly impossible for anyone in the public health field to find out either. Baltimore Sun, Maryland.

Old diesel equipment still spewing soot into Pittsburgh's air.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:40:34 -0700

Among the reasons cited by experts for the region's poor air quality: diesel fumes. The Pittsburgh City Council passed a law requiring construction companies to retrofit equipment in order to reduce emissions. But, to date, no dozers, diggers or dump trucks have had to comply. Public Source, Pennsylvania.

Blame allergies on shifting climate?

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:21:27 -0700

If the increasingly watery eyes, wheezing chest and itchy skin rash aren't enough, just wait. Allergies and asthma have been on the rise, and while theories abound, scientists increasingly say climate change might be to blame. Wilmington News Journal, Delaware.
[See asthma surveillance date from the CDC: National Surveillance of Asthma: United States, 2001-2010]

A systems-level approach to studying birth defects: novel method identifies potential key pathway.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:17:46 -0700

Birth defects are a leading cause of infant mortality, and the majority of defects have unknown causes. Now researchers have identified the glucocorticoid receptor pathway as a key mediator of birth defects caused by exposure to inorganic arsenic. Environmental Health Perspectives.
[See the study: Systems biology and birth defects prevention: blockade of the glucocorticoid receptor prevents arsenic-induced birth defects]

Activists fault WHO report on Fukushima radiation.

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:16:15 -0700

Activist physicians on Monday accused the World Health Organization of downplaying the health impact of nuclear fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Agence France-Presse.

Land application of treated sewage sludge: community health and environmental justice.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:47:24 -0700

Meaningful involvement of community members in decision-making about land application of sewage sludge will strengthen environmental health protections. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Predictors of serum concentrations of polybrominated flame retardants among healthy pregnant women in an urban environment: a cross-sectional study.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:46:00 -0700

In our cohort, we did not observe any individual predictor or a consistent pattern of several predictors representing a significant source of PBDE exposure. These data suggest that legislation and policy may be more effective at reducing exposure than personal lifestyle modifications. Environmental Health.

Kidney cadmium levels and associations with urinary calcium and bone mineral density: a cross-sectional study in Sweden.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:43:29 -0700

This study provides support for an association between kidney cadmium (Cd) levels and urinary calcium excretion in women, but not in men. The results strengthen the case for preventive measures against Cd pollution. Environmental Health.

Housing improvements linked to good health.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:40:57 -0700

Having enough suitable living space is a key determinant of health outcomes around the world, a review of studies on housing improvements for health has found. Environmental News Network.
[See the study: Housing improvements for health and associated socio-economic outcomes]

Combined effects of perchlorate, thiocyanate, and iodine on thyroid function in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-08.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:39:49 -0700

Overall, these results suggest that concomitant exposure to perchlorate, thiocyanate, and low iodine markedly reduces thyroxine production. This highlights the potential importance of examining the combined effects of multiple agents when evaluating the toxicity of thyroid-disrupting agents. Environmental Research.

New resource: Healthy Food Access Portal.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:32:57 -0700

PolicyLink, The Food Trust, and The Reinvestment Fund, with partners and stakeholders from across the country, have created a comprehensive federal response to address the limited and inequitable access to healthy foods in low-income, rural and urban communities.

EPA fails to revise key lead-poisoning hazard standards.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:27:32 -0700

The Environmental Protection Agency has no current plans to revise key hazard standards that protect children from lead poisoning, despite calls for action from the agency's scientific advisers. USA Today.

Climate change science poised to enter nation's classrooms.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:24:43 -0700

New national science standards that make the teaching of global warming part of the public school curriculum are slated to be released this month, potentially ending an era in which climate skepticism has been allowed to seep into the nation's classrooms. Inside Climate News.
[See more about the standards: Next Generation Science Standards]

Economist warns of air pollution cost.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:55:57 -0700

Economist C. Arden Pope III said the numbers are clear. Air pollution each year kills as many people as does smoking. While smoking is riskier, only 20 percent of the population smokes. But everyone breathes. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pennsylvania.
[See a related article from India: Emissions from coal plants causing high mortality, diseases]

Mobile phone radiation: it's better to be safe than sorry.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:49:03 -0700

The second volume of a report that detailed the history of technologies later found to be harmful has sparked discussion over the possibility that mobile phones have cancer-causing radiation. South China Morning Post, China.

Pesticide contamination of drinking water worries Hawaii health officials.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:47:35 -0700

For years, Hilo residents’ drinking water has been contaminated with the chemical atrazine -- a popular weed killer used on thousands of acres of sugar cane fields that lined the landscape up until a couple of decades ago. Honolulu Civil Beat, Hawaii.

New resource: Promoting Equity through the Practice of Health Impact Assessment.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:22:12 -0700

This report serves as a primer to demonstrate 1) how HIA practitioners and equity advocates can ensure that the practice of HIA maintains a strong focus on promoting equity, and 2) how HIA can be used as a tool to support equitable decision-making processes and outcomes.

Call for comments: USDA's updated nutritional guidelines for healthy snacks and drinks.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:15:12 -0700

PreventObesity.net has a letter that visitors can edit and send to the US Department of Agriculture regarding healthy options in snacks and beverages sold in schools.

A burning issue for firefighters: flame retardants and cancer.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:07:00 -0700

There is no doubt that firefighting is a dangerous occupation. Firefighters put their lives at risk every time they enter burning buildings to save the victims of fire. Tragically, we know that firefighters are suffering from elevated rates of several cancers. Ironically, it is the presence of brominated flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in our homes and buildings that makes fires today much more toxic than ever before. The Hill, District of Columbia.

Food bloggers start petition to drop yellow dyes from Kraft Mac & Cheese.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:59:19 -0700

Are the colored additives used in Kraft's popular Macaroni & Cheese products dangerous? That's what two food bloggers are alleging in their petition to Kraft Foods to remove Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 from the blue-boxed pantry staples. CBS News.
[See the petition: Kraft: Stop Using Dangerous Food Dyes in Our Mac & Cheese]

Warning bells from nature.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:51:13 -0700

Proving a clear link between a chemical and health damage can be tricky in the best of times. At what dose does the chemical become poisonous? One drop, or two? What if the harmful effect of the chemical lies dormant for a while and only shows up 10 or 20 years later? To complicate the picture further, a healthy 70kg adult might not suffer any damage from a chemical dose which is highly toxic in a developing foetus or new-born baby. Durban Mercury, South Africa.

Fracking health study results likely years off.

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:49:28 -0700

A health study cited by leading environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as pivotal in helping persuade Gov. Andrew Cuomo to hold off on plans for limited gas drilling is likely years away from conclusions about whether the technology involved is safe, according to the project's leaders. Associated Press.
[See a related article from Florida: Bill takes aim at fracking]

Secondhand smoke linked to early heart disease, study finds.

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 22:49:36 -0800

After taking other heart risk factors into account, the researchers concluded that people exposed to low, moderate or high levels of secondhand smoke were 50, 60 and 90 percent, respectively, more likely to have evidence of calcification than those who had minimal exposure. US News & World Report.

Calorie restriction and cancer prevention: a mechanistic perspective.

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 19:52:23 -0800

This review synthesizes findings on the biological mechanisms underlying many of the anticancer effects of calorie restriction (CR), with emphasis on the impact of CR on growth factor signaling pathways, inflammation, cellular and systemic energy homeostasis pathways, vascular perturbations, and the tumor microenvironment. Cancer & Metabolism.
[See a related article about weight loss and exercise: Effects of individual and combined dietary weight loss and exercise interventions in postmenopausal women on adiponectin and leptin levels]

Energy poverty deprives 1 billion of adequate healthcare, says report.

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 19:04:02 -0800

Energy poverty has left more than 1 billion people in developing countries without access to adequate healthcare, with staff forced to treat emergency patients in the dark, and health centres lacking the power they need to store vaccines or sterilise medical supplies. The Guardian, United Kingdom.
[See the report: Poor People's Energy Outlook 2013]

Los Angeles harbor commissioners OK rail yard near port.

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 19:02:56 -0800

Over the objections of environmentalists, community groups and neighboring Long Beach officials, Los Angeles harbor commissioners approved a rail yard that could dramatically boost business but also drive more noise and dirty air into schools, parks and low-income neighborhoods. Los Angeles Times.

In the fracking fields, a fight over who regulates.

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 19:01:42 -0800

In the natural gas fracking debate, all eyes are on Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Any day, the state supreme court will rule in a case that goes to the heart of this drilling boom: Who makes the rules? Can companies drill and frack wherever they want? MarketPlace.

Chinese take fight against water pollution to social media.

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 19:00:01 -0800

An internet bet challenging a local environmental official to swim in a polluted river has prompted thousands of people to submit photos of fetid waterways in their hometowns. Time Magazine.

Stress emerges as major health issue in Fukushima.

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 18:59:02 -0800

Just as with Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, mental distress could be one of the biggest health issues to emerge from the Fukushima nuclear disaster, experts say. The uncertainty and the upheaval it's caused in people's lives is already exacting a very real and pervasive psychological toll. Associated Press.

New report: coal's unpaid health bill.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 10:17:22 -0800

A new report launched on 7 March 2013 by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) aims to provide an overview of the scientific evidence of how air pollution impacts health and how emissions from coal power plants are implicated in this.

The work environment disability-adjusted life year for use with life cycle assessment: a methodological approach,

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 10:01:04 -0800

Results support the use of the work environment disability-adjusted life year (WE-DALY) in a characterization factor in life cycle assessment (LCA). Environmental Health.

Associations of blood and urinary mercury with hypertension in U.S. Adults: The NHANES 2003-2006.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:58:32 -0800

In this cross-sectional study of the U.S. general population, we found no association of hypertension with blood mercury but a suggestive inverse association with urinary mercury. Environmental Research.

New resource: Children and Nature Initiative: Rx for Outdoor Activity Training webinar archive.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:07:40 -0800

Participants learn about the link between childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyle, be able to articulate the scientific basis for the physical and mental health benefits of nature, and learn how to connect children and families to nature sites for outdoor activity.

Cancer risk higher among people who eat more processed meat, study finds.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:04:00 -0800

People who eat a lot of processed meat such as ham, bacon, sausages and burgers run a greater risk of premature death and developing conditions such as cancer and heart disease, research shows. The Guardian, United Kingdom.
[See the study: Meat consumption and mortality -- results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition]

Salt linked to autoimmune diseases.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:00:19 -0800

In three studies published today in Nature, researchers describe the molecular pathways that can lead to autoimmune disease and identify one possible culprit that has been right under our noses -- and on our tables --the entire time: salt. Nature.
[Links to the three studies are included in the article]

On heels of Green blog demise, New York Times environmental coverage falters.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 08:48:24 -0800

While critics are still discussing the decision by The New York Times to cancel its Green environment blog, a Times columnist is demonstrating what can happen when environmental coverage is left to non-specialists who are not well informed. Knight Science Journalism Tracker.

Dairies sign binding legal agreement to reduce nitrates.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 08:46:54 -0800

Five Yakima Valley, Wash., dairies will reduce groundwater nitrate pollution in what federal officials are calling a groundbreaking agreement announced yesterday. Yakima Herald Republic, Washington.

Colville Confederated Tribes win award for battling British Columbia smelter.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 08:46:13 -0800

The Colville Confederated Tribes’ successful effort to hold a British Columbia smelter accountable for dumping pollutants into the Columbia River for a century has caught the attention of the Sierra Club Washington State’s Upper Columbia River Group, which bestowed its 2013 Watershed Hero Award on the tribes. Indian Country Today Media Network.

In a grain of golden rice, a world of controversy over GMO foods.

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 08:42:27 -0800

Golden rice has been genetically modified so that it contains beta-carotene. Millions of people in Asia and Africa don't get enough of this vital nutrient, so this rice has become the symbol of an idea: that genetically engineered crops can be a tool to improve the lives of the poor. Morning Edition, NPR.