These bulletins are archived and searchable on the CHE-WA website: http://washington.chenw.org/bulletins.html If you would like to join the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) and the CHE-Washington regional group, please complete the application on the CHE website: http://www.healthandenvironment.org/application Joining CHE means receiving up to four email messages a month from the CHE National listserv. CHE costs nothing to join and the benefit is shared information and opportunities for further engagement, if you choose. Be sure to mark that you want to join the Washington State Regional Group at the bottom of the application.
Companion bulletins are available for different audiences:
While there is overlap with this bulletin, there are some events and announcements unique to those bulletins.
Online Calendar. With a large number of events listed in the coming month, you may prefer to use our online calendar to search by type of event and by other criteria: http://www.chenw.org/cgi-bin/searchevents.cgi Upcoming events extending more than one month in the future are also listed.
Friday October 24, 2008
Vancouver, Canada British Columbia
at the Killarney Secondary School, 6454 Killarney Street
Sponsor: Learning Disabilities Association of British Columbia, Vancouver Chapter
Join special guest Danny Glover and others and stay for a presentation on types of learning problems children face, the latest research, and its implications on effective instructional practices being used in classrooms today.
Price: $45, scholarships are available
Website: http://www.ldav.ca/
Contact: Learning Disabilities Association of Vancouver, 604-873-8139 or info@ldav.ca
Saturday October 25, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tacoma, Washington
at the University of Washington -- Tacoma Room GWP 320 (Tacoma Room), 1900 Commerce Street
Sponsor: Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility in collaboration with Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
"Preventing Chemical Threats" examines the latest science on toxic chemical exposures and children's development and health. The training focuses on science and health impacts related to exposures to lead, PVC/DEHP, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), bisphenol A (BPA) and mercury. The program addresses potential trends in rising incidence of disease linked to environmental factors, ramifications of developmental disabilities, health effects linked to toxic exposures, and the latest scientific research. Clinical tips for diagnosis and prevention will also be discussed, as well as discussions on chemical policy reform, energy conservation and sustainable foods in healthcare. Training includes selected provider and patient materials in English and Spanish from the Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This training is relevant to physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, students, other health-care professionals and child-health advocates. It is also relevant as an educational tool for media, policymakers, and laypersons concerned with public health and links between toxic exposures, child development and health. Four hours of Category II CME (continuing education) credits will be offered through Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle. The training includes a continental breakfast and light lunch.
Price: $15
Website: http://www.wpsr.org/
Contact: Cherie Eichholz, 206-547-2630 or cherie@wpsr.org
Saturday October 25, 2008
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Portland, Oregon
in the IRCO Community Room, 10301 NE Glisan Street
Sponsor: Portland Water Bureau & Bureau of Housing and Community Development
Presented by the Josiah Hill III Clinic, this family-friendly fair will help families learn about lead and ways to protect your family from lead hazards. Features include blood-lead testing for children, lead-free toy giveaways, kids' games and activities, lead screening for toys, dishware and/or pottery (four items per family), lead-poisoning prevention workshop with free kits for eligible households, tenants-rights workshop and booth and healthy food and beverages.
Price: free
Website: http://www.jhillclinic.org:80/lead-safe-kids-fair.html
Contact: 503-802-7389
Wednesday October 29, 2008
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at Gilda's Club Seattle, 1400 Broadway
Sponsor: Breast Cancer Fund Washington and Gilda's Club Seattle
Toxic chemicals in your lotion and shampoo? Learn about safer choices for yourself and your family. Also learn the latest on how to dispose of unwanted medicines. This is the third in a series of interactive workshops looking at toxic chemicals in our indoor and outdoor environments and how to make healthier choices for ourselves and our families. A light dinner will be provided; please register beforehand at the website listed below.
Price: free
Contact: Breast Cancer Fund Washington, 206-524-4405
Monday November 3, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lacey, Washington
at the Lacey Community Center, Woodland Creek Community Park, 6729 Pacific Avenue Southeast
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)
This course provides participants with an overview of key chemistry concepts associated with environmental contamination and provides a foundation for understanding contaminant transport and fate. This material is intended for environmental professionals who are not chemists but who require a fundamental understanding of chemistry principles for their work. This course is recommended for all environmental professionals working with contaminated soil and water with minimal formal training in the subject. It is also recommended for project managers seeking a review of the subject. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $250, $195 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify.
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/chem-403a_11-08_lacey.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Thursday and Friday, November 6 - 7, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Lacey, Washington
at the Lacey Community Center, Woodland Creek Community Park, 6729 Pacific Ave SE
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center
This course provides participants with an overview of the science and best practices for implementing monitored natural attenuation. The course sections focus specifically on monitored natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbons, fuel oxygenates and chlorinated hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. Software tools for natural attenuation analysis and methods for enhancing natural attenuation will also be discussed. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $495, $395 reduced tuition is available for those who qualify.
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/ghyd-410_11-08_lacey.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Wednesday November 12, 2008
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at Gilda's Club Seattle, 1400 Broadway
Sponsor: Breast Cancer Fund Washington and Gilda's Club Seattle
Children are more vulnerable to the effects of various chemicals and early life exposures can be linked to long-term disease. Safer options exist for our children. This is the fourth and last in a series of interactive workshops looking at toxic chemicals in our indoor and outdoor environments and how to make healthier choices for ourselves and our families. A light dinner will be provided; please register beforehand at the website listed below.
Price: free
Contact: Breast Cancer Fund Washington, 206-524-4405
Thursday November 20, 2008
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at Antioch University Seattle, Room 100
Sponsor: Antioch University Seattle Center for Creative Change
Water 1st's mission is to serve families in the poorest communities in the world as they implement community-managed projects that integrate water supply, sanitation and health education. The lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitary latrines is the top public-health problem in the world and the number-one killer of children in the world. Lack of access to clean water has a devastating effect on women and girls who are traditionally responsible for water collection. Marla Smith-Nilsen, executive director of Water 1st International and co-founder of Water Partners International, will speak.
Price: free
Website: http://www.antiochseattle.edu/events/index.html
Most of the articles below come from Environmental Health News, http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/
New tools and resources for health professionals to encourage outdoor time for children. Recognizing the importance of outdoor play to children's health and well-being, the National Environmental Education Foundation has updated its Pediatric Environmental History Screening Form to encourage more outdoor time for children.
http://www.neefusa.org/health/PEHI/HistoryForm.htm
Call for proposals. The Northwest Environmental Health Conference Planning Team is accepting abstracts for presentations for the 1st Annual Northwest Environmental Health Conference to be held at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, February 6th, 2009. The goal of the conference is to increase the knowledge of participants about environmental health issues; engage and activate participants; and strengthen our environmental health community through networking. A variety of leading-edge presentations addressing research, patient care, healthcare facilities and current and emerging policy issues in the field of environmental health are invited. Submissions are due November 10, 2008.
http://www.oeconline.org:80/our-work/kidshealth/healthprofessionals/the-1st-annual-nw-environmental-health-forum
Report on indoor mold released. The US Government Accountability Office released its report, "Indoor Mold: Better Coordination of Research on Health Effects and More Consistent Guidance Would Improve Federal Efforts." Recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency include guiding federal research priorities on indoor mold and helping agencies better ensure that their guidance to the public does not conflict.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08980.pdf
Contaminated Without Consent. Produced by Sanford Lewis of Strategic Video for the Chemical Safety Workgroup, this 16-minute video is available free for use to help inform communities about the hidden risks from chemical contaminants found in our homes, workplaces, consumer products and even our bodies.
http://ej4all.org:80/contaminatedwithoutconsent/home.php
submitted to this bulletin by Dennis Weaver
2008 Children's Environmental Health Champions. The 2008 Champions were nominated by EPA staff and selected for this honor because of their tireless efforts to protect children from environmental health risks. One national, one international and 10 regional champions were named today. EPA Office of Children's Health Protection, 21 October 2008.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/2008_CEH_Awards.htm
Dentists back sealants, despite concerns. Cavities or chemicals? That's the dilemma for parents worried about a controversial substance [bisphenol A] found in the popular sealants that are painted on children's molars to prevent decay. New York Times, 21 October 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/health/21well.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
10 things the food industry doesn't want you to know. Ultimately, makers of popular junk foods have an obligation to stockholders to encourage kids to eat more--not less--of the foods that fuel their profits. So can these food companies can be trusted to help combat obesity? US News & World Report, 21 October 2008.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/10/17/10-things-the-food-industry-doesnt-want-you-to-know.html
Your mom and dad are right: Good health = better grades. Clean, stress-free living pays off for college students, a University of Minnesota study finds. Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota, 21 October 2008.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/31261604.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU#
Vitamin D: Sun can't give enough. This month, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said kids need twice the usually recommended amount of vitamin D because of evidence suggesting that it may help prevent serious diseases. Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota, 21 October 2008.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/31320469.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU
China urges safe products for children. China on Tuesday urged greater care in the manufacture of children's products amid a tainted milk scandal and a recall of Chinese-made cribs in the United States. Associated Press, 21 October 2008.
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&date=20081021&id=9298050
[Editor's note: Read about the recall of 1.59 million cribs: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49K08120081021 ]
Children more affected by secondhand smoke. Children may be more affected by secondhand smoke than adults, U.S. researchers said. United Press International, 21 October 2008.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2008/10/20/Children_more_affected_by_secondhand_smoke/UPI-97441224523182/
Lead, smoke exposure in kids linked to ADHD. Individually, lead and tobacco smoke both increase a child's risk of developing attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but children exposed to both are more than eight times more likely to develop ADHD than those exposed to neither. Cincinnati Enquirer, Ohio, 20 October 2008.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081020/NEWS01/810200302
Parents asked to study perils of vaccinations. Americans have a basic right to decide whether their children should be vaccinated, a veteran crusader against government-mandated immunizations told the Holistic Moms Network fifth annual Natural Living Conference. Bergen County Record, New Jersey, 20 October 2008.
http://www.northjersey.com/health/Parents_asked_to_study_perils_of_vaccinations.html
Activists applaud Congress move to slate military funds for multiple sclerosis research. For the first time, Congress has approved Defense Department money to research a possible link between multiple sclerosis and military service. Louisville Courier-Journal, Kentucky, 20 October 2008.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20081019/NEWS01/310190002/1008/NEWS01
Dirty secrets of cleaning product companies. Grades have been handed out, and four out of five major cleaning product companies are flunking, or being sent to the back of the class, at least, by Women's Voices for the Earth, a national nonprofit organization of women advocating for a healthy environment. San Francisco Chronicle, California, 20 October 2008.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/chrongreen/detail?&entry_id=31126
Medical journal blasts Ottawa for promoting asbestos abroad. The Canadian Medical Association Journal is denouncing the federal government for what it expects will be Canada's continued efforts to block international controls on asbestos at UN-sponsored negotiations next week. Toronto Globe and Mail, Ontario, 20 October 2008.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081020.ASBESTOS20/TPStory/National
Scientist warns of cancer link. Environmental scientist Sandra Steingraber, hailed by the Sierra Club as "the new Rachel Carson," spoke at the 19th Bioneers Conference on a subject of intense interest to Marin County women: the link between toxic chemicals in the environment and cancer. Marin Independent Journal, California, 19 October 2008.
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_10758908
Canada says plastic chemical is toxic. Canadian health officials announced Saturday that bisphenol A is toxic and said they will ban baby bottles made with the chemical. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin, 19 October 2008.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=807630
Turf fields popular despite safety concerns. The fields are popular with cash-strapped cities because they reduce maintenance costs, and they're a hit with players because they can be used year-round, rain or shine. But not everyone is a fan. Safety concerns include questions about whether the fields emit unsafe amounts of lead and chemicals when they heat up. San Francisco Chronicle, California, 19 October 2008.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/19/BAKQ13DQ1S.DTL
Just one of glass of wine a day increases women's risk of breast cancer. The amount of alcohol in measures regularly served in wine bars and pubs pushes up the risk of cancer by far more than most women realise, it is claimed. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom, 18 October 2008.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1078418/Just-glass-wine-day-increases-womens-risk-breast-cancer.html
FDA, accused of conflict of interest, seeks BPA information. As the Food and Drug Administration seeks information about how pervasively Bisphenol-A is used, criticism is mounting about the latest perceived conflict-of-interest in the agency's controversial safety review of the chemical. The Daily Green, 17 October 2008.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/bisphenol-a-47101605
[Editor's note: Read a rebuttal: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=807990 ]
Nickel cell phones can cause rash. Nickel -- the same metal as is found in the Canadian five-cent coin -- can cause "mobile phone dermatitis," an allergic reaction to the metal in the cell phone's exterior casing. CTV News, British Columbia, 17 October 2008.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081016/BC_Rhonda_Nickel_081016/20081016/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
EPA places stricter regulations on airborne lead. The EPA tightened the regulatory limit on airborne lead for the first time in 30 years--lowering the legal maximum to a tenth of what it was on the grounds that it poses a more serious threat to young children than officials had realized. Washington Post, 17 October 2008.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101601618.html
Caffeine and breast cancer risk. New information about caffeine appears frequently, and the latest research on this commonly used drug is that it does not seem to be associated with the overall risk of breast cancer. The Daily Green, 16 October 2008.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/caffeine-breast-cancer-44101508
Group urges USDA to drop hot dogs from school lunches. Alarmed by some research that indicates processed meats can lead to an increased risk for colon cancer in adulthood, the Cancer Project has petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture to stop distributing hot dogs and other processed meat to schoolchildren. San Jose Mercury News, California, 15 October 2008.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10719576
Stove emissions worsen asthma in children. High levels of stove gas emissions can be added to the list of indoor pollutants that aggravate asthma of inner-city children, U.S. researchers said. United Press International, 15 October 2008.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2008/10/14/Stove_emissions_worsen_asthma_in_children/UPI-22531224006960/
Bush signs act banning mercury exports. The United States will eventually stop all exports of elemental mercury, a neurotoxin harmful to humans, under legislation sponsored by Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama and signed into law by President Bush on Tuesday. Associated Press, 15 October 2008.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1151ap_bush_mercury_ban.html
Pretty good idea: Green beauty gets under your skin. A new book aims to explain the science behind skin care and the ingredients used in products, explaining what they do and how they can possibly harm you (everything from allergic reactions to cancer). South Florida Sun Sentinel, Florida, 15 October 2008.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/sfl-fit1015prettygoodsboct15,0,10749.story
FDA will look into scientist's possible conflict. Federal health officials said Tuesday they will look into a possible conflict of interest involving a prominent toxicologist who is heading up a review of a sensitive safety issue [BPA]. Associated Press, 15 October 2008.
http://www.baynews9.com/content/85/2008/10/14/392057.html
Adding the 'Nasty Nine' to the 'Dirty Dozen.' Scientists working for the United Nations Environment Program are reviewing nine chemicals [two PBDEs, chlordecone, lindane, alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, PFOS, hexabromobiphenyl and pentachlorobenzene] that could be added to the original "dirty dozen" list of banned toxic chemicals. The Daily Green, 15 October 2008.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/toxic-chemicals-47101403
Pediatricians group doubles recommended vitamin D dose for children. New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics call for 400 international units a day, beginning in the first few days of life, for lasting health benefits. Reuters, 14 October 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-vitamin14-2008oct14,0,6395124.story
FDA to look at nano-products...again. The Food and Drug Administration is once again holding an “information gathering” public meeting on nanotechnology, a powerful new technology for taking apart and reconstructing nature at the atomic and molecular level. International Center for Technology Assessment, 14 October 2008.
http://ga3.org/campaign/Nano1/explanation
submitted to this bulletin by Dennis Weaver
Environmental illnesses are gaining attention, thanks to the 'green' movement. Going beyond just treating symptoms, environmental medicine is the study of how the reactions we have when we're exposed to certain toxins affect our immune and neuroendocrine systems. Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio, 14 October 2008.
http://blog.cleveland.com/health/2008/10/environmental_illnesses_are_ga.html
Ozone pollution to worsen under climate change. Surface-level ozone, a poisonous gas that claims tens of thousands of lives annually, could get much worse thanks to the effects of climate change, according to new research. Discovery News, 13 October 2008.
http://dsc.discovery.com:80/news/2008/10/13/ozone-pollution-warming.html
submitted to this bulletin by Jim DiPeso
Healthy environment means healthy generations. More than 33 percent of diseases in children under age 5 are caused by environmental exposure, the World Health Organization reported last year, estimating that more than three million children under age 5 die each year due to environment-related causes and conditions. Yemen Times, Yemen, 13 October 2008.
http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=1198&p=health&a=1
Code green, stat! From biohazard waste to faxing and photocopying, leftover cups of Jell-O and disposable gowns, hospitals can be among the worst offenders when it comes to environmental stewardship. Ottawa National Post, Ontario, 13 October 2008.
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=874376
Avoid phthalates as much as possible. The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction determined that infants' exposure to phthalates is a "serious concern." Olympia Olympian, Washington, 13 October 2008.
http://www.theolympian.com/environment/story/617615.html
Do food dyes affect kids' behavior? New research suggests a link between artificial food coloring and hyperactive behavior in children. Some experts are skeptical. Los Angeles Times, California, 12 October 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-foodcolor13-2008oct13,0,6585950.story
Energy drinks: a dangerous, edgy buzz? Energy drinks are the target of many complaints: too much sugar, too much caffeine and too many herbal extracts with dubious claims. Now, researchers say the drinks may lead to drug abuse. Los Angeles Times, California, 12 October 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-closer13-2008oct13,0,1305047.story
EPA ignores the toxic threat in our drinking water. Care for a glass of rocket fuel? EPA ignores a toxic threat. Salt Lake Tribune, Utah, 12 October 2008.
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_10697784
Bottled water versus tap: Which is safer to drink? Bottled and tap water come from essentially the same sources and are subject to the same contaminants. Los Angeles Times, California, 11 October 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-nutrition13-2008oct13,0,5771949.story
[Editor's note: See a related article about toxic byproducts in bottled water at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/15/MNGV13H0L4.DTL and also a scientist's refutation of that study at http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/yale-scientist-refutes-study-bottled/story.aspx?guid=%7B8FFAF481-233B-4DD8-BA31-D3BC1C081722%7D&dist=hppr ]
Latex hides in unexpected places, experts warn. Inadvertent exposure to latex poses a "serious health risk to millions of Americans," Dr. Donald H. Beezhold, chair of the Latex Allergy Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) warns in a statement issued this month. Reuters, 11 October 2008.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE4998Q820081010
Her scientific curiosity lands teen in national competition. In the aftermath of last year's wildfires in California, Katherine Glockner wondered how the thick smoke was affecting people's ability to breathe. San Diego Union-Tribune, California, 11 October 2008.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20081011-9999-1mc11glockne.html
Throwing the switch on PCBs. Miniature capacitor models line the tables as Bonneville Power Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency celebrated the complete removal of PCB-laden capacitors from the Northwest power grid. Clark Columbian, Washington, 10 October 2008.
http://www.columbian.com/article/20081010/NEWS02/710109959
UV light fear over 'green' bulbs. Being too close to energy-saving light bulbs could cause skin reddening because of ultraviolet light emissions, health experts have warned. BBC, United Kingdom. 10 October 2008.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7661462.stm
Chemicals take toll on kids: report. Children and chemicals don't mix, says a report released Thursday by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, Ontario, 10 October 2008.
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/top_story.php?id=139950
Free prescription drug samples pose risk to kids. Free prescription drug samples distributed to pediatric patients may be unsafe, research suggests. Nearly one-third of the most frequently distributed samples in 2004 were identified by the U.S. FDA as having significant new safety concerns. HealthDay News, 9 October 2008.
http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=620017
Prenatal exposure to air pollution may harm lungs. The results of a new study suggest that the harmful effects of air pollution can begin early, even before birth. Reuters Health, 9 October 2008.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2008/10/08/eline/links/20081008elin029.html
US study claims BPA induces chemotherapy resistance. A new US study shows that the exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), the chemical compound used in the linings of metal food and beverage cans and baby bottles, may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy treatments. Food Production Daily, 9 October 2008.
http://www.ap-foodtechnology.com/Packaging/US-study-claims-BPA-induces-chemotherapy-resistance
submitted to this bulletin by Dennis Weaver
Plastics ingredient linked to smaller penises. Exposure of expectant mothers to phthalates, a common ingredient in many plastics, has been linked to smaller penis size and incomplete descent of testicles in their baby boys, according to a new research paper. Toronto Globe and Mail, Ontario, 8 October 2008.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081007.wlplastic07/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home
Study warns of the darker side of tanning. The tanning bed industry is failing to warn consumers about the potential health risks of artificial tanning and doesn't seem to prevent young teens from using them, despite warnings from Health Canada, according to a study released today by the Canadian Cancer Society. Toronto Globe and Mail, Ontario, 8 October 2008.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081007.wltan07/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home
New class of drugs might cause congenital heart defects. An animal study raises a warning sign that a new class of drugs that shows promise against a variety of ailments -- ranging from cancer to Alzheimer's disease -- might cause congenital heart defects, researchers report. HealthDay News, 8 October 2008.
http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=619937
Drug companies: No cold medicines for kids under 4. Children under 4 should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, drug companies said Tuesday -- in a concession to pediatricians who doubt the drugs do much good and worry about risks. Associated Press, 8 October 2008.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MED_COLD_MEDICINES?SITE=DCUSN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
[Editor's note: See a related article describing the FDA's role in this issue: http://www.contracostatimes.com/health/ci_10690398?source=rss and about non-drug remedies for children: http://www.oregonlive.com/health/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1223951111174350.xml&coll=7 ]
Smoke-exposed kids show nicotine dependence signs. Children who have never had a single puff of a cigarette may report symptoms of nicotine dependence if they've been exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke, Canadian researchers report. Reuters Health, 8 October 2008.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2008/10/07/eline/links/20081007elin024.html
Food: How sweet it is. Today, there are a handful of artificial offerings, sometimes called "sugar substitutes," "low-calorie sweeteners" or, even "non-nutritive sweeteners," from which to choose. Salt Lake Tribune, Utah, 8 October 2008.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10654037
POP goes the national diabetes rate. Some new research says maybe the cause is chemicals in the environment. At issue are Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPS, which are carbon-based chemicals (often containing chlorine) that resist biodegradation and build up in the environment and inside people, too. Seventh Generation Blog, 6 October 2008.
http://www.seventhgeneration.com:80/learn/blog/pop-goes-national-diabetes-rate
submitted to this bulletin by Dennis Weaver
New insights on how parathion impacts the developing brain. Intriguing new insights have emerged on how the organophosphate (OP) insecticide parathion impairs neurological development, and how these impacts can alter behavior throughout life. The Scoop, October 2008.
http://www.organic-center.org/news_archive/thescoop_oct08.htm
submitted to this bulletin by Dennis Weaver