These bulletins are now 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.
1) CHE-WA's next quarterly meeting has been scheduled for Monday December 10th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Antioch University Room 100. As always, the meeting will start with a science update from a regionally based researcher. Catherine Karr, PhD, of the University of Washington and the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, will speak about some of the latest research on climate change and health.
The primary focus of the rest of the meeting will be "Opportunities to Promote Environmental Health in the 2008 Washington State Legislative Session" based on our current understanding of the emerging science. Speakers will include Mo McBroom, policy director of the Washington Environmental Council; Margaret Shield, PhD, coordinator of the Toxic Free Legacy Coalition; Suellen Mele and Eva Dale with Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation; and Michael Grenetz with the Washington Toxics Coalition.
The chairs of the CHE-WA working groups will also update the full group on their progress. A new working group has formed to focus specifically on children's environmental health and will be discussed as well.
A detailed meeting agenda is posted on the CHE-WA website: http://washington.chenw.org/meetings.html
Wednesday November 28, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center's (LHPAC) Community Hall
Sponsor: American Lung Association and EPA Region 10
The Breath of Life addresses asthma education and exposure reduction by combining multiple approaches: an educational theatrical play about asthma performed to the audience that includes middle and high school students, administrators, teachers and nurses; home visits by MHE volunteers and CLEARCorps members using the HEAL and Tools for School walkthroughs. The American Lung Association invites community members, organizations and leaders who are interested in asthma and indoor air quality education. The play will be performed by youth from the LHPAC arts and drama classes in local schools located in south and central Seattle. We anticipate this program will develop into a nationwide model for asthma education and management among middle and high school students.
Price: free to the public, but limited to the first 270 attendees
Website: http://www.alaw.org/about-us/news-center/top-stories/save-the-date-for-the-breath-of-life-play/
Thursday November 29, 2007
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the EPA Regional Office on 6th Ave in downtown Seattle
Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency Region 10
This is a highly interactive, thought-provoking and "learner-centered" workshop experience. Based on principles of community education, this workshop is the one-day "compressed" version of the full three-day workshop. The workshop is useful for all experience levels and positions and draws upon the knowledge and experiences of participants for local examples of environmental justice issues and collaborative problem-solving approaches to their resolution.
Price: free
Contact: Running-Grass, 206-553-2899 or grass.running@epamail.epa.gov
Thursday November 29, 2007
9:00 a.m. Alaska Time
Sponsor: Alaska Collaborative on Health and Environment
Toxic chemicals from everyday products contaminate the bodies of every person in this country. Shower curtains, water bottles, baby bottles, toys, shampoo, cosmetics, couch cushions, computers and hundreds of other common products that ordinary people use every day contain toxic chemical ingredients that leach out of the products and into our bodies. Thirty-five Americans from seven states, including five Alaskans, participated in a national biomonitoring project to test their blood and urine for toxic chemicals. This is the broadest nongovernmental project of its kind to measure toxic chemicals in the bodies of average Americans. Each participant was tested for contamination by twenty toxic chemicals from three chemical families: phthalates, bisphenol A and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The project found toxic chemicals in every person tested. Join our call to learn more about this national biomonitoring project and the five Alaskans who were tested. What are the implications of the presence of these chemicals in our bodies? What does the latest scientific research demonstrate about the health effects of these chemicals in humans and other animals? Are there safe alternatives to the products that contain these harmful chemicals? The speakers -- Sharyle Patton, Ted Schettler and Diane Benson -- will also discuss the failures of current chemicals policy and offer preventive and protective solutions.
Price: free
Contact: Alaska Community Action on Toxics, info@akaction.net
Thursday November 29, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the Camp Long Environmental Learning Center, 5200 35th Avenue SW, Main Building
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Education Council
HBO's Earth Day global warming special is high-octane propaganda intent on changing America's prosperous habits. Over the past 100 years, the mass consumption of fossil fuels, especially in America, has contributed to a dangerous warming of the earth that has adversely impacted the way we live. This cautionary documentary offers a guide to the effects of global warming in the United States.
Price: free, donations will be accepted
Website: http://www.nweec.org/ea.htm
Contact: sluoma@nweec.org
Friday November 30, 2007
10:00 a.m. Pacific time / 1:00 p.m. Eastern time
Sponsor: Collaborative on Health and the Environment
This teleconference will be moderated by Michael Lerner, president of Commonweal and co-coordinator of the CHE Breast Cancer and Cancer Working Groups.
Price: free
Website: http://www.healthandenvironment.org/articles/partnership_calls/2505
Monday December 3, 2007
7:30 p.m., doors open at 7:00
Seattle, Washington
at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, Room 2, 6532 Phinney Ave. N
Sponsor: Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
This presentation and discussion will cover children's health, child vulnerability to toxic chemical exposures, and ways we can reform how chemicals are placed into the marketplace and protect children's health and their futures. Featured WPSR expert speakers include Richard Grady, MD; Steven Gilbert, PhD, DABT; and Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD.
Price: free and open to the public
Website: http://www.wpsr.org/
Contact: Nancy, 206-547-2630 or nancyd@wpsr.org
Online Calendar. Upcoming events extending more than one month in the future are listed in a searchable calendar: http://www.chenw.org/cgi-bin/searchevents.cgi
Most of the articles below come from Environmental Health News, http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/
Applications for training program available. The Direct Action & Research Training (DART) Center is currently accepting resumes from those interested in social and economic justice issues for their paid, four-month community organizing training program known as the DART Organizers Institute. The DART Center has built nonpartisan community organizations throughout the country that have won important improvements on a broad set of issues affecting low- and moderate-income people. This is a paid training program designed to promote successful graduates into permanent salaried positions in effective grassroots, congregation-based community organizations. The application deadline for this program is January 1, 2008.
http://www.thedartcenter.org/apply.html
Seattle Biotech Legacy Foundation request for proposals. Projects should have a basis in science, integrating information and/or generating research from disciplines relevant to sustainability and environmental and human health. In addition, projects may involve bringing together people or organizations with interests similar to those of SBLF for focused open discussions or forums. Projects should include provisions for educating the public and/or policymakers about the results and should focus on issues of importance in the greater Puget Sound region. Both one-time projects and ongoing work will be considered. SBLF is interested in funding specific projects, rather than providing general operating support or funding large capital expenditures for an organization.
http://www.seattlefoundation.org/page29609.cfm (click on "Seattle Biotech Legacy Foundation")
Achievement in Environmental Justice Award nominations sought. The US Environmental Protection Agency welcomes nominations for the Achievement in Environmental Justice Awards. Nominations must be postmarked by January 11, 2008. Organizations should be nominated for their achievement in addressing environmental justice issues or achieving the goals of environmental justice in a manner that results in positive impacts to a community.
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/ej/ej-achieve-flyer.pdf
submitted to this bulletin by Marnie Boardman
Film -- The Story of Stuff. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns, exposing the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calling us together to create a more sustainable and just world. The film, which will stream from the website and be available for free download, will be launched December 4th.
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
The Daily Climate. DailyClimate.org is a daily compilation of news about climate change from mainstream media sources around the world. It is published every morning (US east coast time) by Environmental Health Sciences, DailyClimate.org is a daily compilation of news about climate change from mainstream media sources around the world. It is published every morning (US east coast time) by Environmental Health Sciences: http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/
http://www.dailyclimate.org/
Mold: A silent, dangerous threat to homes and health. There are hundreds of thousands of dwellings in the Tampa Bay area. And each and every one of them is a potential target of mold infestation. Tampa Bay WTSP TV, Florida, 20 November 2007.
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=67815
Durbin wants better toy inspections. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Saturday pushed for beefed-up federal inspections of imported toys and pre-emptive lab testing overseas. Gatehouse News Service, 19 November 2007.
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/111907/REG_BEVIIELN.046.php
Expert links autism to mothers drinking. Moderate drinking during pregnancy could be the hidden cause of thousands of serious childhood disorders including autism, Scotland's leading authority on alcohol and health warned last night. Edinburgh Scotsman, Scotland, 18 November 2007.
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=1819462007
Paint it green: Colors without toxins. Howard, 22, tallied up some of the human ailments attributed to VOCs that are generated by products from gasoline to paint — asthma, cancers, lung and kidney problems, memory failures. Kalispell Daily Inter Lake, Montana, 18 November 2007.
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2007/11/18/business/bus01.txt
Target to remove certain plastics from its stores. Target joins Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, Apple and others in eliminating or reducing their PVC products and packaging. Aurora Beacon News, Illinois, 18 November 2007.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/655455,2_1_AU18_TARGET_S1.article
Kmart 'lead free' jewelry contains some, is removed from stores. Kmart Corp. said it will remove all costume jewelry labeled as "lead free" and sold throughout the U.S. after some of the pieces were found to contain concentrations of the metal. Bloomberg News, 18 November 2007.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a3p.6NXAZiNE&refer=us
Lead hazards not only in toys. Those on the lookout for lead hazards may be surprised at everyday items in the home that can pose health risks. Raleigh NBC17 TV, North Carolina, 16 November 2007.
http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-11-15-0020.html
Vinyl plastic backpacks, ponchos may have lead. We've been hearing a lot about lead in paint. Now a new problem has been discovered with vinyl used in children's products. San Francisco KPIX TV, California, 16 November 2007.
http://cbs5.com/health/lead.vinyl.products.2.567170.html
Binge boozing's 'minimal' baby harm. New research claiming binge drinking during pregnancy causes "minimal" risk to the unborn child has caused a furore in medical circles. Melbourne Age, Australia, 14 November 2007.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/binge-boozings-minimal-baby-harm/2007/11/14/1194766733789.html
Breathing a little freer indoors. When air quality officials declared pollution from wildfires last month to be hazardous, they advised Southern Californians to stay indoors. Unfortunately, the air inside may not have been much better. Los Angeles Times, California, 15 November 2007.
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-air15nov15,1,7276811.story?ctrack=5&cset=true
Health study urged on biosolids. A leading toxicologist has called for an urgent study on the potential health hazards posed by biosolid that is being spread on farming fields in Northumberland County. Brighton Independent, Ontario, 15 November 2007.
http://www.eastnorthumberland.com/article.php?id=1748
Silent Spring will expand cancer probe. Researchers found 67 endocrine disrupting chemicals in homes, known to fuel mammary tumors in mice, and 27 carcinogenic pesticides, including DDT, which was banned in the 1970s. Cape Cod Times, Massachusetts, 15 November 2007.
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/NEWS/711150322
Unknown health impact of nanotech worries some. Nanotechnology has been hailed as the science of the future, with micro-particles already powering innovations that remove lines from faces, strengthen beer bottles and clean clothing without water Reuters, 14 November 2007.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1446900
How to shop for safe toys this season. This holiday season, after various large-scale recalls, parents may understandably be jittery about buying toys. But a little research and a large dose of common sense can help shoppers make wise decisions, experts say. Associated Press, 13 November 2007.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/BIZ/711130373
Environmental racism is a killer. Many people in minority and poorer communities do not realize the extent to which they are negatively and disproportionately affected by environmental issues. New Orleans Louisiana Weekly, Louisiana, 13 November 2007.
http://www.louisianaweekly.com/weekly/news/articlegate.pl?20071112k
Houseplants can help remove indoor toxins. B.C. Wolverton, a retired NASA scientist who has done extensive research on indoor air quality, found that growing plants indoors is the most efficient and cost-effective way to remove common indoor pollutants. Everett Daily Herald, Washington, 13 November 2007.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071113/LIVING/711130019
It's enough to take your breath away. Globalization's delivery of goods to consumers depends on intricate choreography of container ships, trucks, trains and other heavy equipment. The scale is breathtaking. But so are the side effects. MarketPlace, 13 November 2007.
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/09/consumed1_pm_4/
Most flu shots contain mercury, but few know it. A record 130 million Americans are expected to get a flu shot this season in hopes of ducking the nasty virus, but as the needle pierces the skin more than 80% will also get what some say is a hefty and dangerous dose of mercury. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 12 November 2007.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=685311
Fighting fat and climate change. America's obesity epidemic and global warming might not seem to have much in common, but public health experts suggest people can attack them both by cutting calories and carbon dioxide at the same time. Associated Press, 12 November 2007.
http://www.amny.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-global-warming-diet,0,4312097.story
Some nail salons go green with non-toxic products. As nail workers nationwide experience ailments they assert are caused by the tools of their trade, concerned community groups and health advocates are trying to strengthen regulations on nail-care products and help promote "greener" nail shops. Lakeland Ledger, Florida, 12 November 2007.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20071112/NEWS/711120360/1326
Mothers-to-be 'should stop drinking altogether.' Women who are pregnant or trying for a baby should give up all alcohol, the British Public Health Minister suggested yesterday. Daily Mail, United Kingdom, 12 November 2007.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=492568&in_page_id=1774
Pollution in People report. Oregonians are polluted with many hazardous industrial chemicals according to a new study conducted by the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) and the Oregon Collaborative for Health and the Environment (CHE-OR). 11 November 2007.
http://www.oeconline.org/pollutioninpeople/report/index_html
A close-up on cosmetics: experts divided on the safety of parabens. Have a look at the ingredients list of your favorite shampoo or skin lotion, and chances are you'll see ethylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben or all of the above. In numerous in-vitro studies they have demonstrated activity similar to estrogen, which may threaten the health of people and aquatic ecosystems. Washington Post, 10 November 2007.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/08/AR2007110801152.html
Living for two. What women eat, touch and breathe during pregnancy now appears to be more important to their babies' health than anyone ever imagined. Los Angeles Times, California, 10 November 2007.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-fetal12nov12,1,3444811.story?ctrack=3&cset=true
First OECD testing guideline adopted for endocrine disruptors. After a decade of work, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has announced the adoption of the first testing guideline in a planned series to assess the endocrine-disrupting properties of chemicals. Chemical Watch, 9 November 2007 (subscription required).
http://chemicalwatch.com/264
New report says most of us have ingested toxins. Toxic toys have had the headlines lately, but the fact is, we're exposed to chemicals in hundreds of things we use in our homes, school and workplaces. Chicago CBS 2 TV, Illinois, 9 November 2007.
http://cbs2chicago.com/health/toxic.chemicals.ingested.2.563970.html
Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver ports seek to reduce air pollution. The ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C. released an updated draft of their plan to cut maritime industry air pollution by 2015 on Thursday, including for the first time specific emissions reduction goals for trucks and trains. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington, 9 November 2007.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/338946_portgreen09.html
Organic milk may help babies beat allergies. Mothers who drink organic milk during pregnancy and while breastfeeding can help their babies beat eczema, asthma and related allergies, according to ground-breaking research. London Guardian, England, 9 November 2007.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/nov/09/health.children
Chinese-made toy beads recalled after children fall ill. A scare over a popular toy made in China that was found to contain a chemical similar to the recreational drug liquid ecstasy has spread around the world, with millions of the toys being recalled in Australia and North America. London Guardian, England, 9 November 2007.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2208085,00.html
Ship toxins kill 60,000 a year: Study. International shipping companies must curb smokestack emissions that kill up to 60,000 people a year, including 9,000 in North America, warns a study released yesterday. Toronto Star, Ontario, 8 November 2007.
http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/274660
U.S. baseline for bisphenol A. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey of more than 2500 U.S. residents shows that nearly everyone in the country carries bisphenol A (BPA) in their bodies and that children carry the highest burden. Environmental Science & Technology, 8 November 2007.
http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2007/nov/science/nl_bpa.html
Higher levels of pollutants found in fish caught near a coal-fired power plant. Emissions from coal-fired power plants may be an important source of water pollution and fish contamination, say researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Science Daily, 8 November 2007.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071107083907.htm
Car fumes could 'raise the risk of heart attack and stroke risk.' Air pollution caused by diesel exhaust fumes could cause heart attacks and strokes, researchers warn. Daily Mail, United Kingdom, 7 November 2007.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=492133&in_page_id=1770
Researchers find more breast milk benefits. The list of health benefits for people who were breastfed as babies is growing, with research unveiled yesterday showing they are more likely as adults to have higher levels of good cholesterol. Reuters, 7 November 2007.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071106.wxlbreast06/BNStory/Science/home
Climate change said to be a public health issue. Climate change should be treated as a public health issue, especially by the United States, the world's biggest long-term emitter of greenhouse gases, health and ecology experts said on Tuesday. Reuters, 7 November 2007.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN0641239820071106