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.
Wednesday April 30, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Avenue (at Seneca Street)
Sponsor: The Seattle Biotech Legacy Foundation
Cosponsors: Antioch University Seattle Center for Creative Change and The Russell Family Foundation
Organizer: The Institute for Children's Environmental Health
Why do we need to imagine our future vision collectively? A broad, overlapping consensus around the goal of sustainable development is emerging but society still lacks a clear unified vision of what it entails. Ecological economics argues that without a coherent, relatively detailed, shared vision of what a sustainable society would look like, there will be no political will or united effort to take us from here to there. For the sake of future generations, we need to create one.
Dr. Joshua Farley, professor of Community Development and Applied Economics at the Gund Institute at the University of Vermont, and Dr. David Korten, author of When Corporations Rule the World and The Great Turning and cofounder of Positive Futures Network, will talk about envisioning a desirable, sustainable future and provide us with rich perspectives on potential economic models while addressing such critical questions as: What are the components of a new economy? What does it look like? What has to be done to create it?
Details are on the CHE-WA website: http://washington.chenw.org/lectures.html
various dates from March to May 2008
various times
at six locations throughout Multnomah County, Oregon
Sponsor: Multnomah County Health Department
Join Multnomah County in learning how your health is more than health care or personal choice. Each episode of the PBS documentary Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? will sound the alarm about America's glaring socio-economic and racial inequities in health, and search for root causes. The county is asking the community, especially those who have historically been left out of decision-making, to help them understand what actions they should take to address these challenges.
Price: free and open to the public
Website: http://www.mchealth.org:80/healthequity/calendar.shtml
Contact: Health Equity Initiative, 503-988-3030 ext. 22068 or health.equity@co.multnomah.or.us
Wednesday through Friday, March 26 - 28, 2008
Seattle, Washington
Sponsor: Public Health -- Seattle & King County
2008's conference will build on the success of the 2006 conference by expanding the topic areas covered. The topics for Access 2008 are disrupting access to tobacco, creating access to smoke-free living, and assuring access to cessation. The agenda will emphasize innovative and promising strategies toward a tobacco-free future as well as practices proven to be successful. The conference is open to all tobacco professionals, educators, law enforcement, researchers, policy-makers, students and others who work or learn in a tobacco-related field. Application for CHES Category I continuing education contact hours (CECH) has been made to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC).
Price: $600
Website: http://www.accessconference.org/
Contact: Access 08, 206-296-7613 or info@accessconference.org
begins Thursday March 27, 2008
Mount Vernon, Washington
at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op Room 309, 202 South First Street
Sponsor: Skagit Valley Food Co-op and Northwest Earth Institute
This is the first of a seven-session course which includes approaches to create healthy home environments for children, explores ways to foster a child's connection to nature, and looks into how media might hinder child development.
Price: $20 book fee
Website: http://www.nwei.org/discussion_courses/course-offerings/heathty-children-healthy-planet
Contact: Marilene Richardson, 360-863-1820 or contact@nwei.org
Thursday March 27, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at Camp Long Environmental Learning Center's Main Building, 5200 35th Ave. SW
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Education Council and Antioch University
Watch 2007 Bioneers Plenary Speakers, Van Jones, founder of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, and Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx in their addresses to attendees of the 2007 Bioneers conference.
Price: free
Website: http://www.nweec.org/ea.htm
Contact: Shannon Luoma, 206-923-1980 or sluoma@nweec.org
Sunday March 30, 2008
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Issaquah, Washington
at the Issaquah PCC Natural Market classroom, 1810 12th Avenue Northwest
Sponsor: Washington Action for Safe Water
Join Washington Action for Safe Water in its efforts to educate our community about the toxicity of fluoridation.
Price: unknown
Contact: Washington Action for Safe Water, safewater@comcast.net
Monday March 31, 2008
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
Sponsor: The Puget Sound Community Change Program and Eco April Alignment
Since we began operations in December, over 3,700 Community Cardholders have generated over $378,000 in local transactions creating almost $10,000 in community rebates. We are looking forward to celebrating this success with you, our community and supporters, for an evening of fun and entertainment.
Price: unknown
Contact: Brittany Jacobs, 206-526-2323 or bjacobs@interraproject.org
Tuesday April 8, 2008
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern time
Sponsor: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
Although the effects of lead on the developing brain have been studied for decades, there are still many gaps in our understanding of how lead influences brain development and brain function. This presentation will discuss the effects of lead on brain development and function and provide a conceptual framework for understanding how the biology of lead neurotoxicity leads to the brain damage and cognitive dysfunction of the lead-poisoned child.
Price: free
Website: http://www.ehinitiative.org/Projects/tele_con.htm
Contact: Laura Abulafia, 800-424-3688 or laura@aaidd.org
Saturday April 12, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Bellevue, Washington
at Saint Margaret's Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Boulevard Southeast
Sponsor: The Genesis Covenant
Recognizing the impacts of global climate change on all living things, especially on the poor, and heeding the prophetic call to take action, Healing Our Planet Earth: Singing A New Song of Hope inspires swift and decisive action to protect God's creation and engenders hope, both within and beyond the boundaries of the Episcopal Church.
Price: $80 includes snacks in the morning and afternoon, lunch and materials
Website: http://www.healingourplanetearth.org/index.html
Contact: HOPE Coordinators, hopeinfo@ecww.org
Saturday and Sunday, April 12 - 13, 2008
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, 800 Convention Place
Sponsor: Global Exchange and Co-op America, plus other partners listed on the website
The City of Seattle and the Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment are co-hosting this first ever Northwest green festival. Through the City's Clean and Green Seattle projects, you'll learn how neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their city a healthier place to live.
Price: $15 per person, $10 for seniors and students, children under 12 are free
Website: http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/767/390/
Contact: visit http://www.greenfestivals.org/component/option,com_contact/task,view/contact_id,11/Itemid,26/
Wednesday April 16, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Lacey, Washington
at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Avenue Southeast
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center
The objective of this one-day workshop is to introduce environmental consultants; federal, state and local government staff; and members of the general public to Washington's Model Toxics Control Act (WAC 173-340). This workshop will provide an overview of the MTCA administrative requirements and the associated cleanup standards. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $495, $395 reduced tuition is available for those who qualify.
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/vaqm-401_03-08_lacey.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Thursday and Friday, April 17 - 18, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Lacey, Washington
at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Avenue Southeast
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center
This course provides attendees with an in-depth understanding of the procedures for establishing cleanup levels and points of compliance under the Model Toxics Control Act (WAC 173-340). The course covers procedures for establishing cleanup levels using Methods A, B and C for groundwater, surface water and soil, including a discussion of recent rule revisions related to dioxins/furans, PCBs and carcinogenic PAHs. Included is discussion of applying the terrestrial ecological evaluation process to soils at sites. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $495, $395 reduced tuition is available for those who qualify.
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/vaqm-401_03-08_lacey.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Saturday April 19, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the Pigeon Point Park & Cooper Elementary School, 1901 SW Genesee Street
Sponsor: Duwamish Alive!
The day's schedule includes a restoration work party from 10:00 to 2:00, native plant walks led by members of the council, unveiling of Nature Consortium's documentary on Seattle's urban forests, first look at Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition's map of the Duwamish River and interactive website, community group information tables, environmental education activities and more.
Price: free, please rsvp at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/96872749
Website: http://www.nweec.org/ea.htm
Contact: Shannon Luoma, 206-923-1980 or sluoma@nweec.org
Chemicals is Fueling the Obesity Epidemic
Thursday April 24, 2008
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Portland, Oregon
at the Doubletree Hotel-Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah
Sponsor: Oregon Environmental Council
Obesity is generally thought of as an individual problem, an offshoot of the couch-potato syndrome, in which people eat too much while exercising too little. But now scientists are asking about the ways that exposure to low levels of contaminants may predispose people to obesity. Research from an increasing number of studies suggests that minute exposures to common chemicals might pre-program people to be obesity-prone.
Price: $35, $25 for members and nonprofit or governmental agency employees
Website: http://www.oeconline.org/events
Contact: Oregon Environmental Council, 503-222-1963 or info@oeconline.org
Thursday April 24, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at Camp Long Environmental Learning Center's Main Building, 5200 35th Avenue SW
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Education Council (NWEEC) and Antioch University
"Thirst" explores questions such as, Is water part of a shared "commons," a human right for all people? Or is it a commodity to be bought, sold, and traded in a global marketplace? This film tells the stories of communities in Bolivia, India, and the United States that are asking these fundamental questions.
Price: free
Website: http://www.nweec.org/ea.htm
Contact: Shannon Luoma, 206-923-1980 or sluoma@nweec.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/
Job opening: Olympia, Washington. The Puget Sound Partnership is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of volunteer and education manager. This position will develop and implement a new engagement program between volunteer groups, environmental educators and the Puget Sound Partnership. The volunteer and education manager will develop and implement a new program that builds on and ties into existing K-12 and other education programs for youths and adults and that enhances programs to recruit, train and engage citizens as volunteers. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. April 16, 2008.
http://www.psp.wa.gov/downloads/JOBS/volunteercoordinator.pdf
Wheeze 'link' to baby milk powder. Prolonged exposure to baby milk powder increases the risk of breathing problems, including wheezing and breathlessness, a study has found. BBC, UK, 25 March 2008.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7304976.stm
University professor warns against use of sludge on farmland. The use of sludge in farming is allowing toxins to enter food sources, says a university professor who has studied the effects of chemicals and toxic metals in soil and how they could pose a threat to the environment and food chains. Stirling Community Press, Canada, 25 March 2008.
http://www.communitypress.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=955376&auth=Bill+Tremblay
Climate change poses new challenges to health experts. The climate change taking place in the Gulf and other parts of the world have posed new challenges before healthcare professionals, a workshop that opened at the Education City yesterday was told. Doha Peninsula, Qatar, 24 March 2008.
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=March2008&file=Local_News2008032413641.xml
Asthma fears over green fuels. Asthma rates could soar because of green fuels used in school buses, town hall chiefs warned. London Daily Mirror, England, 24 March 2008.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/03/24/green-fuel-air-fears-89520-20361094/
Drinking while pregnant risks autism in babies. Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy may be putting their babies at risk of developing autism, according to new research. London Times, England, 23 March 2008.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3602704.ece
EPA files complaint against ship brokers. The US EPA has issued a federal complaint against Global Shipping and Global Marketing Systems Inc. for distribution in commerce and export of PCB-containing materials. Marianas Variety, Mariana Islands, 23 March 2008.
http://www.mvariety.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=8753&format=html
Lab: Some "Hannah Montana" products test high for lead. An independent laboratory reports that some of Disney's "Hannah Montana" children's products sold at Wal-Mart, Target and Toys 'R Us are contaminated with high levels of lead. McClatchy Newspapers, 22 March 2008.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-032108hannah-montana-lead,1,7159811.story
Public health risk seen as parents reject vaccines. A small but growing number of vaccine skeptics are taking advantage of exemptions to laws requiring vaccinations. Public health authorities worry that they put their children--and others--at risk. New York Times, 22 March 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/us/21vaccine.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
"Green paint" - environmentally paints that contain fewer harmful chemicals. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs found in paints can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, and damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Orange County Register, California, 21 March 2008.
http://www.ocregister.com/column/paints-vocs-paint-2003544-voc-low
FDA relied on industry studies to judge safety. A Congressional investigation discovers that the FDA determined the bisphenol A was safe based on just 2 industry studies, ignoring hundreds of government and academic studies. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin, 21 March 2008.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=730965
Swimming in chemicals. While the European Union is demanding multinationals manufacture safer products, products developed and sold in the United States are increasingly equated with serious health hazards, and are banned from Europe and other parts of the world. Now, 21 March 2008.
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/412/Exposed-Toxic-Chemistry.html
Finding toxin-free toys. People assume that products must be proven safe before they can be sold and that the government wouldn't allow unsafe toys to be sold. These assumptions are false. Now, 20 March 2008.
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/412/toxins-in-toys.html
Folic acid 'helps to keep sperm healthy.' A folate-rich diet may protect men against producing abnormal sperm and children with genetic abnormalities, a study suggests. Daily Mail, United Kingdom, 20 March 2008.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/dietfitness.html?in_article_id=540417&in_page_id=1798
Heparin contaminant identified. A compound related to a common nutritional supplement has been identified as the contaminant in a blood-thinning drug imported from China that sickened hundreds of frail patients in the U.S. Los Angeles Times, California, 20 March 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-fda20mar20,0,7589790.story
Exposure to plasticizers and other chemicals in childhood may hike adult cancer risks, report says. In the decades following World War II, both breast cancer rates and the use of synthetic chemicals soared in the United States and a new report contends there's a strong connection between the two. Health Day News, 19 March 2008.
http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=613679
CDC: More tests needed to know if chemical is unsafe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it found BPA [bisphenol A] in nearly 93 percent of Americans it tested. Associated Press, 19 March 2008.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20080319/NEWS/803190577/1023
Toy recall revives concerns on magnets. Toymaker Mega Brands Inc. said it will recall 3.5 million toys with potentially deadly magnets, reviving safety concerns over design flaws the industry had declared fixed last year. Wall Street Journal, 19 March 2008.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120576518346641775.html?mod=todays_us_personal_journal
Plastic Easter eggs linked to lead paint. A chemistry professor who raised an earlier warning flag about toxic lead levels in toy jewelry didn't have to look far for evidence of similar risks in Easter items such as plastic eggs. Associated Press, 18 March 2008.
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/03/plastic_easter_eggs_linked_to.html
Clear all asbestos from schools by 2010. Teaching unions are demanding that asbestos be cleared from schools by 2010 following the death of a North Wales teacher. North Wales Daily Post, Wales, 18 March 2008.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/03/18/clear-all-asbestos-from-schools-by-2010-55578-20638546/
Home cleaners hold untested chemicals. Of the thousands of industrial chemicals made in Canada, only a handful have been tested for their health and environmental impacts. Toronto Star, Ontario, 18 March 2008.
http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/347160
Lawmakers probe EPA conflicts. A House committee opened an investigation Monday into potential conflicts of interest in scientific panels that advise the Environmental Protection Agency. Associated Press, 18 March 2008.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jeUws0YW_ERohyoQeQuNrEnFxZFwD8VFEF480
Breast cancer in black women may be linked to neighbourhood conditions. In a path-breaking project, researchers at the University of Chicago have found that breast cancer in black women may be linked to neighbourhood conditions. Asian News International, South Asia, 18 March 2008.
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/breast-cancer-in-black-women-may-be-linked-to-neighbourhood-conditions_10028622.html
Artificial turf surfaces generating controversy. The battle over potential dangers of artificial turf has been waged in recent months in suburbs and cities across the country and beyond. Asbury Park Press, New Jersey, 17 March 2008.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080317/NEWS/803170376/1004/NEWS01
Drugs in water supply on agenda as toxicologists meet in Seattle. Pharmaceuticals in the water supply, melamine in the pet food, a warning against giving young children cough medicine are on the agenda, as 7,000 scientists and regulators from 45 countries gather in Seattle this week. Associated Press, 16 March 2008.
http://www.wcnc.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8VEMFO00.html
Growing up too fast? Obesity, plastic baby bottles and cosmetics have all been considered to explain why puberty is happening earlier. Toronto Sun, Ontario, 16 March 2008.
http://torontosun.com/News/Canada/2008/03/16/5019436-sun.html
Advisory issued on lice shampoos. Parents of children battling head lice are being urged to avoid over-the-counter treatments that contain [lindane] a pesticide outlawed for agricultural use in dozen of countries -- including Canada -- because of its adverse effects on humans and the water supply. Edmonton Sun, Alberta, 16 March 2008.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2008/03/16/5020461-sun.html
Health effects of mold exposure. Research on the relationship between mold exposure and health effects is ongoing, and some false information, especially about black mold, is easy to find. State College Centre Daily Times, Pennsylvania, 16 March 2008.
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/story/467195.html
FDA to increase presence in China. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced plans to strengthen its regulatory presence in China, a country that has become a major exporter of pharmaceutical ingredients to the U.S. and that has been linked to an investigation of allergic reactions in U.S. blood thinner. Chicago Tribune, Illinois, 16 March 2008.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat-heparin-baxter-mar15,0,7068994.story?track=rss
EPA lowers limits for diesel soot. The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday finalized clean-air standards, expected to drastically reduce the amount of illness-causing pollutants spewed into the air by locomotive and marine diesel engines. Bergen County Record, New Jersey, 15 March 2008.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1722343,00.html
Breathing easier. University of Illinois Extension specialist Ted Funk provides a list of indoor air pollution causes and remedies. Bloomington Pantagraph, Illinois, 15 March 2008.
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/03/15/home-garden/doc47daeb71ba625308780518.txt
Diseases like mine are a growing hazard. Autoimmune diseases -- a group of about 100 conditions in which the body's immune system turns on the body itself -- are reaching epidemic proportions. Washington Post, 15 March 2008.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/14/AR2008031403386.html
Popular 'green' products test positive for toxicant. New tests of 100 "natural" and "organic" soaps, shampoos and other products show that nearly half contain a cancer-causing chemical that is a byproduct of petrochemicals used in manufacturing. Los Angeles Times, California, 14 March 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-natural14mar14,0,1670638.story
Unleaded, please. Hipsters beware: That naval piercing or nose ring may be hazardous to your health. That's the message from the Calif. Dept. of Toxic Substance Control, which is enforcing a new state law that regulates lead in jewelry, especially piercing jewelry. East Bay Daily News, California, 14 March 2008.
http://www.ebdailynews.com/article/2008-3-14-lead
[Editor's note: see a related article about a trinket ban in Massachusetts: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/03/13/state_health_council_bans_trinkets_containing_lead/ ]
Extra Vitamin D 'may cut childhood diabetes risk.' Today, a review of five studies, published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, found children given vitamin D supplements were 29 per cent less likely to develop the disease than those not given any. Daily Mail, United Kingdom, 13 March 2008.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/womenfamily.html?in_article_id=533080&in_page_id=1799
Bill would end mercury use at chlorine plants. Chlorine plants that use large amounts of toxic mercury for manufacturing -- including Olin Corporation's Augusta chlor-alkali plant -- would be forced to convert to modern methods or close by 2012 under a house bill introduced this week. Augusta Chronicle, Georgia, 13 March 2008.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/031308/met_190792.shtml
If pregnant women stop smoking, babies are happier. Mothers who stop smoking while pregnant tend to have cheerier, more adaptable babies, British researchers reported on Wednesday. Reuters UK, 12 March 2008.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKN1221644720080312
Lead may not be out of your dental work. First, it was the tainted pet food. Then the lead-contaminated toys. Now, the latest consumer scare from China involves something you may already have in your mouth. Gainesville Times, Georgia, 12 March 2008.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/4099/
Study finds DNA damage in farmers exposed to pesticides. This revelation came through in a study conducted by Raminderjeet Kaur, a research fellow under the supervision of Satbir Kaur of the Department of Human Biology, Punjabi University, Patiala. Bombay Express, India, 12 March 2008.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Study-finds-DNA-damage-in-farmers-exposed-to-pesticides/283440/