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.
New CHE-WA events planned. The CHE-WA Steering Committee recently met to reflect on CHE-WA's successes and challenges since its inception in March 2003 as well as possible new opportunities, structures and events that might better serve CHE-WA's current membership. The Committee affirmed three major goals for CHE-WA: 1) providing the latest scientific information on environmental links to human health, 2) convening a diverse environmental health network, and 3) coordinating ways that CHE-WA members interested in a common issue can work together.
One new initiative that emerged from the Committee's discussion will be to host scientific presentations on environmental health via conference call so that more people can participate over a broader geography at lower cost and lower carbon footprint. CHE-WA will be coordinating these with our partner organizations, CHE-Alaska and CHE-Oregon.
Our first such call will be held next week, hosted by CHE-AK with the title, "The Global Transport of Persistent Pesticides to the Arctic: Research and International Actions." This call will be held Wednesday May 28th at 10:00 a.m. Alaska time; the call will last one hour. Presenters will be Don Waite, PhD, a research biologist with Environment Canada focused on atmospheric transport of pesticides used on the Canadian prairies, and Hayley Hung, PhD, who manages the air sampling program under the Canadian Northern Contaminants Program. To join this free call and receive the dial-up instructions, please RSVP to Alaska Community Action on Toxics at info@akaction.net or 907-222-7714.
Watch upcoming bulletins for the date, time, speaker, topic and call-in information for our next science conference calls, as well as information about other new events. Please note that having these calls will likely mean we will reduce the number of in-person meetings to a couple times a year and not have our next formal CHE-WA meeting until Fall 2008. For more information, or to suggest topics for future calls or meetings, please contact CHE-WA Coordinator Aimee Boulanger: aboulanger@iceh.org
various dates in March, April and 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
Thursday May 22, 2008
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Washington, DC
at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Fifth Floor Conference Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Sponsor: Woodrow Wilson Center China Environment Forum and Global Health Initiative
The speakers of this meeting will introduce the coal component of the USAID-supported China Environmental Health Project (CEHP), which aims to obtain accurate data on coal-fired pollution emissions in Huainan city in Anhui Province. Key to the success of this data collection is the strong collaborative partnership Western Kentucky University (WKU) has formed with the Anhui University of Science and Technology (AUST) and the provincial and municipal government agencies. This project also includes health studies conducted in the communities where coal is being monitored. The collection of emission and health data not only help to promote transparency on pollution emissions in China -- supporting new laws on environmental information dissemination -- but also potentially help to generate awareness among policymakers on the health dangers of coal. Derek Vollmer will make comments based on his participation in a National Academy of Sciences study of energy and air pollution in Huainan and Dalian in China and in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles in the United States. Please RSVP to cef@wilsoncenter.org with your name and affiliation. This session will also be available as a live webcast.
Price: free
Thursday May 22, 2008
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Portland, Oregon
at the Doubletree Hotel-Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah
Sponsor: Oregon Environmental Council
Girls have their first periods today, on average, a few months earlier than girls did 40 years ago, but their breasts begin to develop one to two years earlier. Over the course of a few decades, the childhoods of United States girls have been significantly shortened. What does this mean for girls today and their health in the future?
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 May 22, 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 and Antioch University
Watch 2007 Bioneers Plenary Speakers, Evon Peter, chairman of Native Movement and former chief of Neetsaii Gwich'in from Arctic Village in northeastern Alaska; and Wallace Nichols, a senior scientist at the Ocean Conservancy, 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
Thursday and Friday, May 29 - 30, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the Northwest Environmental Training Center Headquarters, 650 South Orcas Street Suite 220
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)
This course provides an overview of the vapor intrusion exposure pathway including its scientific foundation, regulatory framework and the technical aspects of investigating and remediating contaminated vapor sites. The class will cover topics such as screening sites for potential vapor intrusion concerns, conducting field investigations, sampling techniques, data analyses, exposure point calculations, the Johnson and Ettinger predictive model, vapor intrusion risk assessment, vapor intrusion mitigation and remediation. Continuing educational credits are available.
Price: $495, $395 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify
Website: http://www.nwetc.org/vaqm-401_05-08_seattle.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Thursday and Friday, May 29 - 30, 2008
Seattle, Washington
at the Seattle Public Library
Sponsor: Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group
The purpose of the conference will be to provide a strong foundation for tribal leadership on the most current science as applied to climate change in the Northwest. Subject matter experts will provide an overview of climate change in the Northwest and its potential effects on tribes. Specific breakouts will include, but not be limited to the following: implications for tribal conservation and policy, understanding climate drivers in the Northwest, the changing hydrology of the Northwest, effects on tribal wildlife and forests, and potential effects to Indian health. There is a tentative session on environmental health related to climate change on the second day
Price: $200.00 per tribe (includes elected tribal officials and Tribal natural resources senior staff) or $150.00 per individual
Contact: Patrick Gonzales-Rogers, 503-231-6123, or Lyn D. Dennis, 503-249-5770
Friday May 30, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at REI Downtown, 222 Yale Avenue North, Second Floor, South Room, Room B
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)
The course identifies potential health hazards of toxic chemicals and methods for preventing exposure. Chemicals we encounter in everyday life are used as examples to evaluate the hazards and risk of exposure and put them into perspective. Learn the basic principles of toxicology, tools for assessing the toxicology of chemicals, effects of chemicals on the body and why some people are more sensitive to chemicals than others. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $150 early bird special until May 5, $245 thereafter, $175 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify
Website: http://nwetc.org/etox-510_05-08_seattle.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Tuesday June 3, 2008
3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the University of Washington, Mary Gates Hall 389
Sponsor: University of Washington Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health
This event is part of the quarterly discussion series, "Uncorking Ethics." Nanoscience has many promising applications, yet regulatory gaps and lack of research in human toxicology, and environmental health impacts raise concerns about the risks created by this new technology. How should these new materials be evaluated and controlled? Join us for a thought-provoking series of short presentations and a lively discussion. Any researchers, staff or students working with or interested in nanoscience are welcome to attend. A reception will follow. Please RSVP at https://catalysttools.washington.edu/webq/survey/jsharpe/54514
Price: free
Contact: Jon Sharpe, 206-685-5333 or jsharpe@u.washington.edu
Tuesday through Friday, June 3- 6, 2008
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
at the University of British Columbia
Sponsor: Environmental Studies Association of Canada
The conference is being held as part of the as part of the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The theme of the congress is "Thinking beyond Borders -- Global Ideas: Global Values."
Price: unknown
Website: http://www.esac.ca/events/
Contact: Chris Ling, chris.ling@royalroads.ca
Wednesday June 4, 2008
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the University of Washington, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, HSB T5530
Sponsor: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Rachel Roisman will defend her Master of Public Health thesis.
Price: unknown
Website: http://apps.sphcm.washington.edu/envhlth/cal/cal.asp?mo=6&dd=All+Days&yr=2008&calendar=envhlth
Contact: Monica Leibrant, ehgrad@u.washington.edu
Thursday June 5, 2008
12:30 - 1:20 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at the University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Room T-435
Sponsor: University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Speaker Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD, MPH, is the acting assistant professor of the Division of General Pediatrics.
Price: unknown
Website: http://depts.washington.edu/envh580/
Contact: Sarah Fischer, fischs@u.washington.edu
Monday June 9, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Troutdale, Oregon
at McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey Street
Sponsor: North American Hazardous Materials Managers Association, NW Chapter
State and local governments, green business representatives, regional chemical policy and management experts, toxics reduction advocates and interested citizens will come together in a day of presentation and discussion. Mark Schapiro, editorial director for the Center for Investigative Reporting and author of the recent book "Exposed", will keynote. The Chemical Policy Forum is part of the North American Hazardous Materials Managers Association, NW Chapter, Conference June 9 to 12, 2008. Register at the NAHMMA website as listed below for the forum or for the full conference that includes the forum. Forum registration without lunch is available on the day of the event.
Price: $15 includes lunch
Website: http://www.nahmma.org
Contact: Lisa Heigh, 503-797-1611 or lisa.heigh@oregonmetro.gov
Monday through Thursday, June 9 - 12, 2008
Troutdale, Oregon
at McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 Southwest Halsey Street
Sponsor: Northwest Chapter of the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association
Learn about the latest developments in product stewardship, chemical policy and safer products. The conference will provide training, such as the hazwoper eight-hour refresher, technical sessions and facility tours. Topics include toxic chemicals in products and people; case studies on implementing chemical policy and much more.
Price: members $145, nonmembers $195
Website: http://www.nahmma.org/cde.cfm?event=210842
Contact: North American Hazardous Materials Management Association, 877-292-1403 or nahmma@imigroup.org
Tuesday June 10, 2008
1:00 p.m. Eastern time
Sponsor: Clinical Directors Network (CDN)
More details will be available for this webinar event through the website listed below.
Price: unknown
Website: http://web.memberclicks.com/mc/community/eventdetails.do?eventId=145140&orgId=cne
Contact: eLearning, 212-382-0699 x231 or eLearning@cdnetwork.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: Seattle, Washington. Washington Toxics Coalition is seeking a dynamic, resourceful, proven leader to guide this highly effective nonprofit towards achieving its ambitious mission to protect public health and the environment by eliminating toxic pollution. The Executive Director must be a highly strategic thinker with a strong capacity to guide staff in managing and implementing programs. The ideal candidate will also have substantial leadership experience and a familiarity with nonprofit organizations and governance.
http://www.watoxics.org/about/employment/executive-director-job-announcement
Kids Safe Chemical Act reintroduced in Congress. Today, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representatives Hilda L. Solis (D- CA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced major legislation to protect Americans, especially children, from toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products. The bill would ensure for the first time that all the chemicals used in baby bottles, children's toys and other products are proven to be safe before they are put on the market. Press Release of Senator Lautenberg, 20 May 2008.
http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=298072
Chemicals [including BPA] in plastic feeding bottles could lead to obesity in babies, say scientists. Pregnant women who eat food that has been wrapped in plastic could make their unborn baby obese in later life, according to new research. Daily Mail, United Kingdom, 20 May 2008.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1019619/Chemicals-plastic-feeding-bottles-lead-obesity-babies-say-scientists.html
Bugged by pesticides. Some parents who eschew pesticide use in their home are concerned that their children are still being exposed at school playing fields. Albany Times Union, New York, 20 May 2008.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=689922&category=REGION&newsdate=5/20/2008
Study links childhood ear infections to passive smoking. Researchers at the Perths Telethon Institute for Child Health Research have discovered a strong link between childhood ear infections and exposure to tobacco smoke. Asian News International, South Asia, 20 May 2008.
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/study-links-childhood-ear-infections-to-passive-smoking_10050626.html
Is fire retardant a harmful toxin? For decades, Americans have depended on special chemicals [PBDEs] to protect them from fire. But now, there are serious questions about the safety of those chemicals. Two states have already banned them, and six more are considering it. CBS Evening News, 20 May 2008.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/19/eveningnews/main4109418.shtml
HRT 'does not raise risk of breast cancer.' Women should not be put off hormone replacement therapy by over-hyped fears about its health risks, a panel of international experts has concluded. London Independent, England, 20 May 2008.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/hrt-does-not-raise-risk-of-breast-cancer-831108.html
Asthma link to pregnancy stress. Researchers found higher levels of a chemical linked to allergy in the blood of children of stressed mothers. BBC, UK, 19 May 2008.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7404391.stm
DNA damage 'caused by pesticides.' New research in India suggests exposure to pesticides could have damaged the DNA of people in farming communities, leading to higher rates of cancer. BBC, UK, 19 May 2008.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7407707.stm
Radon can be a problem anytime, anywhere; experts urge testing. Radon, a radioactive, cancer-causing gas, may not be the first thing on homeowners' minds, but experts urge testing for and being wary of it — particularly in New Hampshire and Maine. Foster's Daily Democrat, New Hampshire, 18 May 2008.
http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/GJNEWS_01/241265233/-1/CITNEWS
Epic genetics. A new field linking genes and environment may chart the way for solving some of the mysteries shrouding mental illness. Science News, 17 May 2008.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/31949/title/Epic_Genetics
Living green in the living room. The road to green living runs directly through your living room. Seattle Times, Washington, 17 May 2008.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ecoconsumer/2004419961_ecoconsumer17.html
Strong smells push action for nail care workers. Oregon government workers and nonprofit advocates have been trying to figure out what to do about nail salon air quality and hazardous waste -- and how to protect workers. Portland Oregonian, Oregon, 16 May 2008.
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1210908317325480.xml&coll=7
Goodbye, girls. A relentless erosion of girlhood across the more affluent nations of the world — marked by earlier onset of puberty — is tripping alarm bells for researchers, environmentalists and parents. Portland Tribune, Oregon, 16 May 2008.
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=121078392475499700
Secondhand smoke causes structural changes to lungs. The researchers found almost one-third of the nonsmokers with high exposure to secondhand smoke had structural changes in their lungs similar to those found in smokers. Ivanhoe Broadcast News, 16 May 2008.
http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=208822&SecID=2
Vitamin D deficiency linked to breast cancer, study finds. Patients with deficient levels at the time of diagnosis are more likely to have their cancer metastasize and turn deadly, researchers say. But experts caution against treating cancer with supplements. Los Angeles Times, California, 16 May 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-breast16-2008may16,0,5708641.story
Seattle offers compost bins at huge discounts. Seattle residents can save more than one hundred dollars on high-quality compost bins while building healthy soils, and helping their plants to thrive. By composting at home, consumers can have beautiful gardens without resorting to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Seattle Public Utilities, 15 May 2008.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/About_SPU/News/News_Releases/SPU01_003749.asp
Insecticides in pet shampoo may trigger autism. Could insecticides in pet shampoos trigger autism spectrum disorders? That's the suggestion of one of the first large-scale population-based studies to look at how gene-environmental factor interactions contribute to the condition. New Scientist, England, 15 May 2008.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13905-insecticides-in-pet-shampoo-may-trigger-autism.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news1_head_dn13905
Study finds no evidence of risk in synthetic turf. A draft report conducted on behalf of the Bloomberg administration says that there is no scientific evidence that synthetic turf fields in New York pose major health hazards for people playing on them. New York Times, 15 May 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/nyregion/15turf.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin
Arthritis may be triggered by environmental factors. A number of environmental exposures, including trauma, are associated with the onset of inflammatory arthritis in patients with psoriasis, findings published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases indicate. Reuters, 15 May 2008.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL46810220080514
Premier issue of Environmental Justice published. Environmental Justice, a new quarterly peer-reviewed journal is the central forum for the research, debate and discussion of the equitable treatment and involvement of all people, especially minority and low-income populations, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. The premier issue is available free online. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 14 May 2008.
http://www.liebertpub.com/env
Wal-Mart raises bar on toy-safety standards. Wal-Mart has ordered its suppliers to meet a new set of children's-product safety requirements that include strict limits for lead and other chemicals linked to various medical and developmental problems in children. Wall Street Journal, 14 May 2008.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121072388800090155.html
US court hears claim linking vaccines to autism. The parents of two 10-year-old boys who believe vaccines caused their sons to develop autism brought their case to U.S. federal court on Monday, arguing a mercury preservative in the shots caused a rare reaction. Reuters Health, 13 May 2008.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2008/05/12/eline/links/20080512elin009.html
Concern grows over chemical in some food containers. Democrats in the U.S. Senate are proposing a ban of this controversial chemical from all products made for infants and children up to age 7. Springfield KY3 TV, Missouri, 13 May 2008.
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/18874154.html
Nanoparticles scrutinized for health effects. Some scientists are concerned that these seemingly magical materials are hitting the market before their effects on human health and the environment have been sufficiently studied. San Francisco Chronicle, California, 12 May 2008.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/11/BU4P10BB88.DTL
Being breast-fed may lower breast cancer risk. Adult women who were breast-fed as infants may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who were not breast-fed, unless they were first-born, study findings suggest. Reuters Health, 12 May 2008.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2008/05/09/eline/links/20080509elin001.html
Seeking sustainability. To read all the marketing hype, it would seem that the personal care products industry is rushing to label as natural, organic, or sustainable just about every new product coming onto the market. Chemical & Engineering News, 12 May 2008.
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/86/8619cover.html
Lead's legacy. Thirty years have passed since the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint, but it continues to sicken children nationwide, particularly those who are poor and live in older cities. Columbus Dispatch, 11 May 2008.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/11/LEADED.ART_ART_05-11-08_A1_STA5K8A.html
A perfect storm. After 11 years studying bisphenol A and sounding the alarm about its potential health risks, University of Missouri Professor Frederick vom Saal's warnings are attracting national attention. Columbia Tribune, Missouri, 11 May 2008.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/May/20080510Busi002.asp
World's native peoples take on climate change. Indigenous peoples, who often live at the bottom of the economic ladder, are also those most at risk from climate change. Now they're making their voices heard at the United Nations. Living On Earth, 10 May 2008.
http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=08-P13-00019&segmentID=4
Contamination is linked to dust from TV sets. The dust that coats your television sets may finally answer why virtually every American tested has traces of a chemical flame retardant that may be harmful [PBDEs]. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas, 10 May 2008.
http://www.star-telegram.com/national_news/story/634833.html
Additive payments may grow. Major oil companies' multimillion-dollar payment to 153 public water systems to cleanse wells of a potentially carcinogenic gasoline additive [MBTE] could grow if more tainted wells are discovered over the next 30 years. Associated Press, 9 May 2008.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/5766225.html
More problems with plastics. Human exposure to hormone-disrupting synthetic chemicals [phthalates], which can leach from a slew of consumer products, is continuous and widespread. US News & World Report, 9 May 2008.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/05/07/more-problems-with-plastics.html
Firefighters show higher risks of certain cancers. A new study suggests that firefighters face higher-than-average risks of several types of cancer, adding to evidence that the job carries hazards beyond the fires themselves. Reuters Health, 9 May 2008.
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/story.html?id=48eee572-0b15-4116-852d-28b2a596ad0c
Alcohol a top cause of cancer: Report. NSW Assistant Health Minister Verity Firth stated the alarming links to cancer have been generally ignored in community debate over alcohol consumption. Australian Associated Press, 9 May 2008.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23664398-23289,00.html
Cosmetic chemicals. Have you ever wondered what all cosmetics are made of? The owner of an organic cosmetic company said it is embalming fluid. Fragrance breaks down and metabolizes on skin into formaldehyde. NBC30, Connecticut, 8 May 2008.
http://www.nbc30.com/news/16193529/detail.html
Drink tap water, not bottled, city urges. Forget bottled water or Nalgene. City officials and grass-roots activists urged people Wednesday to turn to Seattle's drinking water and safe, reusable containers. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington, 8 May 2008.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/362153_seattlewater08.html
National Research Council: Ozone kills. A new report by the National Research Council finds that short-term exposure to ozone is linked to premature death, even at ozone levels currently found in many areas. Environmental Science & Technology, 8 May 2008.
http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2008/may/science/ee_ozone.html
Judge tells EPA to get moving on carbon monoxide safety. The Bush administration has violated legal deadlines for updating the nation's clean-air standards on carbon monoxide, a federal judge in San Francisco has ruled. San Francisco Chronicle, California, 8 May 2008.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/07/BAJR10I1HQ.DTL
Abuse may trigger gene changes found in suicide victims. Early child abuse may forever change the way genes are expressed in the brain, suggests a postmortem study of people who died by suicide. New Scientist, England, 7 May 2008.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13844-abuse-may-trigger-gene-changes-found-in-suicide-victims.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news5_head_dn13844
New health warning issued for baby furniture. There is a new warning for parents that some baby furniture could be toxic because it contains formaldehyde, which can pollute the air in your baby's nursery. San Francisco KGO-TV, California, 7 May 2008.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/health&id=6125510
Giving up smoking has rapid health benefits, says study. People who give up smoking begin to improve their health almost immediately. Within five years the risk of death from all causes fell by 13%, it found. By 20 years, people had no extra risk of death because of their past smoking history. London Guardian, England, 7 May 2008.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/07/medicalresearch.health