School safety

Your child is more likely to be harmed by hazardous environment and chemicals in schools than by violent crime. Unfortunately, school officials in the USA are not required to advise parents when dangerous, or potentially dangerous conditions exist on school grounds. Nor are school officials required to report accidents and injuries, even to parents of the injured child.

I was seriously and permanently injured from highly toxic and cancer causing chemicals while teaching in Long Beach school district in Long Beach Mississippi. Our schools will never be safe as long as school officials can hide and cover up dangerous conditions and school injuries. For more information, visit http://www.childrensepa.org/ and my story at http://www.toxicjustice.com/

Children's Environmental Protection Alliance

www.childrensepa.org

Children's Environmental Protection Alliance NGO

Childhood Obesity and the Environment Virtual Forum - YouTube

Childhood Obesity and the Environment Virtual Forum - YouTube

Excellent National Institute of Environmental Health Science ( NIEHS ) forum presents evidence and science to support environmental and chemical causes of childhood and adult obesity.   Please comment about what can be done to protect kids. 

Healthy, low calorie school lunch served on BPA leaching foam plates, served in a cafeteria laced with pesticides and highly toxic industrial cleaners will not protect your kids from obesity-causing environmental and chemicals.  We must begin to take action to protect children from unnecessary chemicals that harm their bodies and cause their early death.   

The seduction of gold in Pascua-Lama

The seduction of gold in Pascua-Lama:

. . . critics, local and in the faraway capitals of Buenos Aires and Santiago, fear the project - located in virgin territory amid glaciers that feed several rivers below - could also wreak long-term environmental havoc if chemicals make their way into the river systems or the glaciers are damaged.

According to Barrick, the mine will use up to 38 tonnes of explosives a day to blast mountaintops into rocks, then up to 27 tonnes of cyanide and 33 million litres of water per day to extract the gold.

The children will be harmed or die at much lower levels that that considered "safe."  What is being done to protect pregnant women and other vulnerable populations.  Our global history is rife with abandonment of responsibility to the people whenever greed or economic gain is at hand.  How can a company promise schools and medical care to the people of this land when they are gutting the health of its children? 

Promise of food safety law largely unfulfilled

Promise of food safety law largely unfulfilled:

Foodborne illnesses strike an estimated 48 million people in the United States each year, or about one in six Americans, killing 3,000, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A study released in 2010 by consumer and public health groups said foodborne diseases cost the United States $152 billion in health-related expenses each year, far more than prior estimates. Despite the outbreaks, the United States is widely regarded as having one of the safest food supplies in the world.

Many of these victims are children who lack a mature immune system to fight of food borne illness.  My daughter developed EColi and had to be hospitalized after consuming tainted peanut butter.  Unfortunately, the peanut butter came from my pantry and matched the serial numbers of the tainted peanut butter. 

No one was held accountable for the damage.  Children suffer irreparable harm while our nation's lawmaker put this on the back burner.  No claim of complexity or lack of funding should slow this down.  Legislation far more complex and with much pork went through when the Affordable Health Care Law was passed. Now our nation will be footing the bill for many who are sickened from food borne illnesses.

Retailers failing to warn of carcinogen in baby items, group says - latimes.com

Retailers failing to warn of carcinogen in baby items, group says - latimes.com

CHICAGO — Major retailers are violating California law by failing to warn consumers about diaper-changing pads, nap mats and other baby products made with unsafe levels of a flame retardant linked to cancer, according to legal notices filed Thursday by an advocacy group.
The notices urged retailers, including Amazon.com Inc., Target Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., to recall infant and toddler products . . . Read more at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-baby-products-warning-20121207,0,2660605.story

Royal Society’s Chief Called to Resign over Fluoridation | Scoop News

Royal Society’s Chief Called to Resign over Fluoridation | Scoop News

“Any scientist with any knowledge of the fluoridation issue would know this. There is a saying: ‘when a scientist abuses his position in society of trust and authority to mislead the public, he does not become a dishonest scientist – he simply ceases to be a scientist. This blind repetition of propaganda shows that Professor Skegg has ceased to be a scientist”, concludes Mr Atkin.  Read more at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1210/S00084/royal-societys-chief-called-to-resign-over-fluoridation.htm

Toxic chemicals in water is a world wide problem, often with government overly contracted to corporate and pharmaceutical special interests.

Part of the problem stems from Sovereign Immunity which exempts governing bodies and their agent

s from accountability.

Vaccine manufacturers are covered under laws with exempt them from accountability even though the vaccine may have caused permanent injury, disability and death.

One solution is to remove Sovereign Immunity so that governing bodies and their agents are held accountable to those they harm by irresponsible or corrupted decisions.

Toxic Justice: Toxic chemicals in many couches sold in U.S.: Repo...

Toxic Justice: Toxic chemicals in many couches sold in U.S.: Repo...:
 

Forty-one percent of the couches contained chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), a cancer-causing flame retardant removed from baby pajamas in the 1970s, and 17 percent contained the worldwide-banned chemical pentaBDE, the Duke University and University of California, Berkeley, researchers said.  Read more: http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/toxic-chemicals-in-many-couches-sold-in-us-report-1
Children's EPA Director Nancy Swan was asked to participate in a conference on flame retardant and prevalence in US. 

Swan adds,  "The study concluded that higher levels of flame retardant in blood of lower income children was a result of exposure to crumbling and older furniture.  I felt that more factors needed consideration in light of the fact that flame retardant can rub off older furniture much like soil retardants.  I asked the study group if they had also queried about other source of polyurethane treated with flame retardant. They had not. 

The study concluded that exposure to flame retardant in older furniture was responsible for higher levels of this chemical and did not include the fact that property owners, day cares, and school have insulated roofs and walls with cheap spray on foam and foam sheets. This insulation requires retreatment of flame retardant containing highly toxic toluene diisocyanate, xylene and other deadly cancer causing chemicals. The flame retardant must be applied every few years or the building becomes highly flammable. 

 I have received hundreds of reports of sickness after flame retardant was sprayed onto day cares, homes, and school during occupancy.

Protecting Children From Toxicants

Protecting Children From Toxicants 

During brain development, which begins in the fetus and continues into adolescence, a precisely timed sequence of cell division, migration, differentiation, myelination, synapse formation, programmed cell death, and synapse pruning unfolds. Disruption or alteration of this process by chemical exposure or other environmental factors can lead to various outcomes (developmental delays, learning disabilities, attention deficits, etc.), depending on when in development the exposure takes place and its duration (Koger, Schettler, & Weiss, 2005). Read More at http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2011/111122/Protecting-Children-From-Toxicants/

In advance of Hurricane Sandy, tens of thousands of parents thought of their child's physical safety.  No one was warned by FEMA nor any government agency that a greater threat to child safety would come from exposure to contaminated flood waters, soil, air, and debris.  Injury to First Responders, disaster and clean up workers will tell of the permanent damage to their adult bodies.  No one will research the damage disaster area contamination has on a child's body.  No one will require that hazardous chemical companies protect the community from contamination in the event of a disaster.  No one will warn parents that children should not be in potential or actual disaster areas, nor will any government agency warn parents to remove children from disaster area due to increased risk and vulnerability.

During Hurricane Katrina some of the most toxic, deadly, and known cancer-causing substances and environmental substances contaminated the Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama coastline and inland areas,  These contaminates included asbestos, dioxin (from the Dow Chemical plant), banned pesticides from home garages and warehouses, industrial toxic waste and products, isocyanate, toluene, and benzyl, mold spores that were inhaled by children, petrol products, pesticides, fertilizers, and many more.  

President Barack Obama stood on the Gulf of Mexico beach and demonstrated that his lack of concern for child safety by issuing a "safe for families" advisory in the wake of the BP disaster.  The sand Obama stood on had been imported, while the rest of the beaches should contamination.  Obama let his family swim in protected bay waters, while proclaiming that the beaches and waters of the Gulf of Mexico were "safe."  Obama did not tell that he was neglected adult safety data, that children were much more vulnerable to hazards chemicals than adults, or that there were no safety standards for children to back up his claim that beaches and water were safe for families.  Obama's only concern was to improve the Gulf Coast economy, to stimulate tourism, at any cost, even the coast to children's health.  But Obama knew, what most do not, that the health effects, including cancer would take decades to present as damage and by then, no one could prove him wrong. 

Increased off label antipsychotic drug use found among children

Non FDA approved increased off label antipsychotic drug use found among children

ScienceDaily (Sep. 10, 2012) — A national study conducted by researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) shows increased use of powerful antipsychotic drugs to treat publicly insured children over the last decade. The study, published September 10 in the journal Health Services Research, found a 62 percent increase in the number of Medicaid-enrolled children ages 3 to 18 taking antipsychotics, reaching a total of 354,000 children by 2007.  Read more:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120910111700.htm#.ULZHfv0dGr8.blogger
 

Affordable Health Care will operate like much like Medicare approved insurance, which lack sufficient and timely oversight and enforcement by Medicare.  Approved insurance companies, like Humana, are allowed to

• commit fraud, 
• change contracted services, 
• threaten users, and 
• drop insured at anytime, 

despite the fact that insurance users cannot change insurance companies during the contract period.

Without oversight by HHS, United States children are at risk from FDA non approved off-label (generic, substitutes) made by HHS approved insurers.  Save a child's life by sharing this important notice.

Wishing for a PVC-free Disney – Center for Health, Environment & Justice

Wishing for a PVC-free Disney – Center for Health, Environment & Justice

Disney Princess and Spider Man lunchboxes were chock full of these harmful chemicals, at levels so high they would be banned if they were toys.  For instance, a Disney Princess Lunchbox (pictured to the right) contained an estimated 29,800 ppm of DEHP. If this product were a children’s toy, this would be over 29 times the limit set by the federal ban!  29 times!

Read more: http://chej.org/2012/10/wishing-for-a-pvc-free-disney/#.UKXRpjv7UD8.blogger

Please share this and join with CHEJ to protect children.  The life and health you save may be your child's or a love one.  

vinyl – Center for Health, Environment & Justice

When our children are sent off to day care – are they breathing in toxic phthalates?

vinyl – Center for Health, Environment & Justice

When considering day care, more than a few related topics could come to mind: children, toys, play, and a safe environment are probably some to just name a few. However, although children at day care may be under the supervision of responsible adults and having a great time with their playmates, they may be at risk for a danger most parents would have no idea about — toxic chemicals in the day care environment. A new study  . . . Read more: http://chej.org/2012/10/when-our-children-are-sent-off-to-day-care-%e2%80%93-are-they-breathing-in-toxic-phthalates/

Tags: Children daycare preschool safety epa cdc pehsu phylates plastics supervision

Europe Worries about Health Hazards of Cheap Food from China

Know where your peanut products come from?  Children fall victim to bad food because too few parents ask that question. Why? Should parents be concerned? 

Peanut/Salmonella and Fungal Meningitis outbreak worry USA, while:  
Europe Worries about Health Hazards of Cheap Food from China

Many Germans only realized how much of the food on their plates is harvested and produced in China when thousands of schoolchildren in eastern Germany were afflicted with diarrhea and vomiting two weeks ago in an epidemic thought to have been triggered by Chinese strawberries contaminated with norovirus.

Read more: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/europe-worries-about-health-hazards-of-cheap-food-from-china-a-861406.html

Children are more likely to be poisoned and injured more severely by bad food, food additives, and food products because of their size and that they eat more per pound than adults.  For infants and young children the cost of bad food may result in permanent injuries and death.  As the above article illustrates, imported food can be tainted with laced with dangerous levels of pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, and foreign and toxic chemicals. 

How can parents tell if food or food served by eateries are safe for their children?  Should they be informed if the food came from countries, like China, known to export tainted food?   Zhou notes in the article above

that farmers used to eat the same foods they sold. But now that they are aware of the harmful effects of pesticides, fertilizers, hormones and antibiotics, they still produce a portion of their farm products for the market and a portion for their own families.

Some thoughts for discussion:

• The cost of food is ever escalating.  Parents are increasingly turning to cheaper food or eating in cheaper eateries to feed their family.  But is the cost savings worth the price of injury or killing our children? 
• Consumers, including parents, and restaurant owners do not know where the food was grown or farmed.  When questioned, they may look on the label, but sometimes after having served the food to children.  What is the best way for consumers to know the origin of food, food additives, and food sources?
• Should restaurant owners that cater to children be held to stricter government regulations?  
• Do regulations insure safer food if taxpayers do not insist and persist that their government provide funding for oversight and  enforcement?

Peanut butter recall expands to 76 products on salmonella fears - latimes.com

Peanut butter recall expands to 76 products on salmonella fears - latimes.com:

The peanut butter recall that started this past weekend with a salmonella-linked product sold at Trader Joe’s has now been expanded to dozens of peanut, cashew and almond butters, according to producer Sunland Inc.

The New Mexico-based company manufactured and packaged the Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter that regulators have since connected to 29 salmonella illnesses in 18 states, including California. Read more at: http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-peanut-butter-recall-salmonella-20120925,0,5686659.story

Also:  Red Vines black licorice recalled due to high levels of lead

4 million Bumbo baby seats recalled after infant skull fractures

600,000 Mr. Coffee brewers recalled after 61 suffer burns
Follow Tiffany Hsu on Twitter and Google+

 Children's EPA asks: Did you know about this?  Could the CDC use a better system, or more funding to inform consumers, especially for items used or eaten by children?

The Café Near You Might Be Using 'Green' Plastic. Is That an Oxymoron? | OnEarth Magazine

The Café Near You Might Be Using 'Green' Plastic. Is That an Oxymoron? | OnEarth Magazine:

  But plastic made from crops introduces a new set of environmental problems. Food service suppliers don’t make their own plastic -- they buy it, wholesale, from a company called Natureworks. Natureworks is owned by multinational agribusiness giant Cargill; its plant-based plastic, branded Ingeo, is the only game in town for eco-plastic goods. That means the corn inside each “eco-friendly” plastic cup was grown with stiff pesticides and gas-guzzling combines. Still, according to Natureworks, “Ingeo results in 60% less greenhouse gases than the oil-based … plastic it replaces.”

Read more at: http://www.onearth.org/blog/green-plastic-sustainable-disposable

HUH? Children's EPA Dir. Nancy Swan asks,

• "Which do product is more likely to harm your child's health? Pesticides and industrial waste? Or greenhouses gases?"
• Are we making healthier choices for our children or are they being made for us as a sales promotion? 
• What choices would you like to see offered in school cafeterias and child eateries?

Your chance to weigh in -

Toxic leak in South Korea sickens thousands, ruins crops - CNN.com

Toxic leak in South Korea sickens thousands, ruins crops - CNN.com:

Thousands of people in the area have been affected by the blast at the chemical factory on September 27, which killed 5 people and injured 18 others at the time.

The exact cause of the explosion, which involved 8 tons of hydrofluoric acid, is still being investigated, according to authorities. But the blast spread toxic vapor from the acid -- which is used for tasks like metal cleaning and rust removal -- across the surrounding area. Read more about this story:  http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/09/world/asia/south-korea-toxic-leak/index.html?iref=obinsite

• Can a similar explosion and injuries happen in the U. S.?  Yes.  
• Do US courts and politicians aid in covering up harmful environmental and chemical exposures and injuries? Yes.  
• Are Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney exposing need for reporting environmental and chemical exposure and injuries in the U. S., especially involving injuries to children? No. 

Read more about this story:  http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/09/world/asia/south-korea-toxic-leak/index.html?iref=obinsite

Woman Loses Stomach After Drinking Liquid Nitrogen Cocktail | NewsFeed | TIME.com

 

Teen Loses Stomach After Drinking Liquid Nitrogen Cocktail | NewsFeed | TIME.com

Dry Ice (Liquid Nitrogen) has many uses in medicine and food preparation because of its ability to instantly freeze objects at lower temperatures. 

Dry Ice is also used at Halloween because it gives off a spooky, smoking, appearance.  Would a child consume liquid nitrogen through inhaling or ingestion?  Quite possibly.  A child can also get hurt by touching dry ice.  The EPA and CDC have warned that children can be harmed by chemicals more quickly than adults because their organs are still growing and they consume for air per pound.

Perhaps the EPA and CDC need to warn the US public about dangers of using dry ice in Halloween decorations and where children can be harmed.

 The UK Food Standards Agency released a statement warning consumers to exercise caution when consuming cocktails made with liquid nitrogen because of the human body’s inability to deal with the chemical’s cold temperature.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/10/09/woman-loses-stomach-after-drinking-liquid-nitrogen-cocktail/#ixzz28vk3UbSy

Why Liquid Nitrogen Is Dangerous | Healthland | TIME.com

Why Liquid Nitrogen Is Dangerous | Healthland | TIME.com
Halloween decorations often include a spooky, "smoking" cauldren containing dry ice made of liquid nitrogen. 
 But do people drink it as well?  How dangerous is liquid nitrogen, especially around children?  Children can be harmed at lower levels and duration of exposure to dangerous products and chemicals.  Would a child be tempted to drink it?  Possibly.

Recently, an 18-year-old British teen named Gaby Scanlon made news when she underwent an emergency gastrectomy — the surgical removal of part of the stomach — after drinking a Jagermeister cocktail made with liquid nitrogen at a bar in northern England.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/10/why-liquid-nitrogen-is-dangerous/#ixzz28vh1vhGJ

Four Conditions Responsible for Most Pregnancy-Related Infections | Healthland | TIME.com

Four Conditions Responsible for Most Pregnancy-Related Infections | Healthland | TIME.com: Pregnancy-related infections are one of the leading causes of death among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries — but most of these infections are treatable and preventable, researchers say.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/10/study-four-treatable-conditions-cause-most-pregnancy-related-infections/?xid=newsletter-healthland

Meningitis Outbreak Toll: 137 Cases, 12 Deaths | Healthland | TIME.com

Meningitis Outbreak Toll: 137 Cases, 12 Deaths | Healthland | TIME.com:

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/09/meningitis-outbreak-toll-119-cases-11-deaths/#ixzz28vax77x7

Officials have tied the outbreak of rare fungal meningitis to steroid shots for back pain. The steroid was made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts. At least one contaminated vial was found at the company.

Mom’s Exposure to Mercury Linked to Kids’ ADHD Symptoms | Healthland | TIME.com

Mom’s Exposure to Mercury Linked to Kids’ ADHD Symptoms | Healthland | TIME.com: The health risks of mercury exposure are well documented, and the harms for still-developing fetuses are particularly concerning. Now, the latest study finds that kids who were exposed to more mercury in the womb were more likely to show problems with attention and hyperactivity and other symptoms of ADHD at age 8.

 

                                                                                      Dwight Eschliman / Getty Images

It is not criminal to injure schoolchildren with hazardous chemicals. True or False?

"School is suppose to be a safe place," cried an outraged parent to a national TV reporter.  True or False? Are schoolchildren safe? Does it matter if the children are harmed by bullets or by chemicals?  Does it matter if the criminal is a man or a businessman?

If man walked into a US middle school and threaten a child or teacher with deadly chemicals.  Ordered to stand down, he refused, holding them hostage for three days.  The incident would make international news.  Police and first responders would be called to the school. 

The man would have been arrested and held accountable for violation of law.  Children would have been offered counseling services.  The public would have been outraged while rushing to remove their children. Law makers would have acted quickly to prevent another incident and the US president would have reassured the public and . . .   It is criminal to threaten schoolchildren with bullets, even though no one was injured.  Witnesses who gave false testimony would face criminal charges.



But -

On October 8, 9, 10, roofing contractor Jim English knowingly gassed 1000 children and teachers at Long Beach Middle School in Mississippi with deadly chemicals.  The children and teachers were held hostage by laws requiring their attendance, despite hazardous conditions at the school and reports of dozens of injuries. 


The Long Beach police did not respond, nor investigate.  Office personnel denied emergency treatment of more than a dozen injured children, then ordered the injured back to class.  Assistance principal Richard Whalen demanded that Mr. English stop spraying the chemicals because children had been injured.  Mr. English refused. 

Mr. English was not arrested for endangerment of children by spraying chemicals,  even though more children and teachers were seriously injured.  First responders did not treat the children, nor offer counseling for those suffering trauma. 

The public was not outraged, choosing instead to ridicule the injured.  Jim English was never held accountable. Mississippi law makers did nothing.  The local papers published a misleading article, that quoting Long Beach School Superintendent Bob Ferguson that the chemicals were not toxic.

In the U. S. it is not criminal to injure schoolchildren with chemicals.  Those who gave false testimony to the court in the above true event were never held accountable.  In the twenty five years since the tragedy at Long Beach Middle School, no one has apologized, no lawmaker has ever tried to prevent another tragedy.  No U. S. President has acknowledged that U. S. schools are no safer now than they were in 1985.

Those who harm U. S. schoolchildren with deadly, cancer-causing chemicals are getting away with murder.  True.

Submitted by Nancy Swan, who was seriously and permanently injured from exposure to some of the most deadly chemicals manufactured while teaching at Long Beach Middle School in 1985.  No one was ever held accountable to the injured. Read more Toxic Justice - Nancy Swan

 

eBay Guides - Tibetan Silver - A Buyer s Advisory

eBay Guides - Tibetan Silver - A Buyer s Advisory

If you use Ebay to buy jewelry for yourself, a gift, or may be worn by a child or teen under 18, please read the entire advisory by clicking on the above link.  Highlights from this article are quoted below.

Metallurgical testing of twelve items offered for sale on EBay as Tibetan Silver indicates that these articles frequently contain no silver whatsoever. In addition, test results from the initial tests in 2007 found that high levels of lead and other dangerous metals such as arsenic can be present.

. . . adults exposed to lead can suffer increased blood pressure, fertility problems, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, irritability, and memory loss. Children are even more susceptible to the effects of lead exposure and even very low levels of exposure can result in learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and behavioral problems, stunted growth, hearing impairment and kidney damage. Higher levels of exposure can cause permanent mental trauma, a vegetative or comatose state and even death. Children under the age of six are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead because their brains and central nervous system are still being formed. A recent tragedy in Minnesota highlights this point.
 

Kids exposed to mercury or lead more likely to have ADHD symptoms, Canadian study finds — Environmental Health News

Kids exposed to mercury or lead more likely to have ADHD symptoms, Canadian study finds — Environmental Health News

Kids exposed to mercury or lead more likely to have ADHD symptoms, Canadian study finds — Environmental Health News
Children exposed to higher levels of mercury or lead are three to five times more likely to be identified by teachers as having problems associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder… George/flickr Children in Arctic Quebec are highly exposed to mercury in the womb. By Marla Cone

MomsRising.org | Disney: Get toxic chemicals out of Princess and Spiderman lunch boxes

MomsRising.org | Disney: Get toxic chemicals out of Princess and Spiderman lunch boxes

Disney: Get toxic chemicals out of Princess and Spiderman lunch boxes

Phthalates are toxic chemicals already banned from children's toys because we know they're dangerous to kids. But they aren't yet banned from all products intended for kids: It turns out phthalates can be found in many back-to-school products as well, including lunch boxes and backpacks! This year, an independent study found levels of phthalates in Disney-licensed lunch boxes that would be illegal if these products were toys. In fact, these lunch boxes had levels 20 times higher than the legal toy phthalates limit!  
Kids and cartoons? Classic. Kids and chemicals? Not so much.
Join us and our organizational partners to tell Disney to do the right thing for kids and take toxic chemicals out of their lunch boxes!

Disney products should stand for the same values promoted in their films - the value of integrity, the honor and obligation to overcome difficult obstacles to do the right thing.

All you need do - to do the right thing- is click on the link above, SIGN a petition and SHARE it with others on social media and by email.

Pollution, Poverty, People of Color: Warnings about contaminated fish fail to reach people most at risk — Environmental Health News

Pollution, Poverty, People of Color: Warnings about contaminated fish fail to reach people most at risk — Environmental Health News

People of color eat a lot of locally-caught fish for economic and cultural reasons. And yet they are the least likely to be warned because state efforts fail to reach minority and low-income populations. “We believe that fish consumption is an environmental justice issue that stems from inadequate risk communication,” said researchers from University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment.  Read more http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2012/fish-advisories-and-environmental-justice

Abandoned factory packed with toxic chemicals a few blocks from 3 schools

Abandoned factory packed with toxic chemicals:

Slinger - Dozens of drums and barrels containing thousands of pounds of hazardous and toxic chemicals are stacked inside an abandoned metal plating factory on Oak St. in the heart of the village - surrounded by homes and only a few blocks from three schools.

• Should federal and state environmental agencies be required to notify neighborhood residents, schools, recreation and youth organization about toxic products nearby?  

• Who should initiate legislation to protect residents, especially children from contamination by storage and use of harmful chemicals in their neighborhoods?

Whisky waste offers water purification for 137M people

Whisky waste offers water of life - Features - Scotsman.com:

IT’S a project worth toasting. Scottish scientists have discovered that an innocuous by-product of whisky can to be used to strip pollutants from contaminated water supplies in a process which could save millions of lives in developing countries.

Common synthetic chemical tied to higher heart disease - Chicago Tribune

Common synthetic "non-stick" chemical tied to higher heart disease - Chicago Tribune:

"Unlike a lot of other environment contaminants, these chemicals were considered to be inert," Shankar said.
 Mukherjee, who wrote a commentary on the new study. . . s said people can check labels to make sure household products don't contain PFOA or toxic fluorocarbons in general.
. . .all Americans have some level of PFOA in their blood.

I no longer cook in non-stick pans.  Will this research change your consumption or use of non-stick products?

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/Uprco6 Archives of Internal Medicine, online September 3, 2012.

Featured Articles

Durban toxic water scare - People who swallow large amounts have died

Durban toxic sea water scare -

Durban’s sea water has the highest level of some toxic chemicals in the world according to data released by the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research yesterday. . .

In humans, breathing toxic amounts of the compound can cause blood disorders, dizziness, headaches and changes in the levels of sex hormones and people who have swallowed large amounts have had seizures and others have died.

Click on underlined title to read more

Environmental Health Risks and Pregnancy a pdf booklet

EnviroPreg.pdf (application/pdf Object)

There are many factors in your physical
environment that could harm not only your
health, but also the health of your unborn baby.
The good news is you can take simple steps to
reduce these risks.
This brochure describes the most common
household, outdoor, and workplace hazards and
tells what you can do to make things safer for
you and your developing baby.

NIH Common Fund researchers link genetic variants and gene regulation in many common diseases | Pharmaceutical Processing

NIH Common Fund researchers link genetic variants and gene regulation in many common diseases | Pharmaceutical Processing:

Researchers supported by the NIH Common Fund have discovered that genetic differences linked to a wide variety of diseases, including many adult-onset diseases, influence how genes are turned on, or activated, during fetal development. These findings may help to explain why some environmental exposures in utero or during early childhood are known to increase risk of diseases that produce symptoms years or even decades later. In addition, researchers were able to pinpoint which cell types are affected by different diseases. These results provide new insight into disease mechanisms, and suggest novel targets for therapeutics development and disease prevention strategies.

New Report: Hidden Toxic Chemicals Found in Children’s “Back-to-School” Supplies – Center for Health, Environment & Justice

New Report: Hidden Toxic Chemicals Found in Children’s “Back-to-School” Supplies – Center for Health, Environment & Justice

Our investigation found 75% of children’s “back-to-school” supplies tested in a laboratory had elevated levels of toxic phthalates, including popular Disney, Spiderman, and Dora branded school supplies, such as vinyl lunchboxes, backpacks, 3-ring binders, raincoats, and rainboots. . .  

Air Pollution Associated with Asthma Development Among Young Children

Nancy Swan The article below from Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health addresses one of the many known environmental and chemical causes of childhood asthma.  Unique to this article is prenatal causes of childhood asthma.

Many of you know court records reflect that I developed severe, life-threatening asthma, one of many diseases, as a result of exposure to toxic substances while teaching middle school. I'm a little too old to be a "poster child" for environmental and chemical causes of asthma. My story, Toxic Justice, is proof why parents should not trust school boards and officials with their child's health and safety. Unfortunately I had made that mistake.  Three months earlier The Long Beach School Board (MS) gave their consent to allow application of the spray on foam roof during the school day.  The contractor was school board members' colleague and business partner, Jim English.

My teaching career ended after I was seriously and permanently injured by high concentrations of deadly spray-on-foam roofing chemicals applied during the school day.  The most damaging of the chemicals, isocyanate, killed and injured more than one-half million innocent bystanders in  Bhopal, India, in what remains as the worst industrial tragedy in world history.  Long Beach Schools were not air-conditioned.  Just seven blocks from the Gulf of Mexico, my classroom broiled under the subtropical sun to 90 degree heat.  The only ventilation was 12 large opened windows. The application of these deadly chemicals continued unabated for three days, despite two and one half days of complaints and  injuries reported to then Long Beach School District (Mississippi) Superintendant Dr. Bob Ferguson and Principal Marlon Ladner.

More than two dozen seriously injured school children were ridiculed by school staff and denied medical and emergency treatment.  Due to harassment and out of fear of retaliation, some  parents and teachers left Long School District.  The remaining teachers were threatened with non renewal of their contracts if they assisted the injured or refused to testify against the injured. One teacher was paid to lie under oath against the injured teachers and children, committed perjury (lied), then later admitted she was not at the school during the days of application. Read Toxic Justice sample Chapter One Toxic Justice Chapter 1 - Nancy Swan
 
Submitted by Nancy Swan,  Director of Children's EPA -Children's Environmental Protection Alliance http://www.childrensepa.org

Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health

Air Pollution Associated with Asthma Development Among Young Children 

  --Exposure to pyrene increases odds of non-atopic asthma development--

  

NEW YORK (August 20, 2012) - High exposure to air pollution in the womb and continuing exposure during early childhood increase risk for development of non-atopic asthma, according to a study by researchers at Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (the Center) at the Mailman School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Columbia University's College oPhysicians and Surgeons. Read more at

http://tinyurl.com/8bv8gn8
[Open in new window]

Childhood Obesity Linked With Antibiotic Use In Infants Under 6 Months Old

Childhood Obesity Linked With Antibiotic Use In Infants Under 6 Months Old: New research, by experts at the NYU School of Medicine and the NYU Wagner School of Public Service, suggests that exposing babies to antibiotics may predispose them to being overweight in childhood.

Disabled children 'falling through child protection net', Ofsted warns - Telegraph

Disabled children 'falling through child protection net', Ofsted warns - Telegraph

Too many children around the world are disabled by injuries from toxic or hazardous environments and chemicals.  Governments cannot continue to ignore the social and environmental responsibility of industry and corporate giants.  For too long, governments ignore the cries of help, then use your tax dollars and the courts to hide injuries and agencies to hide bad safety records behind "no manpower,"  "no authorization to investigate," and "no safety standards for children," 

Even worse, public servants influenced by industry funding to under fund prevention programs, under staff, and remove funding to enforce regulations.  Governments and policy makers are reducing funding to regulate, oversee, and enforce existing regulations for environmental and chemical polluters in the U.S.A. and all over the world.  World- wide social programs to help the injured children and adults, use our tax dollars, making us responsible for treating the injured through disability and special programs.  Why should we pay tax dollars for disabled workers and children injuries caused by irresponsible industries? 

Governments ignore the injured, while taking money from polluters. Business and industry conglomerates harass the injured and their physicians by using judges they paid to put on the bench.  Physicians working in industry funded clinics are afraid to diagnose chemical or environmental causes of injury to children.  MD are fearful because insurance companies for polluters are often tied to physician insurance companies.

On the cusp of the 21st century Chemical Age, the balance of power has tipped back to pre-Industrial Age standards, the same standards that disenfranchised voters, causing rebellion and revolutions.  So what can you do? The fact that there are so few banner solutions, an indication of how well the people in power have used that power to silence us.

The internet has given us hope, by allowing us to share news and opportunities to act.  You may not be able to stop the flow of money, perks, and outright bribery and racketeering of public servants and corporate interests, but together we can be the  "elephant  in the room," a cohesive large group with one mission, to hold government officials and businesses accountability and publicly shame them for failure to enforce, and failure to impose environmental and chemical injury prevention policies, know as precautionary principles.

If one lone shoe bomber can change world precautionary standards and invoke severe punishment , think what we can do to industries that harm thousands of children everyday.  Learn more: Join Children's Environmental Protection Alliance http://www.facebook.com/groups/335810466487090/
We are listening:

Read this compelling article.  Then suggest solutions to return public policy loyalty to constituents and to remove special interest funding?

Heavy lead exposure is linked to gout - chicagotribune.com

Another reason to get the lead out of children's toys and jewelry, and a concern for parents are care providers when using older toys which may contain lead. Imported items may contain large amounts of lead, which can also reduce a child's ability to learn.

Heavy lead exposure is linked to gout - chicagotribune.com

Coalition for Healthier Schools 2012 Action Kit for Back to School and Beyond

Children's Environmental Protection Allaince (Children's EPA) has assisted Healthy Schools Network and  participated in Coalition’s  for Healthier Schools for the last five years.  
Press Release  (Albany) N.Y.  The Coalition 2012 Action Kit for Back to School and Beyond for parents,
educators, and activists to use to boost federal and state and local policies. The Action Kit
contains several tools for activists working to protect EPA’s schools-focused programs and children’s
health to improve school environmental health and safety.

BTSAB_Action_Kit_Press_Release.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Johnson and Johnson phasing out toxic chemicals - CBS News Video

Johnson and Johnson phasing out toxic chemicals - CBS News Video

Dr. Landrigan of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine "Why were those chemicals in there in there in the first place and why were they allow to stay [in there] so long?  The legal system that suppose are suppose to protect Americans and consumers from chemicals is broken.  Its been broken for decades."

For video,  click on: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7418324n&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CBSNewsVideo+%28News+Video%3A+CBSNews.com%29
  

Toxic Taps: Lead is still the problem, - Toxic Taps | Investigative Reporting Workshop

Toxic Taps: Lead is still the problem , epecially for the children

Millions of Americans may be drinking water that is contaminated with dangerous doses of lead. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) knows it; state governments know it; local utilities know it. The only people who usually don’t know it are those who are actually drinking the toxic water.

The terrible legacy of Agent Orange - Asia - World - The Independent

The terrible legacy of Agent Orange on the children of Vietnam- Asia - World - The Independent

Tran Thi Hoan, 26, studied medicine only to be told that she couldn't become a doctor because of a war fought 20 years before she was born. The ostensible reason was that she had no legs or left hand, but the main reason, and the cause of so much misery blighting the lives of millions of other Vietnamese, is the 20 million gallons of Agent Orange sprayed in her country by US forces in the Sixties

Read more:  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-terrible-legacy-of-agent-orange-8034869.html

Heart defects on the decline in European babies | Reuters

Heart defects on the decline in European babies | Reuters

A team of European Union researchers analyzing millions of birth records found that the number of European babies born with heart defects fell from around seven in every thousand births in 2004 to around six per thousand by 2007- a drop of around four percent each year. Reuters. 11 August 2012. 

From Environmental Health News  http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/

How Our Buildings Are Making Us Sick - Forbes

How Our Buildings Are Making Us Sick - Forbes

“The buildings we build are manifestations of certain values and beliefs,” Syrett says. “If a school is meant to nurture and support, you don’t want to build it out of toxic materials. If a hospital is about healing and health you don’t want to build it with materials that work against those things.”

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/08/08/how-our-buildings-are-making-us-sick/

http://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder/

Border 2012 Map

 Border 2020 Website »

---

U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program (Border 2012) is a collaboration between the United States and Mexico to improve the environment and protect the health of the nearly 12 million people living along the border. The bi-national program focuses on cleaning the air, providing safe drinking water, reducing the risk of exposure to hazardous waste, and ensuring emergency preparedness along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Border 2012 is a results-oriented program that takes a “bottom-up” approach to addressing the environmental and public health needs of the border region.  Issues and projects are identified and implemented at the local level.  The program encourages stakeholder involvement through a variety of opportunities (see Getting Involved).

EWG's Cleaners Database Hall of Shame

EWG's Cleaners Database Hall of Shame

More than 2000 products and 200 brands reviewed

Many of these products contain unlisted fragrance chemicals that combine with other chemicals and sanitizers to product toxic products. 

Tribune watchdog: Playing with fire -- Chicago Tribune

Tribune watchdog: Playing with fire -- Chicago Tribune

The average American baby is born with 10 fingers, 10 toes and the highest recorded levels of flame retardants among infants in the world. The toxic chemicals are present in nearly every home, packed into couches, chairs and many other products. Two powerful industries — Big Tobacco and chemical manufacturers — waged deceptive campaigns that led to the proliferation of these chemicals, which don’t even work as promised.

Watch the introduction

More children in Dutchess have high levels of lead | The Poughkeepsie Journal | poughkeepsiejournal.com

More children in Dutchess have high levels of lead | The Poughkeepsie Journal | poughkeepsiejournal.com

The number of cases of Dutchess County children testing positive for elevated lead levels in their blood has risen in recent years, putting kids at risk for learning and behavioral problems, according to state data.

Common chemicals detected in amniotic fluid from 1980s and 1990s. — Environmental Health News

Common chemicals detected in amniotic fluid from 1980s and 1990s. — Environmental Health News

    In this study, researchers analyzed stored samples of amniotic fluid from 300 women in Denmark who were pregnant with sons between 1980 and 1996. They measured indicators for seven phthalates and the perflourinated chemical PFOS. The amniocenteses were performed from the 10th to the 30th week of pregnancy.

One DEHP marker, one DiNP marker and PFOS were detected in 96 to 99 percent of the amniotic fluid samples.

       The phthalates DEHP and DiNP are added to polyvinyl plastic to make it flexible. These chemicals are used in products such as soft plastic toys, medical tubing, wall coverings, floor tiles, shower curtains and food packaging. People are exposed primarily through eating, touching or breathing them in from the air. Once phthalates enter the body, they quickly metabolize and are excreted in urine in less than a day.

      Animal studies show DEHP is linked to liver cancer and may have reproductive effects. A recent study linked prenatal exposure to poorer reflexes in newborn boys. Because of concerns for children's health, the United States and Europe have banned DEHP and other phthalates from children's toys and products and DiNP from children's toys small enough to chew.

     PFOS is used to manufacture stain-repellent coatings for carpets, textiles and paper. People are exposed through eating food contaminated by the packaging and breathing household dust. PFOS can circulate in blood for several years. PFOS may affect thyroid function and the important suite of thyroid hormones that direct development, metabolism and reproduction. 

Read More: http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2012/06/2012-0718-phthalates-30-year-old-amniotic-fluid/

Kids’ asthma could be curbed via dog exposure | Health, Medical, and Science Updates

Kids’ asthma could be curbed via dog exposure | Health, Medical, and Science Updates

Pet ownership, in particular dogs, has previously been associated with protection against childhood asthma development.

More recently, we have demonstrated that the microbiome in house dust from homes who possess a cat or dog permitted both in- and out-doors is compositionally distinct from house dust from homes with no pets present.

Experts plan to track radiation doses from medical checks - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun

Experts plan to track radiation doses from medical checks - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun

Concerned about an increase in radiation exposure at hospitals, a group of researchers plans to set up a system to track patients’ cumulative radiation doses and protect children from potential harm.

In Japan, but not in USA?

On Oiled Beaches, A Double Threat of Skin Cancer | Mother Jones

On Oiled Beaches, A Double Threat of Skin Cancer | Mother Jones

Over the course of just a few hours on a sunny beach, crude oil can interact with UV rays on your body to cause a cancer risk similar to that of a strong sunburn. 

Proclamation "May 2012 is Asthma Awareness Month in the City of Mobile," signed by Mobile, Alabama Mayor Samuel L. Jones.

Proclamation

WHEREAS, Asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting almost 25 million people; and 

WHEREAS, Asthma is one of the leading causes of childhood hospitalizations, long-term illness, and school absenteeism, accounting for nearly 10.5 million missed school days each year; and 

WHEREAS, Each year nearly 2 million people are rushed to the emergency room from asthma; and

WHEREAS, Asthma is a long-term, inflammatory disease in which the airways of the lungs constrict, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing; and

WHEREAS, Exposure to allergens and irritants such as dust mites, mold, cockroaches, pet danger, and secondhand smoke can bring on an asthma episode; and 

WHEREAS, Secondhand smoke worsens children's asthma in up to one million children; and

WHEREAS, There are simple steps people can take to reduce their exposure to environmental asthma triggers; and

WHEREAS, The City of Mobile and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are encouraging Americans to identify and reduce their exposures to environmental triggers in homes and schools, and incorporate environmental controls into their asthma management plans; now therefore let it be

RESOLVED, That I, Samuel L. Jones, Mayor of the City of Mobile, along with the Mobile City Council, do hereby proclaim May 2012 as

ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH

in the City of Mobile.

Done at the City of Mobile Alabama This 22nd day of May 2012,

Samuel L. Jones, Mayor

For more information about

• Children's EPA, sponsor of the above proclamation, visit http://www.childrensepa.org,
• Asthma Community Network, sponsor of May is Asthma Awareness Month, visit http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/
• Toxic Justice: A teacher's true story of her toxic injury and epic battle for justice, visit http://www.toxicjustice.com and the book Toxic Justice visit Toxic Justice - Nancy Swan
• Toxic Justice: Chapter One, visit  Toxic Justice Chapter 1 - Nancy Swan

Please join Children's EPA by clicking the "Join" button in the top right corner of this page. Children's EPA is an international educational organization that provides the public, educational and public officials with news, research, events, and opportunities to support legislation or actions to prevent injury to children from environmental and chemical hazards, and opportunities to comment and participate. 

Requests to become a Children's EPA state chairperson or country representative through  cepaorg@gmail.com.

Thank you for visiting the blog for Children's EPA,
Nancy Swan,
Director, Children's Environmental Protection Alliance ( Children's EPA)
Author, Toxic Justice, soon to be published
 

Diseases: Cryptococcus | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People

Diseases: Cryptococcus | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People

What is Cryptococcus infection (cryptococcosis)?
Cryptococcosis (Krip-toe-coc-o-sis) is a fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii. Most people do not get sick with cryptococcosis, but some people are more likely than others to get this disease. For these people, cryptococcosis can cause serious symptoms of lung, brain and spinal cord disease, such as headaches, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and night sweats.

Can animals transmit cryptococcosis to me?

Not directly. Cryptococcus neoformans is found in the droppings of wild birds (such as pigeons). When dried bird droppings are stirred up, this can make dust containing Cryptococcus neoformans go into the air. People can stir up this dust and then breathe it in . . .

Read more- http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/crptococcus.htm

Is Your Water Bottle Giving You Cancer? | Healthy Child Healthy World

Is Your Water Bottle Giving You Cancer? | Healthy Child Healthy World

The chemical easily leaches out of plastic, and is either consumed by humans, or it can be absorbed through the skin. Estimates show that in the U.S., humans consume about 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight everyday. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that, at any given time, 93% of Americans have measurable amounts of BPA in their systems.

Read more: http://www.healthychild.org/blog/comments/060512_is_your_water_bottle_giving_you_cancer/#ixzz1xNOdEXBr

ScienceDirect.com - Environmental Research - Organophosphate pesticide levels in blood and urine of women and newborns living in an agricultural community

ScienceDirect.com - Environmental Research - Organophosphate pesticide levels in blood and urine of women and newborns living in an agricultural community

CT Scans in Childhood Can Triple the Risk of Cancer | Healthland | TIME.com

CT Scans in Childhood Can Triple the Risk of Cancer | Healthland | TIME.com
 

Children who underwent multiple CT scans had three times the risk of brain cancer and leukemia later on. Overall, however, researchers say the risk of cancer is still small, while getting a necessary scan can potentially save a child's life.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/07/ct-scans-in-childhood-can-triple-the-risk-of-cancer/?xid=newsletter-healthland#ixzz1x817chNL

Do you think parents should be advised of this risk?

Chagas Disease | 4 Diseases Scarier than Flesh-Eating Necrotizing Fasciitis | Healthland | TIME.com

Chagas Disease | 4 Diseases Scarier than Flesh-Eating Necrotizing Fasciitis | Healthland | TIME.com

In case necrotizing fasciitis — the flesh-eating disease recently making headlines — hasn't got you freaked out enough, here are four other scary diseases you might not know about.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/05/4-diseases-scarier-than-flesh-eating-necrotizing-fasciitis/?xid=newsletter-healthland#chagas-disease#ixzz1x808Kl6C