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.