Thursday, July 19, 2012

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/



Monday, July 9, 2012

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. 

Thursday, June 28, 2012

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