These bulletins are now archived and searchable on our website: http://www.iceh.org/LDDIbulletins.html If you would like to join the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) and the LDDI Working 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 Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative Working Group at the bottom of the application.
1) LDDI Scientific Consensus Statement. LDDI has created a scientific consensus statement on environmental agents associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Reviewing a vast amount of literature regarding the status of knowledge about neurotoxicants, this statement will be used to create specific policy recommendations in the coming weeks. The document and a signature form for scientists, researchers and health professionals are posted on the LDDI website: http://www.iceh.org/LDDI.html
2) Medical Approaches in Autism: Clinical Implications of Environmental Toxicology for Children's Neurodevelopment in Autism. To be held Friday February 8, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the UCSF Laurel Heights Conference Center, 3333 California Street, San Francisco, California. This symposium will be a source of current information for physicians, clinicians and other healthcare professionals who work with children with or at risk for neurodevelopment disorders. Educated parents and members of the general public who have an interest in learning more about the latest information on environmental implications in the diagnosis and treatment of autism will also benefit from scientific and clinical information provided at the symposium. Speakers include Martha Herbert, MD, PhD; Mark Noble, PhD; Judy Van de Water, PhD; Issac Pessah, PhD; Robert Hendren, DO; Derrick MacFabe, MD; Kenneth Bock, MD; and Bryan Jepson, MD. Sponsors are New Paradigms in Autism Research and Treatment, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Commonweal, San Francisco Medical Society and UC Davis MIND Institute. The price is $50, with a limited number of scholarships available. For more information, contact NPART Symposium Coordinator, aut_sym@mac.com or see https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1002917
Thursday November 29, 2007
9:00 a.m. Alaska Time
Sponsor: Alaska Collaborative on Health and Environment
Toxic chemicals from everyday products contaminate the bodies of every person in this country. Shower curtains, water bottles, baby bottles, toys, shampoo, cosmetics, couch cushions, computers and hundreds of other common products that ordinary people use every day contain toxic chemical ingredients that leach out of the products and into our bodies. Thirty-five Americans from seven states, including five Alaskans, participated in a national biomonitoring project to test their blood and urine for toxic chemicals. This is the broadest nongovernmental project of its kind to measure toxic chemicals in the bodies of average Americans. Each participant was tested for contamination by twenty toxic chemicals from three chemical families: phthalates, bisphenol A and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The project found toxic chemicals in every person tested. Join our call to learn more about this national biomonitoring project and the five Alaskans who were tested. What are the implications of the presence of these chemicals in our bodies? What does the latest scientific research demonstrate about the health effects of these chemicals in humans and other animals? Are there safe alternatives to the products that contain these harmful chemicals? The speakers -- Sharyle Patton, Ted Schettler and Diane Benson -- will also discuss the failures of current chemicals policy and offer preventive and protective solutions.
Price: free
Contact: Alaska Community Action on Toxics, info@akaction.net
Thursday and Friday, December 6 - 7, 2007
Overland Park, Kansas
at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Overland Park-West, 8787 Reeder Road
Sponsor: Autism Asperger Publishing Company
Participants will learn how to address national and state guidelines focusing on Response To Intervention (RTI) and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). Featured Speakers are Ruth Aspy, PhD, and Barry G. Grossman, PhD. AAPC recommends registering multidisciplinary teams of 4-6 people (e.g., sped director, sped teacher, school psychologist, counselor, SLP, OT, paraprofessional).
Price: $375 for the first member of each team and $275 for each additional member
Website: http://www.asperger.net/conferences_Aspy_Grossman_2007.htm
Contact: 913-897-1004 or aapc@asperger.net
Thursday and Friday, December 13 - 14, 2007
London, England
at the Congress Centre, 28 Great Russell Street
Sponsor: British Psychological Society
Keynote speakers include 1) Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre, professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge and Fellow at Trinity College Cambridge, speaking on "Is autism an extreme of the male brain?" and 2) Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE, director of the Royal Institution and professor of pharmacology at the University of Oxford, speaking on "The psychology of the 21st century mind: is technology changing the way we feel, think and behave?" Submissions for the conference are open.
Price: £220 for DCP members and £300 for others
Website: http://www.dcpconference.co.uk/dcp-conference_home.cfm
Online Calendar. Upcoming events extending more than one month in the future are listed in a searchable calendar: http://www.iceh.org/cgi-bin/searchevents.cgi
Most of the articles below come from Environmental Health News, http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/
Achievement in Environmental Justice Award nominations sought. The US Environmental Protection Agency welcomes nominations for the Achievement in Environmental Justice Awards. Nominations must be postmarked by January 11, 2008. Organizations should be nominated for their achievement in addressing environmental justice issues or achieving the goals of environmental justice in a manner that results in positive impacts to a community.
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/ej/ej-achieve-flyer.pdf
submitted to this bulletin by Marnie Boardman
Film -- The Story of Stuff. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns, exposing the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calling us together to create a more sustainable and just world. The film, which will stream from the website and be available for free download, will be launched December 4th.
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
Mold: A silent, dangerous threat to homes and health. There are hundreds of thousands of dwellings in the Tampa Bay area. And each and every one of them is a potential target of mold infestation. Tampa Bay WTSP TV, Florida, 20 November 2007.
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=67815
Mercury a concern at Duke Energy plant. State regulators, responding to public opposition, say they will re-evaluate how much toxic mercury a proposed Duke Energy power plant expansion may emit. Raleigh News & Observer, North Carolina, 20 November 2007.
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/781242.html
EPA cleans up another 1,000 Omaha yards. For the third straight year, the Environmental Protection Agency has worked at a record pace to clean up lead-contaminated yards in Omaha. Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska, 20 November 2007.
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10189139
Safety review of bisphenol A to take six months, Ottawa says. Health Canada says it is starting a risk assessment into the safety of bisphenol A, a controversial chemical that mimics the hormone estrogen and is used in hundreds of common plastic items ranging from baby bottles to tin cans. Toronto Globe and Mail, Ontario, 20 November 2007.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071120.wtoxic20/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home
California sues 20 companies for toys with unlawful amounts of lead. California Attorney General Jerry Brown has sued 20 companies, including Mattel Inc. and Toys R Us, accusing them of selling toys that contain unlawful amounts of lead and failing to warn the public of the health dangers. San Francisco Chronicle, California, 20 November 2007.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/11/20/MNRITFISE.DTL
Cutting American idle helps clear the air. Girl Scouts could end up contributing significantly to improving air quality outside schools throughout the metro area. Kansas City Star, Missouri, 19 November 2007.
http://www.kansascity.com/281/story/366892.html
Guarding nail shop workers against toxins. The Boston Public Health Commission is expanding its Safe Shops initiative to the hundreds of nail salons that dot the city, businesses overwhelmingly staffed by women from Southeast Asia, where the tart perfume of nail polish and other chemical-laden beauty products hangs heavy in the air. Boston Globe, Massachusetts, 19 November 2007.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/19/at_city_nail_shops_guarding_workers_against_a_toxic_mix/
Durbin wants better toy inspections. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Saturday pushed for beefed-up federal inspections of imported toys and pre-emptive lab testing overseas. Gatehouse News Service, 19 November 2007.
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/111907/REG_BEVIIELN.046.php
Expert links autism to mothers drinking. Moderate drinking during pregnancy could be the hidden cause of thousands of serious childhood disorders including autism, Scotland's leading authority on alcohol and health warned last night. Edinburgh Scotsman, Scotland, 18 November 2007.
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=1819462007
Paint it green: Colors without toxins. Howard, 22, tallied up some of the human ailments attributed to VOCs that are generated by products from gasoline to paint — asthma, cancers, lung and kidney problems, memory failures. Kalispell Daily Inter Lake, Montana, 18 November 2007.
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2007/11/18/business/bus01.txt
Smoking policy simmers. California smokers are used to going outside of buildings to enjoy their controversial habit. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, California, 18 November 2007.
http://www2.dailybulletin.com/ci_7494888
Target to remove certain plastics from its stores. Target joins Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, Apple and others in eliminating or reducing their PVC products and packaging. Aurora Beacon News, Illinois, 18 November 2007.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/655455,2_1_AU18_TARGET_S1.article
Kmart 'lead free' jewelry contains some, is removed from stores. Kmart Corp. said it will remove all costume jewelry labeled as "lead free" and sold throughout the U.S. after some of the pieces were found to contain concentrations of the metal. Bloomberg News, 18 November 2007.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a3p.6NXAZiNE&refer=us
Group fights to ban synthetic turf. Synthetic turf fields typically have more than 100 tons of ground-up rubber tire crumbs, which have been poured between ribbons of green plastic meant to simulate grass. The crumbs, several inches deep, provide a cushion when athletes fall. Bridgeport Connecticut Post, Connecticut, 18 November 2007.
http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_7494411
Brown communities go green with eco-job effort. Mixing brown and green makes a cleaner city and better living for low-income communities, according to the folks who gathered Wednesday for a "Green Cities, Brown Folks" mini-summit. San Francisco Bay Area Living, California, 16 November 2007.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_7480185
Hearing focuses on health, safety of nail salon workers. Nail salon workers use products containing toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene and phthalates -- chemicals linked to host of illnesses, including cancer, or respiratory or reproductive problems. Oakland Tribune, California, 16 November 2007.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_7480176
Lead hazards not only in toys. Those on the lookout for lead hazards may be surprised at everyday items in the home that can pose health risks. Raleigh NBC17 TV, North Carolina, 16 November 2007.
http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-11-15-0020.html
New rules for boats polluting near ports. State air regulators voted Thursday to reduce diesel pollution at California's ports by ordering ferries, party boats and tugboats to replace their old engines. Associated Press, 16 November 2007.
http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_7476945
Controversy brewing over artificial turf fields. A controversy is brewing throughout the state, and even in Europe, over the use of artificial turf fields. The concerns have to do with the fact that they are constructed using up to ten tons of ground-up used tires as in-fill, which contain toxic substances. Port Washington News, New York, 16 November 2007.
http://www.antonnews.com/portwashingtonnews/2007/11/16/news/
Ottawa investigates chemical [bisphenol-A] found in baby bottles. The assessment is part of a new toxics program announced a year ago by Stephen Harper's government. CBC Canada, Canada, 16 November 2007.
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/11/15/bisphenol-risk.html
Dole must pay $2.5 million to banana workers. A Los Angeles jury ordered Dole Food Co. to pay five Nicaraguan banana plantation workers $2.5 million as punishment for concealing the dangers of a pesticide that rendered them unable to have children. Los Angeles Times, California, 16 November 2007.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dole16nov16,1,7060573.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=4&cset=true
Vinyl plastic backpacks, ponchos may have lead. We've been hearing a lot about lead in paint. Now a new problem has been discovered with vinyl used in children's products. San Francisco KPIX TV, California, 16 November 2007.
http://cbs5.com/health/lead.vinyl.products.2.567170.html
Binge boozing's 'minimal' baby harm. New research claiming binge drinking during pregnancy causes "minimal" risk to the unborn child has caused a furore in medical circles. Melbourne Age, Australia, 14 November 2007.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/binge-boozings-minimal-baby-harm/2007/11/14/1194766733789.html
Breathing a little freer indoors. When air quality officials declared pollution from wildfires last month to be hazardous, they advised Southern Californians to stay indoors. Unfortunately, the air inside may not have been much better. Los Angeles Times, California, 15 November 2007.
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-air15nov15,1,7276811.story?ctrack=5&cset=true
Health study urged on biosolids. A leading toxicologist has called for an urgent study on the potential health hazards posed by biosolid that is being spread on farming fields in Northumberland County. Brighton Independent, Ontario, 15 November 2007.
http://www.eastnorthumberland.com/article.php?id=1748
B.C. NDP MLA takes aim at toxins. Proposed legislation requiring labeling of carcinogenic and genetically engineered foods, a ban on the application of harmful pesticides on residential lawns and around schools, and a 50-per-cent reduction in toxins released by industry will be introduced by the New Democratic Party next week in the B.C. legislature. Edmonton Journal, Canada, 15 November 2007.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=a1b3c74f-5b69-4d72-aab6-6e28f9206dd8&k=36591
Unknown health impact of nanotech worries some. Nanotechnology has been hailed as the science of the future, with micro-particles already powering innovations that remove lines from faces, strengthen beer bottles and clean clothing without water Reuters, 14 November 2007.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1446900
How to shop for safe toys this season. This holiday season, after various large-scale recalls, parents may understandably be jittery about buying toys. But a little research and a large dose of common sense can help shoppers make wise decisions, experts say. Associated Press, 13 November 2007.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/BIZ/711130373
Environmental racism is a killer. Many people in minority and poorer communities do not realize the extent to which they are negatively and disproportionately affected by environmental issues. New Orleans Louisiana Weekly, Louisiana, 13 November 2007.
http://www.louisianaweekly.com/weekly/news/articlegate.pl?20071112k
Houseplants can help remove indoor toxins. B.C. Wolverton, a retired NASA scientist who has done extensive research on indoor air quality, found that growing plants indoors is the most efficient and cost-effective way to remove common indoor pollutants. Everett Daily Herald, Washington, 13 November 2007.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071113/LIVING/711130019
Autism: myths, mysteries and realities. Experts like Dr. Kenneth Bock, who's written a book on autism, said it's an epidemic and the cause is related to environmental factors. Syracuse News10 Now, New York, 13 November 2007.
http://news10now.com/content/health/healthy_living/?ArID=126272
It's enough to take your breath away. Globalization's delivery of goods to consumers depends on intricate choreography of container ships, trucks, trains and other heavy equipment. The scale is breathtaking. But so are the side effects. MarketPlace, 13 November 2007.
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/09/consumed1_pm_4/
Most flu shots contain mercury, but few know it. A record 130 million Americans are expected to get a flu shot this season in hopes of ducking the nasty virus, but as the needle pierces the skin more than 80% will also get what some say is a hefty and dangerous dose of mercury. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 12 November 2007.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=685311
Some nail salons go green with non-toxic products. As nail workers nationwide experience ailments they assert are caused by the tools of their trade, concerned community groups and health advocates are trying to strengthen regulations on nail-care products and help promote "greener" nail shops. Lakeland Ledger, Florida, 12 November 2007.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20071112/NEWS/711120360/1326
Ritalin of no long-term benefit, study finds. Research released today raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. London Guardian, England, 12 November 2007.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2007/nov/12/uknews.health
Salvation Army helps to obtain water filters. The Salvation Army says it will help low-income families access filters if they have too much lead in their tap water. London Free Press, Ontario. 12 November 2007.
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2007/11/12/4649346-sun.html
Mothers-to-be 'should stop drinking altogether.' Women who are pregnant or trying for a baby should give up all alcohol, the British Public Health Minister suggested yesterday. Daily Mail, United Kingdom, 12 November 2007.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=492568&in_page_id=1774
L.A. Unified seeks to clear the air. The Los Angeles Board of Education is beginning to explore policies that would preclude schools from being built close to freeways and reduce air pollution at the dozens of campuses that already are located near major roadways. Los Angeles Times, California, 12 November 2007.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-schools12nov12,1,3927635.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
Pollution in People report. Oregonians are polluted with many hazardous industrial chemicals according to a new study conducted by the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) and the Oregon Collaborative for Health and the Environment (CHE-OR). 11 November 2007.
http://www.oeconline.org/pollutioninpeople/report/index_html
Albemarle schools moving to reduce pesticide use. The Albemarle school division is transitioning to an integrated pest management system that will reduce the use of pesticides in county schools. Charlottesville Daily Progress, Virginia, 11 November 2007.
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArticle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353457658&path=!news
TCEQ grants will reduce school bus unhealthy emissions. Aware of the effects that the emissions from idling school buses have on the general public, and particularly students, the legislature last session mandated the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality take steps to alleviate the problem, providing $7.5 million to accomplish the mission. Lufkin Daily News, Texas, 11 November 2007.
http://www.lufkindailynews.com/hp/content/features/stories/2007/11/11/1111_TCEQ_bus_program.html
EU investigates chemical that may harm boys. European Union officials have launched an investigation into the use of a chemical [DEHP] in a wide range of medical devices amid fears it could cause harmful health effects in baby boys. Glasgow Sunday Herald, Scotland, 11 November 2007.
http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1824199.0.eu_investigates_chemical_that_may_harm_boys.php
Mercury, lead tests for babies explored. Utah health officials are exploring whether they can test babies for mercury and lead, which at high levels can lead to mental retardation. Salt Lake Tribune, Utah, 11 November 2007.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7434248
A close-up on cosmetics: experts divided on the safety of parabens. Have a look at the ingredients list of your favorite shampoo or skin lotion, and chances are you'll see ethylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben or all of the above. In numerous in-vitro studies they have demonstrated activity similar to estrogen, which may threaten the health of people and aquatic ecosystems. Washington Post, 10 November 2007.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/08/AR2007110801152.html
Living for two. What women eat, touch and breathe during pregnancy now appears to be more important to their babies' health than anyone ever imagined. Los Angeles Times, California, 10 November 2007.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-fetal12nov12,1,3444811.story?ctrack=3&cset=true
Taking lead safety into its own hands. When a California public-interest group decided that regulators in Washington were ignoring hazardous lead in children's lunchboxes, it pursued the case on its own and forced several manufacturers to get the lead out of their products. Washington Post, 10 November 2007.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/09/AR2007110902348.html
First OECD testing guideline adopted for endocrine disruptors. After a decade of work, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has announced the adoption of the first testing guideline in a planned series to assess the endocrine-disrupting properties of chemicals. Chemical Watch, 9 November 2007 (subscription required).
http://chemicalwatch.com/264
New report says most of us have ingested toxins. Toxic toys have had the headlines lately, but the fact is, we're exposed to chemicals in hundreds of things we use in our homes, school and workplaces. Chicago CBS 2 TV, Illinois, 9 November 2007.
http://cbs2chicago.com/health/toxic.chemicals.ingested.2.563970.html
Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver ports seek to reduce air pollution. The ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C. released an updated draft of their plan to cut maritime industry air pollution by 2015 on Thursday, including for the first time specific emissions reduction goals for trucks and trains. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington, 9 November 2007.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/338946_portgreen09.html
Chinese-made toy beads recalled after children fall ill. A scare over a popular toy made in China that was found to contain a chemical similar to the recreational drug liquid ecstasy has spread around the world, with millions of the toys being recalled in Australia and North America. London Guardian, England, 9 November 2007.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2208085,00.html
Lawmakers criticize FEMA's handling of hazards posed by trailers. Nearly four months after the Federal Emergency Management Agency promised to study the risk of formaldehyde in trailers provided to Hurricane Katrina survivors, none of 52,000 occupied units have been tested. Washington Post, 9 November 2007.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/08/AR2007110802196.html?hpid=moreheadlines
U.S. baseline for bisphenol A. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey of more than 2500 U.S. residents shows that nearly everyone in the country carries bisphenol A (BPA) in their bodies and that children carry the highest burden. Environmental Science & Technology, 8 November 2007.
http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2007/nov/science/nl_bpa.html
Higher levels of pollutants found in fish caught near a coal-fired power plant. Emissions from coal-fired power plants may be an important source of water pollution and fish contamination, say researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Science Daily, 8 November 2007.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071107083907.htm