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Case of the toxic gingerbread man

2009-11-22T09:34:00.000-10:00

Case of the toxic gingerbread man

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/49897/title/Case_of_the_toxic_gingerbread_man

"Why did researchers take a knife to a cute little plastic gingerbread man? To make him give up the source of his toxic fumes. Or so explained Bill Doucette, this morning, in a particularly entertaining session at the Society for Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry's annual meeting. But the underlying message that this Utah State University scientist brought home to his audience was anything but funny. He graphically illustrated that hidden dangers may lurk in surprising places."

The usefulness of chelation therapy for the remission of symptoms caused by previous treatment with mercury-containing pharmaceuticals: a case report

2009-11-21T18:00:00.000-10:00

The usefulness of chelation therapy for the remission of symptoms caused by previous treatment with mercury-containing pharmaceuticals: a case report

http://www.casesjournal.com/content/pdf/1757-1626-2-199.pdf

Cases Journal 2009, 2:199 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-199
Serafina Corsello (scorsello3@aol.com)
Alessandro Fulgenzi (alessandro.fulgenzi@unimi.it)
Daniele Vietti (danielevietti@gmail.com)
Maria Elena Ferrero (mariaelena.ferrero@unimi.it)

Abstract

Introduction A great deal of data regarding the toxicology of mercury has been
recently reported. Although the most common human exposures to mercury are
currently mercury vapour from amalgam tooth fillings, methylmercury from seafood and
ethylmercury as a preservative in vaccines, in the past mercury compounds have been
used in the treatment of syphilis.

Case presentation Mercury intoxication was found in a 67 year-old Italian man affected
by neurological symptoms of apparently unknown origin. The patient developed syphilis
forty years ago and then underwent therapy with mercurials to treat his chronic bacterial
infection. We treated the patient with disodium edetate chelation therapy.

Six months after the beginning of the therapy, the patient's neurological symptoms
began to decrease, and were completely cured after two years of therapy.

Conclusion This case supports the use of chelation therapy with disodium edetate to
remove damages caused by mercury intoxication.

NIEHS Director Birnbaum: "We kind of jump from the proverbial fry pan into the fire" when replacing chemicals

2009-11-21T16:07:00.000-10:00

NIEHS Director Birnbaum: "We kind of jump from the proverbial fry pan into the fire" when replacing chemicals
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/q-a-with-linda-birnbaum

"Nearly a year ago, toxicologist Linda Birnbaum was named director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program. She sat down with Environmental Health News journalist Jane Kay in San Francisco on Wednesday to answer questions about the environmental health risks we face today.

As head of the federal institute examining environmental health, Birnbaum and her staff are taking on many controversial topics, including Bisphenol A and new flame retardants in consumer products. She explains how scientists are trying to figure out what role chemicals and contaminants may play in breast cancer and other diseases and health problems."

Owners sue Quadrant Homes over 'sick' houses

2009-11-21T16:03:00.000-10:00

Owners sue Quadrant Homes over 'sick' houses
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412486_quadrant19.html

"Mold, cold making residents ill, owners allege

Winter hits hard at Jon Sigafoos' home, harder, he says, than it ought.

His family of four moved into the Quadrant Corp.-built home four years ago, taking up residence in a newly constructed neighborhood at Bonney Lake.

It didn't take long, Jon Sigafoos said, to realize the house wasn't all it had been promised to be."

Depleted Uranium and the Medical Mismanagement of Gulf War Veterans

2009-11-21T12:32:00.000-10:00

Depleted Uranium and the Medical Mismanagement of Gulf War Veterans
http://www.truthout.org/1120097?print

"The United States insists that weapons containing depleted uranium (DU) pose no health hazards to exposed populations. This charade persists because an artful propaganda matrix has infiltrated and corrupted certain aspects of the radiation and biological sciences. The facts which follow will introduce how our debilitated veterans are being misinformed of the possible role played by uranium in their illnesses."

Interactions between effects of environmental chemicals and natural stressors: A review.

2009-11-20T21:32:00.000-10:00

Interactions between effects of environmental chemicals and natural stressors: A review.

Holmstrup M, Bindesbøl AM, Oostingh GJ, Duschl A, Scheil V, Köhler HR, Loureiro S, Soares AM, Ferreira AL, Kienle C, Gerhardt A, Laskowski R, Kramarz PE, Bayley M, Svendsen C, Spurgeon DJ.
Sci Total Environ. 2009 Nov 16. [Epub ahead of print]

National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.

Ecotoxicological effect studies often expose test organisms under optimal environmental conditions. However, organisms in their natural settings rarely experience optimal conditions. On the contrary, during most of their lifetime they are forced to cope with sub-optimal conditions and occasionally with severe environmental stress. Interactions between the effects of a natural stressor and a toxicant can sometimes result in greater effects than expected from either of the stress types alone. The aim of the present review is to provide a synthesis of existing knowledge on the interactions between effects of "natural" and chemical (anthropogenic) stressors. More than 150 studies were evaluated covering stressors including heat, cold, desiccation, oxygen depletion, pathogens and immunomodulatory factors combined with a variety of environmental pollutants. This evaluation revealed that synergistic interactions between the effects of various natural stressors and toxicants are not uncommon phenomena. Thus, synergistic interactions were reported in more than 50% of the available studies on these interactions. Antagonistic interactions were also detected, but in fewer cases. Interestingly, about 70% of the tested chemicals were found to compromise the immune system of humans as judged from studies on human cell lines. The challenge for future studies will therefore be to include aspects of combined stressors in effect and risk assessment of chemicals in the environment.

PMID: 19922980 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Vaccines and Mercury Content

2009-11-20T20:50:00.000-10:00

Vaccines and Mercury Content
An up-to-date list of vaccines and mercury content.

http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm

Toxins in toiletries harming unborn kids

2009-11-19T20:42:00.000-10:00

Toxins in toiletries harming unborn kids
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/727808--porter-toxins-in-toiletries-harming-unborn-kids#article

"There are pictures of pregnant women smoking on cigarette packages. The label says "Warning: Cigarettes Hurt Babies." Waddle up to a bar, and you'll see a similar message on a poster by the women's washroom. It declares alcohol "can cause birth defects and brain damage in your baby." There should be similar warnings on many bottles of shampoo, moisturizers, shower curtains, packages of cheese and plastic Tupperware. The disclaimer should say: includes gender-bending chemicals harmful to fetuses. Risks include: reduced testosterone, undescended testicles, smaller penises and less masculine behaviour in boys."

Common plastics chemicals linked to ADHD symptoms

2009-11-19T20:39:00.000-10:00

Common plastics chemicals linked to ADHD symptoms
Are phthalates really safe for children?
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-11/e-cpc111909.php

"Phthalates are important components of many consumer products, including toys, cleaning materials, plastics, and personal care items. Studies to date on phthalates have been inconsistent, with some linking exposure to these chemicals to hormone disruptions, birth defects, asthma, and reproductive problems, while others have found no significant association between exposure and adverse effects."

Average UK woman wears 515 chemicals a day

2009-11-19T20:38:00.000-10:00

Average UK woman wears 515 chemicals a day
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSLJ43844920091119

"The average British woman "hosts" 515 chemicals on her body every day, according to a new study."

Hidden threat: Elevated pollution levels near regional airports

2009-11-18T09:20:00.000-10:00

Hidden threat: Elevated pollution levels near regional airports
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118112423.htm

"Scientists are reporting evidence that air pollution — a well-recognized problem at major airports — may pose an important but largely overlooked health concern for people living near smaller regional airports. Those airports are becoming an increasingly important component of global air transport systems. The study, one of only a handful to examine airborne pollutants near regional airports, suggests that officials should pay closer attention to these overlooked emissions, which could cause health problems for local residents. It appears online in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology, a semi-monthly journal."

Pesticides in Dust from Homes in an Agricultural Area

2009-11-18T09:15:00.000-10:00

Pesticides in Dust from Homes in an Agricultural Area

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es9020958

We collected indoor dust samples from homes in the Salinas Valley of California. Of 22 pesticides measured in 504 samples, permethrins and the organophosphate chlorpyrifos were present in highest amounts. In multivariate Tobit regression models among samples from 197 separate residences, reported agricultural uses of chlorpyrifos, a herbicide (2,3,5,6-tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA)), and a fungicide (iprodione) on agricultural fields were significantly (p < 0.01) associated, with 83%, 19%, and 49% increases, respectively, in dust concentrations for each kg applied per day, near participant homes, in the month or season prior to sample collection. However, agricultural use of diazinon, which was 2.2 times that of chlorpyrifos, and of permethrin were not significantly associated with dust levels. Other variables independently associated with dust levels included temperature and rainfall, farmworkers storing work shoes in the home, storing a diazinon product in the home, housing density, having a home less clean, and having an air conditioner. Permethrins, chlorpyrifos, DCPA, and iprodione have either a log octanol−water partition coefficient (K_ow) greater than 4.0, a very low vapor pressure, or both. Health risk assessments for pesticides that have these properties may need to include evaluation of exposures to house dust.

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Martha E. Harnly*^†, Asa Bradman^‡, Marcia Nishioka^§, Thomas E. McKone, Daniel Smith^†, Robert McLaughlin^†, Geri Kavanagh-Baird^‡, Rosemary Castorina^‡ and Brenda Eskenazi^‡

Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, Center for Children's Environmental Health Research, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California

Environ. Sci. Technol., Article ASAP

DOI: 10.1021/es9020958

Publication Date (Web): October 30, 2009

Ultrafine Particles in Indoor Air of a School: Possible Role of Secondary Organic Aerosols

2009-11-18T09:12:00.000-10:00

Ultrafine Particles in Indoor Air of a School: Possible Role of Secondary Organic Aerosols

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es902471a

The aim of this work was to investigate ultrafine particles (<0.1 μm) in primary school classrooms, in relation to the classroom activities. The investigations were conducted in three classrooms during two measuring campaigns, which together encompassed a period of 60 days. Initial investigations showed that under the normal operating conditions of the school there were many occasions in all three classrooms where indoor particle concentrations increased significantly compared to outdoor levels. By far the highest increases in the classroom resulted from art activities (painting, gluing, and drawing), at times reaching over 1.4 × 10⁵ particle cm⁻³. The indoor particle concentrations exceeded outdoor concentrations by approximately 1 order of magnitude, with a count median diameter ranging from 20 to 50 nm. Significant increases also occurred during cleaning activities, when detergents were used. GC-MS analysis conducted on 4 samples randomly selected from about 30 different paints and glues, as well as the detergent used in the school, showed that d-limonene was one of the main organic compounds of the detergent, however, it was not detected in the samples of the paints and the glue. Controlled experiments showed that this monoterpene, emitted from the detergent, reacted with O₃ (at outdoor ambient concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 0.08 ppm) and formed secondary organic aerosols. Further investigations to identify other liquids that may be potential sources of the precursors of secondary organic aerosols were outside the scope of this project, however, it is expected that the problem identified by this study could be more widely spread, since most primary schools use liquid materials for art classes, and all schools use detergents for cleaning. Further studies are therefore recommended to better understand this phenomenon and also to minimize exposure of school children to ultrafine particles from these indoor sources.

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Warning issued on excessive lead in toys

2009-11-17T21:34:00.000-10:00

Warning issued on excessive lead in toys
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2009/11/toys-lead-california-attorney-general-edmund-brown-.html

"California Atty. Gen. Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued a safety warning today, alleging that seven toys and children's products tested by the Center for Environmental Health this month contained leads levels far above the legal limit."

The Link Between Cell Phones and Cancer

2009-11-17T21:25:00.000-10:00

The Link Between Cell Phones and Cancer
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/link-between-cell-phones-and-cancer

"The industry says there's no connection, but experts are raising the alarm. Here's how to play it safe. "

Infuriated mom: Why can't I protect my body? Study pinpoints chemicals in moms-to-be

2009-11-17T21:24:00.000-10:00

Infuriated mom: Why can't I protect my body? Study pinpoints chemicals in moms-to-be
http://www.seattlepostglobe.org/2009/11/17/infuriated-mom-why-cant-i-protect-my-body-study-pinpoints-chemicals-in-moms-to-be

"Pregnant and looking forward to motherhood, Kim Radtke walked the three-mile-long trail around Green Lake twice a week. She swam. She stretched in prenatal yoga class. She munched mostly organic foods – for years. Aware of chemicals in everyday products, she refused such things as ordinary scented lotions and deodorants. Trained as a midwife, she made a career of helping babies get a good start in life and she wanted the same for her unborn son."

Biotech crops cause big jump in pesticide use-report

2009-11-17T07:10:00.000-10:00

Biotech crops cause big jump in pesticide use-report

http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN1752655520091117

"The rapid adoption by U.S. farmers of genetically engineered corn, soybeans and cotton has promoted increased use of pesticides, an epidemic of herbicide-resistant weeds and more chemical residues in foods, according to a report issued Tuesday by health and environmental protection groups."

Students treated after flu vaccine | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

2009-11-17T06:39:00.000-10:00

Students treated after flu vaccine

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091117/NEWS15/911170332/-1/nletter01/Students-treated-after-flu-vaccine?source=nletter-

"A handful of Sacred Hearts Academy students were taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children after receiving swine flu shots or nasal spray at the school yesterday morning, school principal Betty White said."

H1N1 Linked To Vitamin D Deficiency

2009-11-16T23:01:00.000-10:00

H1N1 Linked To Vitamin D Deficiency

http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/11/15/top_stories/doc4b004bbeeeca0983629489.txt

"According to a recent study, as many as 77 percent of all Americans may be deficient in the vitamin essential for bone health and which may prevent H1N1 (Swine Flu) and seasonal flu, wheezing, winter-related eczema, upper respiratory infections and may help prevent cancer, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, certain infectious diseases, myocardial infarctions heart attacks and many other serious diseases."

Nanoparticles used in common household items caused genetic damage in mice

2009-11-16T22:56:00.000-10:00

Nanoparticles used in common household items caused genetic damage in mice
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-11/uoc--nui111609.php

"Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, found in everything from cosmetics to sunscreen to paint to vitamins, caused systemic genetic damage in mice, according to a comprehensive study conducted by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center."

Article 'cherry picks' food allergy research: angry groups

2009-11-16T22:55:00.000-10:00

Article 'cherry picks' food allergy research: angry groups

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091116/allergy_article_091116/20091116/?hub=TorontoNewHome

"Sabrina Shannon had such an interest in journalism that by the time she was 10, she produced a radio documentary. She hoped to educate people about kids who suffer from life-threatening allergies. Sabrina herself was allergic to peanuts, milk and soy and had to manage it every day by asking everyone what was in the food she ate. But Sabrina didn't grow up to be a journalist. She died from an allergic reaction to french fries contaminated with dairy at her school in Pembroke, Ont. six years ago. As Sabrina was on life support at an Ottawa hospital, her mother, Sara Shannon, promised her that she would become an activist for those suffering from anaphylaxis. Sabrina died a day later at age 13."

For Some Smokers, Even Home Is Off Limits

2009-11-16T22:54:00.000-10:00

For Some Smokers, Even Home Is Off Limits

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/nyregion/16smoke.html?_r=1

"The movement to ban smoking in New York City has grown so quickly that no place seems immune — certainly not restaurants or bars, and public beaches and parks may not be far behind. Now the efforts are rapidly expanding into the living room. More landlords are moving to prohibit smoking in their apartment buildings, telling prospective tenants they can be evicted if they light up in them."

China Investigates Deaths After Swine Flu Shot

2009-11-16T22:43:00.000-10:00

China Investigates Deaths After Swine Flu Shot
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1939575,00.html

"Chinese health officials reported on Nov. 13 the first deaths in people who received the H1N1 vaccine."

South Korean Teenager Jumps From Apartment Window After Taking Tamiflu

2009-11-15T16:33:00.001-10:00

South Korean Teenager Jumps From Apartment Window After Taking Tamiflu
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=455167

"A South Korean teenager who took Tamiflu, an antiviral drug, leaped from an apartment window after suffering from auditory hallucination, China's Xinhua news agency said citing a local media report on Saturday."

South Korean Teenager Jumps From Apartment Window After Taking Tamiflu

2009-11-15T16:33:00.000-10:00