Environmental Health
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Environmental Health
General Information
NEWS:
30 percent of diseases in children result from environment, says WHO
As China Roars, Pollution Reaches Deadly Extremes "Public health is reeling. Pollution has made cancer China’s leading cause of death, the Ministry of Health says. Ambient air pollution alone is blamed for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water. Chinese cities often seem wrapped in a toxic gray shroud. Only 1 percent of the country’s 560 million city dwellers breathe air considered safe by the European Union. … Environmental woes that might be considered catastrophic in some countries can seem commonplace in China: industrial cities where people rarely see the sun; children killed or sickened by lead poisoning or other types of local pollution; a coastline so swamped by algal red tides that large sections of the ocean no longer sustain marine life."
Common Flame Retardant May Be Killing House Cats "A mysterious epidemic of thyroid disease among pet cats in the United States may be linked to exposure to dust shed from flame retardants in household carpeting, furniture, fabrics and pet food. Humans may also be at risk, although more research is needed to determine if there is a link. That’s the conclusion of scientists who are reporting their study in Environmental Science & Technology, a semi-monthly journal from the American Chemical Society. "
Emissions from Household Coal Combustion Cause Cancer "An International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monograph working group has concluded that indoor emissions from household combustion of coal are carcinogenic in the Group 1 category to humans, and are associated primarily with an increased risk of lung cancer."
Heavy Metal Toxins a Danger in Homes "Exposure to heavy metals -- arsenic, lead and mercury -- can occur in the home through common items such as glazed pottery, herbal supplements, food, and garden pesticides/herbicides, notes an article in the January issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter."
Heavy pesticide exposure linked to brain cancer "Agricultural workers with extensive exposure to pesticides may have an elevated risk of brain cancer, new research suggests. In a study of nearly 700 adults with or without brain tumors, French researchers found that agricultural workers with the highest level of exposure to pesticides were twice as likely to be diagnosed with brain cancer as those with no occupational pesticide exposure. There was also evidence that people who treated their house plants with pesticides had an elevated brain cancer risk. However, the researchers caution that this has not been seen in previous studies, and more research is needed to confirm whether the connection is real. Past studies have linked pesticide exposure among farmers to adverse effects on the brain, such as a higher risk of Parkinson's disease."
Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners "Could the floral scent of your air freshener contain toxic chemicals known to cause birth defects? NRDC recently tested 14 different air fresheners and found that 12 contained chemicals called phthalates (pronounced thal-ates), chemicals that can cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems. Even air fresheners marketed as "all-natural" or "unscented" contained the hazardous chemicals. In addition to phthalates, air fresheners may contain allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde. The air fresheners NRDC tested included aerosol sprays, liquids that emit a continuous scent, and a solid. Of the 14 products tested by NRDC, there was wide variation in the level of phthalates contained."
Human health effects of air pollution. (Environ Pollut. 2007) "Air pollution has both acute and chronic effects on human health, affecting a number of different systems and organs. It ranges from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory and heart disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory infections in children and chronic bronchitis in adults, aggravating pre-existing heart and lung disease, or asthmatic attacks. In addition, short- and long-term exposures have also been linked with premature mortality and reduced life expectancy."
Indoor Air Pollution Widespread in Asia "Up to 3 billion people around the world rely on solid fuels such as wood, coal, crop waste or animal dung for indoor cooking and heating. The resulting smoke ranks as the fourth-biggest health risk in the poorest countries, yet it is typically overlooked."
Life on the farm may not be so healthy "Farm workers seem to have an elevated risk of developing a serious lung condition more typically seen in smokers, a study has shown. Austrian researchers found that among more than 1000 adults who underwent tests of lung function, farmers were more likely than those with other occupations to show signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is the collective term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis, progressive diseases of the airways most commonly associated with smoking. While smoking is the major risk factor for COPD, non-smokers can also develop it. "
Mercury disposal sole health concern with fluorescent lights.
Mercury Emissions From US Fires Surprisingly High "The paper estimates that fires in the continental United States and Alaska release about 44 metric tons of mercury into the atmosphere every year. … Mercury does not originate in fires. Instead, it comes from industrial and natural sources, often settling into soil and plant matter. Intense fires then release the mercury back into the atmosphere, where it poses a new danger because it can reach sensitive waterways and other areas."
Mold and Moods "A new study out this week in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that damp, moldy homes are associated with an increased incidence of depression. … Not all the experts agree that there is any connection between mold and depression—despite this new research. Critics wish the study hadn’t relied on self reports. … To prevent the spread of the icky fungi, Shenassa recommends that you keep the bathroom and the kitchen as dry as possible and have space where one can get behind appliances to wipe out the water. He also suggests insulating around pipes, windows and maintaining good ventilation. After all, a dry home is likely to be a healthier home, even if it’s not necessarily happier."
[Multiple exposure to pesticides and impacts on health: a cross-section study of 102 rural workers, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.] (Cien Saude Colet. 2007)
Neurotoxicity of pesticides: a brief review. (Front Biosci. 2008) "Insecticides, which kill insects by targeting their nervous system, have neurotoxic effect in mammals as well. This family of chemicals comprises the organophosphates, the carbamates, the pyrethroids, the organochlorines, and other compounds. Insecticides interfere with chemical neurotransmission or ion channels, and usually cause reversible neurotoxic effects, that could nevertheless be lethal. Some herbicides and fungicides have also been shown to possess neurotoxic properties. The effects of pesticides on the nervous system may be involved in their acute toxicity, as in case of most insecticides, or may contribute to chronic neurodegenerative disorders, most notably Parkinson's disease."
Pesticide Exposure Tied to Asthma in Farmers
Pesticides And Schools: A 'Tragic' Health Hazard " 'Over 80 percent of schools in America are applying pesticides on a regular basis, whether they have a pest problem or not," he said. "This is tragic not only because of the well-documented link between pesticides and health problems in children, such as asthma and neurological disorders, but also because pesticides generally do not work in a preventive manner in the school environment. Applying pesticides does not prevent pests from coming in, so using them when pests are not present does nothing other than expose children and staff to toxic chemicals.' "
Pesticides may be making kids sick at school
Pollution Killing Up To 25,000 Canadians Annually, Report States "Published online in the journal Environmental Research, the study estimates that environmental pollutants cause as many as 25,000 deaths, 24,000 new cases of cancer and 2,500 low birth-weight babies in Canada every year. The findings highlight Canada’s weak environmental health regulations, says Boyd, a PhD Candidate in UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), who co-authored the paper with the University of Alberta’s Dr. Stephen Genuis. "
Poor air from wildfires a health threat
Printer emissions can risk health "Workers face a potential health threat from office laser printers that emit large amounts of tiny particles into the air, an Australian research team has found."
Research links lead exposure, crime
Respiratory effects of exposure to diesel traffic in persons with asthma. (N Engl J Med. 2007) “CONCLUSIONS: Our observations serve as a demonstration and explanation of the epidemiologic evidence that associates the degree of traffic exposure with lung function in asthma.”
Saginaw River Dioxin Worst Ever "A find of toxic dioxin in one spot of the Saginaw River could be the most concentrated ever found, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientist involved in cleanup efforts downstream from Dow Chemical Co. facilities in Midland."
Stay in if you're having a bad air day: Studies show diesel smog increases chances of deadly blood clots. "Study after study has shown a connection between smoggy days and an increase in deaths. Now two experiments, one on mice and the other in men, clarify why. Diesel fumes, they find, encourage blood clots that can bring on heart attacks and strokes."
Study Confirms Dangers of Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Outdoors
Texas study finds link between pollution, cancer "A University of Texas study found a possible link between childhood leukemia and living close to the city's refinery row along the Houston Ship Channel, one of the study's co-authors said on Thursday. The study found that living within two miles of elevated levels of 1,3-butadiene around the ship channel's petrochemical complex was associated with a 56 percent increased incidence of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia compared with those living more than 10 miles away, according to a statement from the city of Houston, which financed the study."
Working near chlorine pools tied to lung problems "Swimming teachers and other people who spend a lot of time near chlorinated pools face an increased risk of breathing problems, Dutch researchers report. Chlorine reacts with substances such as urine and sweat to create byproducts that can irritate the respiratory tract, most importantly chloramines, explain Dr. Jose Jacobs of the University of Utrecht in The Netherlands and colleagues in a report in the European Respiratory Journal. "
ARTICLES:
Indoor Air Quality "Thomas P. Lotz, RRT, MEd: There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. Pollutants come from building materials, furnishings, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products. Products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, hobbies, central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices also negatively affect indoor air quality. Combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products are another category of pollutants. Outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution usually result in high indoor levels as well.[1]"
Keep a Clean House "Most of us unknowingly live in homes laden with chemicals from plastics, cleaners, and electronics. But taking a few simple steps can help lessen our daily exposure and keep us healthier. Use this room-by-room guide to start detoxing your living spaces."
Top Spots for Bacteria at Home "Out of 32 places in the home, the top spots for bacteria are the toilet bowl, kitchen drain, kitchen sponge or counter-wiping cloth, bathtub, and kitchen sink., according to a new study. … Researchers visited 35 U.S. homes, swabbing for bacteria in 32 locations in each home. Here's how those spots ranked, in terms of the average number of bacteria per square inch. Spots with the same average number of bacteria have the same rank. 1. Toilet bowl: 3.2 million bacteria/square inch 2. Kitchen drain: 567,845 bacteria/square inch 3. Sponge or counter-wiping cloth: 134,630 bacteria/square inch 4. Bathtub, near drain: 119,468 bacteria/square inch 5. Kitchen sink, near drain: 17,964 bacteria/square inch … "
JOURNAL ARTICLES:
Agricultural exposures and gastric cancer risk in Hispanic farm workers in California. (Environ Res. 2006) "Gastric cancer in California Hispanic farm workers is associated with work in the citrus fruit industry and among those who work in fields treated with 2,4-D, chlordane, propargite, and trifluin. These findings may have larger public health implications especially in those areas of the country where these pesticides are heavily used and where they may be found in the ambient atmosphere."
Air pollution from biomass burning and asthma hospital admissions in a sugar cane plantation area in Brazil. (J Epidemiol Community Health. 2007)
Ambient Air Pollution and Low Birth Weight in Connecticut and Massachusetts (EHP 2007) "Conclusions: Results indicate that exposure to air pollution, even at low levels, may increase risk of low birth weight, particularly for some segments of the population."
Characterizing airborne molds, endotoxins and glucans in homes in New Orleans after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. (Appl Environ Microbiol. 2007)
Effects of ethanol (E85) versus gasoline vehicles on cancer and mortality in the United States. (Environ Sci Technol. 2007)
Environmental hazards: evidence for effects on child health. (J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2007) “The human fetus, child, and adult may experience adverse health outcomes from parental or childhood exposures to environmental toxicants. The fetus and infant are especially vulnerable to toxicants that disrupt developmental processes during relatively narrow time windows. This review summarizes knowledge of associations between child health and development outcomes and environmental exposures, including lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and related polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs), certain pesticides, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), aeroallergens, ambient air toxicants (especially particulate matter [PM] and ozone), chlorination disinfection by-products (DBPs), sunlight, power-frequency magnetic fields, radiofrequency (RF) radiation, residential proximity to hazardous waste disposal sites, and solvents. The adverse health effects linked to such exposures include fetal death, birth defects, being small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth, clinically overt cognitive, neurologic, and behavioral abnormalities, subtle neuropsychologic deficits, childhood cancer, asthma, other respiratory diseases, and acute poisoning. Some environmental toxicants, notably lead, ionizing radiation, ETS, and certain ambient air toxicants, produce adverse health effects at relatively low exposure levels during fetal or child developmental time windows.”
Excess dampness and mold growth in homes: an evidence-based review of the aeroirritant effect and its potential causes. (Allergy Asthma Proc. 2007) "The preponderance of epidemiological data supports a link between exposure to dampness and excess mold growth and the development of aeroirritant symptoms. In addition, biological and clinical studies evaluating potential causal substances for the aeroirritant effect, notably volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are examined in detail. These studies support the role of VOCs in contributing to the aeroirritant symptoms of occupants of damp and mold-contaminated homes."
Health effects of inhaled gasoline engine emissions. (Inhal Toxicol. 2007)
Health risk assessment of indoor air pollution in Finnish ice arenas. (Environ Int. 2007)
Household air pollution from coal and biomass fuels in china: measurements, health impacts, and interventions. (Environ Health Perspect. 2007) "CONCLUSIONS: Observed health effects include respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, weakening of the immune system, and reduction in lung function. Arsenic poisoning and fluorosis resulting from the use of "poisonous" coal have been observed in certain regions of China."
Human health effects of air pollution. (Environ Pollut. 2007)
Indoor air pollution and its impact on children under five years old in Bangladesh. (Indoor Air. 2007)
Indoor molds, bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds and plasticizers in schools--associations with asthma and respiratory symptoms in pupils. (Indoor Air. 2007) "We investigated asthma and atopy in relation to microbial and plasticizer exposure. …PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Despite generally good ventilation and lack of visible signs of mold growth, we found an association between respiratory symptoms and indoor MVOC concentration. In addition, we found associations between asthmatic symptoms and two common plasticizers. The highest levels of MVOC, TMPD-MIB, and TMPD-DIB were found in two new buildings, suggesting that material emissions should be better controlled. As MVOC and plasticizers concentrations were positively correlated, while indoor viable molds and bacteria were negatively correlated, it is unclear if indoor MVOC is an indicator of microbial exposure. Further studies focusing on health effects of chemical emissions from indoor plastic materials, including PVC-floor coatings, are needed."
Lung Function Growth in Children with Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollutants in Mexico City (American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2007) "Conclusions: We conclude that long-term exposure to O3, PM10, and NO2 is associated with a deficit in FVC and FEV1 growth among schoolchildren living in Mexico City."
Mortality from Neurodegenerative Disease and Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields: 31 Years of Observations on Swiss Railway Employees. (Neuroepidemiology. 2007) "Conclusions: This study suggests a link between exposure to ELF-MF and Alzheimer's disease and indicates that ELF-MF might act in later stages of the disease process."
Outdoor Air Pollution: Particulate Matter Health Effects. (Am J Med Sci. 2007)
Parental occupational exposure to pesticides and the risk of childhood leukemia in Costa Rica. (Scand J Work Environ Health. 2007) "CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that parental exposure to certain pesticides may increase the risk of leukemia in offspring."
Pesticide use and chronic bronchitis among farmers in the agricultural health study. (Am J Ind Med. 2007) "CONCLUSIONS: These results provide preliminary evidence that pesticide use may increase chronic bronchitis prevalence."
Pet keeping and dampness in the dwelling: associations with airway infections, symptoms, and physiological signs from the ocular and nasal mucosa. (Indoor Air. 2007) " In conclusion, pet keeping was associated with more central nervous system (CNS)-symptoms but less airway infections. Dampness in the dwelling may have inflammatory effects on the airway mucosa, possibly mediated via increased infection proneness. Practical Implications The main health focus on pet keeping has been allergen exposure. Our study indicates that effects on airway infections and other types of symptoms should also be considered. The findings support the view that measures should be taken to reduce building dampness in dwellings."
Ranking cancer risks of organic hazardous air pollutants in the United States. (Environ Health Perspect. 2007) "Conclusions. Most of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, benzene, acetaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene risk came from outdoor sources, whereas indoor sources were primarily responsible for chloroform, formaldehyde, and naphthalene risks. The infiltration of outdoor pollution into buildings, emissions from indoor sources, and uptake through food are all important to consider in reducing overall personal risk to HAPs."
The environment and asthma in US inner cities. (Chest. 2007)
The multitude and diversity of environmental carcinogens (Environmental Research 2007) "Of major concerns are: outdoor air pollution by carbon particles associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; indoor air pollution by environmental tobacco smoke, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds such as benzene and 1,3 butadiene, which may particularly affect children, and food pollution by food additives and by carcinogenic contaminants such as nitrates, pesticides, dioxins and other organochlorines. In addition, carcinogenic metals and metalloids, pharmaceutical medicines and cosmetics may be involved."
Tobacco Smoke, Indoor Air Pollution and Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PLoS Medicine 2007)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from materials collected from buildings affected by microorganisms. (J Environ Monit. 2007)
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