These bulletins are 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.
Thursday May 22, 2008
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Washington, DC
at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Fifth Floor Conference Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Sponsor: Woodrow Wilson Center China Environment Forum and Global Health Initiative
The speakers of this meeting will introduce the coal component of the USAID-supported China Environmental Health Project (CEHP), which aims to obtain accurate data on coal-fired pollution emissions in Huainan city in Anhui Province. Key to the success of this data collection is the strong collaborative partnership Western Kentucky University (WKU) has formed with the Anhui University of Science and Technology (AUST) and the provincial and municipal government agencies. This project also includes health studies conducted in the communities where coal is being monitored. The collection of emission and health data not only help to promote transparency on pollution emissions in China -- supporting new laws on environmental information dissemination -- but also potentially help to generate awareness among policymakers on the health dangers of coal. Derek Vollmer will make comments based on his participation in a National Academy of Sciences study of energy and air pollution in Huainan and Dalian in China and in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles in the United States. Please RSVP to cef@wilsoncenter.org with your name and affiliation. This session will also be available as a live webcast.
Price: free
Wednesday May 28, 2008
9:00 a.m. Alaska time
Sponsor: Alaska Collaborative on Health and the Environment
The North has become a hemispheric sink for pesticides and other industrial chemicals that are transported via atmospheric and oceanic currents. These persistent chemicals accumulate in the bodies of wildlife and people of the North. Current research explores the presence of industrial chemicals in northern latitudes, sources and persistence in the fragile environments of the North/Arctic. Currently used and banned pesticides are subject to long-range transport to the North, although they are not produced in the region. The effects of global warming enhance the mobilization and transport of contaminants from both local and distant sources. Join our speakers to discuss research concerning the global transport of pesticides in the Arctic region. We will also discuss policy actions such as the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), an international treaty to eliminate sources of some of the world's most persistent, toxic chemicals. Presenters include Pamela Miller, executive director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics; Don Waite, PhD, a research biologist with Environment Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan; Hayley Hung, PhD, manager of the air sampling program under the Canadian Northern Contaminants Program; and Shawna Larson, Environmental Justice Program director with Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
Price: free
Contact: Alaska Community Action on Toxics, 907-222-7714 or info@akaction.net
Wednesday and Thursday, May 28 - 29, 2008
Washington, DC
at L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Sponsor: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The focus is on "The New Professional: Leadership in Science, Practice, Policy and Advocacy."
Price: unknown
Website: http://www.aaidd.org/Events/2008_Meeting.shtml
Friday May 30, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Seattle, Washington
at REI Downtown, 222 Yale Avenue North, Second Floor, South Room, Room B
Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)
The course identifies potential health hazards of toxic chemicals and methods for preventing exposure. Chemicals we encounter in everyday life are used as examples to evaluate the hazards and risk of exposure and put them into perspective. Learn the basic principles of toxicology, tools for assessing the toxicology of chemicals, effects of chemicals on the body and why some people are more sensitive to chemicals than others. Continuing education credits are available.
Price: $150 early bird special until May 5, $245 thereafter, $175 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify
Website: http://nwetc.org/etox-510_05-08_seattle.htm
Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976
Tuesday through Friday, June 3- 6, 2008
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
at the University of British Columbia
Sponsor: Environmental Studies Association of Canada
The conference is being held as part of the as part of the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The theme of the congress is "Thinking beyond Borders -- Global Ideas: Global Values."
Price: unknown
Website: http://www.esac.ca/events/
Contact: Chris Ling, chris.ling@royalroads.ca
Monday June 9, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Troutdale, Oregon
at McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey Street
Sponsor: North American Hazardous Materials Managers Association, NW Chapter
State and local governments, green business representatives, regional chemical policy and management experts, toxics reduction advocates and interested citizens will come together in a day of presentation and discussion. Mark Schapiro, editorial director for the Center for Investigative Reporting and author of the recent book "Exposed", will keynote. The Chemical Policy Forum is part of the North American Hazardous Materials Managers Association, NW Chapter, Conference June 9 to 12, 2008. Register at the NAHMMA website as listed below for the forum or for the full conference that includes the forum. Forum registration without lunch is available on the day of the event.
Price: $15 includes lunch
Website: http://www.nahmma.org
Contact: Lisa Heigh, 503-797-1611 or lisa.heigh@oregonmetro.gov
Tuesday June 10, 2008
1:00 p.m. Eastern time
Sponsor: Clinical Directors Network (CDN)
More details will be available for this webinar event through the website listed below.
Price: unknown
Website: http://web.memberclicks.com/mc/community/eventdetails.do?eventId=145140&orgId=cne
Contact: eLearning, 212-382-0699 x231 or eLearning@cdnetwork.org
Wednesday through Friday, June 11 - 13, 2008
San Jose, Costa Rica
at the Ramada Plaza Herradura
Sponsor: The Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances, Universidad Nacional (IRET-UNA) and International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH)
The conference theme is "Multiple Exposures, Multiple Effects" and will include presentations on neurotoxic disorders in children, fetal origins, neurotoxic disorders in adults, neurobehavioral changes by different neurotoxic agents and more.
Price: see http://www.epicoh-neureoh2008.com/index.php?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=3&pid=4
Website: http://www.epicoh-neureoh2008.com/index.php
Contact: Jennifer Crowe, 506-853-5957 or info@epicoh-neureoh2008.com
Wednesday through Saturday, June 18 - 21, 2008
Marmaris, Turkey
at the Divan Mares Hotel
Sponsor: Anadolu University
The purpose of the conference is to bring internationally known experts around the world together to share knowledge and experience on Special Education. The conference will highlight key experts in the field of Special Education. The official language of the conference will be English. Preconference workshops, educational and cultural tours/trips and other activities are being considered to provide an array of opportunities to participants. The conference covers the following groups but not limited to any groups or any topics in special education: cognitive disabilities/mental retardation, autism, & other developmental disabilities; communicative disabilities and deafness (deaf or hard of hearing); speech and language disorders; behavioral and emotional disorders; learning disabilities; gifted and talented education; physical and health disabilities; and visual impairments.
Price: see http://icose2008.anadolu.edu.tr/index_prop_eng.htm
Website: http://icose2008.anadolu.edu.tr/home.htm
Contact: ICOSE Secretary, +90-222-335-0580 (3545) or icose2008@gmail.com
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/
Job opening: Augusta, Maine. Environmental Health Strategy Center (EHSC) seeks applicants for a Director of the Sustainable Bioplastics Program to lead the economic development strategy and participation of EHSC in an innovative collaboration with industry, agriculture, academia, government and nongovernmental organizations to research, develop, demonstrate and commercialize production of environmentally friendly bioplastics from Maine potatoes. The director will coordinate partner activities, lead project teams and help formalize the partnership through a new Maine Sustainable Bioplastics Council.
http://www.preventharm.org/downloads/Sustainable%20Bioplastics%20Program%20Director.rtf
Job opening: Seattle, Washington. Washington Toxics Coalition is seeking a dynamic, resourceful, proven leader to guide this highly effective nonprofit towards achieving its ambitious mission to protect public health and the environment by eliminating toxic pollution. The Executive Director must be a highly strategic thinker with a strong capacity to guide staff in managing and implementing programs. The ideal candidate will also have substantial leadership experience and a familiarity with nonprofit organizations and governance.
http://www.watoxics.org/about/employment/executive-director-job-announcement
Job opening: Boston, Massachusetts. Environment Massachusetts is seeking an experienced organization builder to coordinate program development, advocacy, field organizing and communications to for one of the state's leading environmental groups. Our mission is to strengthen protections for Massachusetts' air, water and open space, and to make our state a leader in environmental protection.
http://environmentmassachusetts.org/jobs/career-positions/environment-massachusetts-director
Kids Safe Chemical Act reintroduced in Congress. Today, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representatives Hilda L. Solis (D- CA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced major legislation to protect Americans, especially children, from toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products. The bill would ensure for the first time that all the chemicals used in baby bottles, children’s toys and other products are proven to be safe before they are put on the market. Press Release of Senator Lautenberg, 20 May 2008.
http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=298072
Primate model for autism. A primate model for autism using the U.S. children's immunization schedule was unveiled at the International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR) this weekend. News-Medical.net, 20 May 2008.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=38479
Bugged by pesticides. Some parents who eschew pesticide use in their home are concerned that their children are still being exposed at school playing fields. Albany Times Union, New York, 20 May 2008.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=689922&category=REGION&newsdate=5/20/2008
Is fire retardant a harmful toxin? For decades, Americans have depended on special chemicals [PBDEs] to protect them from fire. But now, there are serious questions about the safety of those chemicals. Two states have already banned them, and six more are considering it. CBS Evening News, 20 May 2008.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/19/eveningnews/main4109418.shtml
Feds punish 3 companies for chemical-tainted water supply. Motorola and two other companies will pay a half-million-dollar penalty for two recent incidents in which a groundwater contaminant [TCE] was released into the drinking supply. Phoenix Arizona Republic, Arizona, 20 May 2008.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/20/20080520epa0520.html
[Editor's note: see a related article about the effects of TCE contamination at http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080516/NEWS01/805160370/1001 ]
Local study looks at nutritional, social, environmental and other factors that can affect young children's early years. Investigators expect this new project will leave them with a better grasp of why some Mid-South babies born to healthy mothers thrive while others die early or quickly fall behind peers. Memphis Commercial Appeal, Tennessee, 18 May 2008.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/may/18/good-intentions/
Epic genetics. A new field linking genes and environment may chart the way for solving some of the mysteries shrouding mental illness. Science News, 17 May 2008.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/31949/title/Epic_Genetics
Effective chemicals may be lost. Scientists say they are worried about new EU proposals which could drastically restrict the number of pesticides available to farmers. BBC, UK, 17 May 2008.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7405606.stm
Living green in the living room. The road to green living runs directly through your living room. Seattle Times, Washington, 17 May 2008.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ecoconsumer/2004419961_ecoconsumer17.html
Illinois: schools make switch to 'green' cleaners. There was a time when custodians at Lockport Township High School pushed cleaning cars packed with an array of spray bottles, spritzers and aerosol cans. Today, they use just four spray bottles, filled with cleaners low on irritating chemicals and safer for students, staff and the environment. Associated Press, 17 May 2008.
http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=201940
Ottawa prepared to slap toxic label on widely used chemicals. The federal government announced Friday it intends to slap a toxic label on a bunch of chemicals used in everyday products from chewing gum to cosmetics as well as in silicone breast implants. CanWest News, Canada, 17 May 2008.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=b0eeb176-6b3d-4a3e-bb18-29033eb044cc
Strong smells push action for nail care workers. Oregon government workers and nonprofit advocates have been trying to figure out what to do about nail salon air quality and hazardous waste -- and how to protect workers. Portland Oregonian, Oregon, 16 May 2008.
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1210908317325480.xml&coll=7
Insecticides in pet shampoo may trigger autism. Could insecticides in pet shampoos trigger autism spectrum disorders? That's the suggestion of one of the first large-scale population-based studies to look at how gene-environmental factor interactions contribute to the condition. New Scientist, England, 15 May 2008.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13905-insecticides-in-pet-shampoo-may-trigger-autism.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news1_head_dn13905
Alarm at weed-kill chemical in water. Australian regulators have allowed a widely used weed killer to be present in drinking water at levels twice those now shown to cause damaging genetic changes in human cells. Sydney Australian, Australia, 15 May 2008.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23700909-30417,00.html
Study finds no evidence of risk in synthetic turf. A draft report conducted on behalf of the Bloomberg administration says that there is no scientific evidence that synthetic turf fields in New York pose major health hazards for people playing on them. New York Times, 15 May 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/nyregion/15turf.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin
Premier issue of Environmental Justice published. Environmental Justice, a new quarterly peer-reviewed journal is the central forum for the research, debate and discussion of the equitable treatment and involvement of all people, especially minority and low-income populations, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. The premier issue is available free online. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 14 May 2008.
http://www.liebertpub.com/env
The environmental results of the California Gold Rush. Some say the greatest legacy of California's rush for gold was in the toxins and environmental damage left in its wake -- a legacy that still hasn't been fully examined to this day. San Francisco KGO-TV, California, 14 May 2008.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/assignment_7&id=6140594
Wal-Mart raises bar on toy-safety standards. Wal-Mart has ordered its suppliers to meet a new set of children's-product safety requirements that include strict limits for lead and other chemicals linked to various medical and developmental problems in children. Wall Street Journal, 14 May 2008.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121072388800090155.html
Health findings renew push for fluoride in water. Tooth decay and oral diseases are so pervasive in Sonoma County, California children that supervisors want a renewed attempt to put fluoride in drinking water. Santa Rosa Press Democrat, California, 14 May 2008.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/EarlyEdition/article_view.cfm?recordID=9320&publishdate=05/14/2008
US court hears claim linking vaccines to autism. The parents of two 10-year-old boys who believe vaccines caused their sons to develop autism brought their case to U.S. federal court on Monday, arguing a mercury preservative in the shots caused a rare reaction. Reuters Health, 13 May 2008.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2008/05/12/eline/links/20080512elin009.html
Concern grows over chemical in some food containers. Democrats in the U.S. Senate are proposing a ban of this controversial chemical from all products made for infants and children up to age 7. Springfield KY3 TV, Missouri, 13 May 2008.
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/18874154.html
Nanoparticles scrutinized for health effects. Some scientists are concerned that these seemingly magical materials are hitting the market before their effects on human health and the environment have been sufficiently studied. San Francisco Chronicle, California, 12 May 2008.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/11/BU4P10BB88.DTL
Ugandan organic exporters in DDT scare. Barely three weeks since spraying of the controversial insecticide DDT to control malaria started in Uganda, the dispute between the government and exporters of organic products is re-emerging, this time over “irregularities” in the exercise. Nairobi East African, Kenya, 12 May 2008.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200805120093.html
Seeking sustainability. To read all the marketing hype, it would seem that the personal care products industry is rushing to label as natural, organic, or sustainable just about every new product coming onto the market. Chemical & Engineering News, 12 May 2008.
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/86/8619cover.html
Lead's legacy. Thirty years have passed since the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint, but it continues to sicken children nationwide, particularly those who are poor and live in older cities. Columbus Dispatch, 11 May 2008.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/11/LEADED.ART_ART_05-11-08_A1_STA5K8A.html
A perfect storm. After 11 years studying bisphenol A and sounding the alarm about its potential health risks, University of Missouri Professor Frederick vom Saal's warnings are attracting national attention. Columbia Tribune, Missouri, 11 May 2008.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/May/20080510Busi002.asp
Energy drinks make caffeine the drug of choice among California youth. In the past 12 months, the California Poison Control System has handled 26 calls about dangerous reactions to energy drinks in kids, most of them ages 14 and 15. Sacramento Bee, California, 11 May 2008.
http://www.sacbee.com/health/story/929044.html
Legislators revisit ban on dry cleaners' solvent. Lawmakers are wading into a dispute between environmental regulators and dry cleaners over a proposed ban of a commonly used cleaning chemical [perchloroethylene]. Bergen County Record, New Jersey, 10 May 2008.
http://www.northjersey.com/environment/environmentnews/NJ_revisits_ban_on_cleaning_solvent.html
Contamination is linked to dust from TV sets. The dust that coats your television sets may finally answer why virtually every American tested has traces of a chemical flame retardant that may be harmful [PBDEs]. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas, 10 May 2008.
http://www.star-telegram.com/national_news/story/634833.html
Additive payments may grow. Major oil companies' multimillion-dollar payment to 153 public water systems to cleanse wells of a potentially carcinogenic gasoline additive [MBTE] could grow if more tainted wells are discovered over the next 30 years. Associated Press, 9 May 2008.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/5766225.html
More problems with plastics. Human exposure to hormone-disrupting synthetic chemicals [phthalates], which can leach from a slew of consumer products, is continuous and widespread. US News & World Report, 9 May 2008.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/05/07/more-problems-with-plastics.html
Cosmetic chemicals. Have you ever wondered what all cosmetics are made of? The owner of an organic cosmetic company said it is embalming fluid. Fragrance breaks down and metabolizes on skin into formaldehyde. NBC30, Connecticut, 8 May 2008.
http://www.nbc30.com/news/16193529/detail.html
Mexx recalls leaded items. Montreal-based Mexx Canada yesterday recalled children's jewelry and purses because of illegal and dangerous levels of lead. CanWest News, Canada, 8 May 2008.
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=d7516afc-dc74-46fa-87f5-65f01aafa51b
Drink tap water, not bottled, city urges. Forget bottled water or Nalgene. City officials and grass-roots activists urged people Wednesday to turn to Seattle's drinking water and safe, reusable containers. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington, 8 May 2008.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/362153_seattlewater08.html
Abuse may trigger gene changes found in suicide victims. Early child abuse may forever change the way genes are expressed in the brain, suggests a postmortem study of people who died by suicide. New Scientist, England, 7 May 2008.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13844-abuse-may-trigger-gene-changes-found-in-suicide-victims.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news5_head_dn13844
New health warning issued for baby furniture. There is a new warning for parents that some baby furniture could be toxic because it contains formaldehyde, which can pollute the air in your baby's nursery. San Francisco KGO-TV, California, 7 May 2008.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/health&id=6125510