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SAFER WORLD a private independent international internet information network www.safer-world.org/ 34-01/17/2005 |
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ACTIVE From EMF-team Finland Helsinki 01.01.2005 P.O.Box 1040, FIN-04431 JÄRVENPÄÄ EMF-team.Finland@jippii.fi Helsinki Appeal 2005 Dear Member of the European Parliament, We, undersigned physicians and researchers, feel great concern about the Precautionary Principle not being sufficiently applied to the electromagnetic fields, especially in the radio- and microwave frequency bands. New applications of wireless technologies are continually being introduced, regardless of the fact that there are plenty of qualified scientific reports reporting possible health risks. According to several studies, both in the cell and animal studies, mobile phone and other RF radiation can induce various disturbances, such as increasing the permeability of the blood-brain-barrier. Also disorders of EEG (electroencephalography) and cognitive functions and in the production of the cell proteins have been reported. The latest epidemiological study by Stefan Lönn, with the wellknown Swedish professor Anders Ahlbom as a co-author, suggests that the risk of acoustic neurinoma (a nerve tumour in the ear) may increase more than three-fold after 10 years of the mobile phone use. Unfortunately, the consequences of these disturbances for common health are an open question. This is a matter of great concern. The present safety standards of ICNIRP (International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) do not recognize the biological effects caused by non-ionizing radiation except those induced by the thermal effect. In the light of recent scientific information, the standards recommended by ICNIRP have become obsolete and should be rejected. Especially children and other persons at risk should be taken into account when re-evaluating the limits. This was also suggested in the Freiburg Appeal of 2002, which was signed by more than 3000 European colleagues. We appeal to you as a member of the European Parliament to act promptly for the adoption of the new safety standard in the European Union. Another question of importance regards the REFLEX study (Risk evaluation of potential environmental hazards from low-energy electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure using sensitive in-vitro methods), which is carried out by 12 research teams from European universities and other organizations. For example, the REFLEX study showed evidence of genotoxic effects of mobile phone radiation. EU has partly funded REFLEX. The REFLEX study has not been published in the scientific publications, nor refunded. It is absolutely necessary that the REFLEX project will be continued. However, the project should be targeted more to the non-thermal effects and be involved with those researchers, who have already been working in the field of the biolgical, non-thermal effects. The European Community should take prompt measures for solving the refunding of the NEW REFLEX project. http://www.verum-foundation.de/ > EU PROJEKTE > REFLEX > DOWNLOAD http://www.umweltinstitut.org/frames/all/m401.htm http://www.itis.ethz.ch/downloads/REFLEX_Final%20Report_171104.pdf Name Profession Organization *** COMMON
PESTICIDE CAUSES AGGRESSION & BRAIN DAMAGE ================================================= CHEMICALS 20/01/05 Everyday chemicals 'cause infertility, cancer and birth defects' By Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent THE world's top scientists appealed yesterday for new regulations on everyday chemicals which they say are making 15% of European couples infertile. They claim they regulations are also causing a quarter of the population to suffer allergies and have tripled birth defects in the past 20 years. Professor Dominique Belpomme, representing 500 scientists, warned: "Chemical pollution represents a serious threat to children and to man's survival". "Since our own health, that of our children and of future generations is under threat, the human race itself is in serious danger." The French cancer expert was one of 30 people and organisations putting their case for and against REACH, the proposed new laws on chemicals drawn up by the European Commission. At present only new chemicals have to be assessed for their effects on people's health and the environment, which makes up less than 3% of those in everyday use. The chemicals, used in everything from air fresheners and glues to furniture and ceramics, would have to be tested and registered. The process would take 11 years and would apply to all chemicals manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities greater than one tonne a year by any single company. Industry, health, environment and consumer interests as well as governments all agreed during the day-long hearing in the European Parliament that chemicals and their effects should be registered but they disagree on how to do it. Industry warns the cost of the proposed regulations would force businesses to close with the loss of thousands of jobs and small and medium-sized industry would be particularly hard hit. Chemicals Industry Association director general Judith Hackett said 20% of chemical manufacturers would carry 80% of the costs, with SMEs most affected. She warned that up to 40% of substances were at risk of being withdrawn from the market because of the cost of testing and registering them. The commission put the cost of greater control of hazardous chemicals over the next 30 years at €50 billion. By the end of the hearing there appeared to be general agreement that the substances to be tested first should be those that are most risky. However, the definition of risk was not clear. MEP Avril Doyle said she supported risk-based assessment as a way to prioritise testing but warned a fast and cost-effective way would have to be found. The process of introducing the new legislation is likely to take two years. http://www.examiner.ie/pport/web/world/Full_Story/did-sgjzoBRTeTvWcsgadLjt5C321I.asp ================================================= CHEMICALS – AMALGAM A Mercury Amalgam Report “Bogus”, released as fes investigate wrongdoing in contract award. "Research" done by consultant for Big Tobacco WWW.TOXICTEETH.ORG ================================================= CHEMICALS – PESTICIDES Pesticide news from Tvedten
Toxic trouble by ZIP code
Don't panic,
says author of study, but demand cleanup of toxic sites
Mosquito control chief faces heavy
opposition - By Joe
Liberatore - IJ columnist ================================================= COUNTRIES – EU Environmental Science and Technology, January 5, 2005 U.S. companies get nervous about EU’s REACH Since 1998, Europeans have been working on legislation that will require industry to prove that chemicals being sold and produced in the EU are safe to use or handle. The current system requires governments to prove that a chemical is dangerous. If passed, the legislation will send European chemical manufacturers scrambling for safety and health data on chemicals that have been marketed for years; many experts predict that it will change the industry worldwide. With billions of dollars in trade and investments at stake, U.S. companies are expressing concern. Clearly, the EU represents a huge swath of the chemical industry, and REACH will have global implications," says Michael Walls, director of science policy with the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group. http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2005/jan/policy/pt_nervous.html Called REACH http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2003/dec/policy/kc_overhaul.html ***
Overview of health policy:
Speech by Markos Kyprianou, Member of the European Commission, responsible for
Health and Consumer Protection: "The new European Healthcare Agenda"
Programme 2003-2008: Update:
Overview of health policy: Event: Reflection process on health strategy ================================================= COUNTRIES – INDONESIA posted by Deborah Elaine Barrie, Canada http://www.noccawood.ca Indonesia to Ask Court to Order Newmont to Pay Pollution Damage Jan. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Indonesia will ask a court to issue an order requiring Newmont Mining Corp., the world's biggest gold producer, to pay damages over alleged pollution off Sulawesi island, Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar told reporters. ``We will make careful calculations on how much Newmont should pay,'' said Witoelar in Jakarta. ``There has been damage in the environment and sufferings among the villagers.'' Witoelar didn't say when or where the order will be issued. The suit will be considered as a `civil' suit with which the government is asking for a monetary damage claim, he said. The government is also filing a separate suit seeking criminal punishments against Newmont, Witoelar said. Newmont has repeatedly denied the charges and says any contamination didn't come from its operations. The Indonesian government said dumping of waste from Newmont's Minahasa mine in North Sulawesi province caused arsenic levels in a nearby seabed to rise to 10 times the levels allowed in the U.S. Higher-than-normal levels of mercury were also found. ``We hold on to the fact that there is no pollution there,'' said Palmer Situmorang, a lawyer for the U.S. miner said. ``A number of independent investigations tell that victims of arsenic and mercury poisoning are never found.'' Villagers near Newmont's Minahasa mine complained to police last year that they suffered health problems after eating fish from Buyat Bay, where the company dumped waste. The mine closed in August after gold reserves were depleted. It started operation in March 1996 with an investment of $135 million. To contact the reporter on this story: Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja in Jakarta at wahyudi@bloomberg.net . To contact the editor responsible for this story: Peter Langan at plangan@bloomberg.net Last Updated: January 24, 2005 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=aL9oX88wSupo&refer=asia ================================================= COUNTRIES – ITALY From Joseph W. Cherner
Italy Goes Smokefree. FroItaly
joins Ireland, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Malta, Uganda, and Bhutan MILAN, Jan. 10 - On January 10, Italy implemented smokefree workplace legislation for all workers, including restaurant and bar workers. Smokers huddled resignedly on sidewalks outside restaurants at lunchtime, while those inside enjoyed what would be for many their first smokefree meal. Getting people not to smoke in a country where around a quarter of the population does has been a major headache for the Health Ministry, which pushed the law through more than a year ago, giving restaurants and bars 12 months to comply. The new law eliminates smoking in indoor spaces, including offices, unless they have a separate smoking area with continuous floor-to-ceiling walls and a separate ventilation system. Many bars and cafes in Italy are simply too small to accommodate such a space. Restaurateurs risk fines of up to 2,000 euros, about $2,600, and loss of their license if they do not enforce the law. Smokers face fines of 27.50 euros to 275 euros. The first fine, issued a minute after midnight on Monday, was handed out to a 22-year-old smoker who was caught lighting up in a bar in Piazza Vanvitelli in Naples, the Italian news media reported. The unidentified man was fined 27.50 euros. Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Italy are the first four countries in Europe to enact total smokefree workplace legislation, while partial smokefree workplace laws exist in other European nations. Smokefree workplace laws were first passed in Italy in 1975, although restaurants and bars were exempt. Citing the 80,000 deaths each year that can be traced to smoking-related causes, Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia made the new law a main priority despite the opposition of some members of his the cabinet. "This law is not a prohibitionist law; we don't prohibit smokers from smoking, we just ask for the protection of others," Mr. Sirchia said in an interview. "ALL workers deserve a safe, healthy, smokefree work environment," says Joe Cherner, founder of BREATHE-- Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy Environment. No worker should have to risk getting cancer to hold a job." To win smokefree air where YOU live, go to http://www.smokefree.net/alerts.php ================================================= DISEASE - CANCER Washington Post SCIENCE Notebook Monday, January 24, 2005; Page A06 Cancer Is Not a Personality Test Notwithstanding the claims of some alternative medical books and Web sites, there is no such thing as a "cancer personality," finds a new study of nearly 30,000 Swedes. A number of psychologists and others have hypothesized that some people are more likely to get cancer because they are angry, neurotic or otherwise unstable. One Web site, for example, has claimed that "lack of self-esteem, the need to people-please, frustrated self-expression, sexual repression, a conflicted mother-daughter relationship, and other traits all are part of the breast cancer personality." … http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31534-2005Jan23.html ================================================= DISEASE – CERVICAL CANCER From: womensenewstoday@womensenews.org January 25, 2005: Cervical Cancer Tied to Secondhand Smoke Katrina Woznicki reports today that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of developing cervical cancer, a new study found. The data are especially crucial to women living in the developing nations, where smoking is on the rise and cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death. Story begins after promos. By Katrina Woznicki - WeNews correspondent (WOMENSENEWS)--Women exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of developing cervical cancer, according to a just-published study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study published in the January issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology could have critical health implications as public health advocates work to not only educate women about reducing their risks for cervical cancer, but also lower tobacco use around the globe. "The evidence is strong," said lead researcher Anthony J. Alberg, an assistant professor in the department of epidemiology. "The findings should encourage smokers to quit and warn nonsmokers who live with smokers to decrease their secondhand smoke exposure." .. For more information: Obstetrics and Gynecology 2005;105:174-181-- - Active and Passive Cigarette Smoking and the Risk of Cervical Neoplasia: - http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/1/174 Gynecologic Oncology - Volume 93, Issue 1 , April 2004, Pages 116-120 - Passive cigarette smoking is a risk factor in cervical neoplasia: - http://www.sciencedirect.com/ Women's eNews is a nonprofit independent news service covering issues of concern to women and their allies ================================================= DISEASE – CHILDREN 23/12/2004
Are household chemicals connected to the
rise in asthma? Sherriff A, Farrow A, Golding J, ALSPAC Study Team,
Henderson AJ. Frequent use of chemical
household products is associated with persistent wheezing in preschool-age
children. Thorax 2005; 60: 45-9. The study of 14,000 children from birth is published in the journal THORAX It is FREE at Thorax Editor's choice http://thorax.bmjjournals.com/ Effect of chemical household products on persistent wheezing in children FREE http://thorax.bmjjournals.com/misc/wheezing.pdf *** Journal of Epidemiology
and Community Health 2005;59:101-105 © 2005 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd And/or Air pollution 'the cause of most cancers in children' http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/31595.shtml HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent. The Herald. January 17 2005 THE majority of childhood cancers are probably caused by exposure to pollution before birth, according to a report published today. Professor George Knox, who has studied the birthplace of thousands of children who developed cancer, claims the inhaling of chemicals by pregnant mothers is the most likely trigger for the majority of such cases. http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/31595.shtml *** Autism, Asperger Syndrome and Failsafe. Reduction of autistic traits following dietary intervention and elimination of exposure to environmental substances Abstract: Effects of environmental exposure were isolated and studied in 49 autistic children. Elimination of food-related reactions entirely allowed effects of environmental chemicals to be thoroughly studied indefinitely in the absence of food-related symptoms. Initially unaffected by social contexts, the autistic subjects acted out the ways they were affected by their environment without the altering effects of societal influences; and severity of the adverse effects made observation and study easier. There was a strong correlation between environmental exposure levels and autistic symptoms and behaviors. There appeared to be nothing inherently wrong with autistic children studied. The children in the program (universal diet and clean room) returned to normal physically, in temperament, in awareness of surroundings and others, in emotions and empathy, and in ability to learn. Based on the results of the present study, a broad spectrum of severe and chronic autistic symptoms appear to be environmentally based, apparently caused by chronic exposure to volatile organic compounds, and appear to be fully reversible in the proper environment. http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/factsheets/Factautism.htm *** Op-Ed Columnist: Health Care? Ask Cuba January 12, 2005 By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF "America's children are at greater risk than they've been in for at least a decade," said Dr. Irwin Redlener, associate dean at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and president of the Children's Health Fund. "The rising rate of infant mortality is an early warning that we're headed in the wrong direction, with no relief in sight." Here's a wrenching fact: If the U.S. had an infant mortality rate as good as Cuba's, we would save an additional 2,212 American babies a year. Yes, Cuba's. Babies are less likely to survive in America,.. We should celebrate this freedom that we enjoy in America - by complaining about and working to address pockets of poverty and failures in our health care system. It's simply unacceptable that the average baby is less likely to survive in the U.S. than in Beijing or Havana. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/12/opinion/12kris.html?ex=1106558321&ei=1&en=9027fa66adbe07bd *** Eye Movements can Diagnose Preschoolers at High Risk for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Brunel University researchers devise first ever ADHD biological test UXBRIDGE, 17 January 2005 - Researchers from Brunel University's School of Sport and Education have discovered, after three years of international research, that attention deficit, impulsivity and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be diagnosed in preschool children using a simple but sophisticated biological test. To date, the diagnosis of the condition is made subjectively by the use of questionnaires. This is the first time that such a n objective and biological test- discovery has been made, worldwide. http://www.brunel.ac.uk/news/press/releases/105/ADHD.shtml And 17 January 2005 NewScientist.com news service First biological test for ADHD unveiled http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6886 *** Mobile phones tumour risk to young children By Sam Coates, Nigel Hawkes and Alexandra Blair The Times of London, Jan. 12, 05 Children under the age of eight should not use mobile phones, parents were advised last night after an authoritative report linked heavy use to ear and brain tumours and concluded that the risks had been underestimated by most scientists. Professor Sir William Stewart, chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), said that evidence of potentially harmful effects had become more persuasive over the past five years. … http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1436543,00.htm ================================================= DISEASE - MCS From Diana Buckland
dbucklan@bigpond.net.au ================================================= DISEASE – PARKINSON DESEASE Parkinson's to PCBs, fungicide Corydon Ireland, Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle Staff writer(January 27, 2005) and/or
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_research.htm
*** Environmental Health Perspectives: Annual Review Issue Volume 112, Number 9 June 2004 Review Article: Association of Pesticide Exposure with Neurologic Dysfunction and Disease. Freya Kamel and Jane A. Hoppin, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA Neurotoxicity of High-Level Exposure Neurotoxicity of Low-Level Exposure http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2004/7135/7135.html *** Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 111, Number 8 June 2003 Research Review Parkinson's Disease and Exposure to Infectious Agents and Pesticides and the Occurrence of Brain Injuries: Role of Neuroinflammation Bin Liu,* Hui-Ming Gao, and Jau-Shyong Hong, Neuropharmacology Section, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, Rese,arch Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA Microglia as the Primary Contributor of Proinflammatory and Neurotoxic Factors Overproduction and Accumulation of Proinflammatory and Neurotoxic Factors Are Deleterious to Neurons Findings Associating Brain Inflammation with the Pathogenesis of PD Is Exposure to Infectious Microorganisms a Risk Factor for PD? Inflammogen-Induced Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration: Experimental Models of Inflammation-Related PD Traumatic Brain Injury and Development of PD Exposure to Pesticides and Development of PD The Role of Glial Cells in Pesticide-Induced Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2003/6361/6361.html (There are long lists of references) ================================================= EMF Links: http://www.grn.es/electropolucio/00omega.htm http://groups.yahoo.com/group/emf-omega-news/ http://teleline.terra.es/personal/kirke1/pagact.html ================================================= SCIENCE The January issue of Environmental Health Perspectives is available online. You can see it here: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/113-1/toc.html. Inter alia: Correspondence, p. A 16 -Comments on "Recent Developments in Low-Level Lead Exposure and Intellectual Impairment in Children" Low-Level Lead Exposure and Intellectual Impairment in Children: Koller et al. Respond - TCDD and Puberty in Girls - TCDD and Puberty: Warner and Eskenazi Respond Forum, p. A 24 The Ugly Side of Beauty Products EHPnet: Noise Pollution Clearinghouse: The Beat NIEHS News, p. A 28 Stirring the Pot in Environmental Health Environmental Roots of Asthma Focus, p. A 34 Decibel Hell: The Effects of Living in a Noisy World Research Review Ionizing Radiation and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia David B. Richardson, Steve Wing, Jane Schroeder, Inge Schmitz-Feuerhake, and Wolfgang Hoffmann, p. 1 Articles Nitromusk and Polycyclic Musk Compounds as Long-Term Inhibitors of Cellular Xenobiotic Defense Systems Mediated by Multidrug Transporters Till Luckenbach and David Epel p. 17 Assessment of Autoimmune Responses Associated with Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana, USA Jean C. Pfau, Jami J. Sentissi, Greg Weller, and Elizabeth A. Putnam p. 25 Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Cognitive Abilities among U.S. Children and Adolescents Kimberly Yolton, Kim Dietrich, Peggy Auinger, Bruce P. Lanphear, and Richard Hornung p. 98 A Noninvasive Isotopic Approach to Estimate the Bone Lead Contribution to Blood in Children: Implications for Assessing the Efficacy of Lead Abatement Roberto Gwiazda, Carla Campbell, and Donald Smith p. 104 (there is a free subscription on : http://www.ehpOnline.org/ )
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