The Weekly Toxic Times
From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental HealthNews highlights from April 12 - April 18, 2008
A recap of the top stories on toxins in Michigan, National, and International news.
Michigan News
Report: Smoking
ban won’t hurt economy
Detroit Free Press, Tuesday, April 15, 2008
“LANSING – A total ban on smoking would not economically
harm Michigan restaurants and bars and would protect both customers
and employees from diseases caused by second-hand smoke, a new report
concludes. ‘The evidence is overwhelming, there is no net
effect on the industry,’ said Ken Sikkema, who led the study
by Public Sector Consultants of Lansing…”
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/NEWS06/80415061
DEQ: Dow-Lafarge partnership has positive environmental impact
Bay City Times, Thursday, April 17, 2008
“HARBOR BEACH – Two Michigan industries are forging a partnership that pledges to recycle waste from one company while cutting emissions and saving energy at another. And state air quality analysts are calling it good …”
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news11/120844534021
3490.xml&coll=4
The key to addressing the environmental mess
at Bay Harbor is knowledge
Petoskey News-Review, Friday, April 18, 2008
Article presents information about contamination of Bay Harbor near Petoskey,
Michigan with leachate.
http://www.petoskeynews.com/articles/2008/04/11/opinion/doc47fcd91beaf5b629
440149.txt
National News
High chemical levels found in cats and dogs
USA Today, Wednesday, April 16, 2008
“An environmental group has tested dogs and cats for chemical
exposure and found some levels much higher than in humans. The
analysis, being released today by the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental
Working Group today, found levels of brominated flame retardants (used
in furniture, fabrics and electronics) in cats 23 times higher than
in humans…”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-16-pets-chemicals_N.htm
Report finds potential health hazards in plastic
NPR, Wednesday, April 16, 2008
“Michael D. Shelby, director of the Center for the Evaluation
of Risks to Human Reproduction, says a report on the safety of
Bisphenol A, a chemical used in some plastics, finds it might cause
cancer, early puberty and neural and behavioral changes…”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89695229
U.S. cites fears on chemical in plastics
Washington Post, Wednesday, April 16, 2008
“For the first time, the federal government said Tuesday that a
chemical found in commonly used products such as dental sealants, baby
bottles and aluminum cans is potentially dangerous to human development
and reproduction…”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/15/AR2008041
501753.html?sub=AR
Canada likely to label plastic ingredient ‘toxic’
New York Times, Wednesday, April 16, 2008
“OTTAWA — The Canadian government is said to be ready to
declare as toxic a chemical widely used in plastics for baby bottles,
beverage and food containers as well as linings in food cans…”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/business/worldbusiness/16plastic.html?_r=
1&oref=slogin
Additional articles on Bisphenol A:
Report cites chemicals’ risk
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 15, 2008
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=739923
How to limit your BPA exposure
Washington Post, Tuesday, April 15, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/15/AR20080
41502161.html
Plastics chemical spurs concern
Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, April 16, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120827794501716613.html?mod=googlenews
_wsj
Safety of water bottles, baby bottles questioned
ABC News, Tuesday, April 15, 2008
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4657968&page=1
Study: Bisphenol A concern “cannot be dismissed”
USA Today, Tuesday, April 15, 2008
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-15-plastic-safety_N.htm
Plastic Chemical Bisphenol A May Be Linked to Health Problems
Bloomberg, Tuesday, April 15, 2008
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=ak5jhGm07DXg&
refer=home
PFOs alters immune response in very low levels
Environmental Science and Technology, Wednesday, April 16, 2008
“Perfluorinated compounds previously in stain repellents may be
affecting the human immune system, according to new research published
in Toxicological Sciences (2008, DOI 10.1093/toxsci/kfn059)…”
http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2008/apr/science/cc_turtles.html
Short-term effects of outdoor air pollution levels on asthma
symptoms and lung function in children
News.Medical.Net, Wednesday, April 16, 2008
“A new study reports that inner-city children with asthma may be
particularly vulnerable to air pollution at levels below current air
quality standards. The study, available online, analyzes the short-term
effects of outdoor pollution levels on asthma symptoms and lung function
in children. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)…”
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=37408
Exhaust may up asthma, allergy risk
United Press International, Thursday, April 10, 2008
“STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 10 (UPI) – Children exposed to
high levels of air pollution as infants have a higher risk of asthma,
allergies and impaired respiratory function, a Swedish study said…”
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2008/04/10/exhaust_may_up_asthma_
allergy_risk/8791/
Lead problem puts couple in bind
Boston Globe, Monday, April 15, 2008
Article covers the story of a Massachusetts family who faces a requirement
to remove lead paint from their home but fears the state’s requirements
would result in more exposure of their two children.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/14/lead_problem_puts_couple
_in_bind/
Senate panel to eye sludge study
Baltimore Sun, Tuesday, April 15, 2008
“A Senate committee led by California Sen. Barbara Boxer plans
to look into government funding of studies that put fertilizer made from
treated human and industrial waste on the lawns of East Baltimore rowhouses
and a vacant lot near a school in East St. Louis, Ill. Additionally,
the president of the Maryland NAACP said yesterday that he is asking
federal and state officials to launch a criminal investigation…”
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-md.sludge15apr15,0,630
405.story
Lawsuit alleges poor cleanup of Blackwell smelter site has left
some with high lead levels
The Oklahoman, Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Article discusses Oklahoma residents’ concerns that cleanup
of a zinc smelter were not sufficient and exposed residents to lead
and other chemicals.
http://newsok.com/article/3230099/1208230787
International News
Ottawa will release bisphenol A decision in due
time: Clement
National Post (Canada), Wednesday, April 16, 2008
“OTTAWA – Health Minister Tony Clement said Wednesday there's
no need for retailers to assume the role of regulator when it come
to deciding which products are safe for sale in Canada – just
as two more giant retailers pulled all plastic products with bisphenol
A from their shelves. Wal-Mart Canada and the Home Depot joined the
Hudson's Bay Company, Canadian Tire, and the Forzani Group…”
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=450448
Canadian stores race to purge bisphenol A products
Globe (Canada), Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Article covers the recent activity surrounding Bisphenol A in Canada and the
US.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080416.wbpa16/BNStory
/National/home
Ease up on use of plastics; activists seek changes
for Earth Day
The Observer (Canada), Friday, April 11, 2008
“Reuse. It's better than recycling. The message couldn't be simpler. Sarnia's
Environmental Activists (SEA) are challenging local residents to stop using
plastic water bottles and plastic shopping bags…”
http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=983669
Articles were researched and compiled by Diane Sherman, MNCEH Intern.
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