The Weekly Toxic Times

From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health

News 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

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Articles were researched and compiled by Diane Sherman, MNCEH Intern.

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