Healthy Children Project Monthly e-News

Feel free to let your friends, family and colleagues know about this valuable new resource. Instructions to subscribe or unsubscribe are at the end of this e-newsletter. MI Healthy Children's e-newsletter is part of a collaborative effort with the Learning Disabilities Association of America's Healthy Children Project, the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health website, and the Institute for Children's Environmental Health with support from the Beldon Fund. 

Environmental Health Report: Toxic Baby Bottles
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/environmental-health/environmental-health-reports/toxic-baby-bottles
Products marketed for infants and children are not always completely safe for their use. Many contain toxic chemicals that may have detrimental health impacts for children exposed during critical stages of development. In this report, we analyze the extent to which five popular brands of baby bottles leach bisphenol A, a developmental, neural, and reproductive toxicant, into liquids coming into contact with them. We found that all five brands leach bisphenol A at dangerous levels found to cause harm in numerous laboratory animal studies.

Father's 'Dusting' Linked to Infant's Death
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-te.md.co.dusting02mar02,0,479715.story?coll=bal-local-headlines
The young father told police that he was alone with his newborn son when he inhaled the spray from a can of electronics cleaner, an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a cheap high.

Chemical Industry Consultant Runs Federal Reproductive Health Agency
http://www.ewg.org/issues/bisphenola/20070228/index.php
A federal agency that evaluates the causes of birth defects and other reproductive problems is run by a consulting firm with ties to companies that make chemicals the agency is charged with reviewing, according to an investigation by Environmental Working Group (EWG).

FY 2007 Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign Grant

http://www.epa.gov/oswer/docs/grants/07-06.pdf

Notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals to support an innovative project that advances the goals of the "Schools Chemical Clean-out Campaign (SC3)." The proposed project should be a demonstration, training, outreach and/or education project that uses the lessons learned from other chemical management programs to develop a new or expand an existing program that makes available and improves chemical management in the K-12 schools of a community. Application period closes March 14, 2007.

Washington House Passes Measure Phasing Out Toxic Flame Retardants
The House recently passed a measure that would phase out the use of some fireproofing chemicals in televisions, computers, and upholstered furniture as long as safer alternatives are available. Supporters of the measure said it was an important step to improving the health of the environment and people. But opponents expressed concerns about fire safety. The measure prohibits the manufacture, sale or distribution of most items containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers, commonly known as PBDEs. Under the measure, after January First, 2008 mattresses with deca would be banned. Deca would be banned in residential upholstered furniture, television or computers with electronic enclosures containing deca would be banned as of January First, 2011. (Source: Associated Press)

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Lead Alerts Update: February 2006-2007

http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/LeadAlerts0207.pdf
A comprehensive listing of products have been taken off the market/recalled by the Consumer Product Commission because they contain lead.

Michigan Landlord Hailed for Lead Cleanup in Apartments
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-34/117250483958810.xml&coll=6
Landlord James Loftis estimates he has used a federal grant program to remove the lead poisoning hazards from nearly 30 of his rental units. His apartments might be safer for kids as a result, but Loftis said he has reasons of his own. "I think in the end, it's just good business," said Loftis, who was named "Rental Property Owner of the Year" on Saturday by the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan.
 

Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury Campaign

http://www.env-health.org/stopmercury
HEAL and Health Care Without Harm Europe launched the report of a joint Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury campaign on January 10 in the European Parliament entitled, "Halting the child brain drain: why we need to tackle global mercury contamination". The full report, presentations from the official launch at the European Parliament, press pack and other background material can be downloaded from their website.

Vermont To Lead Nation In Protecting Children From Lead Poisoning By Reducing Acceptable Level of Lead in Blood

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/NEWS03/702020323/1004/

NEWS03
Citing evidence that exposure to even small amounts can reduce a child's IQ, the State of Vermont is ready to become the first in the nation to lower the benchmark upon which a diagnosis of lead poisoning is based. "There is no safe level of lead in blood," said Dr. Bruce Lanphear. "Moreover, at the lowest levels of exposure… we see dramatic reductions in the intellectual ability of children." The National Centers for Disease Control has set a level of 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood as the point of concern. But Vermont is going to reduce that level to five micrograms per deciliter, becoming the first in the nation to do so.

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ICEH Practice Prevention Column: Perchlorate

http://www.iceh.org/pdfs/LDDI/PracPrevention/perchlorate.pdf

Perchlorate is a chemical that occurs in nature but is also manufactured for industrial products and processes. It is used mostly in explosives and rocket propellants for munitions (mortars, grenades, flares and solid rocket fuel). Perchlorate is also used in smaller quantities in fireworks, blasting agents, matches, lubricating oils, nuclear reactors, air bags and certain types of fertilizers,1 as well as in tanning and leather finishing, rubber manufacture and paint and enamel production.

Study: Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and Neurodevelopment in Young Mexican-American Children
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2007/9828/9828.pdf
The study found that an adverse association of prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure as measured by DAPs with mental development and pervasive developmental problems at 24 months of age. This study is one of the first to examine the associations of both prenatal and postnatal organophosphate exposure on early neurodevelopment.

Methylmercury, Lead and Paraquat All Affect the Same Genetic Pathway Important to Brain Development, at Environmentally-relevant Levels

http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0050035

Each of these neurotoxicants changes the chemical state of developing brain cells and initiates a series of metabolic steps that suppress receptors in the brain that are necessary to how the brain functions.

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Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's New Smart Guides (PDF)

Smart Plastics: Making smarter purchasing decisions for plastics. Online at: http://www.agobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=77083

Smart Meat and Dairy: Picking safer, sustainable food for healthy children and a healthier environment. Online at: http://www.agobservatory.org/library.cfm?refID=72846

Smart Produce: Choosing fruits and vegetables to minimize pesticide exposure. Online at: http://www.agobservatory.org/library.cfm?refID=37512

Unicef: 'Rich' Countries Rank Among Last For Children's Well-Being
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_38299.html
British and American children are among the worst off in the industrialized world, according to a U.N. report Wednesday that ranked the two countries at the bottom of 21 nations for children's well-being. Britain came in last place, only slightly behind the U.S., in the UNICEF report, which measured well-being by six categories: material wealth, health and safety, education, peer and family relationships, behaviors and risks, and young people's own subjective sense of well-being.
The U.S. was dead last among the 21 nations for health and safety, while Britain was last in two categories - family and peer relationships and behaviors and risks.

Upcoming CHE Special Policy Education Call: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Risk Assessment Bulletin
Date: March 8, 2007 at 12 EST
Description: This call will feature presentations by Rena Steinzor, J.D., Jacob A. France Research Professor of Law and Director of the Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Maryland, and Robert Schull, Deputy Director for Auto Safety and Regulatory Policy at Public Citizen. Steve Heilig, M.P.H., Director of Public Health & Education, San Francisco Medical Society and CHE will moderate the call.

For More Information: To join this call and receive dial-in instructions, please RSVP to Julia@HealthandEnvironment.org or visit http://www.healthandenvironment.org/articles/partnership_calls/943

Mark Your Calendars: MCCF Annual Meeting & Legislative Day

Date/Location: March 13, 2007 in Room 426 of the State Capitol in Lansing

Description: The Michigan Coalition for Children and Families (MCCF) will present the 2007 Children's Agenda at this special event. The theme of this year's Children's Agenda is "The Little Engine that Could: A Can-Do Attitude of Investment in Children."

For More Information: Visit http://www.miccf.org for information.

Mark Your Calendars: LDDI National Conference 2007 "Priming for Prevention: An Ecological Approach to Research, Education and Policy"

Dates/Location: May 10-11, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia

Description: The theme of this second national conference of the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative is "Priming for Prevention: An Ecological Approach to Research, Education and Policy." Dr. David Satcher, former Surgeon General is our invited keynote speaker, and many other leading researchers, health professionals and advocates will be presenting their cutting-edge work on environmental factors and neurological development.

For More Information: Contact Elise Miller at emiller@iceh.org or download the PDF conference brochure at http://www.iceh.org/pdfs/LDDI/LDDIFlyer2007.pdf.

Michigan's Executive Directive No. 2006-6
http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-36898-153806--,00.html
This directive, signed by Governor Granholm on October 17, 2006, promotes green chemistry for sustainable economic development and protection of public health in Michigan. See related article: http://www.ecocenter.org/releases/20061018_greenchem.shtml

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The Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan is pleased to offer grants to 501(C) 3 non-profit organizations located in Michigan for educational programs/events/materials which will help inform key stakeholders of the existing and emerging science linking certain chemical exposures to learning, behavioral, and developmental disabilities. Priority will be given projects which target families and disability groups and/or promote action towards creating a healthier environment for all children. Grantees will be responsible for submitting a final project report, documentation of all expenditures, and copies of materials produced. Maximum award $400. Click here to download an application (PDF).

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For more information on The Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan's Healthy Children Project visit http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/healthychild.htm.

 
For more information on The Healthy Children Project visit http://www.healthychildrenproject.org/index.html.

 
For more information on the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative, coordinated by the Institute for Children’s Environmental Health visit http://www.iceh.org/LDDI.html. To join the the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI), please complete the form at http://www.iceh.org/LDDImembers.html.

 
For more information on The Beldon Fund visit http://www.beldon.org/.

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