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. 

Lindane Action Alert

HB4402 was recently introduced and referred to the House Great Lakes & Environment Committee. This bill, if passed, would establish commonsense measures in Michigan to require use of lindane only under a doctor's direct supervision. Health professional organizations like Michigan's Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics support the legislation, noting the availability of safer, effective alternatives. A hearing and vote is expected to take place on Thursday, March 5, 2009 between 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. during the next Great Lakes & Environment Committee session Learn how you can take action by reaching out to your elected officials at http://www.mnceh.org/take.lindane.php. Note: A copy of our Head Lice Treatment Alternatives fact sheet can be downloaded here.

New Report: Levels of Toxic Flame Retardants Are Increasing at a Dangerous Rate

Fire fighters, parents, children’s advocates, health professionals, and environmentalists gathered at the (VT) State House to release a report on the dangers of toxic flame retardants. “As our report documents, levels of toxic flame retardants in the environment and our bodies are increasing at a dangerous rate. This is of particular concern because these chemicals have been linked to reproductive disorders, cancer, liver damage, and other serious health effects,” said Charity Carbine, an environmental health advocate. To download the full report, visit http://www.vpirg.org/documents/Deca_white_paper_FINAL.pdf. Note: You can also learn more about Michigan's efforts to phase out these dangerous chemicals at http://www.mnceh.org/campaigns.flame.php.

Older Autos Source of Flame Retardants
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/older-autos-flame-retardants/
While there is increasing concern about PBDE exposure in the home, the levels in the cars tested were 10 times higher than in house dust. The authors estimate that, even though people spend much more time in their homes, most BDE-209 exposure is likely to come from the car. The chemical-laden dust can be eaten and breathed. It may be more of a problem for children than adults because of their hand to mouth activity.

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Fewer Kids Have High Lead Levels Than 20 Years Ago
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,503044,00.html
In a stunning improvement in children's health, far fewer kids have high lead levels than 20 years ago, new government research reports — a testament to aggressive efforts to get lead out of paint, water and soil.
 

Fillings Debate Rages On
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0224/1224241701441.html
The controversy surrounding the use of mercury in amalgam fillings seems set to run and run, reports Sylvia Thompson of the Irish Times. The use of mercury amalgams in tooth fillings is sometimes described as one of the oldest unresolved controversies in medicine. There are opposing sides each equally convinced of their arguments which often leave people with a lingering uncertainty about the safety of having a toxic metal in their mouths for decades on end.

Nations to Write Treaty Cutting Mercury Emissions
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/20/AR2009022003378.html
More than 140 countries have agreed to negotiate a legally binding treaty aimed at slashing the use of the metal mercury, with the goal of reducing people's exposure to a toxin that hampers brain development among infants and young children worldwide. The agreement, announced at a high-level United Nations meeting of environmental ministers in Nairobi in late February came after Obama administration officials reversed U.S. policy and embraced the idea of joining in a binding pact. Once the administration said it was reversing the course set by President George W. Bush, China, India and other nations also agreed to endorse the goal of a mandatory treaty.

Lead Law Puts Thrift Stores in Lurch
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/02/27/lead_law_puts_thrift_stores_in_lurch/
A federal law designed to protect children from lead products has caused several Massachusetts thrift stores to stop selling kids' clothing, shutting off an important shopping alternative for families struggling in this recession. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which took effect Feb. 10, prohibits all shops from selling children's products that contain too much lead or potentially harmful chemicals. Congress passed the law in response to a series of recalls of toys and jewelry that had high lead content and were linked to several child deaths and illnesses. But the legislation applies to all children's products, including clothes, which could contain lead in metal zippers, buttons, or painted fabrics. The sweeping nature of the law has been devastating for many resale shops nationwide, such as those run by Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries.
 

New Lead Rule Released
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm#contractors
Beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

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LDDI Releases New Fact Sheet: Mental Health and Environmental Exposures

http://iceh.org/pdfs/LDDI/MentalHealthFactSheet.pdf
In late 2008, the Learning and Developmental Disability Initiative (LDDI) updated and expanded its fact sheet on environmental exposures and mental health. With an emphasis on prevention, this fact sheet provides information on psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses related to each of the environmental agents discussed, as well as sources of exposure and actions that can be taken to reduce exposures.

Bisphenol-A Overview

Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical with estrogen-like effects, is used in products such as baby bottles, water bottles, eyeglass lenses, medical equipment, toys, CDs/DVDs, cell phones, consumer electronics, household appliances, sports safety equipment, airplanes, and automobiles. Epoxy resins containing BPA are used as liners for most food and beverage cans, adhesives, industrial protective coatings, and automotive primers. BPA is also used to make dental sealants, flame retardants, and is an additive in many other widely used consumer products. Learn more about the effects of Bisphenol-A exposure by visiting http://endocrinedisruption.com/endocrine.bisphenol.overview.php.
 

Critical Windows of Development Program Launched
http://www.criticalwindows.com/go_display.php
The Critical Windows of Development is a unique interactive webpage that pairs normal human development in the womb with laboratory research showing where and when low-dose exposure to Bisphenol-A, phthalates and dioxin has effects.

‘Critical Windows of Development’ For Babies Unveiled
http://www.deltacountyindependent.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7292:critical-windows-of-development-for-babies-unveiled-by-dr-colborn&catid=35:north-fork&Itemid=239
Before a baby is ever born, it is subjected to chemicals that can harm his or her development. The chemicals, which can harm the baby in the womb and throughout life, can be found in the products used in everyday life ­— baby bottles, cleaning products, food cans, fragrances, packaging materials, toys, cars, and many other products. Dr. Theo Colborn, PhD, is the president of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX) in Paonia, and co-author of “Our Stolen Future.” TEDX has been gathering research about the affect of low doses of chemicals on the embryo and developing fetus for 14 years. On Feb. 10, she debuted their web-based timeline of a baby’s development from conception to birth. This interactive tool is called Critical Windows of Development. It shows both normal stages of development and how chemicals could affect that development.
 

BPA May Pose Greater Threat to Newborns
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090224.LBPA24/TPStory/
Toxic substance that mimics estrogen may linger longer in babies than in adults, researchers find.

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Why We're Going Nuts Over Nut Allergies
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1881985,00.html
Susan Fradin has nightmares about Cheerios. Specifically, the Honey Nut variety. Her son Noah is allergic to peanuts and almonds, and her nighttime torment began during his first trip to sleepaway camp, when he was 9. Fradin, a former publicist in Los Angeles, worried that her son would eat cereal he shouldn't and go into anaphylactic shock. "I woke up in the middle of the night thinking, What if he eats Honey Nut Cheerios thinking they are regular Cheerios?" she says.
 

Subscribe to "Toxic Times"

http://www.mnceh.org/toxictimes/news.php

"Toxic Times" is a weekly recap of the top stories on toxics from the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health.

CHE Partnership Calls

http://www.healthandenvironment.org/news/calls

You can also listen to previous calls, download documentation and view call blogs at this website.

LDA of Michigan's Healthy Children Project Offering Conference Co-Sponsorships

http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/conf.cosponsorships.pdf

LDA would like to co-sponsor up to three (3) statewide conferences of 501(c)3 non-profit organizations which are dedicated to children’s health issues and family memberships. Those selected will receive $500 from the LDA HCP to help support their overall conference. To learn more, download the PDF information sheet and Microsoft Word application form.

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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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