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Atrazine, introduced in 1958, is the most widely used pesticide in the United States. Between 70 and 90 million pounds of the active ingredient are used annually to combat weeds in agriculture, commercial, and domestic areas. It is used on lawns, playing fields, roadsides and golf courses. Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) is a chlorinated triazine herbicide used to control certain weeds in crops, particularly corn — sorghum — sugarcane — pineapple — macadamia nuts and citrus. Atrazine is the active ingredient in many herbicide products including Aatrex, Atrataol, Gesaprim and Zeophos, while it is a component of other herbicides including Alazine, Bicep, Bullet, Extrazine, Prozin, Rastra, Stuazine, and Tomahawk. (1,2)

The largest producer of atrazine has been the Ciba-Geigy Corporation that became Novartis, and is now Syngenta, the world’s largest agribusiness company with 6.3 billion dollars in sales of agrichemicals. Atrazine is also manufactured by E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co., Drexel Co., Oxon Italia, and Prodotti Chimici. Around 1970, only 12 years after being introduced, farmers were beginning to notice weed resistance to atrazine. By 1983 more than two-dozen weed species showed resistance to atrazine, and to other herbicides as well.

In spite of its wide use in this country; atrazine has been banned in most western European countries, with France announcing a ban in 2001 due to atrazine’s presence in water and risks to human health. (4)

Environmental Impact

A major environmental concern is atrazine’s mobility in soil and ground water. It has been found in the groundwater of 24 states, some of which do not even use the pesticide. The highest concentrations of atrazine were found in the cornbelt states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. It has been detected in 30 out of 33 samples of treated drinking water, indicating that it is not eliminated by ordinary treatment technology. More expensive activated charcoal filtration and ozonation are necessary for removing atrazine and its metabolites from drinking water.

This book explains scientific principles and methods that underlie risk assessment. The authors use a series of case histories on environmental health hazards to describe the strengths and limitations of scientific and statistical methods used in risk assessment. The book’s objective is to allow anyone interested in health risks to make more informed judgments on possible cause-effect relationships of pollutants and disease. It explains how to establish cause-effect and dose-response relationships of various pollutants and disease endpoints, how to conduct exposure assessments, and how to assess the significance of disease incidence at the population level using the basic principles of epidemiology and its statistical foundation. The importance of advances in molecular biology and our increasing understanding of molecular mechanisms of disease to reduce uncertainties in assessment is emphasized.

The choice of case studies on both toxicants and disease endpoints conveys a balanced picture of factors affecting our health over a lifetime: exposure to natural and industrial toxicants, our genetic make-up, and life-style choices. Introductions to each case study provide vivid accounts of the societal contexts in which risks were discovered. While the authors emphasize that the book’s focus is on “sound science and solid analysis,” for some cases the authors outline policy implications, such as decisions on population screening in the case of mammography and prevention of breast cancer.

Since 2002, a new service has been available to physicians in southeast France. They may ask for an audit of the indoor environments of their patients when they feel that the environment is having a negative influence on patient health status. A telephone survey was recently designed to evaluate the efficacy of this service.

Between March 2002 and June 2005, 328 such environmental studies have been performed. Each study included a questionnaire, an environmental sampling for mold identification, a mite-allergen evaluation, and, in selected cases, the measurement of indoor volatile organic compounds. From April to September 2005, we performed a telephone interview survey, using a structured questionnaire, to evaluate the results of such studies.

The response rate was 62.5%. The main defects that were pointed out in houses were mold infestation (44%), house-dust mite contamination (32%), and volatile organic compound exposure (9%) from new furniture, work being performed, and hobbies. Masonry work, mold decontamination, and plumbing had been performed in 59.4% of those houses. With guidance provided to the participating families, the total compliance rate was estimated to be 50%, the partial compliance rate was 20%, and the noncompliance rate was 30%. Noncompliance was linked to moving, and to time and money constraints. The overall efficacy of the service was evaluated to be total by 3% of families, almost total by 31% of families, partial by 56% of families, and null by 10% of families.

In conclusion, such a service seems to be useful to families. It needs a more objective evaluation and also a cost-benefit analysis. In the literature, the evaluation of the effects of environmental interventions on housing conditions has so far focused on mite-avoidance programs. It has been demonstrated (1) that environmental counseling leads to more advice being given to the family, to the family being more compliant with the advice, and finally to a larger decrease in mite-allergen levels compared to patients who had been advised by an allergist during an outpatient visit. An American intervention study (2) involving especially trained high school graduates has demonstrated a clinical benefit in a large group of mite-allergic asthmatic children.

Those students across the nation seeking to earn an undergraduate degree in the environmental health field from an accredited program can now attend Benedict College, the first institution of higher learning in South Carolina to receive national accreditation in environmental health.

Under the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC), Benedict’s environmental health science program recently achieved full accreditation status after a unanimous vote by the council and accredited on its first attempt.

Benedict, like other EHAC accredited institutions, had to meet rigorous standards set by the profession. To meet accreditation standards, educational programs are measured according to specific criteria, which include standards for curriculum, faculty, program funding, enrollment and management. The criteria are reviewed and updated regularly to meet the demanding needs of the marketplace.

Benedict is the second historically Black college among the 26 higher education institutions in the country to receive accreditation in environmental health studies. Under the leadership of Milton A. Morris, director for the environmental health sciences program, the institution worked diligently for the past six years to build an exemplary program that provides students with a quality education.

“The attainment of accreditation will make Benedict College students more marketable and assist in efforts to promote standards of excellence at Benedict,” Morris says, adding, “The entire Benedict College family can be proud of this historic accomplishment. From the President’s Office and departments across the campus, the college pulled together to ensure that the environmental health program is second to none.”

Benedict sponsored the first statewide Environmental Justice Listening Conference last summer in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency. The conference served as a grassroots effort to unite community leaders across the state.

How important is the environment when it comes to human health? The 1962 publication Silent Spring not only rippled throughout the scientific community and public conscience but initiated a growing wave of research into the linkages between environment and human health. (1) Yet there is limited hard scientific proof that adverse health outcomes are caused by the contaminant load that human activities add to the environment. Most scientists remain concerned about the emerging epidemic of lifestyle diseases and are committed to genetic research as the next magic bullet, while the relations between human health and environmental exposures remain highly contentious.

For example, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was indicted as an extreme risk to human health in spite of a significant lack of human toxicological or epidemiological evidence. (2) Despite the chemical’s proven ability to control, if not eradicate, the spread of mosquito-borne malaria in human populations, animal studies were deemed sufficient to warrant the ban on the use of DDT-containing agents. But recent research does not support any association between DDE (p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, the predominant DDT metabolite) and, for example, breast cancer. (3) Whether or not the ban on DDT was premature or in fact beneficial to human health is still debatable. DDT remains a significant part of mosquito-control programs in malaria-endemic countries and undoubtedly saves thousands of lives.

In fact, there is much scientific debate about the causes of all cancer. Lifestyle and behavioral factors such as tobacco use and unhealthy diets are the main drivers of the cancer burden, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that just 2 percent of all cancers are attributable to air pollution and only 5 percent due to occupational exposures. (4) Diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers have emerged as what has been coined “the epidemic of lifestyle disease.”

Threats to our drinking water are increasing due to our aging water system infrastructure and increased pollutants invading our water sources. Because the source of our drinking water varies, the treatment it receives before coming to our tap also varies. For these reasons, we can no longer take the safety of our drinking water for granted.

Some of the more common natural sources of pollution include:

microorganisms; underlying rock; nitrates and nitrites; heavy metals found in underground rock that contains arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and selenium; and fluoride. Human Activities causing pollution include: bacteria and nitrates from human and animal wastes, septic tanks and large farms; heavy metals from mining construction, and older fruit orchards; fertilizers and pesticides; industrial products and wastes from local factories, industrial plants, gas stations, dry cleaners, leaking underground storage tanks, landfills and waste dumps; household wastes such as cleaning solvents, used motor oil, paint, paint thinner, pharmaceuticals (discarded medications flushed down the toilet); lead and copper; hormones passed into the system through waste.

Most of us are familiar with problems caused by ecoli in the water or problems caused by lead poisoning, but not much is heard about problems from hormones or medications that make their way back into our drinking water. In truth, little is known about the long term effects of pharmaceutical contamination.

Hormones fed through the system can create a variety of problems. A study done in the UK found that high concentrations of female hormones (from women using contraceptive pills) were changing the sex of approximately half of all male fish and possibly affected male fertility. Other studies have shown antidepressants can trigger premature spawning in shellfish while drugs designed to treat heart ailments block the ability of fish to repair damaged fins.

If a water supplier determines that drinking water has been contaminated, they are required to inform their customers of any violations within 24 hours. It should be noted that in 2001, one out of every four community water systems did not conduct testing or report the results of testing which could lead to problems that are undetected.

The EPA uses a generalized standard for measuring contamination of our water which can put some groups in jeopardy. Children and infants, the frail and elderly, and pregnant women and their unborn babies can face a greater risk to infection. Others who are undergoing chemotherapy, living with HIV/AIDS, and transplant patients also faced an increased risk.

One contaminate that concerns me the most is nitrate. Nitrate is generally found in fertilizer and puts infants at immediate risk when it exceeds the national standard levels. An excess of nitrate in an infants system can cause “blue baby syndrome” which can be fatal without immediate medical attention. It has been recommended that infants, young children, nursing mothers, pregnant women and certain elderly people use extreme caution.

Families using well water as their primary water source are not subject to regulation by the EPA and therefore face a considerably greater risk. Although a water filtration system can be helpful, many serious problems can only be found by testing and go unnoticed.

What can you do about it? Using a home water filtration system can help, but you will need to do your homework. There are many different types of filtration systems available and each has it’s advantages and disadvantages. In June of 1998, CNN published an article referencing a study done by The Center for Environmental Health which used 16 different brands of water filtration systems which showed that six brands produced water that exceeded the limit for lead, with two (one made by Franke Inc. of Pennsylvania and Omni Corporation of Indiana) generated water with readings substantially higher than the limit.

The same holds true for buying water. FDA’s rules completely exempt waters that are packaged and sold within the same state The FDA also exempts carbonated water and seltzer, and fewer than half of the states require carbonated waters to meet their own bottled water standards. The NRDC tested 103 brands of bottled water and the results can be viewed at SUMMARY OF NRDCs TEST RESULTS.
Anyone concerned about the quality of their drinking water can take call their state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800 426-4791) for a list of state certified labs, or purchasing filters certified by NSF International (800 NSF-MARK) to remove the contaminants of special concern to the consumer (NSF certification is not, however, a complete guarantee of safety).

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For those of us that understand nutrition and it’s importance in our lives, this statement makes all too much sense doesn’t it?

Today, six out of the top ten causes of death are diet related and chronic degenerative diseases afflict over 120 million Americans. Cancer has moved from the eighth leading cause of death to number two, even after Richard Nixon’s “War on Cancer” spent thirty billion dollars attempting to find a cure. Diabetes has increased 700% since 1959.

Nearly 15 million American adults suffer from asthma and the Environmental Health Commission predicts that number will increase to 29 million by 2020. Twenty-one million Americans suffer from arthritis and approximately 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, with 75 percent of these being female. Many of these autoimmune conditions were practically nonexistent thirty years ago.

Look at the average diet of children today–soft drinks, processed cereal, pizza, candy, fast food and their favorite and often only source of vegetables: french fries. Could this be why we are seeing a dramatic rise in ADHD, to the point where 8 million American children need to be drugged daily? Autism has gone from 1 in 10,000 children to 1 in 150 in just 10 years. Adult- onset diabetes is occurring at epidemic rates in children as young as eight.

NEW HEADLINES IN MEDICAL RESEARCH

There can be no doubt that deficiencies of these vital nutrients can lead to serious problems. Scientists are continually discovering new links between viruses, bacteria and the immune system and many of the most common and most dangerous diseases. Take a look; you might be surprised at what they’re learning about the importance of a strong, balanced immune system.

“Are Viruses and Bacteria the Real Cause of Heart and Kidney Disease?”…In the August 2000 issue of the American Journal of Medicine, scientists reported that the hepatitis C virus could show up as a kidney infection or as heart disease. Last year, Italian researchers reported that the reason cholesterol deposits stick to the walls of arteries might be due to an undetected infection that inflames blood vessel walls.

“Are Bacteria to Blame for MS?”…The July 1999 issue of Annals of Neurology reported that a common bacteria called Chlamydia pneumoniae was present in all the patients tested in the study with multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, 30 percent of people with MS also harbor the herpes virus.

“Epilepsy Linked to Abnormal Immune Cells”…In 1997, a group of scientists looked at a total of 135 people with epilepsy. More than 80 percent of these people had one or more abnormalities in their cellular immune defenses.

“Alzheimer’s Disease Linked to Immune System Dysfunction”…An article in a 1994 issue of Progress in Drug Research reported that Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to an abnormal antibody response to a portion of nerve cells in the brain.

“A Hidden Virus that Causes Obesity”…Researchers at the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Wayne State University in Detroit reported in August 2001 that increased fat stores have been linked to the presence of a virus.

“Is Arthritis Really a Joint Infection?”…Dutch scientists recently reported that chronic arthritis might have a bacterial connection. In fact, if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, which is considered an autoimmune disease, your disease may have been triggered by a prior infection that may have over stimulated immune responses, which in this situation, needed to be suppressed.

“Is Male Infertility Due to E. Coli Bacteria Sticking to Sperm?”…A German study in the July 1993 issue of Fertility and Sterility reported that e. coli can actually adhere to sperm causing them to clump together.

And if you do a search on the Internet you will find more of these types of headlines all over the place. It’s just amazing, sad actually, and scary.

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There is no right way of saying this, so I’ll say it the wrong way: in order to stay healthy we must stay dirty. Now, that didn’t sound right, did it? Put it this way: if we all lived in sealed apartments where only the purest air was pumped in and every trace of bacteria were eliminated from our food we probably wouldn’t last long when we stepped outside.

We all need a few germs and a bit of dirt to give us the resistance we need to fight off more serious germs when they come along. This is an irony of life, isn’t it? We need some of the “bad” in order to have the “good”.

And so it is with germs. Washing regularly is surely a good thing, but washing 5 times a day may be going too far. However, washing your hands 5 times a day (or more) is very important when preparing food, especially when preparing it for others. Although it is surely ok to have a few germs lying around in order to keep up our immunity it is not acceptable to knowingly pass germs on to others, especially if you work in a food factory of public kitchen. In these places it is not just desirable to keep out germs, it is a duty.

When an environmental health inspector visits these places they will expect to see hand-washing facilities and proper measures to control pests – especially flies. Now, if you knew what flies got up to and some of the vile places they visit you surely would not be happy if one was found in the factory that produces your favourite pizza.

Most food production facilities and public kitchens will have a fly killer machine. There are two types: those that are cheap and nasty and are put there in a futile attempt to comply with health regulations and the solidly built machines that are designed to eliminate flies safely and effectively. Insect-o-Cutor is the most respected name in the industry and health inspectors are aware of this. Arkay Hygiene exclusively sells Insect-o-Cutor fly killers.
So, perhaps it’s just a case of getting the balance right – a few germs are OK, but food factories and public kitchens without Insectocutors – no way!

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With today’s new building procedures, our homes are more dangerous than ever before!

Scientific evidence now shows that the air inside our homes is 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside. And because we spend about 90 percent of our time inside, indoor air quality has become one of the top environmental health threats in the country.

With today’s new construction practices, buildings are no longer made to breathe. Pollutants trapped inside our home can cause chronic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, skin rashes and itchy eyes. Some pollutants may have more serious effects, including asthma and cancer.

I remember back in the 70’s (when I was just a kid), in an effort to save money on energy, the public utility district was upgrading everyone’s home, at their own expense.

My parents took the PUD up on this offer as well. A contractor came to our home and installed double-pane windows, more insulation (throughout our entire home), insulated all the electrical outlets, and basically did everything possible to turn our home into an air tight cocoon.

While this seemed like a good idea at the time, buildings are now made so air tight that the pollutants produced in the building accumulate and have no way to escape.

Here it is years later, and a major health concern has evolved.

Black mold!

Mold has now become a nationwide epidemic. It’s now responsible for destroying the lives of thousands of unsuspecting victims. And until we find out how to control this menace, the situation is only going to get worse.

If you want to find out how to wipe out the black mold threat in your home, be sure to sign up for this upcoming no-charge, consumer awareness teleseminar.

It’s called…

“The Unadulterated Truth About Black Mold: What You Don’t Know Is Destroying Your Home And Your Health”

Here are just 4 of the strategies that will be revealed on the call…

1. The 5 tell-tale danger signs of black mold… any one of these puts you, your family, and your home at risk

2. How to find out if black mold is the cause of your health problems — without a visit to the doctor’s office

3. The 3-step method to locating mold… that anyone can do, without spending a fortune to hire a professional

4. Why you NEVER want to tell your insurance agent about a water damage or mold problem in your home… until you take this step first

visit for more @ medical & health

With today’s new building procedures, our homes are more dangerous than ever before!

Scientific evidence now shows that the air inside our homes is 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside. And because we spend about 90 percent of our time inside, indoor air quality has become one of the top environmental health threats in the country.

With today’s new construction practices, buildings are no longer made to breathe. Pollutants trapped inside our home can cause chronic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, skin rashes and itchy eyes. Some pollutants may have more serious effects, including asthma and cancer.

While this seemed like a good idea at the time, buildings are now made so air tight that the pollutants produced in the building accumulate and have no way to escape.

On of the major problems to arise in recent years is black mold, and it’s become a nationwide epidemic. It’s now responsible for destroying the lives of thousands of unsuspecting victims. And until we find out how to control this menace, the situation is only going to get worse.

If you want to find out how to wipe out the black mold threat in your home, be sure to sign up for this upcoming no-charge, consumer awareness teleseminar.

It’s called…

“The Unadulterated Truth About Black Mold: What You Don’t Know Is Destroying Your Home And Your Health”

Here are just 4 of the strategies that will be revealed on the call…

1. The 5 tell-tale danger signs of black mold… any one of these puts you, your family, and your home at risk
2. How to find out if black mold is the cause of your health problems — without a visit to the doctor’s office
3. The 3-step method to locating mold… that anyone can do, without spending a fortune to hire a professional
4. Why you NEVER want to tell your insurance agent about a water damage or mold problem in your home… until you take this step first

visit for more @ medical & health