Rosemary Stephen, the head blogger of Elements, is pleased to present a new weekly post that provides links to a small selection of the hundreds of news articles on Environmental Health available on the web each week. These articles will cover any and all topics and will range from breaking news to the highly informative, and occasionally even to the odd. We just hope this distillation will help you keep up with current events and concerns.
If you find an article that you would like to share in this forum, please feel free to contact Rosemary at: rstephen@elementsblog.org
Enjoy !
Stress is on the rise in workplace
Chiara Bonello’s Stress at work on the rise, many benefits to tackling problem, The Malta Independent. The Malta Independent Online:
“It is estimated that by 2020 depression will be the second largest problem, in terms of Disability Adjustment Life Years (DALYs), that is years of productivity lost due to a disability, Health Minister Joe Cassar said yesterday…”
Read more: http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=101820. Cited 22 Feb 2010.
Exploding Birmingham curry ovens crackdown
BBC News
“Environmental health bosses have launched a “curry crackdown” following a spate of injuries from exploding tandoori ovens…”
Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/8523423.stm. 19 feb 2010 cited 22 Feb.
Shoes Off at the Door? New Reasons Why
Annie B. Bond, Shoes Off at the Door? New Reasons Why. The Huffington Post 22 Feb 2010.
“Many of us, like me, have complex and confusing emotional responses to this issue that have nothing to do with — nor do they translate to accommodate — the real and best reasons behind removing shoes at the door: to maintain the health of the home….”
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/annie-b-bond/shoes-off-at-the-door-new_b_469245.html. Cited 22 Feb 2010.
National Wastewater Regulations
February 19, 2010, Canada Proposes National Wastewater Regulation, Environmental Leader.
“Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice has proposed a national wastewater regulation that will set discharge standards for all wastewater facilities in Canada.
Proposed under the Fisheries Act, the new regulations are expected to reduce risks for human and environmental health and fishery resources associated with the release of wastewater effluents.”
Read more: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/02/19/canada-proposes-national-wastewater-regulation/. Cited 22 Feb 2010.
US Government Kicks nanotechnology safety research up a gear.
February 19, 2010, Nanovip - Nanotechnology Journal
“It looks like the US is heading for some serious action on addressing the safe development and use of nanotechnology-enabled materials, products and processes in 2011.”
Read more: http://www.nanovip.com/us-government-kicks-nanotechnology-safety-research-up-a-gear-read-more-http2020science-org20100218us-government-kicks-nanotechnology-safety-research-up-a-gearixzz0fz1jjjh1.html. Cited 22 Feb 2010.
That Healthy Feeling
Public health depends as much on prevention as on treatment. Commentarao – S.L. Rao, The Telegraph, Calcutta, India.
“…But was poor medical delivery the only reason for the worse health outcomes in India as against many Southeast Asian countries? Das Gupta’s work showed that Southeast Asian countries, unlike India, emphasized preventive aspects of healthcare like safe drinking water, sanitation and so on…”
Read more: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100222/jsp/opinion/story_12117369.jsp. Cited 22 feb 2010.
Watershed group issues environmental warning
CENTRAL JERSEY: Watershed group issues environmental warning Monday, February 22, 2010 5:00 PM EST. Centraljersey.com, Kristine Snodgrass and John Saccenti, Staff Writers
“Run-off from contamination sources including excess lawn fertilizers, trash and leaking septic and sewer lines is a leading cause of water pollution in central New Jersey, according a report issued Monday by the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association…”
Read more: http://centraljersey.com/articles/2010/02/22/topstory/doc4b82faeb245e4085475449.txt. Cited 2010 Feb 23.
Researchers find an HIV epidemic centered in downtown metro Atlanta
February 22, 4:46 PMAtlanta Health News Examiner, by: Sherry Baker.
“…A new study says metropolitan Atlanta has an HIV epidemic concentrated primarily in one specific geographic area consisting of 157 census tracts the downtown area….”
http://www.examiner.com/x-38569-Atlanta-Health-News-Examiner~y2010m2d22-Researchers-find-an-HIV-epidemic-centered-in-downtown-metro-Atlanta. Cited 2010 Feb 23.
Births by teen girls hit record low in California
LOS ANGELES (Reuters), Dan Whitcomb, 22 Feb 2010.
“Births by teenage mothers have hit a record low in California, health officials said on Monday, crediting a “comprehensive” public education campaign that does not stress only abstinence…”
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61L5SJ20100222. Cited 2010 Feb 23.
Raw milk proponents take cause to US capitols, courtrooms as health officials warn of risk
By Michael J. Crumb (CP). The Canadian Press.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Debate about the health attributes and risks of raw milk is spilling into statehouses and courtrooms across the United States as proponents of unpasteurized dairy products push to make them easier for consumers to buy.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hUSmkJfGhDYsekpDKYSlHIBShH4A. Cited 2010 Feb 23.
Employers’ responsibility for acts of sexual harassment by employees
By Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B., Managing Editor, HRinfodesk.com—Canadian Payroll and Employment Law News, February 2010 . HRinfodesk.
“The latest HRinfodesk poll explored readers’ knowledge on employers’ responsibility for acts of sexual harassment made by employees. The poll asked: an employer will not be liable for sexual harassment committed by managers or supervisors as long as it is not aware of the conduct: true or false? Out of 312 respondents, 90.6 percent (281) of respondents answered false and were right, while a small number of respondents, 9.94 percent (31), answered true and were wrong. But why do employers have to deal with the legal liability for sexual improprieties in the workplace? Because human rights legislation (among other laws) holds employers legally responsible for failing to properly address workplace sexual harassment….”
http://www.hrinfodesk.com/preview.asp?article=32561&title=Employers’%20responsibility%20for%20acts%20of%20sexual%20harassment%20by%20employees. Cited 2010 Feb 23.
Mould problem closes Minto mine bunkhouses
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 | 11:31 AM CT. CBC News
“Operators of the Minto copper mine in central Yukon have had to temporarily lay off dozens of its workers after a mould infestation was found in two staff residences over the weekend….”
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2010/02/23/minto-mould-bunkhouses.html#ixzz0gSrcvL0z. Cited 2010 Feb 24.
Benzene and sperm health
Tue, Feb 23 2010 at 2:00 PM EST. Mother Nature Network.
“A new study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives has found a link between benzene exposure and an abnormal number of chromosomes in men….”
Read more: http://www.mnn.com/family/baby/blogs/benzene-and-sperm-health. Cited 2010 Feb 24.
‘Be responsible’
Thursday, February 25, 2010. Fiji Times Online.
“People have been advised to think carefully about the benefits of government services in their villages instead of their personal gain…”
Read more: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=140749. Cited 2010 Feb 25.
Canadian researchers study mass gatherings and risks of infectious disease threats
EurekAlert, 24 Feb 2010
“As the world watches the Vancouver Olympics, researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and Children’s Hospital Boston have teamed up to monitor and assess potential infectious disease threats to Vancouver during the Winter Games by integrating two independently developed intelligence systems that focus on global infectious diseases; bio.DIASPORA and HealthMap…”
Read more: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-02/smh-crs022410.php. Cited 2010 feb 25.
A New Approach to Detecting Chemicals Linked to Breast Cancer
The Huffington Post, Sarah Janssen.
“Odds are that you know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. One in eight U.S. women will develop this terrifying disease in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer and a leading cause of death in American women…”
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-janssen/a-new-approach-to-detecti_b_474939.html. Cited 2010 Feb 25.
Wing environmental program gets top marks
By Monica Mendoza (2010) Colorado Springs Millitary Newspaper Group (CSMNG)
“PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Environmental evaluators left no stone unturned as they closely scrutinized dozens of 21st Space Wing environmental policies and practices, Feb. 1 to 5.
The team pored over protocol reports, examined pumps, inspected hazardous waste procedures and looked for toxic substances. They reviewed air quality, water quality and cultural and natural resources.
“Peterson is one of the best (programs) we’ve ever seen,” said Ron Lester, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program team leader….”
Read more: http://csmng.com/blog/2010/02/24/wing-environmental-program-gets-top-marks/. Cited 2010 Feb 25.
Government of Canada Launches Environmental Health Guide
Earth Times.
“OTTAWA, ONTARIO — 03/01/10 — The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced the launch of a campaign to help make Canadian families more aware of the environmental health risks around them. The four-year public education campaign is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to environmental health….”
Read more: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/government-of-canada-launches-environmental-health-guide,1184593.shtml. Cited 2010 Mar 02
The effect of Atrazine on male frogs
Ansari, A. Weed killer ‘castrates’ male frogs, study says (2010) CNN Tech.
“Atrazine, a weed killer widely used in the Midwestern United States and other agricultural areas of the world, can chemically “castrate” male frogs and turn some into females, according to a new study.
New research suggests the herbicide may be a cause of amphibian declines around the globe, said biologists at the University of California-Berkeley, who conducted the study. The findings are being published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences….”
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/science/03/01/pesticide.study.frogs/. Cited 2010 Mar 02.
