News and Announcements
Archived News and Announcements
SOT Member Bernard Goldstein Testifies on the Public Health Implications of Unconventional Gas Drilling Before House Subcommittee
Submitted on Feb 06, 2012
Bernard D. Goldstein, longtime SOT member and Professor Emeritus of Environmental and Occupational Health and Dean Emeritus of the University of Pittsburg Graduate School of Public Health, presented testimony Wednesday, February 1, 2012 before the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee on Science, Space and Technology on US EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Research.
Goldstein noted that the overall theme of his testimony is that, “It is in the nation’s and in industry’s best interests to maximize the yield of natural gas while minimizing the short-term and long-term environmental and public health costs,” and urged the committee to address the possibility of adverse public health impacts associated with unconventional gas drilling. Pointing to research he conducted of those who testified against drilling to the Natural Gas Subcommittee of the Secretary of Energy’s Scientific Advisory Board, he noted that about two-thirds cited health concerns. He went on to say that the public’s concerns about potential health effects is legitimate, noting that there are many agents of toxicological concern in the fracking mixture and “many other agents about which we know too little.” He also pointed out that as far as he knows, there is no study underway which thoroughly explores exposures and outcomes related to unconventional gas drilling activities. He said, based on his experience as a doctor and a toxicologist, “there is genuine cause for concern and the current lack of almost any support for research directly related to the health effects of unconventional gas drilling is shortsighted and counterproductive.” He went on to urge Congress to update certain mixtures studies by providing funding to apply modern toxicological advances to the chemical mixtures that are being used or result from hydraulic fracturing.
Referring to an analysis that he and two other colleagues produced for publication in the Environmental Health Perspectives, he noted that of the 52 members appointed to two state commissions and the federal government, they could not identify a single person with a background in any health field. He also pointed out that the Department of Health and Human Services wasn’t among the three federal agencies specified to be involved in the ongoing federal effort. He said, “Ignoring the public health implications of unconventional natural gas extraction is not going to work.” He concluded by saying “It is in the best interest of the nation to invest in understanding the potential adverse health consequences of this activity. The most cost-effective time, and in fact, the only cost-effective time to make this investment is now rather than to wait until the inevitable clamor for such research when diseases begin to appear that are associated with natural gas drilling activities.”
Paul Anastas Leaving US EPA to Return to Yale
Submitted on Jan 18, 2012
Paul Anastas, PhD, Assistant Administrator for the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Science Advisor to the Agency is leaving the US EPA in mid-February to return to Yale Universisty. Dr. Anastas is known widely as the “Father of Green Chemistry” for his groundbreaking research on the design, manufacture, and use of minimally-toxic, environmentally-friendly chemicals.
House and Senate Conferees Working to Conference Package for Nine Appropriations Bills
Submitted on Dec 12, 2011
The House and Senate held a joint conference committee on Thursday, December 8 and appointed conferees to negotiate a final appropriations package for nine appropriations bill, including the Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations bill which contains funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. These federal agencies are currently operating under a Continuing Resolution that expires December 16, 2011.
White House Releases Final Strategy for Reversing Deterioration of Gulf Ecosystem
Submitted on Dec 12, 2011
A Task Force established by the Obama Administration released a final report for long term ecosystem restoration of the Gulf Coast following extensive input by states, tribes, federal agencies, local governments, and thousands of involved citizens. The priorities that the Task Force has set forth include the following:
- Stopping the loss of critical wetlands, sand barriers and beaches
- Reducing the flow of excess nutrients into the Gulf
- Enhancing the resiliency among coastal communities
The release of the report also triggers the implementation phase that includes the availability of $50 million in assistance from the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to help agricultural producers in seven Gulf Coast river basins improve water quality, increase water conservation and enhance wildlife habitat.
For more information see the Gulf Coast Task Force website.
Toxicity Testing in the Twenty-First Century (Tox21) Begins Chemical Testing on 10,000 Chemicals
Submitted on Dec 12, 2011
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the US Food and Drug Administration are working together and have released a high-speed robotic screening system, that is designed to improve how chemicals are tested in the United States. The testing for potential toxicity began yesterday on 10,000 compounds that cover a wide variety of classifications, and include consumer products, food additives, chemicals found in industrial processes, and human and veterinary drugs. A complete list of the compounds is publicly available on the US EPA website. Other NIH partners include the National Toxicology Program (NTP), administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the NIH Chemical Genomics Center, part of the NIH Center for Translational Therapeutics, housed at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). For more information see the full NIH news article.
SOT Releases Paper on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Submitted on Nov 01, 2011
The SOT Council is pleased to announce the release of an issue statement on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, which was the largest accidental release of crude oil in modern history. Issue Statements are short and balanced presentations of the science and related issues underlying an area of relevance to SOT.
SOT’s David Eaton Elected a Member of the Institute of Medicine
Submitted on Oct 20, 2011
David Eaton, longtime SOT member and SOT past president (2001–2002) has been elected a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Eaton is well known for his research on toxins in the environment. He maintains his own active research and teaching program at the University of Washington where he is Professor and Director of the Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health, and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Center for Excellence at the University of Washington. He is also Associate Dean for Research in the School of Public Health and Associate Vice Provost for Research for the University of Washington.
Eaton received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1978. He then received a fellowship at the University where he was a postdoctoral student. In 1979, he joined the faculty of the University of Washington. From 1983–1990, he served as Toxicology Program Director in the Department of Environmental Health and was named Associate Chairman of the Department in 1990.
Regarding the new inductees, IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg said, “Each of these new members stands out as a professional whose research, knowledge, and skills have significantly advanced health and medicine, and their achievements are an inspiration. The Institute of Medicine is greatly enriched by the addition of our newly elected colleagues.” New members are elected by current active members through a highly selective process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. Election to the Institute is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine. Membership recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.
View additional distinguished SOT Members.
SOT Collaborates with Executive Branch
Submitted on Oct 12, 2011
For the past several years, SOT has been working to find ways to collaborate more closely with various government agencies with the goal of helping those institutions fulfill their missions. After much effort on the part of SOT Council, the Society has established solid working relationships with National Institutes of Health, the US Food and Drug Administration, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Among other accomplishments, SOT has secured a Letter of Understanding with the US Environmental Protection Agency and a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
SOT Celebrates Its Members
Submitted on Sep 21, 2011
To become a full member of SOT, a scientist must be recognized as the leader in the field of toxicology by his or her peers. View the several SOT members who have also earned the following scientific honors.
Institute of Medicine
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is renowned for its research program, but it is also an honorific organization with more than 1,700 members and foreign associates who donate their time to put their knowledge and expertise to work for the nation's health. Each year, the full membership elects up to 65 new members and five foreign associates to the IOM. Members are elected for their excellence and professional achievement in a field relevant to the IOM's mission and for their willingness to participate actively in its work. These individuals represent not only the health care professions but also the natural, social, and behavioral sciences, as well as law, administration, engineering, and the humanities. For those at the top of their field, membership in the IOM reflects the height of professional achievement and commitment to service. SOT members who have been elected are:
Linda S. Birnbaum
Thomas W. Clarkson
David L. Eaton
Ronald W. Estabrook
Bernard D. Goldstein
H. Robert Horvitz
Donald R. Mattison |
Roger O. McClellan
Mario Molina
Ferid Murad
Herbert L. Needleman
Kenneth Olden
Gilbert S. Omenn
Sten Orrenius (Foreign Associate Member) |
Jim E. Riviere
Leona D. Samson
Bernard A. Schwetz
Takashi Sugimura
Steven R. Tannenbaum
Michael J. Welsh
Gerald N. Wogan |
National Academy of Sciences
Members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) are composed of approximately 2,100 members and 380 foreign associates, of whom nearly 200 have won Nobel Prizes. Members and foreign associates of the Academy are elected in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research; election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a scientist or engineer. The following SOT members are also members of the NAS:
Bruce N. Ames
John E. Casida
Allan H. Conney
Robert J. Cousins |
Ronald W. Estabrook
James M. Fujimoto
Bruce D. Hammock
H. Robert Horvitz |
Mario Molina
Ferid Murad
Michael J. Welsh
Gerald N. Wogan |
The National Medal of Science
The National Medal of Science was created by statute in 1959, and is administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Awarded annually, the medal recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering. The following SOT members are recipients of this distinguished award:
Bruce N. Ames
Bernard B. Brodie
Gertrude Elion |
An Order of the British Empire
The Order of the British Empire recognizes distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organizations of all kinds.
French Legion of Honor Award
The Award acknowledges the invaluable contributions scientists have made to medical research and especially his contribution to the expansion of French pharmaceutical research in the United States.
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is an independent organization whose overall objective is to promote the sciences and strengthen their influence in society. Among other things, the Academy seeks to be a forum where researchers can meet across subject borders to offer unique research environments, support young researchers, reward prominent contributions to research, and arrange international scientific contacts.
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Fellow of the AAAS is an honor accorded by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to distinguished persons for "efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications [which] are scientifically or socially distinguished." Examples of areas in which nominees may have made significant contributions are research; teaching; technology; services to professional societies; administration in academe, industry, and government; and communicating and interpreting science to the public. AAAS has awarded fellowships since 1874.
Russian Academy of Medical Sciences
A prestigious organization that is headquartered in Moscow. The academy is composed of more than 60 research institutes and councils that span multiple areas of medicine. Election to the academy is considered the highest honor for medical scientists in Russia.
SOT’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting and ToxExpo is one for the History Books!
Submitted on Jul 27, 2011
The SOT 50th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo set multiple records for attendance, sessions and activities. Certainly, a good deal of thanks goes to the Scientific Program Committee, who planned the scientific program and 50th Anniversary Task Force, who arranged many special festivities. But, a great deal of thanks needs to go to the members of the Society who came to Washington, DC to attend our 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Without every attendee, this special event wouldn’t have been the success it was. Thank you for coming and making our 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting a smashing success!
We have some special anniversary items from our 50th that we would like to share with you. We have our 50th Anniversary publication, “The Society of Toxicology: The First Fifty Years,” which we will be happy to ship to you free-of-charge. The SOT is also making photos available to attendees at no cost. Simply visit the Annual Meeting Convention Photo page and download any low resolution image you would to have. High resolution photos can also be ordered from SOT official photographer, Convention Photography by Jeff Orlando.
We also have copies of the 50th Anniversary publication, “Building for the Future: Toxicology Training Centers,” which highlights the history and people behind more than 50 universities and colleges that have developed toxicology training programs. Another publication, “Historical Perspectives” offers some interesting stories about some of the topics and toxicologists who helped move the science forward.
We also have a limited number of benchmarks posters available, which we would be happy to mail to you free-of-charge.
We are grateful for your support for your Society and the science of toxicology!
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