In the Spotlight
Environmental Health Notice—The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Division of Specialized Information Services has put together a list of resources about Chinese drywall. Information includes resources on health and environmental problems. To see this visit the NLM Web site.
Nanotechnology: New and Evolving—Nanotechnology is a new and evolving technology and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Division of Specialized Information Services offers links to databases, regulations and policy. To learn more visit the NLM Web site.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Releases Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals—The report includes data on the U.S. population’s exposure to environmental chemicals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the U.S. population over a two-year survey period of 2003–2004 as well as exposure data from the two previous reports, which cover 1999–2002.
A complete listing of chemicals that are included in the Fourth National Report. The report will be available December 10, 2009, on the CDC Web site.
New Standards for Toys in Effect—The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) held a town hall meeting in New York City earlier this week to talk to consumers about new standards that are in effect for toys and offered some toy safety tips for the holiday season this year. The Commissioner noted that during 2008, there were 162 toy recalls. In 2009, there have been 38 recalls thus far.
CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum highlighted the following key components of the new standards:
- Federal limits for lead in paint on children's toys dropped to 90 parts per million, which is the lowest standard in the world.
- Toys for children under 12 must now be tested and certified that they meet the new lead in paint limits.
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Children's toys cannot be made or sold with more than 300 parts per million of total lead.
- Most children's toys fall under the new standards and are no longer voluntary.
- Children under six should not be permitted to play with magnets. Magnets can cause serious injury if swallowed.
In terms of safety tips, the Commission recommended the following:
- Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times when children are riding skateboards and in-line skates.
- Small children should not be permitted to play with or be near small balls and other toys with small parts.
- Keep un-inflated balloons away from children younger than eight. Throw away broken balloons.
EPA Launches New Evaluation on Pesticide—Artazine—On October 7, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Agency will conduct a major evaluation of a common pesticide, atrazine, to determine whether new restrictions are necessary to better protect human health. Atrazine, is a common agricultural pesticide that is used widely in the U.S. The Agency plans to evaluate the potential cancer and non-cancer effects on humans and its potential association with birth defects, low birth weight and premature births. EPA will examine data generated since 2003 from laboratory and population studies and will seek the advice of an independent Scientific Advisory Panel to evaluate the human health effects of atrazine in 2010. For more information about the evaluation see the EPA Web site.
Final Rule on Aircraft Drinking Water Issued—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule on drinking water in aircraft public water systems that are servicing the public and crew members. The final rule calls for coliform sampling, best management practices, corrective action, public notification, monitoring and operator training. The final regulations track existing health-based drinking water regulations, but are tailored for aircraft public water systems. These public systems are subject to the requirements of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. For more information go to the EPA Web site.
FDA Issues Risk Communication Plan—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a strategic plan for risk communication to bolster how the FDA informs the public about regulated products. Using this strategy, FDA hopes to “empower the public by providing healthcare professionals, patients, and consumers with the information they need about FDA-regulated products, in the form they need it, when they need it.” Information about the strategy is available on the FDA Web site.
Rep. Barton (R-TX) Calls on GAO to Examine Use of Recovery Funds for NIH—Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), who is the ranking member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, sent a letter on September 11 to the Government Accounting Office (GAO) requesting that the acting comptroller general examine the use of the recovery funds ($10 billion) that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) received for primarily extramural research. More specifically, Rep. Barton is asking the GAO, "we would like information on the process and criteria typically used by NIH to award grants. Additionally, we are interested in obtaining information on grantee estimates of the number of jobs created or maintained through grant awards funded with ARRA monies."
Dr. James Sterner, a Pioneer in Industrrial Toxicology—Dr. James Hervi Sterner was considered a real pioneer in industrial toxicology and occupational medicine. One of the early toxicology problems that he encountered as the Director of the Laboratory of Industrial Medicine at Kodak was skin sensitization. Because of his ability to visualize and implement the entire realm of preventive occupational health measures he was able to develop techniques for evaluating chemicals as potential skin sensitizers. Learn more about Dr. Sterner. 
Television Pioneer Walter Cronkite Airs Program on Effects of Environment on Human Health.
Indoor airPLUS Program—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created an Indoor airPLUS program to help builders meet consumer demands for more efficient homes that have improved indoor air quality. As part of the program, the EPA also has developed construction specifications to help improve indoor air quality in new homes.
In order for a new home to become qualified under this new program, a builder must first design a home to earn the ENERGY STAR label and then to earn the Indoor AirPLUS Label, the builder must include as least 30 design and construction features that will protect homes against mold, pests, combustion gases and other airborne pollutants. An independent third party who can ensure compliance with the EPA’s guidelines must then inspect the home. To find an indoor builder visit the EPA Web site.
Research Saves Lives— Scientists all over the world are working around the clock to find cures and treatments. Sometimes we forget that they are people, too, and suffer from many of the same diseases and conditions that all of us face; and that they love and respect the animals that are playing a major role in medical discovery. Find out more about this commitment and the lives that are saved
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the oldest federal agency dedicated to consumer protection—The agency began as a single chemist appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1862. Learn more about FDA's rich history.
Read about The "Poison Squad" and the Advent of Food and Drug Regulation.
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