Commission backs EFSA's definition of endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Commission backs EFSA's definition of endocrine-disrupting chemicals
http://www.euractiv.com/health/commission-backs-efsas-definitio-news-529090

"In a letter to the anti-pesticides activist group PAN Europe, EU Health Commissioner Tonio Borg backs the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) definition of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, saying it is in accordance with the international scientific consensus.
Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals occur naturally, while synthetic varieties can be found in pesticides, electronics, personal care products and cosmetics. Some can also be found as additives or as unintended contaminants in food.
The Pesticides Action Network campaign group had accused EFSA of creating loopholes for the pesticides industry to escape banning of chemical substances they use."

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Historical Perspective on Effects and Treatment of Sulfur Mustard Injuries.

Historical Perspective on Effects and Treatment of Sulfur Mustard Injuries.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23816402

 

Graham JS, Schoneboom BA.  Chem Biol Interact. 2013 Jun 28. pii: S0009-2797(13)00153-1. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2013.06.013. [Epub ahead of print]

Source
Office of the Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, 3100 Ricketts Point Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA 21010-5400. Electronic address: john.s.graham1.civ@mail.mil.

Abstract
Sulfur mustard (2,2'-dichlorodiethyl sulfide; SM) is a potent vesicating chemical warfare agent that poses a continuing threat to both military and civilian populations. Significant SM injuries can take several months to heal, necessitate lengthy hospitalizations, and result in long-term complications affecting the skin, eyes, and lungs. This report summarizes initial and ongoing (chronic) clinical findings from SM casualties from the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), with an emphasis on cutaneous injury. In addition, we describe the cutaneous manifestations and treatment of several men recently and accidentally exposed to SM in the United States. Common, chronic cutaneous problems being reported in the Iranian casualties include pruritis (the primary complaint), burning, pain, redness, desquamation, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, erythematous papular rash, xerosis, multiple cherry angiomas, atrophy, dermal scarring, hypertrophy, and sensitivity to mechanical injury with recurrent blistering and ulceration. Chronic ocular problems include keratitis, photophobia, persistent tearing, sensation of foreign body, corneal thinning and ulceration, vasculitis of the cornea and conjunctiva, and limbal stem cell deficiency. Chronic pulmonary problems include decreases in lung function, bronchitis with hyper-reactive airways, bronchiolitis, bronchiectasis, stenosis of the trachea and other large airways, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, decreased total lung capacity, and increased incidences of lung cancer, pulmonary infections, and tuberculosis. There are currently no standardized or optimized methods of casualty management; current treatment strategy consists of symptomatic management and is designed to relieve symptoms, prevent infections, and promote healing. New strategies are needed to provide for optimal and rapid healing, with the goals of (a) returning damaged tissue to optimal appearance and normal function in the shortest period of time, and (b) ameliorating chronic effects. Further experimental research and clinical trials will be needed to prevent or mitigate the acute clinical effects of SM exposure and to reduce or eliminate the long-term manifestations.

PMID:  23816402  [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Many veterans suffering from diseases linked to Agent Orange still can't get disability compensation

Many veterans suffering from diseases linked to Agent Orange still can't get disability compensation
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2013/07/many_veterans_suffering_from_d.html

"Forty years after the last U.S. troops left Vietnam, military veterans continue to tussle with the Department of Veterans Affairs over whether they should be compensated for their exposure to the herbicide and defoliant Agent Orange.
Under Secretary Eric Shinseki, himself a Vietnam veteran, the agency has taken enormous strides to acknowledge that exposure to the toxic defoliant caused a variety of health problems, from birth defects to Type II diabetes to lung cancer. Shinseki has been applauded for adding more diseases, including Parkinson's and heart disease, to the list of maladies presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange. The expansion could make as many as 200,000 Vietnam War veterans eligible for compensation."

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New chemicals, drugs added to EU water pollution watch list http://www.euractiv.com/health/new-chemicals-pharmaceuticals-ad-news-529073

New chemicals, drugs added to EU water pollution watch list

http://www.euractiv.com/health/new-chemicals-pharmaceuticals-ad-news-529073

 

"The European Parliament, in agreement with EU member states, has added 12 new substances to the EU priority list of pollutants known to pose a risk to surface water. For the first time, three pharmaceuticals will also be included on a "watch list" of emerging pollutants that could one day be added to the priority list."

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Backyard Grilling Increases Air Pollution, But Can Texans Live Without It?

Backyard Grilling Increases Air Pollution, But Can Texans Live Without It?
http://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/2013/07/03/how-backyard-grilling-can-increase-air-pollution/

"As you can tell, the appeal of grilling isn't all about the food for Gebhard. It's about the smoke.  For him, recent research from The University of California, Davis is about as unwelcome as rain on the Fourth of July. The study highlights the danger of smoke from outdoor grilling to public health."

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