ISDE Italia News

edited by ISDE Italy (International Society of Doctors for the Environment, Italy)

 

Number 352 (3rd July 2009)

 

In this issue………

• “Chemical fall out, fetal programming and the epidemic revolution of XX Century” by Ernesto Burgio, ISDE Italia Scientific Committee.

• 3rd International WHO Conference on children's health and the environment.

•  “Industry or Academia WHO leads the research” by N.D. Brunetti, L. De Gennaro, P.L. Pellegrino, M. Di Base.

• 1st European Congress on environmental pathologies.

• WHO CEH Conference: ISDE recognition award to Jenny Pronczuk - Korea/Busan.

• “Cancer mortality and congenital anomalies in a region of Italy with intense environmental pressure due to waste” by M. Martuzzi, F. Mitis, F. Bianchi, F. Minichilli, P. Comba, L. Fazzo.

• Palestinian Central Bureau of statistics “PCBS” issues a press release on world environment day.

• Fifth World Environmental Education Conference: a great success.

• World Bank Symposium: cities and climate change.

• Children's environmental health and the 3rd WHO International Conference on CEH.

• Child deaths drop sharply.

• Help fight against Taliban and military operation.

 

CHEMICAL FALL OUT, FETAL PROGRAMMING AND THE EPIDEMIC REVOLUTION OF XX CENTURY by Ernesto Burgio, ISDE Italia Scientific Committee.

When some serious scientists quantify at about 5-7% the burden of diseases directly connected with environmental pollution, they are simply talking about the top of an iceberg. As a matter of fact we can nowadays demonstrate that not only the quasi-totality of our diseases are directly or indirectly connected with environmental changes/inputs, but our own physiological and pathological phenotypes are largely determined by the continuous induction/modulation by environmental (chemical, physical, biological) factors of the epigenetic setting of our cells and tissues (the "soft wired" memory of our bodies): not only in the somatic cells of adults, but also in embryos' and fetus' cells and tissues, during the very first stages of development, conditioning in this way the fetal programming. We must remark that a lot of diseases characterizing what we may call the XX Century Epidemic Revolution [we can define in this way the epidemic change we are witnessing all over the world, and especially in the most developed countries, concerning a switch from a prevalence of acute exogenous (infectious and parasitic) to a prevalence of chronic endogenous  (immuno-mediate, neurodegenerative, neuro-endocrine, cardiovascular and neoplastic) diseases, - atopy/asthma and autoimmune disorders (diabetes I, celiac disease etc); obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes II;  atherosclerosis (stroke, infarct etc); Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson Disease; Cancer] are a late result, in adults, of a developmental process gone awry, deeply rooted in the first stages of embryo-fetal development. We also know that if we expose primates (and other mammals) in the very first stages of their development to some xeno-biotics (endocrine disruptors etc) or to heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium) their fetal programming (the epigenetic setting of their endocrine and immunological tissues) will change, conditioning the whole life of their cells and tissues and opening the way to many diseases we have mentioned (breast cancer, Alzheimer disease etc)]. That's the reason why our common ways of evaluating the risks for our health and the risks for the new generations' health, directly connected to environmental pollution, are absolutely insufficient. As a matter of fact epidemiologic studies are not the right way to evaluate the threat posed by environmental pollution to our health, to new generations' health, to ecosystems. Epidemiologists generally evaluate the diseases' burden directly connected with environmental pollution by comparing two populations - the one more directly exposed to a known source of pollution (a factory/industrial implant or incinerator etc) or a highway (with high traffic rate), the other supposed to be less exposed - systematically "forgetting" that nowadays we are all exposed (through the nutritional chains and through direct transgenerational transmission of pollutants from our mothers) to a constantly growing burden of xenobiotics (more than 100.000 synthetic molecules) that cannot be recognized by our cellular and nuclear receptors and that may interact in a wrong way with our biochemical pathways and sometimes even with the genetic expression of our cells and tissues. It is very important to understand what all this really means: the continuous progress in our knowledge in many connected fields (molecular biology, systems biology, developmental biology) has pushed many scientists to revaluate the neo-lamarckian paradigm of bio-evolution, in which environmental inputs directly induce and modulate our individual development (ontogenesis) and our species evolution (philogenesis) (--> evo-devolutionism) through a direct induction of epigenetic changes and genetic (reactive/defensive) shuffling (natural genetic engineering). All this means that the chemical fall-out we are witnessing all over the world is a really threat for the new generations and wildlife.

 

3rd INTERNATIONAL WHO CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

WHO recognizes that despite the many prevention strategies, available interventions and partnerships built, as well as the international calls to protect the health of children from environmental threats, the global agenda on children’s environmental health (CEH) has come to a stand still. Many countries are nevertheless progressing in addressing environmentally-related issues in children. However the speed of implementation of strategies, interventions and public health policies needs to be accelerated. In other countries, children's environmental health continues to be overlooked and not enough emphasis exists on protective actions. Thus, the Global Agenda on children and the environment should advance faster - moving towards “healthy environments for healthier children”. This agenda will enhance the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aiming at reducing infant mortality by two thirds by 2015 (MDG 4) and ensuring environmental sustainability (MDG 7) by 2015. The 3rd WHO International Conference on Children's Health and the Environment took place on 7-10 June 2009 in Busan, Korea, focused on how to move From Research and Knowledge to Policy and Action. The conference included topics such as new epidemiological trends, the early origins of disease, the value of longitudinal cohort studies, intensified international and interagency collaboration, enhanced training and education for health and other professionals.

Info: www.ceh2009.org/

 

INDUSTRY OR ACADEMIA WHO LEADS THE RESEARCH by N.D. Brunetti, L. De Gennaro, P.L. Pellegrino, M. Di Base.

Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine 18 (2007) 3 - 5.

Research in medicine is characterized by a complex interaction between industry and physicians. What is intended to be an intellectually productive and mutually satisfying relationship often becomes a sterile, disruptive, and competitive one, sometimes degenerating into a real state of hostility.

If you want this document you can ask it to our secretariat at isde@ats.it

 

1ST EUROPEAN CONGRESS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PATHOLOGIES

The first European Congress on Environmental Pathologies (9th and 10th October 2009 in Zénith de Rouen - France) aims to respond to the need for discovery, understanding and action in our daily lives. If we consider both our indoor environment, where we spend 80% of our time, and our outside environment, we notice that profound changes have taken place in our living spaces. As our homes and workplaces become increasingly protected, isolated and confined, these new factors can have a negative impact on our health. Our way of life has been changed by the numerous improvements in the prevention of disease and in particular the drive towards the use of new materials. Microparticles, nanotechnologies, electromagnetic waves and global warming are new terms for everyone but also for the doctor who may ask the questions: What is the environment for scientists specialising in earth, life and man? How does man adapt to and has adapted to the environment in which he lives or has lived? What methods would allow us to demonstrate the responsibility of the environmental factors in the origin of certain diseases? What approaches can we use to review diseases associated with the environment?

Info: www.ecep2009.com/index.php?langue=en; ecep2009@overcome.fr

 

WHO CEH CONFERENCE: ISDE RECOGNITION AWARD TO JENNY PRONCZUK - KOREA/BUSAN

ISDE and INCHES was very well represented by Raul Harari, Stephan Boese O'Really and by Lilian Corra.  They all presented the work done in the different approaches and strategies to protect children from environmental threats in the different parts of the globe. They are involved in education, research, epidemiology, indicators, policy and advocacy activities in chemical safety (heavy metals as mercury and lead, pesticides, nano and others) and climate change. A training workshop was organized as a precongress activity by the International Pediatric Association with the participation of the Korean Pediatrics Association and ISDE was invited to collaborate in the training. ISDE presented to Dr. Jenny Pronczuk a Recognition Award (during the gala dinner) for her work on CEH. Dr. Jenny Pronczuk will be retiring from WHO and the end of June, so those that wants to send her a message are able to do so until the end of June. WHO will decide who will be the person to continue with CEH at WHO, but by the moment the focal person will be Maria Noel Brunne Disse, that  importantly collaborated on CEH in the last years and that many of you already know very well.

Info: www.isde.org

 

CANCER MORTALITY AND CONGENITAL ANOMALIES IN A REGION OF ITALY WITH INTENSE ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURE DUE TO WASTE by M. Martuzzi, F. Mitis, F. Bianchi, F. Minichilli, P. Comba, L. Fazzo.

Urban, industrial and toxic waste has been illegally or inappropriately disposed for at least two decades in the provinces of Naples and Caserta, resulting in high environmental pressures and likely human exposure to a variety of agents, including toxic ones.

Overall mortality, cancer mortality for several causes and congenital anomalies, previously known to be higher than regional averages, are positively correlated to waste exposure within the area, at small area level (municipality).

While interpretation of the findings is difficult, due to approximate exposure data and other limitations in data quality and study design, their overall consistency suggests a possible role of waste-related exposures.

These findings strengthen the case for urgent cleaning up of contaminated areas, adoption of proper waste management practices, and eradication of illegal waste trafficking in the Campania region and in other European countries where illegal hazardous waste disposal occurs.

If you are interest to this paper you can ask it to our secretariat at isde@ats.it

 

PALESTINIAN CENTRAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS “PCBS” ISSUES A PRESS RELEASE ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

“The Palestinian Environment Is Victim of Colonization and Population Growth”. The occasion of World Environment Day is celebrated every year on the fifth of June since 1972, when the United Nations declared World Environment Day at the opening of the Stockholm conference on human environment. At the same time, the UN announced the establishment of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and gave it the responsibility of increasing world attention to the environment, and increasing the awareness  of the public about their important role in the protection of the environment. The depletion and destruction of environmental resources in the Palestinian Territory caused by a number of Israeli actions in the Palestinian Territory, most notably the establishment of settlements, has had a destructive impact on the Palestinian environment, in addition to the confiscation of land and preventing the entry of Palestinian citizens. There are many effects of the destruction of the Palestinian environment, most notably: the depletion of Palestinian water, polluted wastewater, solid waste, air pollution and noise, destruction of cultural heritage and agricultural sector. The bad management of these resources by the Palestinians at all levels and sectors play a pivotal role in the destruction and attrition of this environment.

If you want this article you can ask it to our secretariat at isde@ats.it

 

FIFTH WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE: A GREAT SUCCESS

At the end of the congress held in Montréal from 10 to 14 May ‒ with the participation of 126 countries ‒ Mario Salomone (Secretary General of the WEEC Permanent Secretariat) commented that “the great success of the 5th WEEC and the convocation of the next congresses in 2011 and 2013 confirm the validity of the formula and the authority of what by now is the largest international network of environmental education”. Other important news also came out of the congress hosted in Canada this year. The network of over 40 French-speaking countries, for example, moved the date of its four-year appointments from odd to even years so they would not coincide with the WEEC congresses in the future. There were a number of other events in the capital of Québec province that sought concomitance and synergy with the world congress of environmental education, including the worldwide regional centres of expertise (RCE) of the United Nations University. In the closing plenary session at Palais des Congrés di Montréal, Mario Salomone, the Secretary General of the WEEC, and Silvia Zaccaria, head of international relations, introduced the next two congresses: the sixth in Brisbane, Australia in 2011 and the seventh in 2013 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Permanent Secretariat of the WEEC world congresses, established in 2003, is headquartered in Italy at the l’Istituto per l’Ambiente e l’Educazione Scholé Futuro.

Info: www.environmental-education.org; secretariat@environmental-education.org

 

WORLD BANK SYMPOSIUM: CITIES ANDCLIMATE CHANGE

On 28th - 30th June 2009 there were in Marcseille (France) the 5th Urban Research Symposium on "Cities and Climate Change: Responding to an Urgent Agenda". At a time when climate change is a major priority for the international community, this Symposium aimed at pushing forward the research agenda on climate change from a city’s perspective. Specifically, the main questions were be structured around the impacts of city and urban growth on climate change; measuring and anticipating the consequences of climate change on urban quality of life, city assets, and local and national economies; and assessing alternatives to increase the resilience of cities and related costs and incentives required for successful implementation. The Symposium was structured around five broad research clusters which represented the most relevant issues faced by cities and peri-urban areas on climate change.

Info: www.urs2009.net/

 

CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND THE 3RD WHO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CEH

Source: HECANET, 8th May 2009.

"Preventing childhood diseases through healthy environments and behaviours is possible" - said Dr Maria Neira, Director Public Health and the Environment, at WHO. "It requires using tools and mechanisms already available, translating research and knowledge into protective policies and, overall, a strong political commitment for action in all countries, and globally". The G8 Siracusa Environment Ministerial meeting (April 2009) stated that more should be done to ensure that children are born, grow, develop and thrive in environments with clean air,  clean water, safe food, and minimal exposure to harmful chemicals. USEPA's Lisa Jackson's Speech on Children's Environmental Health in Siracusa, Italy (April 2009) stated "Our children’s future is so bright. But we must work in earnest to ensure that their bright future is not overcast by the clouds of pollution, climate change and other environmental degradation". The Third WHO International Conference on Children’s Health and the Environment: From Research and Knowledge to Policy and Action took place in Busan, Republic of Korea from 7 to 10 June 2009 addressed this important issue and moved ahead the agenda. This conference, hosted by the Ministry of Environment in Korea, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and Family Affairs was organized by the WHO jointly with national and international partners and supported by organizations such as the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in the USA and by the environment sectors of countries such as Switzerland and Korea, deeply concerned about preventing childhood diseases through healthy environments. The event aimed at extending the recognition of children’s environmental health needs providing a platform for the exchange of scientific experiences, for learning about research efforts and promoting protective policies. It also enabled us to work out why existing global efforts have not progressed more rapidly and what needs to be done, in developing and industrialized countries.

Info: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/4242009.htm; www.ceh2009.org

 

CHILD DEATHS DROP SHARPLY

Source: Note for the Media WHO/3, 21th May 2009.

Deaths of children aged under five years have dropped by 27% globally since 1990, according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. But in WHO’s first progress report on the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) released today in the World Health Statistics 2009, other results are mixed. An estimated 9 million children aged under five years died in 2007, significantly fewer than the 12.5 million estimated to have died in 1990, the baseline year against which progress towards the goals is measured. However, in many African countries and in low-income countries generally, progress has been insufficient to reach the MDG target, that aims for a two thirds reduction in child mortality by the year 2015. The MDGs were initiated by the United Nations and its partners to achieve significant improvements in eight health and development areas by 2015. World Health Statistics 2009 is an annual report based on more than 100 health indicators collected from WHO's 193 Member States. These indicators provide a snapshot of global health trends. However, the data have some limitations. These are explained in our Frequently Asked Questions about health statistics.

Info: www.who.int/whosis/en/index.html/

 

HELP FIGHT AGAINST TALIBAN AND MILITARY OPERATION

This is formal appeal by Labor Relief Campaign to help the fight against Taliban and the military operations. The purpose is to provide immediate help to some from over 1.5 million internally displaced people from Malakand Division of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan as a result of the fight between Taliban and the government. We also aim to continue the publication of Weekly Mazdoor Jeddojuhd in Pushto language on more frequent basis. It is at present published weekly in Urdu and monthly in Pushto language. The purpose is to spread alternative ideas than that of religious fanatics and repressive measures. This is also to help the labour and social movement in the province by publishing their activities and views and bringing them together to form new networks.

If you are interest to this appeal you can ask it to our secretariat at isde@ats.it

 

This newsletter is ISDE Italy's Official Press Organ edited by Roberto Romizi e Silvia Caruso.

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International Society of Doctors for the Environment - ISDE Italy

International Society of Doctors for the Environment www.isde.org

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