ISDE Italia News

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

 

Number 386 (26th March 2010)

 

In this issue………

-      A new duty (acknowledgemnet) for ISDE in a UE funded project: dealing with Syndromic Surveillance.

-      3rd international symposium IWWG on sustainable energy – Venice, 8-11 November (abstract no later than 31 March).

-      18th international conference on health promoting hospitals and health services – Manchster, 14–16 April.

-      Neuro-endocrine-immunologie complex illnesses – Environmental medicine. Science meets practise – Wurzburg, 24-25 April.

-      Children’s development and violence: risks, consequences and management – USA, 20-23 April; United Kingdom, 26-29 April.

-      Enhancing urban performance. How effective urban planning can lead to greener urban communities & economies and promote social cohesion – Prague, 3-4 May.

-      Adaptation to climate change: Resilient Cities 2010 congress – Bonn, 28-30 May.

-      Ecological integrity and globalization: science, human behaviour, public policy and the law – Vancouver, 27 June-3 July.

-      2nd international conference on hazardous and industrial waste management – Chania, 5-8 October.

-      “Basic properties and molecular mechanisms of exogenous chemical carcinogens” by Philippe Irigaray and Dominique Belpomme.

-      “Initiative to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from medical imaging” by Center for Devices and Radiological Health U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

-      The Lancet Series on health and climate change.

-      “Phthalate exposure and male infertility” by Giuseppe Latini, Antonio Del Vecchio, Marika Massaro, Alberto Verrotti, Claudio De Felice.

-      Chernobyl in the Amazon.

-      National report on human exposure to environmental chemicals.

-      “The difficult truth about Chernobyl” by A.V. Nesterenko, V.B. Nesterenko and A.V. Yablokov.

-      “Risk for non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the vicinity of French municipal solid waste incinerators” by J.F. Viel, C. Daniau, S. Goria, P. Fabre, P. de Crouy-Chanel, E.A. Sauleau, P. Empereur-Bissonnet.

-      Metals detected in Palestinian children's hair suggest environmental contamination.

-      Vital Spaces, the newsletter of the UNECE Committee On housing and land management and the working party on land administration.

 

A NEW DUTY (ACKNOWLEDGEMNET) FOR ISDE IN A UE FUNDED PROJECT: DEALING WITH SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE

ISDE Italy on behalf of ISDE International has been involved in the EU funded project named: Triple S-AGE: Syndromic Surveillance Survey, Assessment towards Guidelines which has been recently approved by EU within the “Second Health Programme” (COMMISSION DECISION of 23 February 2009).

Over the last few years, there has been a renewed interest in Syndromic surveillance (SyS)  methods. The term “syndromic surveillance” applies to surveillance using health-related data that precede diagnosis and signal a sufficient probability of a case or an outbreak to warrant further public health response. Though historically syndromic surveillance has been utilized to target investigation of potential cases, its utility for detecting outbreaks associated with bioterrorism is increasingly being explored by public health officials.

Recent events, including the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus, and monkeypox, have resulted in the implementation of alternate methods of disease surveillance that can potentially identify clusters of cases before traditional methods. Some surveillance systems utilize International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) coded health information from physician visit records or emergency department discharge data. Other systems abstract data from emergency department logs, 911 calls, or nurse call line data through analysis of text or other developed coding systems. Such surveillance methods are often referred to as syndromic surveillance since they typically monitor the non-specific clinical information that may indicate a bioterrorism-associated disease before specific diagnoses are made. Syndromic surveillance systems often utilize data sources that already exist but have not been designed specifically for public health surveillance purposes. Two data sources that may be available to augment a public health agency’s surveillance activities are ICD-9-CM-coded discharge diagnoses for outpatient visits and emergency department visits.

Syndromic surveillance systems might enhance collaboration among public health and environmental agencies, health-care providers, information-system professionals, academic investigators, and industry. However, syndromic surveillance does not replace traditional public health surveillance, nor does it substitute for direct physician reporting of unusual or suspect cases of public health importance.

To date several European countries such as France… have already developed broad Syndromic surveillance systems. These systems use different themes (infectious diseases, environmental health, veterinary), with different sources of data (emergency departments, mortality, telephone help lines) and use different methods (retrospective or prospective studies). The varied use makes comparability difficult. This project proposal proposes a review of European Syndromic surveillance across the member States with the aim to define a common approach to Syndromic surveillance that takes into account data and systems that are currently in place in Europe.

To date several European countries such as France and UK have already developed broad Syndromic surveillance systems. These systems use different themes (infectious diseases, environmental health, veterinary), with different sources of data (emergency departments, mortality, telephone help lines) and use different methods (retrospective or prospective studies). The varied use makes comparability difficult. This project proposal proposes a review of European Syndromic surveillance across the member States with the aim to define a common approach to Syndromic surveillance that takes into account data and systems that are currently in place in Europe.

The following definition of Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) will be used: "an investigational approach where health department staff, assisted by automated data acquisition and generation of statistical alerts, monitor disease indicators in real-time or near real-time to detect outbreaks of disease earlier than would otherwise be possible with traditional public health methods" REF/ CDC. Framework for evaluating public health surveillance systems for early detection of outbreaks: recommendations from the CDC working group. MMWR 2004; 53(No.RR-5).

The General objective of the project are: 

- production of a review of SS capacities based on inventory SyS systems in Europe;

- definition of guidelines for SS in MS. A shared approach among MS would increase the European capacity to monitor the health burden (morbidity and mortality) of population for numerous events (expected or not, from infectious diseases to environmental health), and therefore enhance the evidence base for public health stakeholders.

The project relies on country visits for an in depth understanding of existing SyS and on the assessment of data sources, It will lead to:

-      well document cases studies available to demonstrate values and boundaries of SyS,

-      increased capacity of MS to design and implement SyS,

-      possible comparison of the outputs from the different systems,

-      definition of an Eu strategy for SyS in terms of goals, methodology and (in relation to specific surveillance ) systems which considers in priority a) usefulness for health response and public health mentoring at MS and EU level; b) methodological criteria (data sources and collection, shared definitions and indicators, data analysis, methodology and guidelines…); c) feasibility criteria (cost, IT…),

-      development of Guidelines for harmonized/standardized approach, that includes minimum requirements for establishing SyS at Ms level and for reporting at EU level.

ISDE will be involved as a collaborating partner such as other International learned societies eg  ISDS (International Society for Disease Surveillance). It will collaborate to disseminate information on Triple S, in particular to share definition of SyS and potential use of SyS in the Environment and Health area at GPs and Health professionals level and express needs for clarification of concepts used in Triple S if necessary.

Paolo Lauriola from ISDE Italy will represent ISDE International.

 

3rd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM IWWG ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

The aim of the Venice 2010 Symposium (8th-11th November 2010) is to focus on the advances made in the application of technologies for energy recovery from biomass and waste and to encourage discussion in these fields. The third edition of the Symposium will last four days and will include oral sessions, a poster session, a small exhibition by companies working in the field and technical tours. The Symposium is organized by the International Waste Working Group (IWWG) with the scientific support of international organizations. An extended abstract (at least one but no more than two full pages) prepared using the abstract form (to be downloaded from the Symposium website) should reach the Organization no later than 31st March 2010.

Info: www.venicesymposium.it/venice2010/venice.html; papers@venicesymposium.it

 

18th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTH PROMOTING HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SERVICES

Manchster is hosting the 18th International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services on 14th – 16th April 2010. Evidence suggests that inequalities in health are caused by differences in the so-called socio-economic determinants of health, such as occupation, income, education, housing and access to transport. One of the most prominent recent publications in the field is the so-called Marmot Report “Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health Equity through Action on the Social Determinants of Health,” published by the WHO in 2008. The publication reveals that the patterns of global and regional health distribution follow the so-called social gradient: The wider the gap in socio-economic health determinants, the wider the gap also in life expectancy and health. This phenomenon exists between, but also within countries and even cities: In any geographic unit, considerably shorter life expectancies are found in the more disadvantaged population groups compared to those who are better off.

Info: www.univie.ac.at/hph/manchester2010/scope.php

 

NEURO-ENDOCRINE-IMMUNLOGIE COMPLEX ILLNESSES – ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE. SCIENCE MEETS PRACTISE

The European Academy for Environmental Medicine (EUROPAEM) will organizing on 24th - 25th April 2010 in Wurzburg, Germany, the International Congress "Neuro-Endocrine-Immunlogie Complex Illnesses – Environmental Medicine. Science meets Practise". Since years inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress have been subjects of interest for clinical practicing environmental medicine as well as for diagnosing as for therapy of chronic multisystem illnesses caused by the environment. An increasing amount of international publications concerning neuro-endocrine-immune system deal these topics scientifically. Scientific publications which report on complexity of illnesses, on individual vulnerability and susceptibility as well as on illnesses from toxic longtime low-dose burden increase too. Choosing contents and international lecturers for this congress EUROPAEM wants to stress that these subjects are almost scientifically state of the art. For clinical practicing environmental medicine these findings are basic knowledge since years. But neither awareness nor acceptance is given by the general medicine, social insurance system and the social welfare law yet. By discussing scientific findings on the field of neuroendocrine-immune complex illnesses and the experiences in clinical practicing environmental medicine scientific common features of those functional feedback control systems are regarded.

Info: www.europaem.net/frameset2.html; europaem@europaem.de

 

CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT AND VIOLENCE: RISKS, CONSEQUENCES AND MANAGEMENT

IACRD (International Association for Child Right and Development) is organizing a combined international conference on "Children’s development and violence: Risks, consequences, and management". The combined conferences are of two segments. Firstly, one shall commence in shall commence on the 20th till the 23rd of April 2010, at Uptown Auditorium 118 Eighth, Avenue Seattle, WA 98523 USA. The second segment shall commence on the 26 till 29th of April  2010 at Queen Park Conference Centre Guildhall Conference Centre, 56 East Street, Haven’t Hampshire PO9 1BS United Kingdom. IACRD aspires amongst other things: to discuss the root causes of child labor, abuse and neglect in order to help in eradicating these social ills; to re-educate and enlighten the youths and adults about these social vices and also promote community organizing as a tool to re-connect people to each other with a common goal of building safe, supportive and good communities; to create spaces for the youths of the world to acquire the power of collective action, critical dialogue and community organizing to undermine child labour, abuse and neglect; to equip the youth and adult participants with vital tools and know-how. This will aid them in conducting such workshops amongst youths in their various countries. Only groups with delegates between the numbers of three and ten selected members would be allowed to participate from each of the selected countries. Individuals who do not belong to any of the organizations but are interested to participate should form a group of at least three.

Info: http://oia.uvic.ca/?q=node/898; internationalconference@gala.net

 

ENHANCING URBAN PERFORMANCE. HOW EFFECTIVE URBAN PLANNING CAN LEAD TO GREENER URBAN COMMUNITIES & ECONOMIES AND PROMOTE SOCIAL COHESION

The UNECE region is highly urbanized with more than 75% of the population concentrated in urban areas, of which 45% live in medium sized municipalities. Cities are facing a growing number of complex challenges, reduced economic performance, migration, lack of social cohesion and increased unemployment, high environmental impacts and climate change. To encompass this complexity, Governments need to increase urban performance by adopting an approach that integrates different dimensions of urban planning, thus addressing those economic, environmental and social challenges in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The UNECE Committee on Housing and Land Management together with the Ministry for Regional Development of the Czech Republic is organizing a workshop "Enhancing Urban Performance. How effective urban planning can lead to greener urban communities & economies and promote social cohesion" to discuss and review examples and practices of successful integrative approaches to urban planning. The workshop will focus on the main challenges for up-to-date urban planning, ranging from greening the economy to reducing GHG emissions for urban areas, increasing social cohesion and reducing urban poverty. The event is planned to take place on 3-4 May 2010 in Prague, Czech Republic.

Info: housing.landmanagement@unece.org ;
www.unece.org/hlm/prgm/urbanenvperf/documents/prague/UNECE.concept.note.prague.pdf

 

ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE: RESILIENT CITIES 2010 CONGRESS

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and the City of Bonn are pleased to announce the congress "Resilient Cities 2010", the first annual global Forum on Urban Resiliency and Adaptation to Climate Change for all actors involved in the field of adaptation. The Congress will be held from 28 to 30 May 2010 in Bonn, Germany, between the Carbon Expo in Cologne (26-28 May) and the UN Climate Talks in Bonn (31 May - 11 June 2010). Resilient Cities 2010 will gather actors with different backgrounds - not only local governments, international organizations, development banks and NGOs but also researchers, university professors, urban planners, consultants, private finance institutions and private sector companies. All these stakeholders will jointly discuss and identify solutions and impulses for innovation in the field of adaptation and aim at setting the direction for the future planning of and investment in urban infrastructure. How vulnerable are our cities and what tools do we have to assess the projected impacts of climate change? How can we integrate adaptation into water, transport, energy and urban planning?  How can we get citizens on-board and best utilize existing local knowledge? How can we manage uncertainty and what instruments are available to best deal with it? How much does adaptation cost and how can we finance it? All these issues, and many more, will be discussed at the Resilient Cities 2010 Congress and solutions will be sought through the presentation of several local examples and the input of numerous experts.  

Info: www.iclei.org/bonn2010; bonn2010@iclei.org ;
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ICLEIEurope/08bacf9969/b0a5cbe261/16d4dfc798; http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ICLEIEurope/08bacf9969/b0a5cbe261/760d00306a

 

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND GLOBALIZATION: SCIENCE, HUMAN BEHAVIOUR, PUBLIC POLICY AND THE LAW

The Global Ecological Integrity Group will organizing on 27th June - 3rd July 2010 in Vancouver, Canada, the International Conference “Ecological Integrity and Globalization: Science, Human Behaviour, Public Policy and the Law”.

Info: lwestra@interlog.com ; www.globalecointegrity.net

 

2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HAZARDOUS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

The Second International Conference "Hazardous and Industrial Waste Management - CRETE 2010" will be held in Chania (Crete, Greece) on 5th - 8th October 2010. The Conference will focus on innovative aspects of Hazardous and Industrial Waste Management (including Organics, Non-Halogenated and Halogenated Solvents, Hydrocarbons, Pesticides, Explosives, PCBs, PCDDs/Fs, Heavy Metals, Asbestos, Nuclear Wastes, Salts, etc), presenting new technologies, describing the state of the art and related case studies, discussing the main controversial subjects, sharing experience among different countries, valuating social and financial balances. The Conference will include oral presentations, poster sessions, special sessions and workshops.

Info: www.hwm-conferences.tuc.gr

 

BASIC PROPERTIES AND MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF EXOGENOUS CHEMICAL CARCINOGENS by Philippe Irigaray and Dominique Belpomme.

Exogenous chemical carcinogenesis is an extremely complex multifactorial process during which gene–environment interactions involving chronic exposure to exogenous chemical carcinogens (ECCs) and polymorphisms of cancer susceptibility genes add further complexity. We describe the properties and molecular mechanisms of ECCs that contribute to induce and generate cancer. A basic and specific property of many lipophilic organic ECCs including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons is their ability to bioaccumulate in the adipose tissue from where they may be released in the blood circulation and target peripheral tissues for carcinogenesis. Many organic ECCs are procarcinogens and consequently need to be activated by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system and/or other enzymes before they can adduct DNA and proteins. Because they contribute not only to the cocarcinogenic and promoting effects of many aromatic pollutants but also to their mutagenic effects, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-activating and the inducible CYP systems are central to exogenous chemical carcinogenesis. Another basic property of ECCs is their ability to induce stable and bulky DNA adducts that cannot be simply repaired by the different repair systems. In addition, following ECC exposure, mutagenesis may also be caused indirectly by free-radical production and by epigenetic alterations. As a result of complex molecular interplays, direct and/or indirect mutagenesis may especially account for the carcinogenic effects of many exogenous metals and metalloids. Because of these molecular properties and action mechanisms, we conclude that ECCs could be major contributors to human cancer, with obviously great public health consequences.

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

Info: artac@gmail.com

 

INITIATIVE TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY RADIATION EXPOSURE FROM MEDICAL IMAGING by Center for Devices and Radiological Health U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Like all medical procedures, computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine imaging exams present both benefits and risks. These types of imaging procedures have led to improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous medical conditions. At the same time, these types of exams expose patients to ionizing radiation (hereinafter "radiation"), which may elevate a person's lifetime risk of developing cancer. A balanced public health approach seeks to support the benefits of these medical imaging exams while minimizing the risks....

In you want this work you can ask it to our secretariat at isde@ats.it

 

THE LANCET SERIES ON HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The major aim of Doctors for the Environment Australia for the past few years has been to educate our colleagues, their patients and governments on the health aspects of climate change. The wealth of knowledge in this issue of the Lancet indicates the distance travelled by colleagues in many countries. To those of you actively involved in the area there will be little new in content but there is perspective and resolve. I see the series as an educative review for the profession and health workers. The scientific data confirming climate change and its impacts is overwhelming. Lacking is political will and leadership for appropriate action. Similarly the health impacts have been apparent for some years with little government acknowledgement and appropriate action.  The “call” requires not least a sea-change in our profession to show personal example and responsibility in life style. Our campaigns testify to the difficulties, for we have tested the waters in the four main areas detailed in the Lancet Series. These are household energy use, urban land transport, electricity generation, and food and agriculture. Our conclusions are that the vast majority of our colleagues in Australia are yet to head the call. This should not be an excuse for pessimism but for resolve and hard work. We must aim to reach the tipping point of cultural change before the other climate change tipping points are upon us! The Executive Summary of the Lancet Series has a positive message for the profession: “The threat of climate change has generated a global flood of policy documents, suggested technical fixes, and lifestyle recommendations. One widely held view is that their implementation would, almost without exception, prove socially uncomfortable and economically painful. But as a series of new studies shows, in one domain at least—public health—such a view is ill founded. If properly chosen, action to combat climate change can, of itself, lead to improvements in health. The news is not all bad”. Climate change will harm human health, and successful strategies to mitigate the extent of the change will restrict that harm. But new studies published in The Lancet show that appropriate mitigation strategies will themselves have additional and independent effects on health, most of them beneficial. The potential value of these co-benefits has not so far been given sufficient prominence in international negotiations. The Lancet studies, supported by a global partnership of funders, were undertaken by an international team of researchers with the aim of informing discussions at the 2009 Copenhagen conference of parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Authored by an international group of public health, environmental, and other scientists, each focuses on one sector in which greenhouse-gas emissions need to be reduced. These sectors are household energy use, urban land transport, electricity generation, and food and agriculture. A fifth study reviews the effect on health of short-lived green-house pollutants, which are produced in several sectors. Each study examines the health implications of actions in both high-income and low-income countries designed to reduce the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. In line with the recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change, each would yield reductions by 2030 that are broadly consistent with the aim of meeting a global 50% reduction target (compared with 1990) by 2050, and an 80% reduction in emissions for high-income countries.

Info: www.dea.org.au/node/345

 

PHTHALATE EXPOSURE AND MALE INFERTILITY by Giuseppe Latini, Antonio Del Vecchio, Marika Massaro, Alberto Verrotti, Claudio De Felice.

Phthalates have been used as additives in industrial products since the 1930s, and are universally considered to be ubiquitous environmental contaminants. The general population is exposed to phthalates through consumer products, as well as diet and medical treatments. Animal studies showing the existence of an association between some phthalates and testicular toxicity have generated public and scientific concern about the potential adverse effects of environmental changes on male reproductive health. In particular, prenatal exposure to phthalates seems to play a relevant role in determining these adverse effects given that human exposure has been demonstrated to begin during the intrauterine life. Unprecedented declines in fertility rates and semen quality of antenatal origin have been reported during the last half of the 20th century in developed countries and increasing interest exists on the potential relationship between exposure to environmental contaminants, including phthalates, and human male reproductive health. Here we review the data that support or discounts the evidence existing to date linking phthalate exposure and the decline of human male fertility, especially in developed countries.

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

 

CHERNOBYL IN THE AMAZON

The final judgment is imminent after a long legal battle between oil giant Chevron and brave indigenous peoples of the Ecuadorian Amazon, who are seeking redress for the multinational’s dumping of billions of gallons of toxic waste in the rainforest. If Chevron is forced to pay billions in damages, it’ll be a big step forward in bringing the world’s polluters to account. Staring defeat in the face, the oil giant has launched an aggressive last-ditch lobbying campaign to derail the lawsuit. But Chevron’s newly-appointed CEO, John Watson, knows his corporation’s brand is under fire and is growing anxious about the risks of a public shaming campaign! Sign the petition calling on Watson and Chevron to clean up their mess in Ecuador, and it will be delivered to them, their shareholders and the US media.

Info: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/chevron_toxic_legacy_4/?cl=468066783&v=5338

 

NATIONAL REPORT ON HUMAN EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS

The Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the exposure of the U.S. population to chemicals in our environment. CDC has measured 212 chemicals in people's blood or urine-75 of which have never before been measured in the U.S. population. The new chemicals include acrylamide, arsenic, environmental phenols, including bisphenol A and triclosan, and perchlorate. The blood and urine samples were collected from participants in CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which is an ongoing survey that samples the U.S. population every two years. Each two year sample consists of about 2.400 persons. The Fourth Report includes findings from national samples for 1999–2000, 2001–2002, and 2003–2004. The data are analyzed separately by age, sex and race/ethnicity groups.

Info: www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/

 

THE DIFFICULT TRUTH ABOUT CHERNOBYL by A.V. Nesterenko, V.B. Nesterenko and A.V. Yablokov.

For millions of people on this planet, the explosion of the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986 divided life into two parts: before and after. The Chernobyl catastrophe was the occasion for technological adventurism and heroism on the part of the “liquidators,” the personnel who worked at the site attempting to contain the escaping radiation, and, in our view, for cowardice on the part of people in public life who were afraid to warn the population of the unimaginable threat to innocent victims. Chernobyl has become synonymous with human suffering and has brought new words into our lives—Chernobyl liquidators, children of Chernobyl, Chernobyl AIDs, Chernobyl contamination, Chernobyl heart, Chernobyl dust, and Chernobyl collar (thyroid disease), etc. For the past 23 years it has been clear that there is a danger greater than nuclear weapons concealed within nuclear power. Emissions from this one reactor exceeded a hundredfold the radioactive contamination of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. No citizen of any country can be assured that he or she can be protected from radioactive contamination. One nuclear reactor can pollute half the globe. Chernobyl fallout covered the entire Northern Hemisphere. The questions persist: How many radionuclides spread over the world? How much radiation is still stored inside the sarcophagus, the dome that covers the reactor?

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

Info: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123194851/issue?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

 

RISK FOR NON HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA IN THE VICINITY OF FRENCH MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE INCINERATORS by J.F. Viel, C. Daniau, S. Goria, P. Fabre, P. de Crouy-Chanel, E.A. Sauleau, P. Empereur-Bissonnet.

Source: Environmental Health 2008.

Dioxin emissions from municipal solid waste incinerators are one of the major sources of dioxins and therefore are an exposure source of public concern. There is growing epidemiologic evidence of an increased risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the vicinity of some municipal solid waste incinerators with high dioxin emission levels. The purpose of this study was to examine this association on a larger population scale. The study area consisted of four French administrative departments, comprising a total of 2270 block groups. NHL cases that had been diagnosed during the period 1990–1999, and were aged 15 years and over, were considered. Each case was assigned a block group by residential address geocoding. Atmospheric Dispersion Model System software was used to estimate immissions in the surroundings of 13 incinerators which operated in the study area. Then, cumulative ground-level dioxin concentrations were calculated for each block group. Poisson multiple regression models, incorporating penalized regression splines to control for covariates and dealing with Poisson overdispersion, were used. Five confounding factors were considered: population density, urbanisation, socio-economic level, airborne traffic pollution, and industrial pollution. This study, in line with previous results obtained in the vicinity of the incinerator located in Besançon (France), adds further evidence to the link between NHL incidence and exposure to dioxins emitted by municipal solid waste incinerators. However, the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated to current incinerators, which emit lower amounts of pollutants.

Info: www.ehjournal.net/content/7/1/51

 

METALS DETECTED IN PALESTINIAN CHILDREN'S HAIR SUGGEST ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION

Many Palestinian children still living in precarious situations at ground level in Gaza after Israeli bombing during "Cast lead" have unusually high concentrations of metals in the hair, indicating environmental contamination, which can cause health and growth damages due to chronic exposure. This is the result of a pilot study conducted by the New Weapons Research Group (NERG), an independent committee of scientists and experts based in Italy, who is studying the use of unconventional weapons and their mid-term effects on the population of after-war areas.

Info: www.newweapons.org/?q=node/112

 

VITAL SPACES, THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UNECE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT AND THE WORKING PARTY ON LAND ADMINISTRATION

In the issue 4 of year 2 of Vital Spaces, the newsletter of the UNECE Committee on Housing and Land Management and the Working Party on Land Administration, there are:

-      “Social rental housing – Lessons learned from a project” by Doris Andoni;

-      “Urban forestry: part of the urban answer to climate change?” by Cecil C. Konijnendijk;

-      “100 regional steps to global climate protection” by Dirk Schnurr and Helmut Mutschler;

-      Population and housing census – 2010 census round;

-      Making our homes energy efficient: UNECE takes action;

-      “Green jobs for sustainable cities” by Dr. Edmundo Werna;

-      Moving towards inclusive urban planning: innovative methods of providing land and housing to the urban poor in India;

-      New conference launched for the international social housing sector delivering inspiring content;

-      Symposium on international land management;

-      Recent publication: “Green homes”.

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

 

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