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October 2011

Children’s Health and the CHILDREN’S Environment - Training package ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH for health care providers NEWS

A growing body of evidence shows that Press Releases environmental risk factors have an impact UN experts target toxic flame retardant on the health and development of fetus, HBCD for control under global chemicals infants, children and adolescents and on treaty their future. It is estimated that more than The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review one fourth of the global disease burden is Committee took action this week to help due to modifiable environmental factors, eliminate Persistent Organic Pollutants and that in children, this proportion rises to (POPs) from the global marketplace and one third of the global pediatrics disease protect human health and the burden (WHO, Preventing disease through environment. The Committee adopted healthy environments, 2006). In response more than a dozen decisions, including to the training and information needs one recommending that the chemical expressed by countries and NGOs, WHO hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) be has developed materials to be used by the listed under the Convention. UNEP health and environmental sectors in order (19/10/11) to build their capacities in the area of children's health and the environment. Making the Economic Case for Greening Cities Improved planning and more intelligent What is the WHO Training Package for management of cities across the Health Care Providers? developed and developing world could play a key role in growing economies, boosting social improvements and A collection of modules with internationally reducing humanity's environmental harmonized information and peer-reviewed footprint. Findings from the Green materials to enable health care workers to Economy report of the UN Environment be trained, and also to become trainers of Programme (UNEP) indicate that current their peers and colleagues. The modules patterns of urban development could be include extensive notes and references, costing countries over three per cent of case studies and self-evaluation tools, GDP as a result of congestion to welfare backed up by manuals and guidelines. A costs. UNEP (13/10/11) selected team of experienced WHO highlights global underinvestment in professionals from over 15 countries, the mental health care International Paediatric Association (IPA) One in four people will require mental and selected NGOs are participating in its health care at some point in their lives but preparation. in many countries only two per cent of all health sector resources are invested in This initiative was made possible thanks to mental health services. Average global the financial support provided by the US spending on mental health is still less than EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection, US$ 3 per capita per year. In low income that also made available useful data, countries, expenditure can be as little as graphics and text for the modules. The UK US$0.25 per person per year, according Department of Health also supported this to the WHO's Mental Health Atlas 2011, initiative. released on World Mental Health Day. WHO (7/10/11) New Modules published this month include: Royal Launch in Bhutan for New Ozone and Climate Plan  Biomarkers and human The Royal Government of Bhutan has biomonitoring unveiled a new commitment to phase out ozone-depleting substances. HCFCs in  Children and neurodevelopmental Bhutan are primarily used in air- behavioral intellectual disorders conditioning and refrigeration units in its  Children and chemicals large industrial establishments, hotels and  Developmental environmental resorts, corporate offices, governmental origins of disease sectors, as well as domestic servicing  Endocrine disorders and sector. UNEP (7/10/11) environment

 Immune systems and environment UNEP Joins 7 Billion Actions Campaign to  Mycotoxins Show Opportunities and Challenges at  Heavy metals and children Milestone  Second hand tobacco smoke and The is set to hit 7 billion children on 31 October 2011, bringing into sharp focus the challenges of ensuring Link to WHO website for more overview and a fair share information of the planet's resources for a growing global population. The Link to the training Modules Environment Programme (UNEP) has joined the 7 Billion Actions campaign to encourage individuals, governments, businesses and organisations to take positive actions towards creating a more sustainable world for 7 billion inhabitants. UNEP (6/10/11)

In the Media Lead poisoning in 2,000 Nigerian children JOURNAL ARTICLES Illegal gold mining has left at least 2,000 children with lead poisoning in several northern Nigerian villages, where 400 Air children have already died from contamination. Agence France-Presse (29/10/11) Traffic-related air toxics and preterm birth: a population-based case-control study in Los Angeles County, California Lack of outdoor play linked to short- Numerous studies have associated air sighted children pollutant exposures with adverse birth The time children spend outdoors could outcomes, but there is still relatively little be linked to a reduced risk of being short- information to attribute effects to specific sighted, research suggests. BBC emission sources or air toxics. The authors (26/10/11) used three exposure data sources to examine risks of preterm birth in Los BPA in pregnant women may cause Angeles women when exposed to high behavior problems in girls levels of traffic-related air pollutants - When pregnant women eat foods that are including specific toxics - during pregnancy. stored in cans or packing containing BPA, Odds of preterm birth increased 6-21% per their unborn child's exposure to the inter-quartile range increase in entire chemical could lead to behavioral pregnancy exposures to organic carbon problems by age 3, according to a study (OC), elemental carbon (EC), benzene, and published in the journal Pediatrics. CNN diesel, biomass burning and ammonium (24/10/11) nitrate PM2.5, and 50% per inter-quartile increase in polycyclic aromatic Autism diagnoses growing by 10 to 17 hydrocarbons (PAHs); these pollutants were percent annually positively correlated and clustered together One in 110 American children are living in a factor analysis. Associations with land with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), use regression (LUR) exposure metrics based on the most recently published were weaker (3-4% per inter-quartile range estimates from the Centers for Disease increase). These analyses provide Control and Prevention (CDC). Boys are additional evidence of traffic-related air four to five times more likely than girls to pollution's impact on preterm birth for be diagnosed with an ASD. Countless women living in Southern California and studies are investigating a number of indicate PAHs as a pollutant of concern that potential environmental contributors. should be a focus of future studies. Scranton Times-Tribune (23/10/11) Environmental Health UN close to ban on West's toxic waste exports One of the most persistent and insidious pollution problems visited by the West on the developing world has taken a huge step towards a permanent solution with a UN agreement to accelerate a global ban on dumping electronic and other Chemicals hazardous waste in poor countries. London Independent (23/10/11) Thyroid Dysfunction as a Mediator of Organochlorine Neurotoxicity in Preschool Sanford company brings pure water to Children India Exposure to organochlorine (OC) Out of the 1.2 billion people in India, about compounds can alter thyroid function in 750 million reside in rural villages. More humans, and hypothyroidism during early than 900,000 people die every year from life can adversely affect neurodevelopment the harmful effects of air pollution and in children. The authors studied the unhealthy drinking water, and many of the relationship between developmental OC country’s 400 million children younger exposures and thyroid function and the than 15 are malnourished and relationship between thyroid function and impoverished. Stanford Herald (23/10/11) subsequent neurodevelopment. They followed a population-based birth cohort of Early childhood conditions help shape 182 children up to 5.5 years of age. The DNA assessments included measuring Early childhood living conditions provoke concentrations of OC compounds in biological changes in genes leading to maternal pregnancy serum and milk, clinical DNA "memory" that can last a lifetime, an thyroid parameters in maternal and cord international study has found. Postmedia serum, and subsequent neuropsychological News (22/10/11) outcomes of the children. Resin triiodothyronine uptake ratio (T3RU) was How a healthy diet could see your great- also assessed as an estimate of the amount grandchildren benefit of thyroxine (T4)-binding globulin sites Scientists have discovered that a good unsaturated by T4: The T3RU is high in diet and lifestyle could help a person’s hyperthyroidism and low in hypothyroidism. children, grandchildren and even great- The authors report finding inverse grandchildren live longer. A team at monotonic associations between OC Stanford University in California found that exposure and T3RU, and positive altering three types of proteins can affect associations between T3RU and better longevity. London Daily Mail (20/10/11) performance on most of the neuropsychological tests. The authors Autumn harvest watched warily in food- conclude that OC exposures may decrease poor N Korea the T3RU during early life and that minor Primitive farming techniques, a lack of decreases in thyroid function may be arable land in a rugged, mountainous inversely associated with a child’s country and the suspected diversion of neurodevelopment. food to military and ruling party elites have Environmental Health Perspectives all contributed to widespread hunger in the country's poorest areas, aid groups say. Associations between Polybrominated This year, summer floods, soaring global Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Flame Retardants, food prices and the continued reluctance Phenolic Metabolites, and Thyroid of the U.S. and its allies to provide aid to a Hormones during Pregnancy hostile and nuclear-armed country means Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), millions of children and pregnant women chemical additives used as flame retardants are slowly starving, aid groups say. in commercial products, are Associated Press (20/10/11) bioaccumulative, persistent, and associated with several adverse health outcomes. The Beware: ‘Toxic’ Halloween authors measured PBDEs and PBDE Tests done by an environmental health metabolites in serum collected from 140 group in collaboration with a testing lab pregnant women late in their third trimester. found that 70 percent of Halloween The authors sought to determine whether products - from masks and face paints to the PBDEs or their metabolites were vampire teeth and pumpkin buckets - associated with maternal thyroid hormones. contained at least one toxic metal above Blood samples were collected from levels of concern. Makati Journal pregnant women during a routine prenatal (19/10/11) clinic visit, and serum was analyzed for a suite of PBDEs, three phenolic metabolites, Study finds new asthma cases on the and five thyroid hormones. PBDEs were decline detected in all samples; two hydroxylated Asthma cases in children and young BDE congeners were detected in > 67% of people are on the way down but the poor the samples. BDEs 47, 99, and 100 were are still more likely to suffer, according to significantly and positively associated with new figures. Australia ABC News free and total thyroxine levels, and with total (18/10/11) triiodothyronine levels above the normal range. PBDEs and OH-BDEs are prevalent Report Claims FCC Underestimates in this cohort, with levels similar to those in Cellphone Radiation Dose the general population. The authors A report published Monday in the journal conclude that PBDEs may be able to affect Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine thyroid regulation throughout pregnancy; contends that the FCC’s test to determine thus further research is needed to radiation exposure from cellphones is determine mechanisms through which flawed and dramatically understates the PBDEs affect thyroid hormone levels in emissions that many people absorb, developing fetuses and newborn babies. particularly children. Fair Warning Environmental Health Perspectives (18/10/11)

Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates and Infant 2 Million Deaths a Year Attributed to Development at 6 Months: Prospective Pollution from Indoor Cookstove Fires Mothers and Children’s Environmental Nearly two million deaths could be Health (MOCEH) Study prevented each year by replacing cooking There are increasing concerns about the fires and inefficient, smoky stoves, reports possible adverse effects of prenatal a policy analysis by leaders from the phthalate exposure on neurodevelopment of National Institutes of Health published in infants. As part of the Mothers and Science. PBS NewsHour (14/10/11) Children’s Environmental Health Study (MOCEH), the authors studied the Smoking moms' offspring more likely to be association between prenatal di(2- treated for mental problems. ethylhexyl) phthalate and dibutyl phthalate Children born to mothers who smoked exposure and the Mental (MDI) and during pregnancy were more likely than Psychomotor (PDI) Developmental indices those born to nonsmoking moms to take of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development medications that treat mental disorders, at 6 months of age. Prenatal mono(2-ethyl- suggests a study published in the Journal 5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), of Epidemiology. The most common mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate prescriptions were for antidepressant and (MEOHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate anti-anxiety drugs. Environmental Health (MBP) were measured in mothers during News (14/10/11) the third trimester of pregnancy. The MDI was inversely associated with Flame retardant added to state's list of concentrations of MEHHP and MEOHP, and cancer-causing chemicals the PDI was inversely associated with In a victory for environmentalists, a flame MEHHP. In males, the MDI was inversely retardant common in furniture and baby associated with MEHHP, MEOHP, and products was officially listed yesterday by MBP; and the PDI was inversely associated the state as a cancer-causing chemical. with MEHHP, MEOHP, and MBP. No California Watch (13/10/11) significant associations were observed for females. The authors conclude that prenatal India encephalitis outbreak kills 400, exposure to phthalates may be inversely mainly children associated with the MDI and PDI of infants, More than 400 people, mainly children, particularly in males, at 6 months of age. have died in an outbreak of viral Environmental Health Perspectives encephalitis in northern India, health officials say. BBC (13/10/11)

Water And Sanitation Moms and POPs: birth defects linked to banned, current pollutants. A variety of long-banned and currently- Manganese Exposure from Drinking Water released chemicals found in pregnant and Children’s Classroom Behavior in women are associated with an increased Bangladesh risk of neural tube defects in their babies, Evidence of neurological, cognitive, and reports a study of Chinese women. The neuropsychological effects of manganese chemicals known as persistent organic (Mn) exposure from drinking water (WMn) in pollutants (POPs) include a variety of children has generated public health pesticides, industrial-use chemicals and concern. At elevated exposures, Mn has compounds released from the burning of been associated with increased levels of fossil fuels. Environmental Health News externalizing behaviors, including irritability, (13/10/11) aggression, and impulsivity, but little is known about potential effects at lower Cholera epidemic spreads in west, central exposures, especially in children. Moreover, Africa: U.N. little is known about potential interactions A cholera epidemic sweeping through between exposure to Mn and other metals, west and Central Africa, one of the biggest especially arsenic (As). Study children were in the vast region's history, has infected rated by their schoolteachers on externalizing and internalizing items of more than 85,000 people, killing at least classroom behavior using the standardized 2,466 so far this year, United Nations aid Child Behavior Checklist-Teacher’s Report agencies said. Reuters (12/10/11) Form (TRF). The authors report that WMn was positively and significantly associated with TRF internalizing, TRF externalizing, High level of nicotine found in Capital's air and TRF total scores. They also observed a A recent study conducted by the Union positive monotonic dose–response ministry of health and family welfare has relationship between WMn and TRF revealed the presence of high levels of externalizing and TRF total scores among airborne nicotine not only at public places the study participants. These observations and entertainment joints in New Delhi but reinforce the growing concern about the also in government schools and hospitals. possible neurodevelopmetnal effects of India Today (12/10/11) WMn in children. Environmental Health Perspectives Two New Reasons to Worry about Air Pollution: Obesity and Diabetes Research is continuing to pile up suggesting that air pollution is very much Global Change a public health issue, contributing to some of this country's most pressing and

expensive health epidemics. Forbes Action on social determinants of health is (11/10/11) essential to tackle noncommunicable diseases Obese mothers put children at higher risk Noncommunicable diseases cannot be of asthma effectively addressed without action on Pregnant women who are obese put their social determinants of health. Without children at higher risk of developing addressing social inequalities and the asthma compared to mothers of normal conditions in which people are born, grow, weight, a large study in Sweden has live, work and age, along with the reasons found. Reuters (10/10/11) that health systems work better for some population groups than for others – that is, adopting a social determinants approach – A toxic tour: Neighborhoods struggle with prospects for reversing the health threats from traffic pollution. noncommunicable diseases epidemics are The nation's top environmental health poor. In this context, the authors explain official visited the Los Angeles/Long why a social determinants approach is Beach harbor area to witness first-hand essential for combating noncommunicable how communities are struggling with diseases, discuss what such an approach health issues related to pollution. “Los entails, and identify priority actions for the Angeles has its share of health problems global community. and we suspect many of them are Bulletin of the World Health Organization environmentally related,” said Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Environmental Health News (8/10/11)

Reproductive Health Sanitation: time to tackle an MDG laggard Maternal and Gestational Factors and Sanitation and hygiene are sensitive and Micronucleus Frequencies in Umbilical unpopular subjects, but funding them is Blood: The NewGeneris Rhea Cohort in essential to fighting disease, ensuring Crete basic rights and meeting millennium The use of cancer-related biomarkers in development goals. The Guardian newborns has been very limited. The (7/10/11) authors investigated the formation of micronuclei (MN) in full-term and preterm Premature births are 30% higher in cities newborns and their mothers from the Rhea because of pollution cohort (Crete), applying for the first time in Expectant mothers living in large towns or cord blood a validated semiautomated cities are a third more likely to give birth analysis system, in both mono- and prematurely because of pollution, binucleated T lymphocytes. Although research suggests. Traffic fumes are the confirmation is needed by a larger study biggest culprit, with chemicals called population, the results indicate the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), a importance of taking into account both by-product of petrol, producing a 30 per mono- and binucleated T lymphocytes for cent increase in risk. London Daily Mail biomonitoring of newborns, because the first (7/10/11) reflects damage expressed during in vivo cell division and accumulated in utero, and Birth Defects in China Jump 70 Percent in the latter includes additional damage 15 Years expressed as MN during the in vitro culture In China the birth defect rate has jumped step. from 8.77 per 1,000 in 1996, to 15 per Environmental Health Perspectives 1,000 in 2010, according to Report on Women and Children’s Health Development published on Sept. 21. Additional Publications Experts attributed the 70.9 percent surge to environmental pollution. Epoch Times Healthy Environments for Healthy Children (5/10/11)

The new web versions are now available. Parents should 'encourage' kids to limit These are web-based "searchable cellphone use: Health Canada versions", not just PDFs. Parents should encourage kids under 18 to limit the time they spend talking on The work is a result of an on-going cellphones, Health Canada said in new partnership between WHO, UNEP and advice on mobile phone usage. Canadian UNICEF in the area of children’s Press (5/10/11) environmental health. t summarizes key messages for action on different Genes change message after newborn environmental health issues, including rats given BPA global environmental change; water Bisphenol A (BPA) can alter the way pollution; sanitation and hygiene; nutrition, genes are read in male rats exposed to growth and development; vectors of the chemical as newborns. The so-called disease; air pollution; chemicals; injuries; epigenetic changes had lasting effects on environmental emergencies, noise and reproductive hormone signals into healthy housing. It also includes the 2009 adulthood that may partially explain Busan Pledge for Action on Children's reported effects of the chemical on male Health and the Environment, drafted by fertility. Environmental Health News participants at the 3rd WHO International (5/10/11) Conference on Children's Health and the Environment. Could BPA predispose girls to breast cancer? A new study suggests that early exposure to a chemical found in hard, clear plastics UPCOMING EVENTS and the linings of cans may cause changes in breast tissue, predisposing

laboratory animals to breast cancer.

California Watch (4/10/11) 6th International Conference on children’s health and the environment Carbon monoxide study delivers a 14-16 November 2011. Lodz, Poland surprise

Mothers in areas moderately polluted by Pacific Basin Consortium and carbon monoxide gave birth to children Environmental Geochemistry and Health who were an average 58g lighter, a West 10-13 April 2012. Gwangju, South Korea Australian study suggests. The author said 58g was about half the effect of PPTOXIII - Prenatal Programming and smoking during pregnancy. Melbourne Toxicity. Environmental Stressors in the Herald Sun (4/10/11) Developmental Origins of Disease: Evidence and Mechanisms Stress–Pollution Interactions: An 14-16 May 2012. Paris, France Emerging Issue in Children’s Health Research The Contribution of Epigenetics in A small but growing number of scientists Pediatric Environmental Health are pushing the envelope by investigating May 30th - June 1st, 2012. San Francisco, whether chronic psychological stress California. United States might enhance a child's vulnerability to

certain chemical exposures and contributing to effects that later show up as diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Environmental Health Perspectives (2/10/11)

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