CHE Fertility & Reproductive Health Working Group

CHE Fertility call: Stress as an Endocrine Disruptor.

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:48:41 -0400

Thurs. June 6th, at 10:00 am Pacific / 1:00 pm Eastern. Stress as an Endocrine Disruptor: Maternal Psychosocial Stress During Pregnancy and Fetal Development. Stress during pregnancy has long been considered detrimental to the developing fetus. New data supports the idea that psychosocial stress in utero affects fetal development. This call, Featuring Drs. Tracy Bale, Shanna Swan and Emily Barrett, will examine current research on prenatal stress in relation to neurodevelopment and reproductive development, discuss how stress may alter endocrine function, and present data from recent studies that illustrate these concepts. RSVP today!

Take caution with cellphones.

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:59:03 -0400

Squint at your cellphone manual long enough and you'll find suggestions you might not expect - limit exposure to children, keep away from reproductive organs, operate with a wired headset. Rep. Andrea Boland (D-Maine) says that given the evidence, the message needs to be made much clearer. Epoch Times.

Greener neighborhood, bigger babies.

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:59:02 -0400

Pregnant women living in areas with more plants and trees gave birth to slightly heavier babies with slightly larger heads, reports a new study from Spain. Environmental Health News.

Study: Surrounding greenness and pregnancy outcomes in four Spanish birth cohorts.

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:59:01 -0400

Higher surrounding greenness was associated with increases in birth weight and head circumference. These findings were robust against the choice of the buffer size and the season of data acquisition for surrounding greenness, and when the analysis was limited to term births. Stratified analyses indicated stronger associations among children of mothers with lower education, suggesting greater benefits from surrounding greenness.Environmental Health Perspectives.

Study: Dietary vitamin D restriction in pregnant female mice is associated with maternal hypertension and altered placental and fetal development.

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:25:00 -0400

Epidemiology has linked vitamin D deficiency with preeclampsia in humans. We hypothesized that low vitamin D status in pregnant mice may lead to symptoms of preeclampsia. These data provide further evidence that low vitamin D status may predispose pregnant women to dysregulated placental development and elevated blood pressure. Endocrinology.

Minnesota rebuffs 3M offer to pay to monitor PFCs in east metro.

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:59:01 -0400

The 3M Co. offered to pay the $626,000 tab to continue a biomonitoring program to measure PFC levels in residents of three east-metro communities, but the offer was rejected because of the state's ongoing lawsuit against the company. Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota.

Endocrine disruptors, cocaine common in Minnesota waters.

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:59:00 -0400

Minnesota researchers found 56 chemicals - including cocaine - in the state's waters, according to two new studies that raise questions about potential impacts on wildlife and human health. WisconsinWatch.org

Study: PBDEs in aborted human fetuses and placental transfer during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:25:00 -0400

Data on early human fetal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is limited. However, early pregnancy, in particular the first trimester, is critical for fetal development. We investigated exposure to PBDEs and placental transfer during early pregnancy by analyzing PBDEs in paired aborted fetuses (n = 65), placentas (n = 65), and maternal blood samples (n = 31) at 10-13 weeks gestation. Environmental Science & Technology.

Agent Orange tied to aggressive prostate cancer risk.

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:59:00 -0400

Men who were exposed to Agent Orange chemicals used during the Vietnam War are at higher risk for life-threatening prostate cancer than unexposed veterans, researchers have found. Reuters Health.

Radioactive fracking debris triggers worries at dump sites.

Sun, 12 May 2013 14:58:59 -0400

When a garbage truck from a shale gas well set off radiation detectors at a South Huntingdon landfill on April 19, it drew attention from township officials. But they aren't the only ones watching what has become a growing issue all over Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pennsylvania.

Study finds possibly toxic metals in 32 lipsticks.

Sun, 12 May 2013 14:58:59 -0400

Lipstick can give your lips color, sheen and texture, but may also put you at risk of ingesting potentially toxic metals, University of California, Berkeley researchers say. The scientists said they found metals in every one of the 32 lipsticks and lip glosses they tested. Houston Chronicle, Texas.

Nations agree to phase out toxic chemical HBCD.

Sat, 11 May 2013 14:58:59 -0400

Governments have agreed to phase out the use of the toxic chemical HBCD, and restrict trade in four other dangerous substances, the head of the UN's anti-pollution division said Friday. Agence France-Presse.

Study: Perinatal bisphenol a exposure and adult glucose homeostasis: identifying critical windows of exposure.

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:24:59 -0400

Epidemiological evidence has correlated BPA exposure with higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, it remains unknown whether there are critical windows of susceptibility to BPA exposure on the development of dysglycemia. PLoS One.

Study: Teratogenic factors affect transcription factor expression.

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:52:55 -0400

Teratogens have a serious impact on fetal development. This has been studied mainly by phenotypic analysis of experimental animals. However, since phenotypes can vary within different species, we established a new evaluation system based on our recent finding that teratogens influence Hox gene expression in mice. Our results indicate that expression changes in developmental transcription factors can help to predict teratogenic risk. Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry.

Resource: Anesthesia and the Fetus.

Sat, 4 May 2013 14:58:58 -0400

This book is an impressive collective effort of not less than 85 internationally renowned scientists and clinicians that compile their knowledge and expertise in a well-written textbook, which provides up-to-date information on the impact of anaesthetic procedures on the foetus and newborn. Acta Paediatrica.

Study: Intergenerational effects of in utero exposure to Ramadan in Tunisia.

Wed, 1 May 2013 11:22:29 -0400

In a series of newborn babies in Saudi Arabia, those whose mothers had been in utero during Ramadan differed from those whose mothers had not been in utero during Ramadan. Babies whose mothers had been in utero during Ramadan were smaller and thinner, and had smaller placentas, than those whose mothers had not been in utero during Ramadan. American Journal of Human Biology.

Study: Effects of low doses of Bisphenol A on the metabolome of perinatally exposed CD-1 mice.

Thu, 9 May 2013 19:01:56 -0400

Low doses of BPA disrupt global metabolism, including energy metabolism and brain function, in perinatally exposed CD-1 mouse pups. Metabolomics can be used to highlight the effects of low doses of endocrine disruptors by linking perinatal exposure to changes in global metabolism. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Decades after war, Agent Orange still causes suffering in Vietnam.

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:41:34 -0400

Fifty kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, a withered trunk of a dead tree stands amid a mangrove forest in Vietnam's Can Gio district - a reminder of the damage caused by Agent Orange, a defoliant that was sprayed over wide parts of the nation by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Asahi Shimbun, Japan.

Hospitals go green on cleaning supplies.

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:41:30 -0400

Ferdinand de Veyra still remembers the smell: strong, very much like rubbing alcohol. Six years ago, as a new custodian at UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus, he used cleaning products that irritated his eyes and caused him to cough. San Francisco Chronicle,

Michigan study finds hazardous chemicals in gardening water hoses.

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:41:33 -0400

High levels of hazardous chemicals, many of which have been banned in children's products, were found in garden hoses for the second year in row. Fox News.

Opinion: Superfund issues stick around.

Tue, 7 May 2013 16:07:51 -0400

Butte is ill-served by the EPA's and Montana Department of Environmental Quality's Superfund cleanup. Apart from these agencies allowing potentially harmful tailings dust to blow around town, serious Superfund problems still plague Butte. Butte Montana Standard, Montana.

Flame retardants harmful to babies while in the womb.

Tue, 7 May 2013 16:07:50 -0400

Children exposed to chemical flame retardants while still in their mother’s womb face an elevated risk of developmental problems, a new study suggests. Globe and Mail, Ontario.

Africa is riskiest place to be born, report says.

Tue, 7 May 2013 14:41:34 -0400

More than 1 million babies die the day they are born every year, and the 14 countries with the highest rates of first-day deaths are all in Africa, according to a new report released Tuesday. Associated Press.

How autism is different in girls vs. boys.

Tue, 7 May 2013 14:41:32 -0400

A growing consensus is arguing that sex differences exist in genetic susceptibility, brain development and social learning in autism- and they are meaningful to our understanding of the disorder and how it will be treated. Wall Street Journal [Subscription Required].

Which 20 lipsticks contain the most lead?

Tue, 7 May 2013 14:41:32 -0400

In a small study out last week, researchers asked a group of teenage girls to hand over their lipsticks and glosses and tested them for toxic metals. Women who apply lipstick two to three times daily can ingest a significant amount of aluminum, cadmium, chromium, and manganese. Mother Jones.

FDA warns pregnant women of migraine drug risk.

Tue, 7 May 2013 14:41:30 -0400

U.S. health regulators are warning doctors and women of child-bearing age that half-a-dozen medications used to treat migraine headaches - all containing the ingredient valproate sodium - can decrease children's intelligence if taken while their mothers are pregnant. Associated Press.

Flame retardants linked to lower IQs, hyperactivity in children.

Mon, 6 May 2013 14:41:31 -0400

A new study confirms that exposure in the womb to fire-beating chemicals in furniture and carpet pads may hinder child development. Scientific American.

Low levels of phthalates in more than 700 products.

Mon, 6 May 2013 14:41:29 -0400

Eight different phthalates, the controversial, hormone-disrupting chemicals used to make vinyl and fragrances, showed up in more than 770 children's products. Environmental Health News.

Egypt's birthrate rises as population control policies vanish.

Mon, 6 May 2013 14:41:31 -0400

After two decades of steady declines and modest increases, the birthrate in Egypt in 2012 reached about 32 for every 1,000 people - surpassing a level last seen in 1991. Officials have avoided public discussion about population and dropped the awareness campaigns of the past. New York Times [Registration Required].

Study: Cognitive deficits and behavior problems in children with prenatal PBDE exposure.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:51:58 -0400

Prenatal exposure to PBDEs, a group of flame retardants that are detectable in virtually all US children, was strongly associated with cognitive deficits and hyperactivity behaviors in children. Pediatric Academic Societies.

Flame retardants may be toxic to children: Lower intelligence, hyperactivity seen.

Mon, 6 May 2013 11:51:58 -0400

Chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used for decades to reduce fires in everyday products such as baby strollers, carpeting and electronics. A new study to be presented on Monday, May 6, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting shows that prenatal exposure to the flame retardants is associated with lower intelligence and hyperactivity in early childhood. Science Daily.

Resource: Be Fruitful: The Essential Guide to Maximizing Fertility and Giving Birth to a Healthy Baby.

Sat, 4 May 2013 09:48:42 -0400

The increase in environmental toxins, processed foods, and stress, as well as the advancing ages at which couples seek to have children, have made it more difficult for women to conceive. In Be Fruitful, Dr. Victoria Maizes, an expert on women’s health and the executive director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, delivers all the information women and their partners need in order to conceive with ease and confidence, and to bear healthy children.

Study: Evaluating the male and female reproductive toxicity of high-boiling petroleum substances.

Sat, 4 May 2013 10:09:44 -0400

To meet the EPA HPV Chemical Challenge Program requirement for reproductive toxicity data on sponsored high-boiling petroleum substances (HBPS), an analysis was conducted using the results of 39 repeat-dose and 59 developmental rat dermal toxicity studies on HBPS samples spanning the boiling range of the sponsored substances, and the results of three one-generation reproductive toxicity studies on two samples spanning the concentration range of polycyclic aromatic compounds of sponsored substances. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.

Study: Toxicity of Chevron Escravos crude oil and chemical dispersant on guinea pig testicular function.

Sat, 4 May 2013 10:09:44 -0400

From the findings, it was evident that Chevron Escravos crude oil and Emulsol L.W. oil dispersant are able to cause acute testicular toxicity in guinea pigs. The possible mechanism of toxicity is suggested to be by stimulation of hormone production from the adrenal cortex, causing a negative feedback on gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the pituitary gland to suppress spermatogenesis. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology.

Review: Cryptorchidism.

Sat, 4 May 2013 10:09:43 -0400

The literature reviewed in this article approach cryptorchidism from multiple aspects. Reports regarding cause include studies of molecular genetics, endocrine chemical disruptors, the association with galactosemia, the association with low birth weight, and for acquired cryptorchidism, the relationship to infant feeding. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity.

Painted turtles set to become all-female.

Sat, 4 May 2013 09:26:45 -0400

Males don't stand a chance in a warmer world, if they happen to be painted turtles. A temperature rise of around 1 °C is all it would take for the species to become 100 per cent female and earmarked for extinction. New Scientist.

BPA levels in minority communities linked to ethnicity, season, chemical exposures.

Fri, 3 May 2013 09:26:44 -0400

A new study provides deeper insight into how bisphenol A exposures differ among minority populations in New York City. While exposure was widespread, African American women and children had higher levels than Dominicans. Levels also were linked to marital status, season and another group of environmental pollutants -- phthalates -- highlighting the growing concern of chemical co-exposures. BPA is used in some thermal paper receipts and resins that line food and drink cans. Environmental Health News.

Study: Urinary concentrations of bisphenol A in an urban minority birth cohort in New York City, prenatal through age 7 years.

Fri, 3 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

This study shows widespread BPA exposure in an inner-city minority population. BPA concentration variations were associated with socio-demographic characteristics and other xenobiotics.Environmental Research.

Chemical pesticides burn in California wildfire, giving off foul-smelling chemical fumes.

Fri, 3 May 2013 09:26:44 -0400

A wildfire fanned by a long day of Santa Ana winds raged along the edges of Southern California communities and coastal highways Thursday, forcing the evacuation of a university and hundreds of homes and threatening 2,000 more, officials said. Associated Press.

Decades-old question: Is antibacterial soap safe?

Fri, 3 May 2013 09:26:43 -0400

It's a chemical that's been in U.S. households for more than 40 years, from the body wash in your bathroom shower to the knives on your kitchen counter to the bedding in your baby's basinet. But federal health regulators are just now deciding whether triclosan is ineffective, or worse, harmful. Associated Press.

Studies suggest environmental link to autism.

Fri, 3 May 2013 09:26:42 -0400

Researchers at an international conference on autism on Friday presented three new studies lending strength to the notion that environmental influences before birth may play a role in the risk for the condition. Wall Street Journal [Subscription Required].

Lipstick study opens up concerns about carcinogen.

Thu, 2 May 2013 09:26:41 -0400

Lipstick may brighten your face but may not be good for the rest of you, a study today suggests. Testing of 32 commonly sold lipsticks and lip glosses found they contain lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and five other metals, some at potentially toxic levels. USA Today.

Exposure to BP oil sediment causes defects in fish.

Thu, 2 May 2013 09:26:40 -0400

Exposure of embryos of a tiny Gulf of Mexico fish to sediment from Louisiana wetlands contaminated with oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill causes defects, according to a new study co-authored by two Louisiana State University scientists. New Orleans Times-Picayune, Louisiana.

Federal report says EPA falling short in ensuring chemical safety.

Wed, 1 May 2013 09:26:39 -0400

Given a new approach, federal environmental officials have made progress in managing toxic chemicals under existing laws, but whether that means they will ultimately ensure the safety of chemicals is "unclear," a government report has found. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania. [Registration Required].

Obama: Sequester could cost US up to two years of scientific research.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:26:39 -0400

President Barack Obama dropped in on the National Academy of Sciences to help it celebrate its 150th birthday and said he's committed to increased public investment in scientific research. Under sequestration, however, federal spending on research is being cut, not increased. Minneapolis - St Paul Biz Journal, Minnesota.

Opinion: A pre-baby detox: Necessary or just a fad?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:48:43 -0400

Whether or not you're baby-minded right now, it can sometimes be hard to summon up huge excitement at the idea of bringing a child into a world far more toxic than the one into which our parents- not to mention our grandparents- brought us. The truth is that because conventional medicine doesn't routinely test the "body burden" of chemicals we carry around all the time in our bodies, no one knows for sure how many we typically absorb. Take Part.

EPA C8 guidelines too weak, study says.

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:26:38 -0400

Federal government health advisories for drinking water contaminated with C8 may be far too weak, according to a new Harvard University study that attempts to set new recommended exposure guidance for the toxic chemical. Charleston Gazette, West Virginia.

UN chemicals summit expected to adopt new controls.

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:26:37 -0400

At the start of a major conference to regulate chemical and hazardous waste safety, top officials voiced optimism Saturday that delegates will approve new international controls on several industrial compounds and agree to clamp down on some cross-border pollution. Associated Press.

Roundup, an herbicide, could be linked to Parkinson's, cancer and other health issues, study shows.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:11:11 -0400

Heavy use of the world's most popular herbicide, Roundup, could be linked to a range of health problems and diseases, including Parkinson's, infertility and cancers, according to a new study. Reuters.

Study: Glyphosate's suppression of cytochrome P450 enzymes and amino acid biosynthesis by the gut microbiome: Pathways to modern diseases.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:11:11 -0400

The authors show how interference with CYP enzymes acts synergistically with disruption of the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids by gut bacteria, as well as impairment in serum sulfate transport. Consequences are most of the diseases and conditions associated with a Western diet, which include gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, autism, infertility, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. We explain the documented effects of glyphosate and its ability to induce disease, and we show that glyphosate is the 'textbook example' of exogenous semiotic entropy: the disruption of homeostasis by environmental toxins. Entropy.

New report: State Chemicals Policy: Trends and Profiles.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:51:28 -0400

This report describes recent state legislative and policy efforts to prevent the hazards and risks associated with toxic chemicals, which are often known as "chemicals of concern." It also highlights state actions and experiences to advance needed reforms of federal chemicals policy.

Light drinking in pregnancy not linked to development problems in childhood.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:51:29 -0400

This study collated data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a national study of infants born in the UK between 2000-2002, to assess whether light drinking (up to two units of alcohol per week) in pregnancy was linked to unfavourable developmental outcomes in 7-year-old children. Stone Hearth News.

Babies with higher PFOS exposures in the womb are born smaller and sooner.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:11:10 -0400

The effects were found at levels of the perfluorinated chemical similar to those measured in U.S. and Canadian babies. A persistent compound that repels stains, water and grease, it hasn't been produced in the United States since its manufacturer completed the phaseout in 2002. Environmental Health News.

Study: Perfluorinated compounds in umbilical cord blood and adverse birth outcomes.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:51:27 -0400

An adverse dose-dependent association was observed between prenatal PFOS exposure and birth outcomes. However, no associations were found for the other examined PFCs. PLoS One.

Los Angeles retains notorious rankings for worst smog, traffic.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:11:10 -0400

Los Angeles remains unable to shake off its more notorious No. 1 rankings for worst smog and heaviest traffic, according to the American Lung Association's annual national air quality report card, released on Wednesday. Reuters.

Study: Air pollution and congenital heart defects.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:51:27 -0400

Generally there were no evidence for an association between gaseous air pollutants and congenital heart defects.Our results for PM10 and congenital heart defects confirm results from previous studies. The results for PM2.5 need further investigations. Environmental Research.

Study ties autism risk to creases in placenta.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:11:09 -0400

A new study, which analyzed placentas from 217 births, found that in families at high genetic risk for having an autistic child, placentas were significantly more likely to have abnormal folds and creases. New York Times.

Epilepsy drug in pregnancy linked to baby's higher autism risk.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:11:09 -0400

Pregnant women who took the anti-seizure drug valproate during pregnancy increased the odds that their baby would have autism, and were roughly twice as likely to give birth to a child who would later be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to a recent study. Los Angeles Times[Registration Required].

Concerns grow about hormone-disrupting chemicals in Wisconsin water.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:11:09 -0400

Despite growing evidence of risks, Wisconsin has issued little guidance on how endocrine disruptors in its lakes, streams and groundwater constitute danger for fish, wildlife or people. These chemicals are largely unregulated. Oshkosh Northwestern, Wisconsin.

Study: SAR Exposure from UHF RFID reader in adult, child, pregnant woman, and fetus anatomical models.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:51:31 -0400

This study addresses a computational exposure assessment of the electromagnetic radiation generated by a realistic UHF RFID reader, quantifying the exposure levels in different exposure scenarios and subjects (two adults, four children, and two anatomical models of women 7 and 9 months pregnant). BioElectroMagnetics.

Model for megacities? Mexico City cleans up its air.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:11:08 -0400

As people around the world celebrate Earth Day, Mexico City may serve as an unlikely environmental example for cities in developing countries suffering from poor air quality. Christian Science Monitor.

Twin study shows environment interacts with genes in autism.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:11:08 -0400

Scientists have found patterns of change in gene activity involved in autism in a study that shed light on how environmental factors can work to turn certain genes on or off and contribute to the development of the brain disorder. Reuters.

Burning question: Is it okay to heat food in plastic?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:11:08 -0400

Plastic is ubiquitous but there are two chemicals in it to watch out for when it comes to what your body ingests: phthalates and bisphenol A. Wall Street Journal [Subscription Required].

Unhealthy mercury levels persist in fish.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:11:07 -0400

Despite efforts by the state to curb mercury in the air and water, unhealthy levels of the element in most fish persist, resulting in restrictions on local fish consumption. Bridgeport Connecticut Post, Connecticut.

Judge removes BPA from list of toxics.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:13:15 -0400

As part of a lawsuit against a California agency, a judge ordered Friday that Bisphenol-A, a controversial chemical used in plastics and metal food containers, be removed from the state's list of reproductive toxicants. The chemical industry called the preliminary injunction a minor victory. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Coal: Dust impacts at issue as Army Corps considers Northwest export plans.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:13:16 -0400

Federal and state regulators assessing proposals for coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest are being urged to look closely at the environmental impacts of fugitive dust and coal from trains and storage piles. Greenwire.

Beijing only 17th most polluted city, ministry says.

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:13:15 -0400

Beijing has a serious air pollution problem, but officially it was not even among the 10 most polluted mainland cities in the first three months of this year. According to a study of 74 cities by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Beijing ranked the 17th smoggiest last month. South China Morning Post, China.

Study: Residential proximity to major roads and adverse birth outcomes: a hospital-based study.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:19:24 -0400

The present study demonstrated that air pollution is an independent risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. Environmental Health.

Is organic better? Ask a fruit fly.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:22:02 -0400

By nearly every measure, including fertility, stress resistance and longevity, flies that fed on organic bananas and potatoes fared better than those who dined on conventionally raised produce. New York Times.

Study: Preeclampsia as a risk factor for diabetes: A population-based cohort study.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:13:16 -0400

Women with PEC/GH have a 2-fold increased risk of developing diabetes when followed up to 16.5 years after pregnancy, even in the absence of GDM. The presence of PEC/GH in the setting of GDM also raised the risk of diabetes significantly beyond that seen with GDM alone. A history of PEC/GH during pregnancy should alert clinicians to the need for preventative counseling and more vigilant screening for diabetes.PLOS Medicine.

Autism has strong genetic link in mice.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:13:14 -0400

Scientists have long been stumped by what causes autism, with many suggesting that toxic chemicals and pollution exposure and certain medications taken by pregnant mothers could play a role. A new study suggests that, at least in mice, the most important factor causing autism is likely an individual's genes. US News & World Report.

Unhealthy mercury levels persist in Connecticut waterways and fish.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:13:13 -0400

Wethersfield resident Patrice Gilbert knew compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, so as they burned out she put them aside until she could find out where to properly dispose of them. New Haven Register, Connecticut.

Study: Bisphenol A-associated epigenomic changes in prepubescent girls: a cross-sectional study in Gharbiah, Egypt.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:23:17 -0400

These data indicate that BPA may affect human health through specific epigenomic modification of genes in relevant pathways. Environmental Health.

BPA levels in fetal livers higher than adult exposures.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:13:12 -0400

A new study shows bisphenol A can cross the placenta and get into the developing livers of fetuses. Even more importantly, 80 percent of the BPA measured in the fetal livers was the more active type of BPA -- free BPA -- which is thought to cause health effects. Results from one of the first studies of its kind show the fetal livers had higher levels than adult livers. The chemical is found in food can linings, some thermal paper receipts and polycarbonate plastics. Environmental Health News.

US infant mortality rate declines.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:13:11 -0400

Infant mortality in the United States has declined 12 percent since 2005 after holding steady for many years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infant mortality also declined for all major racial and ethnic groups, but dropped the most among African Americans, who continue to have double the infant death rate of whites. Los Angeles Times [Registration Required].

BPA in most Canadians' urine.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:13:11 -0400

A 2009-2011 Health Canada report on environmental chemicals shows the plastics ingredient bisphenol A, or BPA, was detected in the urine of 95 per cent of Canadians aged three to 79. Canadian Press.

Flame retardants in consumer products are linked to health and cognitive problems.

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:13:10 -0400

Synthetic chemicals added to consumer products to meet federal and state flammability standards are showing up in waterways, wildlife and even human breast milk. Washington Post [Registration Required].

Lawsuit seeks evacuation of Fukushima children.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:13:10 -0400

A Japanese appeals court is expected to rule soon on an unusual lawsuit, which argues that Koriyama, a city of 330,000, should evacuate its children to an area where radiation levels are no higher than natural background levels in the rest of Japan, or about 1 millisievert annual exposure. Associated Press

Think those chemicals have been tested?

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:13:09 -0400

Many Americans assume that the chemicals in their shampoos, detergents and other consumer products have been thoroughly tested and proved to be safe. This assumption is wrong. New York Times [Registration Required].

Worrisome levels of lead found in imported rice.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:45:32 -0400

Reporting at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, a group of researchers announced the results of their analysis of rice from Asia, Europe and South America. The imports, which currently make up about 7 percent of rice consumed in America, contained higher than acceptable levels of lead. Time Magazine.

Vit D may reduce risk of uterine fibroids.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:45:31 -0400

Women who had sufficient amounts of vitamin D were 32 percent less likely to develop fibroids than women with insufficient vitamin D, according to a study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

TEDX's Critical Windows of Development website tool ow displays perfluorinated compounds.

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:45:32 -0400

Perfluorinated compounds are in our cookware, carpets, clothing, and cosmetics, as well as in our food, water, soil and of course, our bodies. Now, they can be found in TEDX’s Critical Windows of Development website tool.

Ethics & the Ecology of Pregnancy.

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:43:58 -0400

The Ecology of Pregnancy: Pollutants can arrive to the fetus when they are inhaled or ingested by the mother, but scarce or no warnings exist to inform mothers against these risks. Some information exists about smoke, drugs and alcohol in pregnancy: recreational for adults, but environmental poisons for fetuses. But many other foes are not so well known: solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, air pollutants, plastics. Dr. Carlo Bellieni serves as is a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life as well as the European Society for Pediatric Research.

Symposium: Environmentally Literate Healthcare Providers.

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:43:58 -0400

Sponsor: Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. Fifth Annual Symposium: Environmentally Literate Healthcare Providers: It Takes A Team. Tuesday, April 16th. Pittsburgh, PA. The Course will review: Obstetric Practice and Environmental Health, Wellness Programs Incorporating Environmental Health Principles, The Role Of Community Engagement, Food Security in the Community, and Physician Practice and Sustainability.

New resource: Chemical Hazard Assessment Database.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:02:49 -0400

The IC2 has developed the Chemical Hazard Assessment Database to enable users to search for GreenScreen™ and Quick Chemical Assessment Tool (QCAT) assessments.

Call for proposals: Regional Integrated Pest Management Program - North Central Region.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:02:50 -0400

The RIPM program supports projects that develop individual pest control tactics, integrate individual tactics into an IPM system, and develop and implement extension and education programs. Proposals are due by May 16, 2013.

Study: Thirdhand smoke causes DNA damage in human cells.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:02:51 -0400

The findings of this study demonstrate for the first time that exposure to thirdhand smoke is genotoxic in human cell lines. Mutagenesis.

Study: Prenatal substance abuse: short- and long-term effects on the exposed fetus.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:02:52 -0400

This report reviews data regarding the prevalence of exposure and available technologies for identifying exposure as well as current information regarding short- and long-term outcomes of exposed infants, with the aim of facilitating pediatricians in fulfilling their role in the promotion and maintenance of infant and child health. Pediatrics.

California decides chemical BPA is toxic.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:43:57 -0400

California on Thursday became the latest state to place restrictions on the chemical known as Bisphenol-A and declare it a reproductive toxicant. San Francisco Chronicle, California.

Month of birth impacts on immune system development.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:07:57 -0400

The research, from scientists at Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Oxford, provides a potential biological basis as to why an individual's risk of developing the neurological condition multiple sclerosis (MS) is influenced by their month of birth. ScienceDaily.

Child cancer link to prenatal pesticide use.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:10:26 -0400

Parents who call in pest controllers to get rid of termites in the year before pregnancy are twice as likely to have a child with a brain tumour, according to an Australian national study. West Australian, Australia.

Ten retailers urged to pull potentially toxic products.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:43:56 -0400

How safe is your shampoo, sofa or shirt? Health and environmental groups will launch a national campaign Thursday to prod 10 major retailers including Walmart, Target and Costco to clear store shelves of products containing hazardous chemicals. USA Today.

Plastic chemical may expose foetuses to cancer: Agency.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:43:54 -0400

France's food safety agency raised the alarm anew Tuesday over the use of bisphenol A, a chemical found in certain plastics, saying it said may expose unborn children to breast cancer later in life. Agence France-Presse.

Heavy metals, contaminants can turn fishing fun into deadliest catch.

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:43:54 -0400

For 2013, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has advised that anglers do not eat channel catfish and carp caught in the Beaver River. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, contamination in the fish are high. Beaver County Times, Pennsylvania.

When blood meets nitrogen oxides: Pregnancy complications and air pollution exposure.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:43:53 -0400

A new study now reports an association between exposure to nitrogen oxides and two pregnancy complications: gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine). Environmental Health Perspectives.

Study: Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:43:56 -0400

We observed significant increases in serum 8-hydroxy-2 -deoxyguanosine levels and 8-hydroxyguanosine staining in the testes of the experimental group indicating DNA damage due to exposure (p < 0.05). We also found decreased levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in the experimental group, which may have been due to radiofrequency effects on enzyme activity (p < 0.05). Journal of Pediatric Urology.

Opinion: State of the science of endocrine disruptors.

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:43:53 -0400

It is now impossible to examine an unexposed population anywhere on Earth. To improve health, environmental health scientists and toxicologists need to work more closely with colleagues in endocrinology, genetics, developmental biology, epigenetics, and clinical medicine to bring EDC research into the mainstream of science. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Sustained stress heightens risk of miscarriage.

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 11:43:55 -0400

To study the impact of such sustained stress on pregnancy, researchers followed the pregnancies of 1,345 women from Sderot who were exposed to alarms and subsequent rocket fire, and 2,143 residents of Kiryat Gat who live out of missile range. In the unexposed group in Kiryat Gat, miscarriage rates were 4.7 percent, which accords with predictions from existing medical research literature. In the exposed group in Sderot, however, 6.9 percent of women miscarried - a statistically significant increase. The results were controlled for other risk factors for miscarriage, such as age and other medical conditions. Stone Hearth News.

Report: Pollution 'human rights abuse' to poor, minorities in metro Detroit.

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 09:34:56 -0400

Metro Detroit's poor and minority populations face greater health and environmental challenges than most communities because of their proximity to industrial pollution, a new report from the Sierra Club states. Detroit Free Press, Michigan.

Operator of Chicago area coal plants gets 2-year break on emissions cuts.

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 09:34:55 -0400

Four months after filing for bankruptcy protection, the owner of three coal-fired power plants in suburban Chicago on Thursday won a two-year reprieve from tough state limits on their lung-damaging emissions. Environmentalists say move imperils residents' health. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.