Environmental Toxins: September 2006 Archives

No Toxic Chemicals Yet Found in China River Spill

Russian scientists have not yet found any sign of toxic chemicals in a China river after a chemical spill August 20 raised concerns of an environmental disaster. Untreated industrial waste containing toxic benzene derivatives was leaked from the Jilin chemical plant into a tributary of the Songhua, which runs into the Amur River in East Russia. Viktor Bardyuk, head of Khabarovsk Territory environmental department of the Ministry of Natural Resources said of the tests: "Russian experts took water samples on September 1-2 near the Chinese city of Jiamusi 35 kilometers [20 miles] upstream from the inflow of the Songhua into the Amur and analyzed them for aniline and amino methyl aniline." No toxins were found in the samples.

Russian News Agency

Aniline can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled and can cause nausea, breathing difficulties, and can affect the central nervous system. The Khabarovsk officials said toxic waste had been dumped into the river on August 20 and China's General Consulate confirmed this, but said there was no threat of the contamination and preventative measures were being taken to prevent environmental threat.

Folsom Condo Owners Upset Over Toxic Mold

Dozens of people in Folsom, California say that they were tricked into buying condos filled with toxic mold and are upset that the city has not been more helpful in coming to their aid. Mike Sullivan purchased a condo for more than $200,000 and has been forced out because the unit is filled with mold. Sullivan told Folsom City Council that he is "stuck with a $215,000 mold incubator." Residents state that developers never mentioned the mold problem when selling the condos.

Folsom Condo Owners Upset With City, Developer Over Toxic Mold

The city defends itself, saying that the problem is a civil matter between the condo owners and Promethius Real Estate, developer of the condos. However, the city approved the conversion of the existing apartments into condos. Residents say the city is avoiding them and have hired an attorney and plan to file a lawsuit.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:24 AM | Permalink

Alaskan Fish Low in PCBs

While dioxins have been found in the Native Arctic Canadian women, a study shows low levels of toxins in Alaska fish. Bob Gerlach, the state veterinarian and Alaska wild food safety coordinator at the Department of Environmental Conservation, conducted the study on more than 600 fish samples collected from Ketchikan to the Norton Sound. Said Gerlach of the results: "It is tremendously good news."

Alaska Report

Alaska's fish show low levels of PCBs and other organic pollutants. Fish become contaminated after being exposed to the chemicals or by eating other fish that have been exposed. PCBs were once used in the manufacturing of electrical equipment and are known to be linked to a heightened cancer risk in humans following human consumption of the fish. Apart from establishing Alaskan fish as "safe to eat," the study also sets a baseline against which future environmental pollution data can be compared.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:02 PM | Permalink

Can Environmental Toxins Worsen Lung Disease?

The University of Cincinnati has been given $2.4 million to look at whether environmental toxins actually can stimulate the immune system to attack damaged lung tissue. Michael Borchers, PhD says of why he wants to research this topic further: "When tissue is exposed to a pathogen (disease-causing agent), the immune system immediately wants to destroy the damaged cells so healthy tissue can take over." Borchers is the principle investigator for the study. "The immune system thinks it's eradicating disease from the body when it destroys cells that have been damaged by environmental toxins, but in chronic lung disease that destruction may be doing more harm than good," he adds.

Medical News Today

The study will look at how two environmental toxins affect animal models. The two strains of interest are pseudomonas aerinosa, a culprit for in-hospital infections, and acrolein, an air pollutant found in tobacco smoke, smog, and diesel exhaust.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:27 PM | Permalink

Sex Toys Contain Toxins

The European Union was asked on Friday by the environmental group Greenpeace to ban the use of chemical plastic softeners in sex toys because they contain dangerous toxins. Seven of the eight sex toys tested by Greenpeace contained between 24% and 51% phthalates. Greenpeace spokesperson Bart van Opzeeland said: "We have tested many products in the last few years but never have we encountered such high concentrations." Phthalates can disrupt the human hormonal system, diminish fertility, and have negative affects on the kidneys and liver.

Sex Toys Contain Toxins

Phthalate is used to soften plastics and PVC plastic. Greenpeace noted that there are plenty of non-toxic phthalate alternatives.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:40 PM | Permalink

No Ban on BFRs

The Norweigian government has decided against issuing a ban on Brominated Flame Retardant (BFR.) BFR also is known as Deca-BDE, a polybrominated diphenyl ether which has been linked to brain and thyroid problems in rodents. Lars Haltbrekken, leader of Friends of the Earth Norway, said of the decision: "This is surprising and extremely disappointing. A veto of the EU directive would have sent a much stronger signal that supporting Denmark in a lawsuit."

No Toxic Ban

The toxin is being found in increasing levels in both humans and in wildlife. Concerns have been raised because it is believed BFR may be playing some role in the growing sterility rates of polar bears and sea birds.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:06 PM | Permalink

Consumer Reports Finds Benzene in Some Beverages

Consumer Reports tested 14 drinks containing vitamin C and sodium benzoate for benzene and found at least 2 parts per billion (ppb) of benzene in some samples of Fanta Pineapple soda, Kool-Aid Jammers Orange juice drink, and Sunkist Grape and Orange sodas. Consumer Reports recommends that the FDA restrict benzene levels to the acceptable levels found in water and that manufacturers take steps to prevent ingredients in drinks from reacting to form benzene.

Benzene has the potential to form in beverages containing benzoate salts and vitamin C. Current FDA regulations allow 5ppb of benzene in bottle or tap water. The drink containing the highest benzene levels was Fanta Pineapple, at 6ppb.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:28 PM | Permalink

Were the Ground Zero Toxins Known?

CBS New York reports that the government knew of the dangers of Ground Zero following 9/11. Memos written by U.S. and local governments show that the toxic nature of Ground Zero was known, yet officials still allowed workers back into the area and people back to their homes. One memo said the Department of Environmental Protection was "uncomfortable" with opening the areas but, "the mayor's office was directing the Office of Emergency Management to open the target areas next week."

People living in the vicinity of Ground Zero have noted health problems. Air quality in the area for the last five years has been "horrible," says Yuichi Tamamo, a health protester.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:43 PM | Permalink

Maine MTBE Controversy

According to a Maine newspaper, the governor of Maine has asked that an outside expert come review accusations that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection did not fulfill obligations to address an MTBE-contaminated well. Crystal Canney, the governor's press secretary, said Monday, "We're going to let the report speak for itself."

MTBE was used to improve air emissions since the 1970s; however, MTBE has been found to pollute water and is being banned in Maine come 2007. MTBE is colorless and acts as a carcinogen. The owners of the well in question discovered the presence of MTBE in 2004. A solution as to how to respond to the MTBE remains in question.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:37 PM | Permalink

Citizens Gas to Pay $280,000 for Violations

Due to air-pollutions violations in 2001 in Eastside, Indiana, Citizens Gas and Coke Utility will pay a $280,000 penalty and also will spend more than $2 million on pollution control measures. The pollution control measures will aim to remove benzene from waste water, reduce air leaks from ovens, and prevent vapors from escaping from processors.

IndyStar.com

State environmental officials believe that these measures should reduce the amount of benzene and other air pollution. The plant in question produces coke, a solid carbonized fuel that is used in steel mills and in foundries.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 02:27 PM | Permalink

Environmental Toxin Causes Heritable Diseases

Newswise reports that a recent study published in the journal of Endocrinology and performed at Washington State Univeristy has shown evidence that environmental toxins can cause descendants of an animal exposed to an environmental toxins to suffer from adult-onset diseases. Michael K. Skinner, director of the Center of Reproductive Biology, says that the results offer "a new way to think about disease" and also emphasize the long-term hazards of environmental toxins.

The researchers exposed pregnant rats to vinclozolin, a fungicide used in vineyards. While Skinner's group used higher levels of vinclozolin than usually are present in the environment, the results still raise questions about the effects exposure can have during pregnancy. Offspring of the pregnant rats had low sperm counts and a high incidence of adult-onset diseases. When these male rats mated with females who had not been exposed to the toxins, offspring had the same problems as the father rats. Effects lasted for four generations. “Only the original generation mother was exposed to the environmental toxicant,” said Skinner. “A human analogy would be if your grandmother was exposed to an environmental toxicant during mid-gestation, you may develop a disease state even though you never had direct exposure, and you may pass it on to your great-grandchildren.”

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 02:43 PM | Permalink

Delay for Grace Asbestos Trial?

According to The Washington Post, the US prosecution attorney in the Grace Asbestos trial is asking for a delay in the trial date. The Grace trial will be one of the largest environmental health cases ever prosecuted by the Justice Department. Grace filed for bankruptcy protection in part because of its asbestos liabilities and continues to strugggle with "significant unpredictable costs to resolve litigation and legacy issues," said chief executive Fred E. Festa.

Grace is believed to have violated the Clean Air Act and been aware that they were poisoning former workers and other people living in a Montana mining town with asbestos fibers. Grace operated the Libby, Montana mine from the 1960s until the mine was closed in the 1990s. Hundreds of Libby residents have complained of lung abnormalities and other health problems, including rapidly advancing cancers.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 04:28 PM | Permalink

Fewer Cases of Lead Poisoning in NYC

According to Medical News Today, lead poisoning cases in children age 6 months to 6 years in New York City have declined 17% from 2004 and 86% in the last 11 years. However, despite the improvements, childhood lead poisoning remains a major health threat in many New York City neighborhoods. “While we have made tremendous progress in reducing childhood lead poisoning in New York City, more needs to be done if we are to reach our goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden.

The progress has been made in large part by programs established to help ameliorate the lead poisoning problem. Health care providers are required by law to test all children at both one and two years of age, assess risk of lead exposure for children up to age six, and test children found to be at risk for lead exposure. Most children with elevated levels of lead show no symptoms.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 04:49 PM | Permalink

"Asbestos Ship" Causes Conflict

Controversy mounts in Turkey over an asbestos contaminated ship. The Mexican chemical tanker, the Otapan, is causing debate in Turkey. The ship contains asbestos and Dutch authorities apparently understated the amount of asbestos onboard and did not look into whether the Turkish shipyard would have the capacity to dismantle the Otapan in a safe manner. Deputy Minister Van Geel of the Netherlands maintains that the Turkish shipyard is capable of dismantling the vessel in an environmentally sound way. “In hindsight, that should have been handled better, but it’s not the essential issue. We want the ship to be broken up in a responsible manner, and that’s possible in Turkey. In that regard, it makes no difference whether it’s 1000 kilogrammes or 5400. There’s no country in the world which is so closely involved in the responsible destruction of contaminated ships as the Netherlands,” said Van Geel.

The Mexican tanker had previously been rusting in Amsterdam since 1999 when environmental authorities in the Netherlands prevented it from sailing again. Members of the crew had decided to begin stripping insulation material containing asbestos from the vessel, thus causing potential for dangerous asbestos exposure. The Otapan has since been in limbo: it is controversial where the vessel should be taken apart and who should pay for it.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 07:52 PM | Permalink

Apple Eco-Unfriendly?

The environmental group Greenpeace has ranked Apple low with respects to its eco-policies. Apple ranks fourth from the bottom, only ahead of Acer, Motorola, and Lenovo. “For a company that claims to lead on product design, Apple scores badly on almost all criteria,” Greenpeace said in its Green Electronics Guide. The Greenpeace report is published every three months and scores companies on the use of hazardous chemicals, recycling, and take-back policies.

Apple has failed to release a list of regulated substances it uses in its products and has not released a timelime for elimination of polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs.) Apple disagrees with Greenpeace's ranking, stating they have eliminated cathode ray tube monitors from their product lines along with cadmium and hexavalent chromium in manufacturing.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 08:11 PM | Permalink

Toxins Left by Hurricane Pose Threat

According to the Disaster News Network, arsenic and other toxins left by last year's hurricane season could have health consequences for years to come. The highest arsenic concentrations in Mississippi are 27 times that of acceptable levels set by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. Chemist Wilma Subra tested the arsenic levels and said of her findings: "There is a need for removal and proper disposal of the contaminated sediment/sludge in people's homes, yards, school yards, churches, etc."

Arsenic is a river-bottom sediment that is a known carcinogen and teratogen. Exposure to arsenic can lead to skin and lung cancer, as well as causing irritation. Subra also stated avoiding exposure is very difficult. "The sediment/sludge is a layer deposited on all surfaces, readily available, and easily dispersed into the air. Human exposure pathways from skin contact, and inhalation and ingestion are hard to impossible to avoid."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 08:25 PM | Permalink

Santa Monica Water Treatment Plant Opening Delayed

It will be at least 2011 before Santa Monicans will have access to clean drinking water from the city's own supply. In 2003, Shell, ChevronTexaco, and ExxonMobil agreed to pay City Hall upward of $120 million for their role in the water contamination. The companies admitted to allowing methyl tert-butyl ether to contaminate the ground water.The oil companies also agreed to pay for the design, construction, and maintenance of a water treatment plant at Arcadia Wells, located in West Los Angeles. The opening of this water treatment plant, however, looks as though it will be delayed until 2011. Craig Perkins, City Hall's environmental and public works director said, "“We’re at least five years away. Everything is moving much more slowly than we would like.”

Santa Monica Daily Press

City officials and the oil companies are having difficulty agreeing as to how the water wells should be cleaned and where the treatment plant should be built. A judge and jury likely will settle the dispute after making sense of a 15-page legal services agreement. Attorney fees also are contributing to the stalemate; City Hall says it should pay the attorneys based on the value of the plant, while the attorneys think they should be paid based upon the cost and operation of the plant.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:14 PM | Permalink

Rising Mercury Levels a Threat to Tribes?

According to The Yakima Herald, tribal groups which rely upon fish as a main source of food, may be at high risk for being exposed to too much mercury. Mercury is known to cause neurological damage, learning disabilities, and memory loss. While the effects of mercury consumption on tribal members, who eat up to 10 times as much fish as non-Indians, is unknown, the potential for danger is of concern to many. "My fear is that one of these times, none of our traditional foods is going to be safe to eat," said tribal fisherman Wilbur Slockish Jr., hereditary chief of the Klickitat band of the Yakamas. "A lot of development isn't geared toward health; it's geared toward economic benefit. Health is the least concern."

The Yakama tribe considers salmon to be a sacred tie to the land and they honor the fish at many ceremonies throughout the year. The tribe is located in the Northwestern United States, in the Washington state area. Dana Davoli of the Environmental Protection Agency, believes some Northwest Indians consume even more than 10 times more fish than non-natives. It is still under question where exactly the mercury in the fish is coming from, though it is likely coming from the Portland General Electric plant and Ash Grove Cement Company of Oregon.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:25 PM | Permalink

Childhood PCB Exposure May Weaken Vaccinations

The New York Times reports that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, also called PCBs, can make children's diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations less effective. The research leading to this conclusion was carried out in the Faroe Islands of the North Atlantic where the human diet includes pilot whale blubber. Pilot whale blubber leads to heightened PCB blood levels. Philippe Grandjean, of the Harvard School of Public Health and co-author of the study, said the data were useful in determining how much PCB children can be exposed to before vaccination levels were threatened. “We used the method of the Environmental Protection Administration to calculate an exposure limit that would be protective against this effect. Our data suggest an exposure limit that would be exceeded by most Americans.”

Though PCB use is banned worldwide, the industrial chemicals remain present in fish and marine animals, and to an extent in meat and dairy products. The study has limitations in that exact exposures to PCB were difficult to determine, because PCB transfer from breast milk was not recorded. The Faroese population also is exposed to other seafood contaminants.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:49 PM | Permalink

Compensation increase for mesothelioma patients

According to the Swindon Advertiser, workers in the area suffering from mesothelioma will be receiving their settlements a bit more quickly. Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton said his department would work with HM Revenue and Customs and the Association of British Insurers. This decision will overturn a motion made by the Lords that would have caused mesothelioma patients to have ended up receiving smaller payments and to seek out individual previous employers to get compensation from each.

With the new ruling, victims will not have to prove which company with which they were employed at the time when they contracted mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is common in Swindon because of the city's background in railway workshops.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:24 PM | Permalink

Are Children's Lunchboxes Toxic?

According to Lancaster Online, in August 2005 a California-based environmental group found high levels of lead in vinyl-lined lunch boxes. The Consumer Products Safety Commision, however, believes differently. “In most cases, children would have to rub their lunch box and then lick their hands more than 600 times every day, for about 15-30 days, in order for the lunch box to present a health hazard,” the CSPC reported.

The majority of PVC lined lunch boxes do not contain lead. Some retailers, however, are erring on the side of caution: WalMart has pulled some lunch boxes from its shelves and many lunch box companies are advertising themselves as being lead free. Children are especially susceptible to lead exposure; consequently, less effort is being expended researching lead content in adult lunch boxes.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:24 PM | Permalink

September 30, 2006

No Toxic Chemicals Yet Found in China River Spill

September 29, 2006

Folsom Condo Owners Upset Over Toxic Mold

September 28, 2006

Alaskan Fish Low in PCBs

September 27, 2006

Can Environmental Toxins Worsen Lung Disease?

September 26, 2006

Sex Toys Contain Toxins

September 25, 2006

No Ban on BFRs

September 24, 2006

Consumer Reports Finds Benzene in Some Beverages

September 23, 2006

Were the Ground Zero Toxins Known?

September 22, 2006

Maine MTBE Controversy

September 21, 2006

Citizens Gas to Pay $280,000 for Violations

September 20, 2006

Environmental Toxin Causes Heritable Diseases

September 10, 2006

Delay for Grace Asbestos Trial?

September 09, 2006

Fewer Cases of Lead Poisoning in NYC

September 08, 2006

"Asbestos Ship" Causes Conflict

September 07, 2006

Apple Eco-Unfriendly?

September 06, 2006

Toxins Left by Hurricane Pose Threat

September 04, 2006

Santa Monica Water Treatment Plant Opening Delayed

Rising Mercury Levels a Threat to Tribes?

Childhood PCB Exposure May Weaken Vaccinations

September 03, 2006

Compensation increase for mesothelioma patients

September 02, 2006

Are Children's Lunchboxes Toxic?