Risk Policy for EMF Exposure
Sahl and Dolan suggested in a Commentary that a precaution-based approach should be taken for avoidance of potential EMF health risks. This was clarified as a common sense approach and recommended as an effective component of a comprehensive set of EMF policy options because the electric power industry believes there is scientific uncertainty about the potential health impacts from exposure to electromagentic fields and that adoption of costly avoidance measures would defer resources from more important public health priorities.
Risk Assessment for Mammary Tumors
A Commentary by Neumann et al. suggested that Russo's review of rodent models for breast cancer should help to channel research efforts and resources into the proper areas for support of appropriate research on risk assessment for human mammary carcinogenesis. Additional recommendations for an effective research program addressing this topic were reported by a working group of the ILSI Risk Science Institute and the U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs.
Just What the Herbalist Ordered?
As herbal medicines gain in popularity in Western countries, government agencies, the herbal industry, and consumer advocacy groups are calling for research and public awareness about the effects of such substances. The Focus discusses international efforts to examine existing research on herbal medicines, as well as questions about their safety and how they should be regulated.
Still Safe to Drink
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) may be the only major piece of environmental legislation to be signed into law this year. Both the Senate and the House have unanimously passed similar bills to reauthorize the SDWA. The Spheres of Influence discusses the history and current status of the SDWA, and looks at the changes proposed by these bills.
Fish out of Water
Researchers at the NIEHS have developed transgenic fish that may serve as tools for detecting chemicals in water and the risks they pose to humans and wildlife. The Innovations discusses the method by which the transgenic species were created and their potential use as a marker for genetic damage caused by toxic chemicals.
Rodent Models for Breast Cancer
Mechanism-based toxicology, molecular and cellular approaches, and comparative in vitro systems are used to rapidly screen chemicals, to investigate low dose chemical dose responses, and to validate biomarkers for toxicity. Russo and Russo review these topics and describe studies of mammary tumors in rodents; they conclude that traditional whole animal studies must be continued until adequate information on the predictive value of mechanism-based toxicology for risk assessment is obtained.
Lead Poisoning in Children
Children in New York identified with moderately elevated blood lead levels (25-55  g/dl) were not given lead mobilization therapy because they showed only limited response to chelation tests. Instead, their parents were notified of lead hazards and provided educational instruction about lead toxicity, sources, and treatment during 10 clinical and 3 home visits; if necessary, children were given iron therapy. Lead paint hazards were quantified by visual and analytical measurements, and a home environmental score (HES) was assigned. Markowitz et al. (p. 968) found that the HES was predictive for moderate lead poisoning and that, without any additional treatment, repetitively measured blood lead levels in children declined during the 24 weeks they were enrolled in a comprehensive intervention program.
Ventilation Rates in Adults and Children
Beals et al. measured the exchange of air in the lungs of children and adults during exercises representing a variety of normal activities. Accurate measurements for the variances in ventilation rates are needed when quantitating exposure to environmental contaminants to make estimates of risk assessment. Distributions of ventilation rates representative of the range of every day activities of adult males, females, and children for varying lengths of time are mathematically evaluated and presented for 6-13, 13-19, 19-60, and over 60 years of age.
Cooking Fires and Respiratory Symptoms in Mexico
Respiratory toxicity from cooking over wood fires is common in Mozambique. Ellegård monitored air pollution during cooking time using wood, charcoal, and modern fuels and reported 2-6 times greater air contamination from wood. Coughing indices were directly associated with wood fire cooking but were not related to use of charcoal or modern fuels. Use of charcoal as cooking fuel was recommended as an economical and healthy replacement for wood; modern fuels like LPG and electricity are beyond the means of most households.
Last Update: July 31, 1997
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