why ASDs? A sampling of risk factors

[Guest guest]

From today's news:

African dust bringing toxic chemicals to U.S., Caribbean.

<http://invw.org/2009/11/african-dust-bringing-toxic-chemicals-to-u-s-caribbean-\

is-it-killing-corals-hurting-people/>

Pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated

biphenyls are among the contaminants hitching an airborne ride to the

United States and other parts of the Western Hemisphere on dust storms

blowing out of West Africa.

~Investigate West

Study finds chemicals widespread in Minn. waters.

<http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/24/water-quality-testing/>

Minnesota scientists say it appears endocrine-disrupting chemicals and

pharmaceuticals are found in even the most pristine lakes in the state.

~Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota

Lead, dangerous chemicals found in toys despite law.

<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/24/AR2009112401601\

..html>

Despite a new law that bans six chemicals from children's products and

lowers the lead limit for them, a public interest group has found a

number of toys at major retailers that contain the chemicals and illegal

amounts of lead.

~Washington Post

[arsenic] Turkey toxin? No thanks.

<http://www.northshoreoflongisland.com/Articles-i-2009-11-19-82227.112114-sub_Is\

rael_Turkey_toxin_No_thanks.html>

Americans might be more than a little disconcerted to learn that they

ate some poison with their turkey this Thanksgiving. At least Rep. Steve

Israel (D-Dix Hills) is. He announced new legislation to ban the

commonplace addition of arsenic-based roxarsone to food products.

~Port Jefferson Times Beacon Record.

Inhaling human pathogens with cigarette smoke.

<http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/inhaling-human-pathogens-with-c\

igarette-smoke>

By Brett Israel Environmental Health News 25 November 2009

Cigarettes contain hundreds of different strains of bacteria, including

many human pathogens that may play a role in lung diseases and

respiratory infections, new research shows.

Most health research has focused on the impact of chemicals in

cigarettes and the particulates that are produced when tobacco is

burned. But a new study, published in the journal Environmental Health

Perspectives, paints the most complete picture to date of the bacteria

in tobacco, suggesting that the germs could be another potential source

of infection and disease.

The research -- which shows that smokers are inhaling live

bacteria -- is the first time cigarettes have been implicated as a

source of potentially pathogenic microbes.

more...

<http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/inhaling-human-pathogens-with-c\

igarette-smoke>

* Pesticide levels in blood associated with prostate cancer.

<http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/prostate-cancer-linked-to\

-organochlorine-blood-levels/>

* 25 November 2009

Blood levels of three types of banned organochlorine pesticides

are associated with prostate cancer in the general US population,

researchers report in a recent study. Researchers who analyzed

data from a large, long-term national study coordinated by the CDC

found that levels of organochlorine pesticides in the blood are

associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. A link was not

found for an increased risk of breast cancer.

*

more...

<http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/prostate-cancer-linked-to\

-organochlorine-blood-levels/>