Guest guest Posted February 13, 2000 Report Share Posted February 13, 2000 From: " J & M McCoy " <mlmccoy@...> Subject: Re: Dear , Such a sweet letter to Connie, and you don't think you contribute to the group???? You most definitely do ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you Marta for your kind words. You just proved what I was saying about unconditional love and support from this group. Your Lyme Friend, in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2001 Report Share Posted August 29, 2001 what is he taking all this for??? The quinine I know as an anti malaria medication....but it's rather outdated.... If he's only sleeping 2 hours a night, chances are one or a combination of these medications are causing it...he should maybe crosscheck with a different doctor! Personally I would take him to a good accupuncturist who also uses chinese herbs! They usually have excellent results treating old age related problems (and just about everything else for that matter!!) Ambrosia Message: 16 Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2001 08:09:47 -0700 From: " Little Sha " <shasha@...> Subject: Insomnia Hello. My Father sleeps about 2 hours a night. Has for years. Sleeping pills make him kind of groggy in the morning and I have a list of meds he is taking. Can someone please help? Dexamethason Trazodone Oxycontin Quinine Ambien Allopurinol Metoclopramide Prevacid He also takes prescription strength Folic Acid. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2001 Report Share Posted August 29, 2001 Rheumatoid arthritis, carpel tunnel, etc. Physically he is a wreck, but he's not even 50 yet! The meds are recent, the insomnia ongoing for years. How well does acupuncture work for insomnia and back pain(bulging discs)? Sharon Insomnia > > Hello. My Father sleeps about 2 hours a night. Has for years. Sleeping > pills make him kind of groggy in the morning and I have a list of meds he is > taking. Can someone please help? > Dexamethason > Trazodone > Oxycontin > Quinine > Ambien > Allopurinol > Metoclopramide > Prevacid > He also takes prescription strength Folic Acid. Anyone? > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2001 Report Share Posted August 30, 2001 Hello, I just recently joined the group, but my background is in medicine so hopefully I can offer something helpful. First and most importantly, make sure your father is getting all of his medications from one doctor, at one pharmacy. I don't know your father's history, but I assume he is in extreme pain based on what he has been prescribed. He is taking a dangerous combination of very serious drugs and I cannot stress enough how much he needs to be monitored by one physician. I would guess that he is having trouble sleeping because of the combination of drugs he is taking. The Dexamethason could be causing sleep disturbances, but since it is an anti-inflammatory drug, it seems it is necessary for your father to stay on this medication if your father is suffering from IBD, or some other kind of inflammatory disease. Quinine is used for various different things, but is very helpful in reducing leg cramps, and would probably aid in restful sleep. The Oxycontin is a very strong, long acting, opiod pain reliever and needs to be carefully monitored when taken with Trazadone and Ambien. Ambien is a very effective sleeping medication, that is also a suppressant. The Prevacid is used in many GI conditions and can sometimes cause anxiousness that may interfere with sleep, but that is not likely. The Allopurinol and Metoclopramide are not likely causing sleep disturbances, but again, they could be when used in combination with the other drugs. I hope this helps a little, however, the best place to get medical advice is from his physician. It sounds like he needs to be re-evaluated because he is not getting the relief he needs to have restful sleep. There are many options out there, and I am sure there is a solution to his sleeplessness. I am more of a non-conventional believer and put my trust in Naturopathic Medicine. That may be something for you to look into. The acupuncturist suggestion was a good one as well. Best wishes! Take control and feel the power of Naturopathic Medicine... laura@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2001 Report Share Posted October 13, 2001 Please forward this digest information? Thanks. MFP ----- Original Message ----- From: < > < > Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 7:51 AM Subject: [] Digest Number 1022 There are 9 messages in this issue. Topics in this digest: 1. Re: Digest Number 1015 From: KemmerRDH@... 2. FWD: Doug Haney---Toxic Mold Seminar Brochure--Reno Hilton Nov 20 From: RLLIPSEY87@... 3. MOLD in Buildings Creates New Frontier in Construction Defect Litigation, Definition of Pollution From: " bherk " <bherk@...> 4. Tempers flare in Orange debate From: " bherk " <bherk@...> 5. Toxic mold, beware: The law is watching From: " bherk " <bherk@...> 6. Nothing new in Crossroads mold problems, ex-owner says From: " bherk " <bherk@...> 7. Protecting Children From: " bherk " <bherk@...> 8. Steve Milloy on Anthrax (consider the source) From: " bherk " <bherk@...> 9. Developing Countries Learn to Limit Chemical Risks From: " bherk " <bherk@...> ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 1 Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 11:29:57 EDT From: KemmerRDH@... Subject: Re: Digest Number 1015 Could you please send more info about the meeting in Reno later this month. My doctor really would like to attend. Also is there controversy over using clorox to kill mold. I have been told that quartternary ammonia is the thing to use. Thanks, KKB ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 11:02:49 -0700 (PDT) From: RLLIPSEY87@... Subject: FWD: Doug Haney---Toxic Mold Seminar Brochure--Reno Hilton Nov 20 The following webpage was forwarded to you via Counsel.Net by a colleague. If an email address was provided, you can email the person who posted this message by hitting " reply " to this email. Please tell a friend about Counsel.Net! ================================================================ Forwarded by: Dr. R. Lipsey, Toxicologist (RLLIPSEY87@...) ============== Subject: Doug Haney---Toxic Mold Seminar Brochure--Reno Hilton Nov 20 Poster: DR. R. LIPSEY, Toxicologist Date: 10/11/01 URL: http://toxlaw.com/toxboard/topic2679/10.11.01.11.00.52.html Webpage text: ============= Doug............ Could you please send out a copy of the Toxic Mold Seminar brochure on ToxBoard listing topics and speakers dates and times.......and send a copy to Aerotech Lab for their newslaetter that goes out to over 50,000 professionals in the toxic mold field. Remote-IP: 152.163.204.71 Thu Oct 11 11:02:49 PDT 2001 ©Counsel.Net 2000. . ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 3 Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 08:15:56 -0400 From: " bherk " <bherk@...> Subject: MOLD in Buildings Creates New Frontier in Construction Defect Litigation, Definition of Pollution formerly published as message #7476 http://www.insurancejrnl.com/html/ijweb/publications/IJTexas/t112000/moldinb ldg.htm November 20, 2000 MOLD in Buildings Creates New Frontier in Construction Defect Litigation, Definition of Pollution By Tapia and Constance Parten At the center of what could become one of the fastest growing areas of both construction defect litigation and toxic tort litigation is an extremely common organism found in virtually every home and building. Mold. Over the past few years, the presence of mold in buildings has increasingly been cited as the cause of health problems for people who interact with so-called 'sick buildings.' While the actual number of judgments favoring such plaintiffs is not especially high, the implications of the increase in sick building claims are potentially far-reaching. It is an issue of growing concern among insurance companies and attorneys who are closely watching the cases as they pop up across the country. Two examples of what can happen are unfolding in Visalia, Calif., population 96,750, and Dripping Springs, Tex., population 10,800. The judge files suit On March 27, 2000, California Superior Court Judge beth Krant filed a lawsuit against Tulare County in which she alleged that a variety of ongoing medical problems she was experiencing stemmed from mold contamination in her chambers in the county courthouse located in Visalia, Calif. Since then, approximately 275 claims have been filed against the county on behalf of individual employees of that courthouse. A great number of those claims-alleging that exposure to toxic mold in the courthouse sickened employees-were rejected, opening the door for those claimants to file personal injury claims. In fact, a second lawsuit on behalf of 101 plaintiffs was recently filed. One of the mold types found in the courthouse was Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as stachybotrys atra and stachybotrys alternans), a potentially dangerous strain that has reportedly been linked to a wide variety of adverse health effects, ranging from allergic symptoms to pulmonary bleeding fatalities among children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, six varieties of mold are common in houses and buildings, and three can produce toxins. The CDC linked one of them to 10 cases of lung disorder in infants five years ago and 100 cases since. Unfortunately, it's impossible to distinguish between toxic and benign molds just by looking at them-they all look like black or gray sooty patches-without a professional sample being taken. However, all molds, even the toxic ones, can be cleaned up with a mild bleach solution if they exist in small quantities. Many environmental scientists believe cases of toxic mold in buildings are increasing due to new forms of building materials being used and the relative air-tightness of new construction. on IV, a Woodland Hills, Calif. attorney who represents the plaintiffs in both lawsuits and the majority of individuals who have filed claims against the county, said he currently represents 1,000 plaintiffs in mold cases throughout California. Those cases involve school districts (for portable classrooms), a hospital, the courthouse in Visalia, as well as single-family homes, apartments and condominium projects. on, who frequently teaches and gives lectures to the legal community, said, " [e]very time I do that as part of a panel-either a toxic tort seminar or construction defect-it's standing room only. Everybody's trying to get in on it right now. " While the claims filed against the public entity on behalf of the employees represents the largest single group of potential plaintiffs, claims have also been filed on behalf of individuals who used the courthouse, including vendors and attorneys who are not employed by the county. In addition to Judge Krant's lawsuit, two other judges have filed claims. A number of workers' compensation claims have also been filed. " I understand the plaintiffs' attorneys have represented to their clients that they can avoid the workers' comp exclusivity rule based on the sections provided for in the Labor Code, " said Woods, an attorney from McCormick Barstow Sheppard Wayte & Carruth LLP in Fresno, who was retained by the Tulare Board of Supervisors to defend the County. The exclusivity rule, Woods explained, is one that generally states an individual can not sue his/her employer in civil court. " Your exclusive remedy is provided for under the workers' compensation law, " he said. However, there are certain grounds, often having to do with concealing the cause of the injury, on which one can get around that exclusion. In the Krant case, the judge alleged that the cause of the injury and the dangerous condition were concealed from her, and that county employees misled and failed to totally inform her of the presence of mold. Not all claims fall under the exception. The Superior Court judges, for example, are state court employees, and, therefore, do not have a potential workers' comp bar with suing the county. Woods maintained that this type of case is particularly expensive to litigate because of the lack of scientific evidence and proof that there is a causal connection between exposure to fungi and symptoms. On the medical side alone, a veritable army of experts can be involved. These include mycologists, microbiologists, industrial hygienists, occupational environmental doctors, toxicologists, immunologists, allergists and neuropsychologists. Recently conducted air sampling tests cost the county approximately $35,000. " Then you get into some of the explanations for why there is water present, " Woods said. " You then get into structural engineers, mechanical engineers, roofing engineers, the whole aspect of construction of the building or the area where there is mold. " Another aspect of the expense comes into play if a construction defect case is thrown into the mix. " Then it gets very expensive because everyone who is in any way associated with the construction is typically named as the defendant, " Woods said. That is happening in this case, where in the amended complaint filed by Judge Krant, additional defendants, in one way or another involved with the design, construction or maintenance of the courthouse, have been added. According to on, whose career as a construction defect attorney spans 15 years, prior to the last six years or so, such cases dealt solely with a property damage aspect, such as a leaking roof or windows. The personal injury component-when mold grows and makes the occupants of the building sick-did not enter the picture. " Construction defect comes into play because you don't have mold growth without typically a leak, " on said. " We have to identify the defect which caused the leak to occur, fix the leak, stop the water from coming into the building, and then remediate the mold. Otherwise the mold just keeps growing back. " Classifying mold Insurance companies are more and more often refusing to pay bodily injury claims resulting from exposure to toxic mold in buildings, claiming the substance falls under policy pollution exclusions. " At this point, I think the court decisions are providing the [commercial] policy language, " said Allstate spokesman Wolfe. The company views such claims on a case-by-case basis, Wolfe said. " The investigation is going to include a number of steps -factors particular in the case of liability issues-such as who's had knowledge, what their knowledge was and what they've done. " While no definitive precedent-setting cases have yet been decided, attorneys are increasingly debating the issue. " There is a lot of controversy about this, " said S. Quinn, an Austin, Tex. attorney and chair of the Insurance Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. " The insurance companies want very much to make mold a pollutant. " It doesn't matter one iota with property damage because mold doesn't cause damage. The damage is caused by wetness, " he said " In most cases, when you repair the damage, you in turn fix the mold. " The point of contention for most attorneys and insurance companies, Quinn said, falls under bodily injury claims. " Let's suppose you give the pollution exclusion as full a reading as possible, " he said. " If a mold is in some way toxic, then given its toxicity, how does it do it? If it's like an irritant or contaminant then it's excluded. But you've got to ask yourself what these words mean. " Quinn focuses on the everyday language, questioning whether mold is commonly considered a pollutant or contaminant. " Does a consumer have a pollutant problem in his kitchen if his bread is moldy? No. Of course not, " he said. " This doesn't have to do with mold, this has to do with bold-insurance companies are becoming bolder in defining pollution. " Beth Bradley, an attorney with Dallas-based , Coe, Cousins and Irons, disagrees. " I tend to look at it as how it causes harm, " she said. " That person is claiming their body is being contaminated by those things, therefore, it can be defined as a contaminant or pollutant. " Bradley suspects the issue will escalate, saying the area is " ripe for class actions. " She contends it is also ripe for intervention by state departments of insurance. In Texas, the department of insurance is monitoring the situation closely. " It's pretty high on our radar screen right now, " said Nardecchia, director of personal and commercial lines for the department. " Anytime you have something like this where there's a question of coverage that could significantly impact a lot of people, we're interested in it. " Of particular interest are cases involving water-damage repair covered under a homeowners policy. Is the insurer liable if the repairs do not eradicate toxic mold spores that later lead to resident health problems? Mold in the heart of Texas One case in Texas raising that question has been filed by Melinda Ballard and her husband against Farmers Insurance Group subsidiary Fire Insurance Exchange. The case, asking for $100 million in restitution, stems from what Ballard and claim was the insurance company's improper handling of their claim. The Ballard/ home, with a replacement cost rider of $3 million, was insured by Farmers beginning in 1992. According to court documents, in 1998, a plumbing leak occurred in a bathroom and Ballard had it repaired. Several months later, the hardwood floor of the house started buckling and Ballard filed a claim with Farmers. According to the suit, in December 1998, a flooring contractor told Farmers that dangerous molds could grow in the plywood subflooring and that Farmers needed to have the subfloor pulled out immediately to avoid the problem. Farmers allegedly ignored the warning and sent out an adjuster who stated there was a slab settling problem that was not covered under the policy at issue. Farmers also reportedly conducted a plumbing check and found no leaks. During the first quarter of 1999, Ballard, and their three-year-old son, Reese, began experiencing a number of unexplained illnesses, including coughing up blood. Meanwhile, the floor's condition continued to worsen and the water-logged subfloor caused damage to walls, windows and doors. During this time, Farmers offered to settle the claim for an amount that Ballard and found insufficient to cover the increasing damage to the home. The complaint also alleges that Farmers' microbiologist, Dan Bridge of Rimkus Engineering in Houston, found the family to be living in space containing airborne Stachybotrys spores, yet neither Bridge nor Farmers informed the family of their discovery until the mold had caused irreversible health effects. The family retained the services of Texas Tech University to conduct testing of the home and evacuated their residence immediately upon confirmation of the presence of toxic spores in their living areas. " Our allegation is that Farmers didn't handle the case properly, " said a Janecek, Ballard and 's attorney. " Their illness is the result of a covered loss. " Todd Hunter, representing Farmers, declined comment on the case, and Farmers officials did not return phone calls. The case is scheduled for hearing in April. No definitive test One thing attorneys on both sides of the California courthouse case accede to is that there is not a single standardized test currently recognized by courts in that state as a determiner of what type of mold a person has been exposed to-not to mention where or when that exposure took place. on said claimants go through a diagnosis by an occupational environmental medicine doctor, who looks at both an individual's symptoms and the environmental exposure to mold, and then makes a diagnosis by basically linking the two. He also indicated that some of the claimants have undergone blood testing to determine what effect, if any, there has been on their immune systems. " There is a particular test that one group of plaintiffs' attorneys has recommended, " Woods said. " This particular test is not recognized by the FDA. " " Regarding the micro-toxins that some fungi are physiologically capable of producing, there is no airborne test for those either, " said Lozano, also an attorney from McCormick Barstow Sheppard Wayte & Carruth. " So testing people doesn't really give you any answers. A more significant test would be to test the actual workplace, but that just gives you general levels. There are no state or federal guidelines as to what constitutes an acceptable or an unsafe indoor environment when it comes to mold. " In the meantime, the courthouse has drastically curtailed operations due to a lack of personnel. " I think the litigation is going to be extensive, and it's going to be expensive, " Woods concluded. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 4 Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 00:43:01 -0400 From: " bherk " <bherk@...> Subject: Tempers flare in Orange debate http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1281 & dept_id=7568 & newsid=2473183 & PAG= 461 & rfi=9 Tempers flare in Orange debate Weizel, Register Correspondent October 10, 2001 ORANGE - Democratic First Selectman Goldblatt and Republican challenger Ralph Okenquist clashed over education, zoning and open space issues at a debate Tuesday. About 50 residents attended the hour-long exchange at the High Plains Community Center, sponsored by the Orange chapter of AARP. Goldblatt touted his two-year record of open space acquisition, economic development along Boston Post Road and leadership on zoning, transportation and education issues. He specifically mentioned his handling of the " debacle and cover-up " by Amity school officials of ongoing mold problems and a $2.7 million school budget shortfall. " This administration has consistently shown leadership with perseverance, " said Goldblatt. " It was proactive leadership that helped secure the largest grant in state history ($875,000) for an open space acquisition (Housatonic Overlook) by a municipality. " But Okenquist blasted Goldblatt for calling for the resignation of Amity Regional School Superintendent Rolfe Wenner after the school district's budget overrun came to light. " We must find a solution to the $2.7 million overrun, and ensure that this does not happen again. Then we can start looking for the guilty parties, " he said. Goldblatt shot back that " Amity is in a crisis and we need new leadership there. After everything that has happened this past year regarding the mold problems and the budget I could not back down or turn a blind eye to this mess that will cost each and every taxpayer. " Okenquist also said Goldblatt has spent too much taxpayer money on legal fees, particularly the town's ongoing court fight against AvalonBay's proposed 168-unit affordable housing project on Prindle Hill Road. " If elected I will re-evaluate our legal representation, " said Okenquist. " Residents with whom I have spoken cannot believe we are spending $300,000 a year on legal representation when we continue to lose cases. " He also criticized Goldblatt for acquiring the Housatonic Overlook. " I am a proponent of open space, but I believe we must be judicious in our acquisition of open space, " said Okenquist. Goldblatt responded angrily when Okenquist described the Housatonic Overlook as " Alcatraz. " " That is an insult to the more than 80 percent of voters who approved the purchase in referendum, " said Goldblatt. " It also happens not to be true - it's one of the most beautiful vistas in the town and was the last remaining open space parcel overlooking the Housatonic River. " ©New Haven Register 2001 ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 5 Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 21:01:31 -0400 From: " bherk " <bherk@...> Subject: Toxic mold, beware: The law is watching http://news.newspress.com/topsports/1010mold.htm Toxic mold, beware: The law is watching 10/10/01 By NORA K. WALLACE NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER At one time or another, everyone has dealt with mold, the multicolored fungi that grow in damp areas of basements, laundries and bathrooms. Most are safe, but a new term has entered the lexicon -- " toxic mold " -- and concerns are being raised about the potential dangers of exposure to too much of the wrong types of mold. A new law requires a comprehensive study into the health problems related to toxic mold. Authored by Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth , D-Santa Barbara and signed on Sunday by Gov. Gray , the law requires the California Research Bureau to conduct a study on fungal contamination in indoor environments, and report the findings to the Department of Health Services and the Legislature on Jan. 1, 2003. Mold -- there are an estimated 300,000 types -- is found indoors and outdoors. Some can produce mycotoxins, which are natural compounds that can hurt humans, including causing serious respiratory problems. " The problem of toxic mold in residences, schools and offices has generated significant public concern among the scientific and public health communities around the world, " Ms. said. The legislation would help environmental health experts with practical guidelines for preventing and getting rid of fungal contamination, according to a legislative analysis. The Santa Barbara County Rental Property Association was one of the prime backers of the bill. Its 850 members were concerned about owners being unfairly penalized for mold contamination. " Hannah-Beth said, 'Let's do a study, get measures in place before we start penalizing, or requiring remedial work to be done,'Ê'' said Joan , executive director of the nonprofit landlords organization. " We're very happy to be in support of the idea of measures and parameters being determined and established before penalties are meted out. " Acknowledging that mold has been a factor in housing for hundreds of years, Ms. added, " Just recently it's becoming a huge issue. Certainly it must be dealt with. Anything that is a threat to people's health or safety must be eradicated. " The group wasn't alone in its support. The bill was also backed by the Consumer Attorneys of California and the American Lung Association, among others. There was no opposition on file. A legislative analysis indicated the bill would bring only minimal additional costs to the government. In addition to signing Ms. 's bill, the governor signed SB 732, by Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento. It creates the Toxic Mold Protection Act, which sets the toughest toxic mold standards in the nation. " I am very proud that once again -- when it comes to the environment -- California is leading the way and setting an example for others to follow, " Gov. said in a statement. " Taken together, these bills represent some of the toughest environmental health laws anywhere in America. " ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 6 Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 22:27:41 -0400 From: " bherk " <bherk@...> Subject: Nothing new in Crossroads mold problems, ex-owner says http://www.sacbee.com/news/news/local06_20011008.html R.E. Graswich: Nothing new in Crossroads mold problems, ex-owner says (Published Oct. 8, 2001) Old mold: The mold infestation at the new Crossroads Sacramento police and fire headquarters comes as a shock to city officials. But for anyone who knows the notorious building, mold is a familiar story. " There has always been mold in that building, and there always will be mold, " said Darrell Corti, grocer, wine expert, bon vivant, raconteur and member of the famous family that once owned the building. The Crossroads building was once part of the Corti grocery empire, featuring gourmet foods for discriminating palates. When this column suggested to Darrell that his cheese was responsible for the mold, he scoffed and waved his hand. " It's the way the building was designed, " he said. " It actually sits below the river level, and water is a constant problem. You have to run a sump pump, and the design -- it was supposed to resemble a temple -- helps create moisture. Everyone who knows the building knows this. " Beyond the mold, the Crossroads was the site of a plane crash that killed 22 people in 1972 (the building sits across the street from the end of runway 12/30 at Sac Executive Airport). Asked if bulldozing the place was the best idea, Corti fell silent. ... Blue dividing line: There was an interesting twist to last week's Sacramento Police Officers Association presidential election, where six votes out of 420 decided the race. The lines weren't divided by philosophy, but age. Most younger cops backed winner Dave Topaz (213 votes), while the older set sided with incumbent Sgt. Victor (207 votes). " Our goal is to be an inclusive union working for all members, " Topaz said. " We need to be working together for the future, not fighting. " <snip> Perfect example: The New York Times ran an extensive story last week about the dangers of chemical, radiological and germ terrorism. The paper explained where particles can lodge in the body, how crop dusters and pickup trucks can spray deadly droplets, and the lethal effects. And the Times showed a satellite photo of a typical American city, noting how " cities generate heat and rising air currents that can carry the germs high into the air. " The city pictured, you might have guessed, is Sacramento. The photo shows downtown, from the railyards to Broadway. Thanks for the publicity. .... The Bee's R.E. Graswich can be reached at (916) 321-1087 or rgraswich@.... ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 7 Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 07:28:04 -0400 From: " bherk " <bherk@...> Subject: Protecting Children http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/11/opinion/11HERB.html?todaysheadlines October 11, 2001 Protecting Children By BOB HERBERT In a report released in March 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics made it clear that a terrorist attack with chemical or biological weapons would have a disproportionate and potentially devastating effect on children. As the U.S. moves to tighten its defenses against such an attack - while trying at the same time to avoid creating a panic - the special needs of children are finally beginning to get some attention. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will introduce legislation today that would establish a task force to begin to deal with the problem. " We have a lot of work to do for all of us to be better prepared, " said Senator Clinton in an interview yesterday. " But we've got some special concerns when it comes to our kids. The vulnerability and needs of children have to be addressed separately. " Children are particularly vulnerable in a variety of ways to the chemical or biological agents most likely to be used in a terrorist attack. For example, nerve gases like sarin, which killed a dozen people and injured thousands when it was released in a subway in Tokyo in 1995, are quite dense, which causes them to settle close to the ground, right in the " breathing zone " of children. Dr. Irwin Redlener, who is president of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and has been in the forefront of the effort to focus more attention on the potential effect of terrorist attacks on children, said: " Children have more rapid respiratory rates and larger surface-to- mass ratios than adults, which means children are more easily affected by agents entering through the respiratory system or the skin. " And many of the chemical and biologic agents that might be used in an attack cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. Children are much more susceptible than adults to becoming dehydrated and going into shock and cardiovascular collapse. " Both Senator Clinton and Dr. Redlener noted there were still many outstanding questions with regard to the proper diagnosis and treatment of children sickened by chemical or biological agents. Will the symptoms be recognized? And if so, what medicines would be most effective, and in what doses? Mrs. Clinton's legislation would create a National Task Force on Children and Terrorism to determine what needs to be done to ensure, as much as possible, the safety of children in the event of a bioterrorist attack. " We have got to give parents more information about what they should and shouldn't be doing, " said Senator Clinton. She warned of the dangers that can result from precautions that are taken with the best of intentions. " One of the saddest results of all this is that many people are going out and buying gas masks, " she said. " Many parents are motivated by the desire to protect their children, and they don't realize that an adult-sized gas mask, for example, can suffocate a child. " During the gulf war, she said, " Many Israeli families had gas masks, and they had injectable antidotes for various chemical agents. More people were injured because of improper uses or panic responses with gas masks and injections than were hurt by any kind of attack. " In a letter last week to the Senate majority leader, Tom Daschle, and the minority leader, Trent Lott (with copies to Senator Clinton, among others), Dr. Redlener warned that the nation was dangerously unprepared to cope with the needs of children caught in a terrorist attack. " The children's hospitals and the pediatric departments of general hospitals have done little, if any, specific planning around managing widespread chemical or biologic exposure among children and youth, " he wrote. " It is, furthermore, doubtful that many such institutions have [an] appropriate or even minimal amount of stockpiled antidotes or relevant equipment. The same could be said with regards to any general level of understanding concerning exposure to radioactive materials. " Dr. Redlener, who is also president of the Children's Health Fund, which provides services for poor children in several states, said the task force proposed by Mrs. Clinton would be a crucial step in improving the nation's readiness to deal with a chemical or biological attack, and the consequences for children. Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 8 Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 06:54:49 -0400 From: " bherk " <bherk@...> Subject: Steve Milloy on Anthrax (consider the source) http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/33790.htm ANTHRAX EXPLOITERS By STEVEN MILLOY October 12, 2001 -- BIOTERRORISM alarmists view the death of a Florida man from anthrax as validation of their hype and hysteria. Cooler heads see the incident more as a limited biocrime, not a harbinger of mass bioterrorism. Such skepticism arises from the often glossed-over difficulty of using anthrax as a weapon of mass bioterror. Anthrax is a bacterium that may cause death by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. The most lethal exposure is inhalation of anthrax spores, bodies carrying the bacterium. Alarmists such as American Public Health Association chief Mohammad Akhter say, " One billionth of a gram, smaller than a speck of dust can kill. " But one spore, even thousands, will not kill anyone. Wool sorters inhale 150 to 700 anthrax spores an hour continually without danger. Studies show that inhalating 10,000 spores is necessary for infection. As with other toxins, the dose makes the poison. The technical hurdles and costs associated with exposing many people to enough anthrax is daunting. Before the spores can become a mass inhalation threat, they must be converted to powdered form. Liquified anthrax would fall to the ground and be ineffective. Even assuming terrorists knew how to make mass quantities of powdered anthrax without killing workers and surrounding populations, production would cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Purchasing unemployed, ex-Soviet bioweapons experts is insufficient. Only the United States and Russia so far have succeeded in powderizing anthrax for weaponization. Iraq has anthrax only in liquid form and knows this is virtually useless. Through 1998, U.N. inspectors found anthrax in few of the hundreds of Iraqi warheads they examined. If Iraq had an effective form of anthrax, it would likely have been found in many more warheads - like its many nerve-gas warheads. Powderizing anthrax is only part of the challenge. Released to the air, spores are subject to weather. Too much wind disperses them into harmless concentrations. Insufficient wind causes them to fall to the ground where they won't rise again in harmful concentrations. Airplanes dusting a city with spores? Not much use. The few spores entering buildings would mostly settle; the few that didn't would likely be insufficient in concentration to cause infection. Outside, spores would mostly fall to the ground or be blown away and rendered harmless. If enough spores were dropped, some people might conceivably inhale enough to become infected. In the worst case, this might happen to dozens, not thousands of people. A 1979 anthrax release from a Soviet lab caused about 70 deaths in a city of 1 million. Recklessly disregarding more realistic prospects of mass anthrax terrorism, the American Public Health Association's Akhter wrote this week, " A cloud of anthrax spores drifting over Arlington [Va.] could kill tens of thousands of Washingtonians within days. " Then there's University of Minnesota epidemiologist Osterholm, who told " 60 Minutes " : " What is important is to scare people into positive action. " This " scaring people into positive action " might cause a real problem: Anthrax infection initially resembles the flu. We're being told not to take flu-like symptoms for granted. Anthrax should be suspected, say the alarmists. But flu season is near. More than 100 million people in the U.S. may well have flu-like symptoms in the near future. Should every cough, sore throat, runny nose and headache be considered a possible case of anthrax? Only if we want to bring our public-health system to a grinding halt. We always will be vulnerable to limited anthrax attacks, by biocrime or bioterrorism. We can contain these attacks with the sort of rapid response used in Florida. But since mass terror with anthrax is improbable, terrorizing the masses is probably unwise. Milloy is the publisher of JunkScience.com and author of " Junk Science Judo: Self-defense Against Health Scares and Scams. " ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 9 Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 07:06:30 -0400 From: " bherk " <bherk@...> Subject: Developing Countries Learn to Limit Chemical Risks http://ens-news.com/ens/oct2001/2001L-10-11-01.html Developing Countries Learn to Limit Chemical Risks ROME, Italy, October 11, 2001 (ENS) - Officials from over 100 governments concerned with reducing the risks of chemical use, particularly in developing countries, have been meeting in Rome this week to prepare for the entry into force of a global treaty to govern these risks. Delegates conclude a week long meeting tomorrow on the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC). The treaty deals with certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade, and limits the introduction of hazardous chemicals and pesticides into countries that cannot safely manage them. Pakistan pesticide dump contains barrels of DDT (Photo courtesy Greenpeace) Adopted in 1998 under the auspices of UNEP and FAO, the Rotterdam Convention uses the prior informed consent procedure to help governments decide whether to accept or refuse the imports of certain hazardous chemicals. Countries that export such chemicals will have to respect the decisions of importing parties. Some 70,000 different chemicals are available on the market, and 1,500 new ones are introduced every year. In a joint statement the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said, " This poses a major challenge to many governments who must attempt to monitor and manage these potentially dangerous substances. Many pesticides that have been banned or whose use has been severely restricted in industrialized countries are still marketed and used in developing countries. " Harcharik, FAO deputy director-general, said, " Global agreements such as the Rotterdam Convention serve to provide a level of control and can help to mitigate the negative effects of globalization. " FAO Deputy Director-General Harcharik (Photo courtesy FAO) Pending the entry into force of the Rotterdam Convention, governments have agreed to apply the PIC procedure on a voluntary basis. The processes developed are operational, with three additional chemicals and two severely hazardous pesticide formulations identified as candidates for inclusion in the interim PIC procedure. Recognizing the problem of illegal trafficking in controlled chemicals, a start has been made towards the establishment a working group to govern illegal trafficking under the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC). A preliminary meeting to start the work of the IOMC group was held in Geneva on August 27. The delegates concluded that a broader meeting to establish the IOMC working group should be held in December. In preparation, UNEP will collect information on issues related to illicit trafficking, responsibility and liability. The Rotterdam Convention was adopted and signed by Ministers and senior officials on September 11, 1998. It has received 73 signatures. To date 16 governments - Bulgaria, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Germany, Guinea, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovenia and Suriname - have ratified, accepted, approved or acceded to the Convention. It will enter into force 90 days after the 50th ratification. Harcharik urged countries to work towards ratification of the Rotterdam Convention in time for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 The last time I read on this topic, they had found 7 genes implicated in autism. As well as that there are specific genes implicated in related conditions such as Frag X, Syndrome, Floating Harbor, Angelmans, Prader Willi etc etc. Other conditions such as cerebral palsy, deaf, blind, Down Syndrome can also be associated with autism, but not necessarily. Fragile X is inherited from the mother and is a very common cause of cognitive delays. Girls only have Fragile X if it is inherited from both parents, and that is very rare. The carrier can exhibit some characteristics, often appearing as though they have Asperger Syndrome. Message: 12 Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:21:35 -0000 From: " autiemom4 " <autiemom4@...> Subject: Re: another child? Actually, they have not found the autism gene, the geneticist is speaking out of turn. Having 4 children on the spectrum has lead us to being involved in many university and science studies to discover the cause of autism. I am in contact with them on a regular basis and they tell me they have not found any such information. We are all still basically in the dark about all this. autiemom4 Autism Family Circle __________________________________________________________________ The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2005 Report Share Posted August 17, 2005 In a message dated 8/17/2005 10:50:41 AM US Mountain Standard Time, writes: firemountain.com Thank You so much for the email on the Fire Mountain.com. They have some beautiful Aromatherapy bottles which I will have my friend make into beautiful necklaces and give as Christmas gifts, with their own personal scent perfume!! I'm just a beginner in the perfumery area of my life, but I love creating scents! I'm looking forward to gleaning so much knowledge here from the professionals and buying some very wonderful Absolutes and Resins just for me! Dianna ) Have A SCENT Filled Day!! _www.innersanctuary.com_ (http://www.innersanctuary.com) Six years in the essential oils and loving every minute of it! Pure Essential Oils are Natures Energy! We have Newsletter & Monthly Specials, And More! Visit us or Call 888-836-7476 (Toll Free) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2005 Report Share Posted August 17, 2005 At 03:58 PM 8/17/2005, you wrote: > >In a message dated 8/17/2005 10:50:41 AM US Mountain Standard Time, > writes: > >firemountain.com > > >Thank You so much for the email on the Fire Mountain.com. They have some >beautiful Aromatherapy bottles which I will have my friend make >into beautiful >necklaces and give as Christmas gifts, with their own personal scent >perfume!! > > I'm just a beginner in the perfumery area of my life, but I love >creating scents! I'm looking forward to gleaning so much knowledge here >from the >professionals and buying some very wonderful Absolutes and Resins just >for me! Glad you found your way back to us, Dianna. Everyone, Dianna sells some darn good EOs herself, and I've been a customer for at least five years now. Well, now that you're " evolving " from aromatherapy to natural perfumery, Dianna, I see many hours of research and reading on your part, lost in the zillions (OK, maybe 7000) posts in our archives. Don't forget to read my article on .com about folks just like you (and me) who branched out from AT. Anya http://.com The premier site on the Web to discover the beauty of Natural Perfume " The Age of the Foodie is passé. It is now the Age of the Scentie. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Suzy No, the soursop fruit itself is not used for cancer. The leaves are used as tea and if you do a google search you will find out how effective it is for different cancers. Studies on it are also done in Japan and Taiwan (i believe). Research are all on lab work only. No human tests yet, but people are not waitiang because no pharmaceutical firm would do further research because they could not duplicate the chemical in it that helps cancer victims...in other words, there is no money for them there because they could not patent it as it comes from natural source. --- Coconut Oil wrote: __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Has this helped people in advanced stage of cancer? AMI melly banagale <@...> wrote: Suzy No, the soursop fruit itself is not used for cancer. The leaves are used as tea and if you do a google search you will find out how effective it is for different cancers. Studies on it are also done in Japan and Taiwan (i believe). Research are all on lab work only. No human tests yet, but people are not waitiang because no pharmaceutical firm would do further research because they could not duplicate the chemical in it that helps cancer victims...in other words, there is no money for them there because they could not patent it as it comes from natural source. --- Coconut Oil wrote: __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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