'Provocative' report issued on use of pesticides
Article Abstract:
The World Resources Institute has released a report documenting a link between exposure to pesticides and immune system disorders. The report reviews many research articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Pesticides studied include DDT, chlordane, parathion, aldicarb, 2,4-D and paraquat. One article documents the health effects of pesticide use in a farming region in central Moldova in the former Soviet Union. Pesticide use in this region was 20 times higher than average between the 1960s and 1980s. Eighty percent of the children who had been exposed to pesticides had some type of immune disorder. They were also more likely to develop gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Immunosuppression could increase the incidence of infectious diseases, especially in developing countries that use more toxic pesticides than developed countries such as the US.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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New focus on children's environmental health
Article Abstract:
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed stricter legislation to protect children from pesticides and pollutants. Children are more sensitive to pollution than adults. In 1996, Congress passed the Food Quality Act, which will result in lower pesticide levels in food. The EPA will also start a center for children to teach them about environmental pollutants. It also plans to clean up more Superfund sites and prosecute polluters more aggressively. Newer toxicology tests are needed to rapidly assess the toxicity of the 1,500 new chemicals introduced each year.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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Study of bisphosphonates leads to new views of bone remodeling, therapy for skeletal malignancy
Article Abstract:
Drugs called bisphosphonates may be useful in treating cancer that metastasizes, or spreads, to bone. These drugs prevent bone turnover by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bone. Breast, lung and prostate tumors often metastasize to bone, causing destruction of the bone. Since bisphosphonates prevent bone destruction, they can also be used to treat osteoporosis, myeloma and Paget's disease of the bone. The drugs etidronate, pamidronate disodium, alendronate sodium and tiludronate disodium are examples of bisphosphonates.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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