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Front Page

Monday
08Feb2010

Cancerous House Dust Across America Linked to Pavement Sealcoats

Coal-tar-based sealcoat being applied. Photo by Peter Van Metre.

While growing up, we all have memories of being told to wipe our feet before coming in. Well now with a new study, published by Environmental Science and Technology, about what we may be tracking in, it might be more important than ever to follow that advice.

Coal-tar-based sealcoal - the black, shiny substance sprayed or painted on many parking lots, driveways, and playgrounds - has been linked to elevated concentrations of the contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in house dust.

Houses and apartments next to areas treated with this type of sealcoat contained house dust with much higher concentrations of PAHs than those next to areas treated with other types sealcoats, according to the study.

Asphalt-based sealcoat being applied. Photo by Guardtop.In contrast, “asphalt-based products have concentrations on PAHs that are 1,000 times less than are in coal-tar-based products,” said Dr. Barbara Mahler, one of the authors of the study and a research hydrologist with the water resources division of the U.S. Geological Survey.

The reason for concern is that “PAHs are highly potent carcinogens than can produce tumors in some organism at even a single dose. Mammals can absorb PAHs by inhalation, dermal contact or (more poorly) ingestion,” according to information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Fish exposed to PAH contamination have exhibited fin erosion, liver abnormalities, cataracts, and immune system impairments leading to increased susceptibility to disease,” adds the agency.

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Tuesday
26Jan2010

New U.S. Anti-Smog Restrictions Raising Debate Over Effects on Atmospheric Chemistry

Cartoon courtesy of toonpool.com

There is always a lot of controversy anytime longstanding federal regulations are changed. This time, the uproar came because yesterday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that plans to increase the stringency of national air quality standards regarding nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions.

NO2 forms quickly from the emissions of cars, trucks, buses, power plants, and off-road equipment. In addition, the compound also contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone (also known as smog), and fine particle pollution, which is linked with a number of adverse effects on the human respiratory system.

There is a clear benefit to taking action to reduce NO2, but there is also concern among some in the scientific community about potential side effects to taking this action.

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Friday
15Jan2010

Relentless Tiger Poaching Brings Activists and INTERPOL Together

Photo courtesy of Brian Scott.

On the Chinese lunar calendar 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which commences on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, symbolizing fighting courage, which was admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household — fire, thieves, and ghosts.

Things are currently a little different in real life. The tiger is not fairing so well against both the destruction of its habitat and poachers.

In the early 1900s, tigers roamed throughout Asia and numbered over 100,000, according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Its current estimates indicate that less than 3,500 of these remain as a whole in the wild. Tigers today are pouched for their skins, but almost every part of their bodies can be used for either decorative or traditional medicinal purposes.

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Tuesday
05Jan2010

Another Dry Year Ahead For the Golden State?

Stock photo.

Early indicators are showing that California may be facing another consecutive drought year. The state’s first snow survey of the 2009/2010 winter season was put out late last week, showing that snow water content is 15 percent below normal for this time of year.

It’s better than this time last year, when snow water was 24 percent below normal state levels, but still a cause for concern. “Despite some recent storms, the snow survey shows that we’re still playing catch-up when it comes to statewide water supplies,” said Sue Sims, chief deputy director of the California Department of Water Resources.

Snow water content is important in determining the coming year’s water supply. The measurements are used to provide data to hydroelectric power companies, the recreation industry, and hydrologists that prepare water supply forecasts.

The DWR’s early estimate is that it will only be able to deliver about five percent of the requested State Water Project water to the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. This reflects low storage levels in the state’s major reservoirs, and restrictions on water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in order to protect endangered fish species.

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Monday
28Dec2009

Strenuous Exercise Shown to Increase Longevity in Men with Prostate/Colon Cancer, Say Studies

We’ve all known for years that exercise has many health benefits including lowering high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cardiovascular disease. Well now, multiple studies are also confirming that strenuous exercise a few times a week in men being treated for prostate or colon cancer can increase their chances of remission and long-term survival.

Earlier this month, findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference showed that “men who engaged in five or more hours of vigorous physical activity [during] a week, were at decreased risk of dying from their prostate cancer.”

Researchers assessed the physical activity level for 2,686 patients in a Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Men with metastases (cancer spreading to other parts of the body) at diagnosis were excluded from the study.

“We saw benefits at very attainable levels of activity,” said Dr. Stacey A. Kenfield, lead author of the study and epidemiology research associate at the Harvard School of Public Health.

“We aren’t sure of the exact molecular effects exercise has on prostate cancer, but exercise is known to influence a number of hormones hypothesized to stimulate prostate cancer, boost immune function, and reduce inflammation,” she added.

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