This paper will contribute to the Developmental Disorders Committee meeting in September, 2008, as they discuss FASD’s inclusion in the DSM.As requested by Dr. Moss, MOFAS is seeking first-person narratives from individuals living with FASD and/or parents, family members, caregivers, and practitioners who work with FASD in order to personalize the argument. Stories that specifically addresses experiences with inaccurate diagnosis, inaccurate treatment (medicinal, psychiatric, social), reimbursement our resource limitations, and hardships with the educational, judicial, or social system will be the most useful in highlighting the importance of including FASD in the DSM-V.For more information, contact MOFAS at:MOFAS
1885 University Ave.
Suite 395
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Fax: 651-917-2405
Email: mofas@mofas.org

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Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT

Teleconference Description

Scientific research and experience has clearly established that environmental contaminates can cause developmental disorders. The LDDI Scientific consensus statement outlines the current scientific understanding of the links between environmental factors and learning and developmental disabilities. It also identifies important research areas that hold promise of further advancing our understanding of these links. This statement is intended as a guide to scientists, medical professionals, policymakers, public health advocates, and the general public in advancing their efforts to address the important individual and social issues raised by learning and developmental disabilities.The Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders, developed by the Collaborative on Health and the Environment’s Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (also posted at http://www.iceh.org/LDDI.html). The statement, which has a glossary and over 200 references, was drafted and reviewed by a committee of scientists and health professionals documenting underscoring the following:Given established scientific knowledge, protecting children from neurotoxic exposures from the earliest stages of fetal development is clearly an essential public health measure. By reducing environmental factors that may lead to learning and developmental disorders, we will create a healthier environment in which all children can reach and maintain their full potential.This presentation will review the Consensus Statement and existing evidence that environmental contaminates can cause learning and developmental disorders.

Speaker BiographySteven G. Gilbert, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., Director and Founder of the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders (INND), received a Ph.D. in Toxicology in 1986 from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, and is a Diplomat of American Board of Toxicology. He is an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington and Affiliate Professor, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, UW Bothell. He is a former owner and President of Biosupport, LTD., which he sold to SNBL USA Ltd. These firms were involved in pre-clinical contract research, toxicology, and specialized model development. Dr. Gilbert’s research has focused on neurobehavioral effects of low-level exposure to lead and mercury on the developing nervous system. His book, A Small Dose of Toxicology- The Health Effects of Common Chemicals was published in 2004 (www.asmalldoseof.org). Most recently he has started a wiki based web site Toxipedia (www.toxipedia.org) with the mission of connecting science and people and Healthy World Theater (www.healthyworldtheater.org). (sgilbert@innd.org).

WHEN: Tuesday July 8^{th, 2008TIME: 2-3pm Eastern Time (Please dial in a few minutes before 2:00 p.m. so we can start on time!)}

^{Moderator: Laura Abulafia, MHS}

^{Toll Free: 1.800.868.1837}

^{Direct Dial: 1.404.920.6440 Pass Code: 235 362#COST: FREE!MATERIAL: Go to the Initiative website at www.ehinitiative.org and click on the button that says next teleconference. There you will find the announcement with logistical information and the presentation under “materials” to down load or follow along on your computer. For more information on the teleconference series or AAIDD’s Environmental Health Initiative, contact: Laura Abulafia at Laura@aaidd.org or visit the website at www.ehinitiative.org. Thank you.}

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This is a press release from CDC

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The federal Centers for Disease Control has recommended that some artificial turf athletic fields be tested for lead.

The CDC recommended testing of any field containing worn or faded turf blades that are made of nylon or nylon-blend fibers. Nylon fields with visible dust should also be tested, the agency said in a health advisory posted online late Wednesday.

The guidelines come two months after New Jersey health officials found unexpectedly high lead levels in turf fibers of three athletic fields. Subsequent tests showed the lead found in the turf can be absorbed by humans.

New Jersey epidemiologist Dr. Eddy Bresnitz said the lead levels were not high enough to cause poisoning in people who play on the fields. But he said the levels could cause more damage in children already exposed to lead.

Additional tests are being done to better understand the absorption of lead from turf products.

The tests done by New Jersey health officials found potentially hazardous lead levels only on worn nylon and nylon-blend athletic fields. The CDC did not recommend testing artificial turf fields made from polyethylene or nylon fields that are not visibly worn.

“As determined by New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, limited sampling of additional athletic fields in New Jersey and commercial products indicates that artificial turf made of nylon or nylon/polyethylene blend fibers contains levels of lead that pose a potential public health concern,” the CDC advisory states. “Tests of artificial turf fields made with only polyethylene fibers showed that these fields contained very low levels of lead.”

New Jersey found itself at the forefront of the issue after state health authorities stumbled onto the lead while investigating whether runoff from a scrap-metal operation in Newark had contaminated an adjacent playing field.

Pigment containing lead chromate is used in some surfaces to make the grass green and hold its color in sunlight. But it is not clear how widely the compound is used. The New Jersey Health Department found lead in three nylon fields it tested, but in none of the 10 polyethylene surfaces it examined.

The three fields in New Jersey were voluntarily ripped up and replaced.

The CDC said no cases of elevated blood lead levels in children have been linked to artificial turf.

The artificial turf industry has said its products are safe because the lead used to color the turf is encapsulated within the blades.

State authorities requested more comprehensive testing on a federal level, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission agreed.

The agency is looking into the possible health hazards of lead in artificial turf installed at schools, parks and stadiums across the country.

Those results are pending.

The CDC acknowledges that it does not fully understand the potential risks associated with exposure to dust from worn artificial turf.

To minimize the risk of exposure, it suggests that field managers water down fields and use other dust-suppression measures.

For people who play on turf fields, the CDC recommends thoroughly washing hands and showering immediately afterward, turning clothes inside out and washing them separately from other laundry, that athletic shoes be left outside, and that drinking containers be covered and kept in a bag or cooler when not being used.

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People diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have neuropsychological deficits that may contribute to increased risk for suicide. This paper describes clinical profiles of eleven individuals with FASD and differentiates six who attempted suicide from five who did not, with regard to risk and protective factors. Attempters were more likely to have mental health disorders, substance abuse disorders, a history of trauma or abuse, financial stress, and unstable social support compared to non-attempters. We discuss ways in which clinicians can reduce risk among individuals with FASD by modifying standard suicide assessment and intervention protocols to accommodate the person’s deficits.

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Teleconference DescriptionSchools may pose respiratory hazards for their occupants. Dampness and mold, pests and pesticides, and the resulting poor indoor air quality may be uncomfortable for some, but a more serious health hazard for others, especially children and adults with asthma. There is a growing body of literature that shows that schools themselves may contribute to making asthma worse. Evidence from the occupational literature shows new onset asthma as well as work-aggravated asthma among school staff, often attributed to work. Indoor air quality studies in schools document these exposures as well as pollutant emissions from cafeterias, wood shops, gyms, swimming pools, science labs, and arts and crafts activities.

Conditions can be improved, by identifying the hazards and remediating them, but officials have to recognize the hazards and risks and take steps to abate them. Advocates have to make the technical information accessible to the people who need it—parents, children, custodial staff, unions and administration. The information has to be accurate, understandable and help lead people to action. This combination of technical and popular is frequently a challenge. This teleconference will review the peer reviewed literature on respiratory hazards in schools, and provide general guidance on how to use information to help things change. Examples from the Boston Public Schools, in collaboration with Healthy Schools Network, Boston Urban Asthma Coalition and Massachusetts Asthma Advocacy Partnership will be used to describe the challenges and successes.

Speaker BiographyTolle Graham is an occupational health and environmental trainer at MassCOSH, the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health. MassCOSH is a coalition of unions, occupational health and legal professionals, and community groups who are dedicated to improving workplace health and safety and building healthy communities. Tolle has worked at MassCOSH for 20 years. Tolle Graham provides training and technical assistance to schools concerning indoor air quality and environmental problems and helps schools establish environmental health and safety policies and procedures. As a Steering Committee member of the Boston Urban Asthma Coalition and the Massachusetts Asthma Advocacy Partnership, Tolle has brought together health professionals, parents, community groups and school staff to address asthma, health and wellness in the school environment. She is also the Coordinator of the Massachusetts Healthy Schools Network, a statewide advocacy coalition working on design, construction and maintenance for healthy high performance “green” schools.

Elise Pechter is the supervisor of the work-related asthma (WRA) program in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP) in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. With funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in CDC, OHSP has conducted surveillance of WRA since 1993 and collaborates with other state occupational health surveillance programs to identify industries, occupations and exposures associated with asthma in the workplace. This surveillance system has played a pivotal role in identifying industries and occupations that pose risks for workers for developing new onset asthma, as well as work-aggravated asthma. An article published last year reported that 9% (265 cases) of confirmed WRA cases in MA, CA, MI and NJ (1993-2000) were employed in educational services (Mazurek et al AJIM 2007). As a certified industrial hygienist, Elise Pechter focuses on the exposures associated with asthma, and methods to promote prevention. OHSP works within the Massachusetts health department to ensure that asthma program activities include consideration of adults and their work.

WHEN: Tuesday June 17^{th, 2008 TIME: 2-3pm Eastern Time (Please dial in a few minutes before 2:00 p.m. so we can start on time!)Moderator: Laura Abulafia, MHS}

Toll Free: 1.800.868.1837

Direct Dial: 1.404.920.6440

Pass Code: 445 575#

COST: FREE!

MATERIAL: Go to the Initiative website at ^{www.ehinitiative.org and click on the button that says next teleconference. There you will find the announcement with logistical information and the presentation under “materials” to down load or follow along on your computer. For more information on the teleconference series or AAIDD’s Environmental Health Initiative, contact: Laura Abulafia at Laura@aaidd.org or visit the website at www.ehinitiative.org. Thank you.}

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Click on the report below

cmwf-5-08-child-health-scorecard.pdf

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ped-emer-care-2008.pdf

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