Hawaii Personal Injury Blog - Children

When Will Big Tobacco Stop Going After Kids - FDA Bans Flavored Cigarettes

Wayne Parsons — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:34:52 GMT

USA Today (9/23, Rubin) reports that on Tuesday, the FDA "banned the sale of candy-, fruit- and clove-flavored cigarettes. The move was authorized by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which President Obama signed in June."

"These flavored cigarettes are a gateway for many children and young adults to become regular smokers," FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg said, according to a front-page story in the New York Times (9/23, A1, Harris). The Times reports, however, that there has been confusion among distributors as to what constitutes a cigarette, and if flavored cigars or cigarillos are affected by the ban.

The story started back in the 1950s. Cigarette executives reviewed a report from their marketing department. It said that most of their best customers began smoking between the ages of 9 and 15 years of age. It said that by the time they realize that they are addicted, its too late for them to do anything about it and they were customers for life. The obvious conclusion to these morally bankrupt millionaire tobacco executives was to design slick adds that would appeal to 9-year-olds and start shopping for a bigger yacht and a new corporate airplane.

If you thought that the Billion Dollar tobacco settlement would change these folks, you were wrong. They are back with this new gimmick to hook kids on tobacco.

The Wall Street Journal (9/23, Dooren) reports that although the FDA warned against trying to circumvent the bans by introducing similar products, some flavored cigarette-like cigars are expected to stay on the market while the confusion persists.

The Washington Post (9/23, Layton) explains that FDA officials hope the ban will "cut down on the number of children and young adults who pick up the smoking habit." Lawrence Deyton, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco, noted that "children are three times as likely as adults to smoke a flavored cigarette."

The White House's Assistant Secretary for Health, Howard Koh, called tobacco addiction a "public health catastrophe," ABC News (9/22, Hartman) reported on its website. Koh "put the cigarette industry on notice that this is just the beginning of a 'new chapter in public health efforts at tobacco control.'" Deyton noted that the FDA "will soon require...cigarette makers to turn over information about the 'constituent components of tobacco products.' The FDA will work with CDC scientists to investigate the safety of those ingredients." This is because the agency "also is considering bans on menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco," the Los Angeles Times (9/23, Hirsch) reports.

The AP (9/23, Felberbaum) notes that a law signed in June "allows the FDA to regulate the industry. Its authority includes the ability to ban certain products, reduce nicotine in tobacco products and block labels such 'low tar' and 'light.'" Tobacco companies also will be required to cover their cartons with large, graphic warnings. AFP (9/23) also covers the story.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

Death Of A Child In Hawaii

Wayne Parsons — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:05:00 GMT

Hawaii like most states witnesses teenage death and serious injury most frequently because of suicide and car crashes. A new study shows that Hawaii _ which used to be the safest place for Keiki is now not so safe for kids. When I first came to the Islands in 1967 I was blown away by the Keiki - kids. The recent Star Bulletin story by Kaylee Noborikawa will break hearts across the State of Hawaii. Nothing matters more in the Islands than the safety of the kids!

In 2006 and 2007 kids death rates increased significantly according to the new Kids Count study. If you want the total picture, go to the Kids Count Data Center.

The teen death rate rose to 57 per 100,000 teens (ages 15-19) in 2006, compared with a rate of 37 a year earlier -- resulting in Hawaii losing the best ranking, according to the Kids Count report released yesterday by the Ann E. Casey Foundation. The number of deaths per 100,000 children (ages 1-14) increased in 2006 by 31 percent to 21 deaths from 16 deaths per 100,000 children in 2005.

Loretta Fuddy, state Family Health Services Division chief, said the leading cause of death for teens in Hawaii is traffic accidents, followed by suicide. For children, the primary cause of death is related to conditions at birth, but motor vehicle deaths rank fourth.

"It's a growing concern for Hawaii as we see more reports of motor vehicle incidents related to speeding, use of substances while driving, and young children that are not using appropriate seat belt restraints," Fuddy said.

Hawaii went from #1 for lowest teen death rate in 2004 and 2005, to #13 in the latest Kids Count report.

The 20th annual data book compared statistics from 2007 to measure children's welfare across the nation. Hawaii's overall ranking dropped to 18th, compared with 13th in 2006.

The study showed that the teen birthrate in Hawaii increased in 2006 to 41 from 36 in 2005 for every 1,000 births by 15-to-19-year-olds.

"I think we need to support teens in making healthy life choices and be prepared before they make the choice to engage in sexual activity," said Fuddy.

Hawaii improved in five indicators since last year's study and ranked in the top 10 in four categories.

The state placed second in the nation for lowest percentage of children in poverty, defined as a four-member family with an income below $21,027.

But Sylvia Yuen, the Hawaii Kids Count coordinator and director of Center on the Family, said the Kids Count percentage is "really, really understated." A family of four in Hawaii would need $57,893 to cover bare minimum expenses, she said, citing research from Center on the Family.

"The data is accurate in the sense they used federal poverty guidelines, but the cost of living is higher in Hawaii," Yuen added.

The state placed third for high school dropouts (ages 16-19) at 4 percent in 2007, compared with a national average of 7 percent. Hawaii also placed 10th for infant mortality rate and percentage of children in single-parent families.

Other indicators that improved include the percent of low birth-weight babies and the number of children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment, which includes children living with a single parent or neither parent. Children under 18 fall into this category if the parent they live with worked less than 35 hours a week and less than 50 weeks in the prior year.

"I think that we're doing pretty good, but we really should aim higher. We should be No. 1 in terms of providing the kind of supporting environment and nurturing that our keiki deserve," Yuen said.

New Hampshire, Minnesota and Utah ranked in the top three of the report, while Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi placed last on the list.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

Wiihabilitation Comes To Honolulu!

Wayne Parsons — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:08:08 GMT

In 2007 Nintendo got the good news that its innovative Wii video game had been acknowledged by physical therapists as a tool in the health and rehabilitation of their patients.

Nintendo Wii Adopted By Physical Therapists for Patients

Despite all the stories that claim video games are corrupting our children, plenty of good news regarding video games is also surfacing lately, much of due to Nintendo's charge to expand its market to non gamers. This was spurred on by the success of games like 'Brain Age' among senior citizens, and now the Wii is finding even more success in strange places, like physical therapy offices.

Some therapists are now using the device as a fun prescription, a means to force patients to focus on things like balance and coordination and do so in a confined space. The bowling game in 'Wii Sports,' for example, requires good timing and some reasonably precise movements, and, best of all, can be played without swinging a real bowling ball around.

Now law firms across the country associated with the Injury Board have been participating in a Wii Give Away to get the devices into nursing homes, senior citizen centers, rehabilitation hospitals and other places where there is a need and funds are inadequate to buy the devices.

Today in Kalihi my law office along with Termimesh Hawaii, a termite business I am involved with, will donate a Wii to Maluhia nursing home. The residents at Maluhia will be able to get exercise and have fun with the Wii, both important goals for our senior citizens who often lack activities in these settings.

The concept of Wii devices as rehabilitation and exercise tools is not just happening in Hawaii as you can see from this Blogger named Geeksugar:

I already knew that senior citizens would rather play the Wii over bridge, but did you know that Wiihabilitation is also taking the country by storm? For James Mann, a patient at Wake Med Health Park in Raleigh, N.C., playing the Nintendo Wii is not only a great source of fun, but it's also helping him recover from a stroke. Shown here with recreational therapist Elizabeth Penny (see pics below), James takes part in games of Wii baseball to help him with his balance, coordination and the strengthening of his arms — how great is this?! And as soon as I get my hands on Wii Fit, I'll be working on my abs, butt and thighs!

What is Wiihabilitation?

Wiihabilitation, as it's called, can be used for patients who are recovering from broken bones, surgery, strokes, or other ailments and injuries. The Wii Sports games, such as tennis, baseball, boxing, and golf are the most useful, and it's great for patients of all ages, too, since the games are pretty simple. So the next time you break a leg, don't be surprised if your physical therapist hands you a Wii controller.

The Injury Board has made this a national Wii give away: Brayton Purcell, in Conjunction with InjuryBoard's "Wii" Care Drive, Selects the North Bay Children's Center as Wii Recipient:

Novato, CA (PRWEB) August 17, 2009 -- As a member of the consumer safety community InjuryBoard, Brayton Purcell has joined 52 law firms from 25 states to donate more than 60 Nintendo Wii gaming systems to rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, hospitals and community organizations across the United States. Brayton Purcell is donating a Wii gaming system to the North Bay Children's Center's (NBCC) Novato campus, a community organization that provides a unique and educational environment for local youth.

The Wii was selected because of its ability to be used as a tool that can promote physical activity and social interaction. This fits with NBCC's child development philosophy, where age-appropriate programs include activities to enhance a child's social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. "The Wii will further enhance NBCC's Health and Nutrition program with opportunities for additional indoor physical activity," said Susan Gilmore, Executive Director of NBCC. "Wii Fit combines fitness with fun while promoting hand-eye coordination, balance, body strengthening, and aerobic exercise. We are excited to be able to provide children access to this popular educational game, which many of them do not have at home."

The attorneys who comprise The Injury Board believe in the motto of Doing Well By Doing Good and stress community involvment in all aspects of community life, particularly in the area of the needs of children and senior citizens.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

House subcommittee finds elevated lead levels in D.C. children.

Wayne Parsons — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:27:13 GMT

The Washington Post (8/4, Leonnig) reports that congressional investigators have found that "more than twice" the previously reported number of D.C. children were "found to have high levels of lead in their blood," which throws "into doubt assurances by those officials that the lead in tap water did not seriously harm city children." The discovery was made by "a House subcommittee investigating the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's performance and has raised congressional concern about whether the agency properly alerted District residents to a health risk from unprecedented levels of lead in the water." The Post says that "the subcommittee's investigators uncovered the higher figures by seeking the data directly from all D.C. labs that analyze local test results," despite some blood tests taken in 2003 that "were inexplicably missing from D.C. government files." The CDC and the D.C. Department of Health used partial data to publish "a paper reporting that they were not finding a significant increase in children with dangerous lead levels." Rep. Brad Miller (D-N.C.), chairman of the investigations and oversight subcommittee of the House Science and Technology Committee, "said the new findings raise questions about the CDC's performance."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

Scientists Uncover How Staph Infections Change Our Immune System

Wayne Parsons — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:33:02 GMT

Attorneys handling personal injury and medical malpractice cases often get calls from patients who have contracted a Staph infection in a hospital and often after a surgery. Of course the patient is upset and sometimes the matter can be attributed to negligence by the hospital of medical staff. But most of these unfortunate situations are not medical malpractice cases. Staph is nearly impossible to completely control in hospitals and most of the time it happens despite the best efforts to prevent it from infecting a surgical site. I encourage anyone with questions about the cause of a Staph infection , particularly MRSA acquired at a hospital to have an attorney that handles medical malpractice to investigate it _ an initial evaluation is always free _ but be prepared to hear back from the lawyer that there may not be any provable negligence. Here an explanation of the super bug Staph called MRSA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCREe5lHqjw

So what do doctors know about Staph infections. Doctors and researchers specializing in infectious disease at UT Southwestern Medical Center studied the gene profiles of children with severe Staphylococcus aureus infections, and mapped the genes. This work has led to new understanding of the mechanisms that the human immune system uses when confronted with the Staph pathogen. This knowledge will lead to new treatments. As reported in Science Daily:

In recent years, much research has focused on understanding precisely what the bacterium S. aureus does within the host to disrupt the immune system. Despite considerable advances, however, it remained unclear how the host's immune system responded to the infection and why some people are apt to get more severe staphylococcal infections than others.

By using gene expression profiling, a process that summarizes how individual genes are being activated or suppressed in response to the infection, UT Southwestern researchers pinpointed how an individual's immune system responds to a S. aureus infection at the genetic level.

"The beauty of our study is that we were able to use existing technology to understand in a real clinical setting what's going on in actual humans – not models, not cells, not mice, but humans," said Dr. Monica Ardura, instructor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern and lead author of the study available online in PLoS One. "We have provided the first description of a pattern of response within an individual's immune system that is very consistent, very reproducible and very intense."

What comprises the human immune system?

Innate system: Immediate defense against infection
Adaptive system: Memory cells that attack subsequent infections.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGfRd4UJDMc

The UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers found that in the face of a Staph infection the Innate System becomes extremely active and the Adaptive System is suppressed. They determined this by using a gene chip called a microarray with some ribonucleic acid from a drop of the patient's blood to scan the entire human genome of the patient. In this way they could which genes were turned on and which turned off.

"It's a very sophisticated and complex dysregulation of the immune system, but our findings prove that there's consistency in the immune response to the staphylococcus bacterium," Dr. Ardura said. "Now that we know how the immune system responds, the question is whether we can use this to predict patient outcomes or differentiate the sickest patients from the less sick ones. How can we use this knowledge to develop better therapies?"

The children were babies and up to 15 years. There were 43 boys and 34 girls and they had both methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) Staph infections. Dr. Ardura stressed that more research is needed because the results represent a one-time snapshot of what's going on in the cell during an invasive staphylococcal infection.

"The median time to get the blood sample was day four because we wanted to make sure the hospitalized children had a S. aureus infection, and its takes four days to have final identification of the bacterial pathogen," she said.

The next step, Dr. Ardura said, is to study those dynamics in patients before, during and after infection. They also hope to understand better how various staph-infection therapies affect treatment.

"This is a very important proof-of-concept that the information is there for us to grab," Dr. Ardura said. "Now we have to begin to understand what that data tells us."

The work was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Lupus Research and the Baylor Health Care System Foundation.

Adapted from materials provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center

MLA UT Southwestern Medical Center (2009, July 17). How Staph Infections Alter Immune System. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 17, 2009, from

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

FDA says three atypical antipsychotic medications may be effective in children, but carry risks.

Wayne Parsons — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:37:49 GMT

The Wall Street Journal (6/5, Dooren) reported that on June 5, staff from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that three medications "currently approved to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in adults were effective at treating the disorders in children and adolescents, but carry significant risks." The FDA is now "considering applications for AstraZeneca PLC's Seroquel [quetiapine] and Eli Lilly and Co.'s Zyprexa [olanzapine] to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in children and adolescents, and Pfizer, Inc.'s Geodon [ziprasidone] to treat bipolar disorder in children 10 to 17." On June 9-10, "an FDA panel of outside medical experts is scheduled to meet to discuss" these atypical antipsychotics, and will be "asked to vote on whether each product is safe and effective for children ages 10 to 17." According to the agency and the pharmaceutical makers, "studies showed the products were effective at treating the symptoms of bipolar and schizophrenia," but "all had side effects," including "sedation and weight gain."

The AP (6/6, Perrone) added that the "FDA released its review of the three drugs ahead of a meeting Tuesday where outside experts will weigh in on the" medications' "risks and benefits. The agency is not required to follow the group's advice, though it usually does." On Friday, "FDA reviewers said...they were wary of exposing youngsters to the" medicines' "side effects, including weight gain and high blood sugar, 'because they may be exposed for many decades.'" In documents posted online, Thomas Laughren, MD, FDA director for psychiatric products, wrote, "These risks are of particular concern in pediatric patients because of the lifelong nature of these disorders." Currently, some physicians "already prescribe the medications to children and adolescents, although regulators have not officially cleared that use."

According to Bloomberg News (6/6, Larkin), atypical antipsychotics "were introduced for adults in the mid-1990s and touted having fewer neurological side effects than older" medications. For years, the FDA "grappled with pediatric use...because of concerns that the weight gain, sleepiness, and movement disorders reported as side effects in adults may be more pronounced in children." Therefore, the agency "asked its Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee to vote whether the companies' studies prove their products are effective and 'acceptably' safe for the pediatric uses being sought." Bloomberg News pointed out that "more than half of the 589-page staff review posted" Friday focused "on Zyprexa, Lilly's biggest product, with $4.7 billion in sales last year."

In the Wall Street Journal (6/5) Health Blog, Shirley S. Wang observed, "Recent studies of effectiveness have shown that the antipsychotics aren't as good as previously believed." In an email to the Health Blog, Thomas Insel, MD, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, wrote, "They reduce some symptoms for some people, but they help too few people recover." Dr. Insel went on to explain that "using antipsychotics in children is a 'tough balance' between the risk vs. the benefits of the medicines." Specifically, "with current antipsychotics you risk either metabolic side effects or neurological side effects," Dr. Insel said, emphasizing that "in children, the balance needs to favor minimizing risks." As of right now, "only two antipsychotics, J&J's Risperdal [risperidone] and Bristol-Myers's Abilify [aripiprazole], are approved for use in children," Wang noted.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

Environmental Working Group Protects Babies From BPA Illnesses

Wayne Parsons — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:51:03 GMT

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has recently focused on children and bisphenol-A (BPA). I want EWG at the table, advocating for our kids - and yours - so their health is no longer compromised by toxic chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA), which is dangerous to kids' growing bodies, implicated in diseases and problems such as diabetes, heart disease, neurological disorders, and cancer.

Feeding our children should be about choosing first foods, messy bibs, and learning to use a cup - not keeping tabs on scientific research to avoid harmful chemicals like BPA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3_cYZKksvI

I'm impressed by EWG's track record. EWG works hard, and smart to pass strong laws that protect American families from chemicals like BPA.

Plus, their cutting-edge research and constant presence in Congress has played a major role in some important wins:

Six U.S. baby bottle makers agreed to stop making their polycarbonate (#7) plastic products with BPA.
CT, NJ, and MN have passed statewide BPA legislation aimed at protecting children and families.

BPA remains in the lining of aluminum baby formula cans and many other food and drink containers. We're grateful that EWG is working on important legislation in California and Washington, DC that would virtually eliminate BPA from baby feeding products.

Now is absolutely the time to contribute to EWG. They need your support to work against the well-funded chemical lobby and eliminate BPA as a threat to our children.

The Washington Post was able to procure the internal notes of a private meeting that involved “frustrated industry executives huddled for hours” working to minimize consumer anxiety over BPA, it said. The Post also reported that the group was concerned with young mothers since that demographic is both generally in charge of household purchasing and most concerned with health issues.

Citing an unidentified participant, the notes stated, said the Washington Post, that those in attendance, “believe a balance of legislative and grassroots outreach [to mothers 21 to 35 years old and students] is imperative to the stability of their industry; however, the association members continue to struggle to initiate research and develop a clear-cut plan to defend their industry,” The team looked at ideas such as “using fear tactics [e.g. “Do you want to have access to baby food anymore?” and finances, by offering the choice between expensive non BPA packaging (frozen and fresh foods) and cheaper canned products, according to the notes, said The Post, which added that the public campaign spokesperson would be, a “pregnant young mother … willing to speak around the country about the benefits of BPA.”

We just reported that, according to the LA Times, a study confirmed what experts have long suspected, containers made with BPA leach the chemical into the liquids being held, even when not heated. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, BPA exposure has been shown to interfere with reproductive development in animals and has been linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans.

Despite industry’s arguments that BPA is safe at current dosages, the ever-present chemical has been linked to an increased risk of brain, reproductive, and immune systems diseases and disorders; problems with liver function testing; and interruptions in chemotherapy treatment. BPA is also associated with serious health problems based on 130 studies conducted in the past decade and newer research found BPA to have negative effects at “very low doses,” lower than the FDA’s current safety standards. Studies also revealed BPA stays in the body longer than previously believed.

Join me today in supporting EWG Action Fund. I'm glad they're on our side - and want them to stay there.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

Suicide spurs investigation of "chemical restraints" in Florida foster care system.

Wayne Parsons — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:43:13 GMT

The Miami Herald (5/29) reports, "Nearly three of 10 teenage Florida foster children have been prescribed a mental-health drug, and 73 foster kids younger than 6 are taking mind-altering drugs, according to a study released Thursday in response to the death of a Broward foster child who was taking such medications." In total, "13 percent of Florida foster children -- are being given powerful psychiatric drugs, said the study, commissioned last month by Department of Children & Families Secretary George Sheldon. The largest group, almost 60 percent, are teens ages 13 to 17." Sheldon said there were "serious questions" over the "use of mental-health drugs on children. Many such drugs have never been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use on children, and many are linked to serious side effects."

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (5/29) reports, "More local foster children are on psychotropic medications than the state average, according to a state review done following the suicide of a 7-year-old foster child in South Florida." Rachel Smith, interim chief executive officer of Community Partnership for Children, the local foster care agency, "said she was surprised the local numbers are higher than the state average and the agency will be looking into why that is the case." The drugs in question "affect the central nervous system and can change behavior or perception. They are prescribed for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions. Some are used to alleviate pain." Smith said, "The biggest surprise is the younger kids."

The Florida Times-Union (5/29, Larrabee) reports, "Almost 2,700 foster children are on psychiatric medicines, including hundreds in Northeast Florida, even though the agency has no authority to give the drugs to more than 16 percent of those children, according to a state report issued Thursday." Locally, "in the Fourth Circuit, which is Duval, Clay and Nassau counties, 205 children in foster care are taking at least one psychotropic drug. That number is 136 for the Seventh Circuit, comprised of St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and Volusia counties, and 76 in the Eighth Circuit of Baker, Union, Bradford, Gilchrist, Alachua and Levy counties."

The Jacksonville Observer (5/29) notes that "for the general population, about 4 percent to 5 percent of children are placed on psychotropic drugs."

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (5/29, Burstein) reports that the children are being "given the medications without the court order or parental consent mandated by law, according to a study released Thursday by the state Department of Children & Families." DCF Secretary George Sheldon said there was "no rational basis" for the practice.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

FDA requiring black-box warnings for two testosterone gel products.

Wayne Parsons — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:09:27 GMT

The Wall Street Journal (5/8, Favole) reports, "The Food and Drug Administration is forcing strong warnings on two testosterone gel products after receiving reports of children who had inappropriate genitalia enlargement or became aggressive after getting exposed to the products." In a press release, the agency announced that it "is requiring the makers of AndroGel 1% and Testim 1% to provide black-box warnings, the agency's strongest, on the products' label to alert patients to the side effects if children are exposed to the products indirectly." Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's drug research division, noted that although "these drugs are approved for an important medical need," they "can have serious, unintended side effects if not used properly."

In the Los Angeles Times (5/7) Booster Shots blog, Melissa Healy wrote that the gel is "approved for the treatment of men with testosterone deficiency but also widely used to enhance libido and sexual performance in men and women." The warnings will caution users "that they should not cradle, hug or provide bareback piggyback rides to babies and children after applying the gel to the arms, shoulders or abdomen, as prescribed." The FDA claims that children "can develop pubic hair, enlarged genitalia, increased libido, premature bone aging and...aggressive behavior" after coming in contact with the gel.

Bloomberg News (5/8, Larkin) reports, "While patients have been advised to wash their hands after use, more than 20 reports of side effects in young children were reported to the agency since 2000, mostly following direct contact with treated skin." Most of these reports "reviewed by the FDA involved adults cuddling or holding boys and girls after applying the gels," but "one case may have stemmed from children touching clothing, the agency said." Regulators also noted that although "side effects usually go away after children are no longer exposed to the gels."

But, according to the AP (5/8, Alonso-Zaldivar), "the FDA said it received reports of eight cases since the beginning of December in which children were accidentally exposed to testosterone gels," and "in some children, enlarged sex organs did not return to their appropriate size." Furthermore, "bone age remained somewhat higher than the child's chronological age," the agency claimed. Health officials are urging "pregnant women, and those who may become pregnant" to "avoid any exposure, since it could lead to birth defects."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons

Hawaii "Brownfields" - Land Contaminated by Pesticides,Hazardous Chemicals or Pollutants Receives Grant for Cleanup

Wayne Parsons — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:47:25 GMT

A study has shown that Hawaii women suffer higher cancer rates due to pesticide use so when I read that the EPA is giving money to clean up pesticide contaminated land, I know that this is a small step toward better health for Hawaii's families. You can read about the study at:

Breast Cancer Risk in Hawaii Linked to Pesticides in Drinking Water and Indoor Air

A Comment to that article was particularly meaningful to me:

The woman I loved died of breast cancer eight years ago. At the time we had thought that Monsanto was the only corporation that knowingly endangering the public (with RBGH, given to dairy cows). They got away with this due to too little regulation, and it ended because the public was informed and took action, e.g. boycotted milk with RBGH.
This is not to say that she died from drinking milk with RBGH, but that companies that produce anything which ends up in our systems must be regulated!
Thank you for this informative article. -- Rod

My wife also died of cancer. She was the healthiest person I have ever met. Did pesticides cause her cancer? Probably. Hard to prove though. Cancer takes a long time to develop. I know how Rod feels. I share his pain and I write this article in hope of a better and safer community as we go forward.

Time is the problem with pesticides. It is hard to prove what causes a particular cancer. And the builders and government agencies that are building homes and schools this year and in past years put keeping costs down and meeting this year's budget ahead of public health.

They know that it is unlikely that anyone will be able to prove that their decision to use pesticides and save money led to the death of a person from cancer many years later. And, as Rod points out, the pesticides are "legal" because the regulation is weak and the chemical companies are powerful and wealthy. So what we need is a combination of better government regulation and a more moral attitude by those building in Hawaii.

So here is some good news on pesticides and cancer. In a press release by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is Washington DC on 08 May 2009. over $111 million in grants were announced:

Old Oahu Sugar storage facility

... to help communities clean up sites known as Brownfields, which may be contaminated by hazardous chemicals or pollutants. Communities in 46 states, four tribes, and two U.S. Territories will share in these grants to help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, turning them from problem properties to productive business and community institutions. The grants include $37.3 million from the Recovery Act and $74.6 million from the EPA Brownfields general program funding.

“Cleaning and reusing contaminated properties provides the catalyst to improving the lives of residents living in or near Brownfields communities,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “A revitalized Brownfields site reduces threats to human health and the environment, creates green jobs, promotes community involvement, and attracts investment in local neighborhoods.”

"Recovery Act and brownfields program funds are helping clean up distressed properties so they can be productively reused for community benefit,” said Laura Yoshii, acting Regional Administrator for the U.S. EPA in the Pacific Southwest. “By revitalizing and restoring neighborhoods nationwide, the EPA continues to put both people and property back to work – creating a better environment and brighter future for the next generation of Americans."

The EPA designated Francisco Arcaute as contact for more information: (213) 244 1815

The EPA has a great deal of information on Brownfields that is worth reading:

With certain legal exclusions and additions, the term "brownfield site" means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

The definition comes from a federal law: Public Law 107-118 (H.R. 2869) - "Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act" signed into law January 11, 2002.

The Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is receiving $200,000 for the East Kapolei pesticide mixing and loading area cleanup. Hawaii has suffered an unusual amount of pesticide contamination from the years of plantation agriculture and from significant domestic insect problems led by the Formosan subterranean termite that causes over $100,000,000 in property damage and associated costs in the Islands.

The land involved in East Kapolei was used as a fertilizer storage and mixing area for Oahu sugar company.

Its planned use is for residential, commercial, and recreational activities as part of future East Kapolei development proposed by HCDCH. The contamination is from arsenic, atrazine, dioxins, pentachorophenol and trifluralin and the risk level is described by the EPA as "HIGH". The details are that:

Preliminary assessment completed for pesticide mixing/loading site (June 93). Site inspection, site screening conducted in July and Oct 2000. Field sampling plan in progress. Field sampling and site investigation still needed. Ametryn was previously detected in the soil at levels above action limits by the Dept of Agriculture in 1990. Sampling conducted by the HEER Office in 1997 indicated the presence of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and arsenic above regulatory action levels and tentatively indicated the presence of dioxins. Confirmatory dioxin analyses of these samples verified the presence of high concentrations. The site has been fenced and locked, and warning signs have been posted. Due to the elevated dioxin concentrations, the HEER Office issued an Order to Oahu Sugar Company to fully characterize the site. A supplemental sampling event was conducted by the HEER Office in September 1999. EPA is conducting additional sampling for dioxins, as well as some other compounds, as part of a dioxin test method study. DLNR, the site owner, is currently preparing to cover the site as an interim remedial measure.

Although this is an agricultural contamination a lot of what is in the list of contaminants are actually pesticides which brings me to talk about termites. Subterranean termites to be accurate. They are a current pesticide contamination issue.

The Formosan subterranean termite does not move around by itself much as its nests in the ground are immovable and the termites don't migrate far from each nest. But termites travel with wood that is moved from place to place and ships from Asia brought the Formosan termites to Kahalui, Maui in the 1800s. The Formosan subterranean termite now is well established on all Islands in Hawaii and they are virtually impossible to kill off due to extremely complex defense mechanisms and re-population methods.

The pesticide contamination in and around homes, schools and office buildings is intense. About 300 gallons of pesticide is required under and around every 1,000 square feet of building foundation. A typical home has about 2,000 square feet of foundation. Since the pesticide lasts on from 1 to 10 years, it must be reapplied by drilling through the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room floors and injecting more pesticide every 2 to 8 years. The pesticide is also reapplied around the perimeter of the foundation in the soil. That application around homes and schools opens up the kids and family members who live and play in the area to pesticide exposure and health related problems. And toxic air getting to the skin and lungs of kids is created when the chemicals vapors waft up through the foundation into homes and school classrooms. Indoor air quality is important.

In this way all of Hawaii's homes and schools are Brownfields but little can be done about that other than to stop using the pesticides. Non pesticide alternatives exist but builders, government officials and architects usually decide to use the cheaper pesticide method rather that use a chemical free approach such as the Termimesh stainless steel wire mesh method or Basaltic Termite Barrier, a finely graded basalt rock method.

The EPA explains the grants:

The grants will help to assess, cleanup and redevelop abandoned, contaminated properties known as brownfields. Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. In addition, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002 expanded the definition of a brownfield to include mine-scarred lands or sites contaminated by petroleum or the manufacture of illegal drugs. Grant recipients are selected through a national competition. The Brownfields Program encourages development of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009, and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at Recovery.gov.

Now if we can get the new construction in Hawaii to avoid chemical use we will be making real progress. That will only happen if people speak up on the issue. Buying a new home? Tell the builders and Realtors as you shop that you want a pesticide free home. That is how you vote with your dollars and that vote will be heard. And also write the DOE and tell them to protect school kids from pesticides. Kids, with their small organs and a long life ahead of them are most seriously affected by pesticides and their cancers won't develop until they are in their 20s or 30s.

More information on brownfields cleanup revolving loan fund pilots and grants and other brownfields activities under the Recovery Act: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/eparecovery/index.htm.

Additional information on the EPA Region 9 brownfields recipients and their projects is available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/index.cfm

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wayne Parsons