[Pharmwaste] Babies and phthalate - 7 articles

Wed Feb 6 15:40:44 EST 2008

 Hello, 

 It's Helen Chickering, the NBC medical correspondent who came knocking on the door last fall looking for resources on Prescription Drug Disposal. The story journey and the resources/insight you provided has changed my career path in a way that enables me to produce better stories (although not longer - which is often the killer here).  Thanks to you all! 

 I'm knocking again. I noted Deborah's list noting the phthalate study media coverage. I'd love to get your thoughts about the study and the media coverage.  

 I've pitched a follow-up story to the phthalate study that was released this week. It will focus on chemical compounds like phthalates and bph - the ones that hit the headlines with heavy hype.  

The angle that I've pitched - The study headlines sound scary - but what do they really mean?  How can the lay public get through the hype/complicated research?  

Areas of focus: What are these chemical compounds? (as most folks haven't a clue)... Where can we find them - products, etc..  What do scientists know about possible harms - the facts - not extrapolations from research... and in light of a lot of "we just aren't sure yet" about potential risks - is there anything we should/can do -  I realize I won't be able to cover this all in one story - I'll be able to supplement with web information.

 I'm working on finding those answers and appreciate any insight/resources.  I'm hoping to do as many on-camera interviews as I can here in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina - since EPA, NIEHS are here, and would love any expert suggestions as it is hard to navigate the public information system and it often works better if you have a name when you make an interview request.

Kind regards,
Helen
Helen Chickering
helen.chickering at nbcuni.com
Medical Correspondent
NBC News Channel

-----Original Message-----
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[ mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us]On Behalf Of
DeBiasi,Deborah
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 2:44 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Babies and phthalate - 7 articles

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=714181

Element in lotions may enter babies' skin - Researchers suggest avoiding
use of products By SUSANNE RUST srust at journalsentinel.com
Posted: Feb. 3, 2008
Researchers are suggesting that parents hold off on the lotions, creams,
powders and shampoos they apply to their babies' skin - unless those
products are medically necessary.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-babies4feb04,0,1463634.story
Study finds high levels of chemicals in infants using baby cosmetics

By Marla Cone, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Babies exposed to lotion, shampoo and powder had more than four times
the level of phthalates in their urine as those whose parents had not
used the products. Previous research found that the substances altered
the children's hormones. February 4, 2008

http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation/story/474259.html

Posted on Sun, Feb. 03, 2008
Phthalates under fire
By KAREN UHLENHUTH
The Kansas City Star
The journal Pediatrics is reporting today that babies recently exposed
to widely used shampoos, lotions and powders had elevated levels of
compounds suspected of causing reproductive and endocrine abnormalities.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-02-03-baby-lotion_N.htm
Baby toiletries linked to chemical risk

By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY
Parents who use baby powder, lotion or shampoo on their infants may
unknowingly expose their children to controversial chemicals with
hormone-like effects, a study shows. February 4, 2008

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-te.baby04feb04,0,3158518,ful
l.story

baltimoresun.com
Effects of baby products studied
Chemical can hurt infants, study says
By Stephanie Desmon, Sun reporter
February 4, 2008

Infants whose parents applied baby lotions, powders and shampoos to
their young skin had elevated levels of a chemical believed to harm
developing endocrine and reproductive systems, according to a study
published today.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/02/03/news/doc47a68d39290da01965
6221.txt
Study: Lotions, shampoos, powders may expose infants to chemicals

Sunday, February 3, 2008 10:20 PM CST

By Lindsey Tanner
AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO -- Baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to
chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems, a
small study suggests.

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/newscience/2008/2008-0204sathyana
rayanaetal.html
Sathyanarayana, S, C Karr, P Lozano, E Brown, AM Calafat, F Liu, and SH
Swan. 2008. Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate
Exposure. Pediatrics 121:e260-e268.
Synopsis by Pete Myers, Ph.D.

Phthalate exposure is widespread in infants and use of baby care
products appears to be contributing, according to an analysis of babies'
urine. Greater use of lotions, powders and shampoos were associated with
higher phthalate levels. The associations were strongest in younger
infants

Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
FAX:      804-698-4032

_______________________________________________
Pharmwaste mailing list
Pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/pipermail/pharmwaste/attachments/20080206/2d50652e/attachment.htm