December 2009       OurFood - NEWS  Here food related news are posted.  Use the archives to search past  food reports

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29.12.2009: Deposition of melamine and cyanuric acid in human body [1]
Adulterarion of infant formula with melamine in China caused the introduction of maximum residue limits in foods for many countries.
According to Xiaowen Lv and colleagues attention should also be focused on melamine contaminated animal feed. In their recent study it was found high doses of melamine in the diet resulted in a high concentration in tissues and serum, with the maximum melamine content in the kidney. Cyanuric acid administered together with melamine had no effect on the deposition of melanine in lambs. Changing to a melamine-free diet, the melamine concentrations decreased below 20 microg/kg in all tissues after 4 days.
The data of the study may be useful for further studies on human risk of melamine exposure, say the authors.
The oral LD50 for melamine in the rat is 3161 mg/kg body weight (OECD 1998)

Cyanuric acid [2]
Cyanuric acid is classified as "essentially nontoxic". The 50% oral median lethal dose (LD50) is 7700 mg/kg in rats. However, when cyanuric acid is administered together with melamine (which by itself is another low-toxicity substance), they may form extremely insoluble crystals,[10] leading to formation of kidney stones and potentially causing kidney failure and death -- as evidenced in dogs and cats during the 2007 pet food contamination and in children during the 2008 Chinese milk scandal cases.

[1] Xiaowen Lv, Jing Wang, Lei Wu, Jing Qiu, Junguo Li, Zilin Wu, Yuchang Qin: Tissue Deposition and Residue Depletion in Lambs Exposed to Melamine and Cyanuric Acid-acid-contaminated Diets. J. Agric. Food Chem., Article ASAP. DOI: 10.1021/jf9026316 Publication Date (Web): December 28, 2009
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf9026316

[2] WHO: Melamine and Cyanuric acid: Toxicity, Preliminary Risk Assessment and Guidance on Levels in Food.
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/fs_management/Melamine.pdf

29.12.2009: Flavonoids from rose buds improve cardiovascular system [1]
Damascus roses (Rosa damascena) has been manufactured as various food products, including tea, in Korea. Rose water and powdered roses are used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. Rose water is often sprinkled on many meat dishes, while rose powder is added to sauces. The most popular use, however, is in the flavouring of deserts such as ice cream, jam, turkish delights, rice pudding, yogurt and others.

Kwon and colleagues 2009, analysing buds of Damascus roses, found a new flavonoid glycoside named roxyloside A. Four other known compounds, isoquercitrin, afzelin, cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucoside, and quercetin gentiobioside were also found in these buds. The authors reported that except cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucoside (C3BG) all other compounds exhibited high levels of inhibitory activity against 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Meanwhile C3BG significantly suppressed angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. The authors concluded that Damascus roses may have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

[1] Kwon, Eun-Kyung; Lee, Dae-Young; Lee, Hyungjae; Kim, Dae-Ok; Baek, Nam-In; Kim, Young-Eon; Kim, Hae-Yeong: Flavonoids from the Buds of Rosa damascena Inhibit the Activity of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A Reductase and Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme. J. Agric. Food Chem., Article ASAP. Publication Date (Web): December 28, 2009DOI: 10.1021/jf903515f
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf903515f


29.12.2009: Developing foods which may prevent overeating [1]
According to Rianne Ruijschop the use of specific aroma may trigger or induce increasing satiation. This may help to counter the epidemic of obesity.

They have previously reported two examples of how aromas may possibly induce satiety through fermented dairy products. The extent of retronasal aroma release appears to be a physiological feature that characterizes a person. However, food can be tailored to increase satiation, through a higher retronasal aroma stimulation.

The physical structure in food products is an important contributor to retro-nasal aroma release, as solid foods tend to generate the stimulus for a longer time than liquid products. The authors will now implement these findings into the formulation of daily food.

Ruijschop, R.M.A.J.; Boelrijk,; de Graaf, C.; Westerterp-Plantenga, M.S.: Retronasal Aroma Release and Satiation: A Review. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Volume 57, Number 21, Pages 9888–9894
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf901445z


29.12.2009 Regulations regarding hazardous waste shipments [1]
There are efforts being made to reduce export of hazardous materials between countries which have no facilities to cope with the recycling of these materials. This is most important for countries in Africa and Asia which "recover" electronic devices waste from industrial countries, burning the isolation material at open air.

Existing Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulation regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes for recovery among countries belonging to the OECD ensure that hazardous wastes are returned to the country of export in a more timely and documented manner.

RCRA regulations for spent lead-acid batteries (SLAB) to add export notification and consent requirements to provide stricter controls and greater transparency for exports of SLABs to any country, and should ensure that the batteries are sent to countries and reclamation facilities in those countries that can manage the SLABs in an environmentally sound manner.

[1] EPA Strengthens Transboundary Hazardous Waste Shipment Regulations Release date: 12/28/2009
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/72250553b794b30685257696005e68c6!OpenDocument

17.12.2009: Cheating labels [1]
Food Watch unveiled cheating labels of well-known brands in Germany. Somehow the mentioned products meet the specific labelling rules, however, the really cunning side of the story is that the German and the European commission issued these rules on request of the food industry lobby.

Looking at the list published by Food Watch it becomes obvious that most of the cited products are junk food which are not in line with the fundamentals of healthy nutrition.

Here are highlight of the of the Food Watch Cheating Foods List:

Capri-Sonne, Wild/Sissi-Werke: Food Watch reports that the original product in the small aluminized bag contains only 12% of fruit juice. The succeeding Crapi-Sonne in the squeezing bottle reduced the content of juice further down to 10% the pictured fruits suggest pure juice or at least, a very high content of fruit juice. In fact 90% are water, sugar and other ingredient. Mainstream consumers do not have the time to read the ingredients list and are not aware of such watering. EU legislators have accepted labelling low fruit juice products as “Nectar” or “Fruit juice preparation” (Fruchtsaft Zubereitung), on the back label. Some consumer associate “nectar” with a particular high quality and do not know it contains only a fraction of healthy natural juices.

Fruit Nectar in European juice regulation [2]
Fruit nectar may be added with 20% of sugar. Up to 14 % of sugar were added and still can claim , mean that 14% sugar (70 g sugar in a 500 ml bottle) may be added and still complies with EU labelling regulations and is entitled for the claim “30% less sugar than average nectares” .

The USA regulation [3]
In the USA, fruit juice can only legally be used to describe a product which is 100% fruit juice. A blend of fruit juice(s) with other ingredients, such as high-fructose corn syrup, is called a juice cocktail or juice drink. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the term "nectar" is generally accepted in the U.S. and in international trade for a diluted juice to denote a beverage that contains fruit juice or puree, water, and which may contain artificial sweeteners.

Sugar bombs [4]
The German magazine Stern warns against sugar bombs which increase the risk of obesity. Stern stresses that a recent study of food Watch showed that many sweets marketed for children are neither healthy nor light. They are filled with lots of sugar. German girls are getting fatter. In 2001 5.5 % were overweight, this fraction grew to 11% in 2005, following a study of the OECD.

In this context Food Watch cites the Chocolate Bar "Kinder Choco Fresh" from Ferrero, containing enthalte 39.7% sugar which equals almost four times that of Coca Cola. Ferrero answered in a statement given to the magazine Stern, that the arguments of Food Watch were “very unilateral” their sweets were indulgence products and are being consumed as such. Other products like chocolate are found to have the same or even an higher amount of sugar. It should be taken into account that the size of servings are low. [4]

Chocolate puddings [5]
The Spiegel Online cites Food Watch complaining about the labelling of the chocolate amount in the Pudding “Pur Choc” from Dr. Oetker. The pudding claims to have 75% of cacao in the chocolate. Food Watch, however, says that there are only 2.5 % of chocolate in this pudding. There are only 1.875 % of cocoa in the whole package to be hailed.

Other products on the Food Watch list [1]
Fitness Fruits, Nestlé: Food Watch criticizes the sugar content of 30% of the flakes.
Kinder-Riegel, Ferrero: According to Food Watch children have to eat 13 bars to cover the daily requirement of calcium, claimed by Ferrero.
Langenese Milchzeit, Unilever: Food Watch writes that the ice is a sweet which distracts children to drink a glass of milk.
Active O2, Adelholzener: Food Watch finds no power boost as claimed by Adelholzener.
See all products criticized by Food Watch at http://www.abgespeist.de/abgespeist/content/e5709/e7104/e8869/abgespeist_mogelliste_20091111.pdf

[1] Food Watch: Abgespeist, denn Etiketten luegen wie gedruckt.
http://www.abgespeist.de/abgespeist/content/e5709/e7104/e8869/abgespeist_mogelliste_20091111.pdf

[2] Council Directive 2001/112/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2002:010:0058:0066:EN:PDF

[3] Title 21- Food and Drugs, CHAPTER I PART 102--COMMON OR USUAL NAME FOR NONSTANDARDIZED FOODS. Subpart B-Requirements for Specific Nonstandardized Foods Sec. 102.33 Beverages that contain fruit or vegetable juice.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070929130435/http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/CF102-33.HTML

[4] Ferrero, Bauer und Co.: Zuckerbomben für die Kinder. Stern.de. 08 december 2009.
http://www.stern.de/gesundheit/ferrero-bauer-und-co-zuckerbomben-fuer-die-kinder-1527860.html

[5] Spiegel Online: Irrefuehrende Verpackungsangaben. So blufft die Lebensmittelindustrie. 16.12.2009
http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/service/0,1518,667329,00.html#ref=top


16.12.2009: Bee Mortality and Bee Surveillance in Europe [1]
The EFSA in a report on Colony Collapse Disorder says that their review of relevant literature clearly highlights an absence of shared epidemiological indicators, common surveillance procedures and comparable populations. Trend analysis and mapping suggests some periods of higher colony loss rates, but these findings should not be over interpreted.

The FSA notes that there is a consensus amongst the scientific community that the causes of colony losses in Europe and in the United States are likely to be multifactorial (in the two aspects of this term: combination of factors at one place and different factors involved according to place and period considered). Factors implicated include beekeeping and husbandry practices (feeding, migratory beekeeping, treatments and so forth), environmental factors (climate, biodiversity, etc.), chemical factors (pesticides) or biological agents (Varroa, Nosema, etc.) which together create stress, weaken bees’ defense systems allowing pests and pathogens to kill the colony (e.g. one or several parasites, viruses, etc.).

High concentrations of pesticides have rarely been identified in relation to colony losses (CCD in USA and winter colony losses in Europe) although acute events of pesticide toxicity are well described during the production season (and clearly differentiated from CCD and winter colony losses). However, the questions of possible synergistic effects of various pesticides and the effect of chronic exposure to sublethal doses of pesticides remains, and requires further investigation. Biological agents such as parasites, viruses or bacteria, alone or in combination, have clearly been identified as important factors in colony losses. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of knowledge about the exact mechanisms and/or interactions involved, this must also be addressed. Even though the multifactorial origin of colony losses is well acknowledged, the respective role of each factor as a risk or causative agent is unknown, and no hierarchy of relative threat posed by each one has been established.

There are many inconsistencies in the ways in which “colony losses” are defined, leading to confusions when reports not always refer to the same phenomenon.

European tool to monitor colony losses
The EFSA call for an appropriate tool to monitor colony losses at a European level which may provide accurate figures about colony mortality which, in turn could focus control and research activities.

- Implementation of a sustainable European network for coordination and follow-up of surveillance, and research on colony losses to underpin monitoring programmes;

- Strengthen standardization at European level by harmonization of surveillance systems, data collected and by developing common performance indicators;

- Build on the examples of best practice found in existing surveillance systems on communicable
and notifiable diseases already present in some countries;

- Undertake specific studies that build on the existing work in progress to improve the knowledge and understanding of factors that affect bee health (for example stress caused by pathogens, pesticides, environmental and technological factors and their interactions) using appropriate epidemiological studies (case control and longitudinal studies);

- The set up of the coordination team at European level. This is a crucial issue and the coordination team should be organized in such a way so as to ensure its sustainability and to enable effective surveillance programme activities at the European level.

[1] Bee Mortality and Bee Surveillance in Europe. Scientific Report submitted to EFSA 03.12.2009.
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/cs/BlobServer/External_Rep/027e.pdf?ssbinary=true


15.12.2009 Environmental impact of runoffs from constructions and other soil disturbances [1]
Construction activities like clearing, excavating and grading significantly disturb soil and sediment. If that soil is not managed properly it can easily be washed off of the construction site during storms and pollute nearby water bodies. Soil runoff from construction has also reduced the depth of small streams, lakes and reservoirs, leading to the need for dredging.

The U.S. Environment Protection Agency EPA issued a rule which requires construction site owners and operators that disturb one or more acres to use best management practices to ensure that soil disturbed during construction activity does not pollute nearby water bodies. Owners and operators of sites that impact 10 or more acres of land at one time will be required to monitor discharges and ensure they comply with specific limits on discharges to minimize the impact on nearby water bodies.

Soil and sediment runoff of construction sites is one of the leading causes of water quality problems. Reductions in sediment discharges to surface waters resulting from the regulation will enhance or protect aquatic ecosystems currently under stress.

Total costs of U.S. water treatment and drenching are estimated by EPA to be USD 1 billion/year.

[1] Environmental Impact and Benefits Assessment for Proposed Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Category. EPA November 2008.
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction/proposed/proposed-env-20081120.pdf


14.12.2009: Channels of carbon leak by uneven carbon constraints [1]
According to the International Energy Agency there are several channels of sector-led carbon leakage initiated by uneven carbon constraints, the three most important include: i) the short-term competitiveness channel, where carbon-constrained industrial products lose international market shares to the benefit of unconstrained competitors; ii) the investment channel, where differences in returns on capital associated with unilateral mitigation action provide incentives for firms to relocate capital to countries with less stringent climate policies; and iii) the fossil fuel price channel, where reduction in global energy prices due to reduced energy demand in climate-constrained countries triggers higher energy demand and CO2 emissions
elsewhere, all things being equal.

Higher leakage rates would be expected in the steel and primary aluminium sectors than
in the cement or electricity sectors – mainly because the latter are much less traded.

Example of Carbon Leak [1]
The German steel giant ThyssenKrupp starts a project increasing the output of of CO2 of the whole state on Rio de Janeiro by 76%. It works under the name of “Companhia Siderúrgica do Atlântico”. It will have an emission of 9.7 million tonsd of CO2/year which will profit from the lack of CO2 regulations in the state. The emission of CO2 of the whole State of Rio de Janeiro is 12.7 million tons and will upgrade to 22.4 millio tons by this carbon leak from Germany to Brazil. ThyssenKrupp moved its investment from Germany to Brazil because of of unconstrained environmental regulations.

[1] International Energy Agency: Issues behind Competitiveness and Carbon Leakage Focus on Heavy Industry.
http://www.iea.org/papers/2008/Competitiveness_and_Carbon_Leakage.pdf

[2] O preço do progresso. CSA aumentará em 76% o lançamento de dióxidode carbono na atmosfera da cidade. O Globo. 6.11.2009 pp10.


13.12.2009: Fruits, vegetables and natural ingredients in vegetal food such as cocoa keep you healthy
Dark chocolate increases plasma epicatechin levels, DNA resistance to oxidative stress, however has no effect on total antioxidant activity [1]
Spadafranca and colleagues 2009 found that dark chocolate contained 860 mg polyphenols, of which 58 mg epicatechin compared with white chocolate which contained only 5 mg polyphenols, with undetectable epicatechin. When 45 g dark chocolate were added to the diet of healthy people the resulting increase of plasma epicatichin levels improved the resistance to damage of mononuclear blood cells DNA, but had no effect on the plasma total antioxidant activity.

The authors report that after 22 hours neither plasma epicatichin nor improved DNA resistance to oxidative stress were detected. No changes were detected with white chocolate. The authors concluded that dark chocolate may transiently improve DNA resistance to oxidative stress, because of the content of flavonoids.

Cocoa Products may reduce Blood Pressure, but more studies should answer open questions. [2]
A meta-analysis performed by Desch and colleagues 2009 confirms the blood pressure-lowering capacity of flavanol-rich cocoa products due to their high content of plant-derived flavanols. This study adds further data to previous studies and found -4.5 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and -2.5 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The authors, however, report a significant statistical heterogeneity across studies which rise questions about the appropriate dose and the long-term side effect. The authors stress that these questions should be answered by more studies before recommending cocoa products as treatment in hypertension.

Liver cancer protective effect of cocoa phenolic extracts [3]
The protective effect of cocoa phenolic extracts on AML12 and MLP29 liver cells were studied by Arlorio and colleagues 2009. They found that phenolic-rich extracts of both unroasted and roasted cocoa inhibits drug-triggered liver cytotoxicity by inducing autophagy. This was shown by enhanced Beclin 1 expression and accumulation of monodansylcadaverine in autolysosomes. Based on their findings, the authors suggest that cocoa be added to the list of natural chemopreventive agents, and their possible use in the hepatopathy prevention should be further eroded.

No explanation was found for the appeal to people of chocolate [4]
Rabinerson and Melamed assessed the immense power of appeal to people of chocolate, leading to craving and addiction especially among women. The authors writes that texture and aroma, the presence of possible psycho-pharmacologic ingredients, and hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, may induce women's attraction to chocolate. However, no explanation for the success of chocolate was ultimately found by the authors.

Serum salicylic acid is related to fruit and vegetable consumption [5]
Spadafranca and colleagues 2007 studied the relationship between fruit and vegetable consume and and the amount of circulating salicylic acid, which is a natural phenolic compound present in fruits and vegetable, and is the active principle of aspirin. The authors found that the median salicylic acid serum concentration was 0.124 mumol/l , varying between 0.188 mumol/l for those who had more than 4.75 serving of fruits and vegetables the day before, and 0.112 for those who had only 2.3 servings. The authors stress that there is a low chronic salicylic acid exposure from vegetal food which may be responsible, at least in part, for the beneficial effects of fruits and vegetable consume.

[1] Effect of dark chocolate on plasma epicatechin levels, DNA resistance to oxidative stress and total antioxidant activity in healthy subjects.
Spadafranca A, Martinez Conesa C, Sirini S, Testolin G. Br J Nutr. 2009 Nov 5:1-7
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19889244

[2] Desch S, Schmidt J, Kobler D, Sonnabend M, Eitel I, Sareban M, Rahimi K, Schuler G, Thiele H.: Effect of Cocoa Products on Blood Pressure: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Hypertens. 2009 Nov 12. doi:10.1038/ajh.2009.213.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19910929

[3] Arlorio M, Bottini C, Travaglia F, Locatelli M, Bordiga M, Coïsson JD, Martelli A, Tessitore L.: Protective activity of Theobroma cacao L. phenolic extract on AML12 and MLP29 liver cells by preventing apoptosis and inducing autophagy. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Nov 25;57(22):10612-8
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19883072

[4] Rabinerson D, Melamed N.: "On bitter and sweet"-women and chocolate. Harefuah. 2009 Aug;148(8):539-42, 571, 570. Hebrew.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19899259

[5] Spadafranca A, Bertoli S, Fiorillo G, Testolin G, Battezzati A.Circulating salicylic acid is related to fruit and vegetable consumption in healthy subjects. Br J Nutr. 2007 Oct;98(4):802-6. Epub 2007 May 29.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17532866



11.12.2009: The price of world leadership, and how to be the world's class winner
The ASARCO-Story [1]
Largest Environmental bankruptcy in U.S. History ever : US Mining company contaminates with hazardous materials more than 19 US states.
The largest environmental bankruptcy in U.S. History pays $1.79 billion to fund environmental cleanup and restoration under a bankruptcy reorganization of American Smelting and Refining Company LLC (ASARCO). ASARCO is a leading producer of copper and one of the largest nonferrous metal producers in the United States. It is based in Arizona and is responsible for more than 80 sites contaminated with hazardous material by mining operations in 19 states. Those states are Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

ASARCO filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code. ASARCO has operated for nearly 110 years performing melting, refining, and mining operations throughout the United States. Now a plan emerged allowing ASARCO to be purchased out of bankruptcy.

The Dow Agrosciences -Story [2]
Dow AgroSciences LLC must pay a $70,000 penalty on alleged Clean Air Act violations at the company's pesticide production facility at 305 N. Huron Ave., Harbor Beach, Mich. Dow Agro violated national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants at its Harbor Beach plant generating methanol and using xylene, both hazardous air pollutants, in making pesticide active ingredients at the plant.

EPA says that short-term exposure to methanol may result in blurry or dim vision as well as damage to the nervous system. Long-term exposure may result in headache, giddiness, insomnia, gastric disturbances, visual disturbances and blindness.

Long-term inhalation of xylene can cause headache, dizziness, fatigue, tremors and lack of coordination. Short-term inhalation can irritate the nose and throat and cause nausea, vomiting and gastric irritation.

Comment: These penalties are ridiculous low compared with the damage and health hazards caused by the companies. Does the desire of being the wealthiest nation of the world justify such violations of rules of safety of the population?

[1] Largest Environmental Bankruptcy in U.S. History Will Result in Payment of $1.79 Billion towards Environmental Cleanup and Restoration Largest recovery of money for hazardous waste clean up ever. EPA. 12/10/2009
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/
c40dd49b8eebe5ff85257688006c9c7f!OpenDocument

[2] EPA reaches agreement with Dow Agrosciences on clean-air violations
Release No. 09-OPA236: 12/10/2009
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/
a694364d549360da85257688006089a7!OpenDocument



09.12.2009: Outcomes of The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)
Alcohol reduces Coronary Heart Disease [1]
Spain, China, Switzerland, and France have the lowest CHD mortality rates in the world. Spain is the world's third largest wine producer and ninth largest beer producer, and is in sixth position in the world ranking of alcohol consumption. Several studies postulate that moderate alcohol intake reduces Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) risk. Some studies highlight the benefits of bioflavonoids of red vine. A new study of Larraitz Arriola and colleagues, analysing data of the Spanish cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) found that moderate, high and very high consumption was associated with a more than 30% reduce risk of CHD in men aged 29-69 years, compared with non-drinkers, however, no significant association could be demonstrated among women.

Other scientists like William S. Harris disagree saying that the assertion that alcohol lowers heart disease misstates the findings being an epidemiological study, not an interventional study. [2]

No cancer risk of pancreas and prostate linked to alcohol [3]
Rohrmann and colleagues 2009 using EPIC data suggest no association of alcohol consumption with pancreatic cancer risk [3]. In a study of 2008 the same authors reported no increase risk of prostate cancer in this cohort of European men, related to alcohol consume. [4]

Vegetables and fruits reduce the risk of lung cancer, this is valid also for smokers. [5]
An inverse associations between the consumption of vegetables and fruits and risk of lung cancer were reported by Büchner and colleagues 2009 which also stress that consumption of vegetables and fruits may reduce lung cancer risk, in particular the risk of squamous cell carcinomas in current smokers.

The Mediterranean diet reduces risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) according EPIC data [6]
Buckland and colleagues 2009 examined the relation between Mediterranean diet adherence and risk of incident CHD events in the 5 Spanish centres of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. The authors report that the Mediterranean reduces CHD risk and exerts a role in primary prevention of CHD in healthy populations.

Association of BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio with the risk of death [7]
In 2008 Pischon and colleagues examined the distribution of body fat and the prediction of death rate.
They found that the lowest risks of death related to BMI were observed at a BMI of 25.3 for men and 24.3 for women. Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were strongly associated with the risk of death. Relative risks among men and women of waist circumference were 2.05 for men and 1.78 for women and waist-to-hip ratio, the relative risks were 1.68 for men, and 1.51 for women. BMI remained significantly associated with the risk of death in models that included waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio. The authors concluded that general adiposity and abdominal adiposity are associated with the risk of death. The study supports the use of waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio in addition to BMI to assess the risk of death.

Reduced physical activity is linked to both body mass index and waist circumference says EPIC-PANACEA data. [8]
Data from the EPIC-PANACEA (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Physical Activity, Nutrition, Alcohol, Cessation of Smoking, Eating out of home And obesity) were used by Besson and colleagues to study the relation of physical activity, body mass index and waist circumference. The authors found that physical activity is inversely associated with both BMI and waist circumference across nine European countries. The association causally could not be found, but the results are based on large and diverse data.

Obesity is associated with ovarian cancer according to EPIC data [9]
Lahmann and colleagues 2009 report that according to data from the Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort factors including general and central adiposity and height, are associated with ovarian cancer risk. The authors found that body mass index 30 kg/m² was associated with excess ovarian cancer risk, compared with BMI <25 kg/m². Neither height, weight gain, nor BMI-adjusted measures of fat distribution assessed by waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), or hip circumference, were associated with overall risk, however, WHR was related to mucinous tumours. The authors concluded that obesity is a risk factor for epithelial ovarian cancer. Weight reduction may thus help to reduce the risk in postmenopausal women.

Smoking increases risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) via formaldehyde exposure say EPIC data [10]
Gallo and colleagues, analysing data of EPIC, report that smokers and those who smoked more than 33 years have an almost two-fold risk of dying from ALS, while the risk of former smokers is 50%, compared to never smokers. The authors highlight the role of cigarette smoking in the aetiology of ALS and write that the exposure to formaldehyde from the smoke triggers the lipid peroxidation causing the disease.

References
[1] Arriola L, Martinez-Camblor P, Larrañaga N, Basterretxea M, Amiano P, Moreno-Iribas C, Carracedo R, Agudo A, Ardanaz E, Barricarte A, Buckland G, Cirera L, Chirlaque MD, Martinez C, Molina E, Navarro C, Quiros JR, Rodriguez L, Sanchez MJ, Tormo MJ, Gonzalez CA, Dorronsoro M.: Alcohol intake and the Risk of coronary heart disease in the Spanish EPIC cohort study. Heart. 2009 Nov 19
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19933099

[2] Alcohol Cuts Risk for Heart Disease by One Third. Fran Lowry. Medscape Today. November 20, 2009.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/712821

[3] Rohrmann S, Linseisen J, Vrieling A, Boffetta P, Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Lowenfels AB, Jensen MK, Overvad K, Olsen A, Tjonneland A, Boutron-Ruault MC, Clavel-Chapelon F, Fagherazzi G, Misirli G, Lagiou P, Trichopoulou A, Kaaks R, Bergmann MM, Boeing H, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Allen N, Roddam A, Palli D, Pala V, Panico S, Tumino R, Vineis P, Peeters PH, Hjartåker A, Lund E, Redondo Cornejo ML, Agudo A, Arriola L, Sánchez MJ, Tormo MJ, Barricarte Gurrea A, Lindkvist B, Manjer J, Johansson I, Ye W, Slimani N, Duell EJ, Jenab M, Michaud DS, Mouw T, Riboli E, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB.: Ethanol intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Jul;20(5):785-94.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19145468

[4] Rohrmann S, Linseisen J, Key TJ, Jensen MK, Overvad K, Johnsen NF, Tjønneland A, Kaaks R, Bergmann MM, Weikert C, Naska A, Trichopoulou A, Trichopoulos D, Pala V, Sacerdote C, Palli D, Tumino R, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Vrieling A, González CA, Larrañaga N, Navarro C, Barricarte A, Quiros JR, Martínez-García C, Hallmans G, Stattin P, Manjer J, Wirfält E, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Egevad L, Ferrari P, Jenab M, Riboli E.: Alcohol consumption and the risk for prostate cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008 May;17(5):1282-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18483352

[5] Büchner FL, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Linseisen J, Boshuizen HC, Kiemeney LA, Ros MM, Overvad K, Hansen L, Tjonneland A, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Clavel-Chapelon F, Boutron-Ruault MC, Touillaud M, Kaaks R, Rohrmann S, Boeing H, Nöthlings U, Trichopoulou A, Zylis D, Dilis V, Palli D, Sieri S, Vineis P, Tumino R, Panico S, Peeters PH, van Gils CH, Lund E, Gram IT, Braaten T, Martinez C, Agudo A, Arriola L, Ardanaz E, Navarro C, Rodríguez L, Manjer J, Wirfält E, Hallmans G, Rasmuson T, Key TJ, Roddam AW, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Slimani N, Bofetta P, Byrnes G, Norat T, Michaud D, Riboli E.: Fruits and vegetables consumption and the risk of histological subtypes of lung cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Nov 19.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19924549

[6] Buckland G, González CA, Agudo A, Vilardell M, Berenguer A, Amiano P, Ardanaz E, Arriola L, Barricarte A, Basterretxea M, Chirlaque MD, Cirera L, Dorronsoro M, Egües N, Huerta JM, Larrañaga N, Marin P, Martínez C, Molina E, Navarro C, Quirós JR, Rodriguez L, Sanchez MJ, Tormo MJ, Moreno-Iribas C.: Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in the Spanish EPIC Cohort Study. Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Dec 15;170(12):1518-29. Epub 2009 Nov 10.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19903723

[7] Pischon T, Boeing H, Hoffmann K, Bergmann M, Schulze MB, Overvad K, van der Schouw YT, Spencer E, Moons KG, Tjønneland A, Halkjaer J, Jensen MK, Stegger J, Clavel-Chapelon F, Boutron-Ruault MC, Chajes V, Linseisen J, Kaaks R, Trichopoulou A, Trichopoulos D, Bamia C, Sieri S, Palli D, Tumino R, Vineis P, Panico S, Peeters PH, May AM, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, van Duijnhoven FJ, Hallmans G, Weinehall L, Manjer J, Hedblad B, Lund E, Agudo A, Arriola L, Barricarte A, Navarro C, Martinez C, Quirós JR, Key T, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Boffetta P, Jenab M, Ferrari P, Riboli E.: General and abdominal adiposity and risk of death in Europe. N Engl J Med. 2008 Nov 13;359(20):2105-20.aqwxtdr
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19005195

[8] Besson H, Ekelund U, Luan J, May AM, Sharp S, Travier N, Agudo A, Slimani N, Rinaldi S, Jenab M, Norat T, Mouw T, Rohrmann S, Kaaks R, Bergmann M, Boeing H, Clavel-Chapelon F, Boutron-Ruault MC, Overvad K, Andreasen EL, Johnsen NF, Halkjaer J, Gonzalez C, Rodriguez L, Sanchez MJ, Arriola L, Barricarte A, Navarro C, Key TJ, Spencer EA, Orfanos P, Naska A, Trichopoulou A, Manjer J, Wirfält E, Lund E, Palli D, Agnoli C, Vineis P, Panico S, Tumino R, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, van den Berg SW, Odysseos AD, Riboli E, Wareham NJ, Peeters PH.: A cross-sectional analysis of physical activity and obesity indicators in European participants of the EPIC-PANACEA study. Int J Obes (Lond). 2009 Apr;33(4):497-506.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19223851

[9] Lahmann PH, Cust AE, Friedenreich CM, Schulz M, Lukanova A, Kaaks R, Lundin E, Tjønneland A, Halkjær J, Severinsen MT, Overvad K, Fournier A, Chabbert-Buffet N, Clavel-Chapelon F, Dossus L, Pischon T, Boeing H, Trichopoulou A, Lagiou P, Naska A, Palli D, Grioni S, Mattiello A, Tumino R, Sacerdote C, Redondo ML, Jakszyn P, Sánchez MJ, Tormo MJ, Ardanaz E, Arriola L, Manjer J, Jirström K, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, May AM, Peeters PH, Onland-Moret NC, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Allen NE, Spencer E, Rinaldi S, Slimani N, Chajes V, Michaud D, Norat T, Riboli E.: Anthropometric measures and epithelial ovarian cancer risk in the european prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition. Int J Cancer. 2009 Oct 9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19821492

[10] Gallo V, Bueno-De-Mesquita HB, Vermeulen R, Andersen PM, Kyrozis A, Linseisen J, Kaaks R, Allen NE, Roddam AW, Boshuizen HC, Peeters PH, Palli D, Mattiello A, Sieri S, Tumino R, Jiménez-Martín JM, Díaz MJ, Suarez LR, Trichopoulou A, Agudo A, Arriola L, Barricante-Gurrea A, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Manjer J, Lindkvist B, Overvad K, Bach FW, Tjønneland A, Olsen A, Bergmann MM, Boeing H, Clavel-Chapelon F, Lund E, Hallmans G, Middleton L, Vineis P, Riboli E.: Smoking and risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: analysis of the EPIC cohort. Ann Neurol. 2009 Apr;65(4):378-85.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19399866


07.12.2009: Blaming rice farmer to increase global temperature divert from the real causes, the combustion of fossil fuel [1]
Rice farming is being blame to be a major source of global warming-causing methane coming from the water-logged rice paddies.

According to Reiner Wassmann from the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos/Phillipines, methane is at least 20 times more effective at trapping heat in the earth's atmosphere, compared with carbon dioxide. Methane was responsible for one fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions.

About 10 percent of the methane comes from rice farming, while other sources include the flatulence of cows and decomposing landfill garbage dumps.

The rice farmers in Asia and the rest of the world could improve their agricultural methods, keeping the fiels less watered, and apply reduced amounts of nitrogen fertiliser. Wassman, however, stressed that these fields supply rice as staple food. The carbon footprint of a rice farmer is just a fraction of that of a citizen of the United States or other developed country.

[1] Rice an unlikely global warming culprit. By Karl Malakunas (AFP) . 05.12.2009
http://beta.irri.org/news/index.php/rice-news/rice-an-unlikely-global-warming-culprit.html


07.12.2009: High fructose corn syrup in soft drinks and processed foods raises blood pressure
According to Johnson and Perez-Pozo 2009 the average of U.S. consumption of fructose is 50 to 70 grams, but some people are getting as much as 150 grams a day. The data of the study performed by the researchers confirm the belief that fructose raises blood pressure by increasing uric acid levels, but more studies on this matter are necessary. Johnson stresses that ingesting a certain amount of fructose, one can raise blood pressure to the level of hypertension. [1]

Mariana Morris and colleagues 2009 found that the timing as well as the amount of fructose that's consumed affected blood pressure. The study was done on mice. The mice that consumed fructose continuously or at night had an increase in blood pressure, with a spike at night, when they were awake. Gain of body weight was increased. Mice that consumed fructose in the daylight hours, the blood Pressure was high during the day and low at night. This suggests that the timing of fructose intake is important in cardiovascular diseases. This study suggests that consuming junk foods and sweetened soft drinks at night increases body weight and rises blood pressure. [2]

Although healthy levels exist in natural foods, such as in fruits, excessive amounts can rise blood pressure and lead to heart diseases. The American Heart Association says women should eat no more than 100 calories of added processed sugar per day, or six teaspoons (25 grams), while most men should keep it to just 150 calories or nine teaspoons (37.5 grams). On average Americans consume 22 teaspoons (90 grams) or 355 calories of added sugar each day. [3]

[1] Johnson, Richard J.; Perez-Pozo, Santos : Presentations, American Heart Association High Blood Pressure Research Conference, Chicago. Sept. 23-24, 2009.

[2] Morris, Mariana: Presentations, American Heart Association High Blood Pressure Research Conference, Chicago. Sept. 23-24, 2009.

[3] Fructose tied to higher blood pressure: study. Medline plus 23.09.2009
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_89762.html

06.12.2009: Brazil increased its emission on greenhouse gases by 65% between 1990 and 2005 [1]
Triggered by deforestation activities in the Amazon and the Cerrado region, Brazil increased its emission of glasshouse gases by 62% during 15 years between 1990 and 2005. This is more than twice that of the average global CO2 emission during this period, says the Brazilian minister of science and technology Sergio Rezende.
This is much below the emission of India and of China which has more than doubled their emission, but is still the double as high as the average increase of global CO2 emission during this period.

In 2005 Brazil emitted 2,2 billion tons of CO2 and is the fifth biggest polluter of the globe after
China (7,5 billion tons), United States (6 billion tons), EU (4,6 billion tons) and Indonesia (2,3 billion tons).
Deforestation caused half of the emission in 2005. From 1990 to 2005 the CO2 emission from land use increased by 70%. Fossil fuels used to generate energy, for transportation and for the use in industry increased emission by 68%. The official aim is to cut between 36,1% and 38,9% of the 2,7 billions tons of carbon dioxide which Brazil will emit if no actions are undertaken.

Attitude related to climate warming [2]
A survey in 25 countries asked citizens about their attitude related to climate warming, found Brazilians to be most worried about the issue, and 90% rated it as very serious. Argentinians, French and South-Koreans 69%, 68% e 68%, respectively. Chinese e Americans, the leading emitters, have the lowest ranking in climate awareness.

Judges punish deforestators and ignore the postponement of coming into force of the decrete of payment of fine [3]
Presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva postpone coming into force of the decree which demands a fine of 500 Reais per day of farmers which do not replant the deforested area when the native forest drops below 80% of the area covered at the time the land was first registered. The ruling of the Supreme Justice Tribunal ignited an initiative against the national Forest Code of 1996 which established these rules.

Eucalyptus to replant deforested areas of the Amazon forest [4]
The government of the Brazilian state of Pará, which is leading in deforestation, changed its program of reforestation including exotic plants, like eucalyptus to achieve its goal of “1 billion trees for Amazonia”. The initial program foresaw planting only native trees, now more than 65% of reforestation will be made using eucalyptus, a plant of Australian origin.

Genetic modified eucalyptus varieties with rapid growth of 6 years will be highly accepted by the paper industry and vegetable coal industry. The government of the state of Pará gives financial and technical support to engaged companies to help to fulfil the 80% quote demanded by the Forest Code. The liberation on 222 million eucalyptus plants was announced during the visit of president Lulla to Belém. Great corporations announced to buy lands in the state to meet their environment standards.

According to Paulo Barreto, of Imazon (Instituto do Homem e Meio Ambiente da Amazônia). Exotic trees such as the eucalyptus are unable to rebuild the biodiversity, modifies negatively the soil conditions, tend to generate concentration of land increasing the pressure on small farms, disputes and violence.

The SEMA ( State Secretary of Environment) says there is a great demand of energetic plants by the steel industry which used vegetable coal from illegal logging. Eucalyptus plantations will satisfy this demand of the steel industry and the paper industry. The program is, therefore not only focused on reforestation, but is also a strategy with social impact, says Valmir Ortega of SEMA.

[1] Emissão do Brasil sobe 62% em 15 anos, mais que dobro da média mundial. 26.11.2009. Folha Online. 26.11.2009.
http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ambiente/ult10007u657807.shtml

[2] Por ambiente, 4 em cada 5 brasileiros aprovam reduzir crescimento, diz pesquisa. MSN 3.12.2009.
http://noticias.br.msn.com/mundo/artigo-bbc.aspx?cp-documentid=22784938

[3] Justiça ignora Lula e pune desmatadores. 30.11.2009
http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ambiente/ult10007u659447.shtml

[4] Pará repõe floresta nativa com eucaliptos. Folha Online. 28.11.2009
http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ambiente/ult10007u658942.shtml


05.12.2009: Scandinavian Study finds no increase brain tumour risk related to cell phone use [1]
Isabelle Deltour and colleagues report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 101, pg 1721, 2009 that the incidence of brain tumour in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden between 1974 and 2003 were stable, decreased, or continued a gradual increase that began before cell phones came on the market. No clear change in incidence trends were noted during 1998 to 2003, a time of 5 to 10 years seen as an induction period to have the disease become evident.

The authors stress that there is no clear biologic mechanism that explains how mobile phones would cause brain tumours, and there is an overall evidence against a risk, however, the etiology of brain tumours is poorly understood and the large majority of the cases remain unexplained.

Dr. Deltour and colleagues write that the findings may be influenced by factors such as that the induction period for brain tumours associated with cell phone use exceeds 5 to 10 years; that the increased risk in this population is too small to be observed; that the increased risk is restricted to subgroups of brain tumours or cell phone users; or that there is no increased risk.

The controversy was intensified in August by the released of the International Electromagnetic Field Collaborative report which postulated "significant" cell phone risk for brain tumours.

The International Electromagnetic Field Collaborative Report: Cellphones and Brain Tumours: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone. [2]
The report on cellphones and brain tumours concludes that there is a risk of brain tumours from cellphone, telecom funded studies underestimate the risk of brain tumours, and children have larger risks than adults for brain tumours.

The Report recommends:
Government Mandated Actions: Governments should mandate cellphone manufacturers remove the existing cellphone speaker that is placed to the ear and replace it with a headset directly connected to the cellphone. Schools should post warnings about the potential health risks of microwave radiation from cellphones.
Personal action: Wired headset (not a wireless headset such as a Bluetooth), using speaker-phone mode, or sending text messages; keeping the phone away from the body when not in use; avoiding use in a moving car, train, or bus, or in rural areas at some distance from a cell tower. Keep the cell phone turned off until you need to use it. Use a corded land-line phone whenever possible, instead of a wireless phone, and to avoid cell phones when inside buildings, particularly with steel structures.

US senate hearing on the health effects of cell phone [3]
Reacting to the International Electromagnetic Field Collaborative Report, the US senate hold a hearing on the health effects of cell phone in September. The final recommendation of the hearing was that more and better research is needed to determine if there is a risk to human health, and while more data are being collected a precautionary approach in the meantime.

Precautionary measures
Israel, France, and Finland, and the United Kingdom issued warnings about the use of cell phones and advise taking precautionary measures, especially for children. France requires cell phones to be sold with earphones, establishes new limits for radiation, all cell phones must be equipped with ear phones and a ban of cell phones advertising for children under 12 years of age and the sale of cell phones designed for children under 6 years was introduced.

[1] Nelson Roxane: Increased Use of Cell Phones Not Associated With Rise in Brain Tumors. Medscape. December 4, 2009.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/713399

[2] Morgan, Lloyd L.; Philips, Graham: Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone. August 25, 2009.
http://www.radiationresearch.org/pdfs/reasons_us.pdf

[3] Cell phones and cancer - Jury still out. Medscape. October 14, 2009.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/710492


04.12.2009: Stem cells are eligible for US taxpayer funding [1]
The U.S. government approved batches of human embryonic stem cells. These stem cells may now be used in federal funded researches. With the Executive Order 13505 restrictions in the use of stem cells imposed by the foregoing administration, were lifted by Obama in March 9, 2009. The Dickey-Wicker amendment (SEC.509) imposed by the Congress is still active. This amendment forbids the use of federal money for stem cells which require destruction of a human embryo. The use of these cells, made by others, however, are eligible for public funding. [2]
To avoid critics of organisations which say it is wrong to destroy human embryos for any reason, the NIH published the NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research. [3]

Section 509
SEC. 509: (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may be used for-(1) the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under 45 CFR 46.204(b) and section 498(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 289g(b)). (b) For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘human embryo or embryos’’ includes any organism, not protected as a human subject under 45 CFR 46 as of the date of the enactment of this Act, that is derived by fertilization, parthenogenesis, cloning, or any other means from one or more human gametes or human diploid cells. [4]

[1] First Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Approved for Use Under New NIH Guidelines
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2009/od-02.htm

[2] U.S. Approves First 'Ethical' Human Stem Cell Lines. Medscape Today. December 2, 2009.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/713304

[3] National Institutes of Health Guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research
http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009guidelines.htm

[4] Obama Signs Law Banning Federal Embryo Research Two Days After Signing Executive Order to OK It. CNS News. March 13, 2009
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/44943


03.12.2009: Three municipalities, , have their groundwater contaminated with alfa and beta radionuclides in Bahia, Brazil [1]
The municipalities are,Caetité, Lagoa Real and Livramento de Nossa Senhora , The Ministry of Heath advises to stop drinking water or to use it in the kitchen. Safe drinking water will be supplied to the population by the municipalities.
Alfa and beta radiation was found in drinking water and lakes of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Health officials published the results of the analyses:

		Nuclides
		alpha / beta
	Public well	0,5 and 2,3
	Water reservoir of Paiol farm	0,2 and 0,5
Health officials published the   results of the analyses:	Water reservoir Goiabeira	0,5 and 0,9
	Lagoa Grande lake	0,4 and 1,2
	Billabong in front of Dom Eliseu school	0,3 and 0,3
	Cachoeirinha “Tanque do Governo” pond	0,1 and 1,0

The directive of the Health Ministry sets upper limits of 0,1 for alfa and1,0 for beta radiation [2]

A picture of a pond in Caetité which is used by the local population shows the fragility of the ecosystem of this region. http://www.ambienteja.info/imagem_full.asp?par=1419

The local mining company INB (Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil ) says that there is no problem related to their company. However, it seems that INB is connected with the contamination of the suroundings of Caetité [3]. The search for the cause of the widespread contamination of public waters will take some time.

Mining, disturbing geologic stratifications with constructions of roads or reservoir dams may have freed nuclides leading to the contamination of the public waters of the region.
Once again, mistrust rises against the proliferation of nuclear power plants which do not provide a safe disposal of the nuclear waste. Germany used the old salt mine Asse 2 as a repository. The mine is now being flooded by ground water and the caverns are collapsing. The Ground water of the surrounding region is in acute danger of contamination comparable to the municipalities on Bahia.

[1] Mineração, Energia Atômica, Poluição Hídrica. Governo da Bahia suspende consumo de água após vazamento de solvente com urânio. Ambiente já. 03 dezembro 2009.
http://www.ambienteja.info/ver_cliente.asp?id=157449&aux=1

[2] Portaria 518 de 2004 do Ministério da Saúde)

[3] Vazamento de solvente orgânico com urânio em Caetité, Bahia. Ag Solve 27/11/2009.
http://www.agsolve.com.br/noticia.php?cod=2693


03.12.2009: Cases of Chagas Disease in Belém transmitted by food[1]
The state of Pará, Brazil, has the world highes rate of infections of the Chagas Disease transmitted by food. The rate of infections is increasing.

According to Elenild Goés of the Program of Control of the Chagas disease in Belém, the barbeiro insect finds optima climatic breeding conditions. Goes also stresses that the deforestation of the region deprives the barbeiro of its natural habitat and the insect is forced to migrate to the cities.
There is a direct relation between deforested regions and the incidence of the disease.

		Number of
		Cases
The state owned organization SESPA	2006	91
monitored since 2006 the Chagas disease	2007	122
for the State of Pará	2008	97
	2009	166

Goés points out that 80 to 90% of the cases of the Chagas disease are related to incorrect handling of food of vegetable origin and incorrect hygienic practices during preparation of the food. Contaminated food is the cause of most of Chagas disease in Belém, at the island of Marajó and in Abaiitetuba. The actual epidemic of the Chagas disease in Belém is probably caused by incorrect storage and lack of hygiene in handling acai (açai) fruit used for the production of juice.

The Chagas Disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. T. cruzi is commonly transmitted to humans and other mammals by an insect vector, the blood-sucking insect “Barbeiro”, often contaminated by the Trypanosoma cruzi. The barbeiro eliminates the protozoan with the faeces. If the insect gets access to stored foods, like fruits and vegetable, which do not undergo any heating, the parasite is ingested and enters the blood circulation. This includes fresh produced juices or fresh salads. Symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, stomach pain, swelling of the legs and face. Other common signs of the disease are swollen glands, increased liver and spleen.

[1] Pará tem 166 casos do mal de Chagas. O Liberal 13.11.2009. Atualidades pg 9 O Liberal


01.12.2009: Dengue haemorrhagic fever in Belém [1]
Dengue haemorrhagic fever is caused by four distinct, but closely related viruses which are transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti or more rarely the Aedes albopictus which lives in swampy waters, dense vegetation and garbage. [2]

The symptoms are similar to the common Dengue fever but differs when fever is gone and other symptoms starts to show: Strong abdominal pains, persistent vomits, pale wet and cold skin, bleeding though nose, mouth and gums, reddish spots at the skin, sleepiness, agitation, and mental confusion, excessive thirst, dry mouth, weak and rapid puls, loss of conciousness. There is no drug to treat the more serious form, haemorrhagic dengue, which is fatal in about half of cases if untreated. It is primarily a problem in tropical slums, where trash collection and sanitation are neglected.

[1] Dengue hemorágica em Marituba. Diário do Pará. 12.11.2009

[2] WHO: Dengue/dengue haemorrhagic fever.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/dengue/en/