"EPA's Human Health Research Program launched a new Web site on the latest information on its research to protect public health. The program's science looks at such questions as why some people are more sensitive to pollution and how exposure to chemicals affects people's health. The site is designed for the general public as well as for the scientific community. "The best decisions are informed decisions," said George Gray, assistant administrator for the Office of Research and Development. "The site provides easy access to research and results on methods, tools, and data needed to improve risk assessments to protect the public." Visitors to the site will find an overview of the research, information on how research has contributed to decision making, resource materials available in journal publications and reports, and a listing of meetings and conferences. New human health research Web site: http://www.epa.gov/hhrp

From  The Town Crier- Free and anonymous AIDS testing may be obtained by calling 1-800-962-5063. Assistance and support services for individuals who are HIV positive and their families is available by contacting the AIDS Rochester office in Geneva at 1-800-422-0282.

Keep track of local news and information on SARS - Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome for the Rochester Area.

  Democrat & Chronicle: What is SARS? — Confused about what is and what is not severe acute respiratory syndrome? Even the medical community admits that SARS is difficult to sort out. “The case definition is so broad it doesn’t distinguish itself very well from other respiratory infections,” said Dr. Paul Graman, an infectious disease specialist at Strong Memorial Hospital. (April 22, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle

  Senators Clinton and Reid Introduce Bill to Establish a Nationwide Health Tracking Network Health Track Legislation Would Help To Identify Connections Between Disease and Environment, Develop a Rapid Response Capability To Public Health Threats
Washington, DC -Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) and Harry Reid (NV), the Assistant Senate Majority Leader, today introduced the Nationwide Health Tracking Act of 2002. The legislation is the product of months of work and several Congressional hearings held by Senators Reid and Clinton in Washington, D.C., as well as in two communities suffering from a concentrated and unexplained outbreak of chronic disease. These two field hearings, held in Fallon, NV and Long Island, NY, looked for possible environmental links to cancer in the communities and resulted in a firm recommendation for establishing a nationwide tracking network for chronic diseases.

   One way to assess our environmental health is by cancer mapping: Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative (CSII) - Cancer Mapping and Related Information The Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative (CSII) began in 1998. It is designed to answer questions of many New Yorkers about the cancer incidence in their communities. It provides maps of cancer incidence; maps of risk factors, including environmental information, also will be produced. CSII also provides information on cancer, its possible causes and how to interpret maps and graphs. Learn more about this project see About CSII --Send questions or comments to: canmap@health.state.ny.us or call toll free 1-800-458-1158  --New York State Health Department.

   CDC | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)  A new disease called SARS  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a new disease called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that has recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. As of April 13, about 190 cases of SARS had been reported in the United States. This fact sheet provides basic information about the disease and what is being done to combat its spread.

  This idea I first came across from NYS Senator Hillary Clinton and it is one of the most important things we can do about our environment.  I hope all will support this idea, if it ever gets to the public: Democrat & Chronicle: Disease, environment links should be tracked: assemblyman The state needs to determine the connection between environmental factors and chronic diseases as a first step toward better controlling them, a Monroe County assemblyman said Monday. Assemblyman David Koon, D-Perinton, introduced a bill Monday to establish a working group to determine how to best track and monitor chronic diseases. The group would comprise representatives of the state Health, Environmental Conservation and Labor departments, as well as the State University School of Public Health, and environmental scientists and toxicologists. (March 19, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com  Also, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter - News Release Statement of Rep. Louise Slaughter INTRODUCTION OF THE HEALTH TRACKING NETWORK ACT Washington, DC - “I am pleased to join my distinguished colleagues -- Senate Majority Whip Harry Reid, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and House Minority Whip Nancy Pelosi -- in introducing the Health Tracking Network Act.

  Ask the Experts --A Service of the ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER Department of Environmental Medicine University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Click on "New Thread" to Post a new question, you will be asked for your name (you may enter it as "anonymous"), your e-mail address, the subject of your query, and your question. After you select "Post," the information will be sent to the moderator of the "Ask the Experts" forum. Provided the question is appropriate for this forum, the moderator will transmit your question to the appropriate expert on our faculty, who will then draft an answer. We can't, of course, offer medical advice; we can only offer information about environmental health.     

       Because of its importance to our own health and our our environment's, please take a moment and review the information on Anthrax by the Center For Disease Control. Anthrax The following documents have been developed to provide information pertaining to Anthrax that will help private and public healthcare providers develop plans to prepare for and respond to acts of Bioterrorism.  Also, The anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's Office can be reached at 1-877-GETVACC (1-877-438-8222). http://www.anthrax.osd.mil 

  In light of anthrax cases and exposures – AMA warns against antibiotic misuse  American Medical Association

  Life Sciences Learning Center --from the University of Rochester-- A unique hands-on science inquiry center for middle and high school students and teachers. 

  To report of lodge a complaint of indoor contamination contact: Monroe County Health Department 585-274-6053, or for general information contact 585-274-605,  or U.S. Environmental Protection Main office, Washington D.C. 202-564-7400

 2002-2003 Health Advisories: Chemicals in Sportfish and Game - New York State Department of Health The New York State Department of Health (DOH) issues advisories on eating sportfish and game because some of these foods contain chemicals at levels that may be harmful to your health. These advisories are for sportfish and game that people take and are not for fish and game sold in markets. The health advisories are: (1) general advice on sportfish taken from waters in New York State; (2) advice on sportfish from specific waterbodies; and (3) advice on eating game. The advisory tells you how to minimize your exposure to contaminants in sportfish and game and reduce whatever health risks are associated with them. The advisories are updated yearly.

  What is the Body Burden? How much industrial pollution enters our body?  What's in your blood? According to Second National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals 2003 conducted at the Center of Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, we know that today almost everyone’s blood contains at least one of these contaminants, most seen only in the last forty years—lead, mercury, cadmium, and other metals; dialkyl phosphate metabolites of organo-phosphate pesticides; cotinine; and phthalates…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Dioxins, furans, and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Non-coplanar PCBs Phytoestrogens, Selected organophosphate pesticides , Organochlorine pesticides, Carbamate pesticides, herbicides, pest repellents and disinfectants without know the consequences of these potential pathogens. You would think with all this pollution showing up in all our blood, we'd be concerned, that is, concerned enough about the full implications of these foreign elements in our blood before allowing more of them to go into the environment.

Above the fold: Daily links to top stories in the news about environmental health.  A news service provided by www.EnvironmentalHealthNews.org .