FULL ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF POLLUTION_II
Zell McGee, M.D. Member, NCWARN, Physicians for Social Responsibility, UPHE
1. Long-term Exposure to Air Pollution and Incidence of Cardiovascular Events in Women
Miller, K. A.,Siscovick, D.S., et al. New England Journal of Medicine 2007;356:447-58
Comment: This study examined the health effects of fine particulate pollution (2.5 μm or less in aerodynamic diameter) in 36 U.S. metropolitan areas from 1994 to 1998. Women of an age to be mothers or grandmothers who were exposed to pollution like that that would be generated by Duke’s proposed Cliffside plant were 10 to 12 times more likely than normal to die of heart attacks or strokes (see Fig.1-C, p. 453). Levels of PM2.5 above about 12 μg/ meter3 were associated with an increased risk of a lethal cardiovascular event.
2. Respiratory Disease Associated with Community Air Pollution and a steel Mill, Utah Valley
Pope, C. A.III, Amer. J. Public Health 1989;79: 623-628.
Comment: In a Utah county when a coal-fired industry that was inactive started up again, the rate of admission of children to the hospital with respiratory disease went up 300%. The admission rate of adults went up 44%. The responsible industry did not pay for those hospitalizations. These events may be a preview of what will happen if Duke Powwer is allowed to build and operate Cliffside.
3. “The Politics of Breathing”
E. Marris. Nature2006 444:248-249
Both sides in a US pollution dispute claim that science is on their side. Emma Marris explains how environmental laws have forced them into this position. The setting of limits of particulate pollution is covered in this “looking under the rug” article.
4. “Episodic air pollution is associated with increased DNA fragmentation in human sperm without other changes in semen quality.”
Rubes, J., Selevan, S.G., et al. Human Reproduction 2005 20: 2776- 2783
From the Abstract:CONCLUSION: Exposure to intermittent air pollution may result in sperm DNA damage and thereby increase the rates of male-mediated infertility, miscarriage, and other adverse reproductive outcomes.
5. “Decreased sperm motility is associated with air pollution in Salt Lake City”
Hammoud A., Carrell DT, et al.,.Fertil. Steril. 2009 Feb 11. [Epub ahead of print]
CONCLUSION(S): Both semen analysis and sperm parameters data obtained from men presenting for multiple inseminations over time showed that air pollution is associated with reduced sperm motility two to three month[s] after exposure.
6. “Mental Retardation and prenatal methylmercury toxicity”
Trasande, L.,et al., Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006, 49:153
Comment: Whereas much of mercury brain damage is a result of mercury from mercury-contaminated fish, this article presents a compelling case for a substantial portion of brain-damage to children resulting from mercury emitted from coal-fired power plants (with cost-shifting of the extra medical care to the parents, of course).
THE CONCLUSION OF THE AUTHORS:”Toxic injury to the fetal brain caused by mercury emitted from coal-fired power plants exacts a significant human and economic toll on American children.”
USEFUL OTHER WEB SITES:
1. UPHE (Utah Physicians for a healthy environment), http://www.uphe.org/library.php
“Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (from their website) is dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of the citizens of Utah by promoting science-based education and interventions that result in progressive, measurable improvements to the environment”.
2. Utah Moms for clean air, http://www.utahmomsforcleanair.org (then click on “FACTS”)
This website is a good place for current information on regulatory bodies and pollution, as well as background and up-to-date research information.
