Study: Pollution May Affect Babies' Genes

[truthpusher]

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/nation/10904975.htm

Posted on Tue, Feb. 15, 2005

Study: Pollution May Affect Babies' Genes

KAREN MATTHEWS

Associated Press

NEW YORK - A study of New York City newborns suggests that prenatal exposure to air pollution may be linked to genetic changes associated with an increased risk of cancer, researchers said Tuesday.

The study by Columbia University followed 60 newborns and their non-smoking mothers in low-income neighborhoods, primarily in Harlem and the Bronx.

Their exposure to combustion-related pollutants caused primarily by vehicles was measured by backpack air monitors worn by the women during the third trimester of their pregnancies.

When the babies were born, genetic alterations were measured. Researchers found about a 50 percent increase in the level of persistent genetic abnormalities in the infants who had the higher levels of exposure, said Dr. Frederica Perera, director of the center and senior author of the study.

complete story:

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/nation/10904975.htm

[applegrove]

1. This whole human genome thing will be the proof we need to finally

do something about the environment. No wonder the Corporations need a White House that tries to undo science and the enlightenment. Because the numbers are just about to roll in on what the cost of corporations really are.

And if doing with less yellow corn, or fewer pig products, or fewer plastic nick-naks around our homes will actually increase life by a decade ... humans will react to that and 'rework' their consumption habits.

Excellent news!!

[ashmanonar]

3. unfortunately by the time you know something's wrong with the genome...

it's too late. we need to take care of the environment BEFORE things start going bad. too late for that now.

[applegrove]

6. Agreed but at least we have a new weapon!

[berniew1]

2. Strange they seem to pretend this wasn't known and documented 50 years ago

It is well documented by thousands of medical studies that toxic exposures are the largest cause of chronic degenerative health contitions of virtually all types, including cancer, MS, ALS, Alzheimer's, lupus, CFS, fibromyalgia, arthritis, asthma, etc.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1
Those that cause cancer are called carcinogins, and there is a huge amount of documentation on this. So whats new. The problem is not that we don't know what causes these but that there is no will by Gov't agencies or the public to do anything about it.

The National Academy of Sciences released a study documenting that 50% of pregnancies in the U.S. in the 90s resulted in birth defects, developmental disabilities, or chronic health problems such as
autism, ADHD, mood disorders, learning disabilities, eczema, asthma, etc. And it is documented that toxic exposures are the main cause of these problems. But again little action.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/indexk.html

And the EPA and ATSDR indicate that the 3 main causes of such toxic effects are mercury, arsenic, and lead- yet the government is reacting by trying to reduce regulation on these. While the scientist object.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/indexa.html
http://www.home.eathlink.net/indexat.html
http://www.home.earthlink.net/indexe.html

[Us vs Them]

4. Could this also be correlated with other factors?

These women live in low-income neighbourhoods - could other aspects of their lifestyle have contributed? Nutrition, environment (old housing with lead pipes/paint), general health and stress conditions?

[galledgoblin]

5. not surprised

learning all about this in my classes right now. inner city children are exposed to lead, carcinogens, all sorts of tasty things.

of course kids out in the burbs aren't safe either. their parents are always spraying them with stuff to make them "safer".

[KissMeKate]

7. but they are BORN, so nobody cares.

eom

[ernstbass]

8. Exactly - poison them with pollution just don't abort

[flygal]

12. so sad, so true.

[Moderator]

9. kick

to combine threads

[jswordy]

10. Study: Pollution may cause in utero babies to develop cancer later

Pregnant women´s exposure to air pollution may damage their unborn children´s chromosomes, increasing the children´s chances of developing cancer later in life, according to a new study of 60 newborns in New York City.

The federally funded study considered emissions from cars, trucks, buses, residential heating, power generation and tobacco smoking. The pollutants can cross the placenta and reach the fetus, according to the National Institutes of Health, which released the findings.

Scientists from Columbia University´s Center for Children´s Environmental Health conducted the study among pregnant women in the neighborhoods of Harlem, Washington Heights and the South Bronx.

"This is the first study to show that environmental exposures to specific combustion pollutants during pregnancy can result in chromosomal abnormalities in fetal tissues," said Kenneth Olden, the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the NIH. "These findings may lead to new approaches for the prevention of certain cancers."

http://www.wastenews.com/headlines2.html?id=1108581675

[Radical Activist]

11. Damn those spotted owls the tree-huggers are always saving!

Isn't that what the environmental movement is all about? Not humans, right? At least that's what most conservatives think.

I'm sure this story won't spend too much time in the corporate media. This story is incredibly sad.