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Issues & Experts Archive > Toxins, disaster, school
Toxins, disaster, school
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August 16, 2010
Time to face facts
Bruce Lanphear, an SFU expert on children’s environmental health, says the latest study about detectable levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in Canadians means it is time to face facts. Lanphear, whose own studies show a link between prenatal BPA exposure and behavioural problems in children, says we don’t need decades more studies before we do what we know is necessary now. “We can tell from research on other toxins and what is surfacing about BPA that environmental chemicals at extraordinary low levels are potentially toxic. There is no threshold,” warns Lanphear. “We need to either ban the use of these chemicals or force industries who want to use them to prove they aren’t harmful to human health.” BPA is used to harden plastics, including those used in food containers.
Bruce Lanphear, 778.387.3939 (cell); blanphear@sfu.ca
Rising disaster relief demands
With 20 per cent of Pakistan crying out for help after the worst floods in the country’s recorded history, the International Monetary Fund warns that the crisis could dent economic growth and fuel inflation globally. The developed world is having trouble meeting Pakistan’s immediate need for millions of dollars in humanitarian aid. Ed Bukszar, an SFU business expert who studies disaster management, can discuss the challenges facing Pakistan’s saviors. “Non-profit and government organizations don’t have the flexibility needed to be prepared for what are basically unpredictable events,” says Bukszar.
Ed Bukszar, 778.782.5195/4935; bukszar@sfu.ca
Back-to-school
Lunchbox? Check. Pencils? Check. iPhone 4? Um... back-to-school ain't what it used to be. We've got a host of experts lined up and eager to discuss the ins and outs of readin', writin', 'rithmetic, WiFi--and everything else a new school year entails. See our list here: http://at.sfu.ca/dvtTcE
Bruce Lanphear, an SFU expert on children’s environmental health, says the latest study about detectable levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in Canadians means it is time to face facts. Lanphear, whose own studies show a link between prenatal BPA exposure and behavioural problems in children, says we don’t need decades more studies before we do what we know is necessary now. “We can tell from research on other toxins and what is surfacing about BPA that environmental chemicals at extraordinary low levels are potentially toxic. There is no threshold,” warns Lanphear. “We need to either ban the use of these chemicals or force industries who want to use them to prove they aren’t harmful to human health.” BPA is used to harden plastics, including those used in food containers.
Bruce Lanphear, 778.387.3939 (cell); blanphear@sfu.ca
Rising disaster relief demands
With 20 per cent of Pakistan crying out for help after the worst floods in the country’s recorded history, the International Monetary Fund warns that the crisis could dent economic growth and fuel inflation globally. The developed world is having trouble meeting Pakistan’s immediate need for millions of dollars in humanitarian aid. Ed Bukszar, an SFU business expert who studies disaster management, can discuss the challenges facing Pakistan’s saviors. “Non-profit and government organizations don’t have the flexibility needed to be prepared for what are basically unpredictable events,” says Bukszar.
Ed Bukszar, 778.782.5195/4935; bukszar@sfu.ca
Back-to-school
Lunchbox? Check. Pencils? Check. iPhone 4? Um... back-to-school ain't what it used to be. We've got a host of experts lined up and eager to discuss the ins and outs of readin', writin', 'rithmetic, WiFi--and everything else a new school year entails. See our list here: http://at.sfu.ca/dvtTcE