Black Seed Oil Puts Deadly Asthma Meds To Shame

The powerful black seed known as nigella sativa strikes again! This time proving that food can be a powerful asthma medication alternative. 

A new study published in the journal Phytotherapeutic Research reveals that a powerful little black seed known as nigella sativa — once referred to as ‘the remedy for everything but death’ — may provide a powerful alternative to pharmaceutical medicine in the treatment of asthma. This is extremely promising for the millions of chronic asthma sufferers who are still taking medications like long-acting beta agonist which the FDA warned back in 2006 actually increased the risk of dying from asthma.

The new study entitled, “Nigella sativa Supplementation Improves Asthma Control and Biomarkers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial,” was a placebo-controlled RCT performed on 80 asthmatics, with 40 patients in each treatment and placebo groups. The researchers pointed out that “Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is used traditionally for many inflammatory conditions such as asthma.” NSO capsules were administered 500 mg twice daily for 4 weeks. The placebo group received an equal dose of olive oil.

The patients were monitored and measured for the following outcomes:

“The primary outcome was Asthma Control Test score. The secondary outcomes were pulmonary function test, blood eosinophils and total serum Immunoglobulin E.”

After 4 weeks, ten patients had withdrawn from each group, leaving 30 remaining in each group.

The results were reported as follows:

“Compared with placebo, NSO group showed a significant improvement in mean Asthma Control Test score 21.1 (standard deviation = 2.6) versus 19.6 (standard deviation = 3.7) (p = 0.044) and a significant reduction in blood eosinophils by -50 (-155 to -1) versus 15 (-60 to 87) cells/μL (p = 0.013). NSO improved forced expiratory volume in 1 second as percentage of predicted value by 4 (-1.25 to 8.75) versus 1 (-2 to 5) but non-significant (p = 0.170).” [emphasis added]

The conclusion of the study was reported as follows:

“This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that NSO supplementation improves asthma control with a trend in pulmonary function improvement. This was associated with a remarkable normalization of blood eosinophlia. Future studies should follow asthmatics for longer periods in a multicentre trial.” [emphasis added]

The study provides insight into why nutritionally-based interventions are superior to conventional drug-based ones. With the 2006 discovery by asthma drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline that asthma medications actually increase the risk of death from the very condition being treated, the need for safer and more effective asthma solutions has never been clearer.

One of the primary criticisms of monotherapy with long-acting beta agonists is that they do not address the underlying inflammation that is closer to the root cause of asthma. This is why conventional approaches now default to combining corticosteroids with beta-agonists. Corticosteroids, however, have a wide range of adverse health effects, including immunosuppression and even severe psychiatric side effects. The fact that black seed oil extract can improve overall clinical parameters of asthma, as well as significantly reduce blood eosinophil levels (the target of steroid drugs) to the point of “normalization,” is amazing.

Food, of course, is several orders of magnitude safer and more affordable than prescription drugs, and unlike the dozens of known side effects that occur with virtually all FDA-approved pharmaceuticals, foods like black seed have dozens of side benefits. To take a look at the robust body of research on the potential health benefits of black seed oil in over 100 different conditions, visit our nigella sativa research portal. Additionally, GreenMedInfo.com contains a vast storehouse of research on natural interventions for asthma prevention and treatment which you can peruse at our Asthma Research portal.

In 2014, the Global Asthma Report estimated that about 334 million people worldwide are afflicted with asthma and that it is therefore becoming a global health priority. Please help alleviate unnecessary suffering by sharing this article and our research far and wide. Please consider becoming a member to support our entirely user-funded research and advocacy platform. A friend membership starts as low as 21 cents a day.

©  March 1, 2018 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

The post Black Seed Oil Puts Deadly Asthma Meds To Shame appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

How Pet Dander Impacts Lung And Sinus Health

While it’s safe to say we love our pets, we might not feel the same way about their dander. An allergy to dander (the dead skin pets shed) is common, yet understanding and finding relief from pet allergies is a little more complicated. Reactions to dander are more than nasal irritation, they really start in our immune system. ^[1] A healthy immune system seeks out foreign bodies and works to get rid of them. When you have pet allergies, you have a hypersensitive immune system.

The Basics of Pet Allergies

Allergies, while cumbersome, are merely a mistake your body makes when it perceives everyday environmental compounds as a threat. Symptoms such as red and watery eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing are all common. Research has shown that the mind has a lot to do with the allergic response. People allergic to pollen, for example, can start displaying allergic symptoms simply by imagining a field of flowers. Sometimes allergies to animals can be even worse, especially if you have some furry friends living in your home.

A hypersensitive immune system means that instead of just reacting to specific bugs that could really make you sick, your immune system also reacts to harmless proteins (called allergens) in your pet’s dander. It’s these allergens that build up on your pet’s fur—sometimes sticking to walls, furniture, or clothes—and could even keep their strength for months. And because pet allergens can travel through the air due to petting or grooming our animals, even places without pets could have problems. So, how can pet dander impact our lung and sinus health?

If you suffer from allergies, you likely have already experienced issues (itching, redness, swelling) at your eyes and nose. This is because many of your sinuses are found in and around your head. Now, if those allergens get into the membranes of your eyes or nose, a sensitive person could be left with symptoms like red, itchy eyes, sneezing, or a stuffy nose. Often, though, these allergens are small enough to get into the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties. But if a person already has asthma, these allergens could lead to a severe attack.

Are There Natural Solutions to Pet Allergies?

Does having an allergy to animals mean you have to get rid of your pet? Probably not. ^[2] If your allergies are mild, taking simple steps (like keeping your pet clean and off the furniture and not allowing dust to accumulate on surfaces) will likely be successful in cutting down on pet dander. There are also shots available that involve using the actual allergen—in this case, dander extract—to control symptoms. ^[3][4] I’m always a little skeptical about that sort of approach but you’d have to decide for yourself.

What do you do for pet allergies? Tell us in the comments below.

References:

1. 
   
   1. American Lung Association. Pet Dander. American Lung Association.
   
   
   2. Institute of Medicine, Division of Health Promotion, Indoor Air and Disease Prevention. Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures. Institute of Medicine, Division of Health Promotion, Indoor Air and Disease Prevention.
   
   
   3. Williams, A. A. et al. The Efficacy of Allergen Immunotherapy with Cat Dander in Reducing Symptoms in Clinical Practice. Biomed Research International.
   
   
   4. Moote, W. & Kim, H. Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. 7 (1).
   
   

1.7 Million Children Die from Environmental Pollution Each Year

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released some new statistics concerning the dangers posed by air pollution. According to the global health watchdog, environmental pollutants – including unsafe water, lack of sanitation, poor hygiene practices, indoor and outdoor pollution, and injuries – claim the lives of 1.7 million children under 5 years old each year. [1]

These numbers mean that pollutants are the cause of death for 1 in 4 children 1 month to 5 years old.

The WHO says that the most common causes of deaths among children can be prevented via interventions already available to the communities most affected. Insecticide-treated bed nets (to start), clean cooking fuels, and better access to clean water can prevent some of the deadliest child illnesses, such as diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia.

Dr. Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general, said in a statement:

“A polluted environment is a deadly one — particularly for young children. Their developing organs and immune systems, and smaller bodies and airways, make them especially vulnerable to dirty air and water.”

Read: Toxic Nanoparticle Air Pollution Found in Human Brain Tissue

Looming Threats

Infants exposed to indoor or outdoor air pollution, along with second-hand tobacco smoke, are at great risk for pneumonia, as well as asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases for the rest of their lives. These exposures often begin in the womb.

The WHO report also highlights the increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer from exposure to air pollution.

In a companion report titled “Don’t Pollute my Future! The Impact of the Environment on Children’s Health,” states that every year:

• 570,000 children under age 5 die from respiratory infections that are caused by indoor and outdoor air pollution – pneumonia and second-hand smoke, e.g.

• 361,000 children under age 5 die from diarrhea, due to poor access to sanitation, clean water, and hygiene

• 270,000 children die during their first month of life due to premature birth and other conditions that can be prevented by access to hygiene, clean water, and sanitation, as well as a reduction in air pollution

• 200,000 children under age 5 die from malaria, which can be prevented by certain environmental actions – reducing mosquitoes’ breeding sites, or covering drinking-water storage, for example

• 200,000 children under age 5 die from accidental injuries attributable to the environment, such as poisonings, falls, and drownings.

Some of the emerging hazards highlighted by the WHO include improperly recycled electronic and electrical waste, such as old mobile phones. These objects expose children to toxins that can cause reduced intelligence, lung damage, attention deficits, and cancer. The United Nations agency says these types of waste are expected to increase by 19% between 2014 and 2018, to 50 million metric tons by 2018.

Global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels are rising due to climate change, the WHO says, triggering an increase in pollen growth that is associated with increased rates of asthma in children. Factors such as air pollution, second-hand smoke, and indoor mold and dampness only worsen the condition in children.

Source: CNN

Read: Thousands of Lives Could Be Saved by Stricter Air Pollution Standards

There are things that regular citizens can do to help protect children’s health, such as not exposing kids to second-hand smoke. But the WHO says in its report that multiple government sectors can cooperate to improve the following:

• Housing: Do not use lead paint or unsafe building materials. Remove pests and mold. Use clean fuel for cooking and heating (not coal, e.g.).


• Schools: Provide safe sanitation and hygiene, and a noise- and pollution-free environment. Promote good nutrition.


• Health facilities: Ensure safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Provide reliable electricity.


• Urban planning: Create green spaces and safe paths for walking and cycling.


• Transport: Reduce vehicle emissions and increase reliable public transport.


• Agriculture: Reduce the use of hazardous pesticides. Eliminate child labor.


• Industry: Safely manage hazardous waste and reduce the use of harmful chemicals.


• Health sector: Monitor health outcomes. Educate the public about environmental health effects and prevention of adverse effects.

Source:

World Health Organization

Image Source:

CNN

---

---

About Mike Barrett:
	Mike is the co-founder, editor, and researcher behind Natural Society. Studying the work of top natural health activists, and writing special reports for top 10 alternative health websites, Mike has written hundreds of articles and pages on how to obtain optimum wellness through natural health.

6 Avoidable Risk Factors For Asthma

Many of us would agree there’s nothing worse than difficulty breathing, and while there are many conditions out there, I want to talk to you today about asthma. A terrible respiratory condition, it can greatly affect one’s quality of life. If you’re living with asthma, it’s likely you already know your triggers, but there might be some things you weren’t aware of. Perhaps you’ve been newly diagnosed and wish to keep attacks at a minimum. That said, here are 6 avoidable risk factors I want to share with you.

1. Obesity

When a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, that person is termed obese. In a worrying discovery, childhood obesity—or obesity at any age—can also lead to asthma. One recent study even suggested the risk of asthma increased by 55% for every extra unit of BMI. ^[1]

2. Stress

There are many things that can affect the health of your unborn child, and it seems your stress levels might be one of them. A new study suggests high-stress events could be linked to a greater risk for childhood asthma. ^[2] Not only were the mothers studied, but the children were also evaluated at ages 6 and 14. The children, at 14, were “twice as likely to have asthma […] if their mothers had been through a single stressful life event.”

3. Household Chemicals

Often used as stabilizing agents, endocrine-disrupting phthalates in household chemicals could also increase the risk for childhood asthma. Scientists studied the phthalate levels of pregnant women, and noted the children of women with higher phthalate levels were almost three times more likely to have an asthma diagnosis. ^[3]

4. Inadequate Gas Ventilation

Gas stoves without proper ventilation could also be a trigger for childhood asthma, with a new study suggesting a link between gas kitchen stove ventilation and asthma. ^[4] When used for cooking or heating, these stoves can increase the number of indoor pollutants that trigger an asthma attack. So while the chances for breathing problems are still there, using proper ventilation can cut a kid’s risk by thirty to forty percent.

    5. Breathing Dirty Air

A recent study looking to North Carolina as a model suggested air quality has significantly improved since mid-1990s governmental regulations. Many of you with asthma know how pollution can act as a trigger, so, for some, better air quality can lead to a better quality of life. Because of cleaner air, fewer asthma deaths have been reported, with numbers dropping almost by half. ^[5]

6. Smoking

It seems like smoking and breathing problems could go hand in hand, doesn’t it? Well, a recent study suggested those problems could start well before birth, noting children born to fathers who began smoking at an early age had three times higher risk for asthma. ^[6] And remember, a child with asthma has a doubled risk of attacks or symptoms if either parent smokes in the home. ^[7]

One Final Thought

Genetics certainly plays a large role in an asthma diagnosis, so while avoiding these risk factors can help, it isn’t a surefire guarantee you’ll completely dodge the condition. When it comes to helping your child, exposure to allergens in the first year could be critical when a child is building up immunity. In a study of 560 children at high-risk for asthma, “only 17 percent of those exposed to three household allergens during the first year of life had recurrent wheezing,” suggesting timing can be crucial. ^[8] Remember that sometimes a little dirt can be a good thing!

How do you avoid asthma risk factors? Tell us about it in the comments.

References:

1. Grenell, R. et al. Effects of BMI, Fat Mass, and Lean Mass on Asthma in Childhood: A Mendelian Randomization Study. PLOS Medicine.


2. Sly, PD. et al. Prenatal adverse life events increase the risk for atopic diseases in children, which is enhanced in the absence of a maternal atopic predisposition. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 134 (1).


3. Whyatt, R. et al. Asthma in Inner-City Children at 5–11 Years of Age and Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates: The Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health Cohort. Environmental Health Perspectives.


4. Smit, E. et al. A cross-sectional study of the association between ventilation of gas stoves and chronic respiratory illness in U.S. children enrolled in NHANESIII. Environmental Health. 13 (71).


5. Abernethy, AP. et al. Long-term dynamics of death rates of emphysema, asthma, and pneumonia and improving air quality. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 9 (1).


6. Svanes, C. et al. Parental smoking prior to conception and asthma in offspring. European Respiratory Journal.


7. Committee on Environmental Health. Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Hazard to Children. Pediatrics. 99 (4).


8. Lynch, S. et al. Effects of early-life exposure to allergens and bacteria on recurrent wheeze and atopy in urban children. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 134 (3).

UNICEF: 300 Million Kids are Breathing Toxic Air

New research from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) shows that 300 million children – 1 in 7 globally – live in areas with “toxic” levels of air pollution. [1] [2]

 

The poorer a child is, the more likely he or she is to be surrounded by filthy air, and the greater the likelihood that he or she will suffer health problems as a result.

The report, which uses satellite imagery to determine the impacted areas, comes as international leaders prepare to gather in November in Morocco to continue the work of cutting carbon dioxide emissions and staving off the worst effects of global warming. [1]

No Escape

According to the report, the effected children live in places “where outdoor air pollution exceeds international guidelines by at least 6 times.” Altogether, it states, some 2 billion children are breathing air that has been deemed a “long-term hazard,” exceeding minimum standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a statement, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said:

“Air pollution is a major contributing factor in the deaths of around 600,000 children under five every year — and it threatens the lives and futures of millions more every day.

Pollutants don’t only harm children’s developing lungs — they can actually cross the blood-brain barrier and permanently damage their developing brains — and, thus, their futures. No society can afford to ignore air pollution.”

Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, UNICEF writes. Their lungs are still developing; their respiratory airways are more susceptible to blockages; and youngsters “breathe twice as fast, taking in more air per unit of body weight, compared to adults.”

Read: Toxic Nanoparticle Air Pollution Found in Human Brain Tissue

And while adult bodies also struggle to compensate from the damage caused by air pollution, kids’ immune systems are weaker. All of this, combined, puts children at risk for a lifetime of health problems. [2]

Study author Nicholas Rees says:

“That physiological difference essentially makes them even more vulnerable. It’s also that the poorest children are the most affected. If we look at the burden of mortality associated with air pollution, we find that the vast majority – about 90% of outdoor air pollution deaths – are in low- and middle-income countries.”

According to the authors of the research, “studies have shown that the lung capacity of children living in polluted environments can be reduced by 20% – similar to the effect of growing up in a home with secondhand cigarette smoke.” [1]

The report goes on to say:

“The combination of respiratory, cardiovascular, cognitive, morbidity and reproductive health effects of air pollution have biological as well as social and economic effects that last a lifetime. These include health conditions, school attendance, school performance, health costs and productivity, which affect income, poverty and inequalities.

Air pollution, through its massive and cumulative impact on the overall health and well-being of children and parents, can perpetuate intergenerational cycles of inequality.”

Kids’ health is negatively impacted by both outdoor air pollution (such as pollution from a factory) and indoor air pollution (such as smoke from solid fuels used in cooking). However, outdoor air pollution is worse in “lower-income, urban communities.” 

Air pollution also puts unborn children at risk. According to past studies, chronic exposure to high levels of particulate matter is linked to high rates of fetal loss (miscarriages), premature births, and lower birthrates. [3]

The report notes that it is difficult to separate the impact of the 2 because people are constantly moving between the 2 environments.

Additionally, the report states that current projections show that industrialization is making the problem even worse. Unless world leaders take action to cut outdoor air pollution, “studies show that outdoor air pollution will become the leading cause of environment-related child death by 2050.” [1]

UNICEF says:

“South Asia has the largest number of children living in these areas, at 620 million, with Africa following at 520 million children,” according to UNICEF. “The East Asia and Pacific region has 450 million children living in areas that exceed guideline limits.”

Air pollution has been linked to more than a half-million deaths each year in kids younger than 5, which is nearly double the death toll caused by malaria. For many children, the cost of breathing toxic air is a lifetime of battling pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis. [2]

Championing Change

13858346 – playing little boy on the river coast near industrial plant

But it’s not a hopeless cause, if countries commit to changes and follow through on them. UNICEF is calling on world leaders to do the following:

• Reduce pollution by decreasing fossil fuel combustion and investing in energy efficiency.

• Increase access to children’s healthcare.

• Minimize kids’ exposure to air pollution by keeping schools away from factories and other known polluters and using cleaner cookstoves in homes.

• Improve monitoring of air pollution. [3]

Sources:

[1] NPR

[2] The Washington Post

[3] CNN

---

---

About Julie Fidler:
	Julie Fidler is a freelance writer, legal blogger, and the author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two ridiculously spoiled cats. She occasionally pontificates on her blog.

Can Vitamin D Supplements Reduce Severe Asthma Attacks?

New evidence has shown that vitamin D supplements may actually help reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks, in addition to helping sufferers cut back on steroid treatments.

In this recently-published research, it was found that using vitamin D supplements decreased the occurrence of asthma attacks requiring visits to the hospital, going from 6% to 3%. Furthermore, taking a vitamin D supplement does not cause any noticeable side effects, making it a great choice for treatment if it does indeed work as well as suggested. The down side: researchers noted that the vitamin D supplements did not improve day-to-day lung function of asthma sufferers. [1]

Vitamin D supplements also did not seem to have any effect on the time people took off of work or school due to their asthma. As no one died during the study, it is also not possible to tell if the supplement reduced mortality risk.

Dr. Erika Kennington, from the charity Asthma UK, stated:

“While this research shows promise, more evidence is needed to conclusively show whether Vitamin D can reduce asthma attacks and symptoms. With so many different types of asthma it could be that Vitamin D may benefit some people with the condition but not others.

Asthma UK’s research centres are working hard to discover how and why Vitamin D affects asthma symptoms and if it could be a potential treatment in the future.”

Read: Fracking May Increase Asthma Flares by 50%

The studies, however, do not differentiate between those who have asthma and are vitamin D deficient. Researchers have recognized that the benefit may only be available for those who are low in the vitamin. Neither do the studies give asthma sufferers a specific dosage to take in order to help reduce their asthma attacks.

The NHS or National Health Service in the UK recommends that each person take 10 micrograms of vitamin D, especially during the winter months. However, they note that in this study, some people were taking doses that were much higher. Many individuals taking vitamin D supplements take 4,000-10,000 IUs daily. [2] [3]

Researchers recommend that those who suffer with asthma see their doctor in light of these recent results to discuss vitamin D deficiency and anything else that can be done to help manage asthma.

The authors of the study emphasize that vitamin D was not used to replace asthma medication, but was used in conjunction.

Sources:

[1] IFL Science!

[2] BBC News

[3] NHS

---

---

About Anna Scanlon:
	Anna Scanlon is an author of YA and historical fiction and a PhD student at the University of Leicester where she is finishing her degree in modern history. You can find out more about Anna and her books on her lifestyle blog annainwonderland.co.uk.

Activists Urge Congress to Require Schools to Test for Toxic PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, have been banned in the United States since 1979, but a new study by researchers at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows that up to 14 million students in 26,000 U.S. public schools may still be exposed to the toxic industrial chemicals. [1

The report was published on the same day that former PCB maker and agritech giant Monsanto announced that it would set aside $280 million in PCB personal injury settlements.

Despite the ban, PCBs still persist because of their presence in building materials.

A Little Bit About Toxic PCB Chemicals

PCBs have been around since 1929, but many countries – including the U.S. – began banning them in the 1970s and ’80s because of their potential risks to human health and the environment. [2]

Read: Study Shows PCBs Cause “Severe Impact” on Whales and Dolphins

The chemicals were used as insulating material in electrical equipment, such as transformers and capacitors, as well as heat transfer fluids and lubricants because they are resistant to acids and bases, as well as heat.

PCBs have also been used in a wide range of products, including plasticizers, surface coatings, inks, adhesives, flame-retardants, paints, and carbonless duplicating paper.

Source: Spokane County Water Resources

Potential Health Risks Posed by PCBs

Cancer. Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have categorized PCBs as probable carcinogens. [3]

One study found that children’s risk of developing acute lymphocytic leukemia increased 2-fold when PCBs were detected in the dust of a room in which the child spent a significant amount of time.

This past June, a St. Louis Circuit Court jury ordered Monsanto, Solutia, Pharmacia, and Pfizer to pay $46.5 million to three people who alleged that the companies’ mishandling of PCBs had caused them cancer.

Immunity. PCBs suppress the immune system and thyroid function.

Heart disease. The chemicals increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

Hormonal problems. PCBs can alter a person’s sex hormone system. They have been linked with early puberty in girls and reduced testosterone levels in boys.

Asthma. Asthma and infectious respiratory diseases have all been linked to PCBs, particularly in children.

Birth weight and infant motor skills. Women exposed to PCBs during pregnancy have a higher risk of having babies that weigh slightly less than babies from women who have not been exposed. Furthermore, children born to mothers who ate PCB-contaminated foods tend to have more problems with motor skills and short-term memory in infancy.

Learning disabilities. PCBs are associated with cognitive problems and a lower ability to learn and remember in children. Reduced alertness and increased tiredness have also been noted in children exposed to PCBs.

Lower intelligence. The chemicals are known to lower IQ.

Taking Action

The Harvard report finds that anywhere from 13,000 to 26,000 public schools in the United States could be plagued by lingering PCBs. That’s quite a range, but no one knows the exact number. It’s the researchers’ best guess. [4]

Many schools don’t test for PCBs, and such testing is not required under federal law. Activists want that to change, so they’ve begun lobbying Congress to close a dangerous loophole that they say could be putting millions of children’s lives at stake. [5]

Jennifer deNicola, a parent in Malibu, California, who helped lead a years-long effort to rid that community’s schools of PCBs in window caulk and other materials, eventually filing a lawsuit against the school district, says:

“Parents have the right to know what their children are being exposed to in school.”

PCBs are pervasive. Touching surfaces contaminated with the chemicals can transfer them to a person. They can be inhaled via contaminated dust in the air, or consumed in contaminated foods.

The caulk in the posh Malibu schools had concentrations of PCBs that in some instances were thousands of times higher than the federal limit. Supermodel and businesswoman Cindy Crawford even pulled her children out of the schools over the issue, and became a spokesperson for the cause.

A federal judge last month ordered the school district to remove PCBs from its schools by December 31, 2019.

Fortunately, activists have an ally.

On 5 October 2016, Senator Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, released a report on the extent of the problem, and called on Congress to provide money that would allow schools to test for the toxins. He is also calling on such testing to be mandatory. [4]

And should unsafe levels of PCBs be detected in a school, Markey wants parents to be notified immediately.

Lastly, the lawmaker is calling for the EPA to begin urging inspections of schools built or renovated prior to PCBs being banned.

According to Markey’s report, 286 reports have been submitted to the EPA concerning PCB contamination in 22 states during the past decade, affecting thousands of schools. But because testing is random and spotty, those reports likely represent just a fraction of the schools affected by PCB contamination.

The report states:

“Absent a requirement to test or inspect schools for PCB contamination, the discovery of PCB hazards in schools occurs by chance.” [5]

Melanie Benesh, a legislative attorney for the Environmental Working Group, which also analyzed the EPA data the Markey report was based on, says:

“We need to know more. There’s already a legal limit for the amount of PCBs that can be used, but the problem is that it’s hard to enforce that if no one has to look.

There needs to be a duty to look for PCBs just like there is a duty to look for asbestos.” [4]

She went on to say:

“Schools could actually be violating the federal law right now because they’re violating the federal legal limit of 50 parts per million legal limit. But they don’t know that if they haven’t looked.”

What Can Parents Do?

Schools must keep PCB levels below the threshold of 100 to 600 nanograms per cubic meter. According to the EPA, where in that range depends on the age of the students. Benesh says that when levels exceed that limit, schools have a duty to inform parents. [5]

But parents can be proactive by asking a few key questions:

• Was the school built or retrofitted between 1950 and 1979? That is the period in which school building materials contained Monsanto-made PCBs.

• Has the school district done testing, and is there a management plan?

• Has the school coordinated with the regional EPA office? [4]

Says Benesh:

“One thing’s for sure, our kids really shouldn’t be exposed to it, it has no place in our schools, and it’s not something that parents should have to worry about.”

Sources:

[1] EcoWatch (Article image source)

[2] GreenFacts

[3] Center for Health, Environment & Justice

[4] The Christian Science Monitor

[5] The Washington Post

EcoWatch

Spokane County Water Resources

---

---

About Julie Fidler:
	Julie Fidler is a freelance writer, legal blogger, and the author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two ridiculously spoiled cats. She occasionally pontificates on her blog.