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ObjectiveCalifornia children's exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs) are among the highest measured worldwide. We previously reported associations for prenatal and childhood PBDE exposures with decrements in attention, processing speed, fine motor coordination, and cognition in children at ages 5 and 7 years. Here, we investigate associations of PBDEs with attention and executive function at ages 9 to 12 years in the expanded CHAMACOS cohort.MethodsWe measured PBDEs in prenatal and child age 9 year serum samples for families enrolled in the study since pregnancy ("CHAM1", N=321). In a subsequent cohort for which families were enrolled at child age 9 ("CHAM2", N=301), we measured PBDEs in maternal and child samples collected at child age 9, and used predictive modeling to estimate prenatal exposure levels. We examined associations of measured and estimated PBDE concentrations on children's attention and executive functioning at ages 9, 10½, and 12 years.ResultsGeometric means for prenatal and childhood ΣPBDE levels (sum of PBDE-47, -99, -100, -153) for the expanded CHAMACOS cohort were 26.3 and 63.2 ng/g lipid, respectively, and did not differ significantly between CHAM1 and CHAM2 families. We found consistent associations of prenatal exposure to PBDEs with poorer attention and executive function, measured with parent report and direct neuropsychological testing of the child. For example, using GEE models of repeated outcome measures at ages 9 and 12, a 10-fold increase in prenatal ΣPBDE was associated with poorer response consistency on the Conners' Continuous Performance Test II (β=2.9; 95% CI: 0.9, 4.8) and poorer working memory on the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (β=2.5; 95% CI: 0.5, 4.4). Child age 9 ΣPBDE levels were associated with poorer parent-reported attention and executive function for girls but not boys.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the prefrontal cortex may be a potential target for PBDE exposure and add to a growing literature showing that these ubiquitous toxicants may adversely affect neurodevelopment.

ObjectiveCalifornia children's exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs) are among the highest measured worldwide. We previously reported associations for prenatal and childhood PBDE exposures with decrements in attention, processing speed, fine motor coordination, and cognition in children at ages 5 and 7 years. Here, we investigate associations of PBDEs with attention and executive function at ages 9 to 12 years in the expanded CHAMACOS cohort.MethodsWe measured PBDEs in prenatal and child age 9 year serum samples for families enrolled in the study since pregnancy ("CHAM1", N=321). In a subsequent cohort for which families were enrolled at child age 9 ("CHAM2", N=301), we measured PBDEs in maternal and child samples collected at child age 9, and used predictive modeling to estimate prenatal exposure levels. We examined associations of measured and estimated PBDE concentrations on children's attention and executive functioning at ages 9, 10½, and 12 years.ResultsGeometric means for prenatal and childhood ΣPBDE levels (sum of PBDE-47, -99, -100, -153) for the expanded CHAMACOS cohort were 26.3 and 63.2 ng/g lipid, respectively, and did not differ significantly between CHAM1 and CHAM2 families. We found consistent associations of prenatal exposure to PBDEs with poorer attention and executive function, measured with parent report and direct neuropsychological testing of the child. For example, using GEE models of repeated outcome measures at ages 9 and 12, a 10-fold increase in prenatal ΣPBDE was associated with poorer response consistency on the Conners' Continuous Performance Test II (β=2.9; 95% CI: 0.9, 4.8) and poorer working memory on the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (β=2.5; 95% CI: 0.5, 4.4). Child age 9 ΣPBDE levels were associated with poorer parent-reported attention and executive function for girls but not boys.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the prefrontal cortex may be a potential target for PBDE exposure and add to a growing literature showing that these ubiquitous toxicants may adversely affect neurodevelopment.

During the nineties, the annual rate of deforestation officially recognized in Mexico was 600,000 hectares. By the end of 2001, the head of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry, declared that the real rate of annual deforestation amounts to 1,127,845 hectares. The increasing pulp national demand for paper production has been satisfied by importing raw material from abroad and at the expense of destroying the natural forests. The huge environmental costs involved in such destruction heavily compromise our future. On the other hand, in many universities we are still reproducing the same fragmented vision that is responsible for environmental deprivation. What is the purpose of lecturing undergraduate students on sustainability, if we continue with our daily polluting and misspending practices? An inner urge to be coherent is our point of departure. Therefore, we implemented a program for collecting paper and reducing its consumption. It was initiated three years ago in the University Center of La Cienega, La Barca Campus. Four hundred students, attend this Campus which area of influence extends to 40 km. At present we have accumulated 7 tons, which indirectly implies that we have saved the life of 84 full grown trees, and we have also saved 196,000 liters of water and 11,500 Kw /hour of energy. Since 2002, we have encouraged several educational and governmental institutions of the surroundings to establish their own paper collecting centers. This re-educational strategy based on the principle, "If I change, the world changes", is the core of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the public's general understanding of how education about the interrelationship of economy, culture, and nature is lacking. It suggests the concept of sustainable development can assist in man's attempt to fully understand how to maintain a better balance between ecological protection and economic justice.