The Philadelphia School and Community IPM Partnership (PSCIP) is a collaborative project designed to radically reform pest management in underserved neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia by reducing both pest infestations and also the use of toxic pesticides.
The Philadelphia Partnership Summer 2012 Newsletter is now available!
http://extension.psu.edu/ipm/resources/urbanphilly/news/newsletters/summer-2012/view
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Tomorrow: Green Cleaning and Infection Control Webinar
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Thursday, July 26, 2012
U.S. House Hearing on Lyme Disease is a Great Success
July 22, 2012
• Hearing Significance
The 2 hour July 17, 2012 hearing, Global Challenges in Diagnosing and Managing Lyme Disease - Closing Knowledge Gaps, was held on July 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. The significance of the hearing is that it is the first time Congress has looked at the global implications of Lyme disease and chronic Lyme disease, and focused on the science and putting patients first. Witnesses gave testimony about how policies and actions by government agencies such as CDC and NIH and of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
(IDSA) have prevented research on chronic Lyme disease from moving forward and have hindered patient diagnosis and treatment. Solid science was presented for the record showing persistence in animal studies and cutting edge testing for Lyme was examined.
• Brief Summaries of Oral Testimonies
Congressman Christopher Smith opened the hearing with a lengthy statement about the problems he has heard about from Lyme patients about the inability to be diagnosed and treated and the role of federal agencies and also of the Infectious Diseases Society (IDSA) in the controversy surrounding Lyme. He also mentioned that Lyme Disease Association President Pat Smith alerted him to the problem about 20 years ago and he went through the history of federal efforts he has mounted to obtain monies and research and an advisory committee, the latter effort he likened to his success in autism which he was able to have passed with much less difficulty that Lyme. He introduced:
Stephen Barthold, PhD, Distinguished Professor, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis who spoke about his long career in Lyme research, in particular, his animal studies. He spoke about the contentious nature of the Lyme field and the persistence of Borrelia burgderferi, the organism that causes Lyme.
Raphael Stricker, M.D., Vice President, International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) who is a clinician with 2,000 Lyme patients from all over the world. He discussed the lack of knowledge of some doctors as an impediment to diagnosis and treatment and the need for national protection for Lyme treating physicians.
Mark Eshoo, Ph.D., Director, New Technology Development, Abbott who spoke about studies in mice and survival of the spirochete and how existing tests are only antibody response tests and are not really sensitive so many cases are not diagnosed. He talked about his new research using cutting edge technology to directly detect the Lyme bacteria and strain variations as a possible solution to end this controversy.
Patricia Smith, President, Lyme Disease Association, who testified about the problems of patients getting diagnosed and treated and treating physicians being allowed to practice clinical judgment in the treatment of Lyme patients. The problems relate to the two standards of care for Lyme (ILADS & IDSA). She explained how patients and advocates are being unfairly attacked in peer review by some of the same researchers whom the NIH funds and spoke about the broad brushed conclusions of the NIH treatment studies which have incorrectly concluded that no long term treatment helps any Lyme patients. A breakdown in the CDC Lyme surveillance system has led to inconsistent inaccurate counting of Lyme cases nationwide, and a "policy" of NO Lyme in the South and Midwest has contributed to little diagnosis and treatment in that region. She presented the problems of children with Lyme being unfairly characterized as faking illness despite studies showing IQ drop, and that some have committed suicide. Mothers have been charged with Munchausen's and had children removed from the home for getting them treated by licensed physicians. She noted the absence of key Lyme players CDC, NIH, IDSA who now remain part of the problem and need to be brought to the table.
Evan White, who narrated his journey from preteen Lyme patient who got sicker from short-term treatment to one who through years of careful long-term treatment was able to become a lawyer, husband and father. At age 13, he described himself as a "vegetable." He was deteriorated and transformed, weighing 60 pounds. He now described himself as fully recovered and a Lyme advocate. He noted that he testified before the 1993 Senate Hearing on Lyme disease.
Ms. Stella Huyshe-Shires Chair Lyme Disease Action discussed the problem of Lyme in the UK and across Europe, indicating that the actual incidence is probably so much higher in the UK than reported due to so few physicians recognizing the disease. She said there is much polarization in Europe and everyone needs to stop beating the drum and move forward.
She mentioned the influence of IDSA guidelines in Europe and how patients have difficulty getting diagnosed and treated there.
During Q & A, many specific comments were elicited on issues such as biofilms, cell wall deficient forms, school issues, calling for more research, possible use of the new testing methods commercially, how can legislators ensure monies go to research and many other issues.
• Congressional Attendees
Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ) and Congresswoman Bass
(CA) and various Congressional Staff were in attendance for the Committee. Both Congressman Frank Wolf (VA) and Congressman Chris Gibson (NY), who are not Committee members, attended and made statements about the amount of Lyme disease they see in their districts and Congressman Gibson mentioned Lyme being a constituent driven issue (he hosted a forum in NY where Pat Smith was a panel member).
Congressman Gibson also asked questions to the panel. Both legislators thanked Congressman Smith for his leadership in the House on this issue. Congressman Smith acknowledged the role of Senator Blumenthal when he was CT Attorney General in investigating the IDSA and suppression of data, and his role as Senate Lyme bill (S-1381) sponsor. He discussed his own bill in the House (HR-2557). It is not uncommon for only a few members to be present at the hearing. All members receive both written and oral testimonies.
• Actions You Can Take
1) Watch the hearing & read the written testimonies here:
2) At this time, the LDA suggests that you send a BRIEF only one page fax to the following US House Representatives thanking them for their role (listed after their name in
parenthesis) in this hearing:
Congressman Christopher H. Smith (NJ), (Subcommittee
Chairman) 202 225 7768 (fax)
Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA), (Subcommittee Member who
attended) 202 225 2422 (fax)
Congressman Frank Wolf (VA) (attendee) 202 225 0437 (fax) Congressman Chris Gibson (NY) (attendee) 202 225 1168 (fax)
If any of these people are your US Representative, you can send an email through their email on their website. Those emails are usually limited to constituents.
3) Urge your 1 US House Representatives and your 2 US Senators to Co-Sponsor the Lyme bills today! For contact information and sample phone blurbs / letters, go here:
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=826&Itemid=131
4) Please forward this to others connected to Lyme and encourage them to sign up for the LDA newsletter by joining the LDA's mailing list here:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001qvJffTsWrj83ok1BiVhwFg%3D%3D
The mission of LymeInfo is to keep you informed of issues that might be of interest to Lyme disease patients. Postings are not meant to imply that we agree with the content of all items we distribute.
For Lyme information, see:
Dept of Education Green Strides Webinar : Improving Air Quality with Transportation Changes" Webinar, August 1, 2012 from 2-3pm
Learn how to reduce the air pollution at your school by implementing a simple, yet effective, idling reduction campaign!
Vehicle exhaust contains air toxics, which are known to cause cancer, respiratory effects, reproductive effects, birth defects or other serious health effects. Children are more susceptible to air pollution because of their developing lungs and higher breathing rates. Many parents idle their vehicles during school pick up times and this can lead to elevated levels of air toxics at schools. Learn how your school can reduce unnecessary idling by implementing a simple, yet effective idling reduction campaign using the EPA Idle Free Schools Toolkit. The Toolkit includes a precise schedule for implementing a campaign, clear guidance for each step of the campaign, sample letters and pledges, and educational materials. It also provides the resources to make this a student-run science or community involvement project, providing students with the opportunity to learn how to run a public service campaign while expanding their science and math skills. The right time to start an idling reduction campaign at a school is at the beginning of the school year, so learn more about the toolkit on the August 1 US Department of Education Green Strides Webinar "Improving Air Quality with Transportation Changes." You'll also learn about cleaning up school buses, as well as introducing alternative transportation choices for students to further reduce vehicle exhaust at schools.
Please join the "Improving Air Quality with Transportation Changes" Webinar on
August 1, 2012 from 2-3pm (Eastern Daylight Time). Please register by following these steps:
- Visit https://esbuildings.webex.com
- Click on “Improving Air Quality with Transportation Changes”
- Click on Register and complete the registration form.
- Save the confirmation e-mail (sent by messenger@webex.com) with the information needed to participate in the presentation, which will be sent to the e-mail address you have specified. Please check your spam e-mail filter if the message does not appear in your inbox.
- Click on the link provided in this e-mail and join us at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the presentation.
If you have any questions about this presentation or the registration process, please contact Julie Weisz at Julie.weisz@cadmusgroup.com.
For more information on Idle Free Schools, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region8/air/idlefreeschools.html
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grants
Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grants
http://homedepotfoundation.org/page/applying-for-a-grant
Community Impact Grants Program, grants of up to $5,000 are available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools, or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services.
Proposals for the following community improvement activities will be considered:
• Repairs, refurbishments, and modifications to low-income and/or transitional veteran's housing, or community facilities (schools, community centers, senior centers, etc.)
• Weatherizing or increasing energy efficiency of low-income and/or transitional veterans' housing, or community facilities
• Planting trees or community gardens and/or landscaping community facilities that serve veterans
• Grants must support work completed by community volunteers in the U.S.
• Projects must be completed within six months following notification that the grant has been awarded, with reporting requirements due 30 days following the completion of the project.
• Grants are solely given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services.
The Home Depot Foundation’s Community Impact Grant Program will accept proposals for grants beginning February 6, 2012 through August 13, 2012.
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