Database

Acid copper chromate (ACC) has been in use as a wood preservative in industrial/commercial settings in Europe and in the USA since 1920. USEPA has now taken steps to ensure it continues to be excluded from sale for domestic purposes. Their concern is that chromate (Hexavalent Chromium) is both carcinogenic, an irritant and an allergen and that there will be some uncontrolled exposure. Treated wood should be disposed of as if hazardous waste (not just burnt). Evidence from: US EPA 8th Jan 2007 “Acid Copper Chromate (ACC) Residential Uses Won’t be Registered” Metal based wood preservatives have been in use for decades and pressure treated woods contain several kg of metal per cubic metre. Further detail: 6#9-10 2

The meta analysis seems to show that there is no synergistic effect between silicosis and smoking in the risk of lung cancer. Evidence from: ITS Yu et al. Int. J. Cancer (2006) Vol.120 p 133 – 139 “Exploring the joint effects of silicosis and smoking on lung cancer risks” The problem of joint effects has been extensively developed for asbestos and smoking. Further detail: 6#9-10 1

Evidence from: L Mellemkjaer et al. Epidemiology (2006) Vol.17 p 668–673 “Risks for Skin and Other Cancers Up to 25 Years after Burn Injuries” The rate of skin cancer in burn victims was significantly reduced by 30%. Further detail: 6#7-8 30

Evidence from: HPA Centre for infections “Report of Seminar on Ethical and Social Aspects of Testing for vCJD” Current practice includes no right to opt out of such information; potential donors found to be reactive to blood tests for vCJD should therefore be informed of their test result. The wording on the consent form is “I understand that if my donation gives a positive result for any of [the listed] tests I will be informed and asked to attend for further confirmatory tests and advice.” Further detail: 6#7-8 29

In our view, that CBT works at all tends to confirm the relative immateriality of factual events such as a viral disease or an RTA in the aetiology of these affective disorders. They are probably illnesses of belief and perception. Evidence from: D Chambers et al. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. (2006) Vol.99 p 506-520 “Interventions for the treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis: an updated systematic review” Further detail: 6#7-8 28

Evidence from: F Wang et al. Plant Biotechnology Journal (2006) Vol.4 p 667 – 676 “A large-scale field study of transgene flow from cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) to common wild rice (O. rufipogon) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli)” Pollen mediated gene flow is known to vary with distance between source and receptor, with family closeness and with timing. In this study a large area of land was planted with GM and non-GM rice at various times to ensure some synchronisation of flowering. In this experiment the GM rice was herbicide tolerant. The maximum transgene flow was between 11% and 18% when source and receptor were within 1 metre. Probability of flow decreased rapidly with distance reaching 0.01% at 150 to 250 metres. Probability was related to wind speed; greater transport distances were detected in areas with higher wind speeds. Gene flow to barnyard grass, grown amongst the GM rice for 5 successive years, could not be detected. Comment The rates of gene flow