Child health study: Does a pregnant woman's exposure to certain chemicals put her child at risk of learning disabilities? Do genetics and pollution interact to cause asthma?
Researchers in the US will be seeking answers to such questions in what is billed as the largest ever study of American children.
Up to 100,000 children will be tracked from their mothers' wombs to the age of 21 in an attempt to increase our understanding of how the environment affects children's health. Called the National Children's Study, it's a quest to prove both what's harmful and what's not. The study is currently in the late planning stages and researchers hope pilot sites could begin next year.
Families alerted by interested patient-advocacy groups are already asking how to participate. The estimated cost of the study over two decades is $27 billion. The last major American child health study, carried out in the 1960s, tracked children of 55,000 pregnant women until the age of seven.
Heritage conference
"Protecting our natural heritage - what will be our legacy?" is the theme of a conference to be held in Carrigaline, Co Cork, on April 22nd and 23rd. Speakers from North America (Robert McIntosh from the National Park Service in the US, Larry Hilderbrand from Environment Canada and Mark Anderson from the American Nature Conservancy), Britain (Tom Oliver from Campaign to Protect Rural England and Ireland) and Ireland (Des Johnson from An Bord Pleanála and Philip Buckley from the National Parks and Wildlife Service) will address ways of improving our protection of the environment. Booking details from the Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co Cork. Tel: 028-20187; e-mail sherkinmarine@eircom.net
Alaskan oil drilling
Eskimo hunters in Alaska are angry about a plan by Alaska's governor to authorise oil drilling in state waters close to a wildlife refuge. Last week the governor, Frank Murkowski, said he would allow oil drilling in state waters within three miles of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Inupiat Eskimos say this will endanger whales and other wildlife. They argue that any spilled oil could become trapped under pack ice and will be unlikely to degrade in such frigid temperatures. They also cite scientific studies showing that industrial noise, light and traffic are extremely disruptive to wildlife. Murkowski maintains that concerns about environmental threats are unjustified since offshore drilling occurs safely in other parts of the US.
Leading lights
Calling all architects, operations managers and others keen to improve the energy efficiency of workplace lighting. Sustainable Energy Ireland is organising two one-day courses on lighting awareness on April 27th and 28th in Dublin. The courses will be presented by David Matyus-Flynn who has received many awards for his effective and energy-efficient lighting schemes. Cost €200. Tel: 01-8082076. See also www.sei.ie