“3 Minutes 3 Trees: local organization improving environmental influence on children's ... - Examiner” plus 1 more

3 Minutes 3 Trees: local organization improving environmental influence on children's ... - Examiner

Posted: 12 Aug 2010 11:34 AM PDT

Parenting today raises a new set of challenges for parents of young children. Concerns over the environment leave parents questioning the effects it will have on today's children for tomorrow.

Concerns about the impact the environment is having on children's health sparked the Children's Health Act in 2000. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has been directed by Congress to lead a $2.3 billion longitudinal study of environmental influences on children's health and development over the next 30 years.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) states, "various environmental exposures are suspected to influence or even cause a number of chronic health and developmental conditions in children".

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) suspects various environmental exposures to influence or even cause a number of chronic health and developmental conditions. The environment is a prime suspect with increasing rates of autism, asthma, birth defects, pediatric cancer, and numerous developmental and physical disabilities. According to HHS, the cause is not known in 80% of cases.

3 Minutes 3 Trees, a local high school organization at Carlmont High School in San Mateo County consisting of 24 members, is working hard at changing these air quality ratings and the environment. The mission of the organization is to increase the amount of trees by decreasing waste created by "junk mail".

"I was always passionate about helping the environment and when I noticed how much waste is created by junk mail, I thought it was a perfect way for me to make a difference. I think other than stopping junk mail, this project is a good source for educating the community about waste and its effects on the environment," said Sabrina Eshaghi, founder of 3 Minutes 3 Trees.

Eshaghi plans to major in environmental science and will continue the organization in college.

"I hope to take this project to a higher level. I feel the environment will be a big challenge for my generation and will be the biggest issue our generation will face," said Eshaghi.

Trees are responsible for improving air quality, protecting water, saving energy and providing economic sustainability. Pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone pollutants, carbon monoxide, pollen, dust, smoke and ash are trapped and filtered by leaves and branches. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) concluded that trees in New York City removed more than 1,800 metric tons of air pollution; an estimated value of this service to society is estimated to be about $9.5 million.

3 Minutes 3 Trees has helped over 250 households eliminate junk mail waste which equals to saving 750 trees so far. The goal is to save 5,000 trees before graduation. The organization has been active in the community by helping people to reduce junk mail. Recent events included Belmont's Earth Day, Sunset Magazine Festival and Belmont Movie Nights.

3 Minutes 3 Trees will be at Whole Foods Market in Redwood City this Saturday, October 3, 2009. It takes only 3 minutes to sign up and start reducing waste created by junk mail. Signing up will save trees in effort to protecting the environment and today's children for tomorrow.

EVENT:
3 Minutes 3 Trees
Whole Foods Market
1250 Jefferson Ave.
Redwood City, CA
(650) 367-1400

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New study may lead to earlier autism detection - Los Angeles Times

Posted: 12 Aug 2010 07:59 AM PDT

Erika Edwards Staff Writer

August 12, 2010

sns-health-early-autism-detection-study

The idea that an autistic child could be diagnosed as an infant—and therefore be able to get the earliest treatment possible—is intriguing to experts in the field.

A new study of babies who'd been placed in the neo-natal intensive care unit after birth was originally intended to research infant development.

"This was not meant to be an autism study, but they went back and said: 'We have some features here that can differentiate the kids with autism compared with kids who don't,'" said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.

Some of the children who were later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder had developmental anomalies as young babies—differences in muscle tone and how they responded to noises and visual patterns. The differences were subtle, which experts say could not be identified by a parent and it's too early to generalize these findings to healthy newborns.

"These were babies who were sick enough that they ended up in an intensive care unit and then were followed afterwards to monitor their development," Wiznitzer said.

These red flags could be used in future infant autism studies. The hope is to find solid autism markers that doctors can look for.

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