Archive for category ‘Chronic Fatigue Syndrome‘

WHO receives delegation of representatives for the environmentally ill

MCS stakeholders sign petition to the World Health Organization

On May 13, a petition from the WHO delegation of stakeholders from MCS and EMS patients, physicians, scientists, lawyers and journalists in Geneva will be received. The delegation will be welcomed by Dr. Maria Neira, Director General of Public Health and Environment, WHO confirms.

WHO confirmed hearing from MCS organizations

Dr. Neira will receive the relevant documents from the delegation, a bibliography regarding environmental diseases, a list of countries that already have a ICD-10 code for MCS and / or EMS, and some other relevant documents for the meeting. All documents being submitted support the science-based arguments, and finally create a mandatory basis for environmental health conditions worldwide, so that the medical care of patients can be assured.

MCS and EMS organizations sign the WHO petition

The petition, which seeks to ensure that the situation for people, who are chemically sensitive or electro-sensitive, was improved by the Spanish organization „Asquifyde”. The petition was signed by many organizations, researchers, and practitioners from around the world. The hope is that WHO will implement this petition, which would apply a consistent international code of disease (ICD) in all countries worldwide for those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and electromagnetic sensitivity (EMS). This ICD code is important because it will allow patients’ doctors to give an accurate diagnosis with expected benefits from the health insurance, which already exists for other disabilities and illnesses. The existence of MCS and EMS has already been demonstrated.

In all countries, binding ICD-10 code for MCS and EMS

Currently, Japan (T65.9) and Germany (T78.4) have the ICD-10 code for MCS. Other German-speaking countries like Switzerland, Luxembourg and Austria ,through their Ministry of Health, say that in their countries the ICD-10 code for MCS, T78.4, is valid and can be used as well.

Submission of evidence to the WHO

It is possible to contribute and submit other important documents regarding the scientific aspects of MCS and EMS, to the WHO. During the next few days a PDF may be sent via e-mail to: info@asquifyde.es which is the Spanish organization. All documents received by medical experts and lawyers for environmental law will be organized in terms of their relevance and then selected for submission to the WHO.

Confirmed participation in the WHO hearing

Until May 3rd, 2011 it possible for organizations, academics, lawyers, and doctors to register for consultation with WHO in Geneva. This requires a binding confirmation take place with Asquifyde. The organization will report the final number of participants on May 3rd to Dr. Neira, after which it is appropriate to reserve a space.

WHO press conference after hearing

According to the WHO, a press conference will take place after the hearing. It will be headed by Sonia Miguel Jara and journalists. To fund this important press conference following the WHO hearing, Asquifyde and other MCS and EMS organizations, are asking anyone who is concerned about the environmental concerns of those ill from environmental factors to contribute financial support.

Help the environmentally ill

Scientists estimate that about 15-30% of the general population in industrialized countries suffer with MCS. The number of EMS stakeholders increases by the progressive expansion of mobile networks also. These people are almost without exception, without the help and support, which contradicts the international disability convention and applicable laws. Ignoring and negation of environmental diseases in recent years has led to indescribable suffering and to considerable financial losses to the economy. It is hoped that the leaders at the WHO, will respect the suffering of those patients with MCS and EMS and take seriously the international petition and act according to their stated mission which is to provide assistance to those disabled internationally.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network, 2 May 2011

Translation: Christi Howarth for CSN

Related articles:

Unanimous Vote for Research Center for MCS, CFS, FMS, GWS in New Jersey

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. NeuroEndocrineImmune (NEI) Center Resolution Approved by the New Jersey State Senate

Coral Gables, FL, July 17, 2010 –(PR.com)– Resolution SR-20 supporting the establishment of the NeuroEndocrineImmune (NEI) Center™, the first research center in the state of New Jersey and in the U.S., dedicated to understanding and treating chronic neuroendocrineimmune (NEI) illnesses which includes chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity, Gulf War Illness and other bacterial & viral infections chronic illnesses was passed unanimously by 38-0 votes by the New Jersey State Senate on June 10, 2010.

Senate Resolution (SR) 20, sponsored by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R), Senate Deputy Conference Leader, and Senator Loretta Weinberg (D), Chair of the Senate Health Committee, cited studies that an estimated 20 million American adults and children suffer with NEIDs. The economic impact and loss of worker productivity in the United States due to CFS/ME, alone, is estimated to be over $9 billion per year. Chronic illness represents 75% of all the health care costs in the U.S.

“It makes sense to locate the NEI center in New Jersey,” said Senator Weinberg. “As the nation’s medicine chest, New Jersey is home to research institutions and private businesses that can cooperate to find a cure for these debilitating diseases.”

Senator Bateman added, “I look forward to the passage of Senate Resolution 20, solidifying legislative support for the research center, and have high hopes that this will, in fact, be a great step forward toward finding answers for the sufferers of these debilitating diseases.”

Assembly Resolution 202 passes unanimously

Late last year, a similar resolution unanimously passed the New Jersey State Assembly 78-0. “Having a research center… is essential to promoting research into the etiology of, and therapeutic interventions for neuroendocrineimmune disorders (NEIDs),” according to Assembly Resolution (AR) 202 which was sponsored by Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D), Deputy Speaker; Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr. (D), Chairman, Health Committee; Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D), Vice-Chairman; and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R), member of the Health Committee

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. partners with the Lanford Foundation-Lifelyme™, Inc.

To be based in Newark, New Jersey, the NeuroEndocrineImmune (NEI) Center™ is a community patient-driven project of P.A.N.D.O.R.A, (Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research & Advocacy, Inc) in partnership with the Lanford Foundation-Lifelyme™, Inc.

The NEI Center™ is the first research center to incorporate scientific and clinical research, quality in patient care, and social services, all in one state-of-the art facility. The establishment of The NEI Center™ is based on the philosophy that the similarities in symptoms of neuroendocrineimmune disorders (NEIDs) are the human body’s response to similarities in the underlying pathophysiologies that cause these disorders.

The cornerstone of the NEI Center’s mission is that discoveries and advances made in any one of the NEIDs will be applicable and beneficial to other NEIDs, thereby bringing medical researchers closer to a cure. At its inception, the NEI Center™ will include research of the following disorders/illnesses:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), Gulf War syndrome or illness (GWS/I), multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), and other associated bacterial and viral illnesses.

“Moral and political victory,” said Marly Silverman, a CFS and fibromyalgia patient who founded P.A.N.D.O.R.A. in July 1, 2002, “On behalf of P.A.N.D.O.R.A., we are mindful of the historical significance of the unanimous vote by the New Jersey Senate as well as by the New Jersey Assembly in 2009. Patients across this country will be celebrating what is an amazing and pivotal moment in the history of the neuroendocrineimmune disorders community. The New Jersey Legislature has demonstrated a caring commitment to a community of patients who for the first time in the state of New Jersey can look forward to a brighter and fruitful future.”

Veny W. Musum, chairman of the NEI Center Project, who was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease in 2004 along with his wife, Patricia, added, “The passage of SR 20 is a moral and political victory for millions of individuals stricken with neuroendocrineimmune disorders who have been living far too long without the compassionate support, research and treatment options they deserve. I am proud of my state of New Jersey!”

Advocates Extraordinaire™ & community support

“The overall community support has been outstanding for this patient-driven, physician-approved project. The unanimous votes by each New Jersey senator came about because of the involvement of individuals who participated in the Advocate Extraordinaire™ program, by making calls, writing e-mails and thanking the New Jersey Legislature for their vision and support of the Center,” said Dr. Kenneth Friedman, one of the founding board trustees of the NEI Center, as well as former member of the CFS Advisory Committee, and a member of the Executive Board of P.A.N.D.O.R.A.

“The New Jersey legislators unanimous support for the NEI Center reflects the kind of leadership needed to bring about positive change in our nation’s Health Care,” said Sandi Lanford, Co-founder of the NEI Center™ and the President-Founder of the Lanford Foundation-Lifelyme™, Inc, who was born and raised in New Jersey. The overall community support has been outstanding for this patient-driven, physician- approved project. The unanimous votes by the New Jersey Legislature came about because of the involvement of individuals who participated in the Advocate Extraordinaire™ program, by making calls, writing e-mails and thanking the New Jersey legislators for their vision and support of the Center,” said Dr. Kenneth Friedman, one of the founding board trustees of the NEI Center, as well as former member of the CFS Advisory Committee, and a member of the Executive Board of P.A.N.D.O.R.A.

Dr. Lesley Fein, member of the NEI Center Project team, stated “This center will be a beacon of hope for patients nationwide, and a place which will bring scientific innovation in New Jersey as well as in the rest of the country.”

Present at the passage of the law were Veny Musum, Chairman of the NEI Center Project and Debbie Floyd, team member of the NEI Center™ project.

NEI Center set to open by 2012

The NEI Center founders are already preparing fundraising efforts to make the Center operational by late 2011-early 2012. For more information about The NEI Center™, visit www.neicenter.com.

-

About P.A.N.D.O.R.A., Inc- Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research & Advocacy – Based in Coral Gables, Florida, P.A.N.D.O.R.A. was founded on July 1, 2002 by Marly C. Silverman, a chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia patient. Its mission is to raise awareness of the plight of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities/EI, and Gulf War illness, and advocate on quality of life issues. P.A.N.D.O.R.A.is Built on Hope – Strong on Advocacy – Finding a Cure through Research. For more information, visit www.pandoranet.info.

Predictions of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Mechanism Confirmed by Roman Study

Dr. Martin Pall’s theory about MCS confirmed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland, OR – July 5, 2010 – The physiological mechanism for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity proposed by biochemist Martin L. Pall has been confirmed with the recent findings of an independent research group in Rome.

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), also known as chemical sensitivity and toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT), is a disease initiated by toxic chemical exposure, leading to toxic brain injury that produces high level sensitivity to the same set of chemicals that are implicated in initiation of the disease. Sensitivity responses in other areas of the body are also often seen.

“Epidemiological studies show that MCS is a stunningly common disease, even more common than diabetes,” said Pall, professor emeritus of biochemistry and basic medical sciences at Washington State University. “My review of the literature and other research I’ve conducted over the past eleven years shows the probable central mechanism of MCS is a biochemical vicious mechanism, known as the NO/ONOO- cycle.”

Pall’s work is widely published in books and articles, the most recent of which is a chapter in the authoritative international reference manual for professional toxicologists, General and Applied Toxicology, 3rd Edition, 2009.

The NO/ONOO- cycle

The NO/ONOO- cycle, pronounced no-oh-no, is named for the chemical structures of nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-). This biochemical vicious cycle mechanism predicts that each of the elements linked together in the cycle are elevated in patients suffering from MCS and related diseases. Most of the elements of the cycle have been shown to be elevated in such related diseases as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia and also in animal models of MCS. However, several cycle elements have never been measured in MCS patients.

The recent study conducted by the research group in Rome is significant in regard to the NO/ONOO- cycle theory because it shows that three elements of the cycle are elevated in MCS patients (De Luca et al, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2010, April 27 Epub ahead of print). Those elements are the inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and oxidative stress. Each of these measurements provides important confirmation of the disease mechanism proposed by Pall.

The inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide elevation have never before been measured in MCS patients, although they have been shown to be elevated in animal models of MCS. Oxidative stress has been reported in two earlier studies of MCS patients, but the data provided in the De Luca et al study are much more extensive than are the earlier data. Consequently, these new data all provide important confirmation of the NO/ONOO- cycle as the central disease mechanism in MCS.

The NO/ONOO- cycle also is useful in understanding the role of toxic chemicals in MCS and the role of treatment. Each of the seven classes of chemicals implicated in MCS are thought to act indirectly to increase the activity of the NMDA receptors, which are glutamate receptors for controlling synaptic plasticity and memory function. This activity, in turn, leads to rapid increases in intracellular calcium (Ca2+), nitric oxide and peroxynitrite (ONOO-), acting to greatly stimulate the NO/ONOO- cycle.

“Many of the agents used by environmental medicine physicians to treat MCS patients can be viewed as lowering different parts of the cycle, and thus are validated in part by this mechanism,” Pall said. “Consequently, the NO/ONOO- cycle mechanism can be viewed as validating therapeutic approaches used in environmental medicine in the U.S., in Germany and some other areas of Europe and in some other countries.”

Contact:

Martin L. Pall, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences

Washington State University

(1*) 503-232-3883

martin_pall@wsu.edu

Main web site: www.thetenthparadigm.org

German Website: www.martinpall.info

Related Articles:

MCS in Japan – A Lecture at the House of Representatives of Japan

The author, Ryozo Tamakoshi is a member of the Japanese organization CACP – Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution.

On February 22, 2010, a conference called “The 1st Meeting for Learning Chemical Policies for Enacting a Basic Chemical Law” was held in the House of Representatives in Tokyo. In view of his chemical and electromagnetic sensitivities, Ryozo Tamakoshi gave a lecture on MCS. This was a matter of particular concern for him, as his health troubles were caused by chemical exposure. The conference focused on the topic ‘Security of Chemicals’ and the need to create a new policy for more careful handling of chemicals – important basic principles for all the Japanese people who have to live with MCS.

Talk of Ryozo Tamakoshi / Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution

As a patient with multiple chemical sensitivity, I must share with you some important things.

I have multiple chemical sensitivity and electromagnetic sensitivity. The onset of multiple chemical sensitivity begins differently among individuals as do the corresponding symptoms. In my case, I gradually became chemically sensitive. I think my symptoms are relatively mild compared to others with this condition. Some patients are seriously compromised and can hardly leave their homes to participate in a meeting like this one. I have some risks going out in public, but think it my duty as one who can actually attend a meeting like this one, to enlighten others regarding this condition called multiple chemical sensitivity or MCS. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude for your allowing me the opportunity to speak to you today. Thank you. I would like to discuss seven points. As you listen, please consider that my findings are based on personal experiences.

1. One cause of multiple chemical sensitivity is the toxic effect of extremely low levels of chemical substances.

On October 1, 2009 in Japan, the Medical Information System Development Center (MEDIS-DC) – a subsidiary organization of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) – registered “multiple chemical sensitivity” as “ICD-10 Japanese standard disease master”. Multiple chemical sensitivity was classified in Japan into ICD-10 code T65.9 – “Toxic effect of unspecified substance, Poisoning NOS”.

Please look at the following material (1)(2).

From these references, it is well understood that multiple chemical sensitivity is classified into “Toxic effect of substance”

(1) T65.9 ICD-10 WHO

Chapter XIX: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T98)

T51-T65: Toxic effects of substances chiefly non-medicinal as to source

T65 Toxic effect of other and unspecified substances

T65.9: Toxic effect of unspecified substance Poisoning NOS

(2) The Japanese name of diseases classified into “ICD10 code T65.9″

The Japanese name of diseases

  1. multiple chemical sensitivity
  2. systemic poisoning
  3. poisoning
  4. accidental poison ingestion
  5. attempted suicide by taking poison

In Japan, it is clearly thought that the cause of multiple chemical sensitivity is a “Toxic effect of chemical substances” . And frankly speaking, this means that if there were no chemicals which had toxic effects, people wouldn’t become chemically sensitive.

As you can see, I cannot live without a double gas mask now. (VOC mask and activated carbon mask) Especially in winter, I cannot take this mask off even when I sleep at night because the heating machine in the nearby greenhouse operates at night and gases are released. The manufacturer of the heating machine writes in the catalog on the internet as follows, “Flue gases are extremely harmful to human health and crops. Please be sure to release them outdoors”. Why is it allowed to release such harmful gases outdoors?

My biggest fear in winter has been these gases. When the gases are released, suddenly I smell burning, start coughing, phlegm occurs, and my eyes become painful. Furthermore, my mouth becomes bitter, I have tongue numbness, and I feel poisoning (discomfort) of the internal organs, especially to the digestive organs. Then, I have strong fatigue throughout my body so I lie on the floor and sleep eventually.

I cannot prevent the bad influence of these gases now, even if I have on a gas mask and use air purifiers in my home. When my house is in the upwind side of the greenhouse, I am relatively safe. But when I am downwind, I am always pushed into the hell. To avoid these gases, I often sleep in my car, away from my house, or sometimes in a rice field or on a mountain. This is just one example of the difficulties I face with multiple chemical sensitivity.

For me, the current world, no matter where I live and go, is a toxic or poisonous world. The toxicity of substances at the level of ppm and ppb has a big influence on my health. My daily health disorders due to the exposure of many harmful chemicals cannot be simply explained by an allergic reaction any longer. The doctors who examined my symptoms only from the perspective of immune disorder failed to make proper diagnosis of my symptoms.

I think that it is impossible to understand the essence of multiple chemical sensitivity without focusing on the complexity of many chemical toxicities and patients’ symptoms.

I do not use the word “poison” (toxic effect) emotionally. I only use the word “poison” (toxic effect) to explain daily, normal phenomena, because I cannot live without a gas mask.

2. The reality of multiple chemical sensitivity is the result of complex toxic effects of many chemicals and it is spreading out all over the world.

Modern society is full of so many chemicals. Life without chemicals is no longer a possibility. Of course there exist many chemicals with toxic effects. We are living with the complex pollution of them. New chemicals have been produced one after another without enough consideration of the influence of chemicals on ecosystems and without confirming whether those are safe for human beings and creatures. Thus, the “toxic world” has been spread globally.

I have been in contact, via the internet, with international patients who have multiple chemical sensitivity and environmental illness. I have come across sorrowful cries of patients, warm words of empathy to comfort one another, and powerful protests and demands against our “toxic world”. Moreover, I’ve received a lot of essential information about MCS and environmental illness which is reported on the internet to the entire world. Complex chemical pollution has now spread out all over the world.

3. Multiple chemical sensitivity cannot be separated from other developmental and chronic multisystem illnesses caused by the environment.

Multiple chemical sensitivity cannot be separated from other environmental illnesses such as sick building syndrome, allergic diseases and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. We must not only focus on the chemical pollutants, but must also look at other environmental factors such as biological infectious agents and electromagnetic fields. Many patients with MCS also have allergic diseases and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. This condition is a complex one.

Consider expanding your perspective on developmental disorders. In Japan, developmental disorders mean a pervasive developmental disorder, high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, a learning disorder (dyslexia) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc. Currently, there are a lot of research papers detailing that environmental factors (chemicals) may cause the appearance of those developmental disorders. The increasing number of these reports is more and more available.

I have been supporting two children with developmental disorders at home while considering chemical pollution as the cause of these types of disorders. People around them don’t understand them, which gives the children worries and suffering. Their situation seems to be similar to ours. Supporting their study is my pleasure.

4. Some common effects can be seen in MCS, but each person has different symptoms. Therefore, there are various difficulties and disabilities due to MCS. Comprehensive supports are needed for the various difficulties and disabilities.

I think it very important to understand the individual symptoms in connection with various difficulties and disabilities in life. I strongly wish industrial accident authorization and disability authorization would reflect precisely the situation of the patient and be performed promptly. It is positive that industrial accident authorization and disability authorization of MCS have been actually recognized in Japan. However, the form of documents for disability authorization is partly inappropriate, so the paperwork can’t be filled out precisely. I think the forms and documents should be immediately edited and improved.

Guaranteed rights of medical care, welfare, labor, housing and pension corresponding to the state of every person are written in Japan’s Constitution.

5. To protect patient’s lives and health, to treat symptoms, and to recover health, should be top priority, in addition to avoiding exposure to toxic substances and ensuring safe and secure places to live.

For patients with MCS, the most important thing is to avoid exposure of toxic substances.

In particular, ensuring emergency evacuation of patients has become an urgent issue.

But it is very difficult to secure a safe place by one’s own effort. To reduce a heavy personal burden, some support by the authorities is absolutely necessary for the patient. In addition, it should be emphasized to make available all correct information about harmful chemicals to all citizens.

6. We have a serious problem. We are often attacked by the feeling of isolation, loneliness, anxiety, fear, and helplessness.

This is one of the most serious and important problems. MCS patients around the world, just like us, worry and suffer. Sadly, there are still some people who commit suicide in despair. When people around me, including my family, can’t understand my physical and mental state, I have a terrible feeling of loneliness.

Continuous bad health conditions, anxiety and fear of a sudden chemical attack, and isolation from participation in society, leaves me with a feeling of helplessness and despair. To break this ongoing cycle, mutual support among friends and society is needed. The social recognition and the social support are absolutely necessary.

When exposed to toxic chemicals, I get irritated, impatient and sometimes get in a bad mood. I cannot smile. Unfortunately, these behaviors are not viewed as a result of the individual’s chemical poisoning but instead a problem with the individual’s heart, which is not the case. In order to prevent the unfortunate misunderstandings like these, it is very important that we spread correct information regarding this condition and strive for the recognition of MCS. We must support those who are apt to have low self-esteem and affirm those with chemical sensitivity so they may live freely in peace, and participate in society with more pride.

7. The eight basic principles of “Basic Law on Chemicals Policy” that ChemiNet has proposed should be respected.

All the basic principles listed below are very important.

The many problems regarding multiple chemical sensitivity will be solved fundamentally in the process of policy formulation and implementation of the comprehensive chemicals on these basic principles:

  1. Production and use of chemicals for a sustainable society (The reduction the amount of chemicals)
  2. No Data, No Market principles
  3. Consideration must be given to the people ( fetus / child) who are most vulnerable and also to the ecosystem
  4. Lifecycle management must be initiated (From research and development to production, use, recycling and disposal
  5. The precautionary principle must be respected
  6. Alternative principle must be initiated
  7. The participation of all people concerned. The collaboration principle must be implemented
  8. International cooperation must occur

Author: Ryozo Tamakoshi

Thanks to Christi and Larry for reading correction.

Related Articles about MCS in different countries:

Environmental Medicine: International Appeal From Würzburg

International Appeal from Wuerzburg

The European Academy for Environmental Medicine (EUROPAEM) invited many renowned national and international scientists and health care professionals to a medical conference held in Wuerzburg, Germany from April 23 to April 25, 2010. These professionals were from the fields of environmental medicine, toxicology, immunology, neurology and genetics and other health fields as well as physicians and dentist. Also in attendance were representatives of patient initiatives. The theme of this international medical conference was Science Meets Practice. It dealt specifically with the issues of Neuro- Endocrine- Immunology and their importance in environmental medicine.

Greatly concerned, participants noted the increasing prevalence of chronic multisystem illnesses such as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CSF), fibromyalgia (FMS) as well as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, auto immune diseases, and cancer.

At the conference it was impressively demonstrated that these chronic diseases are based on similar pathological mechanisms. Common mechanisms are chronic inflammatory processes influenced by environmental factors including chemical pollutants, biological infectious agents, and electromagnetic field (EMF) triggers.

Chronic diseases mean long-term patients and such patients require consecutive higher medical costs. This often leads to social exclusion of the affected people. Facing the appalling reports of Europe´s growing financial constraints, especially in public health, a further increase of chronic illnesses will accelerate the ongoing collapse of the National Health Service and medical insurance companies in Europe. Remedy is only possible with a change of priorities from today´s unilaterally symptomatic oriented medicine to causally oriented medicine focusing on cost-effective primary prevention.

Conference participants addressed an urgent appeal to the European environment and health ministers, to the European Commission, the European parliamentarians, national governments and to the directors of social and private insurance companies. They urge them to take these findings and developments into serious consideration, stressing and weighting financial investments primarily in prevention, precaution and best early detection and diagnosis of these chronic and environmentally related illnesses.

All over Europe this requires the full awareness of these research findings of the practicing physicians of environmental medicine and their integration into university research and teaching. The European governments are asked to finally implement the already ratified decisions of the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health Ministers held in Budapest in 2004.

This appeal was unanimously adopted by the congress.

Wuerzburg April 25, 2010

For the board of EUROPAEM,

Jean Huss, Vice-Chairman

Dr. Kurt Mueller, Chairman

Dr. Peter Ohnsorge, Managing Chairman

Dr. Hans-Peter Donate, Press, Responsible