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U.S. EPA Aging Initiative List Serve August 2010
- Announcements
- News, Research, Reports and Presentations
- New Resources and Opportunities
- Building Sustainable Communities
- Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
- Intergenerational Activities
- EPA Funding Opportunities
- Other Funding Opportunities
- 2010 Calendar of Events & Meetings and Call for Abstracts
I. Announcements
EPA Launches National Water Conservation Campaign
EPA's WaterSense program helps consumers save money and water
EPA's WaterSense program recently announced its national "We're for Water" campaign to encourage Americans to make simple choices that save water. The program, in collaboration with its partner, American Water, will spread the word about saving water by traveling cross-country, stopping at national landmarks and educating consumers about WaterSense labeled products. WaterSense products use about 20 percent less water than standard models.
"Whether by replacing an old, inefficient plumbing fixture with a WaterSense labeled product or adopting more water-efficient behaviors, together we can help save water for future generations," said Peter Silva, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Water. "WaterSense offers consumers simple tips that can help the environment and keep money in their pockets."
Consumers can start saving water today with three simple steps: check, twist and replace.
Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank; if the color shows up in the bowl indicating a leak, fixing it may be as simple as replacing the toilet's flapper.
Twist on a WaterSense labeled bathroom faucet aerator to use 30 percent less water without a noticeable difference in flow.
Replace a showerhead with a WaterSense labeled model that uses less water and energy, but still has all the power of a water-hogging model.
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes and services. In 2009, EPA's WaterSense program helped consumers save more than 36 billion gallons of water and $267 million on their water and sewer bills.
More information on the We're for Water road trip.
Take the "I'm for Water pledge."
EPA Rule Increases Protection from Lead-Paint Poisoning Agency also extends deadline for required training
Beginning on July 6th, all contractors performing renovation, repair or painting work in homes built before 1978 must follow lead-safe work practice requirements. A new EPA rule removes a provision from existing regulations that allowed owner-occupants of pre-1978 homes to "opt-out" of having their contractors follow lead-safe work practices if there were no children under six years of age in the home.
At present, almost a million children have elevated blood lead levels as a result of exposure to lead hazards, which can lead to lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavior issues. Adults exposed to lead hazards can suffer from high blood pressure and headaches. EPA has eliminated the so-called opt-out provision because improper renovations in older homes can create lead hazards resulting in harmful health effects for residents and visitors in these homes, regardless of age. The result will better protect children and adult occupants during and after renovation, repair and painting projects. More information on the lead RRP program.
II. News, Research, Reports and Presentations
EPA Kicks Off Cataract Awareness Month with New Report - Protecting the Ozone Layer Protects Eyesight
Currently, more than 20 million Americans age 40 and older are living with cataracts — a clouding of the eye's lens. While the main risk factor for cataracts is age, too much sun also puts your eyes at risk, because of harmful ultraviolet rays. Kicking off August as Cataract Awareness Month, EPA is announcing a new peer-reviewed report that estimates cataract cases avoided through stronger ozone layer protection.
EPA uses the Atmospheric and Health Effects Framework (AHEF) model to estimate skin cancer cases and deaths avoided by protecting the ozone layer. The new report shows that AHEF now has the capability to model avoided cataract cases resulting from various policy changes. For example, EPA estimates that the strengthening of the original Montreal Protocol through the Amendments of 1997 will avoid more than 22 million additional new cataract cases for Americans born between the years 1985 and 2100. During the next several years, EPA plans further updates to AHEF, including the ability to provide results that reflect the Montreal Protocol as it has evolved to date.
Due to the success of the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer is predicted to recover to pre-1980 levels after 2065. In the meantime, it is especially important to protect your eyes from the sun. Adults and children of all skin types should use eyewear that absorbs UV rays, and wear wide-brimmed hats.
Access the full EPA report and press release.
Learn how to prevent cataracts from EPA's SunWise Program (PDF). (2 pp, 1MB, About PDF)
More information on Cataract Awareness Month and cataract symptoms 
.
Emergency Responder Health: What Have We Learned from Past Disasters?
Environmental Health Perspectives 118(8) Aug 2010
Bob Weinhold, a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, examined what has been learned from the experiences of first responders for the current BP disaster, the Exxon Valdez spill and September 11th.
"Health risks tend to be even greater for the many nonprofessional emergency responders who rush to the scene of crises such as oil spills, terrorist attacks, hurricanes, train derailments, and chemical releases. Those workers often don't have the training and advanced equipment that protect professional emergency responders to some degree. These and many other factors make it a daunting challenge to protect the health of emergency responders during disasters."
Since the BP oil rig explosion he reports that more than 40,100 emergency responders are working to clean up the spilled oil. Many emergency responders have voluntarily provided basic information to NIOSH as of mid-July to potentially be involved in post-event research being planned by NIEHS. The goal of the Gulf Long-term Follow-Up (Gulf) Study is to evaluate more than 20,000 of the clean-up workers for a range of possible health effects, including respiratory, neurobehavioral, carcinogenic, immunologic, and mental health disorders. NIEHS has already allocated $8 M of the needed $28 M for the 5 year study. Read the complete article.
III. New Resources and Opportunities
Older Americans 2010: Key Indicators of Well-being:
The newest edition of the Federal Interagency Forum of Aging-Related Statistics was released last month.
This is a periodic report that describes the overall status of the U.S. population 65 years of age and older. The report includes 37 indicators that are grouped into five sections: Population, Economics, Health Status, Health Risks and Behaviors, and Health Cares. You may download a powerpoint presentation of the indicators as well as the entire report. You may also order a hard copy.
EPA Tribal Portal
The EPA Tribal Portal was created as a gateway to EPA environmental information specifically related to tribal governments, such as environmental policies, practices and laws. Within EPA, the American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO) coordinates the Agency-wide effort to strengthen public health and environmental protection in Indian country, with a special emphasis on helping tribes administer their own environmental programs.
EPA's 40th Anniversary
Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year? EPA has a timeline that details the environmental milestones over the past 40 decades.
IV. Building Healthy Communities - Sustainable Communities
New Toolkit Available! Preparing for Aging Boomers — Center for Civic Partnerships
The first of the boomer generation will receive a social security check in less than one year. This demographic shift will create significant consequences - both good and bad - for communities.
In response, the Center for Civic Partnerships has just produced a toolkit outlining a community-based planning process to promote healthy aging. Aging Well in Communities: A Toolkit for Planning, Engagement & Action is a user-friendly guide to help local governments, human service providers, community groups and other partners plan now to address both the challenges and opportunities that are coming. The toolkit is based on the Center's research and experience over the past several years assisting communities in planning for healthy aging. Other newsworthy information: In addition, Public Management magazine features an article addressing the topic in the May 2010 issue.
The Center for Civic Partnerships' mission is to provide leadership and management support to build healthier communities and more effective nonprofit organizations. Its parent organization is the Public Health Institute (PHI), one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the United States.
V. Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
Safe Disposal of Medications Legislation Moves in Congress
The House and Senate committees of jurisdiction for safe disposal of medication have taken the first steps to amend federal law to address the barriers to safe disposal of unused medications and controlled substances. On July 28th, the House passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by voice vote, the Safe Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (PDF). (5 pp, 38K, About PDF) This bi-partisan bill allows local communities to create safe drug disposal programs providing consumers with a safe way to dispose of unneeded pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances. H.R. 5809 can be taken up by the full House.
One day later, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee also passed by voice vote an amended S. 3397, The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act. This bi-partisan also has the support of 41 state attorney generals. See original text of the bill and the amendment (PDF) (3 pp, 22K, About PDF) that was adopted.
VI. Intergenerational Activities
4th Annual Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder Contest
2010 Finalists Selected
Come see the 2010 finalists of the Rachel Carson Contest. The website will be open shortly for you to cast your votes for winners. The Intergenerational poetry, essay, photography and dance contest is sponsored by the U.S. EPA, Generations United, the Rachel Carson Council Inc, and the Dance Exchange.
As in past years, finalists were selected from an intergenerational panel of judges with expertise in dance, creative writing, photography and the environment. It is up to you, to select the winners. Those finalists in each category with the most votes will become our 2010 winners. We feel that all entrants are winners for the creative intergenerational projects. Read more information about the contest.
VII. EPA Funding Opportunities
Black Carbon's Role In Global To Local Scale Climate and Air Quality
EPA, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing research into black carbon (BC), related co-pollutants, and other short lived climate forcers (SLCF) and their effects on climate change and air quality. EPA is interested in research that investigates the emission sources, the global to local scale emissions inventory, and applies modeling tools to assess BC, co-pollutants and other SLCF in a climate and air quality context. Applications may also evaluate the impact of long range transport of BC, co-pollutants and SLCF, or develop and assess metrics for comparing the impacts of BC, co-pollutants and SLCF simultaneously in a climate and air quality context on the time scale of a decade to a century. In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career projects.
Deadline: September 22, 2010. Read more...
VIII. Other Funding Opportunities
HUD-DOT Announce Community Challenge Grants and TIGER II Planning Grants
TIGER II Planning Grants may be used to plan, prepare or design surface transportation projects that would be eligible for funding under the TIGER II Discretionary Grant program. These projects include highways, bridges, transit, railways, ports or bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
HUD's Sustainable Communities funding will target urban and community planning projects that foster reform and reduce barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital and sustainable communities. Such efforts may include amending or replacing local master plans, zoning codes, and building codes either on a jurisdiction-wide basis or in a specific neighborhood or sector to promote mixed-use development, affordable housing and the re-use of older buildings for new purposes with the goal of promoting sustainability at the local level.
Deadline: July 26, 2010. Read more...
Critical Illness and Injury in Aging
Four Institutes of the National Institutes of Health joined together to solicit applications designed to study mechanisms and management of critical illness and injury, including trauma and neurotrama, in aging. Recently, there have been important advances in the evaluation and management of critical illnesses and injuries. However, the relationship of critical care and aging remains understudied. The treatment of critical illnesses of elders is frequently simply an extension of the treatments applied to younger adult populations. Given the age-related structural and functional changes associated with age, it is probable that such changes influence that presentation and treatment of illnesses of the elderly. Proposed studies may be mechanistic, observational or interventional in nature.
Deadline: November 5, 2010. Read more...
NSF - Research to Aid Persons with Disabilities
The National Science Foundation invites research proposals that will lead to new technology, devices or software that will benefit persons with disabilities. Research may be directed toward the characterization, restoration, and /or substitution of human functional abilities or cognition, or the interaction of persons with disabilities and their environment. Emphasis is placed on significant advancement of fundamental engineering and scientific knowledge rather than on incremental improvements.
Deadlines: August 15 - September 23, 2010. Read more...
NIH Critical Illness and Injury in Aging
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) are requesting research grant applications that are focused on mechanisms and management of critical illness and injury (including trauma and neurotrauma) in aging. The type of investigation may be mechanistic, observational or interventional. Proposals that utilize existing datasets, such as from large observational studies or clinical trials, are acceptable and animal studies are appropriate when human studies are not feasible.
Deadline: October 5, 2010. Read more...
NIH Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy
The National Institutes of Health request applications to conduct studies on the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Previous research has linked low health literacy to undesirable outcomes such as poor self-management of chronic diseases, unhealthy behavior, elevated frequency of hospitalizations, higher mortality and poor overall health. Various research approaches are acceptable including basic, methodological and measurement, intervention strategies, public (population) health, and secondary analyses of existing data sets.
Deadline: October 5, 2010. Read more...
NIH Diet Composition and Energy Balance
Several Institutes of the NIH are interested in receiving research proposals that will lead to improvements in the quality of measurements of diets and dietary intake and physical activity as they relate to body weight and excessive weight. Innovative proposals are sought that deal with: instruments and their evaluation; improved technology; tools for assessment of culturally-diverse populations; statistical methods for eliminating or correcting errors or biases; and other topics.
Deadline: October 5, 2010. Read more...
NIH Improving Diet and Physical Activity Assessment
Several Institutes of the NIH are interested in receiving research proposals that will lead to improvements in the quality of measurements of diets and dietary intake and physical activity as they relate to body weight and excessive weight. Innovative proposals are sought that deal with: instruments and their evaluation; improved technology; tools for assessment of culturally-diverse populations; statistical methods for eliminating or correcting errors or biases; and other topics.
Deadline: October 5, 2010. Read more...
NIH Research on the Economics of Diet, Activity, and Energy Balance
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) solicits projects that will enhance the state-of-the-science on the causes of obesity and associated chronic diseases. Research proposals that involve collaborations are strongly encouraged such as those that include the disciplines of: health economics, health services, and econometric modeling; or collaborations between researchers trained in economics and specialists in public health, cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Deadline: October 5, 2010. Read more...
IX. 2010 Calendar of Events & Meetings
Calendar 2010
September 2010
World Water Monitoring Day
September 18, 2010
http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/About/About_Main.html
National Public Lands Day
http://www.publiclandsday.org/
National Association of State Units on Aging & Georgia Division for Aging Services, Georgia Gerontology Society
Date: September 26-29, 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=ddd579b2-12e1-40c7-b3cc-b484eec310cc
October 2010
Creating Livable Homes & Communities
October 10-12, 2010
St. Louis, Missouri
http://uds4.org
2010 International Symposium on Safe Medicine
Portland, Maine
October 10-12, 2010
http://www.umaine.edu/mainecenteronaging/documents/2010IntSympSafeMedSTD.pdf (1pg, 617K, About PDF)
RAIL~VOLUTION 2010
Portland, Oregon
October 18-21, 2010
http://www.railvolution.com/CallForProposals.asp
Grantmakers in Aging
October 20-22, 2010
Chicago, Ill
http://www.giaging.org/imis15_prod/internet/default.aspx
November 2010
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting
November 6-10, 2010
Denver, CO
http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/
Gerontological Society of America
November 19-23, 2010
New Orleans, LA
http://www.geron.org/Annual%20Meeting
December, 2010
International Council on Active Aging Conference
December 2-4, 2010
San Diego, CA
http://www.icaa.cc/convention/overview.htm
Dates 2011 — Calendar
Generations United conference
July 2011, Washington, D.C.
Call for Papers
International Conference of the Society for Human Ecology
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 20-23, 2011
http://www.societyforhumanecology.org/final%20program_files/CallForPapers.html