From: Rich Murray [rmforall@att.net] Sent: Monday, August 05, 2002 5:16 AM To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov Subject: RTM: FDA (Section E) Wilson: CIIN info: formaldehyde toxicity 7.11.99 8.5.2 rmforall RTM: FDA (Section E) Wilson: CIIN: formaldehyde toxicity 7.11.99 8.5.2 rmforall http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/863 RTM: FDA (Section E) Wilson: CIIN info: formaldehyde toxicity 7.11.99 8.5.2 rmforall http://www.ciin.org/ chemicalinjury@ciin.org. Chemical Injury Information Network P.O.Box 301 White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645 406.547.2255 fax 2455 Chemical Exposure and Human Health; Cynthia Wilson, covers 314 chemicals in an easy-to read format. $55.00 US plus $2.00 shipping to McFarland and Company Ltd.; P.O. Box 611; Jefferson NC 28640, 800-253-2187. The Human Consequences of the Chemical Problem by Cindy Duehring and Cynthia Wilson, $7.20, TT Publishing, PO Box T, White Sulphur Springs MT 59645 Formaldehyde (From "Chemical Exposure and Human Health") SYMPTOMS/DAMAGE: Eye, ear and throat irritation; Acidosis; Acute sense of smell; Altered tissue proteins; Anemia; Antibodies formation; Apathy; Blindness; Blood in urine; Blurred vision; Body aches; Bronchial spasms; Bronchitis; Burns, nasal and throat; Cardiac impairment, palpations, and arrhythmias; Central nervous system depression; Changes in higher cognitive functions ; Chemical sensitivity; Chest pains and tightness; Chronic vaginitis; Colds; Coma; Conjunctivitis; Constipation; Convulsions; Corneal erosion; Cough; Death; Depression; Dermatitis; Diarrhea; Difficulty Concentrating; Disorientation; Dizziness; DNA damage; Drowsiness; Ear aches; Eczema; Emotional upsets; Ethmoid polyps; Fatigue; Fecal Bleeding; Fetal asphyxiation; Flu-like or cold like illness; Frequent urination with pain; Gastritis; Gastrointestinal inflammation; Headaches; Hemolytic anemia; Hoarseness; Hyperactive airway disease; Hyperactivity; Hypomenstrual syndrome; Immune system sensitization; Impaired attention span; Impaired capacity to focus attention; Inability or difficulty swallowing; Inability to recall words and names; Inconsistent IQ profiles; Inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs; Intestinal pain; Intrinsic asthma; Irritability; Jaundice; Joint pain, aches and swelling; Kidney pain; Laryngeal spasm; Loss of memory; Loss of sense of smell; Loss of taste; Malaise; Menstrual and testicular pain; Menstrual irregularities; Metallic taste; Muscle spasms and cramps; Nasal congestion, Crusting and mucosa inflammation; Nausea; Nosebleeds; Numbness and tingling of the forearms and finger tips; Pale, clammy skin; Partial laryngeal paralysis; Pneumonia; Post nasal drip; Pulmonary edema; Reduced body temperature; Retarded speech pattern; Ringing or tingling in the ear; Schizophrenic-type symptoms; Sensitivity to sound; Shock; Short term memory loss; Shortness of breath; Skin lesions; Sneezing; Sore throat; Spacey feeling; Speaking difficulty; Sterility; Swollen glands; Tearing; Thirst; Tracheitis: Tracheobronchitis; Vertigo; Vomiting blood; Vomiting; Wheezing; Suspected of causing cancer (see comment from NIOSH). Genetic mutations; Chromosomal damage; Metabolized as formic acid. Note: Will cross sensitize to formic acid. Comparison of ciliostatic effects showed formaldehyde to the most toxic of the aldehydes. EPA estimates that 15 people in 1 million will get cancer from lifetime exposure of 1 ppb. Neurotoxin. Trade Names/synonyms: Quaternium-15; Metanal; Meltyl aldehyde; Methylene oxide; Formalin; Formic aldehyde; Formalith; Fyde; BVF; Morbicid; Oxymethylene; Oxomethane; Lysoform; Superlysoform; Fannoform; Ivalon. NIOSH: Carcinogen at any exposure level; NIOSH REL: 0.016 ppm (10 hr/day 40 hr. wk); 0.100 ppm (ceiling limit to not exceed 15 minutes); OSHA: PEL: 0.750 ppm (8 hr/day-40 hr/wk-PP/S); 2000 ppm (exposure to not exceed 15 min); NAS: There is no (constant) population threshold for irritation effects; NRC: Fewer than 20% but perhaps no more 10% of the general population may be suspectable to formaldehyde and may react acutely at any exposure level; ACGIH: Suspected human carcinogen; IDLH: 30 ppm; CEHH Page 182; References: 84,17,18,30,31,129,278,279,285, 88,290,297,299,300,304, 305,309,388,389,394,416,417a,421,423,426,457. 8. Berthold-Bond, A., Clean & Green, Woodstock, NY: Cress Press, 1990. 14. Chesebrough-Ponds USA Co., product label for Rave All in One hair spray 1992. 17. Concrete Facts, "99.99 Percent?" March 1991, Vol.1 no.1 and/or Rachel's Hazardous Waste News #207, "Hardardous Waste Incineration- Part 4; Real Alternatives to Incinerations," November 14, 1988. 18. "Congress: HR 1066 Needed to Turn Heat Up on Employers, Regulators, Congress Told", Indoor Air Pollution News, Washington, DC: Buraff, August 22, 1991. 30. Lander Co., product label for Rose Scented Skin Cream, ca. 1992. 31. Lander Co., product label for Vitamin E Lotion, ca. 1992. 129. "National Library of Medicine's Toxicology Information Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Hazardous Substances Data Bank, "Formaldehyde", as of January 11, 1992. 279. National Research Council, Assembly of Life Sciences, Committee on Aldehydes, Based on Toxicology and Environmental Health Hazards, Formaldehydes and other Aldehydes, Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1981. 285. New Jersey Department of Health, "Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet "Formaldehyde", 1986. 288. Proctor and Gamble Co., label for Ivory Free Conditioner, U.S. patent pending. 290. Redmond Products, product label for Aussie Mega Shampoo with Papaya, 1986. 297. Swanson, J.R., "Formaldehyde: The Psychological and Educational Implications of Formaldehyde Toxicology," Seattle, WA: University of Washington, College of Education, 1984. 299. Thomas, C.L., editor, Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 16th Edition, Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company, 1989. ********************************************************** Rich Murray: Serious symptom syndrome summary: Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, Canderel, Benevia) is reported by scientific studies and case histories to be toxic: * headaches * many body and joint pains (or burning, tingling, tremors, twitching, spasms, cramps, or numbness) * fever, fatigue * "mind fog", "feel unreal", poor memory, confusion, anxiety, irritability, depression, mania, insomnia, dizziness, slurred speech, ringing in ears, sexual problems, poor vision, hearing, or taste * red face, itching, rashes, burning eyes or throat, dry mouth or eyes, mouth sores * hair loss * obesity, bloating, edema, anorexia, poor or excessive hunger or thirst * breathing problems * nausea, diarrhea or constipation * coldness * sweating * racing heart, high blood pressure, erratic blood sugar levels * seizures * birth defects * brain cancers * addiction * aggrivates diabetes, autism, ADHD, and interstitial cystitis (bladder pain). Almost all are typical of chronic methanol-formaldehyde toxicity: for detailed review http://www.dorway.com/barua.html Journal Of The Diabetic Association Of India 1995 Vol. 35, No. 4. Emerging Facts About Aspartame Dr. J. Barua (ophthalmic surgeon), Dr. Arun Bal (surgeon) (79 references) barua@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in "...the total amount of methanol absorbed will be approximately 10% of aspartame ingested. An EPA assessment of methanol states that methanol "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed." The absorbed methanol is then slowly converted to formaldehyde..." "Reaction of formaldehyde with DNA has been observed, by spectrophotometry and electron microscopy, to result in irreversible denaturation." http://ww.presidiotex.com/barcelona/index.html Trocho C, Pardo R, Rafecas I, Virgili J, Remesar X, Fernandez-Lopez JA, Alemany M ["Trok-ho"] Formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame binds to tissue components in vivo. Life Sci 1998 Jun 26; 63(5): 337-49. Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain. http://www.presidiotex.com/barcelona/index.html Maria Alemany, PhD (male) alemany@porthos.bio.ub.es http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/830 RTM: Tholen: Diet Coke has 5 ppm formaldehyde from aspartame 5.29.2 rmforall For 6 cans of diet soda, this is 5 times the daily limit of 1 PPM for formaldehyde in drinking water, set by the EPA. http://www.dorway.com/wmonte.txt Dr. Woodrow C. Monte Aspartame: methanol, and the public health. Journal of Applied Nutrition 1984; 36 (1): 42-54. (62 references) Professsor of Food Science Director of the Food Science and Nutrition Laboratory Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287 6411 South River Drive #61 Tempe, Arizona 85283-3337 602-965-6938 woody.monte@asu.edu The methanol from 2 L of diet soda, 5.6 12-oz cans, 20 mg/can, is 112 mg, 10% of the aspartame. The EPA limit for water is 7.8 mg daily for methanol (wood alcohol), a deadly cumulative poison. Many users drink 1-2 L daily. The reported symptoms are entirely consistent with chronic methanol toxicity. (Fresh orange juice has 34 mg/L, but, like all juices, has 16 times more ethanol, which strongly protects against methanol.) ********************************************************** http://biz-comm.com/CIIN/who.htm A History of the Chemical Injury Information Network PO Box 301, White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645; (406) 547-2255 Founded in 1990, the Chemical Injury Information Network (CIIN) is a 501(c)3, tax-exempt, non-profit support, advocacy organization run by the chemically injured primarily for the benefit of the chemically injured. Its primary focus is on education, credible research on multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), and the empowerment of the chemically injured. CIIN publishes the monthly newsletter Our Toxic Times and has over 5,000 members in 35 countries.* CIIN merged with Cindy Duehring's Environmental Access Research Network (EARN) in 1994. EARN now serves as the research division of CIIN and is responsible for the administration of one the largest private libraries on chemical health issues in existence. Its primary focus is to make scientific, medical, legal, and government literature available to health care professionals, expert witnesses, attorneys, and lay persons. EARN publishes Environmental Access Profiles and the semi-monthly newsletter Medical & Legal Briefs. In 1996, CIIN formed a new division to raise money to fund research into MCS. The MCS Research Fund has a medical advisory board that peer reviews and prioritizes research proposals for funding. Considered one of the leading organizations in the world for chemical health problems, CIIN/EARN receives hundreds of requests each month for information on toxic health problems. They regularly work with health care professionals in Algeria, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, India, Sweden, Venezuela, United Kingdom, and the United States. They have worked with universities in Australia, Canada, Germany, Philippines, Mexico, and the United States. CIIN/EARN have also provided information not only to the US government, but to the European Union and the governments of Canada, Costa Rica, Finland, New Zealand, and Venezuela. CIIN has received recognition for its work on chemical health issues from the United Nations' Environmental Programme and from the European Union. In 1991, CIIN was accepted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as a clearinghouse for information on the adverse health effects of chemical exposures. CIIN/EARN have also earned the respect of legislators with over 100 US Senators and Representatives referring their chemically injured constituents to them. In addition, the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the ATSDR, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and several divisions of the Environmental Protection Agency refer people who have been chemically injured to CIIN/EARN. Cindy Duehring, EARN's director, and Cynthia Wilson, CIIN's executive director, were commissioned by the Chemical Impact Project to write a "white paper" in 1994. The 65-page report, The Human Consequences of the Chemical Problem (available from TT Publishing, PO Box T, White Sulphur Springs MT 59645 for $7.20), was presented to Vice President Al Gore, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of the National Institutes of Health Donna Shalala, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC had the paper peer reviewed and it was found to have "merit". A conference was convened to discuss the health issues raised by the paper. The ATSDR called it "powerful and well researched." The Special Assistant to the President requested extra copies to distribute, and Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) requested an extra copy to present to the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. From March 1993 to April 1994, Ms. Wilson served as a public liaison officer and a member of the planning committee for the ATSDR sponsored Conference on Low-Level Exposure to Chemicals and Neurobiologic Sensitivity. She was also one of three patients to make a presentation at the conference which she did via telephone. In 1994, CIIN/EARN initiated the steering committee for the National Coalition for the Chemically Injured. Ms. Duehring and Ms. Wilson co-chaired the committee. In 1995, the steering committee finished the organizational plan for the coalition and turned it over to an elected Board of Directors. INTERNATIONAL AWARD In December, Ms. Duehring was awarded the 1997 Right Livelihood Award for her research into the sources and effects of MCS. The Right Livelihood Award is known as the Alternative Nobel Prize and is awarded to people working toward a sustainable future. At the request of the US Interagency Taskforce on Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, CIIN prepared a report on MCS as a global health problem. The report, written in 1995, documented MCS health problems in 36 countries. CIIN was the only group to be asked to make a presentation to the taskforce. OUR TOXIC TIMES The monthly magazine of CIIN The Chemical Injury Information Network publishes a monthly magazine called Our Toxic Times (OTT). It covers a wide range of pertinent information for those concerned about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, from the technical to the practical. It also contains advertisements, usually pertaining to living or dealing with MCS or chemical injury. CIIN appreciates the support of these advertisers but does NOT guarantee or endorse any products or services. Also, the magazine is not a substitute for medical, legal, or other professional services. CIIN is interested in inquiries into writing articles for OTT. The phone number for the magazine is the same as for the Chemical Injury Information Network: 406-547-2255. * Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, United States, Venezuela, and Wales. Our Toxic Times back issues. 7/90 to 6/94 - $1.50/copy; 7/94 to present - $3/copy. (Unless otherwise specified, the most recent past issue(s) will be sent.) Environmental Directory contains over 200 MCS support groups and related environmental groups. $5 Non-Toxic Buying Guide lists products ranging form less-toxic construction materials to personal hygiene products. Over 200 suppliers. $7.50 (Low-income $5) Chemical Injury Information Network Membership Directory. $20 for 3.5"disk; $50 for print out. Upon request, a list of CIIN members in your state will be provided at no cost. For a copy of another state's members, please send $2 for the first state and $1.50 for each additional state. Chemical Profiles are fully referenced abstracts containing trade names, synonyms, exposure standards, adverse health effects, usage, and more. $2. per individual profile. Bibliography of food allergy, MCS, and the health effects of chemicals. Contains over 1,000 references. $10.40 Order No. 0112-CIIN-xx-048R Chemical Exposures contains the components of products in everyday use. $2. Order No. 0229-CIIN-93-006R ********************************************************** Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@att.net 1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe NM USA 87505 505-986-9103 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages for 863 posts http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/861 brief summary http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/862 long summary http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/860 RTM: FDA: objections to neotame approval (Section A) 8.4.2 rmforall ***********************************************************