The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, May 22, 1984 - Page 7 Health effects of PBB, PCB examined (Continued from Page 1) will develop specific case studies of in- dividual children who are presenting medical or behavioral symptoms. "WE'LL BE asking the mothers how long they breast fed the child and what the health of the child was like," Joseph said. "We will then contrast this infor- mation with the current status of the child's health and behavior." "We plan to contact mothers at their last known addresses and use standard epidemiological technique to locate them, but if any of the mothers who participated in the study have moved or have questions or concerns they can call us collect," Brix added. A similar study is currently being conducted by the state health depar- tment but it focuses on a smaller group of mothers in the Grand Rapids and Muskegon area according to Brix. In addition, the $300,000 study funded by the federal government is more con- cerned with PCB levelsand effects. "WE STILL have residual levels in foodstuffs," said Prof. Jim Martin of the Environmental and Industrial Health dept. at the School of Public Health. "We had the incident and it resulted in widespread contamination in the state." "Cows you have now may still have a little bit of the chemical in their bodies simply because it is passed from generation to generation," Brix ex- plained. "People who moved to this state twoyears ago probably don't have any detectable levels though." "The people most at risk to PBB con- tamination were the workers who manufactured the stuff and the farmers who kept herds of cattle that were highly exposed," Brix said. "People who got their produce directly from contaminated farms are at high risk also, but everybody else was pretty much at low risk." SCIENTISTS have yet to determine human blood levels of the chemicals that can be considered 'safe' and PBB studies have yielded often conflicting data over human toxicity and association with physical or behavioral problems. The survey is being funded by the state's 10-member Toxic Control Sub- stance Commission that was created in the wake of public outcry when almost 2,000 pounds of the PBB flame retar- dant A. Firemaster BP-6 was acciden- tly mixed with farm feed in 1973 and gradually worked its way into Michigan's food chain primarily through beef and milk products. Martin is the chairman of the com- mission. The incident has been termed "one of the worst chemical disasters in United States history" by health professionals because penetration in the food chain was so extensive that traces of the chemical can still be found in food products even though officials attem- pted to limit the extent of con- tamination through the quarantine and destruction of cattle that were affected. PBB, polybrominated biphenyl, was once widely used as a flame retardant and produced by the Michigan Chemical Company in St. Louis, Michigan. PCB, polychlorinated biphenyl, is a toxic industrial chemical closely related to PBB and has recently become the focus of national attention as an environmental toxicant. PCB has been banned. Both chemicals are stored in human fatty tissue and are eliminated slowly through sweat, feces, breast milk - and through the placenta to a developing fetus. PCB has also been associated with Chloracne - a per- manently disfiguring form of acne - and with liver disease. PCB blood levels in Michigan residents are consistent with the national average, according to Brix, but widespread PBB blood levels have not been found in people residing in other areas of the U.S.. Group pushes proposal to stop weapons research (Continued from Page 2) Behind-the-scenes negotiations are by scattered applause from the audien- taking place between members of the ce and the Council. Democratic and Republican caucuses If the proposal is passed, Michaels to iron out differences between the par- said, the University would probably not ties' preferred budgets. be affected greatly since classified Councilmembers declined to com- research which could endanger human ment on the negotiations, but Coun- life is already prohibited by the Univer- cilman Gerald Jernigan (R-Fourth sity. Ward) said the differences between the The Campaign for Nuclear Free Ann eventual compromise budget and the Arbor, sponsored by the Michigan current proposed one will be substan- Alliance for Disarmament, is tial. petitioning to get the proposal on the The Democratic caucus is reportedly ballot. Michaels said about 5,500 pushing for more human services, signatures are necessary, and she ex- while the Republican caucus is ad- pecte that they will have more than vocating a pro-business budget. 8,000 signatures before the July 1 Councilwoman Doris Preston (D- deadline. Fifth Ward), one of three Democratic In other matters, the Council post- negotiators, said she is optimistic that poned approving the 1984-85 budget un- the differences will be settled before the til Thursday. Thursday meeting. Mondale calls for N.J. debate before primary A person who is Overweight may be suffering from BULIMIA A disease characterized by any three of the following: 1. Binge on high calorie food. 2. Inconspicuous eating (hidden eating). 3. Constant attempts at dieting. 4. Frequent weight fluctuations. 5. Eating to discomfort. 6. Use of laxatives or diuretics. S .. NAPLES RESEARCH 41 1 . & COUNSELING CENTER Naples Research & Counseling Center now offers a highly successful residential program for persons suffering from food addiction. The purpose of NRCC's Food Addiction Program is to help both individuals and families affected by Bulimia and Food Addiction to develop healthful balanced lifestyles that will lead to sensible weight loss and control, sound physical condition, high self- esteem, and an ability to manage stress effectively without prolonged negative consequences. PROGRAM SERVICES The NRCC's Food Addiction Program offers the following services to all patients admitted for treatment: * A complete, confidential medical and psychiatric evaluation. " An individualized Treatment Plan. " Group and individual therapy. " 24 hour nursing support. Our food addiction program is under the direction of medical professionals and covered by most health care insurance plans. For further information write or call the Director of Admissions or have your physician call. (813) 775-4500 NAPLES RESEARCH & COUNSELING CENTER "The nation's most comprehensie system for the treatment of addictive disorders." 9001 Tamiami Trail East " Naples, Florida 33962 FredS " oveidere^AM 'rogam r''o r Me S eo A heA a 00"2i O Pleasesend rrea comprimentary c f oothe Naples Research and Counseling Center's newes pubivation 'A Mini Guide o vFvvv Addivtvon Pl'ease send me information on NRCCs residentialtreatment program for food addiction S lease send me complete information covering all of NRCC's addictive treatment NrS.am s A d d ress --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - City _state __- Zip (Continued from Pagee3) As Jackson walked up a muddy, win- ding path to Bryant's modest home, neighbors lined the way. Most welcomed him, but a few shouted racial epithets. "THEY MUST not be from around here," Bryant said of the shouters. "The neighbors are happy and pleased that Rev. Jackson is here." But it was Mondale who picked up the supprt Monday of West Virginia's most influential voter - Gov. Jay Rockefeller. Rockefeller, who is running for the Senate, said Mondale "favors an energy policy that depends on the use of coal" and in general "as president would have economic -interests that coincide with West Virginia's own." HART CAMPAIGN officials say the senator will not make attacks on Mon- dale as part of his strategy of casting himself as the "high road" candidate in California and will not respond directly to attacks by Mondale. That did not inhibit Mondale. He ridiculed his rival's record on the superfund legislation and on arms con- trol - just as he had done last week. "When the superfund was being con- sidered Gary Hart served on the Senate committee that considered that measure," Mondale declared. "HE DIDN'T find time to attend a single hearing that helped shape the. legislation. We can find no evidence that he participated in writing ... the bill at all. And he didn't even show up for the vote in the Senate that passed the bill." Stephen Saunders, the senator's en- vironmental adviser, said Hart was ab- sent because the outcome was a foregone conclusion and that, in the committee, Hart had in fact supported even stronger superfund legislation. Hart visited waste dumps in New Jersey last week to complain about the administration's environmental cleanup efforts, and he regularly promises a stricter enforcement effort. Specifically, he has promised to seek a tenfold increase in the superfund if elected president.