Parallels Found Between West Nile Virus and Polio

Scientists are comparing the effects of West Nile virus to Polio, because they share similar symptoms. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Jenny Lawton has more:

Transcript

Scientists are comparing the effects West Nile Virus to Polio because they share
similar
symptoms. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Jenny Lawton has more:


Researchers say both the West Nile virus and Polio can live in the body for years
before
launching an attack against the nervous system. And there’s evidence both can lead
to other
medical problems years after the initial illness.


In the case of polio, this delay is known as “PPS,” or “post polio syndrome.”


Science journalist, Janet Ginsburg, says those kinds of outbreaks begin with a range
of symptoms.


“And a lot of people had a flu-like illness, just like West Nile fever. These
people today are
showing up with PPS. So you have this model of polio.”


Ginsberg says more research needs to be done before a connection is certain.


There have been fewer than a couple of dozen cases of the West Nile virus in the
Great Lakes
States so far this year.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Jenny Lawton.

Environmentalists Attempt to Oust Bush Official

Some environmental groups have launched a petition drive to oust a top interior department official. However, their prospects of success are questionable. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Bill Wheelhouse reports:

Transcript

Some environmental groups have launched a petition drive to oust a top interior
department
official. However, their prospects of success are questionable. Bill wheelhouse
reports:


Earth First, Greenpeace and the Common Assets Defense Fund are using an internet
petition
drive to try to get Interior undersecretary, Steven Griles, fired. The groups say
Griles close
association with the gas and coal industries demonstrates the Bush administration is
unfriendly to
the environment.


However, Michael Kraft, who tracks environmental policy at the University of
Wisconsin, Green
Bay, says the effort is unlikely to succeed.


“There clearly will be an effort to gain media attention to highlight what
environmentalists
believe to be unacceptable policies in the Interior Department and elsewhere within
the Bush
administration and my guess is the Bush White House will find it very easy to
respond to those
criticisms much as they have for the last three years.”


Kraft says the drive might get more attention if larger environmental groups, such
as the Sierra
club, Audubon Society and Wildlife Federation took part.


But even if they did, he says it likely would not affect Griles standing within the
administration.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Bill Wheelhouse.

Link Between Cadmium and Breast Cancer?

A recent study shows a possible link between breast cancer and a toxic chemical we’re exposed to every day. And people living in some Great Lakes states might face higher exposure to this chemical. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Erika Johnson has more:

Transcript

A recent study shows a possible link between breast cancer and a toxic chemical
we’re exposed to everyday. And
people living in some Great Lakes states might face higher exposure to this
chemical. The Great Lakes Radio
Consortium’s Erika Johnson has more:


Cadmium is a toxic metal present in trace amounts in the air, water, soil, and in
most foods. It is also found in
batteries and cigarettes, and is released by some industries.


Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois are at the top of the list for overall cadmium exposures.


Recent findings published in Nature Medicine suggest that even low levels of cadmium
in lab rats caused changes
in their sexual development. Cadmium mimics estrogen, the female hormone that
regulates the reproductive
systems of men and women.


Steve Safe is a Toxicologist at Texas A & M University.


“Women have high doses of estrogen. They have much higher rates of breast cancer
than men. And estrogen has
been clearly linked to breast cancer. What we don’t know is, ‘Can cadmium
contribute to that? Does low dose
cadmium have any effect on humans at all?'”


Safe says more research is needed before any clear links can be made to human health.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Erika Johnson.

Enviro Groups Concerned About Blackout Aftermath

Some environmentalists are concerned that the blackout that affected the Northeast and part of Canada might be used as an excuse to build more power plants. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:

Transcript

Some environmentalists are concerned that the blackout that affected the Northeast
and part of
Canada might be used as an excuse to build more power plants. The Great Lakes Radio
Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:


Experts don’t yet know all the factors that led to the power blackout. But
environmentalists
worry that private interests will take advantage of the situation and call for more
large nuclear and
coal-burning power plants. David Gard is with the Michigan Environmental Council.


“Clearly we know, experts have already said even though we don’t know the exact
cause of the
problem, we know for sure that it’s not an issue of not enough generation. We have
plenty of
power plants; we have plenty of supply. This is primarily a problem with
transmission and
getting energy that’s already been made to the end customer.”


Environmentalists say fixing the transmission bottle-necks, building a more diverse
system with
wind and solar power generation and real conservation measures such as more
efficient air
conditioners are better solutions than building big generating plants that pollute.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, this is Lester Graham.

Canada Looks for Permanent Power Solutions

After the recent power outage, some residents in Ontario, Canada were asked to cut their use of electricity in half. Some hoped the experience would convince people to change their behavior permanently. But as the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports, environmentalists are arguing for a more permanent approach to energy efficiency:

Transcript

After the recent power outage, some residents in Ontario, Canada were asked to cut
their use of
electricity in half. Some hoped the experience would convince people to change
their behavior
permanently. But as the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports,
environmentalists
are arguing for a more permanent approach to energy efficiency:


Suddenly, the media in the Canadian province of Ontario was filled with tips on how
to conserve
energy. Like many places in the U.S., Ontario was hit by the widespread blackout.
People were
told to turn off air conditioners and use cold water in their washing machines.


And a lot of residents, and businesses, listened. Environmental consultant Ralph
Torrie was
encouraged by this behavior. But he says the government needs to ensure energy
efficiency is
built in to appliances and automobiles


“There is no more effective, cheaper or quicker way to improve the efficiency of
energy use than
to work with the industry that makes these things and bring up the minimum energy
efficiency
that is required.”


Torrie hopes the province will consider long term action once the power supply is
back to normal.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.

Testing Wireless Food Stamps in Farmers’ Markets

It’s the height of the season for luscious, farm-grown fruits and vegetables. But most people, who get help from the government with buying their food, can’t take advantage of the fresh, nutritional food at their local farmers’ markets. The food stamp system was replaced in many states with new Electronic Benefit Transfer cards. And since vegetable stands don’t usually come equipped with electricity, both farmers and many poor people were missing the harvest. But one state hopes to change that with a new pilot program that’s bringing wireless EBT technology to farmers’ markets. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Joyce Kryszak has more on how the program is catching on:

Transcript

It’s the height of the season for luscious, farm grown fruits and vegetables. But
most people, who
get help from the government with buying their food, can’t take advantage of the
fresh, nutritional
food at their local farmers’ markets. The food stamp system was replaced in many
states with
new Electronic Benefit Transfer cards. And since vegetable stands don’t usually
come equipped
with electricity, both farmers and many poor people were missing the harvest. But
one state
hopes to change that with a new pilot program that’s bringing wireless EBT
technology to farmers
markets. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Joyce Kryszak has more on how the
program is
catching on:


Six children form a low circle around Tammy Johnson’s skirt. They move together in
a cluster
through the market, checking out overflowing baskets filled with crayon-colored
produce. The
single mom from Niagara Falls comes to the city’s outdoor market regularly in the
summer.
Johnson says she has to.


“Because I no more than get stuff and it’s gone usually a day or two later, so I
prefer it over going
to the grocery store myself, because you can get a lot of your fruits and vegetables
a lot cheaper
here than in the grocery stores, plus it’s a lot cheaper, a lot better.”


But Johnson says even here it’s hard to stretch her limited budget. She’ll soon get
help from the
state. They granted her an Electronic Benefit Transfer card to buy food for her
family. It’s not
activated yet, but once it is, Johnson says she especially looks forward to using it
at the farmers
market. But Johnson’s enthusiasm for the EBT cards is rare. Most farmers here, and
at other test
sites, say they’ve made few EBT transactions. Johnson thinks it’s because people
still don’t know
they can use the cards at the farmers markets.


“Nobody really knows how the system works yet. They put an article in the paper,
saying the
farmers accept it, but nobody I know has actually used their cards.”


(natural sound – people making purchases)


Small signs reading “We Gladly Accept EBT” dangle from a handful of the farmers’
stands. But
they go largely unnoticed. Crowds of people wait along the rows of tables to
exchange crisp
dollar bills for crisp produce. It’s the way business has always been done at the
open-air markets.
Farmer John Senek peers up from under the brim of his tattered green cap. He says
the old way is
good enough for him.


“Do you have the EBT machine here?”


(Senek) “No, we got one home but we don’t use it.”


“Why is that?”


(Senek) “Too much work. I don’t know how to run it. I’m too old for that stuff.”


Sixty of the hand held devices were given to farmers such as Senek who volunteered
for the pilot
program in May. They did get limited training and the promise that the machines
would be free
to use – thanks to a federal grant – for at least the first year. After that, there
could be a small
monthly charge, and per use fee. The payments take a day to transfer into the
farmer’s bank
accounts. The farmers say they signed on hoping the EBT’s would bring them more
business.
But after the first couple months, optimism is wilting.


(Miller) “We just turn it on, but it takes a second for it to pop up.”


Even farmers who are still hopeful the idea will catch on are concerned about losing
cash
business while punching in numbers.


As Farmer Jim Miller soon demonstrates, it takes more than just a second. It took
about twenty-
seconds for this trial transaction just to get started.


Miller says it might not seem like a big deal. But he says the lost time could mean
losing cash
paying customers.


“It takes a little bit more time than taking two dollars from somebody, or ten
dollars from
somebody. So, you’re wasting time while you could be working with other people.”


New York and the USDA are weighing the program carefully to see if it’s worth
expanding to
other states.


Nathan Rudgers is New York’s Commissioner of Agriculture. He says they have faith
that with
better promotion and education, the system will eventually help farmers and improve
nutrition for
food stamp customers.


“We are addressing the issue of education. We recognize the fact that it takes
awhile sometimes
to get new technology going, but we’re confident that business will pick up,” said
Rudgers. “I
think it’s going to turn out to be a win for both the farmer and the food stamp
customer. And
when we can do that, it’s a pretty successful endeavor.”


Single mom Tammy Johnson agrees. She says for her, and her six children, the EBT
system is a
fresh idea worth keeping.


“I just went today to get my card, so my card won’t be in effect until Monday, but
I’ll be back
Monday.”


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Joyce Kryszak in Niagara Falls.

SPRAWLING CITIES, SPRAWLING WAISTLINES (Short Version)

Urban planners and fitness experts are beginning to compare notes about how suburban development affects health. They’re finding that urban sprawl discourages exercise such as biking and walking. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:

Transcript

Urban planners and fitness experts are beginning to compare notes about how suburban
development affects health. They’re finding that urban sprawl discourages exercise
such as
biking and walking. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:


Not nearly as many kids ride their bikes to school today as kids did a generation
ago. That’s
because sprawling areas – complete with four lane roads – are designed for cars. not
for bikes.


Risa Wilkerson is with the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health
and Sports.
She says fitness experts say there are advantages to building neighborhoods more
friendly to
bicyclists and pedestrians.


“Carpooling your child everywhere you go is a hard life to have if your child could
walk to their
soccer game while the other child walks to piano practice and you stay home and
start to cook a
healthy dinner or you have a chance to go ride your bike.”


The experts say the way neighborhoods are designed now could be contributing to health
problems in kids such as obesity, the early onset of diabetes, and asthma that might
be aggravated
by auto emissions.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, this is Lester Graham.

Sprawling Cities, Sprawling Waistlines

  • Many sidewalks end abruptly and go nowhere. Health experts are saying sprawling urban areas need to be designed so that sidewalks and bike paths are connected to community destinations. (Photo by Lester Graham)

Public health officials are calling for changes in how we design communities. They say poorly designed development contributes to higher obesity rates, the early onset of diabetes, and other health problems. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:

Transcript

Public health officials are calling for changes in how we design communities. They
say poorly
designed development contributes to higher obesity rates, the early onset of
diabetes, and other
health problems. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:


For the past few decades most suburban developments have been about convenience.
Shopping
should be just a short drive away…. parks, just a short drive away… school just a
short drive
away. Four-lane highways have replaced two lane streets to relieve congestion. If
you’re in a
car, other than dealing with the headaches of traffic, getting places isn’t that bad.


But… if you’re on a bike… or walking… crossing those multi-lane roads at busy
intersections is
daunting for adults… let alone children. And often, sidewalks are built, but
sometimes they just
end. A lot of times, sidewalks in a sprawling area never really go anywhere. So,
people don’t
ride their bicycles or walk to destinations. It’s just not convenient… and
sometimes it’s
downright hazardous.


Ellen Bassett is with the Urban and Regional Planning Program at Michigan State
University.


“Because we’re building things further and further apart without connectivity that
doesn’t avail
people to walk or to use their bicycles; they have to drive everywhere. We’re
creating
environments where people exercise less, are less and less active.”


And the result has contributed to a decline in the overall fitness of Americans.
That’s most
evident in children. Kids today are fatter. The rate of obesity is up. Early onset
of diabetes is up.
Part of that is due to kids watching too much television… sitting around playing
computer
games… and so on. But… not being able to ride a bike to school… or being able to
walk to the
park to play soccer… contributes to health problems because kids don’t get enough
exercise in
their daily routines.


Richard Killingsworth is the director of Active Living by Design. The program works
to
incorporate physical activity into everyday lives through the way we design
communities.
Killingsworth says somewhere along the line we came to accept that it made sense to
stop
walking places and instead drive to the health club.


“Now we’ve embraced the notion that we drive to destinations to do physical activity
as opposed
to having it as a part of our everyday lifestyle. So, we’ve essentially built an
environment that
accommodates something that is not physically active and accommodates one mode of
transportation, that’s the automobile.”


Killingsworth consults with urban designers, encouraging them to think about more
than whether
it’s a convenient drive… but to think about whether a neighborhood is designed to
make it a
convenient walk to school… or the park.


“We’ve built upon the notion that the car is king and it should be the only way and
unfortunately
we cannot sustain that for much longer. We need to look at other viable modes and as
we build, if
we build more compactly, a viable mode and a more efficient mode clearly would be
walking or
bicycling.”


And, increasingly, urban planners are being urged by physical fitness experts to
think about
public health. They say making sure there’s a network of sidewalks and bike paths
that actually
connect the community’s destinations is worth the cost.


Risa Wilkerson is with the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health
and Sports.
She’s taken an active interest in land use planning. She says it’s cheaper to design
communities
that encourage physical activity than it is for society to pay the health care costs
caused by too
little exercise. She argues she’s not asking for that much.


“That children have sidewalks that are buffered between the road with a row of trees
and grass,
that the parks are connected to the schools and to homes and that people could walk
to get a
gallon of milk if they chose to or to go down and visit their neighbor at the local
coffee shop and
they wouldn’t have to get into their automobile for a quarter-of-a-mile trip.”


Wilkerson says health care costs are skyrocketing. Designing communities that
encourage
walking or bicycling are investments in prevention of the health problems caused by
too little
exercise. She adds the health care costs of poorly designed areas is just the
beginning.


“And then you’ve got pollution costs from automobile emission. It goes on and on in
terms of,
you know, the savings if we get people out walking or biking — cleaner air. If you
put all of those
together, I mean there’s just — it’s a phenomenal case to make.”


Advocates of incorporating more sidewalks, bike paths, and safer intersections into
new
developments says local governments should also look at existing suburbs too… to see
if those
neighborhoods can’t be retro-fitted to include a few sidewalks and safe crossings
that can connect
shopping, schools, and parks to homes. That way the walk of the day can be a little
farther than
just from the front door to the car in the driveway.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, this is Lester Graham.

Auto Suppliers Seek to Cut Waste

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, General Motors, and a group of auto suppliers have teamed up to clean up manufacturing. They’ve formed the “Suppliers’ Partnership for the Environment.” The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Bill Poorman reports:

Transcript

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, General Motors, and a group of
auto suppliers have teamed up to clean up manufacturing. They’ve formed
the “Suppliers’ Partnership for the Environment.” The Great Lakes
Radio Consortium’s Bill Poorman reports:


The partnership includes some of the biggest auto suppliers, including
Delphi, Visteon, Lear, and Federal-Mogul. Federal-Mogul’s Roger Strelow
is the group’s vice chairman. He says they want to find ways to help the
environment and cut costs, by combining the expertise of the EPA, GM,
and auto suppliers. For example, Strelow says, take a company that learns
how to cut manufacturing waste.


“They are both saving money by having to buy less raw
material to make a given unit of product. At the same time, if there’s
less scrap, there’s less material going out to scrap heaps or landfills
or somewhere else.”


Strelow says the group is still evaluating ways to measure its success. One way
could be measuring the amount of energy each company saves. For
the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Bill Poorman.

Nuclear Waste Shipped Secretly

Activists want the National Academy of Sciences to investigate secret shipments of spent nuclear fuel that roll across the Great Lakes states. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:

Transcript

Activists want the National Academy of Sciences to investigate secret shipments of
spent nuclear
fuel that roll across the Great Lakes states. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s
Lester Graham
reports:


The Department of Energy secretly shipped by rail several cars of high-level nuclear
waste from
western New York to an Idaho lab this summer. Reportedly, it was one of the largest
such
shipments ever. The group Public Citizen says if these shipments are going to be
made,
Department of Energy officials should at least notify members of Congress and
emergency
officials along the rail route.


Brendan Hoffman is with Public Citizen.


“You know, we feel like if they’re going to keep all this stuff secret, it really
interferes with the
whole concept of having an open government and accountability and transparency.
But, at the
same time we don’t feel this is safe.”


Public Citizen has asked the National Academy of Sciences to confirm the shipment
and wants
the shipping casks carrying the radioactive material to be better tested in accident
and terrorist
attack scenarios.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, this is Lester Graham.