aspis half year report 2006

National and Kapodistrian National and Kapodistrian

University of Athens University of Athens

Medical SchoolMedical School

AWARENESS STRATEGIES FOR POLLUTION FROM INDUSTRIES

ASPIS PROJECT

ATHENS 2006

HALF-YEARHALF-YEAR REPORTREPORT

20062006

2

ContentsContents

Table of contentsTable of contents________________________________________________________22Project Information _________________3 Project Information _________________3 Summary of the projectSummary of the project____________________________________________44Activity backgroundActivity background________________________________________________1010Evaluation of the passed 6 monthsEvaluation of the passed 6 months__________________1111Financial reportFinancial report____________________________________________________________77What happens next…What happens next…________________________________________________88Budget for the next 6 monthsBudget for the next 6 months________________________________99

ASPIS Project- Half-year report 2006, March Meeting, Pucon, Chile

3

PROJECT INFORMATION

Name of project: Awareness Strategies for Pollution from IndustrieS (Acronym ASPIS)

Responsible National Member Organization:

Hellenic Medical Students’ International Committee (HelMSIC – Office of Athens)

Scientific Project Coordinator: Dr. P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati

Ass. Prof. of Pathology University of Athens, Medical School 28th October Str. No. 21 GR-152 37 Athens GREECE Office Tel +301-748-8235 Fax +301-684-0488 Email: [email protected]

IFMSA Project Coordinator: Irini Zoga Project Coordinator for the MM2006Achileos Charis National Project Coordinator for HelMSIC

HelMSIC Office of AthensOffice address:PO Box 1404511510 Athens, Greecetel-fax: +302107462033

e-mail : [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

4

Summary of the projectSummary of the project

Awareness Strategies for Pollution from IndustrieS (ASPIS-ΑΣΠΙΣ = Ancient

Greek world for “shield”) has started as a European Project and it has realized a

cluster of actions (ASPIS I and ASPIS II) with the aim to inform and raise awareness

of decision makers on environmental issues (civil servants, engineers, medical

doctors, lawyers and journalists). ASPIS has developed to a ‘tool of decision making’.

It is based at the TRans European Environmental Educational Health Network

(TREEE Health Net) that was launched in 1994 following an initiative of the

University of Athens collaborating at first with the University of Liverpool and since

1996 with the Free University of Brussels.

With the participation of medical students of different countries in all the

stages of the project, ASPIS has aimed to:

a) Inform the young health professionals about current health-related environmental

issues.

b) Bring up fruitful and productive thinking through seminars, round tables and

discussions about the future of the implication of human activity on health

c) Activate medical students not only towards the prevention of environmental

induced disease, but also towards environmental pollution itself.

Through IFMSA, TREEE Health Net is available to medical students globally,

giving them the opportunity of further learning and discussion.

The scope of the TREEE Health Net is the following Collection, evaluation and dissemination of all the information that are related to

the impact of the environment on health

Dissemination and interpretation of information to decision makers

Educating people at the health sector who are in the public realm of issues that are

dealing with environmental decision making


5

Offering advice via direct communication, exchange of ideas and information

among people who are involved in environmental issues that have impact on

health

Development of continuing education and life long learning

Development of distance learning

AREHNA

Awareness Raising about Environment and Health of Non expert Advisors

AREHNA – the new phase of ASPIS project

The scopes of the new cluster of activities are:

To improve management of the pollution - related diseases:by setting up of data base of cases documenting the relationship

between environmental exposure and disease on selected cases under the subjects:

Mobility related diseases

Fertility problems related to the environment

Congenital diseases in different EU countries, validating data using tools as health impact assessment including hazard mapping

by bringing together the different intervening stake holders (policy makers, health civil servants, NGOs, medical experts, journalists, lawyers, medical doctors) together in 3 workshops on the above environmental health impacts to enhance the flow of information, identify bottlenecks and make recommendations

by developing strategies and communication tools for the dissemination of information based on new technology


6

There is a growing concern on the rising incidence of pollution - related

diseases. Existing data need to be linked and organized in order to

provide documentation for the correlation of environmental impact on

human health. EU, recognizing the complexity of the economic and

social consequences evolving with environmental factors, has made

tremendous efforts to address the rising cost of this subject. Despite the

increasingly need for sources of reliable information on environmental

health issues, the association between environmental exposure and health

effects, information on risk factors related to epidemiology, test methods

in use and identification of hot spots, pollution - related effects and

critical development windows, are not fully documented. This project is

proposing to fill gaps by enhancing the flow of relevant information

training decision - makers on environmental health impact

simultaneously aiming at developing a level of understanding ensuring

sustainable development and multidisciplinary cooperation

Participants:Participants:

i. National and Kapodistrian University of AthensMedical School - Project Coordinator Ass. Prof. Dr. Polyxeni Nicolopoulou - Stamati37 Agias Filotheis Ave., 15237 Athens, Greece Tel: +30-210-7462163Fax: +30-210-6840488 e-mail: [email protected] Dept. of Informatics and TelecommunicationsIT Infrastracture and Technical SupportProf. Sergios Theodoridis, Dr. Aggelos PikrakisPanepistimioupolis, TYPA Buildings, Ilisia 15784, Athens, GreeceTel: +30-210-7275340FAX: +30-210-7275214e-mail: {stheodor, pikrakis}@di.uoa.gr

ii. Vrije Universiteit BrusselsProf. Dr. Luc HensLaarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, BELGIUM


7

Tel: +32-2-4774281 Fax: +32-2-4774964 e-mail: [email protected]

iii. University of LiverpoolDr. C. Vyvyan HowardSenior LecturerAshton Street, Liverpool L69 3GETel: +44-151-7947833 Fax: +44-151-7945517 e-mail: [email protected]

iv. International Center for Pesticide SafetyDr. Claudio ColosioVia Magenta 25, I - 20020 Busto Garolfo, Milano, ITALY Tel: +390-331-406615/11 Fax: +390-331-568023 e-mail: [email protected]

v. Unit of Epidemiology International Agency for Research on CancerDr. Annie Sasco, MD,PHD, Chief of Unit 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, FRANCE Tel: +33-472-73-8412 Fax: +33-472-73-8342 e-mail: [email protected]

vi. University of Granada Lab. Medical InvestigationsProf. Dr. Nicolas Olea 18071 Granada, SPAINTel: +34-958-242864 Fax: +34-958-249953 e-mail: [email protected]

vii. Certificado International Ecologia HumanaProf. Dr. Manuel J. NazarethTravessa Estavao Pinto Campolide 1070-124, Lisboa PORTUGAL Tel:+351-266-704476 Fax: +351-21-7977759 e-mail: [email protected]

viii. Aarhus UniversityProf. Herman Autrupbldg 260, Vennelyst bld 6, 8000 Aarhus C, DENMARKTel: +4589426000 Fax: +4589426199 e-mail: [email protected]

ix. Natl. Inst. Publ. Hlth.Prof. Dr. Max Vojtisek


8

Srobarova 48, 10042 Prague 10, CZECH REPUBLICTel: +42-02-67311467 Fax: +42-02-673-112-36 e-mail: [email protected]

x. Universitatii nr. 16Prof. Dr. Carol Stanciu6600 IASI, ROMANIA Tel-Fax: +4032211820 e-mail: [email protected]

xi. University of SofiaProf. Stoyan Stoyanovbld KL. Ohridski 8, Sophia 1756, BULGARIA Tel: +3592681021 Fax: +3592681480 e-mail: [email protected]

Task description

1. Setting up and monitoring database

2. Organizing 3 multidisciplinary workshops where database information will be used and addressed through consideration of exposure routes, relation of exposure - effect, mechanisms of toxicity, human health evidence, risk analysis, health impact assessment, hazard mapping, public health impacts and policies.

3. Production of 3 peer reviewed books with extended proceedings containing scientific documentation

4. Creation of interactive website All project activities will be scheduled and supervised by a core scientific

group representing respectively the participating countries. Overall

evaluation will be made by a scientific committee , external audit and total

quality assurance.

EXPECTED RESULTS


9

Create a database linking existing research data to environmental exposure, case studies of which might work as early warning system for environmental health problems.

Produce recommendations and tools, thus built capacity for handling and managing pollution - related diseases raising awareness of decision makers and public.

Enhance availability and dissemination of existing information to all intervening parties using IT.

Produce 3 books on the relevant topics for non-experts decision makers.

Develop a wed site to promulgate information with interactive facilities

ASSESSMENT AND FOLLOW-UP

Assessment will be implemented by: A. internal assessment instruments: evaluation of workshop by

participants, scientific committee and interactive website

B. external assessment: audit for each year and

C. assessment by EU Furthermore this proposal seeks to capitalize on ASPIS (Awareness

Strategies for Pollution from Industries) experience that has sustainably

been functioning since 1996. Further funding may be accomplished through

developed communication tools.

UTILISATION AND DISSEMINATION

Dissemination of results to non expert advisors and public at large, by means of:

Production of 3 books with proceedings published by a worldwide publisher

Development of interactive web site promulgate info, ensuring facilities of broad participation


http://www.aspis.uoa.gr/

http://www.aspis.uoa.gr/

10

Utilisation of acquired information through journalists for the beneficial of general public.

The Existing network (NGOs, IFMSA).

METHODS

Methods employed will be multidisciplinary cooperation of interactive groups, discussion and evaluation of data, publication of results, web pages and web site with interactive capacity. Experts and non expert target groups will exchange information and experience, thus contributing to a process of training of trainers via workshops and interactive web pages. Generated information will be documented in a way to enhance the understanding on pollution related diseases, by serving not only the target groups but also the public at large through journalists. Overall evaluation will be by scientific communication, external audit and total quality assurance. Individual events will be evaluated by questionnaires, peer reviews and editorial publisher reviews

Activity backgroundActivity background

Delphi 24-28/10/1994

Greece

European Symposium “Environment and Health”

Delphi, 31/8-5/9/1996,

Greece

Mother-to-child pollution

Pesticides as bulk chemical pollutants

Education awareness strategy

Waste disposal and the ‘precautionary principle’

under European law

Brussels 11/1/1997,

Belgium

“Water pollution”

Liverpool 24-

25/3/1997,

“Pollutant mixtures”


11

United Kingdom

Auditorium of the

Association of Greek

Journalists based in

Athens 17/4/1997

Greece

“The Press and the management of the scientific

information that concerns the influence of the

environment on health”

Old University of

Athens, Plaka

15/6/1998,

Greece

Seminar on “Environment and Health” Medical

students’ presentations on environmental issues

Kos Island 12-

14/11/1998

Greece

European Seminar on “Health impacts of waste

management policies”

Kos Island 16-

23/5/1999,

Greece

Weekly seminar “Environment and Health”

organized for Swiss learning the Greek language

deriving mostly from pharmaceutical industry of

Basel, Switzerland

Kos Island, 2-4/9/1999,

Greece

Kos island 7-9/9/2000

Athens 14/6/2002

Lesbos Island

10/8/2002

Kos island

3-5/5/2003

Kos island

7-9/5/2004

European Seminar with the participation of experts

from the USA on “Endocrine Disruptors and their

implications on human health”

Seminar with international participation under the

title:

“Is cancer a predominantly environmental disease?”

“Health impacts of waste management,

Gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system”

“Information on environmental issues”

Mobility and health

Environmental impact on Fertility


12

Evaluation of the passed 6 monthsEvaluation of the passed 6 months

An article about the latest news of the project was published in the University Press.

A master degree entitled ‘Environment and Health’ was approved by the medical school scientific council and will start soon

During this course the medical students are working on specific subjects on Environmental Health that will be announced on a meeting on September and will be published in the university’s press.

AREHNA Workshop, 9-11 June 2005 PILI Cultural Center Kos Island Aegean Sea

PROGRAMM

Thursday 9 June 2005

Problem formulation.Overview of the problem of Environmental Impact on Health. Morning Session Coordinators: L. Hens, C. Sekeris

09:10 Welcome address by project coordinator P.Nicolopoulou – Stamati09:1510:00 Key note address: Sets the scene John Peterson Myers10:45 Coffee Break11:15 Discussion

12:00 Official Opening by the Mayor and Kos authorities

12:30 Lunch break


13

Afternoon Session:

Session Coordinators: C.V. Howard, A. Mantovani

13:30 Male Dysgenesis Syndrome Jorma Toppari13:45 Endocrine disrupters, inflammation and

steroidogenesisOlle Soder

14.30 Maternal exposure and cryptorchism Patrick Thonneau15.00 Endocrine disrupter exposure and risk of male

congenital malformationsNicolas Olea Serrano

15:30 Discussion

17:00 Departure by bus to hotel and then to Zia mountain for ouzo and dinner.

Friday 10 June 2005

Morning Session Coordinators: C. Evangelides, C.V. Howard

09:00 Congenital Diseases related to environmental

exposure to dioxinsJanna Koppe

09:35 Endpoints for prenatal exposures in toxicological studies

Alberto Mantovani

10.00 Association of intra uterus exposure with drugs. Thalidomide effect

Maurizio Clemente

10:30 Coffee Break11:00 EUROCAT: surveillance of environmental impact Helen Dolk

Martine Vrijheid11:30 Do we have evidence from the wild life Gwynne Lyons

12.30 Lunch at the old spring “Pigi”

13.30 Departure for Asclepieion by bus (optional) * Guided visit to Asclepieion

Afternoon Session: European Environmental Agency Multicausuality Round Table Discussion Session coordinators: David Gee, Vyvyan Howard

14:30 Brain storming on MulticausalityReporteur: Nicholas Lelos

John Peterson Myers

15:00


14

15.3016:00 Coffee Break16.30 Discussion17.30 Departure by bus to Hotel and then to the Ancient

Roman Odeon of Kos

20.00-21.00 Harp and Flute concert at the Roman Odeon, in the city of Kos

21.50 Dinner

* If you wish to visit the ancient Asclepieion, please contact Ms Alexandra Katsivelaki at the computer room, Thursday 9th June until 2.00 pm.

Saturday 11 June 2005

Morning Session Coordinators: C.V. Howard, Nicolas Olea 09:00 Raising awareness on impact to EU policies of

Information Society RTD and deployment projects results

Vassilios Laopodis

09.15 Country report on Congenital diseases in Greece Emmanuel AgapitosManolis BrillakisEvaggelos Fousteris

09.30 Country report on Congenital diseases in Bulgaria Stoyan Stoyanov-

Ekaterina Terlemesian

09.50 Environmental risk and new born sex ratio Miroslav Peterka10.30 Coffee Break

11.00 Pesticides exposure in relation to congenital diseases

Catherine Wattiez

11.30 The point of view on congenital diseases of NGO’s concerning environmental exposure

Genon JensenMarie Christine Dewolf

12.00 Congenital Diseases in China Yongtang Jin12.30 Lunch13.30 Conclusions-Closing

Raporteur: Nguyen Thi ThucLuc Hens

15.00 Departure by bus to Hotel and then to Airport or Hot Springs Free afternoon

18.30-21.00 Dinner at the sea shore, Greek Dancing Evening

The summaries of the meeting are available at www.arehna.di.uoa.gr


15

Financial reportFinancial report

ASPIC is a multidisciplinary project, as far as it concerns funds for the whole

scientific project; they are assured and controlled by European Commission (QLAM-

00030-2000) and the University of Athens. Helmsic provides the information

concerning the field of Pollution and pollutants generally to the students, such as to

the decision-makers who are involved. Pr. Dr. Nikolopoulou –Stamati, covered our

expences according to the financial support by the European Commission. Helmsic

also covered some small amounts. Arehna is going to be fundraised by the European

Union. Fundraising will start in September.

Expenses drachmas euros

Posters for the AM in Serbia 20000 60

Photocopies and brochures 5000 15

Certificates for Kos meeting 25000 75

Tickets and hotels for Kos meeting 500000 1475

Slides for Kos meeting 20000 59

Total 570000 1684

Planning for the next six monthsPlanning for the next six months

ASPIS greatest event for the next months will be the first AREHNA seminar that will be held on Kos Island from 7-9 of May. The title of the seminar is Congenital Diseases. Information about the agenda will appear later

Budget for the next 6 monthsBudget for the next 6 monthsASPIS Project- Half-year report 2006, March Meeting, Pucon, Chile

16

Our expenses will be limited because all required money will be covered by the EU

funds that support the project. An amount of 400 euros is estimated for the March

Meeting (poster, slides, brochures etc)

EpilogueEpilogue

ASPIS will continue to take an active part in raising awareness of decision-makers

and generally people that are related to the environment. We think that our most

important aim as medical students is to emphasise the major importance of the

thousand pollutants that surround us nowadays for our health and to set off the

environmental health as an inseparable part of our medical curricula.

Irini Zoga / Charis Achilleos IFMSA ASPIS Project Coordinator 2005-6


Of course, it is very difficult or impossible to predict the effects of substances that are used today. Furthermore, it is extremely hard to prove that suspect chemicals are guilty for some damaging effects because millions of experiments are required. The reason is that due to a research these organic pollutants may have additive or synergistic effect. “There is no evidence” can and does often mean we didn’t look” or “we didn’t measure the right things”. The luck of proves cannot be an excuse for doing nothing. Future generations will not thank us for failing to take a precautionary approach during our temporary stewardship of the environment, which they will have to inherit.

aspis half year report 2006

Documents