Table Of ContentGlobal Atmospheric Change
and Public Health
Global Atmospheric Change
and Public Health
Proceedings ofa Conference Sponsored by
Center for Environmental Information, Inc. , 99 Court Street
Rochester, New York 14604-1824
Edited by
James C. White, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Cornell University
Associate Editors
William Wagner
Center for Environmental Information
CaroieN. Bea1
Center for Environmental Information
Elsevier
New York • Amsterdam· London
No responsibility is assumed by the publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or
property as a matter of products liability, negligence, or from any use or operation of any
methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in material herein.
Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.
655 Avenue oft he Americas, New York, New York 10010
Sole distributors outside the United States and Canada:
Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Ltd.
Crown House, Linton Road, Barking, Essex IG 11 8JU, England
© 1990 by Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.
This book was printed on acid-free paper.
This book has been registered with the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. For further information
please contact the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., Salem, Massachusetts.
ISBN-13: 978-94-010-6683-9 e- ISBN-13: 978-94-009-0443-9
DOl: 10.1007/978-94-009-0443-9
Current printing (last digit):
10987654321
Manufactured in the United States of America
CONTENTS
Preface vii
About the Center for Environmental Information ix
Conference Organizing Committee xi
Conference Cosponsors xiii
Overview of Global Atmospheric Change 1
Gordon J. MacDonald
Immune System and Ultraviolet Light 23
RaymondA. Daynes
Effects of UVB on Infectious Diseases 33
Suzanne Holmes Giannini
Infectious Diseases and Atmospheric Change 47
Robert E. Shope
Human Nutrition and Atmospheric Change 55
Alexander Leaf
Cataracts and Ultraviolet Light 61
Hugh R. Taylor
Skin Cancer and Ultraviolet Light: Risk Estimates 67
Due to Ozone Depletion
Janice Longstreth
Respiratory Effects Associated with Global Climate 81
Change
Lester D. Grant
v
vi
Atmospheric Change and Temperature-Related 89
Health Effects
Edwin M. Kilbourne
GLOWNET: An Information Clearinghouse Network 101
Concept
E. Joseph Bangiolo
NEDRES: "Yellow Pages" Directory to Environmental 109
Data
Gerald S. Barton
A Model Program for Physician Education in 121
Environmental Medicine
Donna L. Orti and Max R. Lum
The INFOTERRA Network: A Model of International 131
Information Exchange
Linda H. Spencer
Information Sources and Needs 177
Geoff Worton
Panel Discussion: Information Sources and Needs 185
Moderator: Marta Dosa
Information Trends and Resources 193
Frederick W. Stoss
Information Needs and Research Priorities 217
Michael P. Famll, Paul Kancirnk, and Frederick M. O'Hara, Jr.
Panel Discussion: Research Priorities 235
Moderator: Gordon J. MacDonald
Conference Participants 259
Conference Program 265
PREFACE
The world is just beginning to face up to the problems which will be brought about
by global climate change. Most people equate climate change with rising temperatures,
disturbed weather patterns, agricultural crises, and sea level rises; yet potential health
effects may be the most significant factors in the whole developing picture.
Man's effect on climate accelerates as population increases. Population increases
strain infrastructures and strained infrastructures lead to stresses on society.
We already are experiencing higher ultraviolet B radiation through our depleted
ozone layer and can expect more cancers, more cataracts, and diminishing immunity.
Expected changing weather and storm patterns may result in disturbed and diminished
agricultural production with malnutrition and famine on a grandiose scale; diseases
would migrate and the number of displaced persons would increase greatly.
This book consists of papers presented at a meeting on Global Atmospheric Change
and Public Health, held in Washington, D.C., in December 1989. It was sponsored by
the Air Resources Information Clearinghouse (ARIC), a project of the Center for En
vironmental Information, Inc. (CEI), a nonprofit organization in Rochester, New York,
and co-sponsored by thirty-two U.S., Canadian and international organizations and
agencies.
The conference was the first to bring together in a public forum the health, scien
tific, policy and information communities to address the issues. The book examines
potential public health and health-related impacts on society, communicable diseases,
cancer and cataract, immunity, heat effects, respiratory problems and human nutrition.
A special panel presented, for the first time, a discussion on information sources
and needs in this cross-disciplinary area where vital material may be hidden in the "gray
literature." Also included are papers on research needs and priorities in the public health
area.
These proceedings are a cooperative effort of the staff of CEI. Special thanks go to
Debra Segura for her assistance with the editing and her role in the production of
camera-ready copy. Great credit is due to William Wagner and Carole Beal, the associate
editors, for the hours they spent in so capably editing and producing this volume. The
conference itself would not have occurred without the organizational skill of Linda Wall,
CEl's conference coordinator. The editor appreciates the office services provided by
the Center for Environmental Research at Cornell University.
vii
viii
Atmospheric change is here to stay. This book contains a wealth of sound, unbiased
information on potential health problems of the next century. We present it as a valu
able reference for scientists and those who establish environmental policy.
James C. White
Center for Environmental Research
Cornell University, April 1990
ABOUT THE
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
The Center for Environmental Information (CEI) was established in Rochester,
New York, in 1974 as an answer to the growing dilemma of where to find timely, accurate
and comprehensive information on environmental issues. To meet this need for current
and comprehensive information, CEI has developed a multi-faceted program of publi
cations, educational programs and information services. It is a private, nonprofit or
ganization funded by membership dues, fees, contracts, grants and contributions. The
Center remains today a Rochester-based organization, but its services now reach far
beyond the local community, reflecting the increasing number, scope and complexity of
problems affecting the environment.
CEI acts as a catalyst to advance the public agenda toward soundly conceived en
vironmental policies. CEl's communication network provides a link among the scientific
community, educators, decision makers and the public, so that informed action follows
the free interchange of information and ideas.
IX
CONFERENCE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Dr. Richard Ball
Office of Environmental Analysis, U. S. Department of Energy
Mr. Nelson E. Hay
Chief Economist & Director, Policy Analysis,
American Gas Association
Dr. Alexander Leaf
Chairman, Department of Preventative Medicine,
Harvard Medical School
Dr. Janice Longstreth
Executive Director, Division of Science Policy,
Clement Associates
Dr. Gordon J. MacDonald
Vice President and Chief Scientist,
The MITRE Corporation
Mr. Ken Murphy
Executive Director, Environmental & Energy Study Institute
Dr. Ralph M. Perhac
Senior Scientific Advisor, Environment Division,
Electric Power Research Institute
Dr. James C. White
Professor Emeritus, Center for Environmental Research,
Cornell University
Xl
CONFERENCE COSPONSORS
Cosponsors
Agency for International Development
American Gas Association
American Lung Association
American Petroleum Institute
American Public Health Association
Centers for Disease Control
Chemical Manufacturers Association
Climate Institute
The Conservation Foundation
Cornell University Center for Environmental Research
Edison Electric Institute
Electric Power Research Institute
Environment Canada
Environmental Defense Fund, Inc.
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association
National Aeronautic and Space Administration
National Climate Program Office
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Natural Resources Defense Council
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Quebec Ministre de I'Environnement
Society of American Foresters
U.S. Council for Energy Awareness
United Nations Environment Programme
United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Energy
United States Environmental Protectiori Agency
World Meteorological Organization
World Resources Institute
xiii
