55th IFMSA General Assembly – August Meeting1-55th IFMSA General Assembly – August Meeting1-7/8/2006 7/8/2006

Zlatibor, Serbia & MontenegroZlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectASPIS ProjectAAwareness wareness SStrategiestrategies

for for PPollution fromollution fromIIndustriendustrieSS

An official IFMSA project since 1997An official IFMSA project since 1997

ASPIS Project (1993-2005)ASPIS Project (1993-2005)Short info:Short info: A European Union Project, funded by SANCO A European Union Project, funded by SANCO

(European Commision)(European Commision) ASPIS has evolved into a ASPIS has evolved into a decision-taking subjectdecision-taking subject

based on TRans European Environmental based on TRans European Environmental Educational Health Network (TREEE Health Net)Educational Health Network (TREEE Health Net) initiated by initiated by National and Kapodistrian University of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School - Athens Medical School - Project CoordinatorProject Coordinator

2001: AREHNA (2001: AREHNA (AAwareness wareness RRaising about aising about EEnvironment and nvironment and HHealth of ealth of NNon expert on expert AAdvisorsdvisors).).

3 AREHNA multidisciplinary Workshops in Kos 3 AREHNA multidisciplinary Workshops in Kos Island, Greece (between 2003-05)Island, Greece (between 2003-05)

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectMultidisciplinary Approach

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectASPIS ProjectEXPECTED RESULTS

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

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

Enhance availability and dissemination of existing information to all Enhance availability and dissemination of existing information to all intervening parties using IT, by:intervening parties using IT, by:

Production of 3 books with proceedings published by a worldwide Production of 3 books with proceedings published by a worldwide publisherpublisher

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

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

Existing network (NGOs, Existing network (NGOs, IFMSAIFMSA).).

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectASPIS ProjectAREHNA WorkshopsAREHNA Workshops

Mobility and HealthMobility and Health AREHNA Workshop, 3-6 May 2003AREHNA Workshop, 3-6 May 2003 PILI Cultural Center, PILI Cultural Center, Kos Island, GreeceKos Island, Greece

Environmental impact on fertilityEnvironmental impact on fertility AREHNA Workshop, 7-9 May 2004AREHNA Workshop, 7-9 May 2004 PILI Cultural Center, PILI Cultural Center, Kos Island, GreeceKos Island, Greece

Environmental impact on congenital diseasesEnvironmental impact on congenital diseases AREHNA Workshop, 9-11 June 2005AREHNA Workshop, 9-11 June 2005 PILI Cultural Center, PILI Cultural Center, Kos Island, GreeceKos Island, Greece

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectASPIS ProjectAREHNA Workshop 2005AREHNA Workshop 2005

Environmental impact onEnvironmental impact oncongenital diseasescongenital diseases

Kos, Greece, 9-11 June 2005Kos, Greece, 9-11 June 2005

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectEnvironmental Impact on Congenital Diseases

Source: “Environmental Congenital Diseases: The NGO’s point of view”, by Dr. M-C Dewolf, AREHNA Workshop, Kos 2005

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectEnvironmental Impact on Congenital Diseases

Source: “Bombarding of embryos with chemicals”, by Giannis Elafros, “Kathimerini” Daily Newspaper of Athens, 10/7/2005 – http://www.kathimerini.gr

“…“…many commercial chemicals may many commercial chemicals may affect an embryo, so do radiation and affect an embryo, so do radiation and nutrition of its mother…”nutrition of its mother…”

“…“…effects that can be critical if they effects that can be critical if they are induced in certain sensitive are induced in certain sensitive periods of its development, the so-periods of its development, the so-called “windows of effect”…”called “windows of effect”…”

Ass. Prof. Dr. Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-StamatiAss. Prof. Dr. Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati, ASPIS , ASPIS CoordinatorCoordinator

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectEnvironmental Impact on Congenital Diseases

Source: “Bombarding of embryos with chemicals”, by Giannis Elafros, “Kathimerini” Daily Newspaper of Athens, 10/7/2005 – http://www.kathimerini.gr

““Chemical War”Chemical War” “…“…possible ways of chemicals’ possible ways of chemicals’

entrance into embryos: shampoos, entrance into embryos: shampoos, jewellery, perfumes, drinking water, jewellery, perfumes, drinking water, food, food containers, preservatives, food, food containers, preservatives, estrogens, anti-perspirants, hand estrogens, anti-perspirants, hand creams, body creams and lotions.” creams, body creams and lotions.”

Dr. Jorma ToppariDr. Jorma Toppari, Turku University, Finland, Turku University, Finland

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectEnvironmental Impact on Congenital Diseases

Source: “Bombarding of embryos with chemicals”, by Giannis Elafros, “Kathimerini” Daily Newspaper of Athens, 10/7/2005 – http://www.kathimerini.gr

““Dioxines Shower”Dioxines Shower” “…“…malformations like harelip and gastroschisty malformations like harelip and gastroschisty

are thought to be caused by dioxines. are thought to be caused by dioxines. Children of women entering maternity clinics for Children of women entering maternity clinics for

prenatal check, presented a series of congenital prenatal check, presented a series of congenital malformations. Detail: At the specific entrance, a malformations. Detail: At the specific entrance, a clinic incinerator was in operation “spraying” with clinic incinerator was in operation “spraying” with dioxines whoever entered the clinic…” dioxines whoever entered the clinic…”

Dr. Janna KoppeDr. Janna Koppe, The Netherlands, The Netherlands

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectEnvironmental Impact on Congenital Diseases

Source: “Bombarding of embryos with chemicals”, by Giannis Elafros, “Kathimerini” Daily Newspaper of Athens, 10/7/2005 – http://www.kathimerini.gr

Other interesting presentations were:Other interesting presentations were: ““Congenital Diseases in Greece”Congenital Diseases in Greece”

M. Brilakis, E. Fousteris, J. Papadopoulos, M. Brilakis, E. Fousteris, J. Papadopoulos, GreeceGreece ““Hi-jacking the genes”Hi-jacking the genes”

J. Peterson Myers, J. Peterson Myers, Envir. Health News,USAEnvir. Health News,USA ““Pesticides & Herbicides”Pesticides & Herbicides”

Dr. Patrick ThonneauDr. Patrick Thonneau, France, FranceDr. C. Whattiez, Dr. C. Whattiez, Eur. Action Net against PesticidesEur. Action Net against Pesticides

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectEnvironmental Impact on Congenital Diseases

THE EUROPEAN POLLUTANT EMISSION REGISTERTHE EUROPEAN POLLUTANT EMISSION REGISTER

Source: EPER Website, http://eper.cec.eu.int

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectConclusions

More medical students to be involved in the future, especially in the field of:

Dissemination of all collected information to Dissemination of all collected information to other students, faculties, universities, public etc.other students, faculties, universities, public etc.

Organization of future ASPIS activitiesOrganization of future ASPIS activities Participation in next ASPIS/AREHNA eventsParticipation in next ASPIS/AREHNA events

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro

ASPIS ProjectLast words…

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

ASPIS project is proposing to fill the existing gaps…

55th IFMSA GA – August Meeting 1-7/8/2006, Zlatibor, Serbia & Montenegro