Cent Eur J Public Health 1994, 2(1):27-31
Human health and the environment in eastern and central Europe. Report of the conference Prague, Czech Republic, 12-15 April 1993
- Conte Institute for Environmental Health, Pittsfield
A group of 46 leading environmental health scientists from 15 nations unanimously agreed to join forces in a new scientific effort to protect human health around the world from the potentially harmful effects of environmental chemicals and radioactive materials. The scientists agreed to establish a non-political European-based, not-for-profit organization whose objectives will be to promote, coordinate and fund environmental health research in order to provide a scientific basis for environmental remediation. The organization will be affiliated with the Conte Institute. The research priorities decided upon for Eastern and Central Europe were as follows: 1. Research into the effects of toxic metals, such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and beryllium. 2. Research in the populations of the region on cancer, birth defects, and other diseases, with emphasis on data sharing across national boundaries, on quality control, and on use of biomarkers of reproductive and other effects. 3. Studies on the molecular, biochemical, and chromosomal bases for varying genetic susceptibilities to environmentally-induced diseases. 4. Coordination of research on radiation effects, especially on radiation-exposures resulting from nuclear power and weapons plants. 5. Research on approaches to bioremediation. 6. Education and training of professionals and nonprofessionals in environmental health issues, on an international basis. These and other issues will be taken up over time by this new, cooperative scientific research organization, as decided at the Prague Conference.
Published: June 1, 1994 Show citation
