Pesticides and Public Health:
Identifying the Threat, Treating the Problem

Bringing Together Nationally Renowned Experts in the Field

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2003
9:15 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Jointly sponsored by:

East Wing Auditorium
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205

"Medical problems caused by pesticide exposure are often overlooked or misdiagnosed by health care providers." - Lynn Goldman, M.D., pediatrician, professor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and former Assistant Administrator of the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, US EPA.

Although pesticides have played a significant role in eliminating diseases and increasing food production, a growing body of research indicates that pesticides can be harmful to humans - especially sensitive populations such as pregnant women, infants, children, the elderly, and people with existing illnesses. Pesticides have been linked to a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses. Studies have linked pesticide exposures at lower levels to increased risks of cancer, brain injury, birth defects, reproductive disorders, kidney and liver damage.

Pesticides are used in agriculture, homes and gardens, public grounds, hospitals, schools, day care centers, nursing homes and for combating mosquito-borne diseases. Due to their widespread use, and the consequent potential for related illness and injury, physicians need to be prepared to recognize, manage and prevent pesticide-related health conditions in their patients and communities. Unfortunately, pesticide injury is often misdiagnosed by health care providers.

"Pesticides are thought to be a possible choice for terrorists. Even products not considered highly acutely toxic could disrupt the infrastructure and/or cause panic if introduced into water sources, sprayed over populated areas or otherwise misused." --National Practice Skills Guidelines for Medical and Nursing Practice, January, 2003

SYMPOSIUM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION:

This program is designed by experts in the field to enable physicians to diagnose, treat, report and prevent pesticide-related injuries.

PROGRAM

REGISTRATION
8:30 A.M.- 9:15 A.M.

9:15 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
WELCOME

Robert S. Lawrence, M.D., Edyth H.Schoenrich Professor of Preventive Medicine, Associate Dean for Professional Practice and Programs, and Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

SESSION I
9:30 A.M. -11: 30 A.M.

Pesticides in Perspective: Overview of Acute and Chronic Effects of Pesticides
Routt Reigart, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Southern California, Co-editor, "US EPA's Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings", 5th edition

How Do We Prevent Pesticide Health Risks
Lynn Goldman, M.D., M.P.H., Pediatrician, Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of

Public Health, former Assistant Administrator of the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, US EPA

BREAK:
11:30 A.M. - 11:45 A.M.

SESSION II
11:45 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Acute Pesticide Syndromes
Lorne Garrettson, M.D., Pediatrician, Medical Toxicologist, Advisor, Maryland Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Board

Farmworker Exposure to Pesticides: The Clinical and Worker Perspectives
Marion Moses, M.D., Director, Pesticide Education Center, San Francisco; author, "Harvest of Sorrow" - videos and training manuals for farm workers.
Shelly Davis, J.D., Co- Executive Director, Farmworkers Justice Fund

1:00 P.M. -1:45 P.M.
ORGANIC LUNCH PROVIDED

SESSION III
1:45 P.M.-2:45 P.M.

Pesticides: What's new at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Diane Matuszak, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Community Health Administration, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

The Relationship of Pesticides to Cancer
Dick Humphrey, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Oncology and Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Medicine

BREAK
2:45 P.M. - 3: P.M.

SESSION IV
3 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

The Link Between Pesticides and Terrorism
Faculty member, Center for Public Health Preparedness, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health: to be announced

Linking Environment and Health: Building a National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
Thomas Burke, Ph.D., M.P.H. Professor and Associate Chair Co-Director Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

Federal Laws Pertaining to Pesticides and Public Health, and Beyond Pesticides
Jay Feldman, M.S, Executive Director, National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides

Maryland Laws Pertaining to Pesticides and Public Health
Joann Schropp, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., Clinical Instructor, Department of Health Sciences, Howard Community College

The Maryland Pesticide Network- A Resource for Health Care Providers
Ruth Berlin LCSWC-C, Executive Director, Maryland Pesticide Network

SYMPOSIUM FEE

(INCLUDES GOURMET ORGANIC BOX LUNCH AND SNACKS)

On-site registration available from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., Sept. 6, 2003

MedChi members:

$100

Non-Med Chi Members:

$115

Students:

$20

CME CREDITS:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Their Elements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society and the Maryland Pesticide Network. MedChi is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. MedChi designates this activity for 5.5 hours in Category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit he/she actually spent in the education activity.

For further information contact the Maryland Pesticide Network at 410-849-3909 / info@mdpestnet.org

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Mailed registration forms must be received by September 3, 2003. You may register on-line or by phone until September 5, 2003. On-site registration will be available until 8:30 a.m. Space for this symposium is limited. We encourage early registration. Confirmation of your registration will be sent via e-mail, fax or regular mail.

TO REGISTER:

  1. ONLINE: We encourage you to register with our secure and simple online form at www.mdpestnet.org/symposiumreg
  2. BY MAIL: Mail registration form with credit card information or check to: Maryland Pesticide Network, 544 Epping Forest Road, Annapolis, MD. 21401.
  3. BY PHONE: 410-849-3909

DIRECTIONS:

The School of Public Health is located at 615 N. Wolfe Street, directly across from the Johns Hopkins Hospital, in East Baltimore. Recorded directions are available by telephone at 410 - 955-0166, or go to http://www.jhsph.edu/Resources/directions.html#SPH

PARKING AVAILABLE:

Washington Street Garage, Broadway Garage (the main hospital garage) and Caroline Street Garage