Integrating Human Health into Environmental Impact Assessment: An Unrealized Opportunity for Environmental Health and Justice

The National Environmental Policy Act and related state laws require many public agencies to analyze and disclose potentially significant environmental effects of agency actions, including effects on human health. In this paper we review the purpose and procedures of environmental impact assessment (EIA), existing regulatory requirements for health effects analysis, and potential barriers to and opportunities for improving integration of human health concerns within the EIA process. We use statutes, regulations, guidelines, court opinions, and empirical research on EIA along with recent case examples of integrated health impact assessment (HIA)/EIA at both the state and federal level. We extract lessons and recommendations for integrated HIA/EIA practice from both existing practices as well as case studies. The case studies demonstrate the adequacy, scope, and power of existing statutory requirements for health analysis within EIA. The following support the success of integrated HIA/EIA: a proponent recognizing EIA as an available regulatory strategy for public health; the openness of the agency conducting the EIA; involvement of public health institutions; and complementary objectives among community stakeholders and health practitioners. We recommend greater collaboration among institutions responsible for EIA, public health institutions, and affected stakeholders along with guidance, resources, and training for integrated HIA/EIA practice

HIGH RESOLUTION NMR STUDIES OF HISTONES AND THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH DNA

Le complexe chromosomique comprend des poids à peu près égaux d'ADN et de protéines (histones), ainsi qu'une quantité variable de protéines non histones. La distribution très irrégulière des acides aminés dans les cinq fractions d'histones principales F1, F2B, F2A1, F2A2, F3 permet de déterminer les réactions des molécules qui interviennent dans les interactions histone-histone. Une addition de sel aux solutions d'histones provoque la formation de structures secondaires vues par un élargissement des résonances des parties les moins basiques de la chaîne polypeptidique. On en déduit que celles-ci sont mises en jeu dans les structures intra et intermoléculaires. Une technique de simulation est utilisée dans l'analyse des spectres. En présence d'ADN, l'élargissement des pics concerne les régions les plus basiques des histones, qui sont donc mises en jeu lors des interactions avec l'ADN. Les histones sont ainsi considérées comme créant des changements conformationnels dans la chromatine du fait que seules certaines régions de la chaîne polypeptidique se lient à l'ADN alors que les autres interviennent dans les interactions histone-histone. Un modèle d'action de la fraction F1 est proposé.The chromosomal complex consists of an approximately equal weight of DNA and basic protein (histones) together with a variable amount of non-histone (acidic) protein. Lack of tissue or even organism specificity and extreme immutability suggests a broad structural role for histones in processes of gene control and chromosomal condensation rather than a role of high specificity in recognition of DNA base sequence or as a target for repressor/derepressor molecules. The highly irregular distribution of amino acids in the 5 main histone fractions F1, F2B, F2A1, F2A2, F3 has permitted a determination of which sections of the molecules can participate in histone- histone interactions. Addition of salts to histone solutions results (for ail except F1) in the formation of secondary structures resulting in specific broadening of resonances from the less basic portions of the polypeptide chain. It is concluded that these are involved in intra and intermolecular structures. An empirically based spectrum simulation technique is used to aid the analysis. In tlie presence of DNA broadening is observed of resonances from the more basic regions of the histones and it is concluded that these are the sites of interaction with DNA. Histones are therefore envisaged as bringing about structural changes in chromatin by virtue of the fact that only certain parts of the polypeptide chain - (in most cases the N and C terminal regions) bind to DNA whilst the remainder takes part in histone/histone interactions that are susceptible to external influences. Interactions of the very lysine rich histone F1 have been studied in chromatin gel itself by following the changes in the NMR spectrum accompanying the salt-induced release of this protein. Correlation of the spectral changes and other data with the state of the gel has resulted in a model for the mode of action of F1