A qualitative analysis of environmental policy and children's health in Mexico

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since Mexico's joining the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1994, it has witnessed rapid industrialization. A byproduct of this industrialization is increasing population exposure to environmental pollutants, of which some have been associated with childhood disease. We therefore identified and assessed the adequacy of existing international and Mexican governance instruments and policy tools to protect children from environmental hazards.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We first systematically reviewed PubMed, the Mexican legal code and the websites of the United Nations, World Health Organization, NAFTA and OECD as of July 2007 to identify the relevant governance instruments, and analyzed the approach these instruments took to preventing childhood diseases of environmental origin. Secondly, we interviewed a purposive sample of high-level government officials, researchers and non-governmental organization representatives, to identify their opinions and attitudes towards children's environmental health and potential barriers to child-specific protective legislation and implementation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified only one policy tool describing specific measures to reduce developmental neurotoxicity and other children's health effects from lead. Other governance instruments mention children's unique vulnerability to ozone, particulate matter and carbon monoxide, but do not provide further details. Most interviewees were aware of Mexican environmental policy tools addressing children's health needs, but agreed that, with few exceptions, environmental policies do not address the specific health needs of children and pregnant women. Interviewees also cited state centralization of power, communication barriers and political resistance as reasons for the absence of a strong regulatory platform.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Mexican government has not sufficiently accounted for children's unique vulnerability to environmental contaminants. If regulation and legislation are not updated and implemented to protect children, increases in preventable exposures to toxic chemicals in the environment may ensue.</p

El raleo químico en floración incrementa el tamaño del fruto y el valor de la producción en durazno variedad Zee Lady

In 2007, an experiment of flower and fruit thinning on peach was conducted in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, in trees 5 years old, Zee Lady Variety, grafted onto the Bailey rootstock of seed. The variety 'Zee Lady' is used for fresh consumption. The treatments were the control without applying; severe pruning at the time of full bloom, hand fruit thinning spaced approximately 15 cm, 45 days after full bloom, soybean oil (SO) 8% applied about 25 days before flowering, ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) (3.5%, 5%), lime sulfur (LS) (1%, 3%) plus soybean oil (SO) (2%) applied at 20% bloom, lime sulfur (LS) (1%, 3%) plus soybean oil (2%) applied at 90% bloom; wilthin (0.5%, 0.75%) applied at full bloom. The results indicate that the hand thinning reduces fruit set to 14%. ATS (5%), LS (3%) plus SO (2%) at full bloom, and severe pruning treatments were most effective in reducing the burden of fruit on the tree. LS (1%) plus SO (2%) to 20% bloom or full bloom, severe pruning, or soybean oil produces larger fruits. Wilthin (0.5%) was smaller than the control fruits. LS (1%) plus SO (2%) to 20% bloom or full bloom, severe pruning, or soybean oil, ATS (3.5%), and Wilthin (0.75 %) generated the highest revenue in a range between $12 789.00 and$ 13 785.00 ha-1.Durante 2007 se condujo un experimento de raleo de flores y frutos en durazno, en Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, México, en arboles de 5 años de edad, de la variedad Zee Lady, injertado en el portainjerto Bailey de semilla. La variedad 'Zee Lady' se utiliza para consumo en fresco. Los tratamientos aplicados fueron el testigo, sin aplicar; poda severa al momento de floración completa; raleo manual de frutos espaciados 15 cm aproximadamente, 45 días después de plena floración; aceite de soya (SO) al 8% aplicado aproximadamente 25 días antes de floración; tiosulfato de amonio (ATS) (3.5%, 5%); cal azufre (LS) (1%, 3%) más aceite de soya (SO) (2%) aplicado al 20% de floración; cal azufre (LS) (1%, 3%) más aceite de soya (2%) aplicado al 90% de floración; Wilthin (0.5%, 0.75%) aplicados a floración completa. Los resultados indican que el raleo manual reduce el amarre de fruto a 14%. ATS (5%), LS (3%) más SO (2%) a plena floración, y la poda severa fueron los tratamientos más efectivos para reducir la caiga de fruto en el árbol. LS (1%) más SO (2%) al 20% de floración o a floración completa, poda severa, o aceite de soya produce los frutos más grandes. Wilthin (0.5%) produjo frutos más pequeños que el testigo. LS (1%) más SO (2%) al 20% de floración o a floración completa, poda severa, o aceite de soya, ATS (3.5%), and Wilthin (0.75%) generaron los ingresos más altos en un rango entre $12 789.00 y$13 785.00 ha-1

Xilotecnia of the wood of "Acacia schaffneri" from the state of hidalgo, Mexico

The genus Acacia spp belongs to the family Leguminosae, with more than 1300 species distributed naturally in all continents except Europe. In Mexico there are 85 species, of which 46 are endemic, most located in arid and semiarid regions, being Acacia coulteri and Acacia farnesiana the most widely distributed. The aim of this study was to determine the technological characteristics of the wood of Acacia schaffneri. To determine the anatomical characteristics, the methodology of Autonomous Chapingo University’s wood anatomy laboratory was used; for the physical properties, standards NOM EE-117-1981 and NMX-EE-167-1983 were used, and in calculating the mechanical properties the mathematical formulas were employed. The wood is reddish brown and has interlocked grain with diffuse porosity, aliform confluent parenchyma and in confluent bands, and crystals and gums. The proportion of cells was 11,87% vessel elements, 50,65% fibers 27,76% axial parenchyma and 9,81% ray parenchyma. Basic density was 880 kg/m3, tangential, radial, axial and volumetric shrinkage values were 10,57%; 4,97%; 0,10% and 15,82 % respectively, and fiber saturation point was 19,97%. The mechanical properties were very high, so it can be used in the manufacture of floors and in building constructions

Planning the Barrio: Ethnic Identity and Struggles over Transit-Oriented, Development-Induced Gentrification

I argue that ethnic identity formed the basis of collective actions against transit-oriented, development-induced gentrification in three Latino barrios in Oakland, Los Angeles, and San Diego. I demonstrate how these barrios relied on ethnic identity as a basis for mobilizing political capital, grassroots actions, and symbolic capital. Ethnic identity helped Latinos in these barrios create meaningful spaces of participation that transformed these transit investments into community-driven projects and encouraged opportunities for community benefits