The INDEX project: executive summary of a European Union project on indoor air pollutants.

The prevalence of allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases in large populations has increased in recent decades. Among other factors, this phenomenon has been connected to adverse health effects of air pollution. Although some causal links between occupational exposures and their health effects are shown, still little is known about the health risks of lifelong exposure to indoor air pollutants. To assess the health risks of indoor air pollutants at prevailing concentration levels in Europe, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission carried out a project called "Critical Appraisal of the Setting and Implementation of Indoor Exposure Limits in the EU" (INDEX). The aims of the project were: (1) to assess health risks of indoor-originated chemical pollutants that might be regulated in the EU and (2) to provide suggestions and recommendations on potential exposure limits or other risk management measures. The results of the INDEX project should contribute to the development of an EU strategy for the management of indoor air quality. The highest priority was given in this study to: formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene and naphthalene. Exposure limits, recommendations and management options were also given to minimize the health risks for these compounds.

Risk characterization and proposal of exposure thresholds to indoor chemical agents: the Index European project.

The European INDEX project was finalised to identify priorities and to assess the needs for an European Community strategy and action plan in the area of indoor air pollution. A list of 5 chemicals, with potential of high indoor concentrations, uncontested health impacts, and effective risk management, were selected to be regulated with priority: Formaldehyde, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Benzene and Naphtalene. For each compound, guideline values and management options were suggested.

New rules on family planning: a good compromise, or a dangerous precedent?

PIP: This article presents the views of Carol Schlitt, Senior Washington Representative of the Sierra Club, on the Global Gag Rule implemented by the US Congress. This law significantly undermines the independence of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) concerning family planning programs and services. It gives the US government the right and the obligation to demand that family planning agencies, contractors, and subcontractors receiving US funding certify that they neither provide abortion services nor lobby to change abortion laws, even if services are provided with their own money and even in countries where abortion is legal. Refusal to certify would mean a cut-off in the provision of funds by the US Agency for International Development. This is a discriminatory law, since the greatest impact will be on international organizations that work in the world's poorest countries. In addition, it will divert precious funds to pay for administrative burdens and create delays in the supply of funds. Moreover, the restriction would set a dangerous precedent for the future relationships between the US government and NGOs.^ieng

Action research on the legal and policy framework for reproductive rights in eastern and central Europe.

This article describes the goals, methodology and achievements to date of Women of the World: Laws and Policies Affecting Their Reproductive Lives, a four-year global research and empowerment project on reproductive health and women's rights issues undertaken by the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy ("CRLP") in collaboration with the national-level non-governmental organizations ("NGOs") working on such issues in seven regions throughout the world. CRLP is just now beginning its work in Central and Eastern Europe, the fourth of the seven regions to receive concentrated attention from the project.