Environmental conditons in many parts of the United States, as well as Central and Eastern Europe, have improved dramatically in recent years. However, in certain areas of each of these regions hazardous chemicals persist in the environment. Most of these sites are a legacy of many decades of industrial development, mining, manufacturing and military activities. There is considerable uncertainty about the health risks of these sites, such as a lack of understanding about the spectrum of health effects that could result from exposure to hazardous substances. While there are many differences between the regions, there are also great similarities.
In addition to these knowledge gaps, the fate and transport of hazardous wastes in soil, surface water and ground water are poorly understood, making it difficult to predict exposures. Moreover, cleaning up hazardous wastes has proven costly and difficult; thus, there is a need for advanced technologies to decrease or eliminate contamination from soil, surface water, and ground water. Whereas efficient cleanup technologies are highly desirable for the US economy, they are critical in the rapidly emerging economies of the CEE region.
The Central and Eastern European Environmental Health Conference will have three primary objectives:
1. To gather scientists and students from the US and Central and Eastern Europe to discuss the magnitude of the problem in specific regions of Central and Eastern Europe;
2. To discuss improved methods for assessing exposure including biomarkers of exposure and integrated methods for predicting dose; and,
3. To discuss specific health effects associated with exposure to chemicals at these sites with a focus on developmental and reproductive health.
While the objectives of this Conference are quite broad, the intent is to gather scientists from a range of disciplines to identify the major problems facing CEE count?ies where NIEHS research will make a positive difference. Thus, the initial sessions will define the magnitude of the problem given current knowledge, and additional sessions will discuss methods of assessing both the extent of exposure and potential adverse effects associated with the release of hazardous chemicals in these countries.
The improvement of Environmental Health in the US and CEE countries is dependent on education and training of young scientists. The NIEHS Superfund Basic Research Program, USEPA intramural and extramural research programs are well-suited to address these
problems in that it encourages collaborations between engineers, toxicologists and other disciplines. Collegial relations established between students from different regions last a lifetime, and contribute to our collective ability to solve complex problems.
The Superfund Basic Research Program is conducted in accordance with applicable US laws, and includes the mandate to develop the following: (a) methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environment; (b) advanced techniques for the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects on human health of hazardous substances; (c) methods to assess the risks to human health presented by hazardous substances; and (d) basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances. Although applicable laws and international treaties vary in their administrative requirements, the underlying science, as expressed by the mandates of the Superfund Basic Research Program, are universal.
Special thanks to the following organizations:
U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
World Health Organization
Themes
* Environmental Health Issues
* Children’s Health
* Sensitive Populations
* Exposure Assessment
* Biomarkers of Exposure
* Risk Minimization Techniques
* Health Directed Solutions
* Remediation
Conference Attire
Dress for the conference will be business casual.
Conference Location
Municipal House
Prague, Czech Republic
n?m. Republiky 5, 111 21 Prague 1
+420/222 002 101
+420/222 002 100 (FAX)
E-mail: [email]info@obecni-dum.cz[/email]
Abstract Submittal
If you are interested in submitting an abstract for the conference, please visit the abstract information web page for details.
Student Scholarship Information
A limited number of scholarships are available to support currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarships are intended to cover conference fees, transportation, lodging, food and miscellaneous expenses while in Prague. Notification of scholarship awards will be made by July 1 (for first round abstracts), September 1 (for second round abstracts), and October 1 (for students who have not submitted abstracts). In addition to scholarships,
dormitory-style rooms will be available at nominal cost.
For more information, or to apply for a scholarship, please contact Nancy White at [email]CEEHC04@cvm.tamu.edu[/email]
Accomodation
For 70 students are reserved two well equipped dormitories with breakfast – Petrska (kolej Petrska CVUT) and Jednota (kolej Jednota CVUT) – both located in the very center of Prague (first district). We have contracted with the properties for 70 beds at ~ $20 USD apiece under the name of Professor K.C. Donnelly. You need to mention that when you make reservations.
If you present your international student cards ISIC you could have reduce price for the BB (bed and breakfast).
We have made arrangements for special conference rates at the Marriott and Holiday Inn Hotels. To make a reservation, please fill one of the forms below. booking form Marriott or by on-line form booking form Holiday Inn or by on-line form
Other hotels in the area you might want to consider are listed below with contact i?formation:
* Hotel Legie email: [email]hotel@legie.cz[/email]
* Hotel Astoria email: [email]info@hotelastoria.cz[/email]
* Hotel Mejstrik email:
[email]reservation@hotelmejstrik.cz[/email]
* Grand Hotel Bohemia email:
[email]office@grandhotelbohemia.cz[/email]
* Hotel Central email: [email]central@centralhotel.cz[/email]
* Hotel Harmony email: [email]reception@hotelharmony.cz[/email]