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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1313
top contact dermatitis causes include formaldehyde (also from
aspartame, methanol) and mercury (from thimerosol vaccines
and dental amalgam fillings), Mayo Clinic study led by Mark D. Davis:
Murray 2006.03.04

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1067
eyelid contact dermatitis by formaldehyde from aspartame,
AM Hill & DV Belsito, Nov 2003: Murray 2004.03.30

http://www.mayoclinic.org/dermatology-rst/11265086a.html
Mark Denis P. Davis, M.D. davis.mark2@...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/03/060303204044.htm

Source: Mayo Clinic
Posted: March 3, 2006
Top Ten Contact Dermatitis Allergens Identified In Mayo Clinic Study
A new Mayo Clinic study reveals the most common causes of allergic
contact dermatitis, a skin inflammation resulting in swollen, reddened
and itchy skin due to direct contact with an allergen.

Topping the list were:

Nickel (nickel sulfate hexahydrate) -- metal frequently encountered
in jewelry and clasps or buttons on clothing

Gold (gold sodium thiosulfate) -- precious metal often found in
jewelry

Balsam of Peru (myroxylon pereirae) -- a fragrance used in
perfumes and skin lotions, derived from tree resin

Thimerosal -- a mercury compound used in local antiseptics
and in vaccines

Neomycin sulfate -- a topical antibiotic common in first aid creams
and ointments, also found occasionally in cosmetics, deodorant,
soap and pet food

Fragrance mix -- a group of the eight most common fragrance
allergens found in foods, cosmetic products, insecticides,
antiseptics, soaps, perfumes and dental products

Formaldehyde -- a preservative with multiple uses, e.g.,
in paper products, paints, medications, household cleaners,
cosmetic products and fabric finishes

Cobalt chloride -- metal found in medical products; hair dye;
antiperspirant; objects plated in metal such as snaps,
buttons or tools; and in cobalt blue pigment

Bacitracin -- a topical antibiotic

Quaternium 15 -- preservative found in cosmetic products
such as self-tanners, shampoo, nail polish and sunscreen
or in industrial products such as polishes, paints and waxes

This study, to be presented Monday at the American Academy of
Dermatology annual meeting in San Francisco, confirmed that
patch testing with a standard contact dermatitis series of substances
is useful for identifying common contact allergens.

Patch testing is conducted by placing potential allergens covered
with patches on patients' backs for two days and then observing
which substances cause skin inflammation. The study confirmed
previous findings by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group.

The researchers examined contact dermatitis testing results from
3,854 patients over a five-year period
between Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2005.
The patients were tested with an average of 69 allergens.
Of these patients, 2,663 (69 percent)
had at least one positive reaction,
and 1,933 (50 percent) had two or more positive reactions.

Results of two other Mayo Clinic studies on contact dermatitis
will be presented at the American Contact Dermatitis Society
meeting, which immediately precedes the American Academy of
Dermatology meeting.

In the first study, researchers mailed a written survey to 1,458
recently tested contact dermatitis patients.
The survey found that, overall, patients were satisfied with the
contact dermatitis patch testing process and with subsequent
improvement of their skin conditions.
More than 75 percent of respondents said they were at least
"somewhat satisfied" with the overall testing and treatment
process, and over one-half reported they were "very satisfied."
Nearly 60 percent indicated improvement in their skin conditions
since the patch testing.

In the second study to be presented at the American Contact
Dermatitis Society meeting, researchers included a
write-in question with the aforementioned survey mailing.
The survey found patients could recall only 50.6 percent
of the allergens for which they tested positive an average
of 13.4 months after patch testing.
The researchers indicate these findings point to the ongoing
need for education to remind patients of their allergens
and reinforce the importance of avoiding them.

Contact dermatitis is common among all age groups
and can cause minor annoyance to more severe handicaps,
according to Mark Davis, M.D., Mayo Clinic dermatologist
and lead study researcher.
"Patients with contact dermatitis can get a very itchy rash
from head to toe, or in a confined area," he says.
"If it's on the hands and feet it can be disabling,
and patients at times can't do their jobs."

Allergen avoidance is the chief treatment for contact dermatitis,
according to Dr. Davis, though at times corticosteroid creams
are used to treat rashes.
He notes, however, that 3 percent of patients
with contact dermatitis are allergic to the topical steroids
that would alleviate their symptoms.
********************************************************

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Sep; 53(3): 416-21.
Patch test results from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group,
1998-2000.

Wetter DA, Davis MD, Yiannias JA, Cheng JF, Connolly SM,
el-Azhary RA, Farmer SA, Fett DD, Johnson JS,
Linehan DL, Richardson DM, Schroeter AL.
Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, Department of Dermatology,
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
davis.mark2@...; elazhary.rokea2@...;
dicaudo.david@...; yiannias.j@...;

BACKGROUND:
Patch testing is a diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients with
suspected allergic contact dermatitis.
A standard series of allergens similar to that used by the North
American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG)
is used at Mayo Clinic.
OBJECTIVE:
Our aim was to report the results of patch testing with a standard
series at Mayo Clinic from July 1, 1998, to Dec 31, 2000
and to compare our findings with those of the NACDG
during the same period.
METHODS:
The results of patch testing with the standard series at Mayo Clinic
were examined.
Positive reaction rates were compared between Mayo Clinic
and the NACDG.
RESULTS:
During the 30-month period,
1324 Mayo Clinic patients were patch tested with a standard series
of allergens (mean, 60 allergens), whereas the NACDG standard
series during this period included 50 allergens.
Overall, 917 patients (69.3%) had at least one positive reaction
and 606 patients (45.8%) had two or more positive reactions.
The 10 allergens used both by Mayo Clinic and by the NACDG
that most frequently caused positive reactions were

nickel sulfate hexahydrate,

balsam of Peru (Myroxylon pereirae),

neomycin sulfate,

cobalt chloride,

fragrance mix,

potassium dichromate (0.25%),

thimerosal,

bacitracin,

formaldehyde,

and glutaraldehyde.

Statistically significant differences in positive reaction rates (P < .05)
were observed for 12 of the 43 allergens common to both Mayo Clinic
and the NACDG.
CONCLUSION:
With large standard patch test series, one can identify commonly
encountered and potentially relevant contact allergens.
PMID: 16112346
********************************************************

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1311
California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in 2004
rejected poor 2003 NTP studies of aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde)
carcinogenicity (highly praised by industry PR): Murray 2006.03.03


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1307
formaldehyde from 11% methanol part of aspartame or from red wine
causes same toxicity (hangover) harm: Murray 2006.03.03

"Of course, everyone chooses, as a natural priority,
to actively find, quickly share, and act upon the facts
about healthy and safe food, drink, and environment."

Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@...
505-501-2298 1943 Otowi Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages
group with 151 members, 1,311 posts in a public, searchable archive
http://RMForAll.blogspot.com http://AspartameNM.blogspot.com

Dark wines and liquors, as well as aspartame, provide
similar levels of methanol, above 120 mg daily, for
long-term heavy users, 2 L daily, about 6 cans.

Within hours, methanol is inevitably largely turned into formaldehyde,
and thence largely into formic acid -- the major causes of the dreaded
symptoms of "next morning" hangover.

Fully 11% of aspartame is methanol -- 1,120 mg aspartame
in 2 L diet soda, almost six 12-oz cans, gives 123 mg
methanol (wood alcohol). If 30% of the methanol is turned
into formaldehyde, the amount of formaldehyde, 37 mg,
is 18.5 times the USA EPA limit for daily formaldehyde in
drinking water, 2.0 mg in 2 L average daily drinking water.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1143
methanol (formaldehyde, formic acid) disposition: Bouchard M
et al, full plain text, 2001: substantial sources are
degradation of fruit pectins, liquors, aspartame, smoke:
Murray 2005.04.02

Any unsuspected source of methanol, which the body always quickly
and largely turns into formaldehyde and then formic acid, must be
monitored, especially for high responsibility occupations, often with
night shifts, such as pilots and nuclear reactor operators.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1291
European Food Safety Authority to decide aspartame safety by May:
caffeine diet drinks cause female hypertension, WC Winkelmayer et al,
JAMA 2005.11.09: PubMed lists 50 items for "diet soft drinks" since
2004 Oct.: Murray 2006.01.24

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1279
all three aspartame metabolites harm human erythrocyte [red blood cell]
membrane enzyme activity, KH Schulpis et al, two studies in 2005,
Athens, Greece, 2005.12.14: 2004 research review, RL Blaylock:
Murray 2006.01.14

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/939
aspartame (aspartic acid, phenylalanine) binding to DNA:
Karikas July 1998: Murray 2003.01.05 rmforall
Karikas GA, Schulpis KH, Reclos GJ, Kokotos G
Measurement of molecular interaction of aspartame and
its metabolites with DNA. Clin Biochem 1998 Jul; 31(5): 405-7.
Dept. of Chemistry, University of Athens, Greece
http://www.chem.uoa.gr gkokotos@...;
K.H. Schulpis inchildh@...; G.J. Reclos reklos@...;

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1271
combining aspartame and quinoline yellow, or MSG and brilliant blue,
harms nerve cells, eminent C. Vyvyan Howard et al, 2005
education.guardian.co.uk, Felicity Lawrence: Murray 2005.12.21

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/925
aspartame puts formaldehyde adducts into tissues, Part 1/2
full text Trocho & Alemany 1998.06.26
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona : Murray 2002.12.22

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1250
aspartame causes cancer in rats at levels approved for humans,
Morando Soffritti et al, Ramazzini Foundation, Italy &
National Toxicology Program
of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
2005.11.17 Env. Health Pers. 35 pages: Murray

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1106
hangover research relevant to toxicity of 11% methanol in aspartame
(formaldehyde, formic acid): Calder I (full text): Jones AW:
Murray 2004.08.05 rmforall

Since no adaquate data has ever been published on the exact disposition
of toxic metabolites in specific tissues in humans of the 11% methanol
component of aspartame, the many studies on morning-after hangover
from the methanol impurity in alcohol drinks are the main available
resource to date.

Jones AW (1987) found next-morning hangover from red wine with
100 to 150 mg methanol
(9.5% w/v ethanol, 100 mg/l methanol, 0.01%,
one part in ten thousand).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/870
Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Interest 1984: Monte:
Murray 2002.09.23

Humans suffer "toxic syndrome" (54) at a minimum lethal dose
of <1 gm/kg, much less than that of monkeys, 3-6 g/kg (42, 59).

The minimum lethal dose of methanol
in the rat, rabbit, and dog is 9.5, 7.0 , and 8.0 g/kg, respectively (43);
ethyl alcohol is more toxic than methanol to these test animals (43)."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1302
The Lowdown on Sweet? (Ramazzini Foundation, M Soffritti proof that
aspartame causes cancers), Melanie Warner, The New York Times:
Murray 2006.02.12

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1303
David L. Katz MD comments briefly with Diane Sawyer on ABC
Good Morning America re Ramazzini aspartame cancer study:
excellent opus at Yale U: mainstream research on aspartame
(methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid) toxicity: Murray 2006.02.14

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1304
to DL Katz MD, Yale U: M. Soffritti, Ramazzini F., did not mention that
humans are about 10X more vulnerable to aspartame than are rats:
found methanol and formaldehyde carcinogenicity 2002: human ADI
levels must be reduced hugely: Katz: Murray 2006.02.15

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1306
ban aspartame speech, Roger Williams MP, UK Parliament
2005.12.14: www.TheyWorkForYou.com: Murray 2006.02.20

As a medical layman, I suggest that evidence mandates immediate
exploration of the role of these ubiquitious, potent formaldehyde
sources as co-factors in epidemiology, research, diagnosis,
and treatment in a wide variety of disorders.

Folic acid, from fruits and vegetables, plays a role by powerfully
protecting against methanol (formaldehyde) toxicity.

Many common drugs, such as aspirin, interfere with folic acid,
as do some mutations in relevant enzymes.

The majority of aspartame reactors are female.

In mutual service, Rich Murray
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1310
Aspartame and smoking give the same toxic metabolite as does benzene,
Lin YS et al, U N Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2006 Jan.,
Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility: Murray 2006.03.01

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1309
History and origin of benzene in soft drinks, Ross E. Getman, Esq,
Wash DC and NY State Bars, http://argentina.indymedia.org:
Murray 2006.03.01

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1131
genotoxicity of aspartame in human lymphocytes 2004.07.29
full plain text, Rencuzogullari E et al, Cukurova University,
Adana, Turkey 2004 Aug: Murray 2004.11.06

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/935
Comet assay finds DNA damage from sucralose, cyclamate, saccharin
in mice: Sasaki YF & Tsuda S Aug 2002: Murray 2003.01.01
[ Also borderline evidence, in this pilot study of 39 food additives,
using test groups of 4 mice, for DNA damage from for stomach, colon,
liver, bladder, and lung 3 hr after oral dose of 2000 mg/kg aspartame --
a very high dose. Methanol is the only component of aspartame that can
lead to DNA damage. ]
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