Env31
 

S/N	Title			Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
1		Electrolysed water rivals chlorine and heat for destruction of E. Coli, salmonella and listeria	A sterilisation technique using electrolysed water produced by applying an electric current to a dilute saltwater solution is found to be effective against bacteria such as E. Coli, salmonella and listeria on foods and food utensils.
2		Scientists combine chemistry and bioremediation to remove cadmium from soil	Scientists at the U.S Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have devised a way to combine chemical treatment with bacteria culture to remove cadmium from contaminated soil.
II. Subject Area : Environmental Policy and Regulation
3		Korean government to tighten restrictions on dioxin emissions	The Environment Ministry in Korea has tightened its restrictions on the release of dioxin for all existing and new incinerators with a capacity of 0.2 tons and above.
4		UN to develop worldwide auto-emission regulations	The UN has set up an international agreement to develop globally uniform environment regulations for motor vehicles designed to help member nations provide greater environmental protection and pollution reduction from automobiles.
III. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution
5		France finds high pesticide levels in drinking water	The testing of surface and groundwater in France has shown widespread contamination by pesticides.
IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News
6		TBT traces found in children's bathing toys	Greenpeace announced that a range of children's plastic beach toys has tested positive for trace levels of tributyl tin (TBT). Although acute health damage is unlikely at the concentrations detected, Greenpeace is concerned that there may be long-term hazards posed to health and the environment.

Env32
 

S/N	Title	Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Management
1	New York Governor sets alternative fuel vehicles goal	New York State has set an ambitious goal of requiring all non-emergency vehicles purchased by state agencies to be clean alternative fuel vehicles by the end of the decade.
II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
2	New sensing system for diesel engines	Delphi, a US-based firm specializing in automotive control system has developed a new sensing system for closed-loop control of diesel engines to ensure lower exhaust emissions and lower noise emission when the vehicle is idling.
3	Study determines payback time of solar panels	Siemens Solar has released a study that showed that its photovoltaic modules have a payback time of about three years.
III. Subject Area: Environmental Policy
4	Japan planning to regulate emissions from special purpose vehicles	The Japanese Transport Ministry is preparing to set maximum emission levels for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, for special purpose vehicles such as bulldozers and tractors, effective in fiscal year 2002.
IV. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health
5	Petrol fumes in male breast cancer link	Danish researchers find that petrol fumes may cause male breast cancer. The findings have prompted researchers to call for further research to see whether petrol fumes could be a factor in female breast cancer.

Env33
 

S/N	Title	Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Management
1	Canada creates International fund to help developing countries eliminate POPs.	A Canada POPs fund, administered by the World Bank will provide financing to help developing countries reduce or eliminate releases of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
2	US and Canada to build world's largest fuel cell power plant.	A 250 kW fuel cell power plant will be built in Toronto next year. The plant generates power by electrochemical reaction, avoiding combustion related air pollutants and efficiency losses.
3	US researchers working on new technology to collect fine particulate matter (PM).	A US Research Institute is working with the EPA on a new fine PM control technology- electrostatically stimulated fabric filtration.
4	UK firm to turn old tyres into oil.	Motorists in UK will be able to put to good use their old tyres after a British firm announced it could turn tyres into oil.
5	Remote sensing device for vehicle emissions.	A remote emissions sensing device mounted by the roadside warns drivers of poor vehicle emissions encouraging them to get cars fixed.
III. Subject Area: Environmental Policy
6	UNEP expands POPs review.	The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to assess the potential environmental and health risks of polybrominated dithenyl ethers, a group of persistent toxic substances.
IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News
7	Antarctic Ozone Hole -Largest Observed to Date	The US National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has announced the biggest ever ozone hole over the Antarctic, more than three times the size of the US.

Env34
 

S/N	Title			Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
1		Immersed membranes simplify reverse osmosis pre-treatment	Zenon Environmental Inc, a Canadian company, has developed an immersed ultra-filtration (UF) system to produce consistent good quality feedwater for reverse osmosis system. The immersed UF system can operate in high solids concentrations of up to 10,000 mg/l without the membrane-plugging problem.
2		Toyota says its hybrid Prius can be recycled	Japan's Toyota Motor Corp says its new Prius car can be recycled at the end of its useful life, underlining the environmental credentials of the electric/gasoline hybrid vehicle soon to hit Europe's roads.
II. Subject Area: General Environmental News
3		Los Angeles adopts cleaner diesel fuel	Air quality officials in Los Angeles have adopted a rule aimed at reducing diesel soot emitted by requiring the production of cleaner diesel fuel in the region.
4		Chemical in computer monitors triggers allergies	Computer workers who suffer from headaches may have more than eyestrain to blame. New research suggests that chemical emissions from the plastics of computer video monitors may affect workers' health.
5		U.K. to ban lead stabilizers in water pipes	The Drinking Water Inspectorate of U.K. says it will ban the use of lead stabilizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water pipes from 2003 onwards.
6		US delays the phasing out of methyl bromide	US EPA originally set the complete phase-out of methyl bromide on 1 Jan 2001. However, the White House Office of Management and Budget is reviewing whether to defer the methyl bromide phase-out to 2005, which is also the deadline imposed on industrial countries under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
7		Japan's personal computer recycling programme	Japan is introducing a new rule to designate used personal computers (PCs) as controlled items under its recycling law, which will take effect on 1 Apr 2001. Manufacturers and distributors of the PCs will have to collect used PCs for reuse and recycle to produce new products.

Env35
 

S/N	Title			Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
1		Scientist uses light to drive chemical reactions	A chemist at the Ames Laboratory in United States invented an efficient, economical and environmentally friendly system using light to drive the oxidation process of saturated hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene.
II. Subject Area: Environmental Public Health
2		CDC report shows women are most exposed to phthalates	A recent study conducted by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta showed that women aged 20 to 40 have the highest levels of phthalates in their bodies.
III. Subject Area: General Environmental News
3		Grasses tested for soil cleanup	Researchers from the Purdue University in the United States conducted a pilot project to test the effectiveness of growing grass and trees to clean up soil contaminated by petroleum substances.
4		Ozone layer may take decades to mend	Scientists from the NOAA's Air Resources Laboratory conducted a study to estimate the time required for the ozone layer to recover.
5		UK government proposed new recycling targets for packaging waste	The UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions proposed new recycling targets for packaging waste in England and Wales.
6		New plastics recycling technology for automakers	DaimlerChrysler Corporation is testing plastics recycling technology that could increase the recyclable contents of its cars to 95% by weight.
7		EC to back research on ultra-economical car	The European Commission announced that it would provide half of the funding required for a joint initiative with industry to develop lightweight materials for use in automobiles.

Env36
 

S/N	Title		Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
1		British Researchers Light Up the Dark to Track Toxics in Soil		An environmental firm in Scotland has developed a new technology that makes use of genetically modified bacteria to detect the presence of toxic substances in the soil.
II. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution
2	Dioxins in Arctic Canada Linked to South		A study has shown that dioxins in the Arctic Canada region have been linked to specific incinerators and smelters thousands of miles south in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
3	Vehicle Emissions Linked to Water Pollution		Research has shown that pollution from traffic congestion is getting into waterways, where it can poison animal and other aquatic life.
III. Subject Area: Environmental Policy
4	New EU Rules on Ozone-Depleters In Force		New EU controls on the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) have entered into force on 30 Sep 2000.
5	EU States Delay Decision on Phthalates Ban		The EU governments will delay a decision to permanently ban the use of phthalate softeners in PVC baby toys until at least early next year.
6	Dutch MEPs Back Stricter Road Tyre Noise Limits		Dutch MEPs are of the view that tyre manufacturers should be forced to produce road tyres that meet stricter noise requirements than those proposed by EU ministers.
IV. Subject Area: Environmental Management
7		California Regulators Adopt Plan to Cut Diesel Emissions		California regulators have approved a plan to cut diesel emissions. The new set of rules are aimed at reducing potentially cancer-causing emissions by as much as 90%.
V. Subject Area: Environmental Health
8		Carpet Acts As Long Term Chemical Trap		Researchers from the University of Texas have found that carpets can trap chemicals from sources ranging from deodorizers to mothballs and slowly release the chemicals, exposing the occupants to the chemicals all the time.
VI. Subject Area: General Environmental News
9		Serious Global Warming Impacts Expected Even With Strict GHG Controls		A study commissioned by Germany's Federal Environment Agency showed that climate change will seriously affect natural vegetation, agricultural yields and ocean levels even if industrialised countries cut their greenhouse gas emissions to half the 1990 levels by 2003 and to one-fourth by 2100.

Env37
 

S/N	Title	Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Management
1	Canada tackles greenhouse gas emissions with renewable energy and carbon sinks.	The Canadian government has announced its plans to spend C$500 million (US$333 million) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2	Italy cities temporarily ban cars	A total of 174 Italian cities will ban cars and motorcycles on a particular Sunday in the third effort this year to reduce air pollution.
II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
3	Researchers solve toxic wood-waste problem	A University of Florida research team has developed a technique to reduce toxic pollution from incinerating pesticide-treated wood.
4	Wizardry slashes fuel consumption	The Australian division of GM, Holden, has unveiled a concept vehicle that uses 50% less fuel than a conventional family car.
5	Vapor-recovery system captures and recycles air pollutants	Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a device for capturing and recovering dilute volatile organic compounds and other hazardous air pollutants.
III. Subject Area: Environmental Policy
6	EPA to reduce sulphur levels in diesel	The USEPA is committed to issuing regulations that would sharply reduce sulphur levels in diesel to reduce air pollution.
IV. Subject Area: Waste Minimisation and Recycling
7	Trash trucks to run on recycled vegetable oil	A garbage company in Silicon Valley runs all its trucks on biodiesel - a fuel made from french fry oils, sewage plant grease screenings and other vegetable oils.

Env38
 

S/N	Title			Synopsis
II. Subject Area : Environmental Policy and Regulation
1		Harmonised EU airport noise limits proposed	The European Parliament has proposed harmonised EU airport noise limits that challenge the European Commission's draft directive released only recently to establish noise measuring, monitoring and mapping procedures.
2		Canada and U.S sign anti-smog pact	Canada has signed an agreement with the United States to reduce smog-producing emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
3		Oxygen radical reactions show promise in wastewater cleanups	Researchers at the University of Maine (Orono) have developed a chemical process that could be used to clean up toxic waste sites, treat industrial wastewater or bleach wood pulp without generating toxic wastes.
III. Subject Area: Recycling and Waste Management
4		South Korea electronics manufacturers team up for nationwide recycling efforts	South Korea's leading electronics manufacturers have formed a new Electronic Industries Association to organise and run joint recycling programmes nationwide.
5		German Cabinet passes new ordinances on disposal sites and treatment plants	The German Cabinet has passed a set of ordinances that would set new standards on treatment plants, disposal sites and specifying conditions of the garbage processed for disposal.
IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News
6		New Delhi to ban use of commercial transport vehicles more than twelve years old	Authorities in the Indian capital would be banning the use of commercial transport vehicles that are more than twelve years old to curb its worsening air pollution problem.
7		New global environment network for information on eliminating pollution	Agreement was reached at the International Pollution Prevention Summit in Montreal to build a major global information network designed to collect and share successful practices and new ideas on eliminating pollution.
8		Corporations restate determination to reduce emissions	Seven corporations, including some of the world's largest multinationals have teamed up with the Washington-based Environmental Defence environmental group to set up a system to trade greenhouse gas emissions permits.

Env39
 

S/N	Title	Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
1	Super efficient electric plant will power environmental lab	The most efficient onsite power plant in the world is slated to power a major US Federal Government's environmental laboratory beginning in 2002. The power plant will use a revolutionary fuel cell gas turbine hybrid technology.
2	Partnership to develop turbine hybrid electric vehicle	Hyundai Motor Company and Capstone Turbine Corp. will develop a series of hybrid electric drive systems based on microturbine technology for use in vehicles.
3	New test lights up in presence of dioxin	A US company has found a firefly gene that makes cells glow in the presence of dioxin. With the gene, cells glow brighter as the level of dioxin increases, providing a quick test for the presence and concentration of the chemical.
II. Subject Area: Environmental Policy
4	Ozone limits agreed	EU environment ministers have agreed on new rules that will lead to a major cut in ground-level ozone.
5	Experts recommend actions to cut dioxin risk	Scientists at France's National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm) have recommended actions to better understand and control potential environmental and health risks from dioxins and related compounds.
6	Belgium to ban phosphates in detergents	The Belgium government will ban the use the phosphates in washing powders from July 2002.
III. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health
7	One billion exposed to bad indoor air	The WHO believes as many as one billion people are exposed to levels of indoor air pollution exceeding guidelines by up to 100 times.

Env40
 

S/N	Title			Synopsis
I. Subject Area: Environmental Policy and Regulation
1		EU and US on opposite sides of Kyoto Protocol	Both EU and US will debate how to implement the Kyoto Protocol during the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology
2		Solar-powered sludge drying system	The THERMO-SYSTEM solar dryer is an energy-efficient system designed to accept liquid, thickened or dewatered sludge and dry them to over 75% solids.
3		140-MW integrated solar combined cycle power project for Rajasthan	India's desert state of Rajasthan is planning to set up a 140-MW integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) power project in an effort to promote the use of solar energy in the region.
III. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health
4		Ballast water carries microbes around globe	American researchers said bacteria are being spread around the globe via the ballast water of ships.
5		Kids taking steroids for asthma need calcium and exercise	Inhaled steroids have revolutionized the treatment of severe asthma, but a new study showed they have unexpected side effect: osteopenia, or thinning of the bones that can lead to fractures and other bone problems.
IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News
6		EPA pledges review of biotech corn	The Environmental Protection Agency has pledged to do a thorough review before allowing a variety of gene-altered corn in food products following the discovery of the biotech corn in the taco shells.
7		U.S. greenhouse gas output is increasing	According to the U.S. Department of Energy, emissions of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming phenomenon increased 0.8% last year.