S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Policy and Regulations

1

Oslo to meet Kyoto goals with new technology

Oslo said it would promote new pollution-free technology in power plants to help it keep a promise to combat global warming under an international climate pact.

2

New York makes clean energy technology procurement easier

The New York Governor wants public entities such as school districts, state and local governments to be able to benefit from the energy efficiency services and clean-energy technologies procurement procedures already used by the New York power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

3

NSW Australia eyes vegetable oil for fuel

The state government of New South Wales (NSW) supported the promotion of an industry using vegetable oils as an alternative fuel.

4

Britain to recycle more

British businesses are urged to increase the levels and quantities of recycled materials to prompt a major change in recycling capacity.

5

Arsenic standard gets a second look

To quell a growing controversy, the National Research Council (NRC) has begun a second high-level scientific review of the standards that should apply for arsenic levels in drinking water.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health

6

Hidden environmental hazard found in fireworks

A new firework hazard was identified by a group of scientists in India. The source was found to be the colored sparklers, which split molecular oxygen in the air to create large amount of harmful ozone.

7

Smog cited as cause of asthma and heart woes

Ontario Medical Association reported that smog not only worsens health problems like asthma and heart conditions, it actually causes them.

III. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

8

CO[2] Solution is Using a Human Enzymes to Save the Ozone Layer

CO[2] Solution has developed a new technology based on a human enzyme to remove carbon dioxide - the leading cause of ozone depletion in the earth's atmosphere - from air.

9

Activated carbon made from sludge

Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology have developed a process for using wastewater sludge from municipal treatment plants and paper mills to produce activated carbon.

10

Synthetic clay found to capture radium in drinking water

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have discovered that synthetic clay can trap radium ions in water.

IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News

11

Egypt will have 30,000 NGVs fuelled by CNG before end-2001

The number of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) run by compressed natural gas (CNG) in Egypt will exceed 30,000 before the end of 2001.

12

California city sees energy in sludge

Corona, California is proposing to transform sewage into power via cogeneration.

13

UK greenhouse gas emissions fall to 10-year low

Britain's emissions of greenhouse gases have fallen to a 10-year low mainly as a result of a drop in pollution from power stations.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

1

Personal power: Solar utility in a backpack

A solar power unit with a capacity of 120 watt-hours per day which can be carried in a backpack has been developed by an inventor in Portland, Oregon. 

2

Toyota preparing to introduce car equipped with fuel cells, electric motor

Toyota Motor Corp, is preparing to introduce a hybrid car equipped with fuel cells and an electric motor for mid-2003.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Policy and Regulations

3

Ban on leaded gasoline takes effect in Jakarta

A ban on the use of leaded gasoline takes effect in the Indonesian capital Jakarta and surrounding areas on 1 Jul 01 as part of efforts to reduce pollution.

4

EU proposes 10 ppm sulphur limit in diesel, gasoline fuels

The European Commission (EC) adopted a proposal to introduce sulphur-free diesel and petrol (gasoline) fuels in every member state from 2011. 

5

New EU law aims to double green energy by 2010

European parliament has approved a law that aims to double the share of renewable power in European Union's energy mix by 2010.

III. Subject Area: General Environmental News

6

Japan aluminium can recycle rate rises to 80.6 %

A survey showed that the recycling rate of aluminium can in Japan is 80.6%, an increase of 2.1%.

7

US says carbon dioxide emissions rose 2.7 % in 2000

Preliminary data shows that carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels increased by 2.7% in 2000.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Policy and Regulations

1

Finland beefs up disposal laws to meet EU environmental standards

Finland's government is developing several new legislative measures to enhance its waste laws and comply with recently enacted EU legislation.

2

USEPA recognizes energy saving homes under its energy efficiency program

US Energy Star program recognizes energy efficient homes that are over saves more than 30 percent energymore energy efficient than homes built according to a for heating, cooling and water heating. compared to a home based on a model eEnergy cCode.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health

3

Spain reports 575 pneumonia cases linked to a in Legionnaire's disease outbreak

575 cases of pneumonia linked to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease haved been reporteds Health officials in southeast Spain have reported 575 cases of pneumonia, many of which have been linked to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.

III. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

54

New technology electrostatic precipitator developed to reduces industrialy emissions 

Engineers from Ohio University have engineers have developed a new new electrostatic precipitator technology that cleans pollutants from the exhaust of coal-fired power plants and other industrial smokestacks more effectivelyis more effective and cheaper than current technology.

57

NGVs achieves Euro IV exhaust emission standards

Mercedes-Benz natural gas engines have achieved Euro IV standards, tested by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Testing and Research (EMPA) in Zurich Switzerland..

IV. Subject Area: Waste Management

86

Increased interest infocus on bioreactor landfills which yield tremendous benefits

US government and industry are showing increased interest in developing bioreactor landfills that canould potentially reduce landfill space and generate other benefits.

97

Turning waste into gas and gas into electricity

A new state-of-the-art recycling plant in UK that is able to turns waste into gas for and gas into electricity generation.may hold a bright future for solid waste management.

V. Subject Area: General Environmental News

108

Canada proposes to an aaddition of four substances to its list of toxic substancess

Canada proposed to adddesignate ammonia, nonylphenol, ethoxylates and chloramines to its existing list of four more substances as toxic substances in addition to its existing list.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Policy and Regulations

1

US could raise fuel standards by 2004 model year

The US federal government may require higher fuel standards for passenger cars and sport utility vehicles in Apr 2002 for vehicles built for the 2004 model year.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health

2

Japan P&G recalls Pringles over barred GM potato

Japanese unit of Procter & Gamble Co (P&G) would recall 800,000 packs of Pringles chips made with unapproved gene-spliced potatoes.

III. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

3

US DOE energy efficiency research returns big savings

The Energy Department's investment of some $13 billion in energy efficiency, coal and other fossil fuel research programs since 1978 has yielded returns of some $40 billion.

IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News

4

G8 report sees renewables as key energy for the poor

A G8 report says that green energies like wind and solar power could play a major role in improving the lives of millions of the world's poorest people.

5

Mobile phones to carry radiation data

Mobile phone manufacturers have backed a new international standard for measuring the amount of radiation a mobile phone user could absorb.

6

Smoking likely to trigger earlier menopause

Bay State researchers have found that women who smoke cigarettes are more likely to undergo menopause earlier, significantly reducing their child-bearing years.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Policy and Regulation

143

Techniques makes plastics stronger, more environmentally friendly New York Governor proposes energy conservation building code

A professor has discovered that by vibrating the feed containing up to 50% of recycled plastics in the manufacturing process, stronger plastic products containing up to 50% of recyclable content can be produced New York State is moving to adopt a new building energy code to protect air quality while conserving energy.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

725

New Sensor Detects Metal Pollutant Scientists monitor global air pollution from space

Researchers at Brigham Young University have created a sensor that can continually measure metals levels in water as it flows. A new earth orbiting earth-orbiting monitor is providing the most complete view assembled to date of the world's air pollution as it churns through the atmosphere, crossing continents and oceans to date.

36

New Technology to Dispose of Used Batteries

A new technology for dealing with used batteries developed by China's Beijing University of Science and Technology has proven to be very successful.

III. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health

4786

Company has bioremedy Bioremedy for MTBE contamination Aircraft noise Planes cause slow learning

A US company has developed a technology called BioRemedy that uses microbes to break down MTBEA new study by London researchers suggests that children learn more slowly when exposed to high levels of aircraft noise at school. A company in Houston (USA), has developed a technology which uses microbes to break MTBE in subsurface.

58

Secondhand smoke may damage arteries

A Japanese study suggests that as little as a half an hour of secondhand smoke can impair normal blood flow to the heart.

IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News

6

Cleaner burning diesel to be sold throughout Europe

International Fuel Technology, Inc. (IFT) recently entered into an agreement with Petrochem Carless Limited to establish a joint marketing and distribution venture for a series of cleaner burning alternative diesel fuels, which will be distributed to consumers throughout Europe.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

119

Cleaner Burning Diesel to be Sold Throughout Europe UK industries start recycling company for lamps

International Fuel Technology, Inc. (IFT) recently entered into an agreement with Petrochem Carless Limited to establish a Joint Marketing and Distribution venture for a series of cleaner burning alternative diesel fuels, which will be distributed to consumers throughout Europe. The trade organizations of lighting companies and waste management firms in the UK have set up a non-profit company to boost recycling and reuse of lamps.

12

Planting the wrong tree increases air pollution

Air pollution can damage trees, but certain varieties of trees can emit air pollutants, creating ozone and fine particulate matter that make it hard to breathe.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution & Health

1

New mercury releases transform into toxic methyl-mercury more quickly

A US' researcher has discovered that a new release of mercury into the environment transforms more quickly into a highly toxic methyl-mercury, than "old" mercury that has been in the environment for a longer period of time.

2

Concern over pesticide levels in European foods

The EC Health and Consumer Protection Directorate found that more than four percent of the fruits, vegetables and cereals tested by EU countries in 1999 had pesticide residues higher than legal maximum residue levels.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Management

3

Australia has launched the world's first trading system for green electricity market

Australia has launched the world's first trading system for renewable energy and aims to achieve the target set of an additional 9,500 GWh of renewable energy by 2010.

III. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

4

Benzene gets the bug treatment

Scientists from the University of Southern Illinois, USA, have successfully isolated two bacterial strains, which are capable to breakdown benzene in soil into carbon dioxide in the absence of oxygen.

5

Tyson finds new use for its chicken waste

Tyson Foods, Inc. has found that it is better to gasify chicken wastes from its factories to produce steam than to dispose the waste by land application. 

IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News

6

Consumption of bottled water is not environmental friendly

World Wildlife Fund found that the consumption of bottled water is not environmentally friendly and advocates the use of tap water. 

7

EC tightens the control of mercury in batteries

The European Commission is taking legal action against Italy, Germany and the UK for failure to meet requirements on the control of mercury in batteries.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Policy

1

New European detergent rules review proposed

The industry directorate of the European Commission has proposed to re-examine the European Union detergent legislation, with the view to set stricter standards for surfactant biodegradability and mandatory labelling of products causing skin sensitization or irritation.

2

MEP calls for stricter EU chemicals control

The Members of the Environment Parliament have called for tougher substance authorisation procedures and strong controls on chemicals in products.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

3

US Department of Agriculture to expand use of biodiesel and ethanol fuels

To show support for the National Energy Plan, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that all USDA agencies will use biodiesel and ethanol fuels in their fleet vehicles where practicable and reasonable in costs.

III. Subject Area: General Environmental News

4

Solar storms destroy earth's ozone layer

New research confirms that the earth's ozone layer is destroyed not only by the use of ozone depleting substances, but also by large solar storms.

5

GM unveils hydrogen fuel cell

General Motors Corp (GM) has unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell that could hold the answer to the increasing demand for electricity

6

Daimler, MMC to make eco-friendly engines

Auto giant, Daimler Chrysler AG and its Japanese partner, Mitsubishi Motors Corp will jointly develop environmentally friendly diesel engines for medium to large trucks 

7

UK green power scheme set for early 2002

In early 2002, Britain plans to launch a scheme to give green energy a billion-pound boost to help curb the country's emission of greenhouse gases.

8

NZ sets Sep 2002 target to ratify Kyoto pact

Following the Bonn agreement in July, New Zealand has announced that it is working towards ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in Sep 2002.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Policy

1

New European detergent rules review proposed

The industry directorate of the European Commission has proposed to re-examine the European Union detergent legislation, with the view to set stricter standards for surfactant biodegradability and mandatory labelling of products causing skin sensitization or irritation.

2

MEP calls for stricter EU chemicals control

The Members of the Environment Parliament have called for tougher substance authorisation procedures and strong controls on chemicals in products.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

3

US Department of Agriculture to expand use of biodiesel and ethanol fuels

To show support for the National Energy Plan, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that all USDA agencies will use biodiesel and ethanol fuels in their fleet vehicles where practicable and reasonable in costs.

III. Subject Area: General Environmental News

4

Solar storms destroy earth's ozone layer

New research confirms that the earth's ozone layer is destroyed not only by the use of ozone depleting substances, but also by large solar storms.

5

GM unveils hydrogen fuel cell

General Motors Corp (GM) has unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell that could hold the answer to the increasing demand for electricity

6

Daimler, MMC to make eco-friendly engines

Auto giant, Daimler Chrysler AG and its Japanese partner, Mitsubishi Motors Corp will jointly develop environmentally friendly diesel engines for medium to large trucks 

7

UK green power scheme set for early 2002

In early 2002, Britain plans to launch a scheme to give green energy a billion-pound boost to help curb the country's emission of greenhouse gases.

8

NZ sets Sep 2002 target to ratify Kyoto pact

Following the Bonn agreement in July, New Zealand has announced that it is working towards ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in Sep 2002.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Policy

1

Germany, UK, Spain lay down car recycling regulations

Germany, UK and Spain have laid down regulations for dealing with vehicles that have reached the end of their life. 

2

Australia unveils new fuel standards, plans framework measure on air toxics

The Australian federal Environment Minister announced new standards, which limit the levels of methyl tertiary butyl ether and olefins in petrol. The National Environment Protection Council announced that it would develop a national environment protection measure on ambient air toxics. 

II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

3

Remediation of wastewater containing ammonia

A company in Vancouver developed a new electrochemical remediation technology, which convert ammonia present in wastewater directly into nitrogen gas and thereby eliminating potentially harmful by-products.

4

Cloned plants may clean contamination

A scientist from the Purdue University in United States had cloned a gene that facilitates the uptake of toxic metals from soil into the leaves of a species of mustard plant. The cloned genes could then be used to produce metal-accumulating plants that could clean up sites contaminated with heavy metals.

5

Chemical patches detect dangerous chemicals

A team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin in United States developed a small chemical patch containing a sensor that could be used to detect minute amount of dangerous chemical compounds.

III. Subject Area: Public Health

6

Health benefits from greenhouse gas curbs

Researchers from the Carnegie Mellon University in United States found that curbing greenhouse gas emissions would have immediate benefits for human health.

7

UK study finds landfill pose some risk to babies

Researchers from the Imperial College London found from a study that babies born to mothers who live near landfills are slightly more likely to suffer congenital defects. 

IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News

8

Control technique cuts electricity bills for commercial buildings

Research engineers from the Purdue University in United States had shown that electricity costs for office buildings could be reduced by up to 40 percent by running air conditioning overnight.

9

Energy grants fund efficient buildings

The United States Department of Energy is funding 12 research and development projects that are designed to improve energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings.

S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology

1

Scientists study magnetic cooling

US scientists are looking at magnetic refrigeration as a possible replacement of traditional air conditioners, refrigerators and other household staples in the near future.

2

Disease-fighting foods may be derived from metal-loving plants

Metal-accumulating plants have the potential to improve people's diets or even to be used to create foods that fight cancer.

3

Building exteriors tapped for energy production

Builders are integrating photovoltaic (PV) cells into the envelopes of buildings to generate electricity.

4

Ford develops hydrogen-powered engine

Ford Motor Co. has unveiled a retrofitted gasoline engine that can run on clean-burning hydrogen gas.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health

5

Earth's surface cooled but atmosphere warmed by aerosols

Researchers have found that black carbon aerosols, produced by burning of fossil fuels and vegetation, are cooling Earth's surface but warming the atmosphere.

III. Subject Area: Waste Minimisation and Energy Efficiency

6

New York creates the first clean-energy technology park in the US

New York establish the first business park promote the development of new, clean-energy technologies.

7

New legislation for renewable energies

US introduced a new legislation to increase the possibilities of using renewable fuels in the U.S.

8

Japan implements the home appliance recycling law

Japan implemented the Home Appliance Recycling Law in Apr 2001 to get manufacturers, retailers and consumers to share the burden of recycling home appliances.

IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News

9

Startech Environmental ships Japan's first Plasma Converter to process hazardous incinerator ash and PCBs

Startech Environmental Corp. had shipped the first Plasma Converter sold to Japan to process hazardous waste incinerator ash and PCBs in Fukuoka, Japan.