Table of Contents

 

S/No

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area : Environmental Policy

1

EU makes industry liable to recycle old goods

The European Commissioner has asked makers of electrical goods to recycle worn out products.

2

Indonesia plans to boost use of unleaded gasoline

The Indonesian government plans to boost the use of unleaded gasoline in order to reduce pollution.

II. Subject Area : Environmental News

3

Hong Kong tackles pollution

Hong Kong and its neighbouring province of Guandong have launched a groundbreaking joint effort to tackle the region's serious environmental problems.

4

Denmark wants brominated flame retardants to be substituted

The Danish EPA has asked for brominated flame retardants to be replaced with alternative chemicals on environmental protection and human health grounds.

5

FDA toughens GM foods oversight

FDA said that it would increase regulatory control over genetically modified (GM) foods. However, it will not require manufacturers to label products that contain GM ingredients.

6

Controversy over the use of "Bisphenol A"

Worldwide Fund (WWF) for Nature has reported that the chemical "Bisphenol A" (BPA) would adversely affect wildlife and human health, particularly the health of babies and small children.

7

Californian oil industry and air regulators grapple over diesel

Environmental regulators in Southern California are planning to phase out the use of diesel fuel in new public bus systems and to require new vehicles to use alternative fuels such as natural gas and cleaner burning gasoline.

 

SUMMARY REPORT

Period Covered: 12 Jun 2000 to 18 Jun 2000

Item 1

EU Makes Industry Liable To Recycle Old Goods

Summary

The European Commission has proposed that makers of electrical goods recycle worn out products in order to reduce one of the largest sources of heavy metals and organic pollutants in municipal waste. The electrical goods industry is given a grace period of five years before they are obligated to fund the product recovery.

The Commission has been in consultation with the industry about the plans since 1997 and the measures are believed to add only one percent to product costs. Targets which set the minimum percentage of recyclable waste at 60-80 %, will come into effect by 2006 at the latest.

The waste produced by obsolete electrical equipment is currently growing up to 28 percent every five years and makes up four percent of municipal waste. The proposal also bans the use of some materials in electrical goods deemed to be environmentally damaging as ninety percent of this waste is sent to landfills or incinerated with no pre-treatment.

Reference

http://www.planet.ark.com.au/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=7087

 

Item 2

Indonesia Plans To Boost Use Of Unleaded Gasoline

Summary

The Indonesian government plans to boost the use of unleaded gasoline in order to reduce pollution and is committed to reduce pollution in many of its big cities through a "Blue Sky" project.

However, Indonesia would need at least $190 million to produce more unleaded gasoline to supply the most polluted cities in the country. An official from state oil company Pertamina said its Balongan refinery in West Java currently produced 4,700 kilolitres of unleaded gasoline per month. The Cilacap refinery in Central Java will also be selected to produce unleaded gasoline.

Reference

http://www.planet.ark.com.au/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=7089

 

Item 3

Hong Kong Tackles Pollution

Summary

Hong Kong and its neighbouring province of Guandong have launched a groundbreaking joint effort to tackle the region's serious environmental problems. Among the issues they are attempting to deal with are air and water pollution, better conservation and controls in development.

The pollution in Hong Kong is considered to be serious by many people. In March 2000 the air pollution index topped the 100-level threshold on several days and people were advised to stay indoors. Cases of respiratory ailments are increasing. Tons of discarded rubbish are fouling the waters of the Pearl River delta. There are fears that tourism and investment in the region will suffer as a result of the environmental pollution.

Reference

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_782000/782886.stm

 

 

Item 4

Denmark Wants Brominated Flame Retardants To Be Substituted

Summary

The Danish EPA has published a report proposing the substitution of the brominated flame retardants pentabromo diphenyl ether, octabromo diphenyl ether, and decabromo diphenyl ether with alternative chemicals on environmental protection and human health grounds. Tests with animals indicate that some of the brominated substances may cause malformations in the fetus and also have endocrine disrupting effects.

However, the industry group claims that there is no scientific evidence to justify the removal of brominated flame retardants. It urges Danish EPA to wait two months, by which time the European Commission will have published risk assessment studies on octabromo diphenyl ether and decabromo diphenyl ether. There is also the question of what substances could be used to replace brominated flame retardants.

Reference

Chemical Week, May 10, 2000 Page 22

 

 

 

Item 5

FDA Toughens GM Foods Oversight

Summary

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it will increase regulatory oversight of genetically modified (GM) foods but stopped short of requiring manufacturers to label products that contain GM ingredients.

Biotech companies will be required under the proposal to consult with FDA about the safety of GM foods before introducing them to the market. That process is currently voluntary. FDA will also draft guidelines for companies that wish to voluntarily label GM and non-GM foods. Research carried out by FDA supports that GM foods do not pose risks to human health or the environment.

However, environmental and consumer groups that advocate GM labeling say FDA is reneging on its duty to insure public health. The proposed rules will not require FDA to conduct pre-market safety testing and will rely solely on data submitted by biotech companies.

Reference

Chemical week, May 10, 2000 Page 15

 

 

Item 6

Controversy Over The Use Of "Bisphenol A"

Summary

The environmental group Worldwide Fund (WWF) for Nature has published a report, which states that the chemical "Bisphenol A" (BPA) has wide-ranging impacts on wildlife and human health, particularly the health of babies and small children. The report expresses concern over the presence of BPA in food-can linings and baby-feeding bottles. BPA is also used in the production of adhesives, pipes, thermal fax paper, car dashboards, and electronic goods.

However, the chemical producers maintain that products manufactured with BPA that come into contact with food are safe. The products meet all regulatory requirements in the United States and the European Union. They claimed that these BPA products have been used for more than 40 years with no evidence of adverse effects on human health or the environment. The chemical producers have sponsored several new studies to increase understanding, evaluate potential risks of BPA, and ensure safety.

Reference

International Environment Reporter ISSN 0149-8738 Page 454 to 456

 

 

 

Item 7

Californian Oil Industry and Air Regulators Grapple Over Diesel

Summary

Environmental regulators in Southern California are planning to phase out diesel fuel, saying emissions from diesel-burning vehicles are too toxic, leaving oil companies and local officials fuming about the costs of replacing it with natural gas or cleaner burning gasoline. Known for its strict fuel standards, California already uses the world's cleanest burning diesel. But state environmental regulators say that is not good enough.

If the proposal to phase out the use of diesel is approved, the measure would take effect immediately for large fleets, such as public bus systems, and require new vehicles to use alternative fuels. Small fleets have a July 2001 deadline to meet the requirement. The proposal, however, does not require buses already in service to be refitted to use alternative fuels.

Critics of the proposed measure say it would nullify years and millions of dollars spent to develop new blends of diesel that are cleaner burning, but not clean enough to meet the proposed new standards. The use of clean burning diesel blends together with the provision of particulate traps for exhaust gas treatment would result in emission equivalent to vehicles using compressed natural gas.

Reference

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=7130
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1