TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Title |
Synopsis |
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I. Subject Area: Environmental Policy and Regulation |
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1 |
Tokyo plans big-diesel shut out |
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to ban from the streets of Tokyo diesel-powered commercial vehicles that fail to meet emission standards for particulate matter. |
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2 |
New York State adopts California's tough auto emissions |
New York State aims to reduce emissions by 56% by 2020 with the adoption of stricter auto-emission standards. |
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3 |
UK launches recycling program to tackle waste mountain |
In response to its growing waste mountain, the UK launched WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Program) on 15 Nov 2000. Almost four times as much waste will be recycled by 2015 if government targets for household recycling and composting are met under WRAP. |
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II. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health |
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4 |
Tunnel pollution bad for asthmatics |
Swedish researchers have found that exposure to air pollutants for half and hour can increase bronchial response to allergens several hours after exposure in individuals with allergic asthma. |
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III. Subject Area: General Environmental News |
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5 |
Boston bans thermometers containing mercury |
Joining a nationwide push to remove mercury from lakes and streams, the Boston City Council has voted to prohibit the sale of mercury thermometers. |
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6 |
Montreal readiness to test auto emissions |
Owners of light and heavy vehicles will be required to have their vehicles approved by a qualified emissions tester at a government-certified garage every two years. |
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7 |
EU proposes exhaust and noise standards for boats |
The European Commission has proposed new rules that stipulate limits for exhaust and noise emissions from pleasure boats. |
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8 |
Denmark moves to cut lead consumption by one-third |
Denmark will prohibit the use of lead in a range of products, aiming to reduce annual consumption by one-third over the next few years. |
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9 |
IBM offers computer recycling for small businesses, individuals |
In United States, IBM Corp. has kicked off a computer recycling program aimed specifically at small business owners and individuals. |
SUMMARY REPORT
Period covered: 13 Nov 2000 to 19 Nov 2000
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Item 1 |
Tokyo plans big-diesel shut out |
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Summary |
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to ban diesel-powered commercial vehicles that fail to meet emission standards for particulate matter from the streets of Tokyo. starting October 2003. The government plans to submit a bill to the metropolitan assembly in Dec 2000 and enforce the rule beginning Oct 2003. The proposed ordinance is targeted only at diesel trucks and buses already operating. New trucks and buses will be exempted from the regulation for the first seven years. Passenger cars with diesel engines will also be exempted as they will be controlled under other emission laws. The metropolitan government estimates that one-third, or some 150,000 trucks and buses, would have to install particulate-removal devices. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will subsidize one-third of the cost of installing clean-emission devices, if vehicle owners apply to do so before the regulation comes into force. |
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Reference |
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Item 2 |
New York State adopts California's tough auto emissions |
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Summary |
New York State has, on 6 Nov, announced the adoption of stricter auto-emission standards. Beginning with the 2004 model year, 10% of all passenger cars as well as light trucks (including minivan, pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicle) sold is required to emit little or no air pollution. Of the zero-emission or low-emission vehicles, at least 40% must be electric vehicles. The remaining 60% can be "hybrid" cars - those powered by electricity with gasoline as an auxiliary power source. According to officials the goal of the stricter standards is to reduce emissions by 56% by 2020. Like California, New York will set a 'fleet' (an average) standard that each manufacturer must meet in broad weight classes, rather than in each model. Manufacturers who fall short of the guidelines would face heavy fines. |
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Reference |
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Item 3 |
UK launches recycling program to tackle waste mountain |
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The UK launched WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Program) on 15 Nov 2000 in a bid to curb its growing waste mountain. Almost four times as much waste will be recycled by 2015 if government targets for household recycling and composting are met under WRAP. The three-year, US$43 million initiative is designed to remove the barriers to increase recycling and to promote new markets and end uses for recycled materials. It follows the government's waste strategy which sets statutory targets for local councils to increase recycling and composting of household waste to 17 percent by 2003, to 25 percent by 2005, and to 33 percent by 2015. |
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Reference |
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Item 4 |
Tunnel pollution bad for asthmatics |
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Summary |
Swedish researchers have concluded that exposure to air pollutants for 30 minutes in a road tunnel can increase the bronchial response to allergens several hours after the exposure in individuals with allergic asthma. The delayed effect makes it difficult for the exposed individual to be aware of the risk during the time they are in the tunnel. In their study, researchers exposed 20 volunteers to tunnel atmosphere for 30 minutes with a mean nitrogen dioxide concentration of 313 mg/m3 and particle concentration of 170 mg/m3.Symptoms during the actual exposure were not pronounced, but four hours after the tunnel exposure, an allergen was introduced. For those that had been subjected to the high levels of nitrogen dioxide, there was a significant early adverse effect on lung function compared to subjects who had not been exposed to tunnel smoke. Particle (PM10) exposure had less effect although this rose with higher PM2.5 exposures. |
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Reference |
Air Quality Management, Nov 2000, p 11 |
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Item 5 |
Boston bans thermometers containing mercury |
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Summary |
Joining a nationwide push to remove mercury from lakes and streams, the Boston City Council has voted to prohibit the sale of mercury thermometers. Mercury in thermometers often enters the environment when the thermometers are incinerated or disposed of in landfills. Mercury is so toxic that a gram is enough to contaminate a 20-acre lake. A typical thermometer contains about 0.7 grams of mercury. Mercury can damage the central nervous system damage and reduce intelligence. |
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Reference |
http://www.nandotimes.com/healthscience/story/0,1080,500280129-500439608-502819391-0,00.html |
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Item 6 |
Montreal readiness to test auto emissions |
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Summary |
Beginning in the spring of 2002, owners of light vehicles in the Montreal area, and owners of heavy vehicles across the province of Quebec will be required to have their vehicles approved by a qualified emissions tester at a government-certified garage every two years. In the first year of the program, emission-related repairs will be capped at $200. However, the registration for vehicles not meeting the next tailpipe test will not be renewed. In 2003, the program will be expanded to include light vehicles in other large urban areas in the province, and by 2004, all motor vehicles in the province will be required to undergo regular emission testing. |
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Reference |
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Item 7 |
EU proposes exhaust and noise standards for boats |
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Summary |
The European Commission has proposed new rules to reduce exhaust and noise emissions from pleasure boats licensed in the 15 European Union member states. The new rules amend the current EU Directive 94/25 on recreational craft. The proposed rules stipulate limits for exhaust and noise emissions of gasoline and diesel marine engines installed, or intended to be installed on or in recreational vessels up to 24 m in length. The rules also apply to engines to be used in watercraft such as jet skis. The commission said that apart from the environmental and human health benefits, the proposal would help to harmonise the rules in the EU market. |
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Reference |
International Environment Reporter, Vol. 23, No. 23, p 876. |
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Item 8 |
Denmark moves to cut lead consumption by one-third |
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Summary |
Denmark would phase out lead as a component in items from roofing materials to cable sheeting and fishing equipment. Denmark will be the first country to prohibit the use of lead, traces of which can damage children's learning abilities, intelligence and behaviour. Denmark uses about 18,000 tonnes of lead per year, 12,000 tonnes of which is collected for recycling. The construction industry accounts for about one third of the amount of lead, fishing equipment and cable makers for one tenth each and the plastics industry for some six percent. Denmark has no lead mines but imports the metal as a raw metal. The moves would cut annual use to 12,000 tonnes and increase the proportion of recycling to 83 percent. |
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Reference |
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Item 9 |
IBM offers computer recycling for small businesses and individuals |
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Summary |
Responding to what some environmentalists see as one of the biggest solid waste issues to emerge in decades, IBM has kicked off a computer recycling program for consumers and small business in the United States. For a fee of $29.99, IBM will accept all PC parts through its IBM Recycling Service. The fee includes shipping costs, so consumers need only to box the equipment and send it via parcel service to Envirocycle, a recycling firm. Computers, monitors, printers and other hardware will either be recycled "in an environmentally responsible way" or donated to a worthy cause if it still works. IBM is billing the plan as a 'no strings attached' service because it will accept any brand of unwanted equipment, and no purchase of any type is required. Consumers can sign up for IBM's program at the time of purchase or by contacting IBM. |
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Reference |