S/N

Title

Synopsis

I. Subject Area: Environmental Policy

1

2

Twelve toxics to be phased out

More than 120 countries have reached an agreement to phase out the production and use of 12 highly toxic POPs.

3

EU to reduce lead level in drinking water by 80%

New regulations in the EU will reduce permitted levels of lead in drinking water by up to 80% by 2013.

4

European Union tackles small-engine emissions

The European Commission has proposed a directive governing air pollutants from gasoline-powered non-road mobile equipment, such as lawnmowers and other garden tools.

5

New tougher standards for lead in the US

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new tougher standards to identify dangerous levels for lead in paint, dust, and soil.

6

7

U.S. EPA issues promised diesel standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new regulations mandating that emissions from 50% of the heavy-duty trucks and buses produced after 2006 be 90% of those currently allowed.

II. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health

8

Asthma in children linked to ozone

Findings of studies conducted in the US confirm link between exposure to ozone and childhood asthma.

III. Subject Area: Environmental Waste Management

9

Process licensed to recycle plastic from motor oil bottles

Engineers from the US Department of Energy's plant in Kansas City have developed a technology to recover and recycle used motor oil bottles.

IV. Subject Area: General Environmental News

10

TNRCC approves clean air plan

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission has approved a clean air plan to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the Houston-Galveston area.

11

European paper industry and merchants pledge more recycling

The Confederation of European Paper Industries and the European Recovered Paper Association have pledged to recycle at least 56% of paper products used in Europe by 2005.

Item 1

Montreal Protocol fortified

Summary

Member countries must also ban the production, consumption and international trade of bromochloromethane, a chemical used primarily as a fire-extinguishing agent. Scientists concluded that the ban on ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons, which resulted from the Montreal Protocol, is beginning to have an effect. The ozone recovery is not likely to start for a few more years and will not necessarily happen steadily because of natural fluctuations in weather patterns. The biggest ozone hole ever recorded occurred in October 2000 over Antarctica.

Reference

http://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/2001/01/01082001/montreal_41141.asp?P=2

Item 2

Twelve toxics to be phased out

Summary

A POPs Review Committee will consider additional candidates for the list on a regular basis as new scientific information becomes available. Financial mechanisms will help developing countries to meet their obligations. Funding and technical assistance will also be made available.

Reference

Environment Business News Briefing, Page 6.

Item 3

EU to reduce lead level in drinking water by 80%

Summary

New regulations in the EU will reduce permitted levels of lead in drinking water by up to 80% by 2013 and water companies will have to draw up programmes to minimise the ability of water to dissolve lead from pipes. The regulation will reduce maximum lead concentrations from 50 to 25 m g/l by 25 December 2003 and to 10 m g/l by 2013 to avoid damage to unborn children and babies. The regulations impose 39 other standards for drinking water quality.

Reference

Environment Business News Briefing, Page 8.

Item 4

European Union tackles small-engine emissions

Summary

This will be achieved in two steps. The first will be within 18 months of adoption of the law; the second, between 2004 and 2010, depending on the engine type. The commission contends that engine emissions would fall by up to 85% compared with current levels when the directive is implemented. Fuel consumption would drop by up to 30%, effecting comparable cuts in CO2 emissions.

Reference

http://www.pollutiononline.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID={9D9680D6-DCCB-11D4-A76E-00D0B7694F32}&Bucket=Regulatory+Articles

Item 5

New tougher standards for lead in the US

Summary

Identifying lead hazards through these standards will allow inspectors and risk assessors to assist property owners in deciding how to address problems, which may include lead paint abatement, covering or removing soil, or professional cleaning of lead dust.

Reference

http://www.pollutiononline.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID={9D966B75-DCCB-11D4-A76E-00D0B7694F32}

Item 6

Cars may be banned from central Hong Kong to cut pollution

Summary

The government has made repeated pledges to combat the problem. Last November, the 60-member legislature decided by majority to raise the fixed penalty on smoky vehicles from HK$450 (US$58) to HK$1,000 (US$128).

Reference

http://www.enn.com/news/wire-stories/2001/01/01082001/reu_pollution_41231.asp

Item 7

U.S. EPA issues promised diesel standards

Summary

The new standards would also require cutting diesel-exhaust particulates to 0.01 grams per unit of engine energy, compared with 0.1 under current standards. Reductions in NOx under the new standard will be cut from 2 to 0.2 ppm.

Reference

Http://www.pollutiononline.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID={03B2A0EA-D754-11D4-A76E-00D0B7694F32}&Bucket=Regulatory+Articles

Item 8

Asthma in children linked to ozone

Summary

Because lung development is similar in monkeys and humans, the research may help to explain why children who grow up in smoggy cities tend to have more respiratory problems, says Ira Tager of the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health.

Reference

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns227210

Item 9

Process licensed to recycle plastic from motor oil bottles

Summary

Engineers from the US Department of Energy's (DOE) plant in Kansas City have developed a technology to recover and recycle used motor oil bottles. The process involves the use of a solvent which is made up of liquid and supercritical forms of carbon dioxide. The oil-contaminated plastic chips from ground-up motor oil bottles are washed with the solvent to produce clean plastic chips and usable oil. The cleaning process also regenerates the solvent for reuse.

Reference

Business and the Environment, December 2000, Page 10

Item 10

TNRCC approves clean air plan

Summary

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) has approved a clean air plan for the Houston-Galveston area. The plan contains regulations to control emissions from sources ranging from smoke stacks to lawnmowers. Industrial facilities are required to reduce nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emissions by 90% by the end of 2004. Businesses, motorists and homeowners must reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 40% by 2007.

Reference

Chemical Week, December 20/27 2000, Page 46

Item 11

European paper industry and merchants pledge more recycling

Summary

The paper industry is assuming a model of shared responsibility and not one based on strict producer responsibility for the waste materials. The industry is also prepared to provide advice to governments, consumers and others on setting up and optimizing collection systems.

Reference

Business and the Environment, December 2000, Page 12