TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Title |
Synopsis |
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I. Subject Area: Environmental Pollution and Health |
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1 |
US study found high levels of particulates inside diesel school buses |
A study carried out in Los Angeles on diesel school buses showed high levels of fine particulates inside the buses that can lodge deep in the lungs and exacerbate asthma in children. |
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2 |
New study shows ordinary soot as a major cause of global warming |
A new study carried out by Stanford University said that soot might be responsible for 15-30% of global warming. |
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3 |
Widely used antiseptic inhibits parasites that cause malaria and toxoplasmosis |
A team of researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom had reported that a common antiseptic, triclosan, used in household products kills the parasites responsible for malaria and toxoplasmosis. |
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4 |
Microbes can play key roles in slowing down effects of global warming |
A new report from the American Society for Microbiology states that managing microbial activity can help in slowing the adverse effects of global warming. |
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II. Subject Area: Environmental Technology |
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5 |
Water pollution traced with bacterial DNA |
Researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia have developed a "fingerprinting" test to identify the sources of water pollution. |
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III. Subject Area: General Environmental News |
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6 |
Bio-based cleaner is more effective and safer than traditional cleaners |
According to a test report from U.S. Navy, two bio-based cleaners that they had tested, could remove more grease and oil residues than traditional cleaners. |
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7 |
Home owners can play important role to improve energy efficiency |
The Alliance to Save Energy, a non-profit coalition of business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders based in Washington, is urging homeowners to improve energy efficiency in their homes. |
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8 |
Two new web sites launched to help consumers pick green cars |
The Environmental Defense, a non-profit organization based in New York, has created two websites, which allow consumers to compare the environmental performance of automobiles. |
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SUMMARY REPORT
Period Covered : 12 Feb 2001 to 18 Feb 2001
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Item 1 |
US study found high levels of particulates inside diesel school buses |
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Summary |
A study on the air quality inside diesel school buses in Los Angeles conducted jointly by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health and the Coalition for Clean Air showed high levels of toxic diesel exhaust. The exhaust levels in these buses were more than eight times the average levels found in the ambient air in California and 23 to 46 times higher than levels considered to be a significant cancer risk according to the USEPA and federal guidelines. Diesel exhaust is also known to be a major source of fine particles that can lodge deep in the lungs and exacerbate asthma, a condition most prevalent among children. Considering a vast majority of school buses in the US are still running on diesel, the study recommended installing particulate traps as an interim solution. However, these traps need to be used in conjunction with low-sulphur diesel which is available only in three states. A long-term solution recommended by the study was to switch to alternative fuel buses. |
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Reference |
http://www.pollutiononline.com (article dated 14 Feb 2001) |
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Item 2 |
New study shows ordinary soot as a major cause of global warming |
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Summary |
According to an article featured in the "Nature" journal, a study conducted by researchers from the Stanford University showed that soot might be the second biggest contributor to global warming - behind the infamous greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Professor Mark Z. Jacobson of Stanford University, author of the article, used a computer model to analyze urban and global pollution. The model is capable of simulating emissions, movement, transformations and removal of soot and other important airborne particles. Results of the study showed that soot might be responsible for 15 to 30 percent of global warming. Prof Jacobson urged policy makers to consider looking at ways to reduce soot pollution worldwide. |
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Reference |
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/02/010208075206.htm |
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Item 3 |
Widely Used Antiseptic Inhibits Parasites that Cause Malaria and Toxoplasmosis |
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Summary |
A team of researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom has reported that a common antiseptic, triclosan, used in household products such as toothpaste, skin creams, and deodorants, kills the parasites responsible for malaria and toxoplasmosis. Triclosan has been used as an antiseptic since the 1960s. This common, inexpensive antimicrobial is remarkably effective against these parasites at concentrations that have no detectable toxicity. The researchers suggest that triclosan could be combined with other plant- and bacterial-enzyme inhibitors they are investigating to disrupt fatty acid synthesis at multiple points, a strategy that could prevent or delay the development of resistant microbes. |
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Reference |
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/02/010206080902.htm |
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Item 4 |
Microbes can play key roles in slowing down effects of global warming |
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Summary |
A new report from the American Society for Microbiology stated that managing microbial activity could help in slowing the effects of greenhouse gases and other global environmental changes. Microbial roles in global change include producing and consuming atmospheric gases that affect climate; mobilizing toxic elements such as mercury, arsenic and selenium; and producing toxic algal blooms and creating oxygen depletion zones in lakes, rivers and coastal environments. The authors suggested that climate change researchers include information about microbiological processes in their global change models, and explore the abilities of microbes to transform greenhouse trace gases and toxic elements. The report also recommended that research programs be established to partner microbiology with earth and atmospheric sciences to integrate understanding of the complex global change problems. |
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Reference |
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/02/010213071440.htm |
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Item 5 |
Water pollution traced with bacterial DNA |
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Summary |
Researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) have developed a "fingerprinting" test to trace the source of water pollution using DNA from bacteria. This test method is based on an existing technology known as ribotyping. Prof Andrew Carson of MU explained that E.coli bacteria are often tested for to determine if water pollution is caused by human or animal waste. It is possible to trace back the source of water pollution because each host species contains particular types of bacteria in its intestinal tract which also have unique DNA patterns. Currently, the MU has identified specific DNA fingerprints for E.coli from common hosts such as human, cows, pigs, horses, dogs, chickens, turkeys and migratory geese. |
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Reference |
http://www.earthvision.net/coldfusion/news_page1.cfm?NewsID=14818 (article dated 13 Feb 2001) |
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Item 6 |
Bio-based cleaner is more effective and safer than traditional cleaners |
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Summary |
The U.S. Navy has released a report on tests it conducted over the past year on Microbest Inc.'s BioCleansing Floorwash and Industrial BioCleanser at the Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Fl. According to the report, initial tests indicated that the bio-based cleaners tested were able to remove more grease and oil residues than the current materials used. Bio-based cleaning products could help the Navy reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, increase worker safety, reduce costs. In addition, these products are also more environmentally benign compared to the chemical-based cleaning products. BioCleansing FloorWash was also used to eliminate organic soiling such as grease, food residues, urine, etc found in food service operations and restrooms. Industrial BioCleanser is highly effective in degrading petroleum hydrocarbons wastes such as, hydraulic fluids, cutting oils, and waste petroleum lubricants found in factories, machine shops, and throughout the transportation industry. |
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Reference |
http:///www.pollutiononline.com/content/news/articles.asp?DocID=%7B410925E4%2DF (article dated 12 Feb 2001) |
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Item 7 |
Home owners can play important role to improve energy efficiency |
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Summary |
The Alliance to Save Energy, Washington, a nonprofit coalition of business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy, is urging homeowners to improve energy-efficiency in their homes. Improving energy efficiency would reduce monthly energy bills, increase a home's comfort, decrease pollution by avoiding excess energy generation, and increase the nation's energy supply. Homeowners were advised to look at their heating and air-conditioning systems to minimise leaks; and replace their home appliances and home electronics with ENERGY STAR labeled products. ENERGY STAR labeled products are products that are certified to be more energy efficient. |
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Reference |
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Item 8 |
Two new web sites launched to help consumers pick green cars |
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Summary |
The Environmental Defense, a non-profit organization based in New York, has developed two websites which allow consumers to compare the overall environmental performance of automobiles at no cost. Automobiles from the past two model years are given "Green Scores" on ForMyWorld website ( http://formyworld.com). Users are able to make cross comparisons between different classes of vehicle using the "Green Score" which is based on tailpipe emissions, fuel economy and other aspects of the vehicles' overall environmental impact.The Tailpipe Tally website ( http://www.environmentaldefense.org/tailpipe) allows the consumers to make comparisons of up to four vehicles at any one time from model years 1978 to 2001. The website also has a built-in program to compute fuel consumption, vehicle emissions and cost savings if one is to select a more efficient vehicle. |
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Reference |
http://www.pollutiononline.com (article dated 12 Feb 2001) |