The Hong Kong government proposes to label food containing five percent or more of genetically-modified (GM) material. However, the government has not yet decided if such labeling should be voluntary or mandatory because while there is no evidence that GM food is unsafe for human consumption although some consumers may be allergic to the contents of a modified food product containing genes from other plants or animals.

The US Supreme Court upheld the federal government's procedure of setting air pollution standards and rejected industry arguments that costs, instead of just health benefits should be considered. The High Court also ruled that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not usurp lawmaking power from Congress when it set strict standards for ozone and soot in 1997. However, the court said that EPA's implementation policy for the ozone standard was unlawful.

The EPA says the standards will save lives and billions of dollars in health costs by reducing air pollution and estimates that 125 million Americans, including 35 million children will be protected from adverse health effects caused by air pollution. Industries have argued that the rules would cost them nearly $50 billion a year, a cost which has not been considered by the EPA.

Transport companies running Scania trucks powered by the company's earlier generation 11-litre DSC11 diesel engine will be able to convert their engines to dedicated (spark ignited, lean burn) compressed natural gas operation by end of the year. The estimated cost of the conversion is about £12,000 per vehicle.

Until now the only retro-conversions available for NG fuelling have been based on the less efficient dual-fuel operation, retaining the original engine's compression-ignition cycle, i.e. without spark plugs.

Scientists have discovered that low-dose exposure to arsenic might increase the risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes and vascular disease. A 1999 report by the National Academy of Sciences has confirmed that arsenic in drinking water causes bladder, lung and skin cancer, and may cause kidney and liver cancer.

A team of researchers at the Dartmouth Medical School has discovered that arsenic may play a role in endocrine disruption. Endocrine disruptors confuse the normal activity of hormones, which are critical to the proper growth, development and function of various tissues in wildlife and humans.

Most studies on endocrine disruptors have focused on chemicals that block or mimic the estrogen hormone. Arsenic disrupts a different hormone - the glucocorticoid receptor - which regulates a wide range of biological processes.

Hospitals throughout the state of Maine made history by entering into a pollution prevention agreement that is the first in the nation to call for a reduction in the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic medical supplies. The agreement between the Maine Hospital Association (MHA), the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Natural Resources Council of Maine sets an ambitious agenda for the state's 39 hospitals.

Maine's agreement focuses on dioxin, a toxic by-product of incinerating hospital waste that contains PVC plastic. The Maine agreement commits hospitals to "continuously reduce the use and disposal of PVC plastic in hospitals" through a series of specific action steps with annual reporting on progress achieved.

Dioxin is a known human carcinogen, and has been linked to immune system damage, learning disabilities, infertility and other health impacts. Medical waste incinerators have been identified by USEPA as the third largest known source of dioxin air emissions.

The European Union environment chief wants an annual report on the progress of EU member states implementing their environmental laws. The report will make countries take their responsibilities more seriously on a range of green legislation, ranging from nature protection to sewage treatment.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF), together with a number of international water organizations and companies, is creating a comprehensive water web site with a planned launch date of summer 2001.

The web site is a direct outcome of the 2^nd World Water Forum in The Hague, where delegates expressed the need for a comprehensive tool to enable both developing and technologically advanced nations to share expertise and experiences.

Planned functions of the site include:

• Establishing a link between public water authorities, industry and water organisations;
• Improving water distribution efficiency and treatment of water;
• Providing information on innovative technology and solutions that promote more efficient use of water;
• Catalysing water-related investments and partnerships, particularly in developing countries;
• Raising public awareness of water issues.