TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Title |
Synopsis |
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I. Subject Area: Environmental Technology |
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13 |
GM Introduces The New 10,000 Psi Hydrogen Storage Tank System |
General Motors Corporation has announced that the driving range of fuel cell vehicles would increase by 60% to 70% using a 10,000 psi compressed hydrogen storage tank system. |
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24 |
Electricity From Under The Sea |
Britain has announced the use of undersea turbines, which operate on the same principle as wind turbines, to produce electricity as an important source of renewable energy. |
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II. Subject Area: Environmental Environmental TechnologyHealth |
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36 |
World Food Experts Still Divided Over Irradiation |
International food experts will meet to deliberate whether to do away with the maximum dose for irradiation, which is currently set at 10,000 Gray. The proposal has stirred opposition from the European Union and infuriated numerous consumer lobby groups. |
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4 |
Children Face Cancer Risks From Wood Play Sets |
The US Government has warned that children could face increased risks of developing lung or bladder cancer if they use playground equipment made of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA). It has forged an agreement with the industry to stop the use of CCA in new wood play sets and other consumer products by Dec 2003. |
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III. Subject Area: General Environmental News |
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57 |
EU To Debate Pesticide Ban On Highly Toxic Aldicarb Ministry says dioxins found in German animal feed |
EU farm ministers are deliberating on a proposal to remove highly toxic aldicarb, a worm-killing pesticide used on sugar beet and root vegetables, from EU markets.Animal feed produced by a East German firm was found to contain excessive dioxins in January 2003 and 300 pigs given the feed has to be slaughtered. |
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69 |
US Firms Set Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets USEPA to test safety of silicofluorides in US water supplies |
The US Department of Energy has implemented the new "Climate VISION" (Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now) programme. It is a voluntary partnership programme for industries to pursue cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The USEPA intends to test the silicofluorides, which have been introduced into U.S water supplies more than 50 years ago, amidst public health concerns. |
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710 |
Britain Considering DNA Bar Code For GM Products EU aims to improve greenhouse gas monitoring system |
The British government is considering requiring all biotech companies to use DNA bar-coding to identify crops and foods containing genetically modified organisms so as to facilitate enforcement. The European Commission launched a proposal to improve the monitoring of European Union's greenhouse gas emissions. |
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8 |
Global Warming Causing Genetic Changes |
A study carried out by the Royal Society of London has detected the first signs of genetic change occurring in mammals as a result of global warming. This has raised concerns about how average temperature increases could affect humans. |
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9 |
Air Travel To Knock UK CO2 Emissions Off Target |
A Sustainable Development Commission in the UK has warned that existing measures to cut emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) were unlikely to achieve UK government's target. It attributes the failure to the exclusion of CO2 emission from air travel. |
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10 |
EPA Announces Certification Of First Fuel Cell Vehicle |
US EPA has announced the certification for fuel economy and emissions of the first US hydrogen fuel cell zero emission vehicle. |
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SUMMARY REPORT
Period Covered: 10 Feb 2003 to 16 Feb 2003
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Item 1 |
GM Introduces The New 10,000 Psi Hydrogen Storage Tank System |
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Summary |
General Motors Corp. (GM) has announced that the use of a new 10,000 psi tank technology in its HydroGen3 fuel cell vehicle would extend the driving range by 60-70 percent compared to an equivalent-sized 5,000 psi tank system. Thus far, GM is the only automaker in the world to successfully test a 10,000 psi hydrogen storage system in a fuel cell and this achievement was accomplished more than a year ahead of the stated goals of other automakers. GM's system used two carbon composite tanks and was approved last year by Germany's TUV in accordance with common industry standards in Europe and North America. |
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Reference |
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Item 2 |
Electricity From Under The Sea |
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Summary |
Britain has announced the use of undersea turbines to produce electricity as an important source of renewable energy. Sea turbines, operating on the same principle as wind turbines, get the power from tidal currents that turn blades similar to ships' propellers. Sea turbines have an advantage of being environmentally friendly as sea creatures are unlikely to be at risk from the relatively slow turning blades. Furthermore the turbine blades need to be only one third the size of a wind generator to produce three times as much power. The power output is more constant due to the predictability of tides. However, a technical difficulty yet to be resolved is the problem of cavitation, which causes vibration and damage to the blades. |
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Reference |
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Item 3 |
World Food Experts Still Divided Over Irradiation |
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Summary |
International food experts will meet soon to discuss revising - if not abandoning - the maximum dose for irradiation, an idea that has stirred opposition from the European Union and infuriated numerous consumer lobby groups. Since the last major meeting on irradiation, a working group has drafted a compromised proposal that keeps a maximum dose but also inserts a controversial clause saying that high-dose irradiation has no effect on product safety. At present, EU permits food under only one category to be irradiated: dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings. All irradiated foods must be properly labelled with the words "irradiated" or "treated with ionising radiation". However, United States, Australia, Philippines and Thailand claim that the dose is self-limiting as high-dose is only technically feasible for a few dry commodities such as spices. They say if irradiation is applied properly, it reduces food-borne diseases and treats many potential problems in food supply. According to the World Health Organisation, irradiation exposes food to low amounts of electrons or gamma rays that could destroy microorganisms such as E.Coli and salmonella. It causes chemical changes but does not leave food radioactive. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/19779/newsDate/11-Feb-2003/story.htm |
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Item 4 |
Children Face Cancer Risks From Wood Play Sets |
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Summary |
US government officials have warned that children could face increased risks of developing lung or bladder cancer if they use playground equipment made of wood treated with an arsenic based pesticide called chromated copper arsenate (CCA). Scientists from the Consumer Product Safety Commission have advised that parents and caregivers thoroughly wash children's hands with soap and water immediately after they play on playground equipment made of CCA treated wood. Children should also not eat while on the equipment. Young children are particularly at risk because CCA residue sticks to their hands and they are likely to ingest it by hand to mouth contact. In Feb 2002, the EPA forged an agreement with the industry to halt the use of CCA in new wood play sets and other consumer products by Dec 2003. However, it concluded that there was no reason to remove or replace arsenic treated structures. Since 1940, CCA has been used in the US to treat wood to protect them from insects and microbial agents. Besides CCA, pressure is also growing in the US for regulation of woods treated with pentachlorophenol and creosote, which are two other common wood preservatives. |
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Reference |
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Item 51 |
EU To Debate Pesticide Ban On Highly Toxic AldicarbEU slashes sulphur content in automotive fuels from 2005 |
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Summary |
European Union (EU) farm ministers will vote soon on a proposal to remove aldicarb, a worm-killing pesticide used on sugar beet and root vegetables, from EU markets. Environmentalists have all along been calling for a ban on its use. In Europe, aldicarb is used particularly in soil to control nematodes - or microscopic worms - along with chewing and sucking insects attracted to various root crops such as sugar beet, potatoes, carrots, turnips and parsnips. According to the World Health Organisation, aldicarb is one of the most acutely toxic pesticides still in use. It is very soluble in water and highly mobile in soil where it can persist for weeks to months. It is frequently found as a contaminant in ground water. The European Union (EU) has passed a law that will reduce sulphur content in automotive petrol and diesel by 2005 and phase out sulphur in fuel by 2009.The law sets the cap on sulphur content to 50 ppm by 1 Jan 2005. The current sulphur limits in EU are 150 ppm for petrol and 350 ppm in diesel. The EU government has to ensure the availability of fuel with 10 ppm sulphur content by 2005 and sulphur-free fuel by 2009. The refinery industry body, Europia, estimated that a reduction of sulphur from 50 ppm to 10 ppm would cost about Euros $11 billion. EU will review the sulphur limits for non-road machinery in 2005. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/19844/story.htmhttp://www.planet.ark.com.au/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/19675/newsDate/3-Feb-2003/story.htm |
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Item 2 |
Africa accelerates switch to unleaded petrol |
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Summary |
A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report showed that African countries would phase out lead from petrol within five years. Leaded gasoline is still widely being used in Africa. UNEP warned that lead emissions released with exhaust fumes would lead to many ailments including respiratory problems. About 90 percent of the world's petrol supplies are unleaded, and the remaining 10 percent made up of leaded fuel are found mainly in Africa and some countries in Asia and Latin America. UNEP blamed Africa's slow response to switch to unleaded fuel mainly due to outdated technology, a lack of awareness of the health risks and misconceptions about the impact of unleaded fuels on the engines. |
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Reference |
http://www.planet.ark.com.au/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/19700/newsDate/5-Feb-2003/story.htm |
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Item 3 |
Innovative biotechnology used to decontaminate land in the U.S. |
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Summary |
Sub-Surface Waste Management Inc. (SSWM) has patented a proprietary technology that can quickly recover lost real estate equity in a matter of months, rather than the years or decades remediation takes with conventional technology. Using specially designed treatment processes, SSWM deploys its special bacteria blends, known as "bugs" to contaminated soil and groundwater zones. The bugs are engineered to penetrate the impacted areas and "eat" the contamination, turning it into harmless carbon dioxide and water. Once the bugs have eaten all contamination sources, they die off and decompose harmlessly in the soil. |
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Reference |
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Item 4 |
New patent improves diesel performance and reduces greenhouse gases |
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Summary |
KleenAir, a US company, announced that it has developed a low-cost fuel atomizer that reduces fuel consumption per mile on diesel-powered vehicles such as buses, trucks and off-road construction equipment as well as improves the performance of stationary generators. The device reduces CO2 emissions, particulates, hydrocarbons and NOx due to reduced fuel usage and better burning characteristics. The Diesel Fuel Atomizer uses KleenAir's patented Sonic Flow technology to atomize as much as 90% of diesel fuel, the balance being used for ignition. This results in significantly improved operating performance by permitting the complete burn of the fuel. |
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Reference |
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Item 5 |
US company develops promising Solar/Fuel Cell Power System |
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Summary |
Proton Energy Systems, Inc., a US company, will be developing a regenerative solar/Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell demonstration system to support testing at the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake, CA. During a testing program spanning six months, Proton's system will use its solar panels to supply electricity during the day while at the same time using part of the solar power to generate hydrogen and store the hydrogen in tanks. Once night falls, the system will regenerate the sunlight-produced hydrogen and use a PEM fuel cell to create ultra clean electrical power, emitting only water which will be recycled through the system to create hydrogen via sunlight once again. The primary objective of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a constant, grid independent power output through the use of a renewable energy system that is capable of remote operation. |
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Reference |
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Item 6 |
Micro-turbines turns sewage gas into electricity |
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Summary |
Spurred by California's rapidly rising energy costs, a wastewater treatment facility in Cardiff, US, installed three micro turbines that produce about 15 percent of the plant's power requirements or about $600,000 worth of electricity each year. The turbines get their fuel from a pair of huge "methane digesters" standing nearby. Apart from electricity, the turbines also generate heat that is used to warm the facility's digesters, which must be kept at 98 degrees to do their jobs. The project qualified for a $100,000 state renewable energy grant. |
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Reference |
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Item 7 |
Ministry says dioxins found in German animal feed |
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Summary |
Germany's Agriculture Ministry reported that tests in January 2003 had shown animal feed produced by a firm in Eastern Germany, in the state of Thuringia, contained around 15 times more than the permitted level of dioxins. Dioxins have been linked to several cancers in humans, including lymphomas and lung cancer. Some 300 pigs that had been given the feed had to be slaughtered after tests showed high levels of the poison. Dioxins come from both natural and industrial sources, such as medical and municipal waste incineration and paper pulp production. It enters the food chain when animals eat contaminated plants, building up in the fat of mammals and fish. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/19767/newsDate/10-Feb-2003/story.htm |
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Item 8 |
Man-made activities Worsen Mercury Pollution |
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Summary |
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), man-made activities such as gold mining and coal-powered power generation have tripled the mercury levels in the air since pre-industrial times. Mercury pollution affects the food chain, putting women and children at greater risks. Mercury poisoning could lead to brain and nerve damage, resulting in impaired coordination, blurred vision, tremors, irritability and memory loss. It was found that increase in temperature from global warming would exacerbate the mercury pollution. UNEP's first report on the global impact of mercury pollution found that more than 1,500 tonnes of mercury was released into the air by power stations each year. Asia followed by Africa are the biggest culprits. Small-scale mining, where mercury is used to extract gold and sliver from ores, is another main source of the pollution, releasing about 400-500 tonnes of mercury each year. A US study discovered that one out of twelve women had mercury levels in their bodies above limits deemed safe by national authorities. Up to 300,000 babies in US are also at risk of brain damage with possible impacts like learning difficulties and impaired nervous systems. Animals, which prey on fish, are also prone to mercury pollution. |
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Reference |
http://www.planet.ark.com.au/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/19693/newsDate/4-Feb-2003/story.htm |
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Item 9 |
Water Additive Consumed Daily Never Safety-Tested in Humans or Animals |
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Summary |
Amidst concern on public health, the USEPA intends to test the silicofluorides, some 50 years after they were first introduced into U.S water supplies. According to the USEPA, cavity-preventing water-fluoride chemicals consumed by most Americans are neither FDA approved nor tested for health effects. Although used by over 91% of US fluoridating communities, silicofluorides, were nominated for study, for the first time, in October 2001, by the National Toxicology Program. Recent research shows that children who drink silicofluoridated water have higher blood lead levels than children who live in sodium fluoridated or non-fluoridated communities. |
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Reference |
http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?objid=D1D1364E000000F342DB3F89AD3F486B |
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Item 10 |
EU Aims To Improve Greenhouse Gas Monitoring System |
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Summary |
The European Commission launched a proposal to improve the monitoring of European Union's greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet its Kyoto target and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Member states would have to give more information on the collection of emission data and to standardise the means to make emission forecasts across Europe. The European Commission is also looking into an emission trading system for companies to buy credits while monitoring the emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases. |
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Reference |
http://www.planet.ark.com.au/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/19741/story.htm |
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Item 6 |
US Firms Set Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets |
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Summary |
The US Department of Energy has implemented the new "Climate VISION" (Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now) programme among industries in the US. It is a voluntary public-private partnership programme for industries to pursue cost-effective initiatives that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Utility companies in the US have pledged to collectively cut their carbon dioxide output intensity by 3 to 5 percent by the end of 2010. Oil refiners have set a goal of a 10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity by 2012. |
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Reference |
3.dll/CMWebRequest.woa/wa/displayContent?objectid=D1D1364E000000F354F01657170E95B1 |
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Item 7 |
Britain Considering DNA Bar Code For GM Products |
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Summary |
The British government is considering requiring all biotech companies to use DNA bar-coding to identify genetically modified organisms (GMOs) so as to make it easier for regulators to spot contaminated crops or foods. Under the said requirement, biotech companies will have to add a special, harmless sequence of DNA to all GMOs so that a simple test would be able to spot them. This technique of detecting and identifying GMOs is viewed as a useful approach to tackle the problem of identifying GMOs. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.org/avantgo/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=19833 |
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Item 8 |
Global Warming Causing Genetic Changes |
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Summary |
A study carried out by the Royal Society of London has detected the first signs of genetic change occurring in mammals as a result of global warming. This has raised concerns about how average temperature increases could affect humans. The study of four generations of approximately 5,000 red squirrels over a 10-year period in Canada found the squirrels giving birth about two to three weeks earlier than they did 10 years ago. Over this period, the climate was slightly warmer by 2oC and springs were earlier. The researchers in the study used a technique called quantitative genetics to ascertain that the increased birth period was due to genetic changes in the squirrel rather than behavioural changes. |
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Reference |
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Item 9 |
Air Travel To Knock UK CO2 Emissions Off Target |
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Summary |
An independent Sustainable Development Commission in the UK has said that existing measures to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) in the UK were unlikely to achieve the government's target. The government's goal is to cut CO2 emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2010. According to the Sustainable Development Commission, the emission of CO2 from air travel had been excluded from government calculations during the policy formulation for greenhouse gas emission reduction. Inclusion of the emission from air travel in the overall CO2 emission would negate progress made by UK's industries to reduce CO2 emission.The UK government is banking on renewable energy sources such as wind turbines, as well as increased energy efficiency, to bring big reductions in its carbon dioxide emissions. |
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Reference |
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/19821/story.htm |
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Item 10 |
USEPA Announces Certification Of First Fuel Cell Vehicle |
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Summary |
USEPA has announced the certification for fuel economy and emissions of the first US hydrogen fuel cell zero emission vehicle. USEPA's Ann Arbor Lab, which is the first federal facility capable of testing and certifying a fuel cell vehicle for emissions and fuel economy, has certified the 2003 Honda FCX as the first US hydrogen fuel cell zero emission vehicle. USEPA is also working with the Department of Energy, the fuel industry, the auto industry and states to address the many infrastructure challenges to make hydrogen affordable and easily accessible as fuel cell vehicles of all types begin to be more broadly available. |
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