Summary

The US EPA has issued a final rule requiring the reduction of toxic air emissions from new stationary combustion turbines. The requirements apply to new turbines used at facilities such as power plants, chemical and manufacturing plants, and pipeline compressor stations.

The rule will reduce emissions of a number of toxic air pollutants such as formaldehyde, toluene, acetaldehyde, and benzene, and will limit the amount of air pollution that may be released from exhaust stacks of any new stationary combustion turbine.

Summary

The US EPA has issued a final rule to reduce hazardous air emissions from organic chemical manufacturing facilities, which include production of chlorinated paraffin, rubber chemical, polyester resin and alkyd resin. The primary air toxics emitted are methanol, vinyl acetate, hexane, methylene chloride, hydrogen chloride and toluene.

The final rule requires the production facilities to install "maximum achievable control technology" for process vents, storage tanks, equipment leaks, wastewater systems, and transfer operations. It also allows industry to comply through an alternative, pollution prevention-based standard. The alternative standard requires significant reductions in the amounts of toxic air pollutants used during the manufacturing process.

Summary

A team of researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) has begun an experiment to test the use of genetically modified trees to clean up a site contaminated with toxic mercury. The team planted modified cottonwood trees at the site of an old hat factory as a field trial of phytoremediation processes. The trees use a gene called merA, which can be inserted into plants and used to detoxify mercury in the environment.

Although mercury cannot be broken down, less toxic forms can be created. The goal of this study is to find ways to let plants grow on polluted sites, draw in heavy metals like mercury and then either transpire the less toxic forms into the air, or trap the metal above ground for easy removal.

Summary

A US' scientist has developed an approach that not only restores the power of a naturally occurring pollution buster but also boosts its effectiveness in destruction of organohalides.

The new treatment approach combines an extremely thin film of titanium dioxide with a compound known as hemin. Hemin is a naturally occurring group of compounds that contain iron atoms, the most well known of which is hemoglobin in red blood cells. After exposure to ultraviolet light, the hemin and titanium dioxide can break up organohalides at surprisingly high rates.

Summary

Santa Clara County Vector Control District specialists fumigated an entire warehouse in Mountain View, California, where Asian Tiger mosquitoes were found. It was reported that Asian tiger mosquitoes can carry the deadly dengue fever and yellow fever.

Summary

Lexmark International, Inc. has announced the setting up of the Lexmark Equipment Collection Program for used printers. This is part of Lexmark's ongoing effort to provide its customers with environmentally friendly alternatives when disposing of Lexmark products that have reached the end of their useful life.

Summary

The Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy in the US have announced the selection of 19 projects that will receive US$23 million for biomass research, development and demonstration projects. The joint grant program is part of the Bush Administration's effort to increase energy independence through the development of additional renewable energy resources from the agricultural and agroforestry sectors.

Biomass is defined as organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis. The conversion of biomass into bio-based products, fuels and energy offers significant benefits to the US through healthier rural economies, improved environmental quality and improved energy independence

Summary

The Australia government has provided Kogarah Council with Aus$1.6 million to install solar panels on the roof of Sydney's new Kogarah Town Square Development. A range of water and energy conservation measures is also incorporated in this development, which comprises of residential apartments, commercial and council owned buildings.

The building-integrated photovoltaic system is now fully operational on the Kogarah Town Square Development. Together with innovative design and a range of water and energy conservation measures put in place, the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 300 tonnes per year and deliver a 42% saving in water usage.

Summary

According to a study carried out at the Stanford University in the US, the use of diesel, rather than gasoline, engines in cars may actually encourage global warming. Although diesel cars obtain 25 to 35 percent better mileage and emit less carbon dioxide than similar gasoline cars, they can emit 25 to 400 times more mass of particulate black carbon and soot per kilometer. The warming due to soot may more than offset the cooling due to reduced carbon dioxide emissions over several decades.

Computer simulations in the study lead to the conclusion that control of particulate black carbon and soot may be the most effective method of slowing global warming. As such, removing soot emissions may have a faster effect on slowing global warming than removing carbon dioxide emissions.

Summary

The UK's House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has suggested that airlines should be taxed to limit carbon dioxide emissions. The Committee said that growth in UK aviation would accentuate global warming and destroy the UK's commitment to 60 percent cut in carbon dioxide by 2050.

The committee recommended replacing the UK current air passenger duty with an emissions charge levied on flights. It said the fuel-based emissions charge should be set initially at a level that would raise £1.5 billion per year for UK Government and be subject to an annual adjustment so that revenue will increase over time.

Summary

What is the best way to throw away leftover, expired medicines? Once the answer was flushing them down the toilet to ensure that children and animals could not stumble on the drugs and be poisoned. This mode of disposal for expired medicines is not longer acceptable.

Scientists are increasingly warning not to flush drugs as the findings of antibiotics, hormones, and other medicines in waterways have raised worrisome questions about potential health and environmental effects. Studies have linked hormone exposure to reproductive side effects in fish and environmental exposure to antibiotics may encourage development of drug-resistant germs.

The US EPA is studying whether to develop formal recommendations for disposal of expired medicines. Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration has offered the following advice to individual patient:

• Take all of a prescribed medicine so there are not leftovers, unless there is a specific reason to quit, like a bad side effect.
• Trash is better than sewer, with precautions in case children or animals get into it.
• Request pharmacies to take back expired drug as it is common in Canada and Australia. Pharmacies have programs to incinerate or otherwise dispose of inventory they cannot sell.