Chemical Safety Helpdesk

February 15, 2012 | 13WHAM.com
Chemical Leak At Avon Plant, USA
Avon, N.Y. - Police and hazmat crews were called to the Kraft Foods Plant 11:30 Monday night after reports of a chemical leak... February 15, 2012 | Scotman.com
Air pollution linked to raised heart attack risk, France
Scientists have linked exposure to air pollution to an increased risk of heart attack... February 14, 2012 | The Gulf Today
Toxic drugs seen in Whitney death,USA
LOS ANGELES: Pop icon Whitney Houston may have died from a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol, reports said early Monday... February 14, 2012 | UTSASanDiego.com
Air pollution might harm brain, study says, USA
It’s well established that dirty, sooty air is no good for your lungs and probably not great for your skin. But new research indicates it can damage your brain, too... February 14, 2012 | NewsInferno
Methane Pollution from Fracking May be Underestimated, USA
According to a Christian Science Monitor report on a new study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a fracking well near Boulder, Colo., is allowing at least 4 percent of its “gross annual production” to escape into the air... February 14, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Countries Call for Blue Economy to Protect the Mediterranean, France
Mediterranean countries and the European Union meeting in Paris have called for a "blue" economy to be set up to safeguard and promote a clean, healthy, productive Mediterranean environment... February 13, 2012 | Voice of America
Toxic Waters Threaten Johannesburg, Africa
The discovery of gold was the reason for the birth and the rise of Johannesburg, long called the "City of Gold." But a century later, those same mines, where toxic water has built up in abandoned shafts... February 13, 2012 | The Associated Press (AP)
17 to hospital after Calif. hotel chemical spill, USA
A hazardous materials spill at a Monterey, Calif., hotel sent more than a dozen workers to the hospital and led to the evacuation of about 200 guests... February 13, 2012 | Chicago News Cooperation
Power Station’s Closing Could Create Problems, USA
For years, environmental and health organizations have called for the closing of the 83-year-old coal-fired State Line Power Station, one of the Chicago area’s top polluters... February 13, 2012 | ANP/AFP
Italy court sentences two in asbestos trial, Italy
A Swiss billionaire and a Belgian baron were found guilty and sentenced to 16 years each in prison by an Italian court on Monday in a groundbreaking trial over 3,000 alleged asbestos-related deaths... February 13, 2012 | The New York Times
With Tips From Whistle-Blowers, More Hands on Deck in Pollution Cases, Baltimore
BALTIMORE — Nothing seemed amiss aboard the Maltese cargo ship Aquarosa when Chief Warrant Officer William D. Dodson and his Coast Guard inspection team climbed the gangway... February 13, 2012 | California Watch
Southern Californians at risk of death from air pollution, EPA says, USA
Southern Californians are among those at highest risk of death due to air pollution, according to recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency research published in the journal Risk Analysis... February 13, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
From Soil Carbon to Decommissioning Nuclear Reactors, UNEP Year Book Highlights Key Emerging Issues, Kenya
Dramatic improvements in the way the world manages its precious soils will be key to food, water and climate security in the 21st century... February 12, 2012 | The Guardian
Fukushima reactor readings raise reheating concern, Japan
Temperature inside No 2 reactor may have risen to 82C, and Tepco reportedly steps up cooling efforts... February 11, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Blue Planet Prize Winners Call for Transformational Change to Achieve Sustainable Development, UNEP
A group of the world's leading scientists and experts in sustainable development today called for urgent changes to policies and institutions to enable humanity to tackle environmental crises and improve human wellbeing... February 10, 2012 | The Times of India (TOI)
2 pollution check centres sealed, India
CHANDIGARH: State transport authority has sealed two pollution check centres in the city for discrepancies... February 10, 2012 | Reuters
Beijing to cut air pollution by 15% by 2015, China
BEIJING -- China's heavily polluted capital plans to reduce air pollution levels by 15 percent by 2015 and 30 percent by 2020 by phasing out old cars, relocating factories and planting new forests, state media said on Feb. 9... February 10, 2012 | Environmental Health News
Is cadmium the new lead? Link reported between the ubiquitous metal and kids with learning disabilities, USA
It’s a heavy metal. It’s linked to learning problems in school children. And every child is exposed. Sounds like lead? It’s cadmium... February 10, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Tara Oceans expedition arrives in New York City, USA
The French scientific research vessel, Tara Oceans, which is backed by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), has made a stopover at UN headquarters in New York as part of its campaign to raise awareness on the state of the oceans and marine life... February 10, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Domestic Consumption is Main Contributor to Africa's E-Waste, Swizerland
UN Report Finds Imports of Waste Electronics from Europe Continue to Add to Problem... February 9, 2012 | Stuff.co.nz
Lake Horowhenua toxic enough to kill a child, New Zealand
Water in Lake Horowhenua is so toxic that it could kill a small child, regional councillors have been told... February 9, 2012 | IOL.co.za
Toxic liquor kills 30 in India, India
New Delhi - The death toll among people who drank illegally brewed toxic liquor rose to 30 on Thursday in India's eastern state of Orissa, media reports said... February 9, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
From Soil Carbon to Nuclear Reactors: UNEP Yearbook Outlines Major Emerging Issues for Global Environment, Kenya
Launch to Include Media Preview of UNEP Governing Council... February 8, 2012 | healthinsurance.co.uk
Toxic hip replacements increase cancer risk, UK
The health risk of metal on metal hip replacements rises as research signals the devices increase cancer risk. Read what is happening here... February 8, 2012 | Monsters & Critics
24 die after drinking toxic liquor in eastern India, India
New Delhi - At least 24 people died after drinking illegally-brewed poisonous alcohol in India's eastern state of Orissa, media reports said Wednesday... February 8, 2012 | AAP
Toxic chemicals found in Pilliga NSW soil, Australia
The NSW government should suspend all coal seam gas (CSG) exploration licences following reports toxic chemicals were detected in Pilliga State Forest, the opposition says... February 8, 2012 | BBC
Smoky coal raises pollution level, UK
The Department of the Environment has warned of the lung cancer risk posed by households in Northern Ireland's urban areas burning smoky coal... February 8, 2012 | straitstimes.com
China officials on alert after Yangtze chemical leak, China
SHANGHAI (REUTERS) - Shanghai authorities are on alert after a chemical leak polluted the Yangtze River, the main source of water for China's most populous city,... February 7, 2012 | The Associated Press (AP)
5 hurt in chemical blast at South Carolina State, USA
ORANGEBURG, S.C.- Five people have been hurt in an explosion in a science building at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg... February 7, 2012 | ContraCostaTimes.com
Smoky air can harm dogs and cats, too, says vets and pollution experts, USA
Spare the air. Spare the human health. Now, spare the pets... February 7, 2012 | CNA
Pollution in 32 gas stations exceeds allowable levels: EPA, Taiwan
Taipei, Feb. 7 (CNA) Pollution in soil and underground water in 32 gas stations exceeds allowable levels, with three of them reaching an extent that requires remedial measures, the Environment.. February 7, 2012 | SCMP.com
Cadmium plants given marching orders, China
All heavy-metal smelting plants in Hechi , Guangxi province, will be relocated by 2015, a move that comes amid ongoing efforts to tackle a toxic cadmium spill that has threatened the drinking water of millions of people for weeks... February 7, 2012 | News24
Nigeria poisoning 'worst in modern history', Nigeria
Lagos - A lead poisoning epidemic in Nigeria's north that has killed 400 children and affected thousands is the worst in modern history, but cleanup has not even begun in many areas, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday... February 7, 2012 | The National
3,000 tonnes of waste dragged from creek, Dubai
DUBAI // Authorities are urging boat owners to stop emptying dirty water and diesel into the Dubai Creek, after more than 3,000 tonnes of waste, mostly black mud, was dragged from the creek bed... February 7, 2012 | Bloomberg
Carbon Capture Projects Imperiled by Worst-Case Scenario: Energy, Africa
The cloud of carbon dioxide that burst out of Lake Nyos in Cameroon and asphyxiated 1,700 people haunts the plans of oil and power companies to bury their greenhouse gases underground... February 7, 2012 | The Hindu
Rise in Bangalore's temperature attributed to high carbon emissions, India
Bangalore, which was once known for its salubrious climate, is getting hotter by the day because of the rise in global and local pollution levels, according to J. Srinivasan, Chairman of the Divecha Centre for Climate Change... February 7, 2012 | Voice of America
Lead Poisoning Rampant Among Nigerian Children Rights Group Says, Africa
Thousands of children in northwestern Nigeria are in urgent need of treatment for lead poisoning... February 7, 2012 | The Washington Post
Reports: China environmental accidents on rise, chemicals industry key cause, as costs mount, China
SHANGHAI — Environmental accidents are on the rise in China, mainly due to chemicals industry-related traffic and industrial mishaps, and the costs of such damage to the economy are rising... February 7, 2012 | Environmental Health News
Childhood obesity linked to phthalate exposure, USA
Higher urinary concentrations of phthalates most commonly used in personal care products were associated with body size measures in overweight children... February 7, 2012 | latimes.com
Proposed Utah mine expansion reflects politics of coal, USA
An obstacle to greening L.A.'s energy portfolio is the DWP's contract with a Utah plant, which requires the city to buy coal power until 2027... February 7, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Top Kenyan Athletes Support Half-Marathon Run to Celebrate UNEP's 40th Anniversary, Kenya
Kenya's top runners will join the public later this month for a half-marathon to mark the fortieth anniversary of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)... February 6, 2012 | IOL.co.za
Decades of toxic waste in KZN, African
Decades after the first drums of toxic sludge began to pile up in SA, the government has failed to get rid of more than 3 000 tons of mercury waste stored at the old Thor Chemicals factory in KwaZulu-Natal... February 6, 2012 | physorg.com
Climate risk of toxic shock, Australia
The effects of climate change could expose Australians to greater risks from toxic contamination, a leading scientist has warned... February 6, 2012 | UPI
Pollution takes heavy toll on China, China
BEIJING, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- China is paying a high price for pollution resulting from the country's soaring economic development fueled by low energy costs, an environmental report claims... February 6, 2012 | Bloomberg BNA
EPA Accepts Industry Methods for Calculating Warming Potential of Fluorinated Gases, USA
The Environmental Protection Agency has made a preliminary decision to accept industry methods for calculating the global warming potential of seven fluorinated greenhouse gases... February 6, 2012 | abcactionnews
Study: Children most vulnerable to second-hand smoke, USA
Danny Rhodes appreciates fresh, clean air. When he can, the father of two enjoys the outdoors with his family. Not a fan of cigarettes, Rhodes can't imagine allowing his kids in a confined space, such as a car, filled with second-hand smoke... February 6, 2012 | The Guardian
Use Rio+20 to overhaul idea of growth, urges EU climate chief, EU
Connie Hedegaard says GDP model of growth causes overconsumption, drives up commodity prices and ignores the environment... February 6, 2012 | Thanh Nien News
Vietnam among top 10 countries for worst air pollution, Vietnam
Vietnam is among the top 10 countries with the worst air pollution, according to a study released during this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos... February 6, 2012 | Reuters
Male smokers lose brain function faster as they age, UK
Men who smoke suffer a more rapid decline in brain function as they age than their non-smoking counterparts, with their cognitive decline as rapid as someone 10 years older but who shuns tobacco, scientists said on Monday... February 6, 2012 | MinnPost
After decades of warnings and pollution controls, newborns arrive with a burden of mercury, USA
I hold one share in the corporate earth and am uneasy about the management. — E.B. White, "Sootfall and Fallout," 1956... February 6, 2012 | Environmental Health News
'Inactive' phthalates widespread in medications, USA & Canada
The use of phthalates as inactive ingredients in medicines and supplements is common but possible health risks from these exposures is not known... February 6, 2012 | Nature News & Comment
US environment agency misses dioxin deadline, USA
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has missed a self-imposed deadline to release recommendations for the regulation of dioxins...