Chemical Safety Helpdesk

3941. February 17, 2013 | Pakistan Observer
Pollution rises to alarming level in Capital, Pakistan
Islamabad—Environmental pollution has increased to alarming level in the federal capital, which is also adversely affecting the adjoining areas of the city...

3942. February 17, 2013 | StatesmanJournal
More toxic chemicals released in Oregon, USA
The amount of toxic chemicals released to Oregon’s air, land and water increased by 26 percent in 2011, according to new data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency...

3943. February 16, 2013 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP-China Cooperation Solidifies With Shanghai Agreement on Green Economy, Fighting Illegal Wildlife Trade and Youth Engagement , UNEP
Senior Chinese and UNEP Officials Ink Deals at Opening of Green Shanghai Art Photography Exhibition on Eve of Governing Council Meeting...

3944. February 16, 2013 | The Observer
Chinese struggle through 'airpocalypse' smog, China
Pollution has hit record levels recently, prompting citizens to ask if they're paying for economic growth with their health...

3945. February 16, 2013 | The Washington Post
Are bans on plastic bags making people sick? Not so fast, USA
Everyone loves counterintuitive studies. They make for catchy headlines. And so, last fall, when two academics posted a working paper suggesting that San Francisco’s eco-friendly ban on plastic bags might actually be killing people, it was too good to ignore...

3946. February 16, 2013 | latimes.com
Fairbanks area, trying to stay warm, chokes on wood stove pollution, USA
Wood-burning stoves give the Fairbanks, Alaska, area some of the worst winter air pollution in the country...

3947. February 16, 2013 | ABC News
Chemical container explodes at Melbourne factory, Australia
Eight people have been treated for exposure to chemicals and fumes after an explosion at a steel recycling factory in Melbourne's western suburbs...

3948. February 15, 2013 | Detroit Free Press
Chemical spill affects Adrian neighborhood, USA
Residents in an Adrian neighborhood have been ordered to stay in their homes and roads are closed nearby as a chemical release disperses, according to emergency officials...

3949. February 15, 2013 | Saffron Walden Weekly Newspaper
Man dies in chemical incident at house, UK
A man in his 40s has died following a chemical incident at a house...

3950. February 15, 2013 | ENN
Marine pollution incidents kill thousands of seabirds - and it could be legal!, UK
Between 29 January and 6 February 2013, more than 500 seabirds, mainly guillemots, were killed or rendered helpless by a mystery substance from a pollution event off the south coast of England...

3951. February 14, 2013 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
First Universal Session of UNEP Governing Council to Galvanize New Environmental Era in Support of a Sustainable Century , Kenya
40th Anniversary Book Launched Highlighting the Struggles and Successes of UNEP Since 1972...

3952. February 14, 2013 | UPI
Gas provider sued over chemical leak, USA
MOBILE, Ala., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A lawsuit against an Alabama natural gas provider alleges it may have leaked more than 6,000 pounds of mercaptan into a community's groundwater...

3953. February 14, 2013 | Welwyn Hatfield Times
Toxic waste row as poisonous mineral left on childrens’ play site, UK
Reverend Lesley-Ann Craddock discovered the poisonous mineral on a fly-tipped site when out walking her dog in Holwell Hyde Lane last August...

3954. February 14, 2013 | Common Dreams
Scientists: US Must Act Now Against 'Dangers' of Toxic Plastics, USA
Scientists are proposing to reclassify the most polluting of plastics as hazardous materials hopefully enabling governments to do something about the 140 million tons of plastic that litter our roadsides, waterways and shorelines each year...

3955. February 14, 2013 | The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)
Coming Soon to China: At-Home Toxic Food Test Kits, China
Fearful of accidentally chomping down on cardboard-stuffed dumplings or toxic chicken, Chinese consumers may soon be able to run safety tests on their food before putting it in their mouths...

3956. February 14, 2013 | cyprus-mail.com
Toxic factories shut down, Cyprus
THE labour ministry announced yesterday that it had issued notice, effective immediately, for the closure of the two chemical factories in Pera-Chorio Nisou...

3957. February 13, 2013 | The Washington Post
Chemical spill into Montana river spurs water monitoring but minimal problems anticipated, USA
BILLINGS, Mont. — Montana authorities are monitoring downstream water supplies after a chemical spill into a Yellowstone River tributary near the Wyoming border...

3958. February 11, 2013 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP team in Nigeria to discuss steps needed to implement Ogoniland Report, Kenya/Nigeria
UNEP also highlighted that due to high rainfall in Ogoniland, any delay in cleaning up oil spills would worsen the current levels of contamination...

3959. February 11, 2013 | Leaving on Earth
Air Date: Week of February 8, 2013, China
Deadly smogs in the mid-20th century caused the United States and Great Britain to pass clean air legislation. Now, Beijing has the world’s thickest smog, and the health problems could be serious...

3960. February 11, 2013 | Environmental Health News
California unveils new flammability standard that avoids chemicals in furniture, USA
California unveiled a proposal on Friday that would transform its controversial fire safety standards by dropping a requirement that has led to widespread use of flame retardants in U.S. couches and other furniture...