Chemical Safety Helpdesk

5021. June 19, 2012 | NaturalNews
Natural antibacterial alternatives to triclosan & other toxic chemicals, NaturalNews
There are several chemicals used today in "antibacterial" personal care and hygiene products which are toxic to the human body. Perhaps the most toxic is one named triclosan. Triclosan is a controversial chemical linked to hormonal disruption and various types of cancer...

5022. June 19, 2012 | cleveland.com
Water from your hose may be toxic, study says, USA
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ah, the simple joys of summer: running through the sprinkler, planting tomatoes in the garden and taking a cold drink from the hose on a hot day...

5023. June 18, 2012 | Al Jazeera English
Biodiversity Leaders call for Valuing Natures Services to Achieve Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation, Brazil
Activists in Malaysia have expressed concern about the environmental implications of Australian mining firm Lynas' plans to operate a rare earth refining plant on the country's east coast...

5024. June 18, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
'Rhino under Threat' Film Premieres at Rio+20, Switzerland/Brazil
Geneva/Rio de Janeiro, United Nations TV (UNTV), and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) launched today at Rio + 20 the film Rhino under threat...

5025. June 18, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP Launches Global Initiative for Resource Efficient Cities, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners have unveiled a new initiative that aims to reduce pollution levels, improve resource efficiency and reduce infrastructure costs in cities across the world...

5026. June 18, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Working Towards a Sustainable UN, Kenya
Reputation is a key asset for any organization, and the United Nations is no different. That is why it is critical that the organizations that make up the United Nations system clearly demonstrate that they adhere to the same principles that they promote...

5027. June 18, 2012 | Al Jazeera English
Oceans of pollution, General
Scientists and experts are alarmed at amount of plastic debris and growing 'dead zones' in the world's oceans...

5028. June 18, 2012 | The Times of India (TOI)
‘High pesticide levels in groundwater’, India
NEW DELHI: The groundwater that most of Delhi relies on when water shortage leaves taps dry is probably far more contaminated than we can imagine...

5029. June 18, 2012 | Khaleej Times/IANS
Plastic bottle compound harms several generation, United Arab Emirates
Exposure to low doses of Bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic man-made chemical, during gestation has immediate and long-lasting trans-generational effects on the brain and social behaviour, says a study...

5030. June 18, 2012 | Abilene Reporter-News
Lead exposure more dangerous than thought, USA
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided that exposure to lead poses more of a danger to children than previously thought...

5031. June 18, 2012 | getreading.co.uk
Increased use of pesticide 'killing England's bees', UK
Increased use of pesticides is killing off the nation’s bees and putting pollination at risk, according to scientists at The University of Reading...

5032. June 18, 2012 | Yahoo! News/Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Rio+20: Brazilian pitch for summit deal runs into crossfire, Brazil
Brazil on Sunday pushed a deal for a looming global summit on poverty and the environment, but its draft ran into objections from Europe and criticism from activists, who said it fell dismally short...

5033. June 18, 2012 | This is Wiltshire
Asbestos legacy still takes its toll, UK
DOZENS of men and women are dying every year from ‘Swindon Disease’ as the deadly legacy of workplace exposure to asbestos continues to takes its toll...

5034. June 18, 2012 | The Nigerian Tribune
Diesel engine exhaust causes lung cancer in humans, Nigeria
Exposure to diesel exhaust can have both long and short term health effects. Experts, based on new evidences, state that diesel exhaust fumes may be in same category as tobacco, alcohol and asbestos as cancer-causing substances...

5035. June 18, 2012 | Daily Review
Air quality concerns raised as gas compressor stations multiply, USA
The number of natural gas compressor stations planned for Northeast Pennsylvania is multiplying as companies lay more pipelines to carry Marcellus Shale gas to customers...

5036. June 18, 2012 | Common Dreams
EPA Refuses to Control Pollution From Ships, Aircraft and Non-road Engines, USA
WASHINGTON - June 18 - The EPA announced that it would not take action to control global warming pollution from major mobile sources at this time...

5037. June 18, 2012 | BBC
Alert over suspected Peterborough river chemical spill, UK
The Environment Agency is warning people to stay away from a Peterborough river because of a suspected chemical spill at the weekend...

5038. June 18, 2012 | Bangkok Post
Chemical reaction: How to clean dangerous toxins from your body, Thailand
The recent arrest of a scrap dealer who allegedly splashed toilet-cleaning liquid on people may put an end to the public's fear of random attacks. However, not many people realise that they are often exposed to toxic substances in everyday life in their own home...

5039. June 17, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UN Opens Major Congress to Promote Role of Law in Achieving Sustainable Development, Brazil/Kenya
Rio de Janeiro / Nairobi, A major United Nations congress to examine the positive role justice, law and governance can play to meet international goals on the environment, gets underway today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...

5040. June 17, 2012 | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
A New Balance Sheet for Nations: Launch of Sustainability Index that Looks Beyond GDP, Brazil
Rio, The world's fixation on economic growth ignores a rapid and largely irreversible depletion of natural resources that will seriously harm future generations, according to a report which today unveiled a new indicator aimed at encouraging sustainability...