CO2 emissions could violate EPA ocean-quality standards within decades

September 20, 2007 07:11 AM - Carnegie Institution

In a commentary in the September 25, 2007, issue of the Geophysical Research Letters (GRL), a large team of scientists state that human-induced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will alter ocean chemistry to the point where it will violate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Quality Criteria [1976] by mid-century if emissions are not dramatically curtailed now.

Sharing The Toy Recall Blame

September 19, 2007 04:58 PM - Paul Mayne , University of Western Ontario

Since early August, more than 20 million toys have been recalled over lead paint concerns and pieces of toys possibly being hazardous to children. Right or wrong, the "Made in China" label on toys has developed a black eye. But a research report released earlier this week reveals that placing all the blame on China's factories and workers is unfounded because more than three-quarters of toy recalls in recent years were triggered by design faults instead of manufacturing defects.  

Hydrogen Shuttle Busses At The University of Missouri

September 19, 2007 02:06 PM - Paul Schaefer, ENN

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., - University of Missouri-Rolla students returning to fall classes treated to hydrogen powered shuttle busses - the state's first-ever demonstration program featuring hydrogen as an alternative fuel to power campus shuttle bus services. You can thank a company called Air Products for the development of hydrogen fueling technology and hydrogen infrastructure. The university and the company installed mobile hydrogen fueler technology at a nearby industrial park to provide fuel daily for the state's first hydrogen-powered shuttle bus service.

"It is always exciting to be part of a team leading the introduction of a new technology, and a college campus is a great place to showcase technological innovations," said Bob Kelly, business development manager for Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products. "The shuttle buses fueled by Air Products will travel campus streets daily to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. We are pleased to be part of the team and commend the University of Missouri-Rolla for being a leader and promoting the use of alternative fuels and transportation."

One in four Americans "very worried" by China imports

September 19, 2007 11:06 AM - Missy Ryan, Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Around 78 percent of Americans worry about the safety of Chinese imports, and a quarter have stopped buying food from China, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

Almost 35 percent of people polled said they were "very worried," and 43 percent "somewhat worried," about the safety of food and other Chinese goods. The survey followed a series of frightening reports of toys laced with lead paint, seafood containing banned antibiotics, contaminated toothpaste, and other risky products from China, a big U.S. trading partner.

The recall of hundreds of thousands of toys contaminated with lead paint from leading toymaker Mattel have been particularly troubling for parents.

HP Expands Global Recycling Program in China

September 19, 2007 08:25 AM - HP

BEIJING, – HP announced it has extended its recycling program beyond corporate customers to include consumers and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).  Customers can drop off HP-branded technology equipment at HP service centers in 31 major cities in China. HP will accept free of charge any HP printer, scanner, fax machine, notebook or desktop computer, monitor, handheld device, camera and associated external components such as cables, mice and keyboards. After collection, HP will consolidate the products and sort for recycling locally in China.

Recalled Mattel Toys: 200 Times Legal Lead Limit

September 18, 2007 06:40 PM - Diane Bartz, Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Toymaker Mattel Inc's recent recalls involved toys that had nearly 200 times the amount of lead in paint as allowed by U.S. law, the company said in a letter released to a congressional subcommittee on Tuesday.

The largest U.S. toymaker recalled millions of Chinese-made toys in August and September due to hazards from small powerful magnets and lead paint. Mattel's Fisher-Price unit recalled about 1.5 million toys because of excessive lead paint on the products based on popular characters from "Sesame Street" and "Dora the Explorer."

In L.A. Traffic, Drivers Lose 72 Hours A Year

September 18, 2007 02:23 PM - Joan Gralla, Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Los Angeles metropolitan area led the nation in traffic jams in 2005, with rush-hour drivers spending an extra 72 hours a year on average stuck in traffic, according to a study released on Tuesday.

The metropolitan areas of San Francisco-0akland, Washington, D.C.-Virginia-Maryland, and Atlanta were tied for the second most gridlocked areas, according to the study by the Texas Transportation Institute.

Drivers in those three areas spent an extra 60 hours on average during peak periods, defined as 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the study found.

How "Organic" Is Organic? New Calls For Testing Organic Foods For GMO's

September 18, 2007 11:12 AM - Ken Roseboro, The Organic and Non-GMO Report

Should organics be tested for GMOs?
A recent disturbing incident of GMO contamination of organic soybeans raises the question of whether organic foods should be tested for genetically modified material. The US National Organic Program (NOP) rules prohibit GMOs in organics but don’t require methods to prohibit GMO contamination or establish thresholds for adventitious GM presence. The Organic & Non-GMO Report asked organic industry experts if organics should be tested for GMOs.

EasyJet boss calls for polluter tax on planes

September 18, 2007 10:53 AM -

LONDON (Reuters) - British low-cost airline easyJet called on Tuesday for the government to scrap airport taxes on passengers and replace them with taxes on aircraft that penalize the heaviest polluters.

EasyJet Chief Executive Andy Harrison told reporters at a briefing at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress in London that there were roughly 15 types of passenger aircraft, and the system should be banded to take account of their fuel efficiency.

EasyJet runs a relatively young fleet of planes that are more fuel-efficient than older models.

Retailers push reusable bags to save money, environment

September 17, 2007 12:10 PM - Michelle R. Smith, Associated Press

When Katrina Gamble goes grocery shopping, she brings her list and her bags — a pair of sturdy canvas bags she bought a few months ago for $4.99 at her local grocery store."It works just as well," said Gamble, 30, a political science professor at Brown University, adding, "It's better for the environment."