Health and Pollution : Newsfile
There are 113 documents in this section.
Sub-Saharan Africa goes lead free
19 January 2006
A promise made three years ago to rid Sub-Saharan Africa of leaded petrol has been met. This month saw the complete phase out of leaded petrol and deisel fuel from the region. And by 2008, the whole world should be using lead-free vehicle fuels.
Digital divide becomes a digital dump
16 January 2006
A large proportion of the old computers exported from advanced nations to developing countries can no longer be used and end up on informal rubbish dumps in poor countries, posing a threat to people and the environment. Instead of closing the 'digital divide' between rich and poor countries, a 'digital dump' has been created in the poor nations, says a new study.
Developing countries funded for ozone safe technology
28 December 2005
A budget of US$470 million to support developing countries as they switch to technologies that do not deplete the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer has been approved by the member states of the Montreal Protocol. The funds will be used during the three-year period 2006 to 2008.
EU guilty of 'chemical betrayal' says WWF
13 December 2005
The EU Council of Ministers today rejected a crucial principle adopted last month by the European Parliament in the REACH chemicals legislation: the requirement to substitute hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives whenever possible.
China exposed in global CFC racket
13 December 2005
New evidence was revealed today of the leading role played by Chinese firms in the worldwide illegal trade in ozone-destroyingCFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
Avian flu early warning alert agreed
22 November 2005
An avian flu early warning system, able to alert countries and communities to the arrival of potentially infected wild birds, is to be developed by an alliance of organizations led by the United Nations.
Are plastics killing us?
20 November 2005
Few chemicals on the planet enjoy more use than bisphenol A. We come into contact with it every day in tin-can linings, CDs, electronics, sports equipment, cars and baby bottles, just to name a few products. More than six billion pounds of it are made each year. However, tiny amounts of BPA can leach out and new research shows it can get into us - a study done this year for the US Centers for Disease Control found the chemical in 95 per cent of American urine samples.
Euro MPs vote for major chemicals law
17 November 2005
The European Parliament today voted in the long-contested legislation which, if approved by the Council of Ministers, will lead to the safety testing of thousands of chemicals used in everyday products.
Nigerian court rules to stop gas flaring
15 November 2005
In a historic judgment, the Federal High Court of Nigeria has ordered companies to stop gas flaring in the Niger Delta, as it violates guaranteed constitutional rights to life and dignity.
Chronic diseases will kill 35 million in 2005
14 November 2005
Chronic diseases, such as heart and lung disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes, will take the lives of an estimated 35 million people in 2005. That is double the number of deaths from all infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies combined, according to a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
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