The Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) has been investigating mercury-added skin lightening products (SLPs) for several years, primarily due to their health risks, their illegality under many national laws, and the prohibition by the Minamata Convention on Mercury against the manufacture and trade of mercury-added SLPs, which generally became effective …
The Prime Minister’s Office directed stakeholders on Tuesday to ban the import of toys without labels providing details on the manufactured goods and develop a standard for the toxics used in the items. A study had found that 54 percent toys in the market contained toxics such as lead, cadmium …
Kochi: Kerala health department and Pollution Control Board (PCB) have just started taking measures to minimize the use of mercury and eventually stop using instruments based on it like thermometers and BP apparatus (sphygmomanometer). India has already decided to sign the Minamata Convention on Mercury convention, which provides controls and …
Chandrapur stands second among most polluted places in the country. The health survey carried out way back in 2005-06 over the effect of pollution has revealed that nearly 50% Chandrapurians suffer from one or other kind of respiratory disease. While the hazardous industrial pollution has adversely affected humans, then how …
A study found high concentrations of cadmium in rice samples from 12 upazilas. Bangladesh came at the top followed by Sri Lanka for concentrations of cadmium in a listing of 12 countries where rice was tested for toxic metals. Cadmium had been linked to a mysterious chronic kidney disease the …
There is an alarming increase of cases of lead poisoning across the country. Across our major cities, doctors are expressing concern at this “silent epidemic”. Officials from SRL Diagnostics claimed that they receive 600 samples every month for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy which detects metal content in human body fluids. From …
Burning coal also costs companies and governments billions of pounds in disease treatment and lost working days Air pollution from Europe's 300 largest coal power stations causes 22,300 premature deaths a year and costs companies and governments billions of pounds in disease treatment and lost working days, says a major …
Arrests follow series of pit collapses in which dozens have died, and highlight social and environmental challenges of China's presence in Africa Ghanaian authorities have arrested 168 Chinese citizens for illegal goldmining, highlighting the social and environmental challenges posed by China's growing presence on the continent. In a six-day operation …
Researchers at the city-based Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) have succeeded in developing polymer materials that can filter contaminated industrial water. Head of the Materials Engineering Department Balasubramanian K, who led the project, claimed that the polymer materials can filter heavy and toxic metal ions besides dyes from the …
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Haat Supreme Wastech Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. Vs State of Haryana & Ors regarding bio-medical waste dated 22/05/2013.
The Bengal IT department has initiated the process of setting up an e-waste management and processing unit in an adjoining district of Calcutta. It is scouting for a suitable plot of land in North and South 24-Parganas and Howrah. Sources said this would ideally require not more than two acres, …
The main source of mercury in humans comes from the consumption of fish and shellfish Higher levels of mercury exposure in young adults can increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 65%, later in life, a new study has warned. The research, led by Indiana University School of …
Though Mercury happens to be the most potent and toxic contaminant across the globe it is very rarely seen and understood in its correct perspective. One of the important reasons behind this happens to be lack of information and awareness on the issue, which leads to non-engagement by all the …
Pollution standards exist only for ambient air quality and not for individual power plants, says report Emissions from coal-fired power plants is taking a heavy toll on human life across large parts of India. In 2011-2012, a first-of-its-kind study in the country estimates it resulted in a whopping 80,000 to …
The mercury density of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) will be reduced by 80 percent by 2015 in comparison to 2010, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said Tuesday. Mercury content will be cut to less than 1 mg in more than half of new CFLs, according to a plan …
Coal-powered India, along with other countries, has successfully dodged its obligations to swiftly overhaul and regulate mercury emissions in the final draft of a United Nations treaty signed in Geneva earlier this month. Instead of using greenest techniques at major mercury-emitting facilities, the countries have four other flexible options. India …
A new United Nations plan to involve all nations in marshalling science to fix environmental problems ranging from toxic chemicals to climate change will be put to the test from Monday at talks in Nairobi. The 40-year-old U.N. Environment Programme will open its annual governing council to all the world's …
Sri Lanka Ministry of Health has decided to remove all mercury-containing equipment from use in hospitals to minimize the environmental exposure to mercury in accordance with the global guidelines. The mercury-containing equipment in hospitals including old thermometers and blood pressure measuring devices (sphygmomanometers) will be replaced by new digital equipment, …
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and European Environment Bureau (EEB), Brussels have agreed to collaborate for a joint study on assessing mercury air pollution in selected cities in the country. The contract was signed by Mr. Jeremey Wates, Secretary, EEB and Dr. Abid Qayyum Suleri, Executive Director, on behalf of …
DANGEROUS levels of arsenic, lead and mercury have been discovered on a nature strip between the chemical company Orica's Port Botany plant and a large residential area, contradicting claims there is no evidence of off-site contamination or health risks. In response to Fairfax Media's investigations, the Environment Protection Authority has …
More than 140 countries have agreed on the first global treaty to cut mercury pollution through a blacklist of household items and new controls on power plants and small-scale mines, the United Nations said on Saturday. The legally-binding agreement aims to phase out many products that use the toxic liquid …
