The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
Tens of thousands of American families may be living in buildings once used as methamphetamine labs - most of them oblivious to the fact. Some who have learned of their home's history similarly attribute mysterious ailments to the toxic legacy of illicit drug manufacture, but like Katrina Evans they are …
The state environment department will come out with a roadmap next month to stop use of toxic colours on idols so that the Hooghly is not polluted during immersion. At a recent meeting of the state pollution control board, researchers and academics had expressed concern about the extent of the …
Interference in a state government undertaking by the state environment department is not a frequent occurrence. But Mackintosh Burn has been pulled up for creating severe sound pollution at the construction site of the underground car parking plaza, bang opposite the Writers' Buildings. The car park project has been undertaken …
spoiling act: A group of activists has alleged that a few countries led by Canada are sabotagingun's Rotterdam Convention. The ten-year old convention aims to control global trade in hazardous chemicals. Environmental, gender, labour and health groups from India and abroad have, in a joint statement, said the countries, including …
The importance of environment enhanced in India in the aftermath of Stockholm Conference (1972)when steps were taken on environmental protection and conservation at the national level. This led to development of Environment Statistics which, to a large extent, are used to explain the relationship between the economic activities and their …
At least two industrial workers were killed and seven others received burn wounds in an explosion at a chemical unit in the Tarapur MIDC early on Sunday. Two workers were killed and seven others received burn injuries in an explosion in a chemical unit in Tarapur MIDC, the industrial estate …
Some of the paints may contain formaldehyde and benzene, which are carcinogenic while others have heavy metals like lead, mercury and phthalates, which are human and ecosystem toxins, writes Deepti Adlakha Make right choice: There is more to paint, especially harmful ingredients that one must take note of. There's nothing …
The number of child workers in hazardous jobs is increasing because of rising poverty, said a report on child rights situation in Bangladesh prepared by the children for the Committee on the Rights of the Child which monitors the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. …
The industry is worth around Rs 15 crore in Tamil Nadu of which Chennai alone accounts for around Rs 3 crore. Most bindis, however, come to the State from Maharashtra BY ZUBEDA HAMID They are ubiquitous. Designer bindis, pottus of all shapes and sizes, little pots of colour and kumkum …
The bindi, the ubiquitous mark on the forehead of Indian women is facing a problem in the distant United States where a manufacturer has been forced to withdraw a batch along with other cosmetics products from the market owing to its high lead content. In the land of its birth, …
High levels of lead were found in a handful of well-known baby products made of vinyl plastic by an environmental group based in California that spread the word about lead on vinyl baby bibs and lunchboxes. The products include a Medela-brand cooler for storing breast milk, a cooler sold with …
Ana M Soto, professor at the Tufts Medical School at Massachusetts in the us, made an important discovery while working with breast cancer cells in 1989. She found that some of the tissues were proliferating without stimulation when stored in plastic tubes. An investigation indicated that the plastic tubes had …
dow Corning Corporation, the us- based silicon-manufacturing major, has announced it will use the plasma-based gasification process to recycle hazardous chemical waste. This will be the first commercial use of the Plasma Enhanced Melter technology in the us. Dow Corning will use the technology at its facility in Midland, Michigan. …
new evidence has emerged showing that the Norwegian ship Blue Lady sent to India for dismantling may have radioactive material on board. Tom Haugen, former project manager of the ship (formerly known as SS Norway), recently submitted a letter in this regard to the Committee of Technical Experts (cte) set …
eu dumping rules: On June 12, European Union (EU) laid down rules to check illegal dumping of hazardous materials in developing countries. An update of 1993 EU regulations, the new rules require EU governments to carry out inspections and make spot checks of ships in their territory. It also gives …
An international consortium of scientists recently emphasised on the irreversible harm that toxic chemicals can cause to foetuses and infants. The consensus was reached at the International Conference on Foetal Programming and Developmental Toxicity held in May at the north Atlantic Faroe Islands. Over 200 experts came out with the
phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. But for the first time, a study has shown that these compounds, commonly found in lubricants, pesticides, paints and cosmetics, can lead to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance in adult men. Researchers from the department of community and preventive medicine of the University of Rochester …
Alang's woes On March 12, 2007, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of a case against the Norwegian asbestos-laden ship Blue Lady for another six weeks. On March 8, an intervening petition was filed in the ongoing case by sarpanchs from 12 villages around the Alang-Sosiya shipbreaking yard. They argued …
