Water


Electricity From Trees?

A new finding suggests plants may play a role in electrifying the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gas Can Find a Home Underground

A new study by researchers at MIT shows that there is enough capacity in deep saline aquifers in the United States to store at least a century's worth of carbon dioxide emissions from the nation's coal-fired powerplants. Though questions remain about the economics of systems to capture and store such gases, this study addresses a major issue that has overshadowed such proposals.

Social Media Lend Support to UN's World Water Day

Companies deploy social media to raise awareness and encourage change in honor of World Water Day, March 22.

Plans for Guam Wildlife Habitat Project Move Forward

After 25 years, former waste dump converted to endangered wildlife habitat in Guam.

Pressure Increases on FDA to Ban Toxic BPA from Food Packaging

Backed by health and consumer-safety groups, a Massachussetts representative petitions FDA to take action.

Poisoning is a Major Cause of Death from Injury in the U.S.

U.S. Government raising awareness of accidental exposures during National Poison Prevention Week.

EPA, City Officials Expect New Treatment Plant Permits to Boost Boise River Water Quality

Permits call for major reductions in phosphorus; new limits on mercury, ammonia and temperature.



Rules Proposed to Limit New Uses of Potentially Harmful Chemicals

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed that companies be required to report to EPA all new uses, including in domestic or imported products, of five groups of potentially harmful chemicals. EPA also calls for additional testing on health and environmental impacts of PBDEs.

From Food Waste to Bus Fuel and Biofertilizer

Banana peel, coffee grounds and other food waste will be transformed into green fuel for Oslo’s city buses starting next year. The Norwegian capital’s new biogas plant will also supply nutrient-rich biofertilizer for agriculture.

Rental Company Faces Fine for Failing to Inform Residents about the Presence of Lead-based Paint

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a complaint against CRM Rental Management, Inc. of Rome, N.Y. for not informing residents of its buildings about potential lead-based paint in their apartments.

Study Shows Air Emissions Near Fracking Sites May Impact Health

In a new study, researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health have shown that air pollution caused by hydraulic fracturing or fracking may contribute to acute and chronic health problems for those living near natural gas drilling sites.

Rising Ocean Temperatures Harm Protected Coral Reefs

Special conservation zones known as marine protected areas provide many direct benefits to fisheries and coral reefs.

Plastics in Electrical Waste: Disposal or Recycling?

Every year, the editors of the scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology, select the best papers among their peer-reviewed contributions, which numbered more than 1500 in 2011 alone. This year, a contribution by Empa researchers has been awarded the title "Best Paper" in the "Policy Analysis" category. The scientists studied the proportion of restricted substances found in plastic components from waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Lung Doctors Expect Respiratory Diseases will Worsen with Global Climate Change

Worldwide increases in the incidences of asthma, allergies, infectious and cardiovascular diseases will result from a variety of impacts of global climate change, including rising temperatures, worsening ozone levels in urban areas, the spread of desertification, and expansions of the ranges of communicable diseases as the planet heats up, the professional organization representing respiratory and airway physicians stated in a new position paper.

Kids Go Green with EPA Partnership Programs

Kids Go Green with EPA Partnership Programs

The EPA partners with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Scholastic Inc. to bring environmental education to those most likely to bring it home.

Safety Overhaul Planned for Award Winning Bechtel Project

Bechtel Corporation announced Edward Sproat, former director of DOE’s Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, will guide senior managers of the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant in planning for a “world-class nuclear safety and quality culture.”

With Climate Change U.S. Could Face Risk From Chagas Disease

Chagas disease, a parasite-borne illness carried by kissing bugs afflicts millions of people in Central and South America today.

News Brief: Grant Funds Transportation Research Center at Carnegie Mellon

DOT recently awarded Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering and the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science a $3.5 million grant for the next two years.

Used Water Bottles Become Caps and Gowns

Graduates’ caps and gowns will be green at Michigan Technological University’s spring commencement on Saturday, April 28, 2012 — not in color, but in spirit.