The dirty secret of China's economy. China's rapid growth has only worsened its environmental problems, and the government expects pollution to quadruple by 2020.
Business Week.
Wells may tap into trouble. An armor plate of clay and shale that for thousands of years has prevented surface pollution from contaminating vast underground vaults of fresh water is being breached, alarming water scientists and possibly affecting national water policy. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Two Chinese rivers threatened. The spill of about 60 tonnes of coal tar into the Dasha River in north China's Shanxi Province was the latest in a series of mishaps to degrade the country's already polluted waterways. Officials said there have been at least 76 water pollution accidents in the last six months. Taipai Times
A series of Republican- controlled Congresses allowed the industry taxes that support Superfund to expire. Over one thousand sites await cleanup, many having languished a decade or more. Superfund's plight threatens public health across the country. Over three million children live within one mile of a site. The toll of Superfund neglect.
Published by Center for American Progress.
Asbestos linked to lupus, arthritis. A new study links asbestos exposure with three autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. Science News
As oil rises in markets, rigs rise in Mississippi. The high price of oil, hovering around $70 a barrel, has brought a nearly dormant Mississippi petroleum industry roaring to life. New York Times
Reservoir of ill will. In a fight over an Australian reservoir, farmers worry about hundreds of abandoned sheep dips, contaminated with arsenic, that would be on the bottom of the new lake. Sydney Australian
The dirty truth about allergies. A study that compared lab rodents with their wild counterparts could shed light on whether overly hygienic environments cause allergies and autoimmune disease. New Scientist
The fast talking governor who has a plan to fuel the American dream. The governor of Montana reached into the pocket of his black jeans, pulled out a vial of liquid and banged it on the table in front of him with a winning smile. "Diesel," he bellowed. "It smells nasty. It is nasty." London Daily Telegraph
World's oceans reaching point of no return, says UN. The UN has warned the world's governments that humankind's exploitation of the sea could be passing the point of no return. London Times
What to do with Ground Zero's toxic tower? Building contaminated with dust and human remains looms over World Trade Center site. Associated Press
Iowa City area is shut out of disaster aid from FEMA. Two months after a tornado slammed Iowa City, residents and business owners in Johnson, Muscatine and Jones counties are facing frustration after the FEMA announced it would not be extending disaster assistance to victims. Des Moines Register
Stop this land grab. Legislation has been drafted to allow county officials to steal 25,000 acres of public land near Zion National Park to benefit themselves and well-connected private developers. Los Angeles Times
If support flows, area saves water. Conservation should become a way of life here if we want to protect our resources. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thousands of documents reveal a 40-yr trail of government deceit and neglect concerning contamination by a lead smelter in Belledune, New Brunswick. Fully aware of health risks, public servants commissioned or altered studies which were used to downplay or deny the risks, deliberately keeping victims in the dark. Dying for development -- The legacy of lead in Belledune. Published by Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Environmental risk factors play a role in more than 80% of the diseases regularly reported by the WHO. Globally, nearly one quarter of all deaths and of the total disease burden can be attributed to the environment. Preventing disease through healthy environments. Published by World Health Organization.
At least 180 human diseases and health conditions are linked by human research to environmental exposures. Of 198 diseases surveyed, 123 have strong links to exposures. The majority of chemicals have not been tested for potential toxic effects, even those some are commonly found in contexts that will lead to human exposures. CHE Toxicant and Disease Database. Published by Collaborative on Health and the Environment.