ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, SEPTEMBER 23 – 29
STUDY: URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO CUT AIR TOXICS
Houston Chronicle 9/28/06
Concentrations of some carcinogens and respiratory irritants are much higher in Houston’s air than in other major US cities, suggesting that federal and state regulations have not curbed the risk posed by toxic air contaminants locally, a study released Wednesday concluded.
BRIEF EXPOSURE TO DIRTY AIR MAY RAISE STROKE RISK
Reuters 9/25/06
NEW YORK – The risk of death due to stroke is associated with exposure to high concentrations of air pollution about two hours before death, Japanese investigators report.
ENVIROS BEMOAN EPA’S “NEW” SOOT STANDARDS
E-Emagazine.com 9/27/06
Against the recommendations of a long list of science and health organizations – not to mention two of its own scientific advisory committees – the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week it would leave in place its 1997 standards for annual exposure to particulate pollution (soot generated from coal-fired power plants, industrial facilities and vehicles), while only moderately strengthening its daily exposure soot standard.
EARTH MAY BE AT WARMEST POINT IN 1 MILLION YEARS
Reuters 9/26/06
WASHINGTON – Earth may be close to the warmest it has been in the last million years, especially in the part of the Pacific Ocean where potentially violent El Nino weather patterns are born, climate scientists reported on Monday.
JOURNAL: AGENCY BLOCKED HURRICANE REPORT
Environmental News Network 9/27/07
WASHINGTON – A government agency blocked release of a report that suggests global warming is contributing to the frequency and strength of hurricanes, the journal Nature reported Tuesday.
PROBE LOOKS INTO PLANT BLAST’S CAUSE
Houston Chronicle 9/28/06
An investigation will continue today into the cause of a window-rattling explosion at a Bayer industrial park in Baytown that left 22 workers receiving treatment for respiratory irritations or burns.
TWENTY-TWO PEOPLE TREATED FROM BAYTOWN BLAST
RABID BATS FOUND AT SCHOOL, AND IN SUGAR LAND NEIGHBORHOOD
Fort Bend Herald and Texas Coaster 9/26/06
A bat found recently in Sugar Land’s Glen Laurel subdivision has tested positive for rabies, according to the Sugar Land Police Department’s Animal Control Division.
BAR OWNERS SAY SMOKING BAN WOULD HIT HARD
Houston Chronicle 9/26/06
Houston bar owners packed City Council chambers Monday to voice opposition to a citywide smoking ban that would prohibit their customers from lighting up.
UH TO OFFER BIOTECH DEGREE PROGRAM
Houston Business Journal 9/21/06
The University of Houston is using a $1-million grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to develop a new biotechnology baccalaureate program.
COMPANIES PLAN BIODIESEL FACILITY FOR TC
Galveston County Daily News 9/26/06
TEXAS CITY – A Houston-based biodiesel company is looking to establish its first production plant near the Port of Texas City.