An Assault on Public Protections: Regulatory Policy News in 2008 Dec 17, 2008
In March, President Bush himself to force EPA to abandon its plan to set a seasonal standard for ozone exposure tailored especially to the needs of plant life ... Yet the committee sent over 600 recommendations for action to EPA on issues like particulate matter, ozone, lead, pesticides, mercury regulation, and farm worker protections over the period that GAO reviewed. (OMB Watch)
Cigarettes are a Chemical Cocktail Dec 15, 2008
Freon is proven to eat away at the earth's ozone layer and is also in cigarette smoke. Household toxins that are in cigarettes or in cigarette smoke include: acetone (nail polish remover), ammonia (corrosive cleaner), arsenic (rodent poison) and propylene glycol (windshield cleaner). (Suite101.com)
Dangerous Sea Level Rise Imminent Without Large Reductions of Black Carbon and Implementation of Other Fast-Action Mitigation Strategies Dec 12, 2008
With its continued success in regulating ozone-depleting substances for both ozone and climate benefits, the Montreal Protocol can serve as an important model for climate. "Since the creation of the Montreal Protocol, the Parties have been conscious of the potential effects of these ozone-depleting substances on climate, but now they have openly accepted their responsibility to protect climate, with the historic agreement to accelerate the phase-out of HCFCs in September 2007 and again this year... (PR Newswire)
Panel Urges Restrictions on 2 Asthma Drugs Dec 12, 2008
Researchers are trying to find out exactly why ozone has an impact on asthma and what to do about it. Theres an on-site testing technique for exercise-induced asthma that screens athletes while in their natural environment. (WebMD)
Chemist Tames Longstanding Electron Computation Problem Dec 12, 2008
Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons that play a key role in reactions that deplete atmospheric ozone and create greenhouse gases. Radical-type reactions are also important in the design of new drugs and more efficient combustion engines. (Science Daily)
Weiner, city reps tell C.B. 10 of plans to help improve the economy Dec 12, 2008
Friday December 12, 2008. Congressman Anthony Weiner told members of C.B. 10 that job creation is the quickest way to stimulate the economy. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Congressman Anthony Weiner told members of C.B. 10 that job creation is the quickest way to stimulate the economy. (photo by David Quintana)"> Dec 12, 2008
Queens Chronicle - Weiner, city reps tell C.B. 10 of plans to help improve the economy. Friday December 12, 2008. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Fighting for Air Dec 10, 2008
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has put off an ozone cleanup deadline and avoided aggressive rules in favor of voluntary steps and taxpayer-supported cash incentives for industry. Steps that could clean the air -- requiring a type of catalytic converter for diesel trucks or using light beams to catch the dirtiest cars -- are lost in bureaucratic limbo. (Fresno Bee)
Skin Bleaching Dec 10, 2008
The sun rays passes through the protective ozone layer which filters out some of the ultraviolet light. That is why we should all worry when Scientist tell us the ozone layer is being depleted. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Seair introduces new high capacity portable wastewater treatment plants Dec 10, 2008
Similar to all other Seair portable wastewater treatment units, the PWW125 is an ozone-based treatment process that requires no consumables and is fully self-contained ... Seair's primary focus is developing and selling equipment that diffuses gases, such as oxygen, ozone or carbon dioxide, into a liquid, resulting in a supersaturated solution. (Canada Newswire)
Dill Air recalls tire valves prone to early cracks Dec 10, 2008
Dill said the valves involved in its recall may lack an additive needed to protect the rubber against ozone exposure. As a result, they may weather and crack earlier than normal. (AZCentral -- Business)
Forever hazy Dec 10, 2008
Illusions wrote on Dec 5, 2008 3:24 PM:" Mr. Herring, you know sometimes you are correct and sometimes you build a strawman that you can knockdown, thats why you are a conudrum to me. To be honest the Broadman plant does not burn high quality coal, its not their fault....shipping it from the east would make energy production costs way to high. To be honest, haze comes from "pollutants" in Western coal (It also comes from a lot of other things like winds, capture zones (the ends of valleys, etc.,... (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
U.S. issues environmental 'most wanted' list Dec 10, 2008
These fugitives allegedly smuggled chemicals that eat away the Earth's protective ozone layer, dumped hazardous waste into oceans and rivers and trafficked in polluting cars. And now the government wants help in tracking them down. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Toxics can affect kids, adults differently Dec 8, 2008
Still others, such as ozone, can exacerbate asthma, a leading medical cause of school absences, the American Lung Association says. For those, regulators try to determine how much of a chemical a person can be exposed to without getting sick, a value the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calls a "reference concentration.". (USA Today -- News)
A focus on health and the air Dec 8, 2008
htm (Facts about Ozone, Particulate Matter, Benzene and 1,3 Butadiene) more information on benzene can be obtained from MSDS data sheet MSDS No. 11697000 ANSI/ENGLISH.. TAYLOR: In previous stories, our experts have said that benzene is a pre-cursor for ozone ... What is ozone and how does it affect our health. (Lake Houston Sun, TX)
Air pollution forecasting in the offing in India Dec 7, 2008
Roy said that sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon dioxide and SPM (suspended particulate matter) such as dust, fumes, mist, and smoke are the major air pollutants of concern. The model will be used to predict the levels of these pollutants. (Times of India)
Nutrients In Water May Be A Bonus For Agriculture Dec 5, 2008
3, 2001) Nitrous oxide is an important atmospheric trace gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect and the destruction of ozone. Researchers hypothesize that one important source of atmospheric nitrous. (Science Daily)
Seminerio, 73, seeks deal to avoid long jail sentence Dec 5, 2008
According to a 17-page criminal complaint filed against Seminerio in September, the former city corrections officer used the firm Marc Consultants, based out of his Ozone Park home, to accept bribes from people who wanted him to represent their interests in the state Legislature. Investigators used an FBI agent to pose as a prospective new client and set up a witness an acquaintance of Seminerio s for 15 years to record conversations with the assemblyman. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Sikhs community is making itself heard and its presence felt Dec 5, 2008
Friday December 05, 2008. Every Sunday, dozens of Sikhs gather at the Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Center, located at 111-01 101st Ave. in Richmond Hill, to worship, socialize and eat. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Every Sunday, dozens of Sikhs gather at the Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Center, located at 111-01 101st Ave. in Richmond Hill, to worship, socialize and eat. (photo by Vladic Ravich)"> Dec 5, 2008
Queens Chronicle - Sikhs community is making itself heard and its presence felt. Friday December 05, 2008. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Asthma sufferers worried over new inhalers Dec 3, 2008
The problem is that the inhalers propel the medication with chlorofluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer ... The reason for the change in the inhalers goes back to 1987 and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer ... This multinational treaty started the effort to eliminate the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. (AZCentral -- News)
Letters to the Editor (Dec. 4) Dec 3, 2008
(7) Ozone (8) Wood dust (9) Other dust, including quartz. Even the limited construction at Newman over the summer resulted in elevated levels of quartz dust. (Needham Tab, MA)
PVC Manufacturers Agree to Reduce Air Pollutants and Strengthen Control of Hazardous Wastes Dec 2, 2008
Shintech and K-Bin have agreed to reduce emissions of ozone-depleting refrigerants by replacing six refrigeration units with units that use refrigerants that do not harm the atmosphere's protective stratospheric ozone layer. In addition, the two companies have agreed to third-party audits of their handling of ozone-depleting refrigerants, increased training, and other steps to ensure compliance with EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act ... Shintech will create a recycling program in the city... (PR Newswire)
Asthma inhalers to go 'green' on Dec. 31 Dec 2, 2008
No more chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, that damage Earth's protective ozone layer ... Still, specialists worry that some patients will try to save money with a decades-old nonprescription inhaler that contains a different drug, epinephrine, best known by the brand name Primatene Mist inhalers that also contain ozone-harming CFCs. (MSNBC -- Health)
Houston Sees Record-Low Days Of Dangerous Smog Dec 2, 2008
Houston had a record-low 16 days that exceeded federal health-based standards for ground-level ozone in the latest smog season, according to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality data ... The cleaner air is being attributed to tighter pollution controls, enhanced regulations and more favorable weather this ozone season, the Houston Chronicle reported Monday ... Days of bad ozone are down 74 percent since 1999, when Houston wrested the smog title from Los Angeles for the first time. (Click2Houston, TX)
ATTENTION, SHOPPERS: LIVES HAVE VALUE, TOO Dec 2, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 Last Update: 07:40 AM EST. Last updated: 1:30 amDecember 2, 2008 Posted: 1:25 amDecember 2, 2008. (New York Post -- Opinions)
Climate Change Opens New Avenue For Spread Of Invasive Plants Dec 1, 2008
Researchers have found that projections of increasing ozone. (July 13, 2005) The way aquatic plants respond to plant disease and climate change may have applications for managing land-based agriculture, say plant pathologists with The American Phytopathological Society. (Science Daily)
Humanity May Hold Key For Next Earth Evolution Dec 1, 2008
The early Earth would have looked a lot like the moon, pockmarked and bombarded by meteors, with very active volcanoes, no protective ozone layer, high carbon dioxide, and very likely high temperatures ... Eventually, enough oxygen built up that ozone was formed high in the atmosphere, shielding the land from harmful radiation, and allowing life to emerge from the seas. (Science Daily)
Acid rain legacy hurting lakes Nov 29, 2008
"It's a little (like) when we discovered the ozone hole. Nobody was thinking about it, and then you find this hole and everybody is out there trying to figure out what (it's doing).". (Toronto Star)
Industrial Water and Wastewater Treatment: Brazil is One of the Fastest Growing Markets Nov 28, 2008
This in turn has driven the demand for water reuse and recycling solutions as well as UASB systems that consume less energy and actually generate energy from wastewater," observes Fredrick Royan, Research Manager of Environment (Water) Markets. The briefing will benefit engineering procurement and construction (EPC) companies, manufacturers and distributors of water & wastewater treatment technology such as filtration, clarification, disinfection (UV, ozone, chlorination, etc), pre-treatment,... (PR Newswire)
Fourth man declares run in special election Nov 27, 2008
Thursday November 27, 2008. Glenn DiResto, in suit, officially declared his run in the 32nd Council District special election. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Boyfriend charged with murder of mom-to-be Nov 27, 2008
Thursday November 27, 2008. Last week, Redd, 35, was charged with her murder. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
(photo courtesy of Martin Van Buren High School)"> Nov 27, 2008
Queens Chronicle - From one school to another. Thursday November 27, 2008. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
ESCONDIDO: Citizens group, Diaz want city to cover budget gap with $19M earmarked for hotel Nov 26, 2008
"The end of what, the millennium?Mmm... how many decades will it take the occupancy tax $ to pay back 19 Million Dollars? Then Im a Radical Left Winger too. wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:46 AM:I've voted Republican my whole life but if being in favor of funding Police, Fire, Libraries etc. over a hotel pipe dream makes you a liberal then I'm a liberal left winger too.Sam Abed ran on a platform of Public Safety first. It didn't take him any time at all to break that promise did it. Go Chamber of... (North County Times)
Climate Change May Boost Exposures To Harmful Pollutants Nov 25, 2008
Ground-level ozone is a known pulmonary irritant that affects the respiratory mucous membranes, other lung tissues, and respiratory function. Exposure to elevated concentrations of ozone is associated with increased hospital admissions for pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other respiratory diseases, and with premature mortality ... Projections suggest that climate change will increase concentrations of tropospheric ozone, at least in high-income... (Science Daily)
Gas flare fine meager, says Mark Nov 25, 2008
Our ozone layers are in serious danger due to green house gas effect otherwise known as global warming and many of our people are affected by environmental gas related problems. Quite a lot of our people are losing their lives and property. (Guardian News, Nigeria)
Holing up on ozone Nov 24, 2008
Yip, not so very long ago the hole in the ozone layer was our biggest concern aerosols were the enemy, SPFs on sunscreens shot up from two to forty and misguided teachers convinced students everywhere that the hole in the ozone layer was right above them ... As it turns out, the ozone layer and global warming are not quite as unrelated as you might think and here's the good news we have been considerably more successful in dealing with that little ozone problem than we have been with the... (iAfrica.com)
Climate 'would reel from A-bombs' Nov 22, 2008
For an exchange of 100 Hiroshima-sized bombs, the modelling suggested there would be millions of deaths, as well as climate cooling and ozone damage ... The authors also note that the smoke plumes would upset stratospheric chemistry, resulting in a significant disruption of the ozone layer, depleting it by 40% over many inhabited areas and by up to 70-80% at the poles. (Yahoo News -- Nuclear Weapons)
'07 BC Mile winner Kip Deville Hong Kong-bound Nov 21, 2008
OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- It's a long way from Oklahoma to Hong Kong, the destination Monday for Kip Deville. The 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile winner, Kip Deville will be heading halfway around the world to compete in the Hong King Mile on Dec. 14. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Qns. schools improve in latest DOE report Nov 21, 2008
Likewise, John Adams High School, in Ozone Park, received the only D in Queens. The progress report system was introduced by Schools Chancellor Joel Klein last year as a way to hold schools accountable. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Rowdy teens, break-ins concern the 106th pct. Nov 21, 2008
by Stephen Geffon, Chronicle Contributor11/20/2008 Members of the 106th Precinct Community Council learned during their meeting last week in Ozone Park that a group of rowdy teenagers has been disturbing the tranquility of the Lefferts branch of the Queens Public Library, located at 103-34 Lefferts Blvd in Richmond Hill ... A group of residents from 134th Road between 97th and 99th street in Ozone Park were concerned about suspicious individuals with tools in their back pockets looking in... (Queens Chronicle, NY)
North Andover Police Log Nov 21, 2008
2, Ozone Park, NY, was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. A Methuen resident was issued a summons. (North Andover Citizen, MA)
Congress: The Waxman Wane Nov 21, 2008
During questioning of Environmental Protection Agency administrator Stephen Johnson over ozone standards, Waxman's reaction to an inquiry over House rules from ranking subcommittee Republican Issa was to slam his gavel wildly a half-dozen times and threaten Issa that "I will have you physically removed from this meeting if you don't stop.". Waxman's agenda for the future includes the "Safe Climate Act," promising that "by 2050, emissions will be 80% lower than in 1990" a verbatim echo of... (Investors Business Daily)
Qatar to have West Asia's first Ozone layer monitoring centre Nov 21, 2008
Qatar to have West Asia's first Ozone layer monitoring centre-Global Warming-Earth-The Times of India ... Qatar to have West Asia's first Ozone layer monitoring centre20 Nov 2008, 1623 hrs IST, PTI ... NEW YORK: The West Asia's first centre to monitor the health of Ozone layer, which protects the environment from the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun, is to come up in Qatar. (Times of India)
Court rules air officials need to prove public health benefit Nov 20, 2008
Officials said the rule will annually remove more than 7,500 tons of ozone-making emissions called volatile organic compounds, associated with animal feed and waste. The ruling Wednesday upheld the district's decision to limit the rule to ozone and particulate matter. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Obama warns global warming is 'urgent' threat ... Nov 19, 2008
What ever happend to our Ozone Depletion ... At any given time, ozone molecules are constantly formed and destroyed in the stratosphere ... The concentration of the ozone layer can be thought of as a stream's depth at a particular location. (The Drudge Report)
Traffic Pollution Worsens Symptoms In Asthmatic Children Nov 18, 2008
Atmospheric levels of the pollutants ozone, nitrogen dioxide and diesel particles were recorded in Mexico City during the study. The amount and type of traffic in areas inhabited by the volunteers was also recorded in order to evaluate whether diesel-fuelled vehicles had a greater impact upon respiratory health than pollution from other vehicles. (Science Daily)
UCSD Scholars Named To Head Obama Transition Teams Nov 18, 2008
" As co-leader for U.S. Trade Representative Transition, Cowhey will help evaluate policies and personnel for this cabinet-level agency, which is the lead organization for establishing U.S. trade policy. As such, Cowhey will work closely with the Transitions economic policy cluster over the next two months leading to the presidential inauguration. Cowhey, a political scientist, is an expert on international trade and regulatory issues. His newest book examines the transformation of global... (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
REGION: Study says county to get hotter, sea to rise 18 inches by 2050 Nov 18, 2008
"Ozone levels might be higher with global warming than without, but we should still be in (compliance with federal standards)," Brick said. Sharp, the skeptic, said the temperature may increase, but by a small amount. (North County Times)
House Democrats battle over energy panel Nov 18, 2008
" A Dingell spokeswoman, Jodi Seth, said the bill remains open for discussion, but called it a "pragmatic" approach that was the result of two dozen hearings. Both Dingell and Waxman have contributed money to freshmen legislators, though Waxman has done more. In the 2007-2008 election cycle, Waxman and his political action committee doled out $38,000 to first-term member seeking re-election, compared with $24,000 by Dingell and his PAC, according to Congressional Quarterly. And Dingell is... (USA Today -- News)
Region Roundup Nov 17, 2008
- Steele Ozone and Kidder County Press. LOGAN. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Cleaner air will save us money Nov 16, 2008
Our failure to meet federal standards for ozone and small particulate matter costs the Valley $1,600 per person each year ... Diesel engines get special attention because they are the single largest source of the ozone and particulate matter that pollutes our air. (Fresno Bee)
Injury forces Grade 1 winner Zaftig into retirement Nov 15, 2008
OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- The Grade 1-winning 3-year-old filly Zaftig has been retired from racing after tearing the suspensory ligament in her left hind leg, her connections said Friday. Zaftig, who beat Indian Blessing in the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont Park in June, was pointing to a start against males in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 29. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Solar Flare healed, prepped for Stuyvesant 'Cap Nov 15, 2008
OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- Solar Flare had been impressive enough in his first two North American starts that bettors sent him off as the favorite against 10 others in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. Though he disappointed his backers that day when he finished seventh, there was a valid excuse - the horse wrenched his ankle. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Suspect source Nov 15, 2008
Call: (800) 877-3400. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Brown Clouds Harm Glaciers, Agriculture Nov 15, 2008
This is because ABCs lead to the formation of particles like black carbon and soot that absorb sunlight and heat the air; and gases such as ozone which enhance the greenhouse effect of CO2 ... Damage to crops as a result of increased ground level ozone ... The report says that in parts of Asia ground level ozone can reach 50 parts per billion during February to June and peaking again between September and November at 40 parts per billion. (Science Daily)
Dusty air could stunt Pinal's growth Nov 15, 2008
In Maricopa County, where ozone and carbon monoxide are bigger sources of pollutants, stricter automobile emissions standards are just one way the state Legislature has sought to combat the problem. In Pinal, where dust is overwhelmingly the primary hazard, paving of dirt roads, tighter restrictions on the construction and gravel industry and new ordinances limiting the use of off-road vehicles could result. (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ)
Plumes of pollution stain vast swaths of sky Nov 14, 2008
Brown clouds are caused by an unhealthy mix of particles, ozone and other chemicals that come from cars, coal-fired power plants, burning fields and wood-burning stoves. They were first identified by the report's lead researcher in 1990. (News & Observer)
China's journey to the dark ages Nov 14, 2008
The clouds, known as "atmospheric brown clouds," are filled with ozone, black carbon, and soot particles. They are caused by a "soot stream" of fossil-fuel and biomass burning, deforestation and other man-made factors. (Globe and Mail)
Low temps bring brown cloud to Phoenix Nov 14, 2008
The particulate alerts, which differ from the ozone alerts issued during warmer months, usually become more frequent as temperatures fall, especially as more people use wood-burning fireplaces. If pollution levels climb too high, the county will declare a no-burn day and ask residents not to build fires. (AZCentral -- News)
Study: Dirty Air Kills More that Car Crashes Nov 14, 2008
It says meeting federal ozone and fine particulate standards could save $28 billion annually in health care costs, school absences, missed work and lost income potential from premature deaths. The price tag amounts to $1,600 annually per person in the San Joaquin Valley and $1,250 in the South Coast Air Basin. (KWTX.com, TX)
Brown cloud 'costs lives and crops' Nov 14, 2008
Scientists are still studying the impact on crops, but possible problems include falling harvests because of less energy for photosynthesis and higher ozone concentrations. "The emergence of the atmospheric brown cloud problem is expected to further aggravate the recent dramatic escalation of food prices and the consequent challenge for survival among the world's most vulnerable populations," the report said. (Aljazeera.net)
Students win with recycling wins Nov 14, 2008
The posters addressed the importance of recycling and conserving the planet s resources, while the essays touched on recycling, global warming, ozone depletion and conservation. In his winning essay, fourth-grader Ashwin Krishnaswamy answered the question, If you could be on TV for up to three minutes to convey a message about waste and environmental protection, what would you say. (Chelmsford Independent, MA)
Study: Calif. air pollution kills more than car crashes Nov 13, 2008
The study, which examined the costs of air pollution in two areas with the worst levels in the country, also said meeting federal ozone and fine particulate standards could save $28 billion annually in health care costs, school absences, missed work and lost income potential from premature deaths ... Studies have indicated a relationship between ozone and particulate pollution and asthma and other respiratory problems, including chronic bronchitis ... Hall and colleague Victor Brajer analyzed... (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Asthma 'Rescue' Inhalers Are Changing Nov 13, 2008
"The main reason for this change is that the new inhalers don't create an ozone loss," explained Dr. Ira Finegold, chief of the division of allergy and clinical immunology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. Chlorofluorocarbon propellants have been linked to destruction of the Earth's ozone layer ... But, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated that starting on Jan. 1, 2009, manufacturers would only be allowed to sell inhalers that use more environmentally friendly... (MEDLINEplus)
