Click to read:Determined Father Pursues Sept. 11 Lawsuit Sep 6, 2009
As late as 2004, BBC reported the Bhopal site is still contaminated with 'thousands' of metric tons of toxic chemicals, including benzene hexachloride and mercury-- much of it in open containers. Over 100 drinking wells near the plant were ruled unsafe. (CBS News)
Boron-based compounds trick a biomedical protein Sep 3, 2009
In June 2008, University of Oregon chemist Shih-Yuan Liu reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society his lab's synthesis of boron-nitrogen compounds with electronic and structural similarities to fundamentally important benzene molecules ... What Liu's lab created were benzene surrogates known as 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborines that possess electron-delocalized structures consistent with aromaticity -- a core concept in chemistry where rings of atoms exhibit unexpected stability. (EurekAlert!)
K'hook places temporary hold on outdoor wood boilers Aug 27, 2009
The study stated that the slow burning boilers pose a health risk by emitting hazardous fine particle matter and chemicals such as carbon monoxide, chlorinated dioxin, benzene, and others. The risk of these wood-fired water heaters, officials say, is increased by the boiler s low smoke stacks which keep the toxins low to the ground where people and animals breath. (Hudson Register Star, NY)
Some Candles Can Be Dangerous To Your Health Aug 25, 2009
They found that paraffin-based candles -- the most popular kind -- emitted toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene ... She notes that a 2007 industry-funded study found that none of the candle waxes tested -- including paraffin, soy wax, and beeswax -- produced benzene. (W-USA News, DC)
Is There Anything Too Toxic for the Pentagon to Burn? Aug 25, 2009
An Air Force study of the Balad pit conducted in 2006 by Lt. Col. Darrin L. Curtis, who said one of his research mates called it the worst environmental site I have ever personally visited, listed a number of possible contaminants at the site based on the trash, including arsenic, benzene (which comes from aircraft fuel and is linked to leukemia), carbon monoxide, cancer-causing sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, and various metals. Burning garbage in pits is not new;... (The American Conservative)
State regulator uses burn plant Aug 23, 2009
Other state customers included the Office of General Services, which had paints and inks burned in 2001 and 2005, and the Thruway Authority, which sent lead, benzene and other waste from the Tappan Zee Bridge. Another local customer was Watervliet Arsenal, where the Army paid to have waste oil disposed in 2007. (Albany Times Union)
Toxins in Cigarette Smoke Aug 23, 2009
Benzene It's a key component of pesticides and gasoline. It has been proven to cause leukemia. (Suite101.com)
Study: Some types of candles may pollute indoor air Aug 22, 2009
Paraffin-based candles emitted toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene ... They found that paraffin-based candles -- the most popular kind -- emitted toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene ... She notes that a 2007 industry-funded study found that none of the candle waxes tested -- including paraffin, soy wax, and beeswax -- produced benzene. (CNN -- Health)
Candle-lit dinners may be romantic, but can they harm your health? Aug 21, 2009
" To investigate candle emissions, the researchers burned a range of candles in the laboratory and collected the mixture of substances they gave off. Paraffin-based candles produced "clear sharp peaks" for many chemicals, mainly because burning candles does not produce high enough temperatures to combust hazardous molecules such as toluene and benzene. The scientists suggested switching to candles made from beeswax or soy, which did not release significant levels of the chemicals. EvidenceBut Dr... (BBC News -- Health)
Health: Toxins with candlelit dinners Aug 20, 2009
Side of benzene, anyone ... Benzene has been linked to cancer, especially leukemia ... The tests, performed in a German lab, detected no benzene from paraffin candles. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Candle-lit dinners can lead to cancer Aug 20, 2009
Levels of chemicals released by candles include harmful substances such as toluene and benzene, which are known to cause cancer. The study, which has been presented at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), suggests that levels can build up in closed rooms, but can be reduced through proper ventilation. (India Times, India)
9/11 Responders May Be at Raised Myeloma Risk Aug 12, 2009
"But a lot of the things they were exposed to, such as benzene, have in the past possibly been implicated with an increased incidence in the cancer. It does make theoretical sense.". According to the Leukemia oma Society, more than 15,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with multiple myeloma. (MEDLINEplus)
Opponent says project not properly vetted Jul 29, 2009
8 percent), Xylene (20 percent) and Benzene (13 ... According to a chart provided by Calabros group, n-hexane causes reproductive damage, Xylene is a developmental and reproductive toxin, cumene damages liver and kidneys and Benzene is a known human carcinogen. (L Observateur, LA)
PAPER: Tough love for fat people: Tax their food to pay for healthcare... Jul 29, 2009
Oddities, musings and some news from the world of health. 2:33 PM, July 27, 2009. (The Drudge Report)
Taxpayers face $98m clean-up bill Jul 24, 2009
The Environment Protection Authority has declared chemical leaching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and cyanide at the site poses "a significant risk of harm to human health and the environment". The chemicals have been found at "concentrations significantly exceeding trigger values for the protection of human health". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Industrial Air Pollution Worse Than Vehicle Exhaust For Breathing Problems In Children Jul 23, 2009
ller, "we used measurement techniques to draw accurate conclusions about the actual pollution of breathing air. We filtered out particulate matter of different grain sizes, polycyclic aromatic compounds, such as benzo(a)pyrene, that adhere to these particles, and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene and hexane. Secondly, we tested their toxic and mutagenic properties. We selected four comparative source regions: a residential area in the immediate vicinity of Argentina's largest oil... (Science Daily)
Counties now have authority to pass more stringent anti-smoking rules Jul 23, 2009
Shadow wrote on Jul 23, 2009 3:32 AM:" It's easy to tell where Michidummies have to have their daily fix of toxins, no matter who is exposed to their intentional pollution. More selfish and self-absorbed beings there never were, such typical addict behavior. It's worth a bet that business owners who are against banning proven smoke-related carcinogens from their business workplaces are, or are related to, a severe smoking addict. They will have to look to their own kind off which to make a... (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Chevron owes more to Richmond Jul 17, 2009
The Environmental Protection Agency reported nearly 100,000 pounds of toxic waste from the site in 2007, including more than 4,000 pounds of benzene, a known human carcinogen. The refinery is now, and has been, listed as in "high priority violation" of air compliance standards, among other violations, by the EPA every year since at least 2006. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Warning: Don’t top off your gas tank Jul 16, 2009
The ban on topping off is designed to reduce benzene and other toxic air pollutants from Oregon gas stations and other gasoline storage and dispensing facilities ... Topping off during fueling can cause gasoline to spill and release benzene, a known carcinogen, and other toxic air pollutants into the air ... Oregon s tougher standards go beyond the federal rules to reduce benzene by an estimated 28 tons per year and volatile organic compounds by an estimated 1,610 tons per year. (Lebanon Express, OR)
Anti-topping off rule may be valid, but state should keep costs downIts not worth spending much on enforcement Jul 15, 2009
org), says it is working with others to reduce the amount of gasoline vapors which contribute to bad ozone days and are a source of toxic air pollutants such as benzene. Evaporation from the spillage of gas from overfilling can occur, contributing to the air pollution problem. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Topping off gas tanks now illegal in OregonChange aimed at reducing exposure to toxic chemicals Jul 10, 2009
Benzene is a known carcinogen, and toluene and xylene also are classified as carcinogenic, said Pier Bartow, a natural resource systems instructor with Klamath Community College. All three are found in gasoline vapors. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Pollution, cancer linked Jul 10, 2009
There are localized hotspots near industrial polluters, including dry cleaning operations which emit tetrachloroethylene, which account for about 25 percent of the increased average overall cancer risk in the U.S. About 30 percent comes from mobile sources, such as automobiles, with the majority of the increased risk attributed to exposure to benzene. The rest, about 45 percent, are attributed to background pollutants, which have no known source, but persist in the environment. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Westside Beer-Can Plant Burns Jul 9, 2009
The chemical -- biphenyl ethane benzene -- is irritating, but not life-threatening. Video. (News4Jax.com, FL)
White Phosphorous Can Be Safely Handled And Transported With New Technique, Researchers Say Jul 5, 2009
This renders it safe until such time as a signal agent, benzene, is applied to release it. The practical implications of the research are impressive: the technique of 'caging' individual molecules of the substance allows it to be manipulated and stored with greater safety, and has the potential to be used to tame other dangerous chemicals. (Science Daily)
Odd Illness Stalls Ship Channel Work Jul 3, 2009
"Jenkins with the Port of Houston said he has no idea what could be causing the illness, and he stressed that no testing since the illness outbreak has turned up any dangerous levels of contamination in the soil or water on Alexander Island.Some workers pointed to markers on the island for a benzene pipeline. Benzene is a carcinogen, but Jenkins said there are no leaks and that pipeline on Alexander Island had been "purged and cleaned" some 15 years ago.He said the pipeline company tested the... (Click2Houston, TX)
Oil Refiners Exxon, Valero Face New Curbs on Carcinogenic Gas Under Obama Jul 3, 2009
The White House suspended a signed by President four days before he left office that found refiners were adequately controlling benzene and other cancer- causing gases, said , a spokeswoman at the ... Benzene from turning crude oil into gasoline can cause leukemia, said , head of community and preventive medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York ... Children under 20 living near the Houston Ship Channel in southeast Texas, an area with elevated levels of benzene from refineries,... (Bloomberg)
Chemist Edward Frankland Jun 30, 2009
The resulting molecule contains six atoms of carbon and six hydrogen atoms and is known as benzene, an organic chemical compound ... Benzene's structure in terms of the theory of valences produced a huge impact in chemical engineering. (Suite101.com)
Seattle man sues city to stop fireworks show Jun 30, 2009
Three years later, it pumped out the carcinogen benzene from underground plumes. In 2007, portions of the park were closed so investigators could better understand tar that kept bubbling up from below. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Big find in a tiny package Jun 28, 2009
The strands comprise chains of thiophene and benzene, and are like plastic - but unlike most plastics, they will conduct electricity. Scientists have known for years how to make such strands, just billionths of a meter wide. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Tonawanda Coke gets Schumer's attention Jun 26, 2009
Charles Schumer wrote a letter to Corp. CEO J.D. Crane, urging the firm to reduce harmful benzene emissions from the plant ... While the plant has attempted to reduce levels of certain toxins, Schumer said more needs to be done to reduce the amount of benzene released into the air ... A study funded by the EPA and DEC between July 2007 and July 2008 revealed benzene levels in areas in and around the Town of Tonawanda are up to 75 times higher than state DEC recommended guidelines. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
IN THE AIR: Toxic air pollutants Jun 25, 2009
Examples of toxic air pollutants include benzene, which is found in gasoline; perchlorethlyene, which is emitted from some dry cleaning facilities; and methylene chloride, which is used as a solvent and paint stripper by a number of industries ... g., California) have reduced emissions of benzene, toluene, and other air toxics from mobile sources by requiring the use of reformulated gasoline and placing limits on tailpipe emissions. (USA Today -- Tech)
Initial development of bio fuel cells Jun 21, 2009
UGA chemist Jason Locklin and graduate students Nicholas Marshall and Kyle Sontag grew polymer brushes, made up of chains of thiophene and benzene, aromatic molecules sometimes used as solvents, attached to metal surfaces as ultra-thin films ... Using this approach, the scientists laid down a single layer of thiophene as the film's initial coating, then built up chains of thiophene or benzene using a controlled polymerization technique. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
3 Hawaii companies fined for pollution Jun 19, 2009
was cited for exceeding its rolling 12-month total for the amount of benzene released into the air by its oil refinery. Chevron, which was fined $8,000, also failed to notify the DOH within five working days of the permit deviation. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Lifting the 'Halliburton loophole' Jun 19, 2009
Despite the secrecy, it is commonly known that hydraulic fracturing typically uses such toxins as benzene and toluene to free oil and gas from shale formations. There is no reason oil and gas companies should not comply with the same standards as other industries when it comes to protecting drinking water. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Deadline nears in Wyoming landfill overhaul Jun 18, 2009
The pollutants include chloride, nitrate and benzene, among others. We have 111 landfills that are less than a mile from a drinking water well, Doctor said. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Paint your home healthy Jun 2, 2009
Some common VOCs used in paint as solvents and preservatives include formaldehyde and benzene while pigment chemicals can include cadmium and chromium. Besides VOCs, hazardous materials such as lead and mercury can also be found in paint. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
The Coming Of Biofuels: Study Shows Reducing Gasoline Emissions Will Benefit Human Health Jun 2, 2009
Large urban regions also suffered disproportionate health damage as a result of benzene emissions at service stations and during the transporting by truck of gasoline to service stations - approximately 930 DALYs. We need finer spatial resolution about the impacts and more data on emissions factors, even for gasoline, to remove some of the key uncertainties about how fuel switching plays, said McKone, but clearly impacts on human health should be a prime consideration in future fuel policy... (Science Daily)
Marine fights for justice over contaminated Lejeune water May 31, 2009
The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry also acknowledged for the first time that the water contained benzene, a known carcinogen. And it is working on a modeling project expected to show that tainted water flowed to the spigots of many more people than the Marine Corps originally reported and for much longer. (News & Observer)
4000 chemicals in cigarettes May 31, 2009
Benzene (petrol additive). A colourless cyclic hydrocarbon obtained from coal and petroleum, used as a solvent in fuel and in chemical manufacture - and contained in cigarette smoke. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Never forget Memorial Day May 26, 2009
Darwin never heard of molecular evolution or even what a benzene ring was. Modern religionists are always arguing against ancient science: are you going to attack the Tychonic system next. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Green Your Grill To Improve Your Health May 26, 2009
Burning charcoal produces fine, sooty particles that can lodge in lungs and irritate existing respiratory conditions like asthma, but certain products can also release potentially dangerous amounts of carcinogenic volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is known to disrupt cell functions. Charcoal is the biggest culprit when it comes to releasing benzene ... According to the Sweden's Department of Chemical Environmental Science and Chalmers University of Technology, benzene is the... (KSBW 8, CA)
In memoriam, 2009… May 26, 2009
Other significant combustion products include nitrogen oxide, benzo(a)pyrene, napthalene, arthracene, phenanthrene, biphenyl, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzene, pyrelene, dioxin and heavy metals ... Other significant combustion products include nitrogen oxide, benzo(a)pyrene, napthalene, arthracene, phenanthrene, biphenyl, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzene, pyrelene, dioxin and heavy metals. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
OSHA fines Delek for Texas refinery fire May 23, 2009
Other cititations were issued for violations involving electrical, asbestos, benzene and portable fire extinguisher standards. In its first quarter earnings release, Delek president and CEO Uzi Yemin said the fire temporarily stopped operations at the refinery. (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
EarthTalk Q&A: climate, peat and people May 21, 2009
But if those boots arent working properly, the nearly odorless hydrocarbon fumes, which contain harmful chemicals like benzene, can be released into the air. Higher ozone levels can lead to respiratory problems and asthma, while benzene is a known cancer-causing chemical, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). (MSNBC -- Environment)
Toxic 'carbon tet' lingers in air near schools May 20, 2009
The risk it presents, she says, is somewhat less than the chemical constituents of motor vehicle tailpipe emissions, like benzene, a known carcinogen. "There are many other concerns that I feel are more pressing, like traffic-related pollution, particulate matter, ozone (and) some of the other air toxics," she says. (USA Today -- Tech)
Synthetic turf fields kicking up safety concerns May 19, 2009
Recycled tires contain metals like zinc, toxic chemicals such as benzene and butadiene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are in exhaust, smoke and soot. Crumb rubber is also used for playground and track surfaces, but because they're in the form of a mat, there's less concern that it can get into kids, Landrigan said. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Turf fields kick up child health concerns May 18, 2009
Recycled tires contain metals such as zinc, plus toxic chemicals such as benzene and butadiene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which also are contained in exhaust, smoke and soot. Crumb rubber also is used for solid playground and track surfaces, but because it's in the form of a mat, there's less concern the rubber can get into kids, Landrigan said. (USA Today -- News)
Ethiopia: Slippery Business - the Story of Petroleum May 13, 2009
Don't our street boys sniff benzene to alleviate their hunger ... Hybrid automobiles are rolling on the streets, alcohol is sharing a tank with benzene; there are also encouraging results in bio fuels, synthetic oil, liquefied natural gas and solar panels. (allAfrica.com)
Feds disavow base's toxic water study Apr 29, 2009
Among other problems, it did not examine benzene, a cancer-causing chemical found at the base in the early 1980s. Health officials say as many as 1 million people may have been exposed to the tainted water from the 1950s until the wells were closed in 1987. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Letter to the Editor: Ethanol can make air safer (31) Apr 28, 2009
Tragically, mothers and the rest of us have excused our complicity in creating a traffic area benzene cloud that increases children's cancer rates six times and leukemia rates eight-fold. Blood benzene concentration for children living near heavy traffic areas is 70 percent higher than children in non-traffic areas ... Traffic area gasoline emissions are major sources of benzene, dioxins and particulates identical to those in cigarette smoke. (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
PLAN: EPA to monitor 62 schools' air Apr 18, 2009
She said regulators will sample for gases such as benzene and particulates such as hexavalent chromium, both of which are carcinogens. Monitoring will last at least 60 days. (USA Today)
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS: Greens for your spring cleaning needs Apr 17, 2009
Baboo, Peace Lily, Snake Plants, also called Mother-in-law s tongue, Boston Fern, Spider Plants, and Aloe make wonderful additions and help absorb Benzene and formaldehyde which may be off gassing from furniture and plastics in your home. You are encouraged for your own family s sake to make choices that may help in the prevention of various diseases. (Bolton Common, MA)
EPA to monitor air quality near Longview school Apr 4, 2009
The St. Helens study will be testing for carbon monoxide, toxic metals (such as lead, nickel and manganese) and compounds such as benzene and vinyl chloride, Hulse-Moyer said. According to the newspaper study, four Longview schools -- St. Helens Elementary, Olympic Elementary, R.A. Long High School and Monticello Middle School -- ranked in the top 10 percentile for schools with the most polluted air across the nation. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Core city services are a priority for mayoral candidate Selkregg Apr 4, 2009
High CO levels are correlated with high levels of benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals that have a negative impact on human health. Q. Would you take a voluntary pay cut before you ask any employee to take one. (Anchorage Daily News)
EPA will monitor air in schools Apr 1, 2009
Mr. Cole said the Sto-Rox monitoring showed that the air inside the school had higher benzene levels than the air outside. The school since then has increased the rate of fresh air flowing into the building and ordered charcoal filters. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
State owns biggest polluters Apr 1, 2009
On the south coast, at Port Kembla, Bluescope Steel also runs some of the highest polluting operations in the state, with the most toxic emissions listed as carbon monoxide and benzene in the inventory which collected the data up to 2008. Xstrata's Mount Isa Mines in north-west Queensland was found to be one of the nation's biggest polluters. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Chemical romance Mar 26, 2009
Present at two- to six-times the particulate matter levels considered safe by the military were an array of toxins: benzene, arsenic, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide (-chloride, -fluoride) and many more, including the dioxins in Agent Orange. Byrne noted, "Benzene is known to cause leukemia, and cyanide and arsenic have throughout history been used as poisons to induce death.". (Chetek Alert, WI)
Candidate Q&A: Are you for or against doing away with the I/M program for vehicles? Mar 24, 2009
High CO levels are correlated with high levels of benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals that have a negative impact on human health. Larry Shooshanian. (Anchorage Daily News)
Dr. Ehrlich, Chemotherapy for Infec... Mar 23, 2009
Although not a master chemist, he analyzed Atoxyl and discovered a benzene ring, with attached OH and amino group and one arsenic (see figures , click to enlarge and see several forms of 606) and a resemblance to phenol, Lister s useful antiseptic compound. Ehrlich determined that Atoxyl could be chemically changed and modified. (Suite101.com)
Safer scents: Sniffing out greener alternatives Mar 11, 2009
The rest of the list is primarily made up of synthetic compounds derived from petroleum like benzene, an additive in gasoline and propylene glycol an additive found in anti-freeze. Tsi-La fragrances, on the other hand, are free from preservatives and synthetic colors and are either made with organic and GMO-free alcohol or are oil based (which may take some time to get accustomed to if youre used to the spray-on experience). (MSNBC -- Environment)
States' tests of air questioned, criticized Mar 5, 2009
Among them: benzene, a known carcinogen, and chromium, which in one form can cause cancer ... One sample Louisiana officials took near Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, for example, showed benzene levels four times higher than what USA TODAY's monitors detected last fall. (USA Today)
Shopping ethically Mar 3, 2009
The juice doesn't have added sugar, chemical sweeteners, or artificial colourings or flavourings such as sodium benzoate (211), which is used in many soft drinks and that can form the carcinogenic compound benzene. The juice is also packaged in easily recyclable glass. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Office Plants Promote Good Health Mar 2, 2009
Three chemicals of particular concern in office environments are formaldehyde, benzene, and TCE. Formaldehyde is often found in particle board products used in office furniture ... Benzene is found in glue, paint, and plastics ... Plants that remove benzene include gerbera daisy, golden pothos, English Ivy, Peace Lily, Gerbera Daisy, Madagascar Dragon Tree. (Suite101.com)
Denver gas company drilling test wells in Wahkiakum County Feb 26, 2009
Lucky7 wrote on Feb 25, 2009 10:01 AM:" While I'm not opposed to this drilling please don't think it's without risks to your health and the environment. Natural gas development is one of the most toxic industries we have in our nation today. Natural gas and its sister coalbed methane (CBM) are typically located in pockets deep underground. Obtaining these gases involve drilling into rock formations and releasing the gas so that it can be pumped or allowed to flow to the surface. Both air and... (Longview Daily News, WA)
State fears pollution from old landfill Feb 23, 2009
The new tests will try to determine how far several chemicals, including a group of chemicals known as chlorinated solvents, as well as arsenic, benzene and chromium, might have spread. Elevated levels of the chemicals have been found in monitoring wells operated by the GEL Corp. at the site. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
