What can be done with wastewater? Oct 4, 2009
When the water is sucked back out, it can contain natural toxins dredged up during drilling, including cadmium and benzene, which both carry cancer risks. It also can contain small amounts of chemicals added to enhance drilling. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
CAP: Stop eating dried cuttlefish Sep 30, 2009
GEORGE TOWN: Consumers must refrain from eating dried cuttlefish as tests by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) revealed that it is contaminated with a highly toxic metal known as cadmium. CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris said random tests conducted on cuttlefish samples found that the level of cadmium exceeded the safety standard ... The amount of cadmium detected in the samples tested ranged from 0. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Study: Seattle's Elliott Bay Getting Heathier Sep 26, 2009
Some levels of contaminants increased, including those for zinc and plasticizers, while levels for arsenic, copper, chromium, nickel and cadmium stayed the same. "We did see some improvements, which we are glad to see" Dutch said. (KIRO TV, WA)
High level of toxins detected in shoes Sep 25, 2009
Rico Euripidou, a public health scientist affiliated to the SSNC's local research partner, groundWork, said the Selfast children's shoe tested positive for arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury. The inner sole of the Pep shoe tested positive for DEHP as well as cadmium and chromium, while all four pairs of shoes contained lead. (Business Report, South Africa)
Lawsuit to include Frankclay, Wortham Sep 24, 2009
One said she had had produce from her garden tested and found that some of it was taking up lead, cadmium and arsenic. This is an area in which little study has been done. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Toshiba Introduces High-Performance Half-Terabyte 2.5-Inch HDD Sep 17, 2009
(5) RoHS Compatible: This product is compatible with European Union Directive 2002/95/EC. Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS), which restricts use of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and ploybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). SOURCE Toshiba Storage Device Division. (PR Newswire)
EPA To Limit Coal Plant Water Pollution Sep 16, 2009
The agency said Tuesday that equipment required to reduce pollution in the air has increased harmful contaminants in water discharged by power plants, particularly heavy metals such as selenium, cadmium, mercury and lead. Current regulations do nothing to control metals and are not enough to protect water quality and wildlife, the agency said. (KSBW 8, CA)
Hazardous Chemicals at Vieques: Is the Government Accountable? Sep 16, 2009
Much of the scientific community howled at that verdict, given that independent studies of hair, vegetation and other local specimens indicate island residents have been exposed to excessive levels of lead, mercury, cadmium and aluminum. "The ATSDR conclusion seemed borderline criminal," says former Vieques Mayor Radames Tirado, a plaintiff in the Sanchez suit who says at least 13 of his relatives there today have cancer. (Time.com)
Guest opinion: Yard, home clean-up plan needs improvement Sep 11, 2009
Toxics of health and environmental risk such as aluminum, cadmium, copper, iron, silver, zinc, boron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum and selenium, while present, according to the EPA, at the Priority Soils site, are ignored under the plan. Regarding Priority Soils, the EPA has never conducted a site-specific assessment of the health risks of these contaminants. (Montana Standard, MT)
China Stresses Prevention Of Heavy Metal Pollution Sep 9, 2009
"Pollution from chemicals such as mercury, chromium, cadmium, lead and arsenic and other metals have become increasingly prominent, seriously endangering the health of local citizens and resulting in adverse social impacts," Environment Minister Zhou Shengxian told a national conference on pollution prevention. Zhou said China needs to step up efforts to prevent heavy metal pollution and react swiftly to any cases found, according to a report posted on the Ministry of Environmental Protection... (CBS News -- World)
Science brings NC Wyeth painting out of hiding Sep 6, 2009
Naturally occurring elements both have unique fluorescence fingerprints and correspond to certain paint colors: white contains zinc or titanium, green contains cadmium, blue contains cobalt, and so on. In essence, the X-ray peers under the top paint layer and - millimeter by millimeter - identifies the chemical composition underneath. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Hypothyroidism Sep 5, 2009
Cadmium and lead can also alter the metabolism of hormones. This is another good reason to look after the liver as it is the liver's responsibility to detoxify these harmful chemicals. (Suite101.com)
Lead Surges to 16-Month High as China Vows to Shut Substandard Smelters Sep 4, 2009
While environmental protection work had advanced in China, conditions in our country are still very severe, Zhou was cited as saying, highlighting new pollution problems from lead, mercury and cadmium. These had seriously harmed the health of local residents, negatively impacting society, Zhou said. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Wash. Adds Abandoned Mine To Hazardous Site List Sep 2, 2009
The site now has a waste rock pile with about 15,000 cubic yards of material contaminated with cadmium, lead and mercury, said Valerie Bound, toxics cleanup program manager for the state Department of Ecology ... Cadmium levels were 11 times the state standards, and mercury levels were more than five times the state standards. (KIRO TV, WA)
Dentists warned on cheap imports Aug 24, 2009
After warning last week that heavy metals such as nickel, beryllium, lead and cadmium were being used in cheap imported products, the Oral Health Professional Association's College of Dental Technicians said consumers had a right to decide for themselves whether they wanted cheap unregulated products in their mouths. The Australian Dental Industry Association, a group representing suppliers of dental equipment, raised concerns about dentists using the internet to buy non-custom-made products,... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Toxins in Cigarette Smoke Aug 23, 2009
Cadmium This metal is used in the production of rechargeable batteries. Repeated exposure can damage the kidneys and also cause lung cancer. (Suite101.com)
Dentists targeted on toxic imports Aug 22, 2009
Lead, nickel, cadmium and beryllium were being added to ceramic-covered prosthetics by manufacturers in many Asian countries, said the president of the Oral Health Professionals Association's College of Dental Technicians, Robert Boshier. Dentists could legally import cut-price prosthetics such as crowns, bridges and dentures because the Therapeutic Goods Administration did not regulate imported custom-made dental products. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Water Bodies in Obuasi and Tarkwa Poisoned Aug 19, 2009
He said in all 400 water samples, made up of 200 from Obuasi and 200 from Tarkwa areas were collected between May and September 2008 and analyzed separately for toxic chemicals including arsenic, manganese, cadmium, iron, copper, mercury, zinc and lead. He said physico-chemical parameters such as the pH; conductivity; turbidity and total dissolved solids were measured using standard methods of analysis as prescribed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA, 1998). (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Amend Mineral Law, It is too flexible - WACAM Aug 19, 2009
Mr Owusu-Koranteng explained that recent media accounts and many complaints from communities about cyanide spillages as well as the release of other hazardous chemicals including arsenic, manganese, cadmium, iron, copper, mercury, zinc and lead into water bodies from mining operations, necessitated the assessment of the levels of heavy metals in water in the study areas, which was supported by OXFAM America. He said the research found out that most of the rivers in the mining areas of Obuasi and... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Chinese Villagers Say Earth Poisoned From Nearby Factory Aug 16, 2009
The plight of Shuangqiao, however, where three people have died and 509 are sick from poisoning by the heavy metals cadmium and indium, produced by a nearby factory, has drawn widespread attention since residents took to the internet to air their grievances. We wouldn t be here today if the Government had paid attention to us in 2006 when we first told them the factory in our village was spreading pollution, said one villager, who gave his name only as Li, for fear of official retribution. (Fox News)
Scientists Open Doors To Diagnosis Of Emphysema Aug 14, 2009
20, 2008) New research suggests that cadmium is one of the critical ingredients causing emphysema, and even low-level exposure attained through second-hand smoke and other means may also increase the chance of. (May 15, 2007) A Mediterranean diet halves the chances of developing progressive inflammatory lung disease (COPD), reveals a large study. (Science Daily)
Factory closes after 300 kids sickened in China Aug 12, 2009
Of the nearly 3,000 villagers living near the Changsha Xianghe Chemical Plant in Hunan province's Zhentou township, 509 people were found to have high concentrations of cadmium and 33 were hospitalized over the weekend, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Cadmium is used to make batteries ... The chemicals may have been leaking for months before two villagers, since found to have excessive levels of cadmium, died in May and June. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Superfund status debated for Black Eagle refinery Aug 11, 2009
Additional testing in 2007 and 2008 found elevated levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium in the soil of some residential yards in Black Eagle. The concentrations did not pose an immediate health threat requiring soil removal, but the Environmental Protection Agency says more investigation is warranted at the refinery site, the Missouri River and residential properties. (Montana Standard, MT)
China writes new script for mass protests Aug 4, 2009
So much cadmium (a toxic metallic element used to make batteries) has been found in soil samples that experts say farms in proximity to the factory will be unsafe for planting for up to 60 years ... This is not the first instance of cadmium poisoning in Hunan ... A year later, 100 employees at a plant in Jiangsu province were stricken with cadmium poisoning. (Asia Times Online)
Chinese factory poisons hundreds Aug 4, 2009
Thirty-three of them were admitted to hospitals in Hunan province over the weekend with cadmium poisoning, the official Xinhua news agency reported ... Cadmium can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, nervous system and brain ... CADMIUM Carcinogenic chemical used in batteries Can cause liver and kidney damage and bone disease Affects central nervous and immune systems. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Mounting problem of e-waste Aug 3, 2009
Much of the discarded electronic kit contains tiny -- but valuable -- quantities of aluminum, copper, cadmium and other minerals, all of which can be sold on, if they can be recovered. However they also contain highly toxic materials, which have been linked to reproductive problems and cancers. (CNN -- International)
China Suspends 2 Environment Bosses For Pollution Aug 2, 2009
Geng said the villagers demanded free health checks and medical treatment after two people who died in the area were found to have excessive levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, in their bodies. She said authorities had ordered the plant to cease operations in March. (CBS News -- World)
'Green goo' revealed toxic leak at WV zinc plant Jul 30, 2009
Certain metals at the DuPont site, including arsenic, cadmium and lead, can in high concentrations cause serious health problems ranging from developmental disabilities and cancers to low fertility. The site is fenced and inaccessible to the public, making runoff the only potential threat. (Anchorage Daily News)
Emphysema Severity Directly Linked To Coal Dust Exposure Jul 25, 2009
ScienceDaily (July 24, 2009) Coal dust exposure is directly linked to severity of emphysema in smokers and nonsmokers alike, according to new research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). "In this study we have shown that coal mine dust exposure is a significant predictor of emphysema severity," said Eileen Kuempel, Ph. (Science Daily)
Britain dumping Toxic Waste in Ghana Jul 20, 2009
Substances like lead, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals enter water bodies, eventually ending up in the food chain. This is one source of health-related issues. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Recycler dumped electronics in Africa, EPA says Jul 15, 2009
The average color computer monitor contains 4 pounds of lead in addition to mercury, cadmium and arsenic. Since 2001 the EPA has had regulations requiring disposal of CRTs at special recycling operations. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Palin urges Canadians to address mine's acid drainage Jul 13, 2009
1 million gallons per year of acidic water loaded with zinc, copper, cadmium and arsenic heading downstream. It may sound like a lot, said state large mine permitting coordinator Tom Crafford, "but frankly it's not, when you consider the volumes of water that are moving in those drainages." Flows vary widely but average about 900 million gallons a day, according to a U.S. Geological Service study. (Juneau Empire)
Behavioural development of school-aged children who live around a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province, China: a cross-sectional study Jul 3, 2009
Multiple regression analyses revealed significant effects of hair lead, cadmium and zinc levels on CBCL subscales. Log-transformed hair lead, cadmium and zinc levels accounted for an incremental of 8% to 15% variance in anxious/depressed, withdrawn, somatic complaints, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, delinquent behaviour and aggressive behaviour ... The concurrent log-transformed hair lead and zinc levels were strongly associated with all subscales while the concurrent... (BioMed Central)
EPA targets 44 coal ash sites in 10 states Jun 30, 2009
These ponds hold fly ash, bottom ash, coal slag and flue gas residues that contain toxic metals such as arsenic, selenium, cadmium, lead and mercury, although generally at low concentrations. Sen. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Public meeting set for Maine Superfund site Jun 27, 2009
Officials have said that long-term exposures to the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and zinc found at the site could pose a health threat. The EPA plans to follow up with a hearing on Aug. 6 to receive public comment. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
IN THE AIR: Toxic air pollutants Jun 25, 2009
Examples of other listed air toxics include dioxin, asbestos, toluene, and metals such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, and lead compounds. What are the health and environmental effects of toxic air pollutants. (USA Today -- Tech)
Apple Finds Silver Lining in Verdict on Green Claims Jun 20, 2009
Some circuit boards may have traces of lead and other harmful toxins, while batteries have chemicals such as cadmium that could be dangerous to health. Dell and Apple are involved in a pointless slinging match, because green is an ambiguous concept, said Michael Kanellos, senior analyst and editor-in-chief at analyst firm GreenTech Media. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Strong Freestanding Nanoparticle Films Created Without Fillers Jun 20, 2009
So far the Dickerson group has used the technique to make films out of two different types of nanoparticles iron oxide and cadmium selenide and they believe the technique can be used with a wide variety of other nanoparticles. The technique is liberating because you can make these films from the materials you want and use them where you want, Dickerson says. (Science Daily)
Bridging digital divide on mountain of e-waste Jun 18, 2009
Processing e-waste can be tricky and expensive as it contains hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium. However, more often than not, e-waste is illegally shipped to developing countries where it is cheaper to recycle. (Xinhuanet, China)
Analyzing the Reasons Behind Obesit... Jun 6, 2009
Toxins such as lead, cadmium and other heavy metals are not easily eliminated and remain locked up in the fat and the bones. If environmental factors are the major reasons for weight gain, it's more important to engage in a program of detoxification rather than a diet program. (Suite101.com)
Major pollution Jun 6, 2009
" Those readings are up to six times the maximum safe limit set by the World Health Organisation of 10 micrograms of lead per decilitre of blood. In 2005, a team of scientists from the St Louis School of Public Health in Missouri found that in La Oroya the majority of children under six years of age had toxic levels in excess of 40 micrograms of lead per decilitre of blood. Many children also had high levels of other toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, arsenic and mercury. Government... (BBC News -- Business)
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)
Infertility and Nutritional Deficie... Jun 2, 2009
A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis will detect not only iron levels but also the heavy metals that can block iron absorption such as cadmium, lead, high zinc levels and caffeine. Manganese. (Suite101.com)
4000 chemicals in cigarettes May 31, 2009
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that is used in batteries. Smokers typically have twice as much cadmium in their bodies as non-smokers. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
China-made children's products unsafe: state media May 28, 2009
7 percent of it was deemed safe, with some of the questionable products containing too much formaldehyde or health-endangering heavy metals including lead, cadmium and chromium. "The main reason for the excessive content of formaldehyde and heavy metals is the use of substandard raw materials and paints," Lin Ruixi, spokesman for the province's product safety administration, was quoted as saying. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Hello, old cell phone? This is your future calling May 27, 2009
These gadgets often contain toxic materials like mercury (crystal displays), lead (circuit boards) or nickel and cadmium (batteries). The good news. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Get the lead out of soil before planting garden May 25, 2009
Urban and suburban soils can be repositories for lead and other trace elements, such as arsenic and cadmium - all heavy metals that can remain in the soil indefinitely. The biggest culprit is lead paint, which was almost exclusively used to paint houses before the mid-1970s. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Trace element abnormalities with dialysis May 20, 2009
We included studies which measured at least one of the following elements in whole blood, serum, or plasma: antimony, arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, tellurium, thallium, vanadium, and zinc ... Available data suggested that levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and vanadium were higher and that levels of selenium, zinc and manganese were lower in hemodialysis patients, compared with controls ... 8... (BioMed Central)
FEATURE-Bangladesh river pollution threatens millions May 19, 2009
Chemicals such as cadmium and chromium, and other elements such as mercury carried by the industrial waste are also creeping into the ground water, posing a serious threat to public health. "If the pollution is not controlled, we will face a serious health crisis in a year or two or at best three years," said Minnatullah. (AlertNet)
Coal ash storage sites called danger to water May 8, 2009
The EPA risk assessment report, done in 2002 but not released in full until earlier this year, also indicates that those living near the ash disposal sites are at increased risk of liver, kidney, stomach and lung damage due to exposure to toxic metals like cadmium, cobalt, lead and other pollutants that show up in coal ash leaching at levels far above U.S. health standards. Such impoundments also pose an extreme danger to wildlife and ecosystems. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Ponds at power plants pose risk to drinking water May 8, 2009
Coal ash usually contains high concentrations arsenic, boron, cadmium, cobalt, lead and other toxins. Jeff Wilson said the utility frequently inspects its 28 unlined coal ash ponds. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Report: Coal ash raises health risks in 34 states May 8, 2009
The report said the ash ponds produced an increased risk of damage to the liver and other organs from exposure to metals such as cadmium, cobalt and lead. Although the health information mainly came from an EPA study in August 2007, the information was largely neglected and was too technical for most to understand, the groups said. (AZCentral -- News)
Sea shells used to clean up heavy metals Apr 28, 2009
A team of researchers have cleansed water tainted with toxic metals like cadmium, zinc, lead and iron using nothing but one of the cheapest, most abundant material around: seashells ... In factories on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, Stephan Kohler of the Graz University of Technology in Austria and a team of researchers have cleansed water like cadmium, zinc, lead and iron ... The team's technique stems from work in 2003 by Manuel Prieto of Oviedo University in Spain, who first showed that... (MSNBC -- Technology)
Scientists Synthesize Gold To Shed Light On Cells' Inner Workings Apr 18, 2009
Unlike quantum dots, the gold nanoclusters are suitable for use within the body because they do not contain toxic metals such as cadmium and lead. This invention, which has broad implications for biolabeling and disease diagnosis, was recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131 (2009) 888-889. (Science Daily)
Finding a cure Apr 15, 2009
Just proving that something anything could survive in water as acidic as vinegar and riddled with high levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium was incredible. Now the Stierles are trying to put those microbes to good use. (Montana Standard, MT)
Buying Foreclosed Homes: Be Careful Apr 4, 2009
Other homes have a variety of issues including mercury contamination from thermostats and relay switches, fluorcarbons from refrigerations, and heavy metal contamination from solder on pipes affecting the drinking water, peeling paint containing lead, cadmium and other heavy metals, and asbestos-containing materials. Most foreclosed homes are NOT inspected for these potential health hazards by the typical home inspector. (CBS News)
New study will examine creek’s impact on health Apr 3, 2009
Friday April 03, 2009. New study will examine creek s impact on health by Ben Hogwood, Assistant Editor04/02/2009. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
How Soil Bacteria 'Breathe' Toxic Metals Mar 19, 2009
25, 2000) Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have devised a way to combine chemical treatment with "pollutant-busting" bacteria to remove cadmium from. (Jan. (Science Daily)
Heavy Metal Toxicity Mar 17, 2009
Minerals that can Cause Heavy Metal Poisoning and Chronic Illness. Many heavy metals are classed as toxic causing a wide array of heavy metal poisoning symptoms and disrupting human health. (Suite101.com)
Plant's dumping bid comes under attack Mar 16, 2009
But Ms. Dillen was critical of the state Department of Environmental Protection permit because it also relaxes water discharge controls for the power plant on a number of toxic chemicals, including arsenic, cadmium, mercury, selenium, hexavalent chromium, lead and thallium ... And a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study of the coal-fired power industry released in August 2008 concluded that scrubber wastewater contains a "significant concentrations" of chlorides, total dissolved solids,... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
EPA: PCS violated hazardous-waste laws Mar 15, 2009
One accusation of violation stemmed from a sampling that found high levels of cadmium in granular fertilizer produced at the Aurora facility ... The EPA contends the company put wastewater with too much cadmium into the pond ... According to the EPA, PCS also didn t treat byproducts that are used in granular fertilizer production as hazardous waste, even though they showed high levels of cadmium, chromium and acidity. (Washington Daily News, NC)
Power plant protest underscores coals dangers Mar 11, 2009
Coal-fired power plants emit hazardous pollutants into our air, land, water, and lungs: Materials emitted from coal power plants include: arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, dioxin, lead, formaldehyde, and mercury. Tiny soot particles include harmful sulfates and sulfur dioxide. (Beverly Citizen, MA)
Looking to the future: EPA, state officials heading to Superior to discuss plan for cleanup of toxic mine tailings Mar 8, 2009
While they were being rebuilt, water tests showed dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and zinc. That prompted some testing in town, which revealed deposits with two to three times more heavy metal contamination than safety standards allowed. (Missoulian, MT)
Plan for disposal of e-waste Mar 7, 2009
Consumers must understand that all e-waste contains a cocktail of toxic substances such as lead and cadmium in circuit boards; lead oxide and cadmium in computer batteries; polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in capacitors and transformers; and halogenated chlorides and bromides as flame retardant on printed circuit boards, plastic casing, cable and polyvinyl chloride cable insulation, all of which pose health hazards not just for the people engaged in recycling them but also to the environment.... (India Times)
* Disposable utensils found to contain high levels of lead Mar 4, 2009
The foundation recently checked 41 recyclable plastic tableware items sold locally X 10 disposable bowls, nine spoons, three drink stirrers and 19 straws X for the heavy metals lead and cadmium. Levels of cadmium, sometimes found in kidney and liver tissue, were within the acceptable range, the foundation said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
