Trashed Tech Dumped Overseas: Does the U.S. Care? Sep 20, 2008
The EPA also knows that this so-called e-waste contains cadmium, and other toxic substances, and it is responsible for making sure that lead-laden monitors and television sets with cathode-ray tubes (CRT) are disposed of properly and the parts recycled. But congressional investigators charge that the EPA has failed to even attempt to clean up the mess or keep it in check. (Scientific American)
Reno researchers use Arctic ice to study pollution Sep 20, 2008
In particular, toxic levels of heavy metal pollutants from burning coal cadmium, thallium and lead were found in Greenland's ice. It didn't take McConnell, the lead researcher and director of the Desert Research Institute's Ultra-Trace Chemistry Laboratory, long to figure out why: One hundred years ago was the time when most factories and homes in Europe and the Eastern United States burned coal. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Arizona Munitions Unit Gives Falcon its Claws Sep 20, 2008
Their work helped the base purchase Cadmium water treatment systems for the aircraft washrack and AGE washbay. " "We handle everything that has to do with munitions," said Staff Sgt. Donald O'Neal, munitions accountability team leader. "Without us, complete pilot training cannot get accomplished, and the F-16 is fast-moving jet without 'claws. (DOD DefenseLINK)
GAO: E-Waste Largely Unregulated Sep 19, 2008
Many of the electronics contain toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and brominated flame retardants. "Instead of reacting to a crisis, our nation should prevent it," the Ohio Democrat said. (eWeek)
EPA Lets Electronic Waste Flow Freely, GAO Report Says Sep 17, 2008
U.S. authorities have yet to develop a national approach for handling the waste, which often contains toxic metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium. Amounts are rapidly growing as consumers replace their laptops, cellphones and televisions. (Washington Post -- Technology)
Is Organic Farming Polluting Our Food With Heavy Metals? Sep 9, 2008
One issue frequently overlooked in the rush to embrace organic agriculture is the prevalence of excess arsenic, lead, cadmium, nickel, mercury, copper, and zinc in organic soil ... For example, in 2007, researchers conducted an of wheat grown on various farms in Belgium; based on the results, they estimate that consumers of organically grown wheat take in more than twice as much lead, slightly more cadmium, and nearly equivalent levels of mercury as consumers of wheat grown on conventional... (Slate)
Parents reject toxic chemicals, some plastics Sep 5, 2008
Earlier this year, Washington's Legislature restricted phthalates and cadmium in children's products. In 2009, Oregon advocacy groups, including the Oregon Environmental Council, will lobby the Oregon Legislature to follow suit. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Tune in, turn off, then recycle your TV, free Sep 5, 2008
The majority of our e-waste ends up in dumps or landfills, where the components that make TVs and computers functional -- lead, mercury and cadmium among them -- turn toxic when they break down and find their way into groundwater. Plus, some parts of old electronics can be reused, instead of virgin materials, to build the newer models we show no signs of giving up buying. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Lakota Resources announces new Directors and appointment of Advisory Board Sep 3, 2008
Hudson Bay was Canada's third largest producer of copper and zinc and also produces silver, gold and cadmium. During Peter's tenure, he rationalized its operations closing 5 mines (1 copper, 1 zinc, 2 copper/zinc and 1 nickel mine) and opened two copper/zinc mines with a third potential mine in final feasibility (and subsequent operation) as well as overseeing the modernization and installation of a new Zinc extraction process. (Canada Newswire)
Xstrata sued for boy's lead poisoning Sep 3, 2008
Mr Scattini said a check of Sidney's home - in which he has lived since last year - had found dust containing lead, arsenic, cadmium and antimony. He said the EPA had failed the Mt Isa community. (The Australian)
E-Waste - A Global Challenge Aug 28, 2008
On one hand, these end-of-life electronics items contain valuable commodities and on the other hand potentially harmful substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury etc. These toxic wastes can have dreadful impact on environment and health. (India Times)
Nanoprinting is hot solar item Aug 28, 2008
The ink can be made with no cadmium or other common toxic ingredients, and running a printing press takes much less energy than the costly heating stages used to crystallize traditional photon-absorbent silicon wafers. In fact, thin-film panels use virtually no silicon a huge benefit given recent shortages of purified silicon wafers. (San Francisco Business Times, CA)
Study finds toxins in some herbal medicines Aug 27, 2008
Supplements are examined for purity, heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, residual pesticides and biological contaminants. Sharangdhar Pharmaceuticals says it also tests its products for heavy metals before exporting them. (USA Today)
Data: Breach more toxic than expected Aug 24, 2008
Results showed arsenic concentrations in the riverbed were five to six times higher, copper levels were three to four times higher, and cadmium, lead and zinc levels were three times higher in the Clark Fork s main channel than before the reservoir was lowered. Oversimplification. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Milltown sediments more toxic than previously thought Aug 24, 2008
Results showed arsenic concentrations in the riverbed were five to six times higher, copper levels were three to four times higher, and cadmium, lead and zinc levels were three times higher in the Clark Fork's main channel than before the reservoir was lowered. The project's general contractor, Missoula-based Envirocon, and subcontractor EMC2 in Bozeman used a one-dimensional model to predict what would happen when the reservoir was drawn down and the dam breached. (Missoulian, MT)
Making a splash Aug 23, 2008
The World Link: Making a splash. By , Entertainment Editor Friday, August 22, 2008. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Criminals profiting from e-trash Aug 23, 2008
5 tonnes of cadmium and 1. 1 tonnes of mercury. (Globe and Mail)
Democratic National Convention Media Tip Sheet -- Colorado State University Experts on Politics in the West and Election Hot Topics Aug 20, 2008
Sampath developed a continuous, automated manufacturing process for solar panels using glass coating with a cadmium telluride thin film instead of the standard high-cost crystalline silicon. The process can be completed more cheaply than existing technologies because the process produces high efficiency devices at a very high rate and yield. (PR Newswire)
Greenland Ice Core Reveals History Of Pollution Aug 20, 2008
Detailed measurements from a Greenland ice core showed pollutants from burning coal--the toxic heavy metals cadmium, thallium and lead--were much higher than expected. The catch, however, was the pollutants weren't higher at the times when researchers expected peaks. (Science Daily)
Low level cadmium exposure linked to lung disease Aug 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 developing lung disease. The University of Michigan School of Public Health study suggests that higher cadmium levels in the body as much as double the risk of developing a pulmonary disease diagnosis such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis ... Though some studies have linked high levels of... (EurekAlert!)
Coal's toxic legacy to the Arctic Aug 19, 2008
Scientists plotted levels of thallium, cadmium and lead in a Greenland ice core and linked them to other chemicals indicating coal as the main origin ... Some Arctic dwellers have been found to receive levels of cadmium above recommended safe limits through their diet ... Whereas previous studies suggested the cadmium load was highest in the 1960s and 1970s, the new research shows the peak input occurred decades earlier. (BBC News)
Dr. James Rota Aug 19, 2008
I was also told by the toxicologist that when mercury combines with other toxic metals, such as cadmium and lead, that a much more lethal toxic compound results which can be 100 times more toxic with this synergism. This may be part of the reason why some people react more violently than others, along with the genetic, nutritional, and emotional factors that contribute to the symptoms. (Malibu Times, CA)
Ghana: Country A Dumping Site for E-Waste Aug 15, 2008
Dumping of e-waste is a major problem in the country because of the presence of these toxic elements like lead, mercury and cadmium. These toxic elements pose a threat to human life, our water bodies and the environment. (allAfrica.com)
It's salmon vs. gold mining in Alaska vote Aug 15, 2008
It lists dozens of substances, including ammonia, arsenic, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, chlorine, copper, chromium, cyanide, sulfuric acid, toluene, vinyl chloride and zinc. Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown has received nearly all of its contributions from the Council of Alaska Producers, a group of mining companies. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Manchin, DuPont Met Over Appeal of $196M Verdict Aug 14, 2008
While the case centered on medical and liability issues, the plaintiffs also argued that close ties to DuPont made environmental regulators and other state officials complicit in allowing a 112-acre waste pile tainted with arsenic, cadmium and lead to sit in the center of town until 2001. After a five-week trial in county circuit court last fall, jurors convicted DuPont of wanton, willful and reckless conduct and ordered it to pay punitive damages to deter future misconduct. (ABC News -- Wire)
Dodge County to host Clean Sweep Program Sept. 12, 13 Aug 12, 2008
High amounts of hazardous materials like lead, cadmium and mercury can be released if they are sent to landfills. A 10 fee will be collected for the disposal of monitors. (Watertown Daily Times, WI)
LETTERS: NCT, Aug. 10, 2008 Aug 11, 2008
HotJobs Local Search. Have a wonderful Olympics. (North County Times)
Bears Chill Out as Cairo Zoo Reforms Aug 11, 2008
" Power went off briefly in some parts of the town. "No loss of life or any damage has been reported so far," S.N. Jha, chief of Andaman's disaster control cell, told Reuters. One aftershock measuring 5.4 was reported from the same epicentre, the IMD said. A spokesman at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services said they were checking water levels. (Reporting by Sanjib Roy; Writing by Krittivas Mukherjee; Editing by Valerie Lee) , The rains triggered flooding in Andhra Pradesh... (Planet Ark, United States)
Family: Prison Worker's Death was Caused by Toxic Dust Aug 9, 2008
that prisoners and inmates working in Unicor's nationwide electronics recycling program were likely exposed to harmful amounts of lead and cadmium, according to a preliminary finding in a Justice Department internal investigation. Unicor runs recycling facilities at eight institutions nationwide, including the one in Marianna. (ABC News)
Group urges Samsung to recycle Aug 8, 2008
Media Credit: May-Ying LamRob Rourke, Collin Young and Sarah Frost, members of Texas Campaign for the Environment, participate in a demonstration outside Samsung Austin Semiconductor, protesting the company's lack of an electronics recycling program. Media Credit: May-Ying LamGary Miller, senior security manager at Samsung, speaks with protesters Sara Larrimer and Robin Schneider about environmentally friendly programs. (The Daily Texan, TX)
Cancer Cures Created by Biology-Engineering Convergence With MIT `Genius' Aug 8, 2008
While quantum dots are currently made from cadmium, which is toxic to humans, Belcher is trying to make a safe version from gallium nitride. Belcher, who earned a Ph. (Bloomberg)
State, ASARCO agree on $143 million for cleanup Aug 1, 2008
The smelter was blamed for sending airborne lead, arsenic and cadmium onto the soil, raising concern about health effects on children, some of whom had excessive lead in their blood. A 10-year-old school program of blood testing for lead among East Helena children was suspended in 2005, after high levels were not detected during the previous four years. (Missoulian, MT)
24/7 Mt Isa lead monitoring not enough: lawyer Aug 1, 2008
" The family of Stella Hare have launched legal action in a test case against miner Xstrata, Mt Isa City Council and the Queensland government over the girl's brain and nervous system impairments which are allegedly linked to lead exposure. Queensland environment minister Andrew McNamara today said the monitor came onto the market less than 12 months ago after approval by the US Environmental Protection Agency and Mt Isa would be among the first half-dozen cities in the world to have the machine... (Brisbane Times)
Panel: Lead in 'grass' no danger Aug 1, 2008
But questions remain about potential harm from lead and other chemicals, such as cadmium, zinc and benzene, from tires used to make crumbs that cushion those fields. Some environmental advocates and citizens fear players could inhale toxic vapors when rubber crumbs heat up in the sun. (AZCentral -- News)
Study on Michaud site in works Jul 31, 2008
Kira Lynch, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act project manager, said groundwater studies in 1976 showed levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium above federal standards, and both plants were listed as national priorities in 1990. During a presentation at Pocatello City Hall Wednesday, Lynch said a 1998 agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency and the companies was aimed at protecting human health and the environment. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Lawmakers Clinch Deal To Overhaul Product Safety Jul 30, 2008
The toy industry's principal concern -- that it would end up facing conflicting regulations as individual states set separate limits on chemicals like lead and cadmium -- appears to have been avoided. A single set of national standards was "the framework we were looking for," said Carter Keithley, president of the Toy Industry Association. (Yahoo News -- Consumer News)
EPA sets meetings in Fort Hall, Pocatello Jul 29, 2008
A 1976 groundwater monitoring study conducted by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare indicated levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium in excess of federal drinking water standards. Further testing confirmed the earlier data. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Raptors Survival Can Be Threatened By Ingesting Lead And Cadmium Jul 24, 2008
A comparative study of raptors in Galicia and Extremadura undertaken by Spanish researchers has confirmed their exposure to two potentially toxic agents, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) ... The research has been published recently in the journal entitled Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety , and establishes what type of bird tissue hyper-accumulates metallic elements such as cadmium (in this case the kidneys) would be the most suitable in biological monitoring studies ... On the other hand, the... (Science Daily)
Look at the contents of a cigarette and what the smoking ban will do for our health Jul 19, 2008
Acetone (nail polish remover), Acetic Acid (vinegar), Acrolein (industrial solvent), Arsenic (poison), Butane (cigarette lighter fluid), Cadmium (rechargeable batteries), Carbon Monoxide (colorless, odorless, poison gas), Ddt (insecticides), Formaldehyde (preserver of body tissue), Hexamine (barbecue lighter), Hydrogen cyanide (gas chamber poison), Methane (swamp gas), Methanol (rocket fuel), Naphthalene (mothballs), Nitrobenzene (gasoline additive). Anyone interested in quitting their tobacco... (Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IO)
Ontario's Stalinist 'e-waste' program Jul 8, 2008
Its a daunting problem given that many e-waste items contain cadmium, lead and mercury, and can pose serious contamination threats. Little wonder that provinces are implementing electronic stewardship programs to ensure such e-waste is disposed of properly. (National Post)
W.Va. Gov. Seeks Review of $400M DuPont Case Jul 3, 2008
The plaintiffs argued the chemical giant spent decades downplaying and lying about health threats from arsenic, cadmium and lead that contaminated air, soil and water. Punitive damages are designed to deter future misconduct, and the jury ruled that DuPont had engaged in wanton, willful and reckless conduct in its operation of the smelter. (ABC News -- Wire)
Seepage is not a threat to Oakdale Lake Jun 30, 2008
RCRA-8 refers to eight hazardous metals regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: Arsenic, Lead, Barium, Mercury, Cadmium, Selenium, Chromium and Silver. Neither VOCs nor semi-VOCs were detected, O Brien said. (Hudson Register Star, NY)
Your Laptop's Dirty Little Secret Jun 30, 2008
Phones and computers contain dangerous metals like lead, cadmium and mercury, which can contaminate the air and water when those products are dumped. It's called electronic waste, or e-waste, and the world produces a lot of it: 20 to 50 million tons a year, according to the UN enough to load a train that would stretch around the world. (Time.com)
Radioactive house 'unfit to live in' Jun 25, 2008
Uranium is, like cadmium and mercury, a toxic heavy metal. (0). (ABC Online)
Aquatic Insect 'Family Trees' Provide Clues About Sensitivity To Pollution Jun 22, 2008
In the study, Buchwalter and colleagues from the University of California, Riverside, and the U.S. Geological Survey examined how 21 species of insects field-collected from streams in North Carolina, California, Colorado and Oregon tolerated cadmium, a trace metal cancerous to humans that is used in batteries and found near hard-rock mining and industrial sites. By exposing the insects to a gamma emitting isotope of cadmium -- a technique that allowed the scientists to gauge metallic... (Science Daily)
Jeremy Nicholson's Gut Instincts: Researching Intestinal Bacteria Jun 18, 2008
In particular, Nicholson wanted to study how red blood cells absorb cadmium, a metal that causes. Realizing that he would achieve the best results if he could mimic the cells natural environment, he added a few drops of blood to the cells and ran the test. (Scientific American)
Group Protecting Kids from Chemicals Jun 18, 2008
"We were the only group to test everything in a lab all the ground up tires. Five different companies and we found phtalates, we found PAH's which are carcinogens. We found volatiles which are off-gassing carcinogens. We found cadmium, arsenic," said Judy Braiman, Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides. State lawmakers are set to leave for summer break soon. (R News)
Avoiding mineral toxicity in cattle (7) Jun 16, 2008
Other minerals, such as aluminum, arsenic, boron, bromine, cadmium, fluorine, lead, mercury, and strontium, are not required in cattle diets, but may be toxic if present at high concentrations ... In this report, sodium chloride (salt) and eight individual minerals were identified as being of frequent concern for toxicity in cattle: cadmium, copper, fluorine, lead, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, and sulfur. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Smells like a health hazard Jun 14, 2008
The curtains also contain traces of metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury and high levels of phthalates, including one variety that Health Canada has recommended be prohibited in children's toys. The finding of all the substances explains "the common-sense conclusion that something that smells so strongly is probably not good for you," says Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence, a Toronto group that released the report yesterday along with the Center for Health, Environment... (Globe and Mail)
Solar Power's New Style Jun 13, 2008
"Going from Ranufacturing is always fraught with gotchas," says Joseph Laia, Miasol's CEO. "There are a whole series of things you didn't see because no one has really done this at scale." Since the industry is still small, for example, companies can't always count on easy access to the raw materials they need, such as cadmium and selenium. "There's no well-oiled machine, no infrastructure," says Laia. (Time.com)
Earthworm Detectives Provide Genetic Clues For Dealing With Soil Pollution Jun 9, 2008
Using a new 8,000-element microarray, they describe the transcriptome profile of L. rubellus exposed to copper, cadmium, the polyaromatic hydrocarbon fluoroanthene, and the agrochemical atrazine. In both studies this approach revealed subtle changes induced by the toxic chemicals in earthworm gene expression patterns. (Science Daily)
Perfect Night Vision? New Superlattice Structure Enables High Performance Infrared Imaging Jun 2, 2008
In LWIR imaging applications, the dominant technologies are photodetectors based upon the HgCdTe (mercury cadmium telluride or MCT) material platform and the quantum well photoconductors (QWIP). Both of them have shown limitations that stimulated the research for alternative technologies. (Science Daily)
Toxic old TVs Jun 1, 2008
But unlike most household trash, a television contains lead and cadmium -- elements that are hazardous to human health ... "If the monitor or screen gets broken [in a landfill] then you can let out lead dust or cadmium dust, and that stuff is very, very toxic," said Elizabeth Grossman, author of "High Tech Trash: Digital Devices, Hidden Toxics, and Human Health." ... To the people at the Pennsylvania Resources Council, that means mountains of old televisions -- and the lead and cadmium they... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Helena Sand & Gravel suing DEQ May 29, 2008
Soils at the site, located between Lake Helena and Valley drives, are contaminated with lead, cadmium and other toxins, and residents worry contaminated dust could harm households and schoolchildren. They also worry the pit will contaminate and deplete groundwater supplies, drive down property values and keep residents up with all-night operations. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Public meeting stacked in favour of Xstrata: lawyer May 23, 2008
Cadmium is a substitute sometimes but it is even more toxic. So, come and join me in my lead-free environment where I don't drive and only sail and cycle in daytime. (ABC Online)
Authorities accused of ignoring threat from mine May 23, 2008
Tests discovered high levels of lead, as well as arsenic, copper and cadmium, in her body. She has since moved to Sydney for treatment. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Your Turn: Envirogamer May 14, 2008
It means that the items are made without contain a bunch of nasties like lead, mercury, cadmium, etc. With a bit of research, you can find most types of electrical goods that meet this standard. (The Age)
Safe levels of chemical in soil at Industrial Plating May 3, 2008
Native soils normally contain these metals, as well as lead, cadmium, mercury, copper and others. The normal range for chromium in native soils is 20 to 90 parts per million and zinc is 30 to 100 parts per million, states the state health department official report. (Wahpeton Daily News, ND)
Recall highlights May 2, 2008
Problem: The dishes might be contaminated with cadmium or lead, which can be toxic. No injuries or illnesses have been reported. (OregonLive, OR -- Business)
Site's toxic mix rousts a family, may cost town Apr 23, 2008
Now, following the discovery of high levels of chromium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and other chemicals in the soil, the state Department of Environmental Protection is insisting that the site be cleaned, and the Gesners have been left paying for a house that they dare not live in and cannot sell. "We'd like to see some assessment on neighboring properties, as well," said Ed Coletta, a spokesman for the state agency. (Boston Globe)
Softchoice Launches World's First Fully Searchable Online 'Green' IT Product Listing Apr 22, 2008
Our partnership with EPEAT and CNET Channel is a groundbreaking step in delivering on this promise. " New search filters on will make it easy to identify which products in Softchoice's database are environmentally preferable products registered under the EPEAT greener electronics program - an anticipated 1500 SKUs. EPEAT evaluates electronic products according to three tiers of environmental performance: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each EPEAT- registered computer, laptop or monitor complies with 23... (Canada Newswire)
The 'green' way to dump electronic junk Apr 21, 2008
Avoid throwing old gadgets in the trash, because their inner workings can contain toxic materials including lead, beryllium, cadmium and flame retardants ... Such methods expose workers to contaminants such as lead and cadmium, a known carcinogen. (MSNBC -- Environment)
State seeks to control chemicals Apr 18, 2008
Among the worst and most common such chemicals are lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can be found in items manufactured in China but also in other countries and even the United States ... Another 3 percent contained cadmium, which is a known carcinogen and toxic metal. (Courier Publications, ME)
Sludge research prompts request for probe Apr 18, 2008
The study concluded that phosphate and iron in sludge can increase the ability of soil to trap more harmful metals, including lead, cadmium and zinc, causing the combination to pass safely through a child's body if eaten. Other researchers disputed that finding. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Next week's news Apr 18, 2008
The team slowly grew many thin layers of cadmium and other sulphides on cadmium selenide quantum dots, until the particles had plumped up from three or four nanometres in size to between 15 and 20. This redshifted the emitted light and increased the fraction of time for which the dots glowed; over 20% of them shone for more than 99% of the time, whereas 90% of standard quantum dots are 'on' less than 35% of the time. (Nature News Service)
