Concise Chemistry

Scientists create ultraviolet-transparent aluminum

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:27:14 -0400

Scientists create ultraviolet-transparent aluminum:

Scientists recently created a new state of matter by blasting aluminum with a high-powered laser until it became transparent to ultraviolet light. Scientists say the new matter will teach them a great deal about the secrets of generating power using nuclear fusion.

Electronic cigarettes contain toxic chemicals

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:17:02 -0400

Electronic cigarettes contain toxic chemicals:

Federal health officials said Wednesday they have found cancer-causing ingredients in electronic cigarettes, despite manufacturers’ claims the products are safer than tobacco cigarettes.

The Food and Drug Administration said testing of products from two leading electronic cigarette makers turned up several toxic chemicals, including a key ingredient in antifreeze

New pact to let European public track pollutants

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:12:56 -0400

New pact to let European public track pollutants:

European citizens will be able to find out what dangerous substances are emitted in their neighbourhoods under an environmental treaty to go into effect in 17 countries in October, the United Nations said on Friday.

Uscientific America. A new Pew Research Center poll has found...

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:08:33 -0400

Uscientific America.

A new Pew Research Center poll has found most Americans don’t believe in evolution, don’t think climate change is human-induced, and don’t know that electrons are smaller than atoms. Journalist Chris Mooney discusses what’s at stake if we don’t get our science straight

Maine releases a list of about 1,700 “chemicals of high concern”

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:02:13 -0400

Maine releases a list of about 1,700 “chemicals of high concern”:

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday released a list of about 1,700 “chemicals of high concern”— substances that pose a significant risk to human health that also are used in manufacturing common consumer goods.

Walmart Announces Sustainable Product Index

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:49:48 -0400

Walmart Announces Sustainable Product Index:

Index will drive higher quality, lower costs and measure sustainability of products for first time.

Chemical Industry Touts Carbon Emissions Saved By Chemical Products

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:32:11 -0400

Chemical Industry Touts Carbon Emissions Saved By Chemical Products:

The International Council of Chemical Associations has released a report looking at the lifecycle impacts of products made from chemicals, showing how certain products can prevent and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

ACC Introduces Product Stewardship Portal

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:29:32 -0400

ACC Introduces Product Stewardship Portal:

ACC’s Product Stewardship Summary Search Portal is a tool that the public can use to learn more about chemicals in commerce using publicly available ACC member company product-stewardship summaries

ACC Introduces Product Stewardship Portal

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:45:51 -0400

ACC Introduces Product Stewardship Portal:

ACC’s Product Stewardship Summary Search Portal is a tool that the public can use to learn more about chemicals in commerce using publicly available ACC member company product-stewardship summaries

State Leadership in Formulating and Reforming Chemicals Policy (Lowell Center)

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:45:12 -0400

State Leadership in Formulating and Reforming Chemicals Policy (Lowell Center) :

In the United States, states have historically taken a leadership role in innovations in environmental and health policies. Chemicals policy is no exception. In the absence of federal leadership in reforming the 30 year old Toxic Substances Act, several states have initiated broad reforms of chemicals regulation.

These reforms are occurring in response to a number of important drivers including new regulations from Europe, advocacy group pressures, local impacts of chemicals, and changes in business practice. This report examines states’ emerging leadership in reforming the way chemicals in commerce are managed and analyzes chemicals policies that have been proposed or implemented at the state level.

11 Surprising Facts and Myths About Microwave Ovens (DailyGreen)

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:12:39 -0400

11 Surprising Facts and Myths About Microwave Ovens (DailyGreen):

Microwaves are energy efficient and convenient. But what does the radiation do to our food, and can it affect our health?

Ten Essential Elements in TSCA Reform (Denison)

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:14:08 -0400

Ten Essential Elements in TSCA Reform (Denison)

Scientists and the public often don't see eye to eye (Christian Science Monitor)

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:04:41 -0400

Scientists and the public often don't see eye to eye (Christian Science Monitor):

“A very small percentage of Americans know a scientist personally,” he explains. “Scientists are just not on their radar.” To change that, “scientists need to reach out to America.”

We Choose the Moon: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:46:47 -0400

We Choose the Moon: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11:

There’s a special website just put up by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Moon landing by broadcasting the Apollo 11 mission in real time … 40 years later. Activity will go live on the site this Thursday at 8:02 AM Eastern time, 90 minutes before the 40-years-ago launch of Apollo 11, and the “live” broadcast of sights and sounds will continue uninterrupted through the moon landing on July 20, ending with Armstrong’s walk six hours after the landing.

FDA Safety and Consumer Protections Are Often Less Stringent Than Comparable EPA Protections for Tap Water (GAO)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:08:44 -0400

FDA Safety and Consumer Protections Are Often Less Stringent Than Comparable EPA Protections for Tap Water (GAO):

Among other things, GAO (1) evaluated the extent to which FDA regulates and ensures the quality and safety of bottled water; (2) evaluated the extent to which federal and state authorities regulate the accuracy of labels and claims regarding the purity and source of bottled water; and (3) identified the environmental and other impacts of bottled water. GAO reviewed FDA data, reports, and requirements for bottled water; conducted a state survey of all 50 states and the District of Columbia; reviewed bottled water labels; and interviewed FDA officials and key experts.

GAO recommends that FDA (1) issue a standard of quality for DEHP, or publish its reasons for not doing so, and (2) implement its findings regarding methods that are feasible for conveying information to consumers regarding the quality and safety of bottled water.

National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network is a...

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:43:37 -0400

National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network is a system of integrated health, exposure, and hazard information and data from a variety of national, state, and city sources. On the Tracking Network, you can explore information and view maps, tables, and charts about health and environment across the country.

2009 Sunscreen Guide (EWG)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:37:55 -0400

2009 Sunscreen Guide (EWG):

EWG’s annual guide reviews sunscreens, discusses their ingredients, and analyzes their ability to block cancer-causing rays.

Bill Introduced that Would Require Household Product Ingredients to Be Listed on Labels

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:34:55 -0400

Bill Introduced that Would Require Household Product Ingredients to Be Listed on Labels :

To require that household cleaning products and similar products bear a label that contains a complete and accurate list of all the product’s ingredients.

When sustainability means more than ‘green’ (McKinsey Quarterly...

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:02:52 -0400

When sustainability means more than ‘green’ (McKinsey Quarterly interview).
Author Adam Werbach talks about Strategy for Sustainability.

Invitation to submit comments on the POPs pocket guide

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:06:24 -0400

Invitation to submit comments on the POPs pocket guide :

The Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) seeks comments on a draft Pocket Guide for Effective Participation in the Work of the POPs Review Committee (POPRC). Comments are due by Jul 29, 2009.