Fuel cells ‘need political push’
The fuel cell industry is set for “dramatic changes” in the next 10 years, says Sir David King, the UK government’s chief scientific advisor.
‘10th planet’ has moon companion
The astronomers who discovered a “10th planet” in our Solar System now say the object has a moon.
Bats a ‘likely source’ of Sars
A new study finds a virus very like Sars in Chinese bats, indicating they were the likely source of the 2002 outbreak.
New frog centre for London Zoo
London Zoo is to build a new centre for the conservation of amphibians, the first of its kind in the world.
Space tourist docks with station
A rocket carrying a fare-paying US passenger and a new crew docks with the International Space Station.
Bats a ‘likely source’ of Sars
A new study finds a virus very like Sars in Chinese bats, indicating they were the likely source of the 2002 outbreak.
Arctic ice ‘vanishing fast’
The area covered by Arctic sea ice has shrunk for a fourth consecutive year, according to a new study.
New frog centre for London Zoo
London Zoo is to build a new centre for the conservation of amphibians, the first of its kind in the world.
Moon’s shadow moves over Earth
Skywatchers across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East witness the “ring of fire” in an annular solar eclipse.
Bats a ‘likely source’ of Sars
A new study finds a virus very like Sars in Chinese bats, indicating they were the likely source of the 2002 outbreak.
Ice explorer readies for launch
Europe’s Cryosat spacecraft, which has been designed to study the Earth’s ice caps, is prepared for launch.
Key gene ‘may reverse hair loss’
Researchers show it is possible to re-grow fur on bald mice by correcting a gene mutation.
Arctic ice ‘disappearing quickly’
The area covered by Arctic sea ice has shrunk for a fourth consecutive year, according to a new study.
Sponge may fight cancer
Sponges collected from Welsh rock pools in Wales could be a source of new anti-cancer drugs.
Live giant squid caught on camera
A live, adult giant squid is captured on film in the depths of the Pacific Ocean for the first time.
Down’s recreated in mice
Scientists create the most successful recreation yet of Down’s syndrome in mice by adding a human chromosome.
Mars Express gets life extension
Europe’s Mars Express spacecraft is granted a mission extension of one Martian year.
North Sea ‘needs ecosystem plan’
The North Sea needs to be managed as a complete ecosystem if fish stocks and livelihoods are to continue, experts say.
New ‘Hobbit’ disease link claim
Scientists are to present new evidence that the tiny human species dubbed “The Hobbit” may not be all it seems to be.
‘Whale riders’ reveal evolution
The genetics of “whale lice” tell scientists how endangered right whales evolved over the past few million years.
Microgrids as peer-to-peer energy
Small networks of power generators in “microgrids” could transform the electricity network, say researchers.
“The EPA says that indoor air quality is a leading health issue. Improve the air you breathe with the new ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier.” – Billy Florence
Grand Rapids, Mich., July 7, 2005 – Billy Florence, President of The Independent Business Owners Association International (IBOAI, www.iboai.com), announced the Trade Association’s endorsement for the new ATMOSPHERE™ Air Purifier from Quixtar (www.quixtar.com).
“Our members, Independent Business Owners powered by Quixtar, have come to expect high quality products that support their businesses,” says Billy Florence. “The new ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is a great addition to Quixtar’s product line.”
“Health is a main focus of many IBOs’ businesses,” adds Billy Florence. “And health goes beyond exercising and eating right. The quality of the air you breathe can also impact your well being,” notes Florence.
The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier transforms your environment with its best-in-class performance, feature conveniences, and purification power that effectively eliminates 99.9% of the impurities in the air, down to .007 microns.
“With the CLARUS™ Filtration system which combines a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter with a surface area large enough to cover 226 soccer fields, the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier effectively removes greater than 99.9% of airborne pollutants that pass through the filter,” states Florence.
“The ATMOSPHERE offers many convenient features such as the whisper-quiet PUREFLOW™ system and INTELLISENSE technology which automatically monitors and protects your home’s air quality,” explains Billy Florence. “And with the turbo power function you’ll be able to clean the air in a 390 square-foot room within 30 minutes.”
“The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is available exclusively from our association members, Independent Business Owners (IBOs) in the United States and Canada, powered by Quixtar,” says Billy Florence.
About the IBOAI
“The official Trade Association, IBOAI is dedicated to serving and protecting the interests of Quixtar powered Independent Business Owners (IBOs) throughout North America,” states Billy Florence. Governed by a Board of Directors, the IBOAI:
• Protects the best interests of IBOs and serves as an advocate in IBO issues.
• Promotes and protects the integrity of the Independent Business Ownership Plan.
• Ensures that the business opportunity today is as good or better for future generations.
• Acts as an advisory group to Quixtar Inc. and Quixtar Canada Corp.
The IBOAI Board of Directors Executive Committee includes IBOs Bill Florence, President, Greg Duncan, Vice President, Don Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer, Fred Harteis, Past President, Jody Victor, Angelo Nardone, Steve Woods, Tim Foley, and Mark Crawford.
EEG has built up a strong reputation as an NGO that tackles diverse environmental issues and brings them to public attention through a series of wonderful lectures addressed by leading experts and specialists.
It has taken the voluntary organization a lot of effort to organize these powerful lectures year after year, bringing a range of local and foreign speakers to a single platform.
This year EEG is striving to highlight the initiatives taken up by the corporate sector to address eco-protection and give leverage to laudable efforts. EEG sees the private sector as a source of great strength in the battle for a clean and green environment.
At a time when the actions and activities of businesses and industries have begun to worry environmentalists all over the world because of the environmental fall outs, EEG is endeavoring hard to integrate these resourceful sections.
The latest attempt to showcase an eco-friendly and healthy initiative came through in the General Meeting or community lecture held on June 28 in the Sheraton Hotel by the Dubai creek.
The lecture was entitled “Ozone - the chemical free alternative” and was delivered by the keynote speaker, Mr. Ken Holdaway of Ozone International, a global company that has recently started operations in the UAE.
Contaminated water and air causes millions of cases of illness and death all around the world annually. Indeed indoor air pollution is said to be one of the three most serious human health threats.
The presence of chemicals is required to preserve the quality and durability of essential goods and services like water, food and indoor air. Yet chemicals may also lead to bacterial growth and endanger health.
Therefore a great deal of care is taken in maintaining the level of chemicals and toxicity in the water and food we consume, and the air we breathe. The discovery of ozone as a natural purifier goes back almost a decade.
But modern technology developments have vastly reduced the cost while increasing the operating efficiency of ozone applications as well as the quality and durability of products that utilize ozone applications.
Ozone brings multiple benefits, - it replaces the need for hazardous and potentially harmful chemicals, ensures health benefits and enhances energy and cost efficiency.
Ozone International has an innovative technology that offers the use of ozone in replacement of chemicals in what it calls the “chemical free alternative”. Its use is applicable to a wide spectrum of areas including community water supply, bottled water, waste water, effluent and marine environments, hospitals, clinics and ambulances, schools, hospitality sector, air conditioning systems, residences, produce storage, transportation, restaurants, catering companies, abattoirs, etc.
Holdaway’s presentation familiarized his audience with these aspects. It is expected that information such as these will go a long way in helping the community make conscious choices that will bring health and environmental benefits.
“Our aim has always been to purify the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat, NATURALLY” emphasized Holdaway. His presentation focused on the following points, - the misuse and misunderstanding about chemicals, how the public are mislead by chemical and pharmaceutical companies in their application and how toxicity levels are inaccurately reported and recorded, the beneficial uses and applications of ozone as nature’s purifier in Water, Air and Food.
Ken Holdaway is a Fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management, Member of British Mensa and Director of Ozone International.
The other speaker for the evening was EEG’s Chairperson, the firebrand environmental activist, Habiba Al Marashi, who opened the lecture with a customary welcome and an update on the Group’s recent activities.
The EEG Chairperson spoke about the recent successful Can Collection Drive on May 26 and the Prize Giving Ceremonies for Can and Paper Collection Campaigns on June 5, both of which are popular community events conducted by the NGO annually.
She urged the audience to take back the seed of environmental protection with them wherever they may be during the summer vacation period. She appealed to everyone to be sensitive to the needs of the environment and place environment concern at the heart of responsible action.
“Wherever you are in the summer, make an effort to be a Friend of the Environment. Live green and add new colour to our environment. Do not waste, do not litter, and most importantly, do not forget your responsibility towards the environment.
Make eco-concern your daily affair, and see what a difference it can make to your life, and to the world around you. As individuals sympathetic to the environment I hope you will carry the torch and show others around you how to be environmentally pro-active,” she urged.
This meeting was the last lecture conducted by EEG in the first half of the year. The session of evening lectures will be resumed from the month of September.
By Kimberly Phillips, Journal Inquirer June 30, 2005
MANCHESTER — A chemically sensitive woman and her daughter have lost a discrimination complaint against the Housing Authority, but the two contend mounds of supporting evidence wasn’t considered as part of the case.
Still, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities upheld a draft decision this month, saying Housing Authority Executive Director Carol Shanley has done all she could to accommodate Betty Emerson and her daughter Eva.
The pair’s complaint, filed last year, says the Housing Authority was aware of a mold problem in the Emersons’ Westerly Street kitchen when it bought the two-family home in 2002. Since then, the tenants, who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity, have asked the Housing Authority to clean up the mold, which still hasn’t been done. In 2003, the organization bought the Emersons an air purifier to clean the air of the mold.
Betty Emerson has said it’s not as easy as putting down a new linoleum floor, since that has certain chemicals in it that adversely affect her and her daughter. The mold needs to be cleaned and either ceramic tile or a wood floor needs to be put down, she’s said.
But the Housing Authority has been unwilling to accommodate the request, Betty Emerson says in the complaint. It also was uncooperative in getting the Emersons a new furnace last winter when an old one failed, she complains.
Furnace issue settled
The furnace issue was settled late last year through a court mediator when it was agreed that a new furnace would be installed after fumes from solvents and oils were burned off at another location. Once it entered the Emersons’ basement, the furnace was to be encased in a plastic wall to prevent chemicals from being emitted into the home.
The CHRO decision says the Housing Authority offered the Emersons several alternative housing options for when the furnace first was installed, but none were satisfactory. It also says that the Emersons failed to provide a suitable remedy to fixing the kitchen floor that became moldy thanks to a leaky dishwasher.
“Most of the specific requests made by” the Emersons “appear to be requests for modifications, such as a request that” the Housing Authority “modify the unit’s dishwasher to a much more expensive model or to modify the furnace so that it was housed outside the basement or modify the heating system from oil to electric,” the decision reads.
It goes on to say, “State and federal laws make clear that such modifications be at the expense of the disabled person, not the landlord.”
According to the decision, the Emersons had requested that a stainless steel dishwasher be installed to replace the broken one. They also requested that electric heat be installed in the home to alleviate the problem of burn-off from a new furnace or that the furnace be installed outside and the heat be piped in.
The decision, written by CHRO investigator Cira L. Romann, also questions the severity of the Emersons’ disorder.
When the two women were in court to settle the furnace dispute, Romann says she noted that Eva Emerson was wearing a surgical mask to filter her breathing. That mask was removed when the Emersons and the court mediator went into an outside hallway to hammer out the details of an agreement.
That hallway was exposed to motor vehicle pollution from the outdoors, Romann says. And when the Emersons complained of the cold outside and stepped into a room with the mediator, there were no chemical complaints despite painting and construction going on in the vicinity, she continues.
Further, Romann notes, Eva Emerson “drives her vehicle without the use of a mask, pumps her own gasoline, pays the rent in person without the use of a mask, picks up the mail from the Post Office without the use of a mask, and attends activities without the use of a mask.”
In a 41-page response to the CHRO decision, Eva Emerson contests most of Romann’s findings, saying the Housing Authority never considered a flooring alternative to linoleum, and when it tried to relocate the pair during the furnace dispute, the only options were to an apartment that had been freshly painted or to a hotel where chemicals are used in carpets.
Also, a stainless steel dishwasher is medically necessary, she says, because a regular dishwasher with a plastic interior would give off chemical fumes when used the first several times.
As for the courtroom use of a mask, Eva Emerson says it was her mother wearing a mask, not her, and even though they were in a stairwell, fresh air was available during discussions. Exhaust fumes from passing motorists were non-existent, she continues.
There also was no construction going on in the courtroom that day, the response says. The Emersons say they provided a note from a court worker to that effect but it was disregarded as part of the case. They also contend other witnesses and documents weren’t considered.
Eva Emerson says that her condition isn’t as bad as that of her mother, who is homebound, and admits she pumps gas when no full-service stations are in the area. She also says she goes to get the mail from the Post Office, but the quick trip into and out of the building doesn’t trigger an allergic reaction.
(c) Sniper New Media 2005