Category Archives: Chemical Industry

POP Committee Reviews More Substances

Posted on October 22, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection. A new range of everyday and industrial chemicals used in carpets and textiles up to aviation devices and medical equipment may soon be controlled or eliminated under an international hazardous substances treaty.

Posted in Chemical Industry, Regulation | Leave a comment

Neutralizing Fluorocarbons

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Technology Review. Fluorocarbons–common chemicals in which carbon is bound to fluorine–are potent greenhouse gases, and some form toxic compounds that can accumulate in the environment. But neutralizing fluorocarbons has required a process whose high temperature … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemical Industry, Climate Change, Environment, Research | Leave a comment

EPA Posts New TSCA Import-Export Web Site

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Occupational Health & Safety. EPA launched a new Web site at www.epa.gov/oppt/import-export/ that provides general information on requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act for those who import and/or export chemical substances into and out … Continue reading →

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Best of Both Worlds

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Products Finishing. In the finishing industry, “green” is a term used (or sometimes over-used) to describe the move toward more environmentally friendly and safe coating materials and processes. Increasingly strict federal, state and local environmental … Continue reading →

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Designing "green" plasticizers

Posted on August 14, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Environmental Science and Technology. Researchers are finding alternatives to conventional plasticizers that may alleviate health concerns.

Posted in Chemical Industry, Green Chemistry, Plastics, Research, Sustainable Design | Leave a comment

Decades Later, Toxic Sludge Torments Bhopal

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in the New York Times. Hundreds of tons of waste still languish on the grounds of a pesticide factory in India, the site of a notorious disaster.

Posted in Chemical Industry, Environmental Health, International | Leave a comment

Europe faces up to costly new chemical regime

Posted on June 17, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Processing Magazine. According to the UK Times Online, companies that use or manufacture industrial chemicals could face billions in compliance costs after one of the most complex regulatory regimes ever established in Europe began operating … Continue reading →

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EPA Study Confirms Low Mercury Emissions from Chlorine Manufacturing

Posted on June 2, 2008 by Laura B.

EPA has completed a study to better characterize fugitive mercury emissions from chlorine manufactures that use mercury cell technology. There are currently five such facilities nationwide. Study findings show that mercury emissions average about 0.2 tons per year per facility. … Continue reading →

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New from the GAO

Posted on April 30, 2008 by Laura B.

Chemical Assessments: Low Productivity and New Interagency Review Process Limit the Usefulness and Credibility of EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System.  GAO-08-440, March 7. http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-440 Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08440high.pdf Toxic Chemicals:  EPA’s New Assessment Process Will Increase Challenges EPA Faces in Evaluating … Continue reading →

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Chemical Industry's Influence at EPA Probed

Posted on April 4, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story from the Washington Post. A congressional committee is investigating ties between the chemical industry and expert review panels hired by the Environmental Protection Agency to help it determine safe levels for a variety of chemical compounds.

Posted in Chemical Industry, Environmental Health, Policy, Regulation | Leave a comment