Thursday, January 14, 2021
On January 8, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final risk evaluation for 1,4-dioxane. 86 Fed. Reg. 1495. The final risk evaluation identifies unreasonable risk to workers for 13 out of 24 conditions of use. EPA states that it found no unreasonable risk to the general population and the environment. EPA notes that it also published a supplemental analysis to the draft risk evaluation that evaluated eight additional conditions of use for 1,4-dioxane present as a byproduct in consumer products. According to EPA, after “carefully considering” public comments on the supplemental analysis, it found no unreasonable risk for these consumer uses.
WA Government to review BHP s environmental licences in dusty Pilbara town of Newman
TueTuesday 12
updated
TueTuesday 12
Residents in the East Pilbara region say red dust is regularly seen in the air.
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The WA Government will review the environmental licences of two BHP mines in the Pilbara amid concerns around rising dust levels.
Key points:
DWER says the review has been triggered by an increase in dust levels
A report into dust in Newman finds no asbestos fibres in samples from 2018 to 2019
The town of Newman, described as a dome of dust by residents, is bordered by the iron ore operations Mount Whaleback (one kilometre away) and Eastern Ridge (five kilometres to the north-east).
Serbia has been accused of manipulating data in a bid to play down its air pollution problem.
A few months earlier, a real-time worldwide ranking put the capital Belgrade in the world s worst top five cities for PM 2.5 air pollution.
Now, say activists, the new government (elections were held last June) is doing everything it can to downplay the issue.
Pollution chief sacked after data spat
In December, Milenko Jovanovic was fired as head of the air quality department at the Serbian Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
The official reason for sacking him after 17 years of service was because he opposed his superiors and Serbia s air quality monitoring stations were not properly maintained. Jovanovic and other experts say the latter claim is untrue.
Only known habitat of Broome mangrove snake approved for clearing by WA Environment Department
ThuThursday 24
DecDecember 2020 at 2:43am
Broome mangrove snakes have only been found in a small area that has been approved for clearing.
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The approval of the clearance of little more than a hectare of mangroves in Western Australia has put one of the country s rarest snakes at risk of losing its only known habitat.
Key points:
The Broome mangrove snake has only ever been seen in one area that s now marked for clearance
Wildlife experts want studies to confirm the snake exists elsewhere before the area is cleared