SRMs track fire retardants in humans and environment
If only the flame retardant chemicals routinely added to consumer products from carpets to cell phones just did their job and nothing more. Health officials, however, are concerned that one class of these chemicals called polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), may be doing more than reducing fire-related injuries and property damage. view more (2007-08-20)
Household dust is main source of flame retardants in humans
Household dust is the main route of exposure to flame retardants for people - from toddlers to adults - followed by eating animal and dairy products, according to a report in the July 15 issue of the American Chemical Society's journal Environmental Science & Technology. view more (2005-07-07)
Fire resistant plastics
The use of halogenated flame retardants in plastics is steadily declining because they are volatile, pose an environmental risk and are difficult to recycle. Microcapsules, fibers and melamine resin foams represent some of the chief alternatives. view more (2002-02-01)
Effects of AIDS Policies Differ in Sweden and UK
The proportion of AIDS victims is somewhat larger in the population of the UK than in that of Sweden. In both countries, mortality is on the decline owing to powerful retardant medicines. The choice of methods in the struggle against the disease has been different in the two countries. In Sweden , unlike the UK, contamination from mother to child... view more... (2001-11-16)
Laser analyses fuel flame
In a project from the Technology Foundation STW, researcher Roger Evertsen has introduced a new method for measuring the composition of fuel flames. The technique makes use of laser light and is not only quick but also extremely sensitive. view more (2002-11-15)
Flame retardants cause brain damage in young mice
Reduced adaptability, hyperactivity, and disturbances in memory and learning functions. These are deficiencies mice and rats evince when exposed to bromide flame retardants, such as those found in computers, textiles, and other materials in our surroundings, during the period when the brain develops most rapidly. Our environment contains a... view more... (2004-11-01)
6 environmental research studies reveal critical health risks from plastic
Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and flame retardants (PBDEs) are strongly associated with adverse health effects on humans and laboratory animals. view more (2008-10-03)
NOAA Report Calls Flame Retardants Concern to U.S. Coastal Ecosystems
NOAA scientists, in a first-of-its-kind report issued today, state that Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), chemicals commonly used in commercial goods as flame retardants since the 1970s, are found in all United States coastal waters and the Great Lakes, with elevated levels near urban and industrial centers. view more (2009-04-02)
Obesity And Environmental Chemicals: Research Probes Potential Link
A team of researchers at UNH is investigating whether the increasing ubiquity of chemical flame retardants found in foam furniture, carpeting, microwaves and computers might be related to the climbing rate of obesity in the United States. view more (2007-03-08)
From plastic bag to railway sleeper
Railway sleepers made from waste plastic, including recycled bumper scrap and old computer cases could be putting in an appearance on UK railway tracks soon, writes Patrick Walter in Chemistry & Industry, the magazine of the SCI. view more (2007-05-07)
Communications team erects lifeline for firefighters battling California wildfires
Early Sunday morning, July 23, an abandoned campfire in Cleveland National Forest erupted into a 7,000-acre wildfire that continues to spread. Now known as the Horse Fire, it threatens more than 1,500 homes and 100 commercial properties near San Diego, Calif. view more (2006-07-27)
Berkeley Lab's Ultraclean Combustion Technology For Electricity Generation Fires Up in Hydrogen Tests
An experimental gas turbine simulator equipped with an ultralow-emissions combustion technology called LSI has been tested successfully using pure hydrogen as a fuel - a milestone that indicates a potential to help eliminate millions of tons of carbon dioxide and thousands of tons of NOx from power plants each year. view more (2007-08-03)
Second Cluster pair soar into the skies above Baikonur
At 17.13 local time (13.13 CEST) today, the second pair of Cluster spacecraft lifted off from pad 6 at Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz-Fregat launch vehicle. On a scorching summer afternoon, with temperatures well over 40°C, conditions were perfect for this second act in the Cluster launch drama. Topped by a giant fairing emblazoned with a... view more... (2000-08-09)
Iowa State engineer develops laser technologies to analyze combustion, biofuels
Let's say a fuel derived from biomass produces too much soot when it's burned in a combustion chamber designed for fossil fuels. How can an engineer find the source of the problem? It originates, after all, in the flame zone of a highly turbulent combustion chamber. That's not exactly an easy place for an engineer to take measurements. view more (2007-12-06)
Fragranced Candles Pack A Killer Punch
In recent years the consumer market for candles has grown dramatically, as candles of all shapes, sizes, colours and fragrances have been used increasingly in homes and restaurants to create atmosphere and enhance mood. Now two researchers at the University of Southampton have taken the potential uses of fragranced candles one step further, by... view more... (2004-06-17)
Space tech and textiles
Earlier this month ESA's Technology Transfer Network met with 72 representatives of 53 European and Canadian textile companies in Lille, France. The idea - to brainstorm how technology developed for space could improve textiles, fibre products, clothes and textile manufacturing equipment. Lille is situated in one of Europe's centres of textile... view more... (2002-07-31)
MIT Researchers work toward spark-free, fuel-efficient engines
In an advance that could help curb global demand for oil, MIT researchers have demonstrated how ordinary spark-ignition automobile engines can, under certain driving conditions, move into a spark-free operating mode that is more fuel-efficient and just as clean. view more (2007-07-24)
Quantum physics pioneer honoured in Bristol
According to a current magazine advertisement, quantum physics is getting easier. It’s doubtful whether most of the population would agree with this. However, today (12 December) in Bristol, one of the pioneers of quantum physics, Noble prize-winner Paul Dirac, is being commemorated in two separate ceremonies. The first is in the Bishopston... view more... (2000-12-08)
DOES NESSIE STIR WHEN THE EARTH SHAKES?
The Loch Ness Monster could be the result of earthquakes, according to Dr Luigi Piccardi, a geologist at the Centro di Studio dell' Appennino e delle Catene Perimediterranee (Firenze) who specialises in finding links between mythical and historical descriptions and geological phenomena. Dr. Piccardi presents his theory in a poster session at Earth... view more... (2001-06-21)
Particulate emission from natural gas burning home appliances
Natural gas, believed to be among the cleanest forms of fuel, does emit ultrafine airborne particulate matter when burned in home appliances such as stove tops and water heaters. view more (2009-01-09)
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