Latin America: HCWH Launches Internet Campaign on Mercury Thermometers in Argentina
Health Care Without Harm Latin America – Salud Sin Daño (HCWH Latin America) launched a national internet–based campaign to pressure pharmacies to phase–out mercury thermometers and ultimately ban the devices. more (in spanish)

India: Six City Hospitals Served Notice for Faulty Bio-medical Waste Disposal
The Times of India – The Haryana Pollution Control Board (HPCB) has served notices to six city hospitals, including five private, for alleged violation of pollution norms in the segregation of hazardous bio-medical waste. more

China: Medical Waste Illegally Disposed in Henan
Global Times – Medical waste, like disposable infusion sets, bandages and gauzes, must be professionally treated to eliminate contagion and toxicity. And since 2004, medical waste disposing facilities have been spread nationwide. However, one disposal center in Zhoukou, Henan Province, is as of now unfunctional.  more

China: Mercury in Rice Tops Fish in Chinese Diet
Independent – A new article published in the September edition of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives highlighted that rice, not fish, in the Guizhou province contains high levels of the neurotoxin methylmercury.   more

US: Minnesota Bans Mercury in Mascara
MSNbc – Minnesota became the first state in the nation to ban intentionally added mercury in cosmetic products, giving it a tougher standard than the federal government. Most makeup manufacturers have phased out the use of mercury, but it's still added legally to some eye products as a preservative and germ-killer, said John Bailey, chief scientist with the Personal Care Products Council in Washington. more

Korea: Climate Change Triggers Epidemics
Korea Times –The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) announced Sunday that a 1 degree Celsius increase in average temperature leads to a 4.27-percent jump in the prevalence of various epidemics. "For most people, a 1 degree rise in temperature may not seem like much. However, it could mean that they become by far more vulnerable to infectious diseases", an official at the KIHASA said. more

Britain: EA calls for European cooperation on e-waste
Edie – Britain called on Europe to work together to fight the toxic trade in e-waste shipped to Africa. Environment Agency chairman, Lord Smith, called for better cooperation and exchange of intelligence across national borders to stop a crime that poses a growing and persistent risk to human health and the environment.  more

Kenya: Nanowastes and the Environment: Potential New Waste Management Paradigm
Science Direct – Nanomaterialsse and nanoproducts have increased in quantity and volume and their uncontrolled release into the environment is anticipated to grow. However, their potential impacts to the biological systems are unknown. Among the key present challenges in the waste management sector include the emergence of nanowastes. more

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