Global: The Greening of Medicine
HCWH – The Britain's prestigious Medical Journal discusses the depth of the climate crisis and how it has finally forced the spotlight of mainstream environmental scrutiny on medicine, quickly diagnosing the need to dramatically cut healthcare’s unhealthy carbon footprint. Globally, the greening of medicine is also scaling the policy agenda. It mentions the Climate and Health Summit and discusses efforts by the NHS, HCWH and others to reduce healthcare's climate footprint.  more

South Africa: Hospitals Not Disposing Waste Properly
Daily News – Most hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal are not disposing medical waste properly. Nine of the 14 major hospitals are improperly disposing of expired drugs and 12 hospitals have admitted to mixing waste. This was revealed by the provincial Department of Health in response to parliamentary questions from the DA.  more

China: Environmental Accidents on Rise, Chemicals Industry Key cCause, As Costs Mount
Washington Post – Environmental accidents are on the rise in China, mainly due to chemicals industry-related traffic and industrial mishaps, and the costs of such damage to the economy are rising. China handled 542 environmental accidents in 2011, the newspaper China Daily reported, citing statistics from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and ministry officials.  more

Philippines: Mercury-laced Skin Products Being Sold
Malaya – Skin whitening products laced with mercury are being sold in some areas in Metro Manila despite a health ban, the EcoWaste Coalition said. The waste and toxic watchdog group made the claim after it tested 20 mercury-loaded creams that it bought in Chinese drug stores and health and beauty shops in Makati, Manila and Quezon City from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1.  more

Europe: Pharmaceuticals in Water — Token Control — Instead of Real Protection
HCWH – the EU Commission published a proposal to revise existing water legislation to curb chemical pollution in Europe's water systems. For the first time three pharmaceuticals are listed, but the number of substances for control is disappointingly low to ensure protecting Europe’s water from toxic chemicals.  more

Europe: Commission Climate Paper Analyses Europe Can Save Billions And Set Higher Climate Targets
HCWH – HCWH Europe welcomed the Commission's report that analyses the costs and benefits of moving beyond the EU's current 20% emissions reduction target. The report investigates the costs and benefits for all EU member states, and shows how deeper cuts in emissions would impact energy costs, technology investments, fuel costs, air quality and public health.  more

India: Chennai Sits on a Growing E-waste ile
Times of India – A Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board recommendation to set up e-waste collection centres is gathering dust. Corporation sources say many people refuse to leave their products for free at such centres. The city annually generates more than 30,000 tonnes of e-waste, and it is growing. Lead and other toxic substances in e-waste pose health hazards.  more

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