Respect Environment, Environment will Respect You !!

Respect Environment, Environment will Respect You !!

Dear All,

"Environment Working Group India" wishes you a Very  Happy 

World Environment Day - 5th June

Source of All the Media files are from the internet

NASA Names New Space Bacteria After APJ Abdul Kalam

India's 11th president and its most famous aerospace engineer Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has now been honoured by the NASA by naming a unique microbe found on the International Space Station after him. The microbe is called 'Solibacillus Kalamii'.

It is no ordinary microbe. Till date it has been found only on the International Space Station and now the NASA has named it as Solibacillus Kalamii.

Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran, scientist, jet propulsion laboratory, NASA, Los Angeles, said, "The name of the bacterium is Solibacillus Kalamii. The species name is after Dr Abdul Kalam and genus name is Solibacillus which is a spore forming bacteria." 

The space station is home to many microbes. And this unique microbe was found on the filters of the International Space Station as it orbits the earth almost 400 kilometres above earth. 

Source: ndtv.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com scind.org

Jobs at Toxics Link, New Delhi

1.Position   : Information and Systems Officer

Location  : New Delhi

Last Date : 23 -01-2017

Toxics Link is an environmental NGO, dedicated to bringing toxics related information into the public domain, both relating to struggles and problems at the grassroots as well as global information to the local levels. We work with other groups around the country as well as internationally in an understanding that this will help bring the experience of the ground to the fore, and lead to a more meaningful articulation of issues. Toxics Link also engages in on-the ground work especially in areas of municipal, hazardous, medical, e-waste, plastic waste and management and food safety among others. Working in networks, utilizing community outreach and education, policy analysis, research, training and program development, we work at the state and central levels to help create solutions, which are driven by the needs of people. We are also involved in a wider range of environmental issues in Delhi and outside as part of a coalition of non-governmental organizations.

Responsibilities

1. Managing the Local Office Network. Server management, installation and troubleshooting. Backup process
2. Organizational website maintenance and tracking.
3. Updating the websites content.
4. Programming on the websites. Must possess a strong skill on PHP/MySQL . programming with a good analytical skill. Must be capable of sorting out the security issues independently. Knowledge of HTML5,Php ,Drupal
5. Maintenance of mailing lists / Active Directory Management
6. Basic hardware and software support to the organization. Desktop, laptop support
7. Incorporating new technologies those help the organisation to communicate and/or work seamlessly.
8. Should be keen to work and implement Open Source software technologies those suites the organisation from time-to-time.
9. Vendor management

Qualification and Experience

The incumbent should be either BCA / MCA / Graduate in any stream with a post-graduation diploma in computers. The candidate should have minimum two years of experience in the field of Information and Technology, especially in the Web. The candidate should be capable of work independently.
Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Please send your application stating your suitability for this position.
Send in your CV to:
Snigdha Sinha,  Toxics Link, H2 (Ground Floor), Jungpura Extension, New Delhi- 110014. E mail: snigdha@toxicslink.org

2 .Position:   Sr. Programme  officer   

Location:New Delhi

Toxics Link is an environmental NGO, dedicated to bringing toxics related information into the public domain, both relating to struggles and problems at the grassroots as well as global information to the local levels. We work with other groups around the country as well as internationally in an understanding that this will help bring the experience of the ground to the fore, and lead to a more meaningful articulation of issues. Toxics Link also engages in on-the ground work especially in areas of municipal, hazardous, medical, e-waste, plastic waste and management and food safety among others. Working in networks, utilizing community outreach and education, policy analysis, research, training and program development, we work at the state and central levels to help create solutions, which are driven by the needs of people. We are also involved in a wider range of environmental issues in Delhi and outside as part of a coalition of non-governmental organizations.

JOB PROFILE

The candidate will be expected to contribute to the team’s overall work, especially on research and implementation.

Specific tasks will involve -

Research on policy and related issues;
Data Analysis and Information synthesis required for specific research;
Preparation of reports and communication materials;
Assist in designing and executing campaigns on environmental issues
Enhancing network of identified stakeholders;
Assist in planning and organizing training and capacity building workshops
Field work and travel as required.

SKILLS
Excellent writing skills, should be able to present information in both research as well as outreach form
Ability to comprehend and synthesize diverse information;
Good communication and networking ability;
Ability to work under deadlines;
Ability to think creatively;
Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
Should be disciplined and committed to work as per requirements of the team;
Needs to be self motivated.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Should be post-graduate in environmental sciences/ science/ social science stream from a recognized university.
Should have minimum 3 years of working experience in the development sector; previous experience in environmental sector (especially waste management) will be an advantage.

Send in your CV to:

Snigdha Sinha,  Toxics Link, H2 (Ground Floor), Jungpura Extension, New Delhi- 110014. E mail: snigdha@toxicslink.org

Green tea may ease kidney damage caused by cancer drug: AIIMS study

Approximately, 30 percent of the treated patients may develop nephrotoxicity after receiving an initial dose of cisplatin.

By: IANS | New Delhi | Published:November 23, 2016 8:18 pm

Green tea is effective in reducing the kidney toxicity and damage caused by cisplatin — an anti-cancer drug, the AIIMS researchers have revealed. The research study has evaluated the usefulness of ECG, a polyphenolic compound obtained from green tea in preventing the damage of kidneys induced by the cisplatin. Side effects of cisplatin may include nephrotoxicity and life-threatening damaged kidney.

The study by AIIMS Professor Jagriti Bhatia from the Pharmacology Department was published in journal ‘Laboratory Investigations’ recently. “If this research progresses, it may lead to a new drug which can combat the ill effects of cisplatin,” said Bhatia.

Approximately, 30 percent of the treated patients may develop nephrotoxicity after receiving an initial dose of cisplatin. Cisplatin causes production of free radicals inside cells in kidney which leads to oxidative stress and inflammation.

source-http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/green-tea-may-ease-kidney-damage-caused-by-cancer-drug-aiims-study-4391884/

Study finds traces of toxic metals in soft drink bottles

TNN | Nov 23, 2016, 07.37 AM IST

NEW DELHI: A government study has found traces of heavy metals, including lead, chromium and cadmium, in samples of PET bottles used for packaging aerated drinks and pharmaceutical products.

The study , commissioned by the health ministry's drugs technical advisory board, tested samples of Sprite, Mountain Dew, 7UP, Pepsi and Coca-Cola and found leaching of toxins from the PET bottles, minister of state for health Faggan Singh Kulaste told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday .

" ...the samples were submitted to National Test House (in Kolkata) for testing," Kulaste said in a written reply.

Giving details of the study conducted by Kolkata-based All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kulaste said the institute had entered into a pact with the national test house for further testing.

Tests have shown the leaching increased with room temperature. For example, at normal room temperature, the tests found 0.004 mgL and 0.007 mgL of lead in 7Up and Sprite, respectively . However, when it was kept at 40 degrees celsius for 10 days, the lead increased to 0.006 mgL and 0.009 mgL, respectively .

"These reports are completely unsubstantiated. Having said that, we would like to emphatically reiterate that our products comply with the permissible limits for heavy metals as laid down by the food safety and standards regulations in India," a spokesperson for PepsiCo India said.

"We have not received any communication from the government so far on this issue. This was reported earlier too in the media and the levels mentioned are 1100th times the permissible limits.Our products are tested by the best international labs and absolutely no problems have been found in PET packaging here or anywhere else," Coca-Cola India spokesperson said.

PET bottles are also used for packaging alcohol, juices and other beverages.

WHO considers lead and cadmium among the top ten chemicals of "major public health concern". Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead.

source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Study-finds-traces-of-toxic-metals-in-soft-drink-bottles/articleshow/55572769.cms?TOI_browsernotification=true

Heavy metals found in Hyderabad's fish samples

DECCAN CHRONICLE.
Published - Nov 21, 2016, 2:46 am IST
Updated - Nov 21, 2016, 7:02 am IST

A variety of commonly consumed fish varieties were checked for the study.

 The study was led by Dr J. Sreenivasa Rao of the Food Chemistry division of NIN.

Hyderabad: Pollution is taking its toll on not just nature but also the food we consume. Scientists from the National Institution of Nutrition, in a recently published study, reported heavy concentrations of heavy metals like Arsenic, Nickel, Cadmium and Lead in fish samples they had obtained from various outlets in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The study was led by Dr J. Sreenivasa Rao of the Food Chemistry division of NIN.

A variety of commonly consumed fish varieties were checked for the study. The concentration of heavy metals depend on the fish species.

The highest level of arsenic was found in black pomfret (nalla chanduva) at 689.5micrograms per kg(µg/kg), nickel in silver pomfret (chandamama) at 680.1µg/kg, cadmium in black pomfret at 61.87µg/kg and lead in soleole (korramenu) at 108.2µg/kg. In tiger prawn the highest concentration was found of arsenic at 405.8µg/kg.

Presence of heavy metals in these fish is not just a Hyderabad specific issue but points towards a larger problem, of pollution in water bodies across the country.
Dr Shilpi Sharma, scientist at the Telangana State Biodiversity Board and also an expert in fish, said, “Fish sold in Hyderabad are not only from Telangana but also from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. If heavy metals are found in fish being sold in Hyderabad, there is a need to also know the concentrations of heavy metals in the water where the fish originate from and the sources of the heavy metals in the water for which various organizations need to work together.
“Water naturally contains a few heavy metals but their concentrations are very low and the extra amounts are because of pollution,” said Dr Sharma.

source-http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/211116/heavy-metals-found-in-hyderabad-fish-samples.html

Soil around Mumbai’s garbage dumps contains hazardous levels of mercury: Study

• Snehal Fernandes, Hindustan Times, Mumbai
 |  
• Updated: Nov 14, 2016 10:16 IST
• 
• The study has shown that soil and water around waste treatment facilities near Deonar dumping ground is corroded with high mercury levels (HT File Photo)

High levels of mercury have been found in the soil and water around biomedical waste treatment facilities at Govandi near Deonar dumping ground, and Uran in Raigad district, a study by Amity School of Biotechnology, Amity University, and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has revealed.

Mumbai generates approximately 4,762kg biomedical waste every day from health care facilities. Of the total waste, SMS Envoclean treatment facility-Deonar receives about 4,737kgs each day, and the remaining 25kg is treated at Evergreen Environmental, Uran.

The permissible limit for mercury content in soil is 0.01mg/kg to 0.3mg/kg. The analysis of soil samples found mercury content as high as 1.861mg/kg in February, 1.140mg/kg in March and 1.353mg/kg in April. For mercury content in water, the permissible limit set by law is 0.001mg/l. This was also breached as found after analysing water samples during all the three months – February (0.098mg/l), March (0.040mg/l) and April (0.115mg/l).

Mercury, a toxic heavy metal, is present in almost every medical device – from thermometers, sphygmomanometers that measure blood pressure, feeding tubes, gastrointestinal tubes, silver dental fillings (50% is liquid mercury), to x-ray machines, medical batteries, laboratory chemicals, vaccines and nasal drops.

Previous studies estimate that every year, two thermometers break per bed, resulting in accidental spillage of mercury. 

The health impacts of mercury contamination first came to the fore in Japan in 1956, when locals from Minamata city became victims of methyl mercury poisoning after they consumed the contaminated fish from the water that had mercury discharged in it from a chemical plant. This is now called the Minamata disease.

“Developed countries have already moved towards mercury-free instruments. We are yet to get there,” said Neetin Desai, director, Amity School of Biotechnology, Amity University, Panvel. “Mercury does not degrade, and remains in the environment for a long time. It’s contamination in water bodies can lead to ingestion in fish, which in turn can get amplified in humans upon its consumption. Long term exposure affects the nervous system, brains, lungs and kidneys.”

The study has recommended that mercury waste from healthcare facilities should be categorized as electronic waste (e-waste), and treated by authorised e-waste treatment facilities. In addition, segregation of waste should be done at health care facilities as per guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

“Mercury pollution is a problem. Hospitals are supposed to contain spillages but that is not happening despite the stipulated guidelines. We need to ascertain what levels of mercury are present at the waste disposal facility,” said Amar Supate, principal scientific coordinator, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. “We need to intensify monitoring in addition to educating hospitals.”

Biomedical wastes from health care establishments (HCEs) in Mumbai are treated at SMS Envoclean through methods such as incineration, autoclaving, shredding, and effluent treatment. BMW from HCEs in Uran are treated at Evergreen Environmental using methods that include deep burial, autoclaving, and shredding.

source - http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/soil-around-mumbai-s-garbage-dumps-contains-hazardous-levels-of-mercury-study/story-qAv4Qds9V4zQmZ2Nq3vssN.html