The new US Federal air quality regulations aimed at reducing smog along the Eastern seaboard will add more than $111 billion to consumer electric bills, according to a report by an energy consulting firm. The regulations, passed by the EPA on September 24, are expected to cut nitrogen oxide emissions in 22 Midwestern and East- ern states by 28 per cent annually by 2007.

EPA administrator Carol Browner said that if the states focussed on power plants in attaining the reductions, the average impact on electric bills would be only $1 a month. Resource Data International, the Colorado-based energy consulting firm that produced the report, says that the regulations will raise the cost of electricity by up to 10 per cent. The rules will require electric utilities to make investments of more than $21.8 billion for emission controls over the next 10-15 years and will reduce the revenues and value of many utilities, according to the study, Energy, Economics and theEnvironment.

School-teachers for research

High school science teachers will gain some hands-on research experience through an American Geophysical Union programme scheduled to begin in December 1999.

Called STaRS, Science Teacher and Research Scientist, the programme will offer at least 200 fellowships throughout the US, which will provide opportunities for high school science teachers to participate in research projects conducted by AGU scientists. AGU research scientists will, in turn, get a chance to participate in classes being taught by the high school teachers.

Recent AGU research has shown a lack of adequate science education in the US. Two factors identified with the problem are that the US has not attracted enough scientifically able young people to high school teaching and scientists are not effectively involved in classroom activities.

``One reason for the insufficient number of scientifically able pre-college teachers may be that, unlike high school teachers in the humanities andarts, science teachers are seldom able to pursue their own intellectual adventures,'' says John Dickey, AGU director for education and research.

The other side of the equation, says Dickey, is that many scientists would like to share their research results with secondary school teachers and students, but have no way to do so.,``STaRS addresses this problem by establishing a structured, continuing classroom role for scientists.''

Award for animal care

With the objective of creating awareness among the general public about the efforts by various individuals and organisations in the field of animal care, the recently constituted Venu Menon Animal Allies Foundation has instituted an annual award-the Venu Menon Animal Allies Award. The award, which comprises a medal and Rs 25,000 in cash, seeks to recognise outstanding contributions in animal welfare every year, starting 1999.

Speaking about the objectives of the foundation, Vivek Menon, trustee of the foundation and senior technical consultant atthe Asia Elephant Conservation Centre, said: ``It is our aim to bring into focus little known voluntary efforts in animal care or conservation, in an informed, unbiased and non-moralistic fashion. We would like to help in giving these efforts the recognition and attention they deserve.''

The nominations will be screened by a nine-member jury, representing eminent people from all walks of life, albeit with one common thread-their love for animals. The panel includes Ruskin Bond, noted author; Iqbal Malik, environmentalist; Ashok Kumar, Wildlife Protection Society of India vice-president; Bunty Peerbhoy, chairman of MAA Group of Communications, and Nafisa Joseph, former Miss India.

The award categories include: respect for animals; animal care in zoos; animal care in schools; animal care in industry.

Shram Awards for BSP workers

A team of four workmen from the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) of the Steel Authority of India Ltd have bagged the Shram Ratna Awards. Chargemen Shankar Prasad, Ganpat Ram Sahuand Niranjan Madhukar Muley, and technician Nitin Chandra Bansiyar have shown exemplary skill and innovativeness in indigenously designing and implementing a procedure for regulating the speed of a steam turbine with a capacity of 55,000 cubic metres of gas per hour at an operating speed of 5,300 rpm. The technological improvement on the working of the battery has been giving a recurring tangible benefit of around Rs 6.17 crore per annum since September 1995. P K Mohanty, working as a senior operator in the Rourkela Steel Plant, has been awarded the Shram Vir Award. S P Sarkar, a foreman in the Indian Iron and Steel Company, has shown exemplary skill in ensuring the smooth functioning of the blast furnace and, in the process, also saving foreign exchange to the tune of Rs 20 crore. He has also bagged the Shram Vir Award.

Quinacrine banned

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered two American researchers to stop the production and export of the drug Quinacrine, which is used tosterilise women in Third World countries, including Bangladesh. In a letter issued on October 14, the FDA told Dr. Elton Kessel and Stephen Mumford of North Carolina, writes Daily Star of Bangladesh.

``The FDA is very concerned about the safety risks associated with the use of this drug for non-surgical female sterilisation, and its effects on women and the foetus if a woman is, or becomes pregnant. This safety concern is shared by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has issued statements that quinacrine for non-surgical female sterilisation should not be used until completion of toxicology, genotoxicity and possibly carcinogenicity testing.'' In the two page letter, the FDA listed the various dangers associated with quinacrine. These are increased risk of reproductive tract cancer; development of abnormal uterine lesions; ectopic pregnancy; prolonged amenorrhea; procedure failure due to variable efficacy rates, and foetal exposure.

In a sign of the rancorous nature of the debate, the FDA pointedout that during a September 28 phone conversation, the researchers were asked to identify the location of their total inventory of 290,000 quinacrine pellets. But the researchers had refused to divulge the location. Such open defiance of the US government's highest drug administration board is unheard of. The letter concluded by demanding immediate destruction of all inventory of the drug within 15 days, otherwise the FDA would prosecute the two men.

Conservation award

Community leader and conservation innovator Mavis C Hill of Columbia, North Carolina, has received $50,000 and the 1998 American Land Conservation Award at ceremonies in Madison, Wisconsin. The annual award from The Conservation Fund recognises individual volunteer efforts in land conservation.

Hill was honoured for her work in eastern North Carolina to enhance the area's economy by creating programmes that provide jobs and educational opportunities linked to protecting the region's rich diversity of wildlife and its manyopportunities for outdoor recreation.

Wildlife souvenirs

Defenders of Wildlife has joined with the Dolphin, Whale & Shark Gift Store in Lorain, Ohio, to offer a variety of collectibles for sale to Web-surfers. Products including jewellery, sculptures and home decor items that will be available for purchase through the Defenders' Web site gift shop. All the products feature marine wildlife. Ten per cent of the profits from the items sold will be given to Defenders to fund wildlife programmes.

Penalty for Ford

EPA Region 5 has recently filed an administrative complaint against Ford Motor Co. for alleged clean-air violations at the company's Cleveland Casting Plant in Brook Park, Ohio. A $55,000 penalty is proposed. EPA cited Ford last June for exceeding state particulate (dust, soot, smoke) emission limits at its No. 7 cupola furnace. Excess cupola emissions have been calculated at over 10 tonnes per year. Ford has 30 days from receipt of the complaint to file an answer and request ahearing. It may request an informal conference to discuss the allegations anytime. Inhaling high concentrations of particulates can affect children, the elderly, or those with heart or lung conditions the most.

Tyred cures

If you stacked all the stockpiled and landfilled waste tyres in the US on top of each other, they would reach the moon. Lay them end to end and they would encircle the globe more than 140 times. Researchers in Illinois see the huge tyre supply as a resource to help clean the air of fossil fuel pollutants.

Writing in the November issue of the scientific journal, Energy and Fuels, a joint research team from the University of Illinois and the Illinois State Geological Survey reports that activated carbon made from discarded tyres can be used to remove fossil fuel pollutants from smokestack emissions. The report is part of a special issue of the journal highlighting research on adsorbents and catalysts for clean energy and emissions control.

Stinky compost

Composting isan increasingly popular trash disposal option for communities looking for alternatives to landfills and burning. But nearby residents often complain about the smell of rotting refuse. Now, scientists and engineers at Cornell University and the University of California, Davis, believe they have identified compounds that may serve as early warning of impending odours, potentially allowing operators to modify the process and prevent problems. Monitoring early carbon monoxide emissions and making adjustments in aeration and water levels during composting can help increase efficiency and prevent odours, the study concludes.