Rio+20: A Move Towards More Sustainable Transportation

PRESS RELEASE Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Contact: Supriya Kumar, skumar@worldwatch.org, (+1) 202-452-1992, ext. 510 For more information: http://www.worldwatch.org/rio20-move-towards-more-sustainable-transportation Rio+20: A Move Towards More Sustainable Transportation         Implementation monitoring of Rio+20 voluntary commitments will be vital, Worldwatch Institute says  Washington, D.C.----Emissions from transportation are the fastest growing source of global greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions expected to increase 300 percent by 2050, according to research by the Worldwatch Institute. Today, emissions from transportation contribute to approximately 80 percent of the harmful air pollutants that result in 1.3 million premature deaths annually, according to Michael Replogle and Colin Hughes of the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP). The two authored the fourth chapter, "Moving Toward Sustainable Transport, in Worldwatch's book State of the World 2012: Moving Toward Sustainable Prosperity, published in April. The largest financial commitment made at the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012 was a pledge by the 8 largest multilateral development banks (MDBs) to commit 500 staff and to dedicate $175 billion for more sustainable transportation in the coming decade. This unprecedented agreement was facilitated by the Partnership on Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT), which brings together 68 MDBs, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and research and industry organizations. "This action promises to begin countering decades of unsustainable investments in transportation systems, such as building high-capacity motorways," said Michael Renner, Worldwatch Senior Researcher and State of the World 2012 project co-director. "But it will require new resources for civil society groups to be able to ensure independent monitoring of impacts and follow-through by MDBs." "If transportation investments and management policies foster walking, cycling, use of high quality public transportation, and smart traffic management, growing urbanization can reduce consumption of scarce resources, protect public health, and deliver happier, nicer cities," said Michael Replogle, Managing Director for Policy and Founder of ITDP and State of the World 2012 contributing author. "These unprecedented MDB financial and reporting commitments present an opportunity to leverage large shifts in domestic and private transportation investment and to build capacity for a paradigm shift." The demands on transportation infrastructure continue to mount. Without changes in policy, 2 to 3 billion cars will be on the world's roads by 2050, in comparison to 800 million cars today, according to the International Energy Agency. Current transportation and land development patterns disadvantage the poor, often forcing them to choose between low incomes in informal-sector employment that is close to affordable housing, or somewhat higher-paying jobs that are reachable only if they spend a large share of their income and hours each day commuting. In many cities, the urban poor cannot afford public transportation and end up walking long distances. Additionally, in many places it is unsafe to walk. In Surabaya, Indonesia, for example, 60 percent of roads have no usable sidewalks. "All of these negative consequences are not inevitable results of urbanization and development," said Colin Hughes, Global Policy Director at ITDP and State of the World 2012 contributing author. "Experience in some cities show that in comparison to a business-as-usual rapid motorization strategy, sustainable transport strategies can address rising mobility needs that accompany increases in population, employment, and trade at a lower cost overall, with more job creation and fewer adverse impacts." The key to this approach is a new sustainability paradigm called "Avoid, shift, and improve:" Avoid unnecessary trips with smarter planning, pricing, and telecommunications; Shift trips to more sustainable modes with investments in bus rapid transit (BRT), walking, cycling, and traffic management, by limiting and pricing parking, by applying polluter-pays incentives, and offering better traveler information; and Improve vehicle efficiency with cleaner fuels, better-operated networks, and efficient vehicle technology adapted to local conditions and requirements. In their State of the World chapter, Replogle and Hughes highlight three examples of this approach, revealing how it improves transport in urban areas: Rapid bus transit in Bogota, Colombia: In 2000, Bogota opened TransMilenio, a BRT system with nine routes extending 54 miles (about 87 kilometers) throughout the city. By 2011, TransMilenio's ridership was up to 1.7 million passengers daily and the fare for a single trip was 1,600 Colombian pesos (about US$0.85). Congestion and emission charging in London: Drivers who enter congested central London pay a "congestion charge." The drivers have the option to pay £10 (approximately US$15)in advance, or they must pay the charge within a certain time after driving through the congested streets, or be fined up to £120 (almost US$184). The charge generates funds for public transportation, and bus use is up 6 percent during charging hours. A similar Low Emission Zone covers heavy goods vehicles across the whole city, charging more polluting trucks and buses £100-200 per day (approximately US$150-300) to drive in the area. Public bicycles in Hangzhou, China: With a population of 6.7 million, Hangzhou is one of China's fastest-growing cities. This growth comes with rapid motorization. In 2008, Hangzhou launched a bike-share program that currently provides 60,000 bikes. The program has alleviated pressure on roadways and is accessible to all because of its pricing scheme----the first hour of bike use is free and the second hour is approximately US$0.15. The city reports that 90 percent of total trips are made in that first free hour, and more than 25 percent of trips are made during peak commuting times. Innovations like these can improve travel options for the urban poor while reducing harmful emissions caused by transportation. "With additional international support and funding under the MDB commitment at Rio+20, developing countries will find it easier to shift their development of transportation from emphasizing rapid motorization and car-dependence to instead fostering public transport and lower emissions transportation options," Replogle said. "This moves us towards the kind of support we called for in our State of the World 2012 chapter." Worldwatch's State of the World 2012, released in April 2012, focuses on the themes of inclusive sustainable development discussed at Rio+20, the 20-year follow-up to the historic 1992 Earth Summit, which was also held in Rio de Janeiro. The report presents a selection of innovations and constructive ideas for achieving environmental sustainability globally while meeting human needs and providing jobs and dignity for all.

Multi-level marketing employees rallied before Parliament

Over 7,500 volunteers representing multi-level marketing employees and MMEF all over India today rallied before Parliament under the banner All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) demanding proper law to protect the interests of the multilevel marketing employees, consumers and the corrupt and underhand practices of the MNCs.

Inaugurating the rally, veteran parliamentarian and General Secretary of AITUC declared that that AITUC, all other unions affiliated to AITUC and himself will be in the forefront along with MMEF to force the government to bring in immediately the necessary law to protect the employees. “If you struggle, take the struggle deep down to every nook and corner of the country and come back to the national capital in larger numbers, Parliament and the central government will be forced to listen to your demands and act positively. In India lakhs of educated young people are engaged in multilevel marketing sector. These employees have been dependent for years on this sector for meeting their livelihood needs.”

The AITUC leader said that the multilevel marketing in the name of reaching the consumers quality products at a cheap price, exploits its employees to the full by denying them all genuine and accepted workers’ rights. A small share of the profit is being distributed to the employees in the sector as remuneration without any consideration for their job security and family’s welfare.

The youngsters are joining this sector with the belief that the plans and packages worked out by most of the MNCs, domestic business majors and the newly entering small traders are generally beneficial both to the employees and the consumers. As a marketing tactics and with an aim to win over both the employees and consumers, these companies come out with copies of all kinds of certificates, testimonials and awards along with photographs to prove that their products were used and satisfied by people who matter in the society including political leaders, professors, teachers, doctors and others

The rally, which began from the Barakambha Road  and marched to Parliament house, was led by EC Satheesan, PV Ashokan, Chidambaram N, V Sreenivasan, Muben Mohamed, James Mathew,  V R Sreenivasan, Sasidharan, Baby Sebastin, Jairo K James, Deepak Bajan, Gowran Nehra, ADV Pradeep, Awani Kumar Sharma and TV Stephen. The rally was stopped by police in front of the Parliament Street police station  where it got converted into a public meeting.  

AITUC national secretary and reception committee chairperson Amarjeet Kaur who presided over the meeting at Parliament street said that multilevel marketing has today become a reality everywhere in the world including India. Therefore this sector could not be just ignored and is growing at a tremendous pace in India too. The sector is being made fully and legally operational in our neighbouring country China. In several countries, there is separate law and even a separate ministry to deal with the sector and those engaged in multilevel marketing including also both employees and consumers.

She demanded a central government law to identify and protect the real multilevel marketing companies as well as the employees involved in the sector. The law must be immediately enacted and brought into practice so that the employees who have taken MLM as a career can live with a pride.

She pointed out that the high-power seven member inter-ministerial committee set up by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs with nominees from various ministries and the RBI unfortunately does not have any employee representation. This lacuna will seriously affect the quality of the fact-finding report, which will recommend and finally be submitted to the government by August 31, 2012. Therefore we demand appropriate steps by the government to consult all stakeholders including the MMEF before drafting thre report.

CPI Rajya Sabha member M P Achuthan who spoke in detail of the MMEF’s successful struggle in Kerala assured all help and support to get enacted a proper law. He said that though each of these companies involved in multilevel marketing has rules and regulations, they carry out their violations — small and big — most intelligently and at times even make use of the loopholes in the legal set up in India.

AITUC deputy leader H Mahadevan, who referred to other countries and the epmployees’ struggle experience said that even some of the companies after amassing enough wealth are least bothered about the consequential outcome of their operations. If need be they do not think twice to shut down their activities and flee away from the scene, throwing the employees to the mercy of the public and law enforcing agencies.

Among others who spoke are MMEF-AITUC general secretary E C Sateesan, AIYF general secretary Aftab Alam Khan, AISF Delhi state president Kunal Kumar, MMEF leaders from various states and Delhi AITUC leader Babban.

     

E. C. Satheesan                       Amarjeet Kaur                                    Chidambaram N

General Secretary                    National Secretary                  National Media Co-ordinator

MMEF-AITUC                       AITUC                                    MMEF-AITUC

BJP Protest against Sikh Killings in US

BJP Protest against Sikh Killings in US

BJP Protest against Sikh Killings in US

H.E. Mrs. Nancy J. Powell                                                  8^th Aug 2012    
Ambassador of United States of America
American Embassy, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi-110021
Off: (011) 2419 8000     Fax: (011) 2419 0017

Email: ndwebmail@state.gov; protocolnewdelhi@state.gov

Dear Ambassador,

BJP condemns the horrific gun violence at the Wisconsin gurdwara in US. The Sikh faith, fifth largest in the world with more than 30 million followers are in a state of shock and anger. This incident comes close on the heels of US marine personal unprovoked firing on Indian fisherman in Dubai, UAE a few weeks ago. We wish to state that these ugly incidents are hurting the mindset of average Indians. BJP demands that US govt. take a serious note of it. 

The recent barbaric act is against humanity. Killing 7 Sikhs and grievously injuring 30 people, is unpardonable and terrorism against humanity. Attacking innocent people, spilling their blood and desecrating the gurdwara where the holy scripture “Guru Granth Sahib” is placed has globally hurt millions of Hindus, Christians, Sikhs & Muslims alike.

BJP the Principal Opposition Party of India demands that adequate security be provided to all gurdwaras and hindu temples in USA. The injured be provided best medical facilities and compensation to the kith & kin family members of the killed.

BJP is saddened by this tragic incident. We hope the US govt. shall probe this “domestic terrorism act” so that such ugly incidents do not re-occur. Look forward to your early response.

(VIJAY JOLLY)

BJP Convenor Overseas Affairs

Watch this before it is taken off or the guy jailed: Laughing about corruption in India.....

nksagar_1@yahoo.com>
Humor at its best must read it immediately.

a nice one on corruption in india!

Watch this before it is taken off or the guy jailed: Laughing about corruption in India.....

Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIudxeqFuz8

Nitin Gupta (Rivaldo) is a stand-up comedian & is an alumnus of IIT Bombay (Chemical Engg) and founder of Entertainment Engineers. Here he is seen performing for the students at the S. P. Jain College and the subject is the CWG, 2G and other scams - the Archimedes Principle and Newton laws are a brilliant take why nobody gets caught in the scams in India – this can be explained by the Archimedes Principle for corruption "Any minister fully or partially immersed in corruption is pushed up by a buoyant force which is equal to the weight of the money displaced by him in the scams". Laws of corruption should be passed – similar to Newton laws of motion 1) Black money at rest will remain at rest, scams in motion will remain in motion, until unless an external force like the Jan Lokpal Bill is applied to them by people outside the parliament …. See the hilarious video for more - unfortunately its not a laughing matter, the current state of affairs in India. __._,_.__

UPA-II Is No More ‘Aam Aadmi Sarkar’

7th, August, 2012:New Delhi: The Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of India (CPI) strongly decries the maiden announcement by Sri P Chidambaram, after returning to the finance ministry. It is no strange the FM has come out with an anti-people, anti-worker, anti-aam aadmi assessment. Anybody who knows him from close quarters, including many even in his own party, will agree that he has been handpicked by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh so that the corporate as well as MNC interests are protected.

As far as his move to exempt multinational companies, including Vodafone, from payment of tax on assets they acquire in India and to facilitate tax avoidance by foreign and Indian corporates, is a full-fledged attempt to reverse the retrospective effect in the tax law. He has in fact insulted Parliament, which while adopting the Finance Bill accepted this norm. Vodafone will of course get a tax relief of Rs 12,000 crore on acquisitions in India, through the new step.

Another measure announced by the FM is aimed at enabling tax avoidance by companies using the Mauritius route. For that he is going to review norms under the General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR).

The neo-liberal package of measures worked out by the FM does not speak of workers’ rights, drought relief measures to peasantry, food security and universal PDS, interest-free study loans for students, more jobs for youth, pension and other social security measures for aam aadmi.

The CPI demands that economic policies announced by the finance minister should be withheld and the new policies should be discussed in Parliament.

General Secretary: S. Sudhakar Reddy

                                                                                                                      

(S.S.Bhusari)

                                                                                                                    Office Secretary

COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA

Central Office

Ajoy Bhavan, 15, Com. Indrajit Gupta Marg, New Delhi-110002

Telephone: 23232801, 23235058, Fax: 23235543, Email: cpiofindia@gmail.com

Poisonous threat to Delhi residents from Farooq Abdullah Ministry & landfills in the sky

Poisonous threat to Delhi residents from Farooq Abdullah Ministry & landfills in the sky

Poisonous threat to Delhi residents from Farooq Abdullah ministry & landfills in the sky.Delhi faces threat from nano particles, ultrafine particulate matter, Dioxins & heavy metals.Amidst bitter protest against Okhla Incinerator, construction of incinerator plants at Narela-Bawana & Ghazipur underway

New Delhi: ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA) gave a presentation to Indian Association for Air Pollution Control (IAAPC) on ጡndfills in the sky⠯utlining the disastrous public health consequences of waste to energy incinerators in DelhiⳠOkhla, Narela-Bawana and Gazipur on August 4 at the meeting of their executive/managing committee. The presentation is attached.༤iv>

Notably, a related matter has been listed for hearing in the Supreme Court on October 1, 2012 in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 888 of 1996. Delhi High Court is seized with the petition of Sukhdev Vihar residents against the Okhla incinerator plant since 2009. It heard the matter on July 3, 2012. The next hearing is on October 3, 2012. ༯div>

༯div>

In its presentation to IAAPC, TWA submitted that the burning of 2050 Metric Ton of municipal waste at Okhla by Jindal Ecopolis company, 4000 Metric Ton project at Narela-Bawana by Ramky company and 1300 Metric Ton project at Ghazipur by GMR company. Delhi generates approximately 22500 Ton of municipal solid waste daily, out of which 7050 Ton is sought to burnt to create landfills for toxic cocktail of contaminants in the sky. All the three projects are using unapproved technologies. The probe of Okhla waste to energy incinerator plant by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that there is Industrial Disaster Management Plan has not been prepared and the company is using a Chinese technology although environmental clearance was taken for Refuse Derived Fuel technology in a clear case of environmental lawlessness in the heart of the national capital with impunity. CPCB report and its critique is attached.

Even the Union Environment Minister has acknowledged that the plant has violated the EIA Notification, 2006 as not only was the clearance based on fake public hearing even the clearance has been amended twice without legal mandate. TWA had reminded the Delhi Chief Minister about the letter from the Environment Minister.   ࠦnbsp; ࠦnbsp;

TWA site visited has revealed that residents and villagers are protesting against the proposed Dioxins emitting plant. The plant at Okhla is situated not only in the proximity of New Friends Colony, Maharani Bagh, Sukhdev Vihar and the business district Nehru Place - but also several prominent institutions, including hospitals like Apollo, Escorts and Holy Family. The proposed plant at Narela Bawana is in the vicinity of Sannaut village.  Even Gazipur site is surrounded by residential colonies.

In its presentation, TWA submitted that every time something is burnt, itⳠa backward journey to the beginning of the linear society (extraction- manufacture-consumption-waste). One quarter of the mass of the waste that is burned is ash.

By municipal/household waste, the most toxic substances are created than any chemical laboratory can make it. These include: polyhalogenated dibenzo para dioxins and furans (PCDDs, PCDFs, PBDDs, PBDFs etc) called "dioxins" for short. There are literally thousands of these substances. Incineration releases many toxic metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium etc go into the air, at best they are captured in the fly ash in the air pollution control devices.

For every four tons of waste burned one gets at least one ton of ash: 90% is called bottom ash (that is the ash collected under the furnace) and 10% is the very toxic fly ash. No one knows as to where do the ash from the waste incinerator that is plaguing the national capital due to financial incentives of Farooq AbdullahⳠUnion Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) gets disposed off. MNRE has a waste to energy policy that distorts waste management by promoting incinerator technologies through subsidy of 1.5 crore/MW of waste based power in violation of the Supreme Court Order of May 15, 2007. MNREⳠdriving concern is energy at any human or environmental cost.

TWA underlined the threats from ultrafine particulate matter and nanoparticles which remains beyond regulation which has failed to factor in nanotoxicology. These particles have exquisite biological properties which are very worrying. They are so tiny that they can cross the lung membrane and enter the bloodstream. Once there they can enter every tissue in the body including the brain.

The problem with waste incineration is twofold: a) because every object in commerce is likely to end up in an incinerator any toxic element used in these products is likely to end up in the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles from incinerators are the most dangerous of any common source. b) There are NO regulations in the world for the monitoring nanoparticles from incinerators.

In most countries the particles regulated are 10 microns and above. In some countries they regulate particles at 2.5 microns. But neither standard comes closer to monitoring nanoparticles.

TWA cited a Statement of Evidence -Particulate Emissions and Health from Dr. Vyvyan Howard from Northern Ireland which is the most up to date review of the issue of nanoparticles and incineration available. Before any new incinerator is built in Delhi, or anywhere else for that matter, government officials should force the project proponent director to produce a scientific response to the key questions of nano toxicity posed in this paper.

If they cannot do so, then clearly building such a plant is taking a reckless gamble with the public's health. Such a gamble cannot be justified on either economic or environmental grounds, both local and global.

Pollution is the most recognized and best-studied problem of incineration. Despite intensive scrutiny over many years, however, much remains unknown about releases of pollutants from incinerators. Waste burners produce hundreds of distinct hazardous byproducts, and only a handful of them have been studied thoroughly. Hundreds more may remain unidentified.

Dioxins are the most notorious pollutant associated with incinerators. They cause a wide range of health problems, including cancer, immune system damage, reproductive and developmental problems. Dioxins biomagnify, meaning that they are passed up the food chain from prey to predator, concentrating in meat and dairy products, and, ultimately, in humans.

TWA recalled that Dioxins became famous as the culprit in such public health disasters as Love Canal, Seveso, Times Beach, and Agent Orange, in which populations were exposed to large quantities of dioxins. These exposures resulted from improper waste disposal (Love Canal and Times Beach), industrial malfunction (Seveso), and the spraying of a herbicide (Agent Orange) contaminated with dioxins as a war chemical. The introduction of approximately one gram of dioxins and 50 kilograms of PCBs into animal food supplies in Belgium triggered widespread food recalls that caused some US$3 billion in damage to the Belgian economy. Worldwide, incinerators are the primary source of dioxins.

Incinerators are also a major source of mercury pollution. Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin, impairing motor, sensory and cognitive functions, and mercury contamination is widespread. Incinerators are also an significant source of other heavy metal pollutants such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium.

Other pollutants of concern from incinerators include other (non-dioxin) halogenated hydrocarbons; acid gases that are precursors of acid rain; particulates, which impair lung function; and greenhouse gases. However, characterization of incinerator pollutant releases is still incomplete, and many unidentified compounds are present in air emissions and ashes.

Incinerator operators often claim that air emissions are 㵮der control,䠢ut evidence indicates that this is not the case. First, for many pollutants, such as dioxins, any additional emissions are unacceptable. Second, emissions monitoring is uneven and deeply flawed, so even current emission levels are not truly known. Third, the data that do exist indicate that incinerators are incapable of meeting even the current regulatory standards.

Dioxin causes cancer in laboratory animals, and several studies of humans show an increased incidence of various forms of cancer. It is also toxic to the immune system, and it interferes with normal reproduction and development. Primate studies show an association between dioxin exposure and endometriosis. Dioxin interferes with thyroid hormone levels in infants. These effects may occur at extremely low exposure levels. Large accidental or occupational exposures cause a skin rash (chloracne), weight loss, fatigue, decreased libido, altered glucose metabolism, and neurological damage. Dioxin repeatedly causes cancer in virtually all studies in experimental animals at doses well below those which are otherwise toxic.

When air pollution control equipment does function, it removes pollutants from the air and concentrates them in the fly ash, creating a hazardous waste stream that needs further treatment. Thus, the problem of pollutant releases is not solved; the pollutants are simply moved from one medium (air) to another (solids or water). Incinerator ash is highly hazardous but is often poorly regulated. Even landfill disposal is not safe, as landfills leak; but in some places the ash is left exposed to the elements or even spread in residential or food-producing areas. TWA underlined that it is a fraudulent carbon trade project, how every incinerator based waste to energy plant has failed in its journey from DelhiⳠTimarpur to Elikatta Village of Andhra Pradesh and how one Australian companyⳠsix proposals for WTE plant had to be shelved.

These incinerator projects are destroying the livelihood of about 3.5 lakh waste recycling workers and valuable resource material for compost that is required to be treated by composting/anaerobic digestion/vermin composting/other biological processing for stabilization as per Municipal Solid Waste(Management & Handling) Rules framed under Environment Protection Act, 1986. In the CPCB report, Dr A B Akolkar, Director, CPCB emphasized that as per Municipal Solid Waste(Management & Handling) Rules ᢩodegrdable waste⠩s to be treated using biological method rather than deriving RDF or by incineration as is being done by Jindal Ecopolis. It demonstrates that the Timarpur-Okhla Waste to Energy Incinerator Plant violates the Rules.

TWA informed IAAPC that it was in March 2009 that Sukhdev Vihar Residents filed the Writ Petition (Civil) which was initially dismissed on 12th August, 2009 because of misrepresentation of facts by A S Chandiok, Additional Solicitor General (ASG). The court later found that it was misled earlier by ASG which had led to it dismissing the petition.Ϯ December 18, 2009, ASG sought time to file his reply as Court's order.Ԩe Petition was restored and the bench headed by the Chief Justice, Delhi High Court in an order dated 15th January, 2010 The court observed, 㴨at the project in question䠡nd 㴨e location of the pilot project in Delhi was neither recommended by the Expert Committee nor approved by the Supreme Court.䠔he respondents, the government was "granted one week's more time to file reply as a last chance" by the court in its order dated February 3, 2010. Till date ASG's reply has not been filed.༯div>

Delhi High Court order of July 18, 2011 reads: "It is submitted by Mr. Nigam, learned senior counsel for the   petitioner that the plant is going to be operated to be soon. Learned   counsel has submitted that he has been instructed to state that Delhi   Pollution Control Committee has issued the consent to operate. Mr.Waziri, learned standing counsel for GNCTD and DPCC submitted that   consent to establish has been given but consent to operate has not yet   been given.   Needless to emphasize, without obtaining consent for operation,  the plant cannot be operationalized." But even as this submission was given by the Delhi Government to the Court, the plant started operating since January 2012 with impunity. Instead on January 24, 2012, the Court observed in its order, "The respondent No.9 arranged for the power point / video demonstration of the plant in question. Learned counsel for the respondent No.9 seeks permission to place the same on record supported by an affidavit and explaining the process." It appears to be a case of justice delayed and justice denied because the project proponents now have created a fait accompli situation for the court. ࠼/div>

IAAPCⳠDelhi Chapter deliberated on the crisis of environmental toxicity due to these incinerators at its executive/managing committee on August 4, 2012.  S K Gupta, Secretary of IAAPC and other members of IAAPC opined that the burning of mixed municipal waste laced with heavy metals is a matter of concern. Its health impact studies ought to be undertaken to ascertain its adverse impact.  

For Details: Gopal Krishna, ToxicsWatch Alliance,͢: 9818089660, E-mail: krishna1715@gmail.com,
Web: toxicswatch.blogspot.com   ࠼/div>

Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus won Olympic gold

World silver medalist Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus won Olympic gold in the women’s shot put Monday.
Ostapchuk posted a winning distance of 21.36 in the third round.

Defending champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand taking the silver after throwing 20.70.

Evgeniia Kolodko of Russia snatched the bronze on her last attempt with a personal best 20.48.