26N J. Environ. Monit. 1999 1 News Legislation Step towards POP treaty The prospect of a global treaty on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) moved closer following an international meeting in Nairobi in January. Organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) this was the second round of negotiations aiming towards a global agreement covering 12 of the most harmful POPs including DDT PCBs and dioxins [see JEM 1999 1 (1) 10N]. While steady progress has been made according to UNEP delegates remained divided over whether the treaty should aim towards management or elimination. The EU and Nordic countries argued for an outright ban on production and use across all categories. The US Canada Australia and others say account has to be taken that some chemicals such as dioxins and furans arise as by-products from other activities.A second group of chemicals will be identified at the next round of talks in June. UNEP www.unep.org Nordic Council www.norden.org Pressure grows for phthalate ban Consensus is building in the EU for a ban on the use of phthalate plasticisers in children�s toys. In February Member States rejected a plan by the European Commission to restrict the chemical and argued instead for prohibition. Following advice from a scientific committee last year the Commission had proposed setting limits on the migration from children�s toys of DINP the main phthalate used to soften PVC. Several EU countries have already taken steps to ban the use of phthalates in children�s toys including Austria Denmark Sweden and Greece. The Netherlands is also likely to introduce a national ban if the EU does not act within the next few months.The UK is against a ban arguing that a new migration test developed in Britain would help make migrationbased limits a workable approach. The decision represents a substantial shift in opinion since Member States last year rejected a proposal to ban phthalates under EU product safety law. A revised proposal for an EU-wide ban is likely to be tabled by the Commission�s Consumer AVairs Directorate within the next few months. Denmark tightens chemical controls Wide-ranging revisions to chemicals regulation have been announced by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. In a strategy covering the next 2�5 years the EPA will expand its list of prohibited substances and strengthen its inspection system.Companies will be given greater responsibility for assessing risks to health and the environment and for making this information publicly available. The initiative will utilise a new computer model developed by the EPA which will be used to generate risk assessment data for around 165 000 chemicals. Alongside the strategy EPA is already developing an action plan on phthalates (see above). Further action plans covering use of pesticides in agriculture and the use of PVC are expected later in the year. Proposals already announced to ban the use of pesticides in private gardens have drawn protests from other EU Member States that the move conflicts with single-market legislation. Danish local and regional authorities have already entered into a voluntary agreement to phase out the use of pesticides by 2003.Danish EPA www.mst.dk Europe moves towards unified air policy In a hectic few months developments in virtually all areas of European air pollution legislation have been proposed that amount to a major overhaul in the EU�s air quality policy. Potentially the most far-reaching measure is the European Commission�s proposal to develop an integrated framework for air quality policy. Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) would provide a strategic framework for emissions and air quality standards replacing the current source- or pollution-specific policies. The Commission argues that since many pollutants such as ozone nitrogen dioxide and particulates come from a variety of sources a more coherent policy is needed. A feasibility study is underway to be followed by a major conference either later this year or early next.The approach has been broadly welcomed by both industry and environmental groups. Other recent developments include $ Final approval by the European Parliament to a new directive on air quality the first �daughter directive� under the 1996 air quality framework law. The directive sets maximum levels in air for sulfur dioxide nitrogen dioxide lead and particulate matter (PM10) and was agreed by the EU Council of Ministers last summer. $ Continuing preparations for revisions to the EU laws on emissions of acid gases and ozone. The proposals are likely to include �national emissions ceilings� for EU Member States that are much tougher than those foreseen in the 1997 EU acidification strategy. A draft ozone strategy and an air quality standard for ozone are also on the cards.$ Continuing debate within the European institutions on proposals to strengthen emission limits for new fossil-fuelled power stations. The Commission�s proposals will halve current limits on sulfur dioxide nitrogen dioxide and dust for new plants licensed from 1st January 2000. The European Parliament and other groups are pushing for even greater cuts. $ Talk of a proposal to unify the waste incineration directives by bringing the emission requirements for municipal and other wastes broadly into line with existing limits for hazardous waste. The legislation is also likely to be extended to emissions to water for the first time. European Commission europa.eu.int/ comm/dg11/ J. Environ. Monit. 1999 1 27N Stalemate on water framework directive The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers are bitterly divided over a proposed framework directive on EU water quality.The Parliament remains at odds with national governments and is continuing to call for much tougher legislation to control water pollution. With the Parliament due to dissolve in May prior to elections in June no agreement is likely before the autumn at the earliest. By this time the Parliament�s powers will have been increased by the entry into force of the EU�s Amsterdam Treaty which gives the Parliament and Council powers of �co-decision� in the environmental area. Among the Parliament�s key demands are a staged phase-out of discharges of hazardous substances by 2020 and an insistence that consumers should always pay the full price of water use. Canada sides with Agency in smog battle The Canadian government has announced its support for the US EPA in the forthcoming law suit over the US smog reduction programme.Due to start in 2003 the Nitrogen Oxide Emissions Reduction Program will apply to 22 mid-west and north-east states and the District of Columbia. EPA is facing a challenge from over 70 entities including Michigan Ohio and other mid-west states who are disputing the programme�s scientific basis regarding the transport and health eVects of NOx and ozone. EPA is supported by 24 parties including environmental and health groups and a coalition of New England states. Canadian Environment Minister Christine Stewart has received the backing of provincial and territorial governments to support the EPA action. Between 30�50% of pollution in Ontario and Quebec and as much as News 90% in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia comes from the US.Environment Canada www.doe.ca Permitting changes will increase environmental benefits Moves to streamline the permitting process one of the most critical elements of the environmental regulatory system have been announced by the US EPA. Under the new plan the Agency will work towards permitting changes that oVer benefits for the environment the regulated facilities and other stakeholders. Performance-based features will be created that specify goals without prescribing how they must be met. Pollution prevention will be encouraged as well as measures to improve public participation in decision-making and reduce administrative burdens. Integrated permitting will also be investigated.Environmental quality Clinton commits to clean air A new initiative to promote the early adoption of innovative air pollution control technologies was among the flagship measures announced by President Clinton in the EPA�s br Partnership Fund will finance partnerships between federal state and local governments and the private sector. Projects financed under the $200 m scheme will be locally managed and self-supporting and should enable communities to achieve their clean air goals sooner. The Fund will stimulate cost-eVective pollution control strategies spur technological innovation and leverage substantial non-federal investment in improved air quality. A further $18 m of new funding has been provided for urban air toxics. EPA says the money will be used to refocus the air toxics programme from a technologybased to a risk-based approach.Other new initiatives in EPA�s $7.2 billion budget include $700 m for �Better America Bonds��tax credits aimed at helping communities address local problems such as traYc congestion water quality and brownfield sites. A major inter-agency initiative on childhood asthma is being launched to fund education outreach and air monitoring. The initiative is part of a $62 m package on childhood health including cancer and developmental diseases. A series of water quality initiatives are also proposed. Implementation of the Clean Water Action Plan will continue with an allocated budget of $651 m. A further $1.625 billion will be available under the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) that provides financial assistance for the construction of drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities.For the first time states will have the option to set aside 20% of their SRF budgets for non-point pollution sources such as estuary management and other water quality projects. Other winners in the 2000 budget round include Chemical-Right-to-Know and Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) which provides real-time environmental quality data. EPA www.epa.gov WHO plans health-environment summit Moves to combat the health and environmental eVects of transport will be top of the agenda at a major international conference in London in June. At the conference organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) delegates from 51 European countries will sign a charter to reduce the human health costs of transport.Although not legally binding the charter will set quantitative targets for air quality injury and noise. Delegates are also expected to sign up to a second agreement on water and health. Drafted in association with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) the legally binding protocol covers areas such as adequate drinking water and sanitation water quality and systems for monitoring and measuring health risks. The conference will review progress on national environment and health action plans (NEHAPs) promised at the last ministerial meeting three years ago. The implications for health policy of the pan- European convention on public participation in environmental decisionmaking agreed last June will also be up for discussion.Other sessions will cover industrial pollution climate change local environmental quality and children�s health. NGOs will attend the conference for the first time. WHO Europe www.who.dk/L ondon99 Transport holds back US air quality Continuing growth in transport remains the major barrier to improvements in air 28N J. Environ. Monit. 1999 1 News quality according to the US EPA. In its annual report on air quality trends for 1997 the Agency notes that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide ozone and lead remained unchanged from the previous year and particulate matter decreased by only 1%. Trends in NOx and ozone also show the lowest decreases over the period 1988�97 down 14% and 19% respectively. The 1997 report is the first to include data from EPA�s new monitoring network covering 22 of the US�s smoggiest cities.The monitoring data show that average concentrations of eight air toxics decreased over the previous three years including a significant reduction in benzene. Early analyses indicate these reductions are a result of vehicles switching to reformulated petrol (gasoline). The greatest improvements in ambient concentrations in 1997 were for carbon monoxide (down 7%) and sulfur dioxide (down 4%). Data related to the revised ozone and PM10 standards are also presented. Future reports will include trends related to the new PM2.5 standard for fine particles. EPA OYce of Air Quality Planning and Standards www.epa.gov/oar/aqtrnd97/ Europe unveils benzene baseline New data on atmospheric concentrations of benzene in the European environment have been released by the European Commission�s Joint Research Centre (JRC).The data provides an important baseline for studies of urban air quality and the linkages between benzene and diseases like leukaemia. The JRC�s MACBETH (Monitoring of Atmospheric Concentration of Benzene in European Towns and Homes) project looked at atmospheric benzene levels in six European cities as well as the exposures of key population groups. In both cases date were collected using innovative samplers called �radielli� which are small enough to be worn around the neck. The results will be used to determine the limits set by the 1999 European directive on benzene emissions. Joint Research Centre angela.cardinali@jrc.org UK unveils air quality review The UK will fail to meet its 2005 targets for PM10 a review of national air quality strategy has revealed.Nationwide modelling at urban background sites away from hot spots such as busy roads show widespread exceedance of the existing national objective of 50 mg m-3. Much of the infringement can be associated with imports of pollution from continental Europe. In the light of the report the government has proposed relaxing its immediate objectives for PM10 under the EU air quality directive but will bring forward targets for some other pollutants. For lead the government proposes meeting the directive�s 0.5 mg m-3 standard by 2005 dropping to 0.25 mg m-3 by the end of 2008. Existing objectives for benzene 1,3-butadiene and carbon monoxide have been maintained but their implementation brought forward by two years.Objectives for ozone nitrogen dioxide and sulfur remain unchanged. Monthly updates on UK air quality data from the national network of monitoring stations are available at a new website developed by consultants AEA Technology. DET R www.environment.detr.gov.uk National Air Pollution Index www.aeat.co.uk/netcen/airqual/aqm/ Swedes showcase environmental assessment model A new model for use in local environmental assessments has been developed by the Swedish EPA. The model should make it easier to compare local environmental conditions between diVerent parts of the country and so provide a uniform nation-wide assessment. Environmental quality criteria have been developed for six areas forests agricultural land groundwater lakes and watercourses coasts and seas and contaminated sites.Reports describing the work will be available shortly on the EPA�s website. Swedish EPA www.environ.se France surveys lead risks French local authorities are to identify areas at risk from lead poisoning following new scientific data on the extent of population exposures. The National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) has reported that over 250 000 children may be aVected by lead from contaminated water and crumbling paint. According to INSERM children living in run-down housing or certain industrial areas show lead levels of 400 mg l-1 per litre of blood compared to the 250 mg l-1 threshold for medical treatment. Proposals from the French Ministry of Health will require doctors to report any cases of children found to have more than 150 mg l-1 of lead in their blood.INSERM www.inserm.fr Chemical hazards EPA extends right-to-know A significant extension of the reporting requirements for releases of toxic chemicals has been announced by EPA under the US right-to-know legislation. The proposed rule would substantially increase public access to information on releases of persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemicals (PBT�s) such as dioxins mercury PCB�s aldrin and heptachlor. These are known to cause a variety of health hazards at low doses including reproductive dicilities are only required to report their PBT releases if they manufacture or process more than 25 000 pounds annually or use more than 10 000 pounds annually. The new ruling would lower the threshold to between 10�100 pounds capturing a lot wider range of users.EPA T oxics Release Inventory www.epa.gov/opptintr/tri/ PVC firms sign environmental charter Nine European manufacturers of emulsion PVC have signed a voluntary agreement to reduce emissions of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) from their production processes. Signatories who include major companies such as BASF Elf Atochem EVC Norsk Hydro and Solvay commit themselves to achieve a series of VCM targets by 2003. J. Environ. Monit. 1999 1 29N The initiative builds on a 1995 charter covering manufacturers of suspension PVC which accounts for around 85% of European production capacity. Performance under both charters will be subject to independent review the results of which will be published from June this year. Tighter precautions against exposure to VCM are being imposed under EU legislation approved late last year.European Council of V inyl Manufacturers +32 2 676 7211 Ireland�s responsible suppliers The Irish Chemical Marketers� Association (ICMA) has become the tenth distributor organisation to sign up to the international Responsible Care programme. Responsible Care which was launched in 1985 addresses standards of health safety and environmental protection in the chemical industry through a process of continuous improvement. ICMA�s action represents the latest move in the propagation of Responsible Care down the chemical industry supply chain from manufacturers to distributors. ICMA +353 1 605 1564 Testing on health eVects of MMT Additional testing requirements for the manganese-based fuel additive MMT have been announced by the US EPA.MMT is blended with petrol to boast octane rating. EPA says the extension is necessitated by continuing uncertainties regarding MMT�s health eVects and the potential for widespread public exposure to its emission products. The tests are to be implemented under the Alternative Tier 2 provisions of the Clean Air Act. The data generated will allow the Agency to perform a more detailed risk evaluation. EPA OYce of Mobile Sources www.epa.gov/OMS/ Respirable silica exposures Around 100 000 UK employees are still routinely exposed to respirable silica dust despite it being classified as a Group 1 carcinogen according to a report from the UK Health & Safety Executive. The sectors most aVected are quarries heavy clay foundries ceramics construction and mining. Long-term exposure to silica-based dusts can lead to the lung disease silicosis and possibly cancer.The report is part of the HSE�s review of the Maximum Exposure Limit for respirable crystalline silica introduced in 1997 and should provide a useful baseline for future carcinogenicity risk assessments. The MEL in air was set at 0.3 mg m-3. HSE Infoline +44 (0) 541 545500 Women at risk from carcinogens A group of carcinogenic chemicals called aromatic amines (AAs) has been found in human breast milk for the first time. Researchers from the University of Guelph who carried out the study say it could help explain the increased risk of breast cancer for women living in industrial areas. AAs are used in numerous industrial processes including the manufacture of plastics dyes pesticides and pharmaceuticals.News Research news EU finalises research spending; progresses health programme The extent of EU environmental research spending has been clarified following final approval of the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) covering the period 1998�2002 [see JEM 1999 1(1) 12N and 16N]. Of the total budget of e14.96 billion around e2.5 billion will be devoted to environment-related issues. This includes e160 m for environment and health covering health eVects of air pollution heavy metal and toxic substances noise climate change electromagnetic radiation and the eVects of pollution at the workplace. A further e520 m will go into research on sustainable agriculture fisheries forestry and rural development. The Key Action on �Energy Environment and Sustainable Development� is to receive e2.125 billion over the five-year period split almost equally between environmental projects such as water management and climate change and energy research.While attention was focused on FP5 the Commission was also progressing proposals to renew a little-known programme on research in public health. Following on from a previous action adopted in 1997 the programme aims to improve information on the spread and prevention of diseases linked to environmental pollutants. The action will also contribute to understanding about perception assessment and risk management. As with FP5 before it funding is being hotly disputed between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The budget currently proposed covering the period 1999 to 2001 is e3.9 m. MEPs are also pushing to ensure that the programme has a sharper focus.They say it should serve as a launchpad for future legislation to combat health risks. EU R&D Information Service www.cordis.lu CSIRO completes ozone observations Australian and British scientists have spent the southern summer studying the self-cleansing ability of the atmosphere. The Southern Ocean Atmospheric Photochemistry Experiment (SOAPEX) is a major international project to study the chemistry of the lower atmosphere. It brings together scientists from the Australian research body CSIRO the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and three UK universities. UK project leader Professor Stuart Penkett said the experiment had provided �a present-day baseline in the cleanest air present in the atmosphere against which we can check future changes. We will also use our results as a comparison for similar studies in the more polluted northern hemisphere�.Based in north-west Tasmania the project involved measurements from the shore-based research station research aircraft and the CSIRO research vessel Southern Surveyor. Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au Pilot project on mercury deposition Methods to evaluate the deposition of mercury from air sources to water bodies are being addressed under a 30N J. Environ. Monit. 1999 1 pilot project launched by the US EPA. The $400,000 project is being funded jointly by EPA and the states of Wisconsin and Florida. Field work will be conducted on Devil�s Lake Wisconsin and a portion of the Florida Everglades. Both water courses are on their states� �impaired� lists and have advisories due to the high level of mercury in fish.The project will investigate the relationship between mercury or air emissions and water quality impacts using approaches that take into account air sources when determining total maximum daily loads (TMDL�s). EPA OYce of Wetlands Oceans and Watersheds www.epa.gov/owow/ RSC measures up The Royal Society of Chemistry is leading a �1.15 m research project to develop a new generation of environmental monitoring tools. Measuring up to the Environment is one of 18 projects being funded under the first round of the UK�s Foresight Link News Agriculture and nutrition awards. The scheme encourages links between industry academia and research bodies to address key issues and problems. RSC leads a consortium of 13 organisations including Zeneca Glaxo Wellcome and the universities of Oxford Cambridge UMIST and East Anglia.The sensor technologies developed in the project will be applied in new types of environmental monitoring equipment. RSC www.rsc.org Mobile laboratory takes to the road A new computer program promises to provide rapid on-site evaluations of the health risks faced by people living on or near contaminated sites. Developed by the Van Hall Institute in the Netherlands in conjunction with environmental consultancy Mott MacDonald the enhanced software is part of the Advanced Mobile Analytical Laboratory (AMAL)�a mobile pollution testing laboratory designed and constructed by the Environment Institute of the Joint Research Centre. The AMAL is believed to be the world�s first comprehensive on-site testing facility providing reseawaste soil and water contamination.Vocational training A training and accreditation system for air pollution monitoring in industry is being developed under an EU scheme to promote vocational training. The framework covers all monitoring and measurement methods currently used in Europe. The aim is to establish minimum criteria for environmental training products which will apply across the EU. The resulting training products will be targeted at people involved in air pollution sampling and analysis in industry and regulatory bodies. Delivery will be through a mixture of traditional course materials and new electronic media. CRE Group enquiry@cregroup.com EPA consults on organophosphates Preliminary risk assessments on 12 organophosphate-based pesticides have been released for public comment by EPA�s OYce of Pesticide Programs (OPP).The consultation is part of a wide-ranging review under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The Clinton administration has said that it is committed to ensuring FQPA is implemented through an open and transparent process and that EPA�s assessments are based on sound science. Organophosphates are widely used on food crops and are also found in home and garden pesticide products. To date health and/or ecological risk assessments have been released for 28 organophosphates and more will be issued during the spring. EPA says that the risk assessments are preliminary and may be revised in future if additional data becomes available. In a related measure EPA has also published a brochure and website informing consumers on practical steps to reduce their exposure to pesticides on food.EPA OYce of Pesticide Programs www.epa.gov/pesticides/opp/ Food link for mystery disease A little understood osteoarticular disorder called Kashin�Beck disease is being linked to contamination of food supplies. Experts discussed the issue in Beijing recently at an international symposium organised by Me�decins Sans Frontie`res. The disabling condition starts in childhood and aVects the growth of joint cartilage in the worst cases leading to dwarfism and painful deformities. The disease occurs mainly in Tibet northern China Mongolia and Siberia. The risk factors seem to include selenium deficiency in the soil fungal contamination of grain and iodine deficiency. These create an environment in which mycotoxins enter the rural food supply.Trials are underway in Tibet involving a variety of measures including selenium and iodine supplements and use of fungicides. British Medical Journal 20th February 1999 Publications Health eVects of PAH�s A new book from WHO evaluates the risks to human health and the environment posed by exposure to 33 non-heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH�s). Compounds from this large class were selected for evaluation on the basis of abundant data documenting toxic eVects including carcinogenicity. More than 2000 references to the recent literature are included. Selected Non-heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Environmental Health Criteria No.202 World Health Organisation 1998. ISBN 92 4 157202 7. US$156.60. Fate of organics This is a well established reference work for predicting potential exposure routes J.Environ. Monit. 1999 1 31N News for organic chemicals covering air water soil flora and fauna. The third edition includes 22 new mathematical calculations for 73 non-pesticide organic compounds. It covers data for 203 commonly encountered chemical substances and explains hazard prediction based on chemical structure. Fate & T ransport of Organic Chemicals in the Environment A Practical Guide 3rd Edition by Ron E. Ney Jr ISBN 0 86587 626 6 370 pages 1998. �48 Health eVects of toxics This second edition contains a significantly expanded exploration of hazardous chemicals and their eVects on human health and the principles of hazardous materials toxicology and industrial hygiene. Topics covered include industrial hygiene risk assessment epidemiology; medical monitoring treatment and management; industrial toxicology; exposure and entry routes; action of toxic substances; target organ eVects; exposure control methods.Health EVects of T oxic Substances 2nd Edition by M. J. Malachowski ISBN 0 86587 649 5 312 pages 1998 �54 Communicating risk The book presents the discussions and conclusions of a symposium sponsored by the member agencies of the US Department of Health and Human Services Environmental Health Policy Committees Subcommittee on Risk Communication and Education the US Department of Energy and the consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation. It is the second in the series of �International Reports on Policy and Practice in Occupational and Environmental CD-ROM for the first time.The directory describes the certification procedures of its 9500 clients in 32 countries. Also on the CD-ROM is a new Guide to Certification a manual providing information on the standards and the accreditation requirements. National Quality Assurance +44 0 1582 866766 Newsletters Latest issues of regular newsletters $ DiVusive Monitor. A newsletter on diVusive sampling in the workplace and in the environment. Issue 10 December 1998 includes an article on methods for the determination of hazardous substances. Available from Dr Richard Brown UK Health and Safety Laboratory. E-mail richard.h.iacs.brown@hsl.gov.uk $ Hazardous Substances & Public Health. The Quarterly Newsletter of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).Winter 1998 edition includes articles on children and the environment health eVects of landfills and details of ATSDR publications and events. Available at http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov/ $ Science and Environment Bulletin. Newsletter of Environment Canada. January/February 1999 issue includes articles on ozone loss in the arctic urban air quality and monitoring of river ecosystems. Available at www.doe.ca/science/ splash.htm $ Update�Winter 1999. The Quarterly Newsletter of the Health EVects Institute. Latest news on health eVects of particulate emissions from motor vehicles and studies of exposure assessments for diesel exhaust. Available from www.healtheVects.org Health of the Ramazzini Institute� published by OEM Press. Communicating Risk in a Changing World Edited by Timothy L.Tinker Maria T. Pavlova Audrey R. Gotsch and Elaine Bratic Arkin with 27 contibuting authors. ISBN 1 883 595207 OEM Health Information Inc. 1998 197 pages �37 Internet guide The book provides a valuable compendium of the most useful environmental resources on the Internet. The Fourth Edition contains 1200 Internet resources and 50% of the previous edition�s listings have been revised. New features include 45 new newsgroups 75 new electronic journals and newsletters 200 new websites. There is a brief description of new HTML tagging. Environment Guide to the Internet 4th Edition by Carol Briggs-Erickson and Toni Murphy ISBN 0 86587 643 6 556 pages 1998 �48 OHS Encyclopedia The latest edition of ILO�s definitive reference guide on occupational health and safety is now available in paper and CD-ROM versions.Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety 4th Edition International Labour OYce Edited by Jeannie Mager Stellman (Columbia University) 1998. ISBN 9 221 092038 (printed version) ISBN 9 221 098184 (CD-ROM version). Digital QA directory and guide National Quality Assurance the UK�s second largest certification agency has launched its membership directory on Events In vitro toxicology 12�13 April 1999 and Irreversible toxicology. 14 April 1999. Details from Caroline Elliot IBC UK Conferences Gilmoora House 57�61 Mortimer Street London UK W1N 8JX. Occupational Hygiene �99 Promoting a healthy working environment. 13�15 April 1999. Details from British Occupational Hygiene Society Suite 2 Georgian House Great Northern Road Derby UK DE1 1LT. Pesticide Residues in Food and Dietary Risk Assessment.28�29 April 1999 London. Details from Janine Winfield IBC Global Conferences tel +44 0 171 637 4383 IFAT �99�12th International T rade Fair for the Environment and Waste Disposal. 4�8 May 1999 Munich. One of Europe�s largest environmn tel +49 89 94901 Health Comfort and Productivity in Buildings. 6�7 May 1999 London UK. Details from C. Philpott Oscar Faber Marlborough House Upper Marlborough Road St. Albans UK AL1 3UT fax +44 (0) 181 784 5700. 32N J. Environ. Monit. 1999 1 News Air Quality in Europe Challenges for the 2000s. 19�21 May 1999 Venice Italy. Details from Dr Vincenzo Cocheo Padova e-mail fsmpd@tin.it or www.fsm.it or www.ei.jrc.it ET �99. 8�10 June 1999 Birmingham UK. The UK�s largest environmental trade show.Details from Reed Exhibition Companies e-mail et@reedexpo.co.uk 31st Mid-Atlantic Industrial and Hazardous Waste Conference 20�23 June 1999 University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut. Details from Dr. Barth F. Smets e-mail bsmets@engr.uconn.edu or www.eng2.uconn.edu/environ Health Consequences of Phytoestrogens in Foods. 15 July 1999 London UK. Details from H. Wiseman Society of Chemical Industry tel +44 (0) 181 654 8216 Instrumental Methods of Analysis 19�22 September 1999 Chalkidiki Greece. Details from IMA �99 Secretariat tel +30 1 7723098 or www.chemeng.ntua.gr/IMA99/IMA99.htm 3rd Euroconference on Environmental Analytical Chemistry Environmental Analytical Chemistry for the 21st Century. 9�15 October 1999 Chalkidike Greece. Details from Mrs Zacharerua Loukou fax +30 31 99 77 19; e-mail rloukou@chem.auth.gr; www.chem.auth.gr/euroconf/enviro.html Measurement for Success UK National Measurement Conference �99.2�4 November 1999 Brighton UK. Incorporates BEMC �99�The 9th International Conference on Electromagnetic Measurement. Details from NMP Conference Secretariat National Physical Laboratory e-mail nmp sec@npl.co.uk International Symposium on Occupational Health for Europeans. 3�5 November 1999 Helsinki Finland. Details from Ella Ha�nninen tel +358 9 4747 546; fax +358 9 2413 804; e-mail ella.hanninen@occuphealth.fi or www.occuphealth.fi/eng/project/oh99 30th International Symposium on Environmental Analytical Chemistry. 13�16 June 2000 Espoo Helsinki Finland. Details from International Association of Environmental Analytical Chemistry e-mail iaeacmfrei@access.ch or tiina.harju@vtt.fi Web bytes The European Environment Agency�s Sustainability Targets and Reference (STAR) database is now accessible on the Web.STAR contains inventories of �sustainability reference values� (SRV�s) and �policy target values� (TV�s) for various themes media and economic sectors. SRV�s are commonly agreed standards and TV�s are legally based values. http://star.eea.eu.int/ A new web-gateway oVers access to the services of Dutch research laboratory TNO the Dutch agricultural research group DLO-NL and NIZO Food Research. Aspects covered include toxicology nutrition and food technology www.worldscienceservices.com Checkout advice on career development for scientists at http://uk.nextwave.org The Association for Women in Science and Engineering (AWiSE) has launched its own website oVering mutual support help and advice for women in UK science www.awise.org ERGO the European Research Gateways Online project was launched in December providing convenient access to a wide range of European R&D databases www.cordis.lu/ergo/home.html Info gateways FoE targets carcinogen emitters A website claiming to expose �the top 100 carcinogen-emitting industrial installations� in England and Wales has been set up by environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth.Based on publicly available information on the national chemicals release inventory maintained by the UK Environment Agency the database enables users to identify pollution and polluters in their local areas. The Agency will be launching a similar searchable inventory itself later this year.FoE stresses that both databases only cover about 40% of carcinogen emissions from industrial installations. The remainder are covered by local authorities and not published. It is calling for an 80% reduction in hazardous emissions by 2005 and community right-to-know provisions similar to those in the US. FoE Factory Watch www.foe.co.uk/factorywatch Euro information gateways The European Environment Agency is launching a series of actions to improve public access to environmental information. Together with the European Commission the Agency is to develop an extranet to support the work of EIONET the European Environment Information and Observation Network. EIONET is a collaborative activity involving more than 200 organisations across Europe in the observation and interpretation of environmental data. Under phase two of the project which runs through to 2003 key nodes within the network will be linked electronically and are to act as national clearinghouses for environmental information. A public gateway to EIONET and other environmental databases is also planned. E2RC the European Environmental Reference Centre will be a series of web-based services due for launch this autumn. It will provide structured access to environmental information where p