Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

(Washington, D.C.-November 1, 2005) EPA has awarded seven grants
totaling $1,042,152 to help increase the number of physicians, nurses
and public health workers able to address the broad spectrum of
children's environmental health issues, whether in their private
practices, in the institutions which they work, in academia, or in their
communities.

There is a wide range of multi-state, national and international
projects funded. In one project visiting Public Health Nurses will

Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Washington, D.C.- October 26, 2005 - EPA today recognized 18
organizations for achieving significant energy savings and leading their
fields in responding to the agency's Energy Star Building Challenge.

Those honored for achieving at least 10 percent energy savings included
school districts, a hospital and supermarket, hotel, banking and
commercial real estate companies. They were recognized by EPA
Administrator Stephen L. Johnson who also re-issued the challenge,
emphasizing improved energy efficiency as a solution to rising energy

Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

On Oct. 12, Wilshire Restaurant Group, Inc., owner of Marie Callender's
Pie Shops, Inc., was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the District
of Utah for negligently releasing asbestos while replacing the roof of
the Marie Callender's restaurant in Midvale, Utah. The defendant will
pay a $50,000 fine. The defendant was also ordered to conduct an
asbestos survey of its Utah stores, develop an asbestos management plan
for the stores and properly train its executives. In addition, the

Source GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute has awarded GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification to interior phenolic resin surfaces of Trespa North America. Trespa's Athlon, Virtuon, and Toplab Plus were tested for chemical emissions performance under the stringent GREENGUARD Standard for Low Emitting Products. All of Trespa's interior decorative panels can be specified with the confidence that they will not impact the indoor air.

"GREENGUARD Certification fits perfectly into our environmental policy and is proof that our Life Cycle Analysis goals are being achieved," commented Darlene Byrne, Marketing Manager for Trespa North America. "Not only are our interior panels low emitting, but they are also easy to clean and long lasting which are two important factors impacting indoor air quality."

Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Washington, D.C. - To facilitate the smooth implementation of key air programs, EPA is proposing a draft rule to ensure the New Source Review (NSR) program is more compatible with current air pollution control programs that protect public health and the environment. Through the Clean Air Interstate Rule, the Clean Air
Visibility Rule and the Acid Rain Program, EPA has set a permanent cap on power plant emissions. Today's proposal provides the nationally consistent regulatory framework to assure NSR complements the programs that achieves these significant emissions reductions.

Source Newhouse News Service

BY CHUCK McCUTCHEON

WASHINGTON -- If the government is serious about energy conservation, it needs to put its money where its mouth is in talking it up to the public.

That's the view of some activists and lawmakers, who urge President Bush and Congress to launch the comprehensive $90 million public information campaign authorized in the massive energy bill signed into law last summer. Such an effort "is probably the most important step that can be taken to address tight energy markets and the high prices they are causing," the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a non-profit advocacy group, said last month in addressing Hurricane Katrina's aftermath.

Source U.S. Newswire

ANN ARBOR. NSF International announced today that it has been awarded a research and development contract by the United States (U.S.) Department of the Air Force. Under the terms of the contract, NSF will test and evaluate microbiological treatment claims for several handheld water purifiers being considered for field use by military personnel.

The Air Force Field Water Medic Program conducted a market survey in 2004 that identified commercially available handheld water purification devices with possible applications for military use. NSF Protocol P231 (NSF P231): Microbiological Water Purifiers was identified as the preferred protocol to evaluate the performance of these devices, and NSF was selected as the organization of choice to conduct the third party, independent testing.

Source BUSINESS WIRE

PHOENIX. According to a new study by PinnacleOne, one of the nation's leading construction consulting firms, a majority (60%) of public owners in the United States have implemented construction projects with energy efficiency designs in the past year. Yet, less than a third (29%) of the owners currently use or plan to use LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building standards in the coming year. Surprisingly, almost half (49%) of the study participants were unfamiliar with the standards.

Source Green Building Press

It seems that as part of the Revisions To Part L of the Building Regulations, The Government intends to introduce a 'carrot' in the form of capital allowances tax relief against many energy efficient technologies and environmentally beneficial plant and machinery assets. This is in addition to the 'stick' of maximum carbon emissions. A free 'healthcheck' review of possible tax savings is available by contacting info@e3consulting.co.uk.

Controlling heat losses or excessive solar gain as well as wider un-controlled heat gains or losses from pipes, ducts, etc is the principal aim of the revised Part L. The government is expecting the impact to the substantial, and estimates that annual reduction in carbon emissions in 2010 resulting from Part L revisions will be 0.98 million tones (MtC).

Source American Lung Association

October Designated National Home Indoor Air Quality Action & Awareness Month

The American Lung Association Health House program today launched a nationwide public information campaign
to help make the air Americans breathe inside their homes cleaner and
healthier. "Fall is a time of year when many of us are preparing our homes
for winter," said Steve Klossner, American Lung Association indoor air quality
expert. "As we do, we need to consider the quality of the air we'll be
breathing at home since most of us spend 90 percent of our time indoors."