Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Inquiry urged into doubling of volume at rubbish dump

Inquiry urged into doubling of volume at rubbish dump: "Local residents fear an increase in odour at the site and more truck movements.

The Sydney Catchment Authority is worried about contaminated liquids leaching from the dump into Warragamba dam.

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Competitors charge that the operator of the Woodlawn dump, the French group Veolia, is not doing enough to recycle waste at the site, reducing the amount going into landfill.

Veolia has approval to build a 280,000 tonne-a-year waste processing plant, but has not done so.

Veolia is seeking government approval to raise the amount of rubbish dumped into the former mine site at Woodlawn from 500,000 tonnes a year to 1.13 million tonnes. Along with Sydney's waste, the dump takes waste from the ACT and refuse from some local councils."

Smell in the air

Smell in the air: "RESIDENTS across Singapore were complaining of a bad 'chemical' odour yesterday.

Described mostly as a strong, kerosene-like smell, it spread across the island throughout the day, affecting people from Punggol to Yio Chu Kang and Tampines.

A National Environment Agency (NEA) spokesman said the agency had received about 100 complaints since 5pm about a smell described variously as an 'oil smell', a 'burnt plastic smell' and a 'chemical smell'.

He added that a large number of complaints were first received from residents in the Sengkang and Punggol areas, followed by Seletar Hills and Serangoon Gardens. Some complaints were also received from the Toa Payoh North and Ang Mo Kio areas.

No toxic gases have been detected and the NEA is monitoring the situation.

The agency has also contacted its Malaysian counterparts to check whether any unusual smell has been detected in Johor."

Thursday, November 11, 2010

CBC News - Edmonton - Oil sector funds Alta. group fighting stench

CBC News - Edmonton - Oil sector funds Alta. group fighting stench: "A group of Alberta landowners fighting a tar-like stench will be getting support from what's believed to be the source of the odour — the oil industry.

Carmen Langer of the Three Creeks Emissions Working Group near Peace River said Alberta's oil industry regulator had been paying for their group's meeting rooms and a mediator as part of efforts to find a solution to the smell.

But Langer said that ended last month when the Energy and Resources Conservation Board told them it would no longer foot the bill.

Langer said oil companies in the area have agreed to pay for the services, including a mediator."

Monday, November 01, 2010

Chemical odor in Makiki shuts down part of Keeamoku | KHON2 Hawaii's News Leader

Chemical odor in Makiki shuts down part of Keeamoku | KHON2 Hawaii's News Leader: "Police closed Keeamoku Street from Kinau Street to Wilder Avenue form more than two hours Saturday morning while Hazmat crews searched for the source of a chemical�odor in the pool room at Makiki District Park."

Deodorant made from nanoparticles to eliminate unpleasant odours

Deodorant made from nanoparticles to eliminate unpleasant odours: "The new method does not mask odours like today's room fresheners, but eliminates them at the source.

Their research found that a deodorant made from nanoparticles - hundreds of times smaller than peach fuzz - eliminates odours up to twice as effectively as today's gold standard.

Brij Moudgil and colleagues note that consumers use a wide range of materials to battle undesirable odours in clothing, on pets, in rooms, and elsewhere."