New research by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has shown that airing a room immediately and thoroughly when an energy saving lamp breaks can avert any health risks posed by mercury. Manufacturers should include this safety advice on all packaging, says UBA, whose President Jochen Flasbarth also sees a need for improving the break resistance of energy saving lamps. Flasbarth comments, “Splint... read more
EU agrarian reform: Agriculture experts demand integration of ecological aspects in agricultural policy
Europe’s agriculture sector is granted 57 billion euros per year in public funding. Do these subsidies make sense, and where might there be room for improvement in EU subsidies policy? Is environmental protection adequately taken into account in EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)? The Agriculture Commission (KLU) at the Federal Environment Agency believes the opportunity to optimise CAP in 2014-... read more
Testing for human pollutant exposure in Europe
A study known as DEMOCOPHES on human exposure levels to pollutants will involve some 4,000 mothers and children from various countries in the European Union (EU). It is scheduled to start in 17 European countries in August. This harmonised approach to testing for exposure to pollutants in humans (biomonitoring) used to be funded by the EU Action Programme Environment and Health. The Federal Enviro... read more
Photo contest theme: Summer, sun - plastic rubbish?
The motto of this summer’s photo contest, Sommer, Sonne - Plastikmüll? [Summer, Sun - Plastic rubbish?], is a campaign by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) to encourage amateur photographers to submit works that depict the holiday natural paradise from a completely different perspective. White sandy beaches and crystal-clear water are far from being the standard everywhere. Plastic bottles bobb... read more
Less income, more noise and exhaust fumes - the socio-economically disadvantaged often exposed to more strain
People with little education or low incomes are more likely to suffer from traffic noise and poor air quality than other segments of the population. The health problems associated with particulates and noise are especially high in urban areas with heavy traffic. The consequences of global warming as well as the increasing social polarisation in cities have prompted the need for political intervent... read more
Environmental standards for jackets and trousers
Federal Environment Agency (UBA), industrial and commercial enterprises, associations in the textile and shoe industry, and civic institutions are all toeing the same line on sustainable development: improve environmental standards in textile and shoe production worldwide. President Jochen Flasbarth of the Federal Environment Agency applauds brand-name producers and commercial enterprises for incr... read more
Federal Environment Agency gives the all-clear signal on EHEC in drinking water
The risk of EHEC breaking out via drinking water can be ruled out. Intestinal bacteria are almost never present in large water supply systems that are microbiologically monitored on a daily basis. Even very small waterworks and house wells that are monitored less regularly are highly unlikely to be host to the current strain of EHEC. UBA President Jochen Flasbarth warned against spreading unfounde... read more
Upwards trend in disposable plastic bottles continues
Disposable plastic bottles are squeezing reusable bottles and drinks cartons out of the market. The market share of returnable and ecologically advantageous disposable beverage packaging continues to decline. It sank again slightly in 2009, with a share of only 51.8 percent, which is clearly below the target level of 80 percent that the amended packaging ordinance for mass-produced beverages presc... read more
