Phthalates linked to abnormal genitalia in baby boys
5. October 2008
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Mothers exposed to high levels of phthalates during pregnancy are more likely to bear sons with abnormal genitals, says new environmental research published in the journal Environmental Research. (See what we did there?) The study looked at only 106 mothers and sons, and the afflictions — undescended testicles, smaller penises, and a shorter anogenital distance — aren’t serious problems in and of themselves. But the results, combined with previous studies linking phthalates to reduced sperm quality, DNA damage, hormonal changes, reduced lung function, and premature puberty, make researchers understandably wary. (The American Chemistry Council is decidedly not wary, declaring on its website, “There is no reliable evidence that any phthalate has ever caused a health problem for a human from its intended use.”) Phthalates are in all kinds of things — sex toys, baby items, and yoga mats, to name a few — via which they make their way into drinking water, breast milk, and household dust.
source: ;USA Today
see also, in Grist: ;Congress agrees on product-safety bill banning phthalates
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Amadé Hotel Schaffenrath (****) on Fri Oct 17, 2008 for €90
5. October 2008
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Superior Double Room. Excluding breakfast.
One hotel for every vacation desire: Hotel Schaffenrath, in the southern section of Salzburg, pleases guests with its many different sides. The hotel’s 48 rooms and 28 apartments are characterized by a friendly atmosphere – enjoy a plenty of spacious areas and modern architecture. Known for its high quality, the hotel offers travellers of varying tastes a home-away-from-home for an extended period of time.
Families and individual guests feel right at home in the comfortable atmosphere of the hotel rooms, the apartments and restaurants. Our wellness facilities offer a variety of saunas, bio-sauna, infrared chambers, sanarium, steam bath, Kneipp basins, spa showers and solarium and are free of charge. A massage will let you feel relaxed.
Attentive service personnel are ready to help with any questions you have about your stay in Salzburg.
The location of the hotel offers a perfect combination: in a country part of the city (Hellbrunn is in walking distance) and nevertheless very close to the city centre, so that you have the ideal point to start to experience the city or to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
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EPA talked out of declaring public-health emergency in asbestos-ridden town
5. October 2008
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A public-health emergency has never been declared in Libby, Mont., where asbestos exposure from vermiculite mining has killed 200 people and sickened more than 1,000 more. But documents and emails obtained recently by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) show that in 2002, the U.S. EPA was primed to declare such an emergency — before being talked out of it by top-level officials at the Office of Management and Budget. A public-health emergency declaration would have authorized extensive cleanup and increased health services in Libby, which the feds feared might — gasp! — encourage other asbestos-ridden places to demand the same. Libby has been declared a Superfund site, and vermiculite miner W.R. Grace will pay Superfund cleanup costs, but the effects of asbestos contamination still linger. Baucus is “not going to rest” until a public-health emergency is called: “It’s a huge disrespect for the law and it’s a bigger disrespect for the people of Libby,” he says. “It’s hard to even fathom.”
source: ;Flathead Beacon
see also, in Grist: ;EPA refuses to warn homeowners about asbestos exposure from insulation
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Hop On Hop Off tour of the city
4. October 2008
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[All year round] Explore Salzburg on a ‘Hop On Hop Off’ tour of the city that lets you get on or off the bus as often as you like.
Hop On Hop Off tour of the city
Explore Salzburg on a ‘Hop On Hop Off’ tour of the city. Board one of the comfortable, air-conditioned luxury buses. Each seat is equipped with earphones offering informative commentaries in 7 languages. 12 stops let you get on or off the bus as often as you like. Put together your own sightseeing or shopping tour or just enjoy the ride. The 2-hour or 24-hour ticket is a flexible way to get acquainted with the points of interest in the city of Salzburg.
; • The major attractions on a tour of the city
; • 12 stops to board or disembark
; • Informative audio-commentary in 7 languages (German, English, Spanish, Italian,
; ; ; French, Russian and Japanese)
; • Daily service – 365 days a year
; • 2-hour or 24-hour ticket
; • 24-hour combined ticket with Salzburg Ship Service (April – October)
; ; ; Landing: ; Hanusch Platz/Makartsteg:
; ; ; Sightseeing by ship on the Amadeus Salzburg
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Atel Hotel Lasserhof (****) on various dates for €75
4. October 2008
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Double Room - Queensize Bed. Including breakfast.
Comfortable 1st class privately owned and family run hotel in the centre of Salzburg. The hotel enjoys a quiet position although in the centre of the town.
Within easy reach on foot to all of the historic and interesting points of the city, such as Mirabell Castle and gardens, theatres, churches and museums, congress houses, central train station and of course, not to be missed, the famous old Town Centre with it?s historic buildings and monuments.
Parking is available at all times for an additional fee. A Spa, Indoor Pool and sauna are available 2 minutes walk from the hotel.
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All-electric version of tiny Smart car unveiled at Paris Auto Show
4. October 2008
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Automaker Daimler unveiled an all-electric version of its tiny Smart car at the Paris Auto Show this week, dubbed the Smart ED for its electric drive. Diesel-powered versions of the ultra-cute, ultra-compact Smart Fortwo went on sale in the United States just this January to wide acclaim. Company spokespeople said the all-electric Smart Fortwo will be available in the U.S. by 2012 at the latest, and that a very small number of the EDs will be available somewhere in the world by the end of 2009. Daimler has been testing 100 or so of the Smart EDs in London since last year and has said it will also test 100 more in Berlin soon. German utility RWE is already working on setting up 500 charging stations throughout the city. According to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, the company’s goal is to have some 1,000 of the EDs in operation in various cities around the world by the end of 2009. The tiny Smart ED will be able to travel some 90 miles on a full charge and has a top speed of about 74 miles per hour.
sources: ;MSNBC.com, Popular Mechanics, The Times
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Nine states sue EPA over water rule, saying it allows pollution
4. October 2008
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Nine U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba have sued the U.S. EPA over a regulatory change that exempts transfers of water from one water body to another from Clean Water Act protections. If allowed to stand, the plaintiffs charge, the June administrative ruling would permit ships to dump ballast water in the Great Lakes and other water bodies regardless of whether the water is polluted, salty, or contains invasive species. It would also allow essentially unregulated downstream releases of polluted water from already-polluted reservoirs or lakes like North Dakota’s Devil’s Lake, the states charge. In short, the ruling would likely harm drinking water supplies and disrupt fisheries. “EPA’s new rule makes it much easier to further pollute our waters and spread exotic species,” said Jim Murphy of the National Wildlife Federation. “We need strong measures to protect our waters, not illegal rules that make the problem worse.” The nine states suing the agency are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, and Washington.
sources: ;Bloomberg, Associated Press, Minnesota Public Radio, Winnipeg Free Press
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Houston joins Los Angeles in having ’severe’ smog problem
4. October 2008
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Houston has received the dubious honor of becoming the second U.S. city to have a “severe” smog problem, as classified by the U.S. EPA. Los Angeles is its partner in grime. The downgrade from a “moderate” to “severe” smog problem gives Texas’ largest city nine extra years to meet federal air-quality standards. Both Houston and L.A. have, however, taken recent steps to combat their unhealthy air quality. Houston Mayor Bill White has unveiled a plan to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 11 percent and smog 16 percent by 2010, through use of the usual suspects: renewable energy, hybrid cars, LED traffic lights, energy-efficient buildings, rooftop solar panels, and expanded transit. Los Angeles, for its part, on Wednesday launched a pollution-control program at its bustling port, banning the entry of diesel trucks built before 1989.
sources: ;Associated Press, Houston Chronicle, Los Angeles Times
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ABC-Altstadt-Appartements (****) on various dates for €80
4. October 2008
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Apartement Constanze (25 m?). Excluding breakfast.
Small charming aparthotel with private atmosphere in exclusive location in the historical centre of Salzburg.
Located on Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most famous street, they are only a 1-minute walk away from Mozart’s Birthplace, the Festival Halls and the Altstadt parking garages. Choose between 3 quiet and completely remodeled apartments, each having its own charm.
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Altstadt Hotel Weisse Taube (****) on various dates for €85
4. October 2008
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Double room Shower. Including breakfast.
The former residential building, first mentioned in 1365, has kept its unique style although it was renovated and redecorated a number of times.
In only a few minutes walk you can reach all the famous sights and cultural buildings in central Salzburg - mentioned as World Heritage from the UNESCO.
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