Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which are used as substitutes for CFCs are about a tenth or twentieth less harmful to the ozone layer as CFCs but just as potent greenhouse gases.
In 1998, the ozone hole covered 27 million square kilometers, according to NASA satellite data. It has been shown to damage one-celled Antarctic marine plants and the DNA of icefish.
The scientific proof of our activity on ozone depletion was a milestone; it was the first conclusive proof of our negative impact on the entire planet.
Other Stories
Honda unveils improved gas, hybrid Civic engines
Honda has new versions of the Honda Civic gasoline and hybrid engine systems due later this year which would deliver better mileage and performance. The gasoline version's fuel economy will improve by 6 percent due to an improved control system and a lighter engine that has fewer components. The hybrid version changes would enable the car to run on electricity only at low speeds for the first time. Honda aims to continue to develop improvements to both gasoline and hybrid vehicles.
The industry average in the USA is 24.6 mpg. Honda expects its average in 2005 to be 29.5 mpg, in spite of its fleet including more SUVs and light trucks. Last year it was 29.0 mpg.
Nichias Says 141 Deaths Linked to Asbestos
Nichias Corp., a Japanese insulation materials maker, reports that 141 of their employees have died over the past 30 years from cancer and lung disease probably caused by their asbestos insulation production. 24 more are currently sick. Another company, A&A Material Corp., said 23 employees had died since of mesothelioma or pneumoconiosis since 1976. 79 employees died at Kubota Corp.
Japan only banned shipment or production of asbestos last year, though some companies stopped using it a lot earlier and have had no new employees fall sick since they did.
L.A. Schools Wrestle With Building Issues
The much needed new Santee High School in Los Angeles was built on the contaminated site of an old dairy. With widespread contamination and earthquakes and faults, it is hard to find environmentally sound sites to build on. The rubble it is built on contains PCBs, lead and other potentially toxic chemicals, but is deemed safe. Five years ago, the $270 million Belmont High School was completed. It has never been used, however, as it was built on explosive pockets of methane gas and an earthquake fault. Other schools have also had problems, so some parents are distrustful of new ones in spite of clearance by state environmental officials.
EU Formalizes Ban on Chemical in Some Toys
The European Parliament has banned the use of the phthalates family of chemicals in toys. The chemicals are used to make vinyl plastics more flexible. The most dangerous phthalates are DEHP, DBP and BBP and are completely banned. Three other phthalates (DINP, DIDP and DNOP) are banned for products that can be placed in the mouth.
Pollution Experts Head to Grounded Ship
Experts are heading to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands marine reserve to deal with any environmental damage caused by a ship that ran aground there.
U.N. Agencies Urge Aid in Bird Flu Fight
A three-day U.N. conference on bird flu co-organized by the FAO, the World Health Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) says that US$102 million (euro86 million) in donations is needed to help Asian countries combat the disease.
Cambodia Suffering Deadly Flu Outbreak
Another man is believed to have died from bird flu in Cambodia. There are many others with flu symptoms, but some of these have been found to have a less fatal strain of flu, the influenza B virus. Further tests are being carried out.
Officials Investigate Deaths of Sea Birds
Hundreds of dead sea birds have been washed up on Virginia Beach and nearby stretches of the coast. Most are migrating greater shearwaters that were heading north. Scientists are trying to determine why.
Wind turbines not so deadly for birds -Dutch study
A Dutch Bird Protection study of three wind farms showed that each turbine killed an average of 28 birds a year, about a third of the number predicted. Turbine size made only a little difference. If these figures are scaled up for the Netherlands' 1,700 wind turbines, this would mean that they kill about 50,000 birds a year, compared with about 2 million birds killed annually by cars.
Can Tourists Save the Whales ?
A New Zealand study shows that whale-watching tourist revenue can exceed the reenue from killing whales.
New Dolphin Species Described, Australia says finds new dolphin the Snubfin
The shy, stubby-snouted, stubby-finned Australian Snubfin Dolphin lives in shallow coastal waters off Australia. It is related to the Irrawaddy dolphin.
Please see the following message for the remaining stories. Sue [sysop in NewsForum, World Issues, All Animals forums] | 
