Day: 22 March 2002

European business news in short

edie’s new European business news in short section this week includes a French company with two new contracts worth €2 billion, a second French company taking part in the largest public-private partnership for water services in the US, and a new wind turbine in the North Sea.

It’s Real ‘Rocket Science’ As UK’s First Fuel Cell Lands In Woking

Author HG Wells earmarked Woking as the place where aliens landed in his science fiction epic War of the Worlds. Just over a 100 years later real space age innovation has landed in Woking in the form of a fuel cell developed from space technology.

Severn Trent Services Chooses Watson-Marlow Bredel Pumps For Reliable On-Line Sampling

Reliability under all operational conditions and the ability to deliver a consistent, volumetrically accurate sample over long periods were the key factors when Severn Trent Services turned to Watson-Marlow Bredel peristaltic pumps for the delivery of samples to their range of on-line water quality monitors.

International business news in short

This week edie’s new international business news in brief includes a solar project in the Amazon rainforest, a technology for removing radioactive isotopes from wastewater, and the environmental benefits of working from home.

US Senate rejects proposals for increased use of renewable energy

The US Senate last week rejected a measure in proposed comprehensive energy legislation that would have required 20% of the country's power needs to be supplied using renewable energy by 2020.

Respiratory illnesses may increase with global warming

Respiratory diseases, such as hay fever and asthma, may increase in the future due to global warming, warns a report published in this month’s Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

Revolutionary clean-up technology needs funding

A team of scientists has discovered that iron nanoparticles can clean up contaminated groundwater more efficiently and at a far lower cost than conventional methods. However, in order to continue their research the scientists are searching for extra funding, as they cannot produce sufficient nanoparticles for their tests as fast as they need to.

Scientists discover the missing link that brings mercury into the food chain

A team of US scientists has revealed that there is a link between the quantity of algae in water and the amount of mercury moving into the food chain, suggesting that algae – in combination with pollution and other sources of the metal - is responsible for the levels of mercury in fish.

Separate collection of waste and markets for recycled products are key to composting success

The European Environment Agency has released advice for countries needing to increase their diversion of biodegradable waste away from landfill, in line with Europe’s Landfill Directive, which requires that by 2016, landfilled waste should be 35% of the 1995 total.

Government to give £4 million for solar power for public buildings

Eighteen solar projects across the UK have won a share of £4 million for the installation of solar power generating capacity on public buildings, as part of the Government’s showcase for the technology.

Artificial human hormone giving male fish female organs

A BBC report on its Country File programme on 17 March revealed that an artificial female hormone used in the human contraceptive pill could be responsible for reducing the fertility of male fish.

One of largest ever fines for pollution is levied on a water company

One of the UK’s biggest water companies has been fined £200,000 after a landowner successfully took it to court when a river near his house was polluted.

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