FEATURE - Targeting Air Pollution, Poor Nations Aid Climate (Planet Ark) BONN, Germany - China's car efficiency standards are tougher than those of many industrial states -- a somewhat surprising fact that reveals how efforts by developing nations to limit pollution may also help brake gobal warming. [News Source]

First unhealthy air pollution watch issued (Dallas Business Journal) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality expects to issue the first unhealthy air pollution watch of 2006 for North Texas on Thursday. [News Source]

Maryland hospitals recognized for environmental improvements. Four Baltimore-area hospitals received recognition Tuesday from the Maryland chapter of Hospitals for a Healthy Environment for recent improvements in reducing hazardous and medical waste, as well as efforts to eliminate the dangerous toxin mercury from their buildings. [News Source]

Pa. Senate race gets unfriendly environmentally. Last night Senate candidate Bob Casey aimed his attack directly at Rick Santorum accusing the two-term senator of repeatedly putting business interests ahead of the environment and public health. [News Source]

Report lists nuke plant alternatives. New power plants, more efficient transmission and energy conservation could replace Indian Point's power. But not without increasing air pollution and consumer costs — and not without unprecedented leadership from state officials, the nation's top scientific advisers determined. [News Source]

Ethanol bill’s veto won’t stop new plants. Plans are continuing for construction of at least three new ethanol production plants in northeastern Colorado despite Gov. Bill Owens' veto of a bill that would have more than doubled its mandated use during the winter months. [News Source]

Clean air status in peril. Soaring smog-forming emissions tied to exploding exploration of oil and gas northeast of Denver, CO, threaten to push up metro-area ozone levels, jeopardizing the region's ability to stay within federal clean air limits. [News Source]

Tougher emission controls proposed for state’s power plants. Delaware’s largest power plants could have to spend as much as $750 million to curb smog, soot and mercury emissions under a proposal announced today by state officials. [News Source]

We all breathe ‘total poor’ air. The majority of GTA residents believe -- wrongly -- that the air quality in their own neighbourhoods is better than in smoggy downtown Toronto, a new poll shows. [News Source]

B.C. government seeks ways to reduce ship pollution. B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner is interested in California’s requirement that cargo ships shut down their bunker fuel-burning engines while in port. [News Source]

No boundaries for ‘toxic soup’ pollution: Doc. With every breath of air you take, you're breathing in a "toxic soup" of pollutant chemicals that are damaging your lungs and heart, an expert says. [News Source]