Air pollution affects health in Asian cities (The New Sabah Times) BANGKOK : A first-of-its-kind rigorous multi-city study on the effects of air pollution on health in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Wuhan has found significant mortality effects of acute exposure to urban air pollution. [News Source]

FIRST COORDINATED ASIAN MULTI CITY STUDY OF AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH FINDS AGEING ASIAN POPULATIONS AT RISK (Thaipr.net) A first-of-its-kind rigorous multi-city study of the effects of air pollution and health in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Wuhan has found significant mortality effects of acute exposure to urban ai [News Source]

CA loses $28 billion yearly due to health effects of pollution. The California economy loses about $28 billion annually due to premature deaths and illnesses linked to ozone and particulates spewed from hundreds of locations in the South Coast and San Joaquin air basins. [News Source]

Giant Asian smog cloud masks global warming impact. A three-kilometre thick cloud of brown soot and other pollutants hanging over Asia is darkening cities, killing thousands and damaging crops but may be holding off the worst effects of global warming [News Source]

Egypt tackles Cairo’s black cloud. Egypt's capital city is blanketed by an inky haze of pollution that on its worst days can bring noxious, throat-burning fumes. After years of neglect, the government is finally implementing measures to address the problem. [News Source]

Wood-burning heating devices could pose serious health risks. While newer wood stoves and outdoor wood boilers burn cleaner and more efficiently than older models, the smoke they emit is associated with lung and heart problems. [News Source]

Detecting a new PCB in Chicago air. Although banned some 30 years ago, PCB compounds are being discovered in urban ambient air. [News Source]

Plasticizer may make boys less masculine. Chemicals known as phthalates are useful additives to plastics, cosmetics, and fragrances. Prenatal exposure to phthalates could also lead to smaller penis size and incomplete descent of testicles in baby boys. [News Source]

Pollution may trigger tornadoes. The 2008 tornado season has been the deadliest in recent years, with 35 killer twisters killing 123 Americans. Could pollution be, partly, to blame? [News Source]

Plan requires cut in emissions. Within two years after the long-delayed general plan update is finally approved, Monterey County would be required to adopt a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 30 percent in an attempt to offset the environmental impacts of future growth. [News Source]

Bicycles could disappear from Asia, experts warn. It is likely bicycles will have disappeared from China's and India's streets within the next decade, unless governments of the world's two most populous countries make a U-turn in their transportation policies. [News Source]