Issue 92
, 2019
Skin lightening creams containing mercury – a heavy metal and dangerous neurotoxin – are still widely available to purchase in shops and online, despite being banned by governments. That’s the finding of new research by a global alliance of NGOs working to eliminate mer...Read Full Story
Issue 91
, 2019
With plastic getting a bad reputation across the country after Prime Minister Modi’s call to limit the use of such items, some customers said that being charged by retailers for a carry bag was acceptable as it served as a reminder for them to bring their own, according...Read Full Story
Over 5,000 illegal e-waste processing units employing approximately 50,000 people continue to operate in violation of environmental norms in the capital, a study by think tank Toxic Link has revealed. The study has found that these units operate in 15 “informal hotspots...Read Full Story
Issue 90
, 2019
An independent study conducted by Dehradun-based environmental action and advocacy group Gati Foundation has revealed that there is a widespread lack of awareness among mobile dealers about e-waste management in the city....Read Full Story
The study by the Duke University India found that three-quarters of 243 groundwater wells across Rajasthan contained contaminants such as fluoride, nitrate and uranium....Read Full Story
The detergents that we are using may have a harmful chemical called Nonylphenol (NP) which is banned in several countries or is being phased out owing to its harmful effects on humans and aquatic organisms....Read Full Story
Issue 89
, 2019
Cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in 30-69 years old Indians says a recent study. Heart, lung, infection and TB are the four major causes of deaths in India. It is a matter of concern that in the coming decades, State of Uttarakhand along with Bihar, Jharkhand,...Read Full Story
Issue 88
, 2019
The study, of at least 200,000 children born between February 2010 and December 2015, noted the highest decline in height in children born between November and January, when the pollution levels in the country are at the peak....Read Full Story
Issue 87
, 2019
Air pollution has become a national emergency as it is killing one lakh children under the age of five in India every year and is responsible for 12.5% of all deaths in the country, according to a study released on the World Environment Day....Read Full Story
Humans eat and breathe in tens of thousands of microplastic particles every year, according to a new analysis published on Wednesday that raised fresh questions over how plastic waste could directly impact our health....Read Full Story
Life expectancy in India has gone down by 2.6 years due to deadly diseases caused by air pollution, according to a recent report by an environment think tank. The report by the environment organisation Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that outdoor and h...Read Full Story
Issue 86
, 2019
टॉक्सिक लिंक ने अपनी स्टडी में दावा किया है कि &...Read Full Story
At $70 per tonne of carbon dioxide, a carbon tax will be most efficient means of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, according to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report published on Friday....Read Full Story
Drinking water contaminated with arsenic may lead to thickening of the heart's main pumping chamber in young adults, increasing the risk for future heart problems, a study warns....Read Full Story
An estimated 414 million pieces of plastic -- including nearly one million shoes and 370,000 toothbrushes -- have been found washed ashore on the beaches of remote Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean, according to a study...Read Full Story
Issue 84
, 2019
On average, a toxic cocktail of pollutants from vehicles, industry and agriculture shortens the lives of those who die prematurely by 2.2 years, they calculated....Read Full Story
India is likely to generate 5.2 million tonnes of e-waste per year by 2020, up from 2 million tonnes in 2016, according to a recent ASSOCHAM-EY joint study....Read Full Story
Issue 83
, 2019
Despite e-waste rules being formulated in 2011, manufacturers are not fulfilling their obligations under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy and taking back discarded electronic items from consumers for proper disposal of the sometimes environmentally poll...Read Full Story
Eight years after the first e-waste rules were notified in India, the producers are still shying away from fulfilling their responsibility under extended producer responsibility (EPR), a study on electronic waste by an environmental research and advocacy organisation ha...Read Full Story
According to the latest study by Toxics Link, the unmanaged e-waste is increasing due to disoriented take-back and collection system by producers In 2016, 44.7 million tonnes of e-waste was generated globally which is expected to increase to 52.2 million tonnes in 2021....Read Full Story
Issue 82
, 2018
Your favourite chocolates may be significantly harming the environment, say scientists who found that the UK chocolate industry produces about 2.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in a year...Read Full Story
During the post-monsoon season, the air in northern India is particularly stagnant, meaning smoke particles do not vent into the atmosphere as they would during other times of the year....Read Full Story
Issue 76
, 2017
State Pollution Control Boards have a key role in the implementation of E-waste Rules 2016 and will be principle agency responsible for enforcement of these Rules. Hence, it is important that they understand the framework and plan out the possible measures to make the R...Read Full Story
Issue 73
, 2016
Toxics Link has been working towards increasing compliance of bio-medical waste in the country and engages with State Pollution Control Boards and NGOs in different states. One of its engagements has been in the state of Rajasthan to increase compliance of the rules in ...Read Full Story
Issue 67
, 2016
Many of us have fond childhood memories of playing with droplets of mercury spilled out of a broken thermometer. A dark silver-coloured shiny liquid was a plaything for kids and perhaps still is, but in reality it is quite a dangerous curiosity. Unaware of the toxicity ...Read Full Story
A study says harmful chemical ‘bisphenol-A’ in baby sippy cups can impact mental and physical health of children .
The study released by Toxics Link said that as a precaution many countries have already phased out the use of bisphenol-A in sippy cups.
Sippy cups f...Read Full Story
You could be exposing your babies to toxic chemicals that could interfere with their hormonal system and impact growth . A study by Toxics Link, an environmental NGO, claims to have found Bisphenol A (BPA) in 77% of sippy cup samples tested in Delhi.
Bisphenol A is a...Read Full Story
Integration of informal sector with skill development, EPR implementation and reverse logistics backbone are the key requirements.
The E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 were recently notified in supersession of the E-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011, seeking to...Read Full Story
his one-of-its-kind study by the researchers of the Section of Environmental Pediatrics at NYU School of Medicine indicates that lead exposure is a major contributor to children’s intellectual disability in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs), including India.
Re...Read Full Story
Issue 66
, 2015
Toxics Free Healthcare team of Toxics Link conducted a 3-day “Training of Trainers” (ToT) on Bio-medical and mercury waste management in two hospitals of Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The trainings were conducted from 8th October to 10th October in KDKM hospital and Muzaffarpur S...Read Full Story
Toxics Link organized a half day roundtable meet at Radisson Blu Marina, Hotel, New Delhi on 30th October to get better understanding of Endocrine Disruptors and the role of concerned institutions in shaping future actions and responsibilities. The discussion points fo...Read Full Story
Issue 65
, 2015
Toxics Link organized a half day “Awareness Workshop & Stakeholder Consultation” on phasing out mercury from the dental sector. The workshop was conducted in association with India Dental Association (IDA), Madras Branch at Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Chennai...Read Full Story
A round table meeting was conducted on “Greening the Healthcare Sector” at IIC Delhi on 4th September, 2015 by Toxics link and Technical partners- Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations, CAHO and STENUM Asia. During the meeting the participants discussed four...Read Full Story
Toxics Link felicitated 52 schools for their efforts to save the environment at an event organized at Binodini Girls' High School, Kolkata on 29th September 2015. This was a part of the series of programmes that are jointly being organized by Toxics Link, Microsoft and ...Read Full Story
Issue 65
, 2015
Toxics Link organized a half day “Awareness Workshop & Stakeholder Consultation” on phasing out mercury from the dental sector. The workshop was conducted in association with India Dental Association (IDA), Madras Branch at Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Chennai...Read Full Story
A round table meeting was conducted on “Greening the Healthcare Sector” at IIC Delhi on 4th September, 2015 by Toxics link and Technical partners- Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations, CAHO and STENUM Asia. During the meeting the participants discussed four...Read Full Story
Toxics Link felicitated 52 schools for their efforts to save the environment at an event organized at Binodini Girls' High School, Kolkata on 29th September 2015. This was a part of the series of programmes that are jointly being organized by Toxics Link, Microsoft and ...Read Full Story
From October 2, four Namma Metro stations will be part of a mission to ensure toxic e-waste reaches the right destination. Volunteers from Binbag – a startup being incubated at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore’s N.S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learn...Read Full Story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Barack Obama and France and Britain's leaders on Monday, and called for a climate change agenda from upcoming global talks in Paris that helps developing countries with access to finance and technology. Modi said after meeti...Read Full Story
This Ganesh Chaturthi, authorities made it sure that no idol made of plaster of Paris or other non-biodegradable substance were immersed in the Yamuna. On the Yamuna ghat in East Delhi, devotees with idols not meeting environment-friendly standards were allowed to do a ...Read Full Story
In a lesson on practicing what they preach, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon served lunch made from food waste - like "Landfill Salad" - to about 30 world leaders here for the global summit on sustainable development agenda. The vegetarian menu on Sunday was designed to...Read Full Story
A study reveals that the zinc levels are 15 times more than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards in the soil samples collected from near river Ramganga at Moradabad, known for its e-waste recycling industry. Quoting specialists, Centre for...Read Full Story
Dead fish floating in Matoda village panchayat lake triggered panic among locals. The panchayat had awarded the lake on contract for fish farming activity. In an application of complaint submitted with Changodar police station of Ahmedabad district, Kanu Chunara, the fi...Read Full Story
Exposure to chemical pesticides while spraying in the field has also become a major health problem for farmers in Karimnagar district. Though, there is no serious pest attack in the district, the farmers, in order to reap riches, have been using pesticides extensively a...Read Full Story
Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain on Saturday directed Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning to revise building biology by making legally mandatory the disposal of biodegradable waste generated by certain buildings, on an institutional or p...Read Full Story
Making a powerful pitch for energy conservation, Union minister for power, coal and new and renewable energy Piyush Goyal said the government's ambitious programme to replace all electric bulbs in Indian households with energy-saving LED bulbs over the next three years ...Read Full Story
Calcutta tops the chart in generating e-waste after Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bangalore and Chennai. An ill-equipped disposal system has ensured that a major chunk of the e-waste is crudely dismantled or burnt in a little over 1,000 informal units in the city and suburbs, expo...Read Full Story
The move to generate energy from solid waste may fail to meet the target as over 40 per cent of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Delhi is organic which is of no use in the production of energy from waste, according to experts. At present, the national Capital has three w...Read Full Story
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench, on Monday, directed the chief secretary to file a report on the arsenic situation in West Bengal. The NGT had earlier expressed concern after going through a report on arsenic contamination in Kolkata that appeared ...Read Full Story
Even as the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is yet to identify 10,000 sq mtrs of land in the industrial estates for setting up of Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility (CBMWTF) to treat the medical waste in Goa, the State government has constituted ten...Read Full Story
If a ban on plastic was enforced in government offices in to, it would cost lakhs of rupees to the exchequer, as most items of stationery and accessories, barring furniture, may have to be replaced with either paper or metallic items. The government had agreed to a ban ...Read Full Story
The Haryana government may end up destroying the water recharge zone for Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad if it goes ahead with its plan of landfilling quarry pits near Pali village in Faridabad Aravalis. Scientists and geologists TOI spoke to said the Aravalis and the Yamu...Read Full Story
Thirty per cent of diseases in the world are caused due to environmental factors. Unfortunately, the burden of these diseases is much higher in children. The exposure to various chemicals, directly or indirectly, causes worst effects on human physiology, disrupting its ...Read Full Story
With landfill sites under all the three municipal corporations being used, despite having reached saturation long ago, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday directed the Chief Secretary of Delhi to convene a meeting to find a solution. A Bench headed by NGT chair...Read Full Story
Around 346 tonnes of hazardous waste has been lying in the Union Carbide factory since Dec 1984. A decade after it snowballed into a constant feud between the government and environmentalists, the first trial incineration of about 10 tonnes of toxic waste from the Bhopa...Read Full Story
Rivers in western Uttar Pradesh like Kali, Krishna and Hindon have been polluted to dangerous levels because of the industrial waste released illegally into them by the industries. So grave is the pollution that they have also contaminated the groundwater of hundreds of...Read Full Story
Sensitizing the country's pollution watchdog to the vulnerability of general public in areas around hazardous industries, the Union environment ministry has asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure better implementation of the existing 'Public Liabilit...Read Full Story
A retired scientist's concern over the upcoming construction within 10-km radius of the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary has led the National Green Tribunal to seek a response from the Centre on the issue. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice ...Read Full Story
Protecting the last six long-billed vultures in inland south India has become a challenge for the Forest Department even in a protected vulture sanctuary in Ramanagaram. With rampant trespassing in 346.14 hectares in and around Ramadevara Betta — which became the countr...Read Full Story
Issue 64
, 2015
Toxics Link organized a roundtable meeting on the effectiveness of plastic ban in Kolakata with a wide range of stakeholders on 28 August, 2015. The meeting’s objective was to share the findings of a recent study done by Toxics Link titled “Kolkata and Environment –Plas...Read Full Story
Issue 63
, 2015
Toxics Link conducted students’ awareness workshop on “Pollution in Yamuna River” organized by Nehru Learning Centre for Children & Youth, at Teen Murti House New Delhi, on 28 July, 2015. Over 50 students from NP School participated in the workshop which included film v...Read Full Story
Toxics Link participated in Vikalp Sangam workshop held at Leh from 19 July -24 July, 2015. Vikalp Sangam is a conglomeration of various stakeholders that provides platform for sharing experiences and holding discussion with the community members, NGOs officials and oth...Read Full Story
Issue 62
, 2015
Toxics Link under the “Create to Inspire” program supported by Microsoft conducted training for its partners on 10 June, 2015, at its office. The program through its partners has a reach in 11 states across India; some of the states are Bihar, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Ma...Read Full Story
Stakeholders meetings on “Lead Safe Paints in India” were held in June in two cities -Mumbai and Jaipur. The meetings witnessed over 100 participants from government sector, paint industry, pediatricians, academicians, consumer organizations, NGOs and media. In addition...Read Full Story
Issue 61
, 2015
Owing to the success of our past Training of Trainers in Dehradun for the medical officers from Garhwal region, the Department of Health (DoH), Uttarakhand organized similar workshops for the same target groups in Kumaon region. The workshop was held in Haldwani, on 19t...Read Full Story
The seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (SC COP7) was convened from 4-15 May in Geneva, Switzerland. Over 1000 participants attended the meetings. Negotiations focused on convention-specifi...Read Full Story
Issue 60
, 2015
Toxics Link participated in an IPEN gathering in Jakarta, Indonesia, held from 16-18th April 2015. The gathering provided an opportunity for IPEN Participating Organizations and other local non-governmental, civil society groups with a shared mission of a toxics-free fu...Read Full Story
Toxics Link conducted a seminar on Bio-medical & Mercury waste management in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on 29th April 2015 in collaboration with Uttarakhand Health & Family Welfare Department. Navjyoti Development Society a local NGO from Dehradun was regional partner in thi...Read Full Story
A workshop under the EU- SWITCH Asia Lead Paint Elimination Project was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 18 – 21 April 2015. The workshop aimed at collectively looking at the achievements and roadblocks faced by the seven partner countries who have been working towards e...Read Full Story
Toxics Link organized a roundtable meeting on 'Creating Safe Workplaces: E-waste Recycling Industry' in India Habitat Center, New Delhi on 14th April 2015. There were over 30 participants including manufacturers, recyclers, safety experts and representatives from intern...Read Full Story
Issue 59
, 2015
In continuation with the ongoing negotiations with the Dental Council of India (DCI), Toxics Link met DCI President Dr. Dibyendu Majumdar and DCI Secretary Dr. S.K. Ojha, in Delhi on 19th March 2015. The meeting was quite fruitful withDr. Majumdar acknowledging the need...Read Full Story
Toxics Link conducted an awareness workshop for dental professionals in a dental college, named Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College on 27th of March, 2015. The workshop was successfully conducted and the importance of the issue was acknowledged by the practitioners present in t...Read Full Story
Toxics Link conducted a national conference on Waste to Energy on 30th March 2015 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The conference focused on the viability of the waste to energy plants in the context of India. Mr. Ravi Agrawal, Director, Toxics Link in his inaugural ...Read Full Story
It has been 3 years since the E-waste Rules came into effect, but this toxic waste is still polluting our air, water and soil. The rules were meant to improve e-waste management I the country, but not much has changed on the ground, as waste still flows in the informal ...Read Full Story
Issue 58
, 2015
Toxics Link in coordination with Bihar State Pollution Control Board organized a seminar on "Mercury toxicity & Bio-medical waste management" in Patna, Bihar on 9th February, 2015. Besides aiming at enhancing awareness among health care workers, the seminar also intende...Read Full Story
Parallel Training of Trainers (ToTs) programs were organized in two government hospitals on 10th & 13the February at Danapur & Arrah, in Bihar. The training program aimed at enhancing awareness & capacity building of healthcare staff on improving compliance level of bio...Read Full Story
Toxics Link in coordination with Microsoft & GIZ organized the School Teacher’s Induction Workshop under Microsoft Create to Inspire program on 20th February, 2015 in Kolkata. Mr Debabrata Baral, District Inspector (Secondary Education), Kolkata, was one of the key tech...Read Full Story
Issue 57
, 2015
‘Create to Inspire’ programme, supported by Microsoft, was started in several cities of India in August 2014. The programme, through working with teachers, aimed at motivating students or youth leaders to be drivers for sustainable future. The programme was a big succes...Read Full Story
Toxics Link has been conducting school programs in various schools of Delhi to inform and educate students about harmful health effects of lead (pb), a heavy metal, in paints. The program further envisages that these students in turn would reach out to many others who a...Read Full Story
Issue 56
, 2014
Toxics Link in collaboration with the State Department of Health, West Bengal conducted a daylong seminar on 19 December 2014, in Kolkata on issues relating to medical waste management and mercury toxicity in the healthcare sector. The seminar focused upon the entire go...Read Full Story
Toxics Link organized the 6th edition of “Quotes from the Earth” an environmental festival at India International Centre, on 5th and 6th December 2014. Inaugurated by Padmshree and Kathak Guru Smt. Shovana Narayan, the festival drew a huge audience of over 300, comprisi...Read Full Story
Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) is an important global platform to create the scope to minimise and reduce the impact of the chemicals on health and environment at large. The 2nd Open-ended Working Group (OEWG2) meeting of the SAICM was...Read Full Story
Issue 55
, 2014
The first ever India Rivers Week was organized as a national event in New Delhi from November 24-27 2014. The main objective of the event was to bring together a vast range of stakeholders to discuss the ground realities of rivers, and develop approaches to address the ...Read Full Story
Toxics Link under the “Microsoft Create to Inspire School Program” conducted a Showcase Workshop in November in two cities: Noida and Ghaziabad. This program aims at ‘Sustainable living and Consumption’ in our daily lives. The implementation model comprises of a set of ...Read Full Story
Issue 54
, 2014
Toxics Link released a report “Bottles can be Toxic: An Investigative Study on Bisphenol-A in baby Feeding Bottles in India”. The report found that baby feeding bottles sold in India are made of Bisphenol-A or BPA; a chemical which is endocrine disrupting and impacts th...Read Full Story
To mark the International Lead Prevention Week, Toxics Link conducted an awareness programme on “Lead in Paint” for students on 20 October, 2014 at Delhi International Happy School, Jungpura, New Delhi. The aim was to make the students aware on the presence of lead in e...Read Full Story
Issue 53
, 2014
Toxics Link released a well researched & grounded policy report “Mercury Free India-Right Choices”. The exhaustive report based upon decade old advocacy initiatives and research by the organization, focuses on the existing mercury usage and provides framework for policy...Read Full Story
Toxics Link conducted awareness program on “Lead in Paints” for students in 10 schools of Delhi, in the month of September 2014. The aim of this program was to make students aware on issues of lead poisoning and presence of lead in enamel paints sold in the Indian mark...Read Full Story
Issue 52
, 2014
Toxics Link in association with Microsoft organized a teachers’ orientation cum capacity building workshop at Global Indian International School, Noida, on 30th August, 2014. More than 45 teachers from various schools across Noida participated in the workshop, which int...Read Full Story
Toxics Link released the report “On the Edge” which examines polluting industrial sites in the entire Delhi NCR region. 51 sites located in and near national capital Delhi were examined during this study, on parameters such as: industrial processes, use of chemicals, di...Read Full Story
Issue 51
, 2014
Toxics Link released a report titled “Impact of E-waste Recycling on Water and Soil” this month. The report based on lab tests, reveals how toxic elements such as mercury, lead, zinc, etc., along with acids and chemicals released during e-waste recycling, are contaminat...Read Full Story
Toxics Link conducted a workshop on bio-medical waste for students on 14 July, 2014 at Mira Public School Janak Puri, New Delhi. The workshop aimed at making students aware on the use of mercury and its health hazards, and also making them realize the urgency of taking ...Read Full Story
Issue 50
, 2014
E-waste Rules have been in force since May 2012. Have the Producers, the key stakeholders responsible for implementing the Rules, done what was required? Are there take back mechanisms in place for e-waste collection? State Pollution Control Boards, which are the monito...Read Full Story
Toxics Link organized meeting of stakeholders to push for mandatory standards on lead in paints, at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Quality Cou...Read Full Story
Issue 49
, 2014
Clean & Green Hospitals aims at supporting and facilitating health care facilities in the country to provide environmentally sustainable healthcare to the masses. It’s an initiative undertaken by Toxics Link in association with STENUM Asia Sustainable Development Societ...Read Full Story
The growing popularity of LCD and Plasma screen has put the Cathode Ray Tubes or picture tubes out of business globally. But this fading technology has a remnant in form of toxic leaded glass. Cathode Ray Tube which can have up to 4kgs lead is one of most toxic componen...Read Full Story
Toxics Free Health Care (TFHC) team of Toxics Link has developed an interactive, web and offline game on bio-medical waste (BMW) management called "Think & Throw”. For long, need for an interactive one-to-one medium for training on bio-medical waste management has been ...Read Full Story
Issue 48
, 2014
According to the E-waste Rules, 2011, all electronic products sold in Indian market are to be RoHS (Reduction in the use of Hazardous Substances) complaint by May 2014. Hence there is a need for a compliance mechanism to be in place for effective implementation of RoHS ...Read Full Story
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) have been widely accepted as the substitute for incandescent lamps. CFLs find their applications across all end user segments in India now. Within a span of seven years, the CFL market has gone up from 67 million units (in 2006) to about...Read Full Story
Issue 47
, 2014
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has revised and notified the voluntary lead standards in paints to 90 ppm (IS 133: 2013). The apex standard making body of India formulated standard for lead in paints in 1950 and till 2004, these remained as 1000 pm....Read Full Story
Toxics Link in collaboration with Bihar Pollution Control Board organized a ToT Programme on Bio Medical Waste Management & Hazards of Mercury in Patna on 17th January 2014. The workshop aimed to highlight the issue of medical waste management in Bihar and increase comp...Read Full Story
Management of biomedical waste presents a bleak scenario in Uttar Pradesh, owing to the poor implementation of Bio medical waste Rules and improper segregation of waste and lack of awareness in the healthcare sectors. On visits made by Toxics Link in cities like Kanpur ...Read Full Story
Issue 46
, 2013
The South East Asia Regional Conference on Lead Poisoning was held at The Park Hotel in New Delhi. The conference was organised by Toxics Link, in partnership with World Health Organisation, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (Maulana Azad Medical College,...Read Full Story
Issue 45
, 2013
The recent catastrophic flash-floods has left the holy land of pilgrims, Uttarakhand, inundated and barren, leaving behind nothing but dilapidated relics, heaps of mud, boulders and the dead. The loss of life and property has been enormous and the damage would take year...Read Full Story
The earth is reeling under enormous pressure of environmental degradation. Every human action be it pollution, deforestation, poaching, mining, indiscriminate urbanization or illegal encroachments is unleashing myriad of environmental and ecological challenges....Read Full Story
Toxics link organized a press conference "Electronic Waste: Pathways for North Eastern States “on 6th September 2013 at Bramaputra Jungle Resort, Guwahati, Assam. The Press Conference was preceded by a workshop which aimed to bring together all the Pollution Control B...Read Full Story
Issue 44
, 2013
Delhi has transformed from being a green capital to being a concrete jungle in less than a decade. In a short time, tens of thousands of trees have been chopped down for roads, flyovers, the Metro, the Commonwealth Games, and new constructions. Those remaining have been...Read Full Story
Electronic waste is one of most critical waste issue globally. It is an emerging issue in India as well, with the phenomenal growth in the Information Technology and Telecom industry in the past few years. This toxic waste is managed improperly in the country, causing g...Read Full Story
Issue 43
, 2013
On the eve of World Environment Day, Advit Foundation in collaboration with CAIRN India organized a 3 – day event from 3rd - 5th June 2013 in Gurgaon. Toxics Link was invited to participate in the event to discuss and elaborate on concerns surrounding E-waste, which i...Read Full Story
The second workshop of the seven-nation EU-SWITCH Asia Lead Paint Elimination Project was held from 15th to 19th May, 2013 in Sri Lanka. The workshop aimed at sharing experiences during the first year of the project by the seven partner countries (India, Bangladesh, Nep...Read Full Story
Issue 42
, 2013
Vultures have existed for eons – as part of our mythology, amongst Egyptian Pharos and
Greek legends. Yet in a short span of 20 years, they are close to extinction in South Asia and
beyond. Today they are classified as criticallyâ€endangered by the International Un...Read Full Story
Lead is a well-known neurotoxin which damages, destroys or impairs the function of the nervous system. It has been historically used by paint manufacturers as a colouring agent, to enhance durability, longevity and to make it corrosion resistant. Lead in paints is a tox...Read Full Story
As a part of the Earth Day celebrations “Quotes from the Earth†an environment film
festival, travelled to Queens Mary School, Delhi on 22nd April 2013. The festival formed an
integral part of the myriad of educational activities the school had undertaken on the e...Read Full Story
Issue
,
Dioxins and Furans are the known Persistent Organic Pollutants, which are released unintentionally during the anthropogenic and also through natural sources. The dioxins and furans were recognized as the PoPs in the Stockholm Convention and the convention reiterated t...Read Full Story
Issue
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The current rules have been in force since May 2012 but there has been very little change on ground .There is inadequacy and lack of any serious efforts from the Producers and the regulators to bridge the gaps and ensure compliance. It is in this context that Toxics Lin...Read Full Story
Toxics Link in association with IMA (Indian Medical Association, Thiruvananthapuram Chapter) and CISSA (Centre for innovation and Science and Social Action) organized a one day training program on 14th February 2013 at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The training was on the...Read Full Story
Effective management of bio medical waste is practiced only in a few private hospitals in Krishna District .Statistics reflect that out of 560 private hospitals across Krishna district, only a few are managing BMW properly.There has been no attempt or concrete initiativ...Read Full Story
Issue 38
, 2013
E- Waste, one of the fastest growing waste segments globally, is of significant concern on account of high volumes and toxic material content. E-waste also contains valuable non-renewable materials; hence the necessity to recycle waste and reduce burden on mining of vi...Read Full Story
Issue 39
, 2013
With the onset of winter, each year, like this one, the city was once again enveloped in smog. This dense air is loaded with toxic particulate matter, chemicals and heavy metals. As the colder air is unable to circulate and stays close to the ground, the pollutants beco...Read Full Story
Toxics Link and India International Centre organized “Quotes from the Earth†an exploration of films on environment, at IIC, New Delhi, on the 6th & 7th December, 2012 (Thursday & Friday). Supported by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, India...Read Full Story
India’s burgeoning population and modern living conditions has pushed the demand for energy northwards. Lighting has been the most important and one of the significant segments in the energy consumption pie accounting for close to 20% of the total power consumption. O...Read Full Story
Issue 37
, 2012
The danger of mercury exposure – one of the most potent neuro-nephro toxin is now being recognized globally. Mercury emissions into the environment are transported regionally and globally in the atmosphere and its compounds have numerous and well-documented adverse ef...Read Full Story
Issue 36
, 2012
The common sparrow, which was ubiquitously seen in our cities, is now increasingly rare. One could not open a door leading to a garden without a sparrow instantly flying into the room. Alongside, over the years, the absence of common bird species has become increasingly...Read Full Story
The waste management in Ranchi as well as in the entire Jharkhand is again a troublesome issue, starting from the segregation till final disposal of the bio medical wastes. There is no Common Bio Medical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF) in the state of Jharkhand and hen...Read Full Story
Issue 35
, 2012
On 28th of February, 2012 Toxics Link, New Delhi, organized a national conference on toxic chemicals management at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The conference was one of the first efforts of its kind in India to bring a range of scientists, experts and stakeholders ...Read Full Story
The management and disposal of wastes in India largely in cities leaves a great deal to be considered. There is an absence of any appropriate mechanism for disposing the Bio-medical wastes generated in the health institutions so far. It is largely done through indiscrim...Read Full Story
Issue 34
, 2012
Need for Delhi going vertical- an idea mooted by the Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, has ensued interesting debates and discussions on the issue....Read Full Story
In the wake of the E-Waste Rules coming into force in May, 2012, Toxics Link saw the need to facilitate discussions and information exchange among the key stakeholders and organized one day workshop on 15th of December in Gurgaon....Read Full Story
Issue 33
, 2011
Report of The Roundtable Meeting on "Standards and Calibration of mercury-free measuring instruments in healthcare sector in India"....Read Full Story
Issue 32
, 2011
Toxics Link in partnership with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh organized a workshop on “Mercury Phase Out in Health Care Sector” on March 24th, 2011 in Lucknow, Uttar Prad...Read Full Story
Issue 31
, 2011
Toxics Link was invited to the consultative meeting on mercury (reg. INC - II) held at 439, Parayavaran Bhavan on 06 December, 2010. The aim was to subsequently develop the road map for mercury management and phase-out....Read Full Story
Issue 30
, 2010
Quotes from the earth is a discursive platform to highlight the environmental challenges at the national and international level through films which happen to be one of the most powerful medium of communication and discussion. The festival is a collaborative effort by T...Read Full Story
With the water level risen above the danger level, water clogging and mismanagement of water and its resources in the Capital, it became imperative to discuss the issue with the Delhi denizens with inputs and information on it from experts....Read Full Story
Issue 29
, 2010
Quotes from the earth is a discursive platform to highlight the environmental challenges at the national and international level through films which happen to be one of the most powerful medium of communication and discussion....Read Full Story
Environmental Equity and Justice partnership (EEJP) a grant making initiative of The Just environment Charitable Trust hosted a three day National partners’ meet from 8th-10th September at the Global Arts Village, New Delhi....Read Full Story
Issue 28
, 2010
Film makers send in your entries with the completed application form latest by 1st of September 2010....Read Full Story
E-waste Rules, 2010 is a very important regulation issued by Ministry of Environment & Forest as it integrates the most progressive principle of Extended Producer Responsibility....Read Full Story
The issue of mercury (Hg) has gained prominence in India. During these years, various studies have been taken up on usage, disposal and its impacts on environment and human health....Read Full Story
Issue 27
, 2010
In keeping with the opprobrium of Mayapuri Co60 radiation and a dire need for awareness on the subject, the hazards of Radioactivity were discussed at the Environment and Health public lecture series by Toxics Link, hosted by India International on June 25th 2010....Read Full Story
Children’s jewellery is in vogue these days. In keeping with the tendency with children to suck or chew these trinkets, what if you come to know that these embellishments contain lead, a potent neurotoxin capable of IQ deficit, brain and kidney damage, gastrointestinal...Read Full Story
Issue 26
, 2010
“We must not forget that when radium was discovered no one knew that it would prove useful in hospitals. The work was one of pure science. And this is a proof that scientific work must not be considered from the point of view of the direct usefulness of it. It must be d...Read Full Story
Issue 25
, 2010
The first graphic novel on environment: Our Toxic World by Aniruddha Sen Gupta and Priya Kurian as part of a project by Toxics Link was launched among an informed group at the Oxford Book Store in Delhi and Kolkata. The event found much coincidence and impetus as it was...Read Full Story
We are happy to inform that draft E-waste rules have been notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India last week....Read Full Story
Issue 24
, 2010
Environmental Equity and Justice Partnership (EEJP) is an independent grant-making program of the Just Environment Charitable Trust and supported by the Ford Foundation. The initiative is dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the area...Read Full Story
All Central Government Hospitals and health centres have been advised to gradually phase out mercury containing equipments (thermometer, BP Instruments etc.) and replace them with good quality non-mercury equipments, in order to prevent the toxic effects of mercury o...Read Full Story
Fish is a major nutrient and a diet for many in West Bengal. What if this popular human food is found to be contaminated with mercury, due to the contaminant’s presence in fresh water bodies and lakes in the state of West Bengal?...Read Full Story
Issue 23
, 2010
The mode of development that the world—and India—has followed has led to a situation where we are surrounded by numerous hazardous substances in our everyday lives, affecting the health of people, of other living creatures, and of the planet as a whole. Our Toxic World ...Read Full Story
Toxics Link and HCWH jointly initiated the project "Hubli-Dharwad Sustainable Healthcare Waste Management" in eight HDMC Hospitals of Hubli &Dharwad cities during the year 2007-08, under the grant support of Deshpande foundation....Read Full Story
The twentieth century marked the beginning of use of equipments like radio, television and a ground breaking discovery - the first computer. Innovation and development in the field of science and technology and an open global market resulted in availability of a range o...Read Full Story
Issue 22
, 2010
Environmental Equity and Justice Partnership (EEJP) announces the launch of second phase of its grant program. Over next three years the program will work towards ‘securing environmental justice, especially for poor and the marginalized who are often expected to bear mo...Read Full Story
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is on the guard against the rising pollution from industries again. CPCB has therefore taken an initiative of classifying industrial clusters based on scientific criteria and design action plans accordingly. The rise in polluti...Read Full Story
The public lecture organized by Toxics Link, Kalpvriksh and the Australian High Commission, with environmental activist John Seed as the speaker took place on January 28th, 2010, as part of the Environment and Health Public Lecture series held on a monthly basis at Indi...Read Full Story
Commercialisation of Bt Brinjal?
“Strong views have been expressed on the Bt Brinjal issue both for and against. My objective is to arrive at a careful, considered decision in the public and national interest…I should like to make clear at the very out...Read Full Story
Issue 21
, 2010
The world's first direct action in defense of rainforests took place at Terania Creek in northern New South Wales Australia in 1979.Strongly influenced by Gandhi's principle of satyagraha, the actions were hugely influential and led to the NSW government's historic legi...Read Full Story
Does climate change and the hulla balloo about it bother you?? Do you feel the need to talk about the environment? Do you want to write about it and make a difference? If yes, then contribute to the ‘Students for Environment’ forum...Read Full Story
Issue 20
, 2009
'Half Life' is a first comprehensive study analysis on the issue of nuclear waste in India, researched and published by Toxics Link with support from the Heinrich Boll Foundation....Read Full Story
Health of our future generations at stake, eliminate lead from paints, please sign the petition as an appeal to the Govt. to eliminate lead from paints...Read Full Story
This document tries to present the efforts and initiatives taken so far by people fighting against the use of mercury in the Health Care Settings....Read Full Story
Issue 8
, 2008
In a major move towards creating awareness on the environmental and health hazards posed by mercury, the Department of Environment, Government of Delhi, and Toxics Link have entered into an agreement on an intervention programme that will extend to 50 schools here....Read Full Story
Issue 7
, 2007
Two new films on mercury hazard and two new factsheets have been added to the list of information resources, to reach out to new audiences with information on toxicity....Read Full Story
Issue 6
, 2007
With all the three existing landfills in the National Capital Territory of Delhi running out of capacity and the State Government announcing new sites for fresh landfills, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), a nodal environmental body for the Capital, today sa...Read Full Story
Issue 5
, 2007
A meeting was held at St. Stephens Hospital in April, as an experience sharing exercise between medical professionals and Dr. Ingrid Ackerman from Swedish Doctors for the Environment coalition, on the issue of mercury management and reduction in hospitals....Read Full Story
Issue 4
, 2007
In continuation with its efforts to generate awareness and share knowledge on the issue of medical and municipal waste management, Toxics Link, in association with Rachi-based Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), recently organised a two-day regional workshop in the Jharkh...Read Full Story
Issue 3
, 2007
As the global environmental crisis continues to capture more and more space in our everyday communication, films are emerging as a potent means of giving this concern a cross-cultural unity by highlighting commonalities that go beyond statistics of ecological degradatio...Read Full Story
Issue
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Toxics Link and International Institute of Industrial and Environmental Economics (IIEE, University of Lund, Sweden) conducted a panel discussion on 'Materials, Products and Waste Global flows and local environments - impacts on Developing Countries' at 9th Biennial Con...Read Full Story
Issue 1
, 2006
Recognising the hazards posed by mercury to women, including a large number of them who work as medical staff, the European Environment and Public Health Association Environment Network EEN and the Health Care Without Harm Europe have joined forces to mobilize the heal...Read Full Story
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