Jan.17: ENVIRONMENT SNIPPETS
Right house plant could improve indoor air Â
We know that potted plants pump oxygen into our surroundings improving the quality of indoor air. But a new study has found that certain varieties also clear the air of harmful chemicals.
The study, conducted by researchers from the State University of New York, looked at five types of house plants – jade, spider, bromeliad, dracaena and Caribbean tree cactus. They were tested for their ability to absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which come from paint, furniture, printers and dry-cleaned clothes, among other things. A high concentration of VOCs can lead to health problems such as dizziness, asthma or allergies.
Fast food chains cause most HFC emissions
Multinational fast food chains in India are the largest contributors to emission of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), says a recent report by Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). McDonald’s, Starbucks, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Cafe Coffee Day and Hindustan Unilever are among the eight fast food chains that could add the equivalent of nearly one million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2020.
Developing countries are expected to join a global HFC phase down and multinational food and beverage retailers should support this effort. EIA urges the Indian government to ban these companies from using HFCs in new refrigeration equipment with a global warming potential higher than 1000 beginning 1 January 2018.
Â
BS-VI emission norms from 2020 as planned
There is rising concern over air pollution in India, particularly in large cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. So, in a notification, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has said Bharat Stage (BS)-VI emission norms would be introduced for all vehicles from April 2020 as planned.
This is despite auto manufacturers urging the government to delay implementation by five years on the grounds that Rs 1.5 lakh crore investment would be required. The BS norms regulate the amount of pollutants a vehicle is allowed to emit in India. BS-VI norms are the strictest limit as yet.
  Â
