Environment

Back in August, a horrific explosion at a chemical storage facility in the Chinese port of Tianjin killed more than a hundred people and dispersed an unknown amount of toxic sodium cyanide into the air and water.

Despite officials’ best efforts to play down the environmental impact, a series of “unexplained” events occurred in the days and weeks following the tragedy including a massive fish die-off and the appearance of an eerie white foam on the streets following a thunderstorm.

U.S. health officials have activated the emergency bird flu plan after confirmation that the deadly virus has struck a turkey farm in Indiana.  Officials are currently assessing the threat the outbreak poses to the public whilst exercising extra precautions following last years outbreak which led to the deaths of over 48 million chickens and turkeys. Cnbc.com reports: Strains similar to the new virus, known as H7N8, have on rare occasions made people ill and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S.

The city of Grand Junction in Colorado is turning its human waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) to power its vehicles. Eight million gallons of human waste is processed at the Persigo Wastewater Treatment Plant that turns the sludge into RNG or Biomethane. Alternative Energies reports: The RNG becomes the fuel used by 40 fleet vehicles like garbage trucks, dump trucks, street sweepers and even transit buses.

A chemical explosion at a cargo warehouse located in the Guaruja area near Santos, spread toxic gas over Brazil’s biggest port on Friday. A series of fires and explosions broke out after water reacted with the chemicals, causing a large toxic cloud to spread through the port area. The BBC reports: The company owners said the containers in Santos were full of acid and a disinfectant which came into contact with rainwater, causing a reaction. The area’s mayor said at least 66 people were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties.

Scientists say that the first genetically-modified human embryos ‘could be created in Britain within weeks’ A team of Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute in London are about to learn whether their research proposal has been approved by the fertility watchdog.