In the papers...

Sinking feeling 

A pharmacology professor from the University of Washington, US, has pleaded guilty to flushing four litres of  diethyl ether down the sink and faking a company voucher suggesting the solvent had been properly disposed of. He axed open old metal and glass containers to avoid paying a high-end estimate of $15,000 disposal costs from laboratory funds. 
Seattle Times, 8 March 2007 

Burnt pyjamas 

A survey of 50,000 university applicant statements found that 234 applicants all gained their passion for science after accidentally burning holes in their pyjamas while experimenting with a chemistry set on their eighth birthday. The stock phrase was copied from an internet advice site. 
The Times, 8 March 2007 

Sleeping lightly 

The most widely prescribed sleeping pills, including Sanofi-Aventis' Ambien, can allow strange side effects like driving and eating while asleep, the US Food and drug administration has said. It ordered makers to place new warnings on 13 drugs' labels and recommended further clinical testing.  
New York Times, 15 March 2007  

Smuggled chemicals seized 

UN officials said Asian customs officials have seized 64.8 tonnes of illegal ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) since September 2006, after training provided by the UN's 'Project skyhole patching ' initiative. That's still a drop in the ocean compared to the estimated maximum 14,000 tons a year of illegal CFC trade, worth $60 million. 
Earthtimes.org, 1 March 2007 

Steely resolve 

Coal plants and steel producers based in Beijing are shutting down, and new wastewater treatment plants are planned, to clean up pollution in the city in time for the 2008 Olympic Games.   
China Daily, 28 February 2007