EPA chemical risk assessment database 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a database (ToxRefDB) containing toxicity data on tens of thousands of environmentally relevant chemicals. It will enable the public to access information on the hazards, exposure limits, toxicity and risk assessment data of chemicals they may come into contact with. 

Fusion reactor rivals

A collaboration between Italy and Russia to build a new nuclear fusion experiment (IGNITOR) join ITER - a global collaboration to build the world's largest experimental fusion facility (see Chemistry World, May 2010, p5) - in a race to prove nuclear fusion is the energy of the future. IGNITOR aims to be able to produce enough fusion power to maintain the reaction without having to heat it externally.  

Greenhouse gas limits set in US

Rules to set thresholds for the emission of six greenhouse gases have been finalised by the EPA. The Clean Air Act permits will be phased in from January 2011, targeting facilities such as power plants and oil refineries - responsible for 70 per cent of US greenhouse gas emissions. Small businesses and farms will be shielded from the legislation (see Chemistry World, April 2010, p5). 

Say what?

A hung parliament is an unstable isotope    

Anne McElvoy, executive editor and political columnist on the London Evening Standard, speaking on BBC radio 4 on 5 May - the day before the UK general election that resulted in a hung parliament, where no party has an overall majority of seats.