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We often think of skincare as a pampering ritual, an opportunity to nourish our skin and express our individuality. But as recent research from the University of Birmingham reveals, some of the popular “leave-on” products we use daily — like sunscreens, moisturisers, and lip balms — might be doing more harm than good. Specifically, <keyword id="19970180" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="microplastics" source="keywords">microplastics</keyword> in these products are flying under the radar, raising serious concerns about both environmental and health implications. While most regulatory frameworks have targeted rinse-off products — think face washes and shampoos—leave-on products have received scant attention. This oversight is alarming, especially considering that microplastics, which can be tiny plastic particles or fibres, are prevalent in many of our favorite skincare staples. Dr. Anna Kukkola, a researcher at the University of Birmingham, notes, “The contribution of ‘leave-on’ cosmetics to microplastic pollution is a critical, yet underexplored aspect of environmental contamination.” In their critical review, the researchers analysed 2,381 products and found that only two were classified as leave-on. This glaring gap can be attributed to several factors: the challenges in extracting microplastics from complex formulations and the prevailing public perception that the microplastic issue has been adequately addressed due to bans on rinse-off products. But the truth is, leave-on products could be significant contributors to the microplastic problem. <h2><keyword id="19977451" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-risks" source="keywords">Health risks</keyword> of microplastics</h2>The health implications of daily exposure to microplastics in leave-on products remain largely uncharted territory. With limited research on how these particles interact with our skin after application, the potential for absorption into our bodies — through mechanisms such as hair follicles and sweat ducts — raises red flags. Dr. Kukkola emphasises this point, stating, “Given how much of these formulas our bodies can and do absorb, it is concerning that little to no research has taken place to investigate the associated health effects.” <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114327120" title="An expert in how microplastics affect our health does 6 things to avoid them at home" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Another critical insight from the study is the misuse of the term “microbeads.” Typically associated with rinse-off products, this term has been inaccurately applied to all microplastics in cosmetics, resulting in regulatory blind spots. This mislabeling has skewed global legislation towards rinse-off products, leaving a significant portion of the microplastic contamination from leave-on products unregulated. <h2>Call for action and future research</h2>The researchers are not just pointing out problems; they are advocating for solutions. Collaborative efforts are underway to develop new methods for extracting and analysing microplastics in <keyword id="23630244" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="leave-on-cosmetics" source="keywords">leave-on cosmetics</keyword>. This initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Sophie Comer-Warner from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Professor Iseult Lynch, aims to fill the critical knowledge gaps identified in the study. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114375709" title="Standing desks may not be a boon for health after all" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Professor Lynch warns, “While the microplastics themselves might be relatively benign, a number of other chemicals are intrinsically bound into or onto the microplastics in complex leave-on formulations, including potentially PFAS, plasticisers, and other chemicals known to be either carcinogens or endocrine disruptors.” As we lather on our moisturisers and slather on <keyword id="19944313" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sunscreen" source="keywords">sunscreen</keyword>, it’s crucial to be aware of what we’re putting on our skin. The <keyword id="20724496" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="beauty-industry" source="keywords">beauty industry</keyword> is evolving, and with it, our understanding of safety and <keyword id="20224419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-impact" source="keywords">environmental impact</keyword> must grow. It’s time to advocate for better regulations and more research on the unseen dangers of our beloved leave-on <keyword id="20521267" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skincare-products" source="keywords">skincare products</keyword>. By staying informed and demanding transparency from manufacturers, we can ensure that our beauty routines don’t come at the expense of our health or the environment. The findings of this research have been published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials and can be accessed <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135053">here</a>.

Popular leave-on cosmetics such as sunscreen and lip balms may pose a hidden microplastic risk, scientists warn

In a massive move for the country’s growing climate woes, India is aiming to control weather phenomena like rainfall, lightning, and hail within five years. Dubbed "<keyword id="23131560" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Mausam" source="keywords">Mission Mausam</keyword>," this government-backed initiative includes the development of <keyword id="23148975" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mausam-GPT" source="keywords">Mausam GPT</keyword>, a weather AI model designed to enhance prediction accuracy and even manipulate the weather. This would make India one of the first countries to experiment with <keyword id="21369368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="weather-modification" source="keywords">weather modification</keyword> on a significant scale. <h2>Mission Mausam</h2>India’s "Mission Mausam" aims to reshape the future of weather management by using technology to control rain. Over the next 18 months, the government will start with lab simulations to either enhance or suppress rainfall. The ultimate goal, as outlined by Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran, is to roll out full-scale weather modification within five years. He stated that the initiative could even target events like Independence Day, where “one can think about suppressing rain.” By deploying <keyword id="20644540" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cloud-seeding" source="keywords">cloud seeding</keyword> techniques alongside AI-driven weather prediction tools like "Mausam GPT," the mission seeks to significantly improve India’s ability to manage extreme weather conditions. A key aspect of the plan involves building a robust system of advanced radars, supercomputers, satellites with high-performance sensors, and GIS-based decision support systems. This cutting-edge tech is expected to boost India’s short- and medium-range weather forecasting accuracy by 5-10%, ensuring no event — such as cloudbursts — goes undetected. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113251187" title="India braces for an intensely harsh winter as La Niña takes hold" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>India is not new to weather manipulation efforts. The government has been running pilot projects, such as the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) in Maharashtra, to study cloud properties and enhance rainfall. <h2>Why is weather manipulation necessary and is it safe?</h2>Extreme weather events in India, like deadly floods, droughts, and hailstorms, have noticeably increased in frequency due to <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>. Mission Mausam could potentially give India an edge in combating these disasters. For example, imagine preventing a flood by suppressing rain or creating artificial rain during a drought. India’s investment of Rs 2,000 crore over two years certainly reflects the seriousness of the mission, which is expected to expand further as research progresses. However, weather modification, including cloud seeding, is not without controversy. Globally, cloud seeding has had limited success, with countries like the US, Russia, and China also experimenting with these methods but facing inconsistent results. Even former MoES Secretary Madhavan Rajeevan has noted that “the technology is complex” and still in its developmental stages. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112825937" title="Shivaji Maharaj Statue collapse: Identifying 5 reasons behind the accident" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Further, the potential downsides can't be ignored. While controlling the weather could save lives, meddling with natural processes is risky. Weather manipulation might have unintended ecological consequences, like shifting rainfall patterns that could harm ecosystems and agriculture. It may also pose geopolitical risks, as neighbouring countries could accuse India of altering weather systems that affect their own climates. Ultimately, while the idea of managing the weather may seem appealing, it opens up a Pandora’s box of environmental and ethical challenges that need careful consideration.

The Indian government is taking steps to control rainfall and weather within five years — is it too risky of a move?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are all the rage these days. With their promise of lower emissions and smooth, quiet rides, it’s no wonder that the global demand for EVs has been soaring. However, if you live near the coast — or anywhere prone to flooding — there’s a less-talked-about risk that could make you rethink that shiny new electric car parked in your driveway: saltwater-induced fires from flooded EV batteries. <h2>Saltwater and EV batteries</h2>When it comes to EVs, the heart of the vehicle’s power lies in its battery, usually a lithium-ion (Li-ion) pack. These batteries are highly efficient, but they’re also sensitive to water, especially the salty kind. In September and October 2024, the Southeast U.S. was hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused catastrophic flooding. Thousands of homes were damaged, and in a particularly frightening twist, 11 electric cars and 48 lithium-ion batteries caught fire after being exposed to salty floodwaters. Saltwater is a conductor of electricity, which means it can get into the EV battery packs, triggering a dangerous reaction. When water seeps into the battery, it can cause a short-circuit between the battery's terminals, which may lead to overheating, violent fires, and even explosions. In many cases, the fire doesn’t start right away — it can take hours or even days after the exposure before a thermal runaway event occurs, causing a dangerous blaze. Once the fire starts, it’s nearly impossible to put out with regular fire-fighting methods. Firefighters often have no choice but to let the battery burn itself out. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113906136" title="Planning to purchase an EV? Here&amp;#39;s how to ensure it never catches on fire" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In 2022, during Hurricane Ian in Florida, 36 EVs that had been flooded reportedly caught fire, even some that were being towed on flatbed trucks. The problem lies in how lithium-ion batteries react to saltwater. The metal terminals in these batteries, when exposed to salty water, can corrode and build short-circuiting paths that lead to fires days later. The fire hazard remains even in fully discharged batteries, meaning even seemingly "safe" vehicles after flooding could still pose a serious threat. <h2>The risk to coastal cities</h2>This issue is especially concerning for coastal cities where rising sea levels and hurricanes are becoming more frequent. According to a 2023 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), <keyword id="381751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle" source="Orion">electric vehicle</keyword> adoption is growing rapidly in many parts of the world, including India, where EV sales increased by around 50% in the first quarter of 2024 alone. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi are embracing EVs due to their environmental benefits and growing infrastructure support. However, these coastal cities are also at higher risk for flooding, making the combination of increased EV adoption and rising sea levels a perfect storm for potential disaster. In fact, areas prone to heavy rains and floods, like India’s coastal cities, are facing unique challenges. The combination of frequent monsoon floods and rising sea levels presents a scenario where more and more EVs could end up submerged in salty floodwaters, increasing the risk of battery fires in the region. <h2>What does this mean for you?</h2>While electric cars are generally safe under normal conditions, the growing risk of battery fires due to flooding is an important factor to consider if you live in flood-prone areas, especially near the sea. The key takeaway here is that EV owners should take extra precautions when natural disasters loom, particularly hurricanes and floods. Here's what you can do to protect your EV: <ul><li>Move your EV to higher ground: If you're in a flood zone, take your EV to higher ground or evacuate it if possible. This will help prevent it from being submerged in salty water.</li><li>Evacuate early: Be proactive and evacuate before the floodwaters hit. Don't wait for the last minute to move your vehicle to safety.</li><li>After the flood, treat submerged EVs with caution: If your EV has been submerged in water, especially saltwater, it’s essential to avoid using it, charging it, or even moving it until it’s been inspected by professionals. Contact the manufacturer for a thorough inspection of the battery.</li><li>Do not attempt DIY fixes: If your vehicle has been exposed to saltwater, do not try to start it, charge it, or fix the battery yourself. The risks of fire are too high, and professionals are trained to handle such situations safely.</li></ul>

Buying an EV may be a somewhat dangerous move if you live near the sea

All Indian <keyword id="19926225" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="salt" source="keywords">salt</keyword> and <keyword id="20109149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sugar" source="keywords">sugar</keyword> brands, whether big or small, packaged or unpackaged, contain <keyword id="19970180" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="microplastics" source="keywords">microplastics</keyword>, according to a study published on Tuesday. The study, titled "Microplastics in Salt and Sugar" and conducted by the <keyword id="22774411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-research-organisation" source="keywords">environmental research organisation</keyword> <keyword id="21593811" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toxics-Link" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Toxics Link" meta.hostid="281" meta.entityid="Toxics Link">Toxics Link</keyword>, tested 10 types of salt -- including table salt, rock salt, <keyword id="158885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sea-salt" source="Orion">sea salt</keyword> and local raw salt -- and five types of sugar purchased from both online and local markets. The study revealed the presence of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples, in various forms, including fibre, pellets, films and fragments. The size of these microplastics ranged from 0.1 mm to 5 mm. The highest levels of microplastics were found in <keyword id="630077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iodised-salt" source="Orion">iodised salt</keyword>, in the form of multi-coloured thin fibre and films. Toxics Link founder-director Ravi Agarwal said, "The objective of our study was to contribute to the existing scientific database on microplastics, so that the global plastic treaty can address this issue in a concrete and focused manner." "We also aim to trigger policy action and attract researchers' attention to potential technological interventions that could reduce exposure risks to microplastics." Toxics Link associate director Satish Sinha added, "Our study's finding of substantial amounts of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples is concerning and calls for urgent, comprehensive research into the long-term health impacts of microplastics on human health." The concentration of microplastics in the salt samples ranged from 6.71 to 89.15 pieces per kilogramme of dry weight, the report said. Iodised salt had the highest concentration of microplastics (89.15 pieces per kilogramme) while organic rock salt had the lowest (6.70 pieces per kilogramme), according to the study. In sugar samples, the concentration of microplastics ranged from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogramme, with the highest concentration found in non-organic sugar. Microplastics are a growing global concern because they can harm both health and the environment. These tiny plastic particles can enter the human body through food, water and air. Recent research has found microplastics in human organs such as the lungs, heart, and even in breast milk and unborn babies. Previous studies found that the average Indian consumes 10.98 grams of salt and around 10 spoons of sugar every day -- much higher than the <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword>'s recommended limits.

All Indian salt and sugar brands have microplastics, notes a recent study

<keyword id="22976106" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indoor" source="keywords">Indoor</keyword> <keyword id="19900550" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-pollution" source="keywords">air pollution</keyword> is a bigger <keyword id="21117961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-risk" source="keywords">health risk</keyword> than <keyword id="20543591" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="outdoor" source="keywords">outdoor</keyword> air pollution in India, and sometimes cities are cleaner than nearby villages where <keyword id="22976772" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="household-pollution" source="keywords">household pollution</keyword> is higher, according to the country's two top policy experts. Addressing the India <keyword id="20445293" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="clean-air" source="keywords">Clean Air</keyword> Summit (ICAS) 2024, Principal Advisor, <keyword id="19904190" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Health-and-Family-Welfare" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ministry of Health and Family Welfare" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Ministry of Health and Family Welfare">Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</keyword>, Soumya Swaminathan said, "Studies done in Delhi have shown that women's average exposure to high levels of <keyword id="20827287" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="black-carbon" source="keywords">black carbon</keyword> (women <keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">who</keyword> are mostly at home) is as much as auto-rickshaw passengers going around outdoor exposed to the ambient air pollution in Delhi, resulting in high systolic blood pressure." "Cities contribute less than 20 per cent to the overall state emissions, wherever they have been assessed, but household emissions predominate, ranging between 20 per cent and 40 per cent. Across the country, we are seeing is that sometimes cities are cleaner than the surrounding villages where household air pollution predominates," she said at the summit organised by think-tank Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy. This builds a strong case for expanding the scope of India's National Clean Air Programme (<keyword id="20133150" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NCAP" source="keywords">NCAP</keyword>), which currently focuses on non-attainment cities. Air pollution is a major threat to public health and contributes to a significant amount of morbidity as well as mortality. Apart from PM2.5 and PM10, short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon, methane, ozone, and hydrocarbons have the potential to harm the environment and warm the atmosphere even more than CO2. Black carbon can cause chronic respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, emphysema, pneumonia, asthma, heart disease, and low birthweight. "In terms of reducing our life expectancy, globally, PM2.5 is contributing to about 2.3 years of life lost. Just below that is tobacco. In fact, there's so much attention on tobacco and global frameworks for control, but not the same level of attention has been paid to PM2.5 and certainly not the same level of commitments," Swaminathan said. The impact of air pollution is not limited to public health but has a significant economic cost as well. Recently, the World Bank published a study highlighting that air pollution has resulted in a loss of around USD 8.1 trillion in 2019, which is 6.1 per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP). "We are always talking about air pollution as a problem but studies also show a strong economic case for action on clean air. There are significant positive consequences to investing in cleaning up the air in terms of the return on investments. We know air pollution is not just bad for our health, but it's also bad for agriculture, because it reduces the sunlight that's reaching the crops and it's bad for our economy or any country's economy as it deters people from coming and living or visiting those places," Swaminathan added. Kalpana Balakrishnan, Director, WHO Collaborating Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, said that the main barrier to shifting to clean cooking fuels that can help reduce household air pollution levels is finance. "If we give free LPG to women for two years, they are unlikely to shift back to biomass cooking even if you remove the subsidies," she said. Through Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) launched in May 2016, more than 100 million households in India received LPG cylinders by the end of March 2023. Studies shows over 50 per cent of the households that received new LPG cylinders under PMUY did not choose to refill it even once. Around a third of the world's population - 2.4 billion people globally (including 500 million people in India) - still lack access to clean cooking solutions. Although the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) claims that the country's household LPG "coverage" stands at 99.8 per cent, the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2019-21 (NFHS-5) shows that 41 per cent of the population still cooks on biomass.

Indoor air pollution poses greater health risk than outdoor: Experts

That lunchtime staple, the humble <keyword id="22910355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ham-sandwich" source="keywords">ham sandwich</keyword>, has come in for a bashing in the press recently. According to many reports, eating two slices of ham a day can increase your risk of developing <keyword id="20302304" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="type-2-diabetes" source="keywords">type 2 diabetes</keyword>. But what's the science behind these headlines? The research offers a more complex picture. A new study from the University of Cambridge highlighted an association between developing type 2 diabetes and eating <keyword id="22246831" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="processed-meat" source="keywords">processed meat</keyword> like ham and bacon, and <keyword id="22082666" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="red-meat" source="keywords">red meat</keyword> such as beef and lamb. This led to headlines suggesting the risk was mainly linked to ham sandwiches. This seems to have come from the press release, which used ham as the example to quantify the amount of processed meat associated with a 15% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes over ten years. The research found that this risk was linked to eating an extra 50g of processed meat every day, which happens to equate to two slices of ham. A useful example thus appears to have been taken up by the media as the main cause, perhaps ignoring some of the key messages coming from the study. So, can processed and red meat really increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes? The biggest <keyword id="20279408" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="risk-factors" source="keywords">risk factors</keyword> linked to developing type 2 diabetes are being over 40, having family members with type 2 diabetes, being of South Asian or African descent, or having a higher body weight - and especially a larger waist. The Cambridge study used data from nearly 2 million people from 31 studies. Participants were followed for an average of ten years. During this time, around one in 20 people developed type 2 diabetes. The research suggested that a 10% increase in the probability of developing type 2 diabetes was associated with every 100g of additional red meat eaten daily. Eating half as much extra processed meat every day was linked to an even greater increased risk of developing the disease. This is not the first time that both processed and red meats have been linked with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the key strength of the Cambridge study was that it tried to control for many of the other factors linked to the disease, including smoking, having a higher body weight, <keyword id="22641963" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dietary-intake" source="keywords">dietary intake</keyword> and exercise. However, the size of the increased risk is modest, considering few people included in the study ate 50g or more processed meat per day - meaning moderate ham consumption is likely to have no meaningful effect on your risk. <h3>What's the link?</h3> Processed meat has been linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes because of its nitrate and salt content - additives that are used to cure many processed meats. Nitrates and salt in processed meats have also been linked to an increased risk of developing colon cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization classifies the additives as group 1 carcinogens, which means they can cause a range of cancers. The mechanism linking processed meat to cancer seems to be similar to how it might be linked to type 2 diabetes. During digestion, processed meat produces N-nitroso chemicals, which can damage cells. This can lead to inflammation and affects how insulin, the hormone that controls blood glucose (sugar), works. This in turn can lead to <keyword id="20210572" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="insulin-resistance" source="keywords">insulin resistance</keyword>, when cells in your muscles, fat and liver don't respond well to insulin and can't easily take up glucose from your blood. Red meat, meanwhile, is rich in <keyword id="20355737" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iron" source="keywords">iron</keyword>. Research suggests that people with high levels of iron are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. However, low levels of iron are more of a health concern for the general population. Another potential link regarding red meat could be the way it is cooked. Previous studies have suggested that charred meat, cooked over an open flame or at high temperature, is also linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Charring meat leads to formation of toxic chemicals such as heterocyclic aromatic amines and harmful compounds like advanced glycation end products, both of which have been linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. <h3>Bye-bye barbecues and bacon butties?</h3> The key message is reduction, rather than avoidance. The UK government nutritional recommendations offer sound advice: limit your combined intake of red and processed meat to no more than an average of 70g per day. But these guidelines also suggest that red meat can be a valuable source of iron. So, if you decide to stop eating red meat, you should eat alternative sources of iron such as beans, lentils, dark green vegetables and fortified cereals. This needs to be done as part of a carefully planned diet. Non-meat sources of iron are more difficult for our bodies to absorb so should be eaten with a source of vitamin C, found in green vegetables and citrus fruit. The best advice to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is to maintain a <keyword id="20279412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthy-weight" source="keywords">healthy weight</keyword> - consider losing weight if you have a higher body weight - and be as physically active as possible. A healthy diet should be based on plenty of vegetables, fruit, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds, along with some wholegrain foods, some dairy products, fish and white meat (or vegetarian alternatives) - plus moderate amounts of red meat and minimal processed meat. This will help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many cancers - as well being more environmentally sustainable. But if you have a penchant for ham sandwiches, rest assured you can continue to indulge as an occasional treat. It's your overall lifestyle and diet that really matter for your health and risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (This article has been brought to you from The Conversation)

Does eating ham, bacon and beef really increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

The <keyword id="19896633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CBI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="CBI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="CBI">CBI</keyword> has booked the country's leading aluminium producer <keyword id="20129733" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindalco" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hindalco" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Hindalco">Hindalco</keyword> of the <keyword id="19907441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aditya-Birla-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Aditya Birla Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Aditya Birla Group">Aditya Birla Group</keyword> for alleged <keyword id="19895687" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="corruption" source="keywords">corruption</keyword> in getting environmental clearances for <keyword id="20054958" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coal-mining" source="keywords">coal mining</keyword> between 2011 and 2013, officials said on Tuesday. The agency has also named T Chandini, the then director in the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, for favouring the company as member secretary of the Expert Appraisal Committee ((EAC) in allowing mining in the Talabira-I mine in the critically polluted area of Odisha's Jharsuguda in violation of ministry guidelines, they said. The central probe agency registered an FIR against Hindalco and Chandini under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act after a nearly eight-year-long preliminary inquiry. Reacting to the FIR, a Hindalco spokesperson said, "This is an old matter pertaining to 2014-15. These mines were de-allocated as part of the government's de-allocation process. This is a matter of public record where more than 100 mines were de-allocated." The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the preliminary inquiry in 2016 on allegations that the Aditya Birla Management Corporation Private Limited (ABMCPL) had allegedly paid "massive bribes" between 2011 and 2013 to ministry officials for getting mandatory <keyword id="20082436" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-clearance" source="keywords">environmental clearance</keyword> to mine coal from Talabira. The findings of the inquiry showed that the ministry had made it mandatory in 2006 for a company to seek environment clearances for all new projects, expansion of existing products and any change in the product mix in an existing manufacturing unit. The projects needing prior environmental clearance were supposed to go through the EAC, consisting of experts from different disciplines. The clearance was given by the regulatory authority based on the EAC's recommendation. Hindalco received its first environmental clearance in 2001 for mining 0.4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of coal from the Talabira-I mine. Another clearance was given in January 2009 for its expansion, allowing the increase in mining from 0.4 MTPA to 1.5 MTPA. Nearly a month after the second clearance, the company sought to double its capacity to 3 MTPA, which was to be considered by the EAC, it said. It emerged that the company had allegedly violated clearances given in 2001 and 2009 by producing more coal than permitted by the ministry, the FIR said. The company allegedly mined 3.04 MTPA excess coal from 2004-05 to 2007-08 and 2008-09, it said. "This fact became known during the process of consideration by the EAC of which T Chandini, director, was the member secretary," the FIR alleged. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board confirmed during the inquiry that the Talabira mine was in the critically polluted area of Jharsuguda, the CBI alleged. According to ministry rules, in-pipeline projects in critically polluted areas or those applying after January 13, 2010, were to be returned to the project proponent by member secretaries with the approval of the advisor. The inquiry showed that Chandini, despite being fully aware that the company was mining excess coal in violation of previous environmental clearances, did not return the project, as stipulated in the ministry circular. "Rather she acted to the contrary in as much as the proposal of HIL (Hindalco) was continued to be processed which amounted to misuse of her official position to favour HIL," the CBI FIR has alleged. Chandini, by misusing her official position, communicated to Hindalco that their proposal for grant environmental clearance would be considered in the next meeting of the EAC to be held on February 25 and 25, 2010, the agency alleged. She allegedly ensured that the clearance was granted in haste, considering the fact that Hindalco was already in violation of earlier clearances granted by the ministry, as it was already mining excess coal from the Talabira-I coal mine, it said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/unicommerce-esolutions-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112307438.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/unicommerce-esolutions-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112307438.cms" target="_blank">Unicommerce eSolutions IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-cross-the-1-lakh-mark-after-four-months-ola-electric-leads-the-market/articleshow/112288793.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-cross-the-1-lakh-mark-after-four-months-ola-electric-leads-the-market/articleshow/112288793.cms" target="_blank">Electric two-wheeler sales cross the 1 lakh mark after four months, Ola Electric leads the market</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/neeraj-chopras-paris-olympics-journey-to-begin-with-qualification-round-today-top-rivals-to-look-out-for/articleshow/112311760.cms">Neeraj Chopra qualifies for finals with a first throw of 89.34m – top rivals to look out for</a>

CBI books Hindalco for corruption in green clearance for Talabira coal mining

India is already grappling with a significant <keyword id="22641561" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cancer-burden" source="keywords">cancer burden</keyword>, having recorded about 12 lakh new cancer cases and 9.3 lakh cancer deaths in 2019. Even as the <keyword id="22641562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthcare-struggle" source="keywords">healthcare struggle</keyword> continues, new research has shed light on an emerging crisis. Analysing data from over 23 million US cancer patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2019, the study found that <keyword id="22641557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cancer-incidence-rates" source="keywords">cancer incidence rates</keyword> have surged among <keyword id="22641558" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="younger-generations" source="keywords">younger generations</keyword> for 17 out of 34 cancer types, such as breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. <h2>Younger populations more prone</h2>In particular, people born in 1990 have notably higher rates of pancreatic, kidney, and small intestinal cancers compared to those born in 1955. Women in particular are seeing higher rates of liver cancer. Mortality rates are also on the rise for liver cancer (in women), uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, and colorectal cancers. The analysis showed that incidence rates have risen with each successive birth cohort since around 1920 for eight types of cancer. The incidence rate for the 1990 birth cohort is approximately two-to-three times higher than for the 1955 birth cohort for pancreatic, kidney, and small intestinal cancers in both men and women, and for liver cancer in women. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112062293" title="Cancers in head and neck rising, account for 26% cases in India: Study" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Furthermore, incidence rates increased in younger cohorts after a decline in older ones for nine cancers, including oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, uterine corpus cancer, colorectal cancer, non-cardia gastric cancer, gallbladder cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, anal cancer in men, and Kaposi sarcoma in men. Across various cancer types, the incidence rate in the 1990 birth cohort ranged from 12% higher for ovarian cancer to 169% higher for uterine corpus cancer compared to the birth cohort with the lowest incidence rate. Mortality rates also increased in younger cohorts for liver cancer (female only), uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, and colorectal cancers. <h2>Differing socioeconomic factors to blame</h2>The study’s lead author, Dr Hyuna Sung, emphasised that these increases may be linked to unique social, economic, and environmental factors faced by different birth cohorts during their developmental years. However, the precise reasons for these rising rates remain unclear. If this trend is representative for the rest of the world, it is epecially alarming for India, where the cancer burden is already projected to increase to 29.8 million disability-adjusted life years by 2025. Many experts have blamed factors such as <keyword id="20026286" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lifestyle-changes" source="keywords">lifestyle changes</keyword>, <keyword id="22641563" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="increased-consumption" source="keywords">increased consumption</keyword> of processed foods, tobacco use, and <keyword id="21456186" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-pollution" source="keywords">environmental pollution</keyword> for this growing problem, <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112013660" title="Fad-busters: “Sunscreen” pills are the new trend in the market — but should you be taking them?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>“The increase in cancer rates among this younger group of people indicate generational shifts in cancer risk and often serve as an early indicator of future cancer burden in the country,” notes another study author Dr Ahmedin Jemal. “Without effective population-level interventions, and as the elevated risk in younger generations is carried over as individuals age, an overall increase in cancer burden could occur in the future, halting or reversing decades of progress against the disease,” added.” The findings of this research have been published in The Lancet Public Health and can be accessed <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00156-7/fulltext" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

Millennial and Gen X are developing 17 types of cancers far more frequently than older generations, study finds

A new <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024004355#b0205">study</a> published in Environment International found that 14 of the 30 tampon brands tested contained measurable quantities of 16 metals, including <keyword id="21287030" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heavy-metals" source="keywords">heavy metals</keyword> like lead and arsenic. Unlike other areas of skin, the <keyword id="22359234" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaginal-tissue" source="keywords">vaginal tissue</keyword> readily absorbs substances, potentially leading to "systemic exposure" to these metals, warn scientists. The study acknowledges several possible sources for the metals in <keyword id="21056381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tampons" source="keywords">tampons</keyword>. They could be present in the cotton itself due to environmental factors or contamination. Alternatively, the metals might be added during manufacturing for purposes like pigmentation, whitening, or anti-bacterial properties. But how “safe” are they? We know what you're thinking: a relatively tiny chunk of Indians use tampons. But while this study claims to be the first of its kind for tampons, this is hardly the first time questionable materials have been found in a <keyword id="22359233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanitary-product" source="keywords">sanitary product</keyword> created for women. Other heavy metals, potentially harmful <keyword id="20406621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chemicals" source="keywords">chemicals</keyword> and even carcinogens have previously been detected in sanitary napkins as well. And last we checked, over 40% of Indian women used <keyword id="584042" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanitary-pads" source="Orion">sanitary pads</keyword> while menstruating. <h2>Link between sanitary pads and <keyword id="22359235" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reproductive-diseases" source="keywords">reproductive diseases</keyword></h2>A 2022 <a href="https://toxicslink.org/publications/reports/wrapped-in-secrecy-toxic-chemicals-in-menstrual-products">report</a> focused on two main culprits: phthalates and volatile organic compounds that are added for elasticity and absorbency in pads. These chemicals were detected in all ten tested brands, including both inorganic and organic varieties. Popular names like <keyword id="20280828" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="whisper" source="keywords">Whisper</keyword>, Stayfree, Sofy, PeeSafe, Nua, and Plush were included in the analysis. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111624399" title="How did over 800 students test HIV positive in Tripura?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Experts have repeatedly warned of the potential <keyword id="19977451" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-risks" source="keywords">health risks</keyword> associated with these chemicals, going as far as to suggest that these chemicals could disrupt hormonal functions, potentially leading to PCOS, endometriosis, and hypothyroidism. Long-term exposure may even increase cancer risk. The concern is heightened by the vagina's high absorbency, allowing these chemicals to enter the body at a faster rate. A lot of this is conjecture based on what doctors and experts suspect, primarily because not nearly enough research has been conducted on the potential impacts of sanitary products on women’s bodies. Naturally, there’s a lack of regulation from governments on period products. <h2>The glaring lack of proper labelling of sanitary products</h2>Sanitary product manufacturers love to wrap their stuff in flowery and “girly” packages, with the size of a pad’s wings and how it will last you all day long advertised in bold letters. But they don’t think it’s necessary to test their products for their content and perhaps even share that little tidbit with their customers. Companies making pads and tampons are usually exempt from listing ingredients as these are categorised as "medical products." However, many argue this label is misleading as pads cannot be considered medical intervention, they’re just for absorption. The absence of research on quality standards raises red flags. Individuals and NGOs have voiced concerns about potentially harmful chemicals in some pads but to no avail. Even existing regulations offer no solace. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) did implement higher quality standards for reusable sanitary pads, sanitary napkins and period panties. However, Without ingredient lists, it's impossible for consumers to make informed choices about their health. <h2>A call for change</h2>This lack of transparency and outdated regulations create a situation where millions of women are unknowingly exposed to potential health risks. Sanitary pad companies should be required to list all ingredients on the packaging, empowering consumers with knowledge. The BIS needs to update its guidelines to include thorough testing for harmful chemicals, ensuring safety. Most of all, further research is crucial to assess the quality and safety of sanitary pads available in the Indian market. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111578389" title="Talc, found in baby powder and cosmetics, is “probably” cancer-causing, says WHO agency" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>While the ongoing research sheds light on a previously unknown potential health risk associated with sanitary products, we acknowledge that using a pad is a lot more hygienic and safe than using a cloth rag. But clear labelling and stricter regulations are essential to ensure the safety of individuals who rely on these products.

Your go-to sanitary product likely has harmful heavy metals in it, even if the label doesn’t say so!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The FAA proposed fines for SpaceX, saying it violated launch licenses, and Elon Musk isn't happy.</li><li>Musk said that the FAA should focus on the Boeing Starliner fiasco instead.</li></ul>Elon Musk said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should punish Boeing for its Starliner failures rather than impose "petty" fines on SpaceX.In a Thursday X <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1836923457960919224?s=46&amp;t=bkmJfZuvxzKCaiQCsNuiTw">post</a>, Musk expressed his displeasure with the FAA's proposed $633,009 fine for SpaceX.The regulator on Tuesday <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-proposes-633009-civil-penalties-against-spacex">accused SpaceX</a> of violating the terms of its launch licenses during two launches in 2023.In its announcement, the FAA said that on one mission in May 2023, SpaceX used an unapproved launch control room while failing to conduct a required T-2 hour poll. The regulator further accused SpaceX of using an unapproved rocket propellant farm for a separate mission in July 2023."Safety drives everything we do at the FAA, including a legal responsibility for the safety oversight of companies with commercial space transportation licenses," FAA Chief Counsel Marc Nichols said in the regulator's Tuesday announcement. "Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences."Musk took to X on Thursday, accusing the FAA leadership of spending resources to attack SpaceX "for petty matters that have nothing to do with safety while neglecting real safety issues at Boeing.""NASA deemed the Boeing capsule unsafe for astronaut return, turning, out of necessity, to SpaceX, yet instead of fining Boeing for putting astronauts at risk, the FAA is fining SpaceX for trivia!" he wrote.In his rebuke of the FAA and Boeing, Musk also reposted SpaceX's Wednesday <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1836765012855287937">letter</a> to top congressional leaders.In its letter, SpaceX said it "forcefully rejects" the FAA's accusations."These distractions continue to directly threaten national priorities and undercut American industry's ability to innovate," the company said in its X post.Musk and SpaceX had already been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-faa-overtime-regulations-2024-9">beefing with the FAA</a> before his Thursday X post.SpaceX issued <a target="_blank" href="https://www.spacex.com/updates/">a statement</a> on September 10, slamming the FAA for delaying the next launch of its Starship vehicle to late November rather than letting it go up in mid-September. The company said the delay was "not based on a new safety concern, but instead driven by superfluous environmental analysis."The company said in the statement that the delays were "driven by false and misleading reporting, built on bad-faith hysterics from online detractors or special interest groups who have presented poorly constructed science as fact."Musk's troubles with the FAA come amid his protestations on X about what he says is inefficiency and red tape in the US government. He's floated the idea of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-trump-cabinet-election-x-2024-9">working in former President Donald Trump's government</a> as part of the DOGE — or <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-adopts-elon-musk-plan-cut-government-spending-efficiency-reform-2024-9">Department Of Government Efficiency</a> — if Trump wins in November.<h2 id="f449cb3d-805f-4b32-98e1-c8634fc4ac7d">SpaceX and Boeing's race to space</h2>Musk's statement about the FAA and Boeing comes after the beleaguered Boeing Starliner spacecraft <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-starliner-spacecraft-returns-to-earth-without-nasa-astronauts-2024-9">returned to New Mexico</a> on September 6 without its crew.The spacecraft had suffered several issues with its thrusters and helium leaks ever since it docked onto the International Space Station on June 6, delaying the return of two astronauts — Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.The astronauts are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-stranded-astronauts-return-nasa-boeing-starliner-spacex-crew-dragon-2024-8">scheduled to return to Earth</a> via the SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025.In 2020, SpaceX surged ahead of Boeing in the space race when it became the first private company to fly astronauts in space. Musk brought that win up in an X <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1787531120852312388?lang=en">post</a> about Starliner in May when he wrote: "SpaceX finished 4 years sooner."The FAA's proposed penalties also come at a momentous time for SpaceX, shortly after the company completed its<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-spacex-polaris-dawn-mission-inside-look-2024-9"> Polaris Dawn mission. </a>On September 10, SpaceX launched four non-astronauts on its ambitious crewed spaceflight. During the mission, the crew also successfully <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/polaris-dawn-spacewalk-watch-live-spacex-crew-dragon-commercial-astronauts-2024-9">conducted the world's first commercial space walk.</a>Representatives of SpaceX, Boeing and the FAA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, sent outside business hours.

Elon Musk says the FAA should make Boeing pay for putting the Starliner astronauts at risk, not fine SpaceX 'for trivia'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Four teens won $50,000 and first place at this year's Earth Prize competition.</li><li>The Earth Prize is the world's largest environmental competition for teens.</li></ul>George Cheng thinks a lot about flooding.In his home state North Carolina, hurricanes and tropical storms cause annual flooding that damages homes, farms, and crop fields. Cheng is also close to people from India whose families were affected by the heavy 2023 floods.In the not-so-distant future, the 18-year-old MIT freshman plans to unveil an app that forecasts local flooding in a new way, better informing those at risk and helping them evacuate in time.The concept earned Cheng, along with a team of three <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/teen-wins-isef-science-fair-grand-prize-discovery-biomedical-devices-2024-5">fellow teens</a>, first place and $50,000 at this year's Earth Prize competition in May. Cheng plans to use his share to help pay for his college degree.<h2 id="274f79bf-64b3-456f-8f01-8c248331ba34">A new way to visualize flood risk</h2><div type="image" title="colorful computer simulation showing peaks and valleys of a 100 square mile region" height="942" width="1136" msid="113135189" hostid="261" sizebytes="70260"></div>The Earth Prize, launched in 2021, is the world's largest environmental competition for teens. Competitors submit physical models and computational projects designed to address issues related to waste, pollution, the environment, and other themes.Cheng and his team decided to focus on the widespread threat to human lives that climate change poses, particularly via flooding.An estimated <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=577ddf9139da21c51fcdcacc983198ed420ffacdb8519ea1f8436b575f777e7b&amp;postID=66cd0447b6269761a73bcf60&amp;postSlug=teens-win-50000-earth-prize-flood-forecasting-model-2024-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41467-022-30727-4">1.8 billion</a> people worldwide are at risk of devastating flooding that can destroy homes and claim lives. As climate change drives up sea levels and increases precipitation, experts project flooding to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-new-york-city-nyc-floods-are-getting-worse-2023-9">worsen</a>.Cheng and his teammates hope their project, called FloodGate, can help people at risk.The problem with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-climate-change-crisis-extreme-weather-is-costing-you-2023-9">current forecasts</a> is that it can be hard to interpret how a storm or flash flood will affect you directly. For example, if the weather forecast says it's going to rain five inches in your town, it's hard to know what kind of effect that will have on your home and whether you should evacuate.That's what FloodGate eventually aims to answer.For The Earth Prize, the team designed a computer model to construct a 3D map of a 100-square-mile region.Then, they combined that model with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-deepmind-ai-weather-forecast-accuracy-2023-11">AI and real-time weather forecasts</a> to predict detailed flood risks for that region.The model is still in its early stage, said Yung Yoong Sze, an Earth Prize mentor who consulted with the FloodGate team.Ultimately, the team wants to use their model to translate weather forecasts into pictures. So when you open the app, you can see the physical consequences of five inches of rain in your area because it'll show you how much of your home or crop field could be underwater."Our model kind of puts the numbers with the images. I think it's more effective than just the numbers itself," Cheng said.<h2 id="e832d718-fb29-42df-96bc-d77fa3284ddc">What sets FloodGate apart</h2><div type="image" title="hundreds of tiny blue dots connected by thin lines, the computer image simulated flooding tributary connectivity to help predict flood risk" height="744" width="1274" msid="113135188" hostid="261" sizebytes="184456"></div>The team's novel flood forecasting system beat 979 other competing projects for first place."What it had is amazing programming, a very useful app, and fantastic broader application that could actually save lives and have a positive impact on the environment," said Jonathan Baillie, another Earth Prize mentor who worked with the FloodGate team.The Earth Prize is not a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/teens-win-fifty-thousand-for-ultrasound-microplastic-filtration-device-2024-5">typical science fair competition</a> where competitors either work alone or with teammates. The Earth Foundation, which sponsors The Earth Prize and is now accepting applications for 2025, provides each competing team with resources and expert mentors to help them develop and advance their projects before the final presentation."I could help them position it and talk about why what they had done was so amazing and how it could be more broadly applied globally," said Baillie, who is president of the nonprofit conservation organization Natural State.FloodGate's model only works for US locations, but the team hopes to eventually expand.That will require broader data sets that can incorporate information from places outside the US, including Africa and Southeast Asia, Yoong Sze said.Showing flood risk is only part of the final vision. Ultimately, Cheng and the team want their product to have a built-in warning system, "kind of like a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-you-should-never-do-during-a-hurricane-2019-7">hurricane evacuation system</a>," Cheng said.Cheng said the team hopes to unveil the app by the end of 2025.

Teens won $50,000 for inventing a flood forecasting technology they hope can help millions of people at risk worldwide

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Houthis attacked a merchant tanker last week, forcing the crew to evacuate.</li><li>The Iran-backed rebels have since seized the vessel and detonated explosives on the deck.</li></ul>Houthi operatives filmed themselves detonating explosives that they placed on an abandoned merchant tanker in the Red Sea, setting the ship ablaze and risking a catastrophic oil spill.The Houthis attacked the Greek-flagged MV Sounion <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photo-nato-warship-destroys-drone-boat-red-sea-rescue-mission-2024-8">multiple times last week</a>, leaving the tanker without power and stranded in the water and forcing a French warship operating in the area to rescue its crew.The Sounion, which was transporting the equivalent of 1 million barrels of crude oil from Iraq to Greece, has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/oil-tanker-still-burning-houthi-attack-red-sea-2024-8">been on fire since Friday</a>, threatening to cause what the US and European Union have warned could be an environmental disaster.The Houthis published footage on Thursday showing rebel operatives on board the Sounion. Several holes on the vessel's exterior are visible in the footage, suggesting it was struck by multiple explosives.<div type="image" title="The MV Sounion on fire in the Red Sea." height="1000" width="1500" msid="112905224" hostid="261" sizebytes="76134"></div>In the video, Houthi rebels can be seen walking across the vessel with fires in the background. One shot shows an operative preparing what appears to be an explosive charge before zooming out to show several blasts across the ship at once.It was not clear when the footage was taken, and Business Insider could not independently verify the details.The Houthis repeatedly claim that their ongoing attacks on merchant vessels are in support of Palestinians and protest of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, although US officials frequently push back on this claim."These are simply reckless acts of terrorism which continue to destabilize global and regional commerce, put the lives of innocent civilian mariners at risk, and imperil the vibrant maritime ecosystem in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Houthis own backyard," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Tuesday.<div type="image" title="A close-up of fires on the MV Sounion over the weekend." height="714" width="1070" msid="112905225" hostid="261" sizebytes="61682"></div>The EU's counter-Houthi mission, known as Operation Aspides, said Thursday that there are multiple fires in several locations on the main deck of the Sounion."Operating assets in the area have confirmed that there's no oil spill, and the ship is still anchored and not drifting," Operation Aspides <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/EUNAVFORASPIDES/status/1829153560996504036">said in an update</a> on the Sounion's status. The EU said it is trying to facilitate the vessel's salvage to avoid a "catastrophic environmental crisis."Satellite imagery captured by Maxar on Thursday shows what the company says is an oil slick on the water near the vessel, which is in line with recent US assessments.<div type="image" title="Multiple fires and an oil slick can be seen in this image captured on Thursday by Maxar." height="2572" width="4222" msid="112905227" hostid="261" sizebytes="1123506"></div>The US State Department has said that Houthi attacks on the Sounion <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.state.gov/houthi-attacks-on-the-sounion-oil-tanker-threaten-becoming-an-environmental-disaster/">threaten to spill</a> 1 million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, an amount four times the size of the notorious 1989 Exxon Valdez incident, which was known as one of the worst environmental disasters in American history.Since November 2023, the Houthis have consistently <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-aircraft-carrier-eisenhower-planes-in-air-constantly-houthis-2024-2">launched missiles and drones</a> into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to strike vessels transiting key merchant shipping lanes.The US Navy and its European counterparts have stationed warships in the region to help facilitate safe passage for commercial vessels, as well as deter other hostile actors. However, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-warships-fired-munitions-substantial-cost-fighting-houthis-2024-8">American naval presence</a> in the Red Sea has scaled down in recent weeks.

You Searched For "environmental risks" and got 12 results

Popular leave-on cosmetics such as sunscreen and lip balms may pose a hidden microplastic risk, scientists warn

BI India Bureau

The Indian government is taking steps to control rainfall and weather within five years — is it too risky of a move?

Ankush Banerjee

Buying an EV may be a somewhat dangerous move if you live near the sea

BI India Bureau

All Indian salt and sugar brands have microplastics, notes a recent study

PTI

Indoor air pollution poses greater health risk than outdoor: Experts

PTI

Does eating ham, bacon and beef really increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

PTI

CBI books Hindalco for corruption in green clearance for Talabira coal mining

PTI

Millennial and Gen X are developing 17 types of cancers far more frequently than older generations, study finds

Ankush Banerjee

Your go-to sanitary product likely has harmful heavy metals in it, even if the label doesn’t say so!

Ashmita Gupta

Elon Musk says the FAA should make Boeing pay for putting the Starliner astronauts at risk, not fine SpaceX 'for trivia'

Aditi Bharade

Teens won $50,000 for inventing a flood forecasting technology they hope can help millions of people at risk worldwide

Jessica Orwig,Jenny McGrath

Houthi operatives placed explosives on a tanker and detonated them, risking a catastrophic oil spill in the Red Sea

Jake Epstein

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