Perchlorate is used as an oxidizer in fireworks and missile weaponry. A 2007 EPA report said the perchlorate level in certain lakes spiked as high as 1,000 times its baseline value within hours of fireworks display. It took anywhere from 20 to 80 days for the perchlorate level to come down to its background level.

Scientists are said to be developing new pyrotechnic formulations that replace perchlorate with nitrogen-rich materials or nitrocellulose that burn cleaner and produce less smoke.

I hope they can commercialize eco-friendly fireworks soon! Although I wonder how they can address price competition though? I'm sure these new eco-friendly fireworks will come with a heftier price tag. Maybe the EPA should start banning perc-filled fireworks to drive faster development of more green pyrotechnics.

Happy 4th of July!

Colbert interviewed New York Times columnist (and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner) Nicholas Kristof who wrote an article on June 27 about growing deformed frogs, intersex fish, and stunted male alligator genitalia being blamed on endocrine disruptor chemicals (such as runoff pesticides, plasticizers, hormone drugs) in US water bodies.

Kristof also noted some scientists connecting the dots between these deformed amphibians and increasing abnormalities among humans, particularly genital deformities among newborn boys.

"The research is scary," said Kristof in his June 27 commentary blog, On the Ground. "We don't know for sure that these chemicals are harmful, but the evidence is mounting."

Kristof also said that 25% of American females now have higher levels of these endocrine disruptors in their bodies that give problems to their offsprings. He emphasized the need for regulations from the EPA and FDA to minimized these chemical risks.

At the end of the interview, Colbert expressed his concern that he might be drinking estrogen-filled lady pee.

• Brazilian margarine tubs use bioplastic from Cereplast
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines switched from petroleum-based polystyrene coffee and tea cups to paper ones made with bioresin Ingeo™ coating.
• Cereplast's compostable resins in Dixie cups
• Evlon compostable plastics in tableware products
• 37% renewably-sourced Sorona fibers in commercial carpets
• Mirel bioplastics soon in Newell Rubbermaid products
• Solo® compostable plates made with sugarcane
  

• Hilex Poly to double recycling capacity at its North Vernon, Indiana facility
• New York City scraps plastic bag tax
• UK group WRAP launched £2m capital grant competition to help the recycling supply chain build the capacity for recycling more plastics packaging
• Delaware legislature passes recycling program for plastic bags
• Plastic bag manufacturers launched Full Circle Recycling Initiative aiming an aggressive goal of 40% recycled content in all plastic bags by 2015, including at least 25% postconsumer recycled plastic.
  

• Nestle bioplastic research collaboration
• Battelle scientists look to improve corn-based bioplastics
• Routes to produce green propylene from Chemsystems
• A self-healing thermoplastic from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands

1. Cereplast biofoam resins - Cereplast launched a breakthrough bio-based foamable resin Cereplast Compostable 5001® to compete with Styrofoam® and other foamable petroleum-based resins. The biofoam uses Ingeo™ PLA and various biodegradable and compostable components.

2. PolyOne biopolymer compounds - PolyOne launched a platform of of biopolymer compounds under the brand Resound™. The compounds are formulated with a 30% minimum bio-derived content for use in boosting bioplastic performance such as heat tolerance and impact resistance. PolyOne also introduced VERSAFLEX™ BIO TPEs for injection molding, said to be formulated with up to 70% renewable resources.

3. Metabolix bioplastic additives - Metabolix through its bioplastic JV Telles has collaborated with Teknor Color Company to develop a range of color concentrates for use with Mirel bio-resin. The color concentrates meet ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 standards for compostability and biodegradability. A new bioplastic for injection molding, Mirel P1003, was also introduced in a collaborative effort with plastic molder company Nypro.

4. Eastman's non-phthalate plasticizer - Eastman Chemical launched in the European Union its new, high solvating, non-phthalate plasticizer, Eastman™ DBT. The plasticizer is suitable for use in PVC plastisols and water-based adhesive applications.

5. Lanxess rubbers for biofuel engines - LANXESS AG has developed a series of HNBR rubbers, Therban AT 5065 VP, Therban AT 5005 VP and Therban 5008 VP, with extremely high acrylonitrile content making them suitable for use in vehicles that are run on biofuels.

6. Spartech PVC replacement - Spartech has introduced UltrosRenu™, a "drop in" PVC replacement solution containing recycled materials designed for blister packaging, clamshells, display boxes and containers in the non-food, consumer, electronics and warehouse club packaging and industrial products markets.

7. Teknor starch thermoplastics - Teknor Apex has launched Terraloy™ compounds, a line of starch thermoplastics that will include 100% biodegradable compounds and "hybrids" combining TPS with standard petrochemical plastics.

8. Cognis green rheology modifier - Cognis has developed the DSX 3000 series VOC-free rheology modifier for "green" water-based architectural coatings. The product is free from harmful volatile organic compounds and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs), does not contain heavy metals (such as organic tin compounds) and is odor free.

9. Arkema bio-fibers - Arkema has developed a new grade of Rilsan® PA11, a 100% bio-sourced technical polymer for use in high performance fibers.

For a brief background, NatureWorks was established in 1997 and operated as a Teijin-Cargill 50:50 joint venture since October 2007. The company produces its Ingeo biopolymer at a polylactic acid (PLA) manufacturing facility in Nebraska, with an annual capacity of 140,000 tons. NatureWorks is currently looking to build another facility outside the US.

Teijin said it is currently restructuring its business portfolio in response to the global economic downturn, and made the decision to sell back NatureWorks to Cargill so it can focus to its Biofront heat-resistant PLA-based plastic.

I guess there's competition going on in there somewhere...

In my recently released bioplastic article from ICIS Chemical Business, Teijin's Hideshi Kurihara, general manager, high-performance biomaterials project, said that the company aims to produce 5,000 tonns of Biofront in 2011.

A 1,000 ton/year PLA facility in Ehime prefecture, which Teijin acquired from compatriot carmaker Toyota last year, is expected to produce Biofront this summer. The new plant's capacity has yet to be confirmed, says Karihara. Teijin is producing 200 tons of the bioplastic at its pilot plant in Yamaguchi prefecture.

Back to NatureWorks, Cargill officials said the business will operate as as an independent, wholly owned Cargill entity. Ingeo fibers and plastics are already used by over 100 brands & retailers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

This is according to Greenopia, which recently released its ranking of 50 Greenest Governors in the US. Following Schwarzenegger is Ted Kulongoski of Oregon. Sarah Palin of Alaska, Mitchell Daniels of Indiana, and Piyush Jindal of Louisiana were at the bottom 3 of the list.

"We looked at all 50 governors in the US and compared their policies, transparency, and interest group ratings and ranked them. It was a monumental task," said Doug Mazeffa, Greenopia's director of research. "Greenopia readers want to know which Governors are the eco-leaders, neutral or laggards, and especially identify those making repeated eco-gaffes."

Greenopia's Top 10 greenest governors list:
1. Bill Ritter (D) - Colorado
2. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) - California
3. Ted Kulongoski (D) - Oregon
4. Christine Gregoire (D) - Washington
5. John Baldacci (D) - Maine
6. Martin O'Malley (D) - Maryland
7. Bill Richardson (D) - New Mexico
8. James Douglas (R) - Vermont
9. Jon Corzine (D) - New Jersey
10. Jodi Rell (R) - Connecticut

First stop, last week, US petrochemical company ExxonMobil Chemical launched an electric car sharing and rental program called AltCar in Baltimore, Maryland, alongside Canadian battery developer Electrovaya.

Vehicles in the program called the Maya-300, are powered by lithium ion battery technology that uses ExxonMobil's battery separator film, which the company manufactures in Nasu, Japan, together with Japanese affiliate TonenGeneral.

ExxonMobil said Baltimore residents and tourists can rent the vehicles at the science center in the Baltimore Inner Harbor during the day. (I wonder how much is the rent though?) Aside from the program, the company also invested in an exhibit for the science center that includes hands-on activities for children and a full-scale car that showcases clean transportation technologies currently being used in the automotive industry.

Top 10 Clues That You're an Environmentalist:

1. Your workplace doesn't have recycling so you bring everything home
2. Your Tupperware® collection consists of reclaimed takeout containers, yogurt containers, and salvaged jars
3. You have maximized the number of places to dry Ziploc® bags in your kitchen
4. You glare at people at the store who don't have a canvas bag
5. You double-glare at the ones who ask for things to be double-bagged
6. You don't blink when paying $5/pound for local, heirloom tomatoes
7. Your conscience prevents you from jet skiing, despite it looking SO fun
8. You worry about cow flatulence
9. You have visions of drowning polar bears each time you adjust the thermostat
10. Your friends have finally stopped asking you for advice on how to be green, knowing you will offer it soon enough...
    

The researchers used chicken feather fibers, which they said are mostly composed of keratin, a natural protein that forms strong, hollow tubes. When heated, the protein strengthen its structure and becomes more porous, increasing its surface area. The net result is carbonized chicken feather fibers, which can absorb as much or perhaps more hydrogen than carbon nanotubes or metal hydrides, two other materials being studied for their hydrogen storage potential.

"Carbonized chicken feather fibers have the potential to dramatically improve upon existing methods of hydrogen storage and perhaps pave the way for the practical development of a truly hydrogen-based energy economy," says Richard P. Wool, professor of chemical engineering and director of the University's Affordable Composites from Renewable Resources (ACRES) program.

Wool estimates that it would take a 75-gallon tank to go 300 miles in a car using carbonized chicken feather fibers to store hydrogen.

Biomethane and fertilizer from chicken poop, hydrogen from chicken feathers....plus a delicious fried chicken meal...I might have to start my own chicken farm soon!

As ICIS reported, bioplastics, recycling, energy conservation, and additives regulation were the talk of the show. Bioplastics are said to be increasingly showing up in durables as manufacturers compete to make their products stand out.

Still, the industry as a whole, is not yet familiar with bioplastics which is a challenge, a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers said.

Maybe that's why it's good that the NPE has its green pavilion featuring various bioplastic exhibitors such as Metabolix, Cereplast, DuPont, Enso, Arkema (100% biopolymer for textile) and Sabic. I asked Wi_Bioplastic about Sabic and he said they offer a biocomposite plastic with 30% ag-feedstock-based.

Wi_Bioplastic also twitted that the show's IT pavilion featured exhibitors such as Samsung and LG who are showing their latest bioplastic-based gadgets. SPI's bioplastic council also gave a speech about supporting market development for bioplastics, working hand-in-hand with traditional plastics, and overcoming challenges such as greenwashing and lack of consumer education about bioplastics.

Inserted as a tiny small bill called "Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009" under the War Appropriations Act HR 2346, this $1 billion stimulus bill aims not only to help revive the auto industry but to also supposedly drive purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The "cash for clunkers" bill provides a cash incentive to dealerships to be applied to a consumer's purchase of a new vehicle. The vehicle to be traded in and scrapped must get less than 18 mpg combined, be manufactured since 1984, be in drivable condition, and have been insured for the past year. Consumers must then purchase a vehicle that gets 4 more miles per gallon than their old vehicle for a $3500 incentive, or 10 more miles per gallon for $4500.

For light trucks, a 5 mpg gain nets a $4500 incentive, while a 2 mpg gain is worth $3500. This incentive will be, for all intents and purposes, exclusive to vehicles with a resale value that is lower than the incentive value, meaning the greatest concentration of eligible vehicles will be large cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs that are more than 8 years old.

And once the $1 billion appropriated for the program runs out (good for an estimated 250,000 vouchers), it's over unless Congress extends the program. For more information, a new organization "Cash for Clunkers" was set up to educate the public about the bill. And yes, they're on tweeter too!

As mentioned, this bill should help the environment by trading in their gas-guzzling cars with more fuel-efficient vehicles right?

Canada is proposing regulations to prevent the use of six phthalates DEHP, DINP, DBP, BBP, DNOP and DIDP citing studies that suggest these chemicals are hazardous to reproduction and development in children.

The proposed Consumer Products Containing Lead (Contact with Mouth) Regulations would limit the lead content for all affected products such as toys for children under three years of age; mouthpieces used in sports equipment, (i.e. snorkels); mouthpieces of musical instruments; pacifiers; teethers; baby bottle nipples; plastic beverage straws; and drinking cup spouts; to a maximum of 90 milligrams of lead per kilogram of product (90 mg/kg).

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) released a statement saying that the Health Canada's proposal about phthalates has no scientific basis in meeting the stated objective of protecting the health and safety of Canadian children.

ACC said they are willing and able to demonstrate the sound science behind phthalates.

"We urge the agency to review the strong body of scientific evidence and to consider carefully the real risks to children in addressing potential restrictions."

"The bottom line is that CBO predicts the net costs of the global warming reduction program in H.R. 2454 will be relatively modest. The lowest-income households would actually gain under the bill. The second-lowest income households would face average daily costs of only 11 cents. And energy efficiency measures alone would save the average household nearly as much money as the pollution reduction programs would cost under this bill."

A new real-time global carbon counter was unveiled last week in the heart of New York City at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue, outside Madison Square Garden and Penn Station (near Macy's). The installer, Deutsche Bank said this world's first scientifically valid, real-time carbon counter is part of their climate-change awareness and education initiative.

The 70-foot-tall digital billboard Carbon Counter displays the running total of long-lived 24 greenhouse gases (excluding ozone and aerosols) in the atmosphere based on measurements developed by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The current quantity of GHG in the atmosphere as shown by the Carbon Counter is 3.64 trillion metric tons, increasing by approximately 2 billion metric tons per month. Businessgreen.com reported the counter would lag slightly behind real time (according to MIT) as the rate of increase in emissions would be based on data collected on a monthly basis.

If you're wondering the footprint of this billboard, Deutsche Bank said it is generated by low-energy light emitting diodes (LEDs).

The Carbon Counter Number is available 24 hours a day at know-the-number.com and widgets can also be downloaded at Deutsche Bank's website.