REACTORS IN HOT WATER
Environmental rules have been relaxed to allow nuclear power stations in France, Belgium and Germany to run during this summer鈥檚 heatwave. Governments are allowing cooling water to be discharged into rivers at higher temperatures than usual. In France, the permitted temperature of five rivers downstream of nuclear plants has been increased by 3 掳C until 30 September. Environmentalists say that this could damage wildlife, but the electricity industry insists it is essential to keep reactors running.
BROMINE DECLINE
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Levels of ozone-destroying bromine compounds in the lower atmosphere are now 5 per cent lower than their peak in 1998 (Geophysical Review Letters, vol 30, DOI: 10.1029/2003GL017745). Bromine compounds are much less common than their better-known chlorine counterparts, but each bromine atom destroys about 45 times as much ozone. The drop is larger than expected, and is mostly due to cuts in emissions of the fumigant methyl bromide. Emissions of the bromine-containing halons used to suppress fires have changed little.
LETHAL FAKES
Makers of fake pharmaceuticals that cause death or serious injury could face the death penalty in India. In a report to India鈥檚 health ministry last week, a panel on drug regulatory issues criticised the government for weak and inadequate control of the market in fake drugs, which is worth almost $10 billion per year. 鈥淲e want to have one of the most stringent systems in the world,鈥� says panel chairman Raghunath Mashelkar. Health officials and industry representatives welcome the recommendations.