Source: American Chemical Society, September 26, 2012 

 
The search for a "greener" way to prevent corrosion on the kind of aluminum used in jetliners, cars and other products has led scientists to an unlikely source, according to a report in ACS' journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. It's the juice of the date palm - those tall, majestic trees that, until now, were noted mainly as sources of food and traditional medicines.

Husnu Gerengi points out that strong, lightweight aluminum alloys are used to make planes, cars and industrial equipment. Aluminum corrodes when exposed to air, but unlike rusting steel, the corrosion of aluminum's surface layer forms a protective film that prevents degradation of the underlying metal. However, that film breaks down in some harsh environments, like seawater, leaving the metal vulnerable. Engineers have developed coatings to protect aluminum in these applications, but many of these use potentially toxic chemicals. Previous research suggested that extracts of date palm leaves had an anti-corrosion effect. Gerengi decided to check date palm juice. 

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Read original research article: "Anti-Corrosive Properties of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Fruit Juice on 7075 Type Aluminium Alloy in 3.5% NaCl Solution" found in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.

Source: Washington State Department of Ecology  

Ecology's Reducing Toxic Threats Initiative is based on the principle that preventing exposures to toxics is the smartest, cheapest and healthiest way to protect people and the environment. The Children's Safe Product Act (CSPA - Chapter 70.240 RCW) is an important part of this initiative. ...  

The second part of the CSPA requires Ecology, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop a list of chemicals that manufacturers must report on. This list is called the Reporting List of Chemicals of High Concern to Children. As required by the law, chemicals on the list are toxic and have either been found in children's products or have been documented to be present in human tissue (blood, breast milk, etc.). ...  

Beginning in August 2012, manufacturers of children's products must report to Ecology if their products contain these chemicals. 

Click here to search data on children's products.

Cancer researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., have been studying the DNA in tumors called glioblastomas - hoping, ultimately, to help find a cure for the disease.  

They haven't found that yet, but they may have come across something else scientists are seeking: an enzyme that could help companies make nylon without depending on fossil fuels.

Duke researcher Zachary Reitman and colleagues reported Sunday in the journal Nature Chemical Biology that inserting glioblastoma genes into yeast allowed them to make an enzyme called 2-hydroxyadipate dehydrogenase - a molecule chemists need to make adipic acid, a key ingredient in nylon, from sugar.

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Dioxin causes disease, reproductive problems across generations

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Many companies are looking at the need to engage further in sustainability. The paper outlines key elements of a corporate sustainability strategy and provides individual examples from various companies. The audience for this paper includes companies that are early in the sustainability process as well as companies that are interested in improving or expanding their established sustainability strategy. A corporate sustainability strategy is a multi-faceted strategy that provides multiple benefits to the company. The elements of a corporate sustainability strategy are grouped into these categories: (1) set strategic direction; (2) improve operational performance; (3) improve value chain performance; and (4) relate effectively to internal and external stakeholders.