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Scientists found that some face masks used by the general public are laced with toxic chemicals, including known carcinogens and environmental pollutants. Michael Braungart, a German chemist and the scientific director of environmental nonprofit Hamburg Environmental Institute, carried out tests on face masks that people had worn shortly before developing rashes on the face. He detected formaldehyde, aniline and other toxic chemicals in the used masks. Formaldehyde is used to give new face masks a “clean” smell. It is classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization‘s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer. Inhaling formaldehyde over a short...

As Hybrid Cars Multiply, So Do Carpooling Gripes A surge in the number of hybrid vehicles has left carpool lanes nearly as congested as the regular lanes they are intended to relieve, a Virginia transportation task force said yesterday. A detailed study of carpool lanes on Interstate 95 found that the number of hybrids more than tripled between last spring and October. State transportation officials fear that the trend will continue as more hybrids enter the market and more commuters take advantage of the exemption allowing them to ride alone in such vehicles. The findings reflect the sentiments of carpool-lane...

Warm Weather Causing Allergies Provided by: The Associated Press Last Modified: 1/6/2005 4:52:05 PM ATLANTA (AP) -- The recent unusual warm spell in the South has brought people out in shorts and tee-shirts in January. It’s also brought about another warm-weather phenomenon -— allergies. Atlanta doctors and pharmacists are reporting an upsurge in sniffles, sneezes and coughs. This year, they’re from allergies, not winter colds. Pharmacists have been faced with restocking shelves with allergy medicines such as Claritin. Even herbal remedies have been hot sellers off the shelves. Doctor Keith Phillips, of Emory University, says it’s mold — not pollen...

Immigration causing UK population growth to soar Mass immigration has quadrupled the rate of population growth, a report by an independent think tank claims. The Civitas report states that immigration has added 543,000 to the population in the last three years and 1.02m to the population between 1992 and 2000. The report says the UK is experiencing the highest levels of net immigration in its history. It argues that the Government should implement a policy of "zero net immigration" where equal numbers of people arrive and leave the country. Unless immigration declines, it will add more than 2 million people...