toxic | Common News Update

Mar132021 by adminNo Comments

Spacewalkers take extra safety precautions for toxic ammonia

Technology

Spacewalking astronauts are back safe inside the International Space Station after ridding their suits of any toxic ammoniaBy MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace WriterMarch 13, 2021, 8:34 PM• 3 min readShare to FacebookShare to TwitterEmail this articleCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Spacewalking astronauts had to take extra safety precautions Saturday after possibly getting toxic ammonia on their suits from the International Space Station's external cooling system.Victor Glover and Mike Hopkins had no trouble removing and venting a couple of old jumper cables to remove any ammonia still lingering in the lines. But so much ammonia spewed out of the first hose that Mission Control worried some of the frozen white flakes might have gotten on their suits.Hopkins was surprised at the amount of ammonia unleashed...

Feb112021 by adminNo Comments

Toxic air puts six million at risk of lung damage

Science

About six million people aged over 65 in England are at high risk of lung damage and asthma attacks because of toxic air, according to a new report. It finds that older people and those with lung disease who are most vulnerable to the effects of pollution are often the most exposed. The new document is from the British Lung Foundation (BLF) and Asthma UK. It comes as MPs also demand the government sets tougher targets for air pollution.Improving air quality needs to be "at the core" of the UK's post-pandemic rebuild, say members of a House of Commons committee that focuses on environmental issues.The new report by two of the UK's leading respiratory charities finds that a quarter of all care homes and a third of all GP practices and hospitals in England are in places where particulate poll...

Feb112021 by adminNo Comments

Buffy actress accuses creator Joss Whedon of creating ‘toxic’ environment

Entertainment

Joss Whedon, who is behind projects such as Justice League and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, has been accused of creating "toxic and hostile work environments" by a Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress.Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase in the supernatural drama, also said that Whedon, who created the show, was responsible for "ongoing, passive-aggressive threats" to fire her during her time on the show. One of her allegations is that he called her "fat" while she was four months pregnant, adding he asked if she was "going to keep it" during a meeting - apparently a reference to her character and religion. Image: Charisma Carpenter says Whedon called her 'fat' while she was four months pregnant. Pic: Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP Carpent...

Aug182020 by adminNo Comments

Top producers ‘part ways’ with Ellen DeGeneres show following toxic workplace allegations

Entertainment

Three top producers from Ellen DeGeneres' TV show have "parted ways" with the series following allegations of a toxic workplace environment.A spokesperson for producer Warner Bros said in a statement that executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman, as well as co-executive producer Jonathan Norman, had left the long-running daytime show. It comes after a BuzzFeed News report based on 36 interviews with former staff members on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Some said they had experienced or witnessed improper and unfair treatment - prompting an internal company investigation that found "deficiencies related to the show's day-to-day management". Image: DeGeneres' wife Portia de Rossi has spoken out in support of the star Allegations includ...

May232020 by adminNo Comments

Wikipedia sets new rule to combat “toxic behaviour”

Technology

Wikipedia is to institute a new code of conduct to battle what the firm called "toxic behaviour" by some volunteers.The Wikimedia Foundation, the organisation that runs the site, voted on new measures that will be finalised by the end of the year.Wikipedia is written and updated by volunteers. Many, particularly women and members of the LGBTQ community, have complained of abuse and harassment from other editors.Wikimedia's board of trustees said maintaining civility was a core value."We must work together to create a safe, inclusive culture, where everyone feels welcome, that their contributions are valued, and that their perspective matters," said Katherine Maher, the chief executive officer of the Wikimedia Foundation."Our goal is all the world's knowle...