American Chemical Society's Weekly PressPac -- Feb. 20, 2008

Manufacturing solar cells, which harness the energy of the sun, produces far few pollutants than conventional fossil fuel technologies, scientists say. Click here for more information.

ARTICLE #1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Easing concerns about pollution from manufacture of solar cells
Environmental Science & Technology

In a finding that could help ease concerns about the potential environmental impact of manufacturing solar cells, scientists report that the manufacture of solar cells produces far fewer air pollutants than conventional fossil fuel technologies. Their report, the first comprehensive study on the pollutants produced during the manufacture of solar cells, is scheduled for the March 15 issue of the ACS' Environmental Science & Technology, a semi-monthly publication.

Solar energy has been touted for years as a safer, cleaner alternative to burning fossil fuels to meet rising energy demands. However, environmentalists and others are increasingly concerned about the potential negative impact of solar cell (photovoltaic) technology. Manufacture of photovoltaic cells requires potentially toxic metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium and produces carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.

In the new study, Vasilis M. Fthenakis and colleagues gathered air pollution emissions data from 13 solar cell manufacturers in Europe and the United States from 2004-2006. The solar cells include four major commercial types: multicrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon, ribbon silicon, and thin-film cadmium telluride. The researchers found that producing electricity from solar cells reduces air pollutants by about 90 percent in comparison to using conventional fossil fuel technologies. - MTS

ARTICLE #1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Emissions from Photovoltaic Life Cycles”

DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT ARTICLE http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es071763q

CONTACT:
Vasilis M. Fthenakis, Ph.D.
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, New York
Phone: 631-344-2830
Fax: 631-344-7650
Email:

ARTICLE #2 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Acid-seeking “warheads” promise safer, more effective cancer weapons
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B

Researchers in California report development of an anti-cancer “warhead” that targets the acidic signature of tumor cells in much the same way that heat-seeking missiles seek and destroy military targets that emit heat. These acid-seeking substances are not toxic to healthy cells, and represent a new class of potentially safer, more effective anti-cancer drugs, they say. Their study is scheduled for the March 6 issue of ACS’ The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, a weekly publication.