UPDATES.

A TIMELESS SCENT

It seems a popular Calvin Klein perfume may truly have timeless effects. "Eternity eau de Parfum" was recently identified by two independent laboratories, in a study commissioned by the Environmental Health Network (EHN), to contain 41 ingredients, some which are known to be carcinogenic, toxic to the skin, respiratory tract, nervous and reproductive systems. But "Eternity" is by no means outstanding in its field, according to Dr. Samuel Epstein, a professor of environmental medicine at the University of Illinois' School of Public Health. "This is the only one that happened to be analyzed," says Epstein, "but there is no difference between Calvin Klein and any other mainstream brand."

Research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology identified that "Red," "White Diamonds," "Charlie" and "Georgio" also trigger asthma attacks. The "trade secret" status of mainstream fragrance ingredients conceals their synthetic--and potentially hazardous--histories (see "Smelling Good But Feeling Bad," Your Health, January/February 2000), shaping what Epstein calls a completely unregulated industry. CONTACT: EHN, [phone], http:// users.lanminds.com/~wilworks/ehnindex.htm.

--Jennifer Bogo

GOLDMAN'S WINNERS

Rudolfo Montiel Flores, a Mexican peasant leader, was not able to pick up his 2000 Goldman Environmental Prize in person. He is in prison, the result of his tireless work trying to stop clearcut logging in the Petatlan mountains of Guerrero state. Even Montiel Flores' attorneys have been detained and beaten.

The Goldman Environmental Foundation, which supports the work of green groups around the world, also honors the work of international grassroots activists through its annual Goldman Prizes (see "Goldman's Golden Grants," In Brief, January/February 1998). The prize carries a $125,000 stipend, and is awarded to seven "Environmental Champions" from six continents.

This year's winners include: Oral Ataniyazova, an obstetrician from Uzbekistan who founded a community clinic and environmental movement to stop pesticide use; Vera Mischenko, a pioneer of Russia's public-interest law movement and a leader in establishing environmental rights; Nat Quansah of Madagascar, who is working to save endangered medicinal plants; Oscar Rivas and Elias Diaz Pena of Paraguay, who successfully fought river drainage projects; and Liberia's Alexander Peal, responsible for creating his country's only national park. CONTACT: Goldman Environmental Foundation, [phone], www.goldmanprize.org.

--Jim Motavalli

TRUMPETING TRIUMPH

The door seems to have swung shut again on the international trade in ivory after three years of experimental sales (see "Opening the Ivory Door," Currents, July/August 1998). The African countries of Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, permitted in 1997 to sell existing ivory stocks to Japan, withdrew their proposals for further trade at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) this past April.

CITES, the international treaty designed to regulate the lucrative wild animal trade, first banned the trade in African elephant tusks 10 years ago, drying up the market, and offering some reprieve to elephant populations halved by poachers during the 1980s. Hopefully, halting trade a second time will again relieve pressure on elephants and overworked wildlife departments, both suffering from the rise of illegal trade and poaching since the 1997 decision. Christine Wolf, director of government and international affairs for The Fund for Animals, is wary: "It's hard to convey a cohesive message to the guys in the bush with/ AK-47's." CONTACT: The Fund for Animals, [phone], www.fund.org.

--J.B.