The Stream, September 21: Cholera Outbreak Hits West Baghdad

The Global Rundown

At least six people have died from a cholera outbreak in the western outskirts of Iraq‘s capital. A group of scientists are recommending a ban on plastic microbeads in the United States. India is relying less and less on its monsoon rains.

“The dependency on the monsoon has been decreasing over the years. I don’t think it is going to be a decisive factor in monetary policy.” — Dharmakirti Joshi, Mumbai-based economist, on India’s decreasing reliance on monsoon rains. (Bloomberg News)

By The Numbers

70 – Number of people diagnosed with cholera in the Baghdad area. Six in the western outskirts of Iraq’s capital have died. On Saturday, the prime minister ordered daily water tests to try to keep the outbreak in check. Iraq has suffered from a number of cholera outbreaks in recent years as war has prevented maintenance for water and sanitation infrastructure. Zawya

Science, Studies, And Reports

Scientists estimate that 8 trillion plastic microbeads, contained in facewash, toothpaste, and other personal care products, enter surface waters in the United States each day. In a new scientific analysis published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, conservation scientists suggest banning microbeads as a way to protect streams, lakes, rivers and even the ocean. Wastewater treatment plants aren’t equipped to handle the beads, and they are toxic to aquatic life. Oregon State University

On The Radar

India is growing less dependent than ever on its famous monsoon rains, which have been disappointing in the past two years to say the least. Because global food prices are low, the country can import more, and farmers are more frequently finding alternate sources of income. India’s economy has continued to grow regardless of precipitation trends. Bloomberg News