Briefing on a new Web resource to address global drinking wa...( WHAT: Diseases caused by unsafe d...),Health

WHAT: Diseases caused by unsafe drinking water are among the worlds most serious public health threats, accounting for nearly 80 percent of illnesses in developing countries and killing millions of people mostly children each year.

The U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Global Health and Education Foundation are joining with more than 125 science, engineering, and medical academies around the world to take action on the drinking water crisis faced by many countries by launching the Web site Safe Drinking Water Is Essential, www.drinking-water.org.

A public briefing will be held to discuss this valuable Web resource, the first tool of its kind to provide international decision-makers with peer-reviewed scientific and technical information about drinking water distribution and treatment options.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 11 a.m.-- noon EDT

WHERE: Murrow Room
National Press Club
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC

WHO:

Ralph J. Cicerone, President, National Academy of Sciences
Kenneth Behring, Founder, Global Health and Education Foundation
Peter Gleick, President, Pacific Institute
Jos Tundisi, President, International Ecological Institute
Ham Watt, International Water Supply and Sanitation Consultant

Reporters who are unable to attend the briefing may listen to a live audio Web cast and submit questions using an e-mail form at national-academies.org on September 12 from 11 a.m. to noon EDT.

DVD versions of the Web site will also be available at the briefing and by request.

If you need additional information, please call Amy Shaw at 202-334-1612 or akshaw@nas.edu, or Maureen OLeary at 202-334-2138 or moleary@nas.edu.

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