ACS N E W S
STANLEY ISRAEL, ACS DIRECTOR, DIES Inspiring leader and teacher was also a respected polymer chemist
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TANLEY C. ISRAEL, AMERI-
can Chemical Society director-at-large, died suddenly of a heart attack on Nov 2. He was 60.
Sonja and Stanley Israel at a recent ACS event.
"Stan was an energetic, inspiring leader for our society and a well-respected polymer chemist. His untimely passing leaves a big void at ACS as well as at Texas State University, San Marcos, where he was dean of the College of Science," says Peter J. Stang, professor ofchemistry at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and editor of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Israel received a B.S. degree in chemistry from Parsons College/University of Iowa, Fairfield, in 1965 and a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from Lowell Technological Institute, Lowell, Mass., in 1970. He began his professional career in 1968 at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where he stayed for the next 29 years. He served as head of the chemistry department from 1992 to 1997. He then became dean of the College of Science at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in 1997. HTTP://WWW.CEN-ONLINE.ORG
Israel's recent research efforts included pioneering the techniques of direct pyrolysis-chemical ionization mass spectrometry to study the reactions and mechanisms ofthermal decomposition of polymers, the identification and characterization of materials by high-temperature pyrolysis, and surface characterization of fibers by laser contact angle goniometry In addition, Israel cofounded Optimers Inc., Lowell, whichlicenses a family ofsoft contact lens materials to Bausch & Lomb, and Rochal Industries, Boca Raton, Fla., which licensed wound dressing materials to 3M. Israel began his service on the ACS Board in 2001. At the time of his death, he was chair of the ACS Committee on Grants & Awards and was a member of the
executive committee of the Board. He also served as chair of the ACS BoardTask Force on Minorities in Academia. Board Chair Nina I. McClelland tells C&EN that, Vhatever the issue, Stan always led the debate. He advocated for research and education and campaigned for equality and diversity. He was at the core of all of our board's current issues. He will be succeeded on the board but not replaced." A special election will be held; details will be in a forthcoming issue of C&EN. Israel was very active in the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry, serving as its chair in 1989, and had served as the editor of the division's Polymer Preprints since 2000. He was a founder of the division's POLYED education committee. Israel is survived by Sonja, his wife of 37 years, their son Aaron, four grandchildren, his mother, and a sister. The family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Stanley C. Israel Memorial Fund in care oftheTexas State University Development Foundation, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX78666.-LINDA RABER
Finland has launched the largest-ever technology prize—about a million euros—for technology that enhances the quality of human life. Individuals, groups, or research teams are eligible. The first prize will be awarded on June 15,2004 Nominations are due by the end of this year. See http://www.techno logyawards.org.
ENVIRONMENT
Great Lakes To Phase Out Flame Retardants
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reat Lakes Chemical says it is voluntarment, Firemaster 550, which is a halogenatily phasing out production of two coned aryl ester/phosphate blend. Tests found troversial polybrominated diphenyl that Firemaster 550 isn't persistent in the enether flame retardants—penta- and octabrovironment, bioaccumulative, or toxic. It will modiphenyl ether—by the end of 2004. be used in polyurethane foam applications, such as furniture cushions, where penta had The chemicals have been dogged by studies showing high levels of been used. Great Lakes will persistence in the environend penta and octa manument and bioaccumulation. Brm facturing in Arkansas and They are also facing a ban scale up Firemaster 550 in California that will take production by the end of Polybrominated diphenyl ether effect by 2008 and one in next year. Europe next year. Activists at the Environmental Working The Great Lakes move is effectively a ban Group aren't satisfied with the phaseout be- s on penta production in the U.S. because the cause it doesn't include decabromodiphenyl company is the only domestic manufacturer. ether, a popular flame retardant that the EPA, which had been in discussions with group says is also bioaccumulative. Great Great Lakes about a phaseout, says it will Lakes disagrees. "It has very low bioaccutalk with remaining suppliers of octa and enmulation, so we believe it has a vastly differsure that there are no new applications for ent profile. Nor does EPA believe it should penta or octa in the U.S. be limited," says Angelo C. Brisimitzakis, head of the firm's flame-retardant Great Lakes says the phaseout was made business.-ALEXTULLO possible after a review of a penta replace-
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