WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Global Health and Education Foundation are joining with science, engineering, and medical academies worldwide to take action on the drinking water crisis facing many countries by launching "Safe Drinking Water Is Essential" (http://www.drinking-water.org). This Web resource will be the first tool of its kind to provide international decision makers with peer-reviewed scientific information about enhancing the safety of drinking water supplies.
More than a billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water. Diseases caused by unsafe drinking water are among the world's most serious public health threats.
The Global Health and Education Foundation provided funding to the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences to develop the web resource in collaboration with the National Research Council's Water Sciences and Technology Board and the Office of International Programs.
More than 125 academies worldwide are disseminating information about the Web resource, which is available in five languages. In addition, 10,000 free DVD versions will be distributed.
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, a briefing will be held from 11 a.m. to noon EDT in the Murrow Room of the National Press Club, 529 14th St., N.W. A live audio webcast of the briefing will be run at http://www.national-academies.org, where reporters will be able to submit questions for panelists. Reporters interested in attending the briefing should register in advance (contacts listed below).
The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies. They are private, nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under a congressional charter. For more information, visit http://www.national-academies.org.
The Marian Koshland Science Museum brings current scientific issues to life for the general public through interactive, dynamic exhibits based on reports by the National Academies. For more information, visit http://www.koshland-science.org.
The Global Health and Education Foundation strives to advance the health, education, social and economic well-being of people around the world. The foundation's inaugural operating foundation, WaterLeaders, is dedicated to alleviating the drinking water crisis. For more information, visit http://www.waterleaders.org.
