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CFC REDUCTION
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) react with the ozone layer, causing a hole that exposes the surface of the earth to stronger UV radiation. Unfortunately, CFCs are also extremely useful for many purposes, and are used in refrigerants, aerosols and solvents. Since 1987, the Montreal Protocol has drastically reduced the amount of CFCs released into the atmosphere. You can also do your part as an individual or business owner through careful disposal methods and product choices.
Household Products
Most modern household products do not contain CFCs, but some may. Many aerosols, cleaning solvents and foam blowing agents (such as fire extinguishers) used to contain CFCs and occasionally still do. The United Nations Environment Programme releases a list of chemical products that contain substances that deplete the ozone layer, as well as alternative products that do not harm the ozone layer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also has a searchable database containing environmental information for products.
Safe Appliance Disposal
Refrigerators and freezers, especially those manufactured before 1995, often contain CFCs. Air-conditioning units and dehumidifiers may also contain hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer. Safe disposal of old appliances prevents CFCs and HCFCs from being released into the environment. You may be able to a find free or inexpensive safe disposal service by contacting your local utility company. If the appliance still works, you may be able to find a bounty program that will pick up the appliance free of charge and safely redistribute it to somebody who can use it. A more expensive but still safe option involves hiring an EPA-certified technician to remove any dangerous refrigerants from the appliance and then paying for disposal through a local recycling program or garbage dump.
Industrial Efforts
CFCs are currently more common in industrial products than household products. If you own a business or work in the manufacturing industry, search the EPA and United Nations Environment Programme databases for safe CFC-free products. Employees can also recommend safe products to employers and make others aware of the negative effects of ozone-depleting substances. If you sell items manufactured elsewhere, choose items made without the use of CFCs whenever possible.
Policy Changes
Encourage legislation that reduces CFC emissions. The National Resources Defense Council also recommends writing to companies that you or your business patronize to encourage them to reduce use of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. Let them know the reasons behind your concern, such as ozone depletion and increased skin cancer risk, and then explain that you are making an effort to purchase products without harmful chemicals. Purchasing power can greatly affect ingredients in products and chemicals used in manufacturing.
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OFFICE SUPPLIES
Companies That Recycle Solar Panels
By: David M. OanceaUpdated September 26, 2017
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Many industries, such as the electronics industry in recent history, have not taken responsibility for the proper disposal of dangerous substances from disposable consumer goods. The solar industry is under pressure to not repeat this mistake, since many of the same potentially dangerous materials are also present in solar panels. A number of companies and organizations have developed and monitor programs for recycling solar modules.
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
In the United States, the nonprofit environmental group Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (svtc.org) is leading the way in monitoring problems of e-waste in the Silicon Valley and Bay Area of California. This organization has identified hazardous disposal sites created by the semiconductor industry and is now focusing its attention on the booming solar industry on the front end, before most of the solar panels installed in the U.S. reach their lifespan of 20 years. SVTC recently published a report and created a solar companies scorecard to evaluate companies’ records and programs with respect to the production and disposal of solar modules.
Solar Manufacturers Doing Their Own Recycling
Some companies are doing their own recycling, although they claim to be interested in eventually hiring third-party recyclers to handle larger volumes once the demand for these services is higher. SolarWorld (solarworld-USA.com) has recycled its panels since 2003 at its factory in Germany. First Solar (firstsolar.com) is based in Arizona and has recycling facilities at manufacturing sites in Ohio, Germany and Malaysia. Officials at First Solar claim that currently most of the recycling is of manufacturing scrap. These companies view the recycling process as an expense, because they can often purchase new materials at a lower cost than harvesting recycled materials. Nevertheless, they are committed to develop responsible programs to harvest reusable precious metals and other substances that on a larger scale could be less of an expense to the manufacturer. Moreover, when manufacturers begin to keep recycling in mind during the design process, then savings will seen in the recycling process. In Europe, many solar companies are pooling their efforts to create associations in order to recycle solar panels. The PV Cycle Association embraces seventeen companies, the German Solar Industry Association (BSW) and the European Photovoltaic industry association (EPIA).
Third-Party Companies Doing Recycling
Founded in 2009 in Arizona, PV Recycling (pvrecycling.com) works with solar panel manufacturers to use their third-party services. In her article “Solar Panel Recycling Gears Up”, Erica Gies reports that although solar companies want to recycle and would rather that a third-party company handle this part of their business, there are still issues of protecting manufacturing secrets. Furthermore, solar panels are constructed by various processes and use various technologies. Therefore, while older technologies, like the crystalline photovoltaic (manufactured by SolarWorld) contain lead, other manufacturing processes use technologies that employ cadmium, indium and selenium, all potentially hazardous substances. The continued high demand for solar energy in the U.S. market, as well as the decreasing costs of solar when compared to nuclear energy, point to a growing market for companies like PV Recycling.
More Information on Solar Panel Recycling
For more extensive information on Solar Panel Recycling, consult the article by Erica Gies entitled “Solar Panel Recycling Gears Up” in The Daily Green (thedailygreen.com)
The Effects of Air Pollution on Animals
By: Heather BurdoReviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBAUpdated October 25, 2018
Pollution in the air can wreak havoc on all forms of life, including animals. Air pollution negatively impacts the health of animals, just as it does humans.
How Does Pollution Affect Animals?
All animals, despite their size, can be affected by pollution. Animals depend on oxygen that comes from the air, and when the air is contaminated, harmful gases and particulates are inhaled. Experts agree that pollution affects animals in the same way as it does humans. The pollution that animals inhale can accumulate in their tissues over time, causing damage to their organs. Not only do animals inhale harmful gases from pollution, but contaminants are also absorbed through the skin and come from food and water.
Types of Air Pollution
Air pollution is a major global concern and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the various kinds of pollutants that affect the health of both animals and humans.
Acid Rain – When water droplets in clouds combine with acidic air pollutants, the water turns acidic. Once the droplets hit the ground, acid rain causes damage to the environment. Not only does acid rain harm animals and fish, but it also kills trees. Once the acid rain soaks into the ground, the soil becomes unfit for habitat and living creatures.
Thinning Ozone Layer – Air pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been known to destroy parts of the ozone layer. Located in the stratospheric layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer. The stratosphere shields the planet from the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation harms wildlife, damages plants and causes skin cancer in humans.
Global Warming – The planet is warming due to greenhouses gases, which include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor. These gases are released into the atmosphere from air pollution.
Tropospheric Ozone – Ozone molecules show up near the surface of the Earth, leading to air pollution. When ozone molecules are near the ground, it causes damage to the lung tissues of animals.
How to Help Protect Animals
You can do your part to keep the pets in your home safe from air pollutants by keeping your home well-ventilated and provide some air purification with a humidifier. Unfortunately, this doesn’t protect wildlife, but it’s a step in the right direction to protect your beloved pet’s health. There is only so much to do on your part when it comes to saving wildlife against pollution. A few things to consider to help the earth and animals are to use less energy, reduce the number of materials and prepackaged items you use, reuse as much as possible, recycle always. Additionally, whenever possible try to use non-toxic biodegradable cleane
Health Effects of Hazardous Waste
By: Chris Dinesen RogersUpdated September 26, 2017
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Hazardous waste carries environmental risks and also health risks for humans and wildlife. Some pollutants such as mercury can accumulate in human and animal tissue, thus compounding their effects. Hazardous waste is primarily generated by industry and businesses. Although regulations exist, contamination still occurs. In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recorded 23 million cases of voluntary disclosure of pollution risks and opened 387 environmental criminal cases. As long as threats remain, health effects of hazardous waste will continue to occur.
Cancer
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American farmers apply more than 300 million pounds of pesticides to farmlands each year. Of the 27 most commonly used pesticides, the EPA has classified 15 of them as carcinogens or cancer-causing agents. Cancer has also been linked to air pollution from industry as well as in the home. Radon, for example, is a radioactive by-product of uranium decay. Uranium is found within the Earth’s crust and is everywhere in the environment. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer according to the National Cancer Institute.
Respiratory Conditions
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A direct link exists between air pollution and respiratory conditions such as asthma. Exposure to hazardous waste from emissions irritates the mucous membranes of your mouth and throat. A 2008 study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that individuals merely living near a hazardous waste site had an increased risk of developing respiratory diseases.
Heart Disease
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The risks of living near hazardous waste sites do not stop with increased risk for respiratory disease. A 2004 study published in the Archives of Environmental Health found an elevated risk of the development of congenital heart disease in the offspring of pregnant women living within one mile of a hazardous waste site. The threat is also more innocuous. Auto emissions also carry an increased risk of heart attack and stroke from thickening of arteries. Fossil-fuel emissions contain several toxins considered non-specific hazardous waste by the EPA. A non-specific hazardous waste is one without a readily identifiable source.
Exposure Effects
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The health effects from some types of hazardous waste may be temporary, with no link to other conditions having been determined. Xylene, for example, is one of the most widely used chemicals in the United States. It is an ingredient found in paints, solvents, and varnishes. Although not considered a carcinogen, exposure to the chemical causes dizziness and headaches. A person may also experience stomach discomfort. At high levels, xylene may cause unconsciousness and even death.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Commercial Uses for Hydrogen
By: Carmichael VincentUpdated September 26, 2017
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Hydrogen is used in a variety of applications in different elemental states. As a liquid, it forms the base of a fuel in space applications. It is incorporated into fuel cell technology that we can see in modern hybrid vehicles; it is used in food and pharmaceutical technology during chemical processing. In electronics, metallurgy and glass production and manufacture, it is used to control the atmospheric environment. It functions as a cooling element for power generators and is used to refine crude oil and petroleum into usable products.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into water through ionization. Electrons pass through an external circuit and are harnessed as electricity. Using hydrogen has advantages over combustion-based energy fuel extraction methods because its efficiency is more than doubled and the by-products created consist solely of water and heat. An example of hydrogen fuel cells can be seen in electric motor vehicles.
Food, Beverages and Pharmaceuticals
Hydrogen is used as a raw material in the chemical synthesis of ammonia, methonal hydrogen peroxide, plastics, solvents and fertilizers. It is also used in the refinement of petroleum, by removing organic sulfur from crude oil, converting heavier unsaturated compounds into a lighter, stable product. An example of this in food technology is the creation of margarine and similar foods, where unsaturated fatty acids are hydrogenated from oils to form a solid product.
Metals, Electronics, Glass and Ceramics
In metallurgy, to obtain the right environment for heat treating, welding, altering strength and hardness properties of stainless steel, magnetic steel alloys, brazing copper and sintering, hydrogen is mixed with inert gases to produce a reducing atmosphere. In electronics, hydrogen is used in a similar way, controlling the atmosphere, in the manufacture of semi-conducting layers in integrated circuits. In glass and ceramic manufacturing, hydrogen prevents the oxidation of large tin baths.
NASA
Liquid hydrogen gas has been employed by NASA to power a number of different vehicles, such as rockets and space shuttle vehicles. Future technology sees hydrogen heavily involved in the quest to develop transportation energy, electrical power through fuel cell technology and breathable air for life support.
Power Generation
Hydrogen is used extensively in power generation, as a cooling device for high speed turbines. In nuclear power generation, it functions as a method of preventing cracking and corrosion of the cooling system.
MARKETING
The Uses of Propylene Glycol in Daily Life
By: Carolyn GreenUpdated September 26, 2017
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Propylene glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid used in the manufacture of consumer and industrial products. Generally recognized as safe (GRAS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves its use as an indirect food additive. Propylene glycol is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and a wide range of other practical applications, according to the Dow website. Pharmaceutical-grade and industrial-grade are the two grades used.
Pharmaceutical Uses
Pharmaceutical-grade propylene glycol USP/EP is used as a non-active enabling agent, also known as an excipient. As an agent, it carries flavors in food and beverages, helps retain taste and moisture in pet and livestock feed, and acts as a carrier of active ingredients found in cough syrup and gel capsules. Propylene glycol keeps personal care products consistent, soft and moist. This includes deodorant sticks, sunscreen, shampoos, body lotions, face creams and lipstick. Additionally, it works as an excipient to stabilize foam in personal care and health care products.
Industrial Uses
Industrial-grade propylene glycol is used in industries as a heat-transfer medium that protects against pressure burst and corrosion, controls viscosity, and dissolves active agents. Industrial propylene glycol is also used in paints and coatings for wear and weather protection, as an aircraft de-icer, in liquid detergents, antifreeze, and as a solvent in printing ink. As a basic building block, it is used in its raw form to make formable plastics like unsaturated polyester resins. The resins are used in windmill blades, furniture, marine construction, gel coats, synthetic marble coatings, sheet molding compound and for heavy impact surfaces such as floors.
Medicinal Uses
For medicinal purposes, propylene glycol is used as a solvent in different formats: injectable, oral and topical. For injectable medications, 40 percent is made of propylene glycol. Adverse effects are not likely to occur with normal use; however, heavy use of injectable medication, or extensive topical uses on compromised skin, like burns, has resulted in excess levels of propylene glycol in the body which can cause toxicity, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.
Special Uses
Aerolized forms of propylene glycol are used to create a dense “smoke” without flames. The aerolized products is used by the United States military as a smokescreen to hide the movements of troops on the battlefield. Additionally, the product is also used to simulate smoke in different types of fire-training procedures as well as theater productions, according to the CDC.
Additional Uses
The greatest amount of propylene glycol is found in the textile industry where it is used in polyester fiber production. For military dietary rations, propylene gycol is an FDA-approved additive, according to the CDC.
