Keep reading ...]]> For the first time in human history, ice may disappear entirely from the North Pole this year - perhaps this will wake up those who say Global Warming isn’t real!

According to Professor Wadhams, Cambridge University, “Last year we saw huge areas of the ocean open up, which has never been experienced before. People are expecting this to continue this year and it is likely to extend over the North Pole. It is quite likely that the North Pole will be exposed this summer – it’s not happened before.

With the disappearance of Arctic sea ice it will actually be possible to reach the Pole in a boat in open water, since the ice at the Pole, which is just one-year ice, formed during the previous fall and winter, may melt entirely by the summer.

One-year ice is more susceptible to melting during the summer, however so much sea ice was lost last year that the Arctic Ocean became open water with only 700 miles separating the water’s boundary and the Pole. Measurements collected via satellite over nearly 30 years show a significant decline in the amount of the Arctic sea ice. This decline has accelerated in recent years.

Experts give it a 50/50 chance of melting entirely since the thick ice normally formed over many years has been blown and washed away and replaced by thinner one-year ice. Dr. Serreze continues, “for the first time that I am aware of, the NorthPole is covered with extensive first-year ice – ice that formed last autumn and winter. I’d say it’s even-odds whether the North Pole melts out.”

Scientists at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre. They’ve observed that the North Water, an expanse of open water surrounded on all sides by ice, called ‘polynya’, is much larger than normal. Polynyas absorb heat from the sun and eat away at the edge of the sea ice. In addition, Inuit natives living between Canada and Greenland report that the sea ice there is starting to break up much earlier than normal and that they’ve seen wide cracks appearing in the ice where it is normally stable.

While it spells disaster for many, those who are more interested in oil and mining may now have the opportunity to exploit the Arctic as well once the thick sea ice which, would normally make it impossible to extract oil and minerals, will be gone.

Source, images: The Independent

Oohs and aahs often come from all points of the compass within viewing distance. From simple sparklers, bottle rockets, and roman candles to complex devices requiring timing, planning, and fire departments on standby - we light it all up and cheer. The only limiting factor, for most displays, is monetary budget. These pyrotechnic extravaganzas have many hidden environmental costs...

Learn more about the toxic lifecycle of fireworks, alternatives, and more just keep reading ...]]> A brief examination of the biological and environmental impact of fireworks.

The breathtaking colors of the annual, nationwide celebrations have a far greater cost just their sticker price.

Toxic Color Spectrum

RED strontium salts, lithium salts lithium carbonate, Li2CO3 = deep red strontium carbonate, SrCO3 = bright red ORANGE calcium salts calcium chloride, CaCl2 YELLOW sodium salts sodium chloride, NaCl GREEN barium compounds + chlorine producer barium chloride, BaCl2 BLUE copper compounds + chlorine producer copper(I) chloride, CuCl PURPLE mixture of strontium (red), and copper (blue) compounds SILVER burning aluminum, titanium, or magnesium

Every year, across America, cities, communities, families, and friends celebrate Independence Day with fireworks. The ritual usually begins a few days prior to July 4th and trickles off a few days after the 4th. During this one week period, give or take a day or two, Americans set things on fire in celebration of Independence. Many trying to outshine their own previous displays - or that of their neighbors, friends, or foes.

Oohs and aahs often come from all points of the compass within viewing distance. From simple sparklers, bottle rockets, and roman candles to complex devices requiring timing, planning, and fire departments on standby - we light it all up and cheer. The only limiting factor, for most displays, is monetary budget. These pyrotechnic extravaganzas have many hidden environmental costs.

While the composition of a firework will vary depending upon the desired effect, most produce smoke and dust containing heavy metals, sulfur-coal compounds, and other noxious and toxic chemicals. Have you ever noticed that heavy sulfur smell during and after a fireworks display?

Read More…

What is a firework?
Toxic Lifecycle, Tragic Lifecycle
What goes into a typical firework?
Regulations & Responsibility
Safety
Alternatives

What is a firework?

Gunpowder is used to make fireworks by mixing it with specific chemical compounds that produce the desired color and effects. The standard composition for gunpowder currently manufactured for use by pyrotechnicians was developed as early as 1780 and consists of 75% potassium nitrate, 15% softwood charcoal, and 10% sulfur. The ratios may vary by country or purpose but the basic anatomy of a firework has remained relatively unchanged for centuries.

Toxic Lifecycle, Tragic Lifecycle

The entire lifecycle of a firework is toxic, pollutes the environment and often promotes child or slave labor.

It begins with the manufacturing process - many raw materials and a lot of energy are used to create fireworks. Most fireworks contain mined elements and minerals, which are often isolated using chemicals, in factories that pollute. The firework itself is then encased in paper, plastic-coated paper, or cardboard tubing - a shining example of deforestation. Fuses are then attached and the finished product is packaged before it begins a journey of thousands of miles across land and oceans, further polluting the environment. Eventually, it is sold at a roadside fireworks stand or depot along a U.S. highway before finally being lit and sent into the sky for a final, spectacular, chemical rainbow of light, which further helps spread its’ chemical cocktail into our environment.

In countries such as India and China, a lot of the manufacturing is done by children as young as 10. In China, children actually manufacture fireworks in schools, sometimes with tragic consequences. Children in India roll cardboard tubes at home, they dye cardboard tubes, they insert fuses into tubes. These children often don’t go to school, they work in factories or at home manufacturing fireworks for as little as $0.50 USD per day. India has taken measures to stop the practice and put regulations in place that prohibits the employment of children in fireworks manufacture, however many of the jobs are now outsoured to private contractors who then employ children. China employs political prisoners - they have no say in the matter.

Quite simply, the rules and regulations promoting freedom and independence - what we celebrate on July 4th - and prohibiting forced labor, are not in place worldwide. U.S. law does require the Federal government to refuse to buy goods made by forced or child labor abroad, but it is not enforced effectively.

What goes into a typical firework?

I’m not a scientist, so what does this all mean? Here’s a brief overview of some of the worst offenders. This is only a partial list of some of the properties of some ingredients commonly found in many fireworks:

Regulations & Responsibility

Fireworks manufacturing, use, transportation, and safety are subject to regulations by the National Fire Protection Association, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory. These organizations actively enforce the regulations, however the effectiveness is questioned as many fireworks slip through the system in a variety of ways: from those made in violation of child labor laws to those transported across state boundaries to circumvent state regulations.

As the impact of fireworks becomes known many states are preventing the use of fireworks in general or limiting their use to certain classes of fireworks. American Pyrotechnics publishes a breakdown by state, of the laws and regulations regarding fireworks. Other organizations are taking a pro-active stance and changing how they do things. The Walt Disney Company, who host hundreds of fireworks displays each year, is now using compressed air instead of gunpowder and has made details of their patents and the technology available to the pyrotechnics industry. Sea World, in San Diego, California, cancelled its’ fireworks displays when the San Diego Coastkeeper filed suit against them citing that displays were illegal under the Clean Water Act.

Fireworks that are “Made in the U.S.A.” are subject to federal regulations. Across the U.S. large swaths of land are contanimated by fireworks manufacturing plants and hazardous material has been improperly stored and transported.

The by-products of traditional fireworks combustion varies based upon: the type of firework used; the amount of gunpowder used; the type of oxidizer used; desired colors; and launch method. They all produce smoke and dust, contain heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and sulfur or coal compounds.

It is difficult to measure the exact toxicity and contamination by fireworks directly, and some argue that the amount of toxins and contaminants released are miniscule in comparison to other pollutants. The long-term effects of exposure to even low levels of certain toxins is unknown. Individuals suffering from asthma or chemcial sensitivities will suffer an immediate health impact and negative side effects. What is not disputed is the physical contamination and pollution derived from falling debris as fireworks are launched and the property damage the debris can inflict - from fires to soil and water pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Clean Air Act place restrictions on the levels of allowable contamination and pollution[PDF], however the Air Quality Index (AQI) fine particle reports for the days leading up to and shortly after July 4th (2007 data) indicate an increase in particles within the air. During these few days, as illustrated in the animation below, many areas across the nation see their AQI significantly decline.

Safety

In 2000, fireworks were involved in 10 deaths and an estimated 11,000 injuries. Many of the injuries were burns that required treatment in U.S. hospital emergency rooms - most often to the eyes, hands, head, face. Children under the age of 15 accounted for almost half of those injuries, a large majority of which, typically two-thirds, occur in the month of July. Over half the children injured were under parental or adult supervision. Even more surprising - 22% of those injured were bystanders. It does not take an aerial device to cause an injury - the most common culprits are firecrackers and seemingly innocuous sparklers, which burn at up to 1,800°F and quickly set a child on fire.

When you consider the explosive power of some of the simpler fireworks it is not surprising that there are also more fires on July 4th than any other day of the year as well. From 2000-2004 an estimated 32,300 fires were reported each year - 2,700 of those were building and vehicle fires. Bottle rockets, for example, can travel up to 200 miles per hour, are very susceptible to ricochet, and are enclosed within a casing that can burn for a few seconds to a few minutes - this makes them easily capable of setting trees, homes, and other property on fire. M80 and M100 cherry bombs, which are illegal in many states, contain enough explosive energy that grouping 16 M80s or 8 M100s and detonating them together has the equivalent explosive power of a stick of commercial grade dynamite.

Alternatives

There are a number of other ways to celebrate which are less harmful - even beneficial - and will provide much longer satisfaction:

• Spread the word! Pass this on, share it, digg it (links below)
• Host a laser light show - with no negative environmental impacts or pollutants.
• Throw a huge, green party
• If you must use fireworks ensure they are made in the U.S.A. and use fireworks that employ compressed air to launch.
• Electronic fireworks display lamps.
• Support a local charity or school - that money could go to much better use!
• Create a college fund for your own child or a child in need.
• Purchase carbon offsets that help the environment.
• Plant a tree or protect the rain forests.
• Take action against fireworks in your community.

Additional Sources

A variety of sources, not linked above, were also used for this article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:LoyalSoldier/WIP_Firework_Chemicals
http://science-student.com/interesting-science/ever-wonder-how-fireworks-are-made
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Falls/9200/toxic_fireworks.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Fireworks.html
http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/blfireworks.htm
http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/fireworks/fireworks.htm
http://www.bigfireworks.com/t-Fireworks-Chemicals.aspx

Fireworks image by Bruin, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.

1. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth You can save a few gallons each time you brush by simply turning it off while you're brushing
2. Check your toilet for leaks If you see any ripple or movement in the bowl whatsoever then odds are your tanks rubber seals need to be replaced. To test for leaks outside the tank a couple of drops of light-colored food coloring will indicate where water is escaping...

To read the rest of the tips keep reading ...]]> Here are some quick and easy ways to reduce your water consumption around the house:

1. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth
   You can save a few gallons each time you brush by simply turning it off while you’re brushing
2. Check your toilet for leaks
   If you see any ripple or movement in the bowl whatsoever then odds are your tanks rubber seals need to be replaced. To test for leaks outside the tank a couple of drops of light-colored food coloring will indicate where water is escaping - just be sure to promptly wipe up any colored water to prevent staining.
3. Reduce the amount of water flushed away
   Older toilets use more water than needed. You can reduce this by either adjusting the float within the tank so it rests lower (and thereby less water is needed to fill the tank and subsequently flushed away) or by placing a jar of rocks or stand within the tank. The displaced water will result in less water being flushed away.
4. Rinse and reuse
   Rinse your fruits and vegetables over a bowl and you can then reuse the water to water houseplants or wash away stains on decks or sidewalks.
5. Don’t wash the road
   The amount of water wasted to clean leaves, seeds, and minor debris off of driveways, sidewalks, etc is staggering. Use a broom and you’ll save water and burn calories.
6. Only wash full loads
   This applies to both laundry and dishwashers. If it isn’t full, don’t hit ’start’.
7. Setup a rain barrel
   Collect the free water that rains down upon us to use for watering plants around the house and garden or filling up your fish pond. You can build your own or purchase one for very little cost. As little as 1/4 inch of rain can quickly fill a 55 gallon barrel.
8. Modify how you water your garden
   Forget running the sprinkler in bright sun. You’re wasting water and putting plants at risk for burns. Try a drip hose to control where the water goes and how much is used.
9. Shorten your shower
   You can save tens of gallons a day by simply shortening your shower a few minutes. It’s easy for the mind to wander in the shower. Try an inexpensive egg timer to get in, wash, and get out quickly and save the day dreaming for another time.
10. Let your car be dirty
    Don’t wash your car every few days or every week. Unless you’re trying to remove damaging residue, such as road salts, it’s fine with a few spots, dust, etc. If you do wash consider using a car wash - they’re much more efficient and you can use the time within the car wash for day dreaming you missed out on while taking a shorter shower.

Do you have more tips? Leave them in the comments.

"The new shower curtain smell may be toxic to your health," according to Michael Schade, co-author of the report and CHEJ PVC Campaign Coordinator.

PVC shower curtains contain numerous harmful chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, and organotins. Some VOCs are known to cause cancer in animals and suspected to cause cancer in humans. The toxic gases (off-gassing) released from PVC shower curtains can contribute to: respiratory irritation; damage to the central nervous system; liver damage; kidney damage; nausea; headaches; and loss of coordination - what a terrible way to start your day!

To learn more about the study, disposal information, or about some safe alternatives that we dug up for you keep reading ... ]]> Do you enjoy that new shower curtain smell when you open up a new vinyl shower curtain? That smell is a result of chemicals within the PVC vinyl and is a health hazard. A new study, “Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain’s Chemical Smell“[pdf], released by the Canadien Environmental Law Association (CELA) and the US-Based Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) exposes the dangers of an often overlooked, widely used bathroom product.

“The new shower curtain smell may be toxic to your health,” according to Michael Schade, co-author of the report and CHEJ PVC Campaign Coordinator.

PVC shower curtains contain numerous harmful chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, and organotins. Some VOCs are known to cause cancer in animals and suspected to cause cancer in humans. The toxic gases (off-gassing) released from PVC shower curtains can contribute to: respiratory irritation; damage to the central nervous system; liver damage; kidney damage; nausea; headaches; and loss of coordination - what a terrible way to start your day!

Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Directory of Environmental Defense, says “Vinyl shower curtains are contaminating the air we breathe” and says it is time for the Canadian government to “take serious action” regarding the use of PVC in consumer products. Further, Aaron Freeman, Policy Director of Environmental Defense, states, “combined exposure to the multiple chemicals released from vinyl shower curtains is cause for concern.”

The CHEJ tested five shower curtains that were purchased from popular stores throughout Canada and the USA, such as: Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. While specific brands may differ between Canada and the USA, many vinyl shower curtains have similar properties.

Essentially, Michael Schade, co-author of the report and CHEJ PVC Campaign Coordinator, sums it up nicely when he states that “the new shower curtain smell may be toxic to your health.” We couldn’t agree more.

Simply put, PVC is toxic from start to finish: the manufacturing process, chemical off-gassing, and disposal.

What did they find?

• Over the course of a 28 day period 108 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were released into the air from a shower curtain
• All the curtains tested in the first phase contained di(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP). These chemicals are banned in children’s toys in California, Washington, and the EU. (It’s considered ‘toxic’ in Canada and a ban has been recommended, though not implemented).
• 7 of the chemicals released by the shower curtain are classifed as hazardous air pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act.
• Other chemicals found in the tested curtains (ethylbenzene, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, and DINP) are considered to be a health concern by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, however are not yet regulated.

Looking forward

As a result of the findings, at least in Canada, Environmental Defense and CELA recommend that not only should PVC be banned in shower curtains but that manufacturers and retails switch to safer products, expanded rules for labeling to ensure consumers can make safer choices, and declarations detailing the chemicals emitted from PVC (including toluene, cyclohexanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, phenol, ethylbenzene, DEHP, and DINP) be declared and their use in consumer products regulated.

Getting rid of your PVC

This is tricky. PVC can contaminate other plastics when recycling so it actually has to be removed from regular plastic mixes. There are some initiatives to recycle PVC in the future, but none exist yet on a consumer level. When PVC is incinerated it releases numerous toxins into the environment due to its’ high chlorine content (over 50%) and its’ ash is still landfilled.

So what do you do with your old shower curtain? The best solution, unfortunately, is to simply throw it out so it ends up in a landfill and is not incinerated and does not contaminate other plastics recycling. It can take 30 or more years for PVC to decompose, but this has the smallest environmental air quality impact.

Safe Alternatives

Until governments take action you can be proactive when shopping by avoiding products with PVC or products that do not label their chemical content. There are a lot of alternatives to PVC shower curtains.

If you like plastic, look for shower curtains made with PEVA, a chlorine-free plastic that is a much safer alternative to PVC. IKEA and Target offer PEVA shower curtains.

We went hunting online and found a few alternatives to PVC - some are economical, others are downright chic. All are safer choices.

EnviroCurtain 100% Recycled Fabric Shower Curtains

Made from recycled materials these hand made shower curtains are high quality and reasonably priced from 49.99. Available in a variety of colors and sizes.

Resist Oat Shower Curtain

100% cotton shower curtain in a neutral beige (coordinating towels are available). Resists mold and mildew and has a water resistant finish. $49.99.

Hemp Shower Curtain

Naturally resistant to bacteria and fungi and does not require a liner. It simply needs to air-dry after use. 87.50.
 

TerraLunaSol Hemp Shower Curtain

All natural, 100% organic Romanian Hemp. Available in two colors, white and natural and numerous sizes (including clawfoot tub). Prices range from $61.95 to $141.95.

Shower Curtains Galore

Online store with a wide variety of cotton shower curtains in various sizes and patterns. Prices range from 24.98 to 94.99.
 

Further Reading

Volatile Vinyl Report [pdf]
Toxic Nation Guide to Vinyl Shower Curtains [pdf]