eco Archive

Asbestos: A Deadly Environmental & Health Hazard

By
Alfred Lancer
Published: August 26, 2010Posted in: Green EnergyTags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Asbestos is a term used for some naturally occurring minerals that form long thin fibers and fiber bundles on crystallization. Most commonly found group is the serpentine group that includes Chrysotile (white asbestos). It is also the most frequently mined form of Asbestos. Another very important asbestos group is known as the amphiboles, which includes Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and Amosite (brown asbestos). The asbestos fibers have high tensile strength, and chemical, electrical and heat resistance properties and so are extremely useful as a building/insulation material. Asbestos has been used extensively all over the world.

Asbestos: General Information

Although Asbestos is a hazardous material, it poses a health risk only if the Asbestos fibers become airborne and subsequently inhaled. Therefore, most Asbestos materials pose little health risk unless they are disturbed in a way that allows the fibers to be released into the atmosphere. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to serious diseases such as lung cancer, Mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lungs or lower digestive tract) and asbestosis (a chronic fibrosis of the lungs).

Many industries used Asbestos extensively in the past, exposing their workers to this deadly materials. As a result, many new cases of Asbestos caused ailments are occurring now. However, the fact that Asbestos was also installed in many buildings means that a wider range of people still have the potential to be exposed – particularly building and maintenance workers. For this reason, the latest revision of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations introduces (from May 2004) a new responsibility on those responsible for non-domestic premises to manage the asbestos contained in them.

Asbestos Caused Diseases

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal lining. It exclusively related to asbestos exposure. By the time it is diagnosed, it is usually fatal. Mesothelioma has a long latency period (time between exposure and onset of disease) of at least 15 years and sometimes as long as 60 years.

Asbestosis is a scarring of the lung tissue. This scarring impairs the elasticity of the lung and hampers its ability to exchange gases. This leads to inadequate oxygen intake to the blood. Asbestosis restricts breathing leading to decreased lung volume and increased resistance in the airways. It is a slowly progressive disease with a latency period of 15 to 30 years.

Lung Cancer is a malignant tumor of the bronchi covering. The tumor grows through surrounding tissue, invading and often obstructing air passages. Again, the disease has a long latency period of at least 20 years.

The victims of all these asbestos related diseases are eligible to file lawsuits for compensation against the persons and organizations responsible for causing asbestos exposure. They can take the help of mesothelioma and asbestos attorneys to fight their compensation claims.

This article brought to you by water tank installation in conjunction with poly tanks

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Bamboo Flooring – A Sensible, Environmentally Friendly Alternative To Hardwood

By
Alfred Lancer
Published: August 26, 2010Posted in: Green EnergyTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

There are many different flooring materials available today including one of the most beautiful and environmentally friendly, a bamboo floor. No, this isn’t taking round bamboo stalks and lashing them together to make a floor for your home. Bamboo flooring in one of the most durable and unique flooring materials you can get for your home today.

Many hardwood floors feature a nice grain and wood look that is very pretty especially in the various colors and patterns. Bamboo flooring however features a much more subtle graining pattern and because of the way it’s manufactured, features more of a pronounced ring like pattern. So you have a grain that suggests a direction and every so often a uniquely bamboo ring pattern. Bamboo can also be stained and finished just like regular hardwood flooring.

Bamboo is actually a grass like plant that grows quickly and is usually considered an aggressive plant. That is, it tends to grow rapidly, overwhelming many of the other plant life in it’s immediate area. This makes for a very sustainable resources as a full bamboo crop can be harvested in less than 7 years. This is a much better alternative to hardwood trees that can take upwards of over 20 plus years to mature.

Bamboo, traditionally thought of as an Asian but specifically Chinese plant has found a new home in products for the west. As bamboo has gained in popularity, many more people are protecting bamboo forest areas and are much more concerned about conservation. The growth of bamboo use for furniture, blinds, many home decor products, and bamboo flooring has created a robust economic incentive to grow natural products instead of clear cutting to make way for farming.

Bamboo flooring is comparable to hardwood floors in durability, looks, and installation. It has broad appeal and beauty that will not easily go out of style. Due to the interest in bamboo flooring, you can now find it in commercial buildings, hotels, restaurants, offices and many high traffic areas.

Another great benefit of bamboo flooring is price. Due to the rapid growth rate, the cost of fully stained and sealed bamboo floor material can be found for less than half the cost of planked hardwood. Bamboo floor can be installed using any of the usual hardwood flooring installation methods. These include a floating floor where the floor is simply glued together to form a single piece, straight gluing to the old floor material and a basic nailing method.

If you’re looking for a uniquely beautiful flooring material that will provide years of ambiance and warmth to your home, look no farther than a high quality bamboo floor.

This article brought to you by Rainwater Tanks Melbourne in conjunction with fencing adelaide

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Solar Panels And Green Technology

By
Sonny Lees
Published: June 30, 2010Posted in: Solar PanelsTags: , , , , , ,

If you want to make lifestyle changes that will help save the environment then using solar power is something to consider. One of the most popular environment protection implementations and reliable energy source, solar power is becoming an energy option for all. If you have a neighbour using solar panels you may have learnt a bit about the benefits of solar power directly from a solar energy consumer. If not read on for a summary of ways in which solar power can help the environment:

It’s renewable – Unlike fossil fuels solar power is created from a renewable energy source, sunlight. This means that unlike coal and oil, there is no chance that this will ever be completely used up or inaccessible. By using sunlight to create energy there is no need for processes that damage the environment to capture (such as drilling or mining). This means it is a clean and very practical energy solution.

It offsets greenhouse gases – Solar power technology is brilliant in the sense that it can produce electricity without emitting CO2 into the environment. It has been calculated that by using solar technology for 20 years you would make a saving of an impressive 6 tonnes of CO2.

It can help save the environment anywhere – Solar power is simple in that it can be produced anywhere in the world during hours of sunshine. Once solar technology is installed energy can be produced anywhere it is needed and unlike wind farms using solar panels is unlikely to cause controversy as they are unobtrusive, compact and quiet too.

Although solar power is hugely beneficial there are still a couple of concerns that hold back home-owners from using it. These are the set-up costs and the initial manufacturing impact on environment. Whilst solar power is very energy efficient itself the manufacture of the solar panels can produce a lot of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Unfortunately this is the case with many new technologies however manufacturers are working all the time to cut these down, along with price. As solar power becomes utilised further it will become cheaper and more energy efficient to produce too.

Find out more about Solar PV Panels

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Why You Should Buy Solar Panels | Buy Solar Panels

By
Samuel Coats
Published: April 4, 2010Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , , , , ,

Demands for solar panels have been brought about by tax incentives, global consciousness and the latest financial crisis. Both large and small companies, even households too, have been ushered in to employing this unlimited energy source from sunlight.

The prices for solar panels have dropped in the recent years and there are now many different types of panels at different prices for the consumer.

Panel prices have recently hit an all time low as the competition in the industry heats up. It is now cheaper than ever to get a roof fully paneled and generating it’s own electricity. Prices will only get lower from here on in as new technology becomes available. Do it yourself solar panel plans have become available recently and now a home owner can build their own panels and profit from them in no time.

Due to the recent price drops solar panels have become more than just being environmentally friendly. They have built their own industry of profiting from them. Nowadays you can cut you bills and profit from them if you wish. People are now setting up solar farms an ‘farming’ the sun for profit.

Solar panel manufacturers have doubled production in the last few months in expectation of many more sales as we come out of the financial crisis. This increased production will dramatically lower prices of panels as there will be a surplus of stock.

The recent lows of panel prices and the projected further decrease of them will result in many solar companies packing up and getting out of the industry. The strain on the industry will level prices out and mean a much better choice for the consumer.

The market for solar energy is perpetually growing. In the coming years, the theory that solar energy becomes the chief energy source used globally will be realized. As we dig deeper and research for modern alternatives to bring down the dependence for fossil fuels, solar energy can supply us with an answer to this environmental situation for now.

Buy Solar Panels reviews the best Australian solar panel companies so you can purchase a solar system safely.

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