October 7th, 2010
Don’t mess with mercury – a persistent, bioaccumulative toxin (PBT).
* Persistent = Lasts a long time
* Bioaccumulative = Builds up in the body and affects reproduction
* Toxin = Poison
The long-term strategy for reducing health risks from exposure to mercury is to lower concentrations of methylmercury in fish that people eat – the primary route of human exposure. Currently, about 3,900 to 5,000 pounds of mercury are released into Washington’s environment each year from human sources within the state. By simply focusing on better waste disposal and recycling, mercury pollution can be greatly reduced. Pollution-prevention strategies are available to hundreds of businesses and industries.
Nearly one ton of mercury pollution can be prevented from entering Washington’s environment each year by improving waste-separation and disposal methods in dentistry, households, medical facilities and others. Actions being pursued include:
* Metals separators in dental offices. Many dentists have already invested in amalgam separators. The Washington Dental Association and Department of Ecology have agreed to a program that will require dental offices to install amalgam separators by August 2005. That program is described in an August 2003 “memorandum of agreement” (PDF). Dentists in King County were required to have amalgam separators beginning in July 2003.
* Safely disposing of mercury waste from products used in households and small businesses. More than half the state’s households – not to mention offices, schools and other facilities – report using fluorescent light bulbs or tubes. An estimated 10 million fluorescent lamps are disposed of in Washington each year.1 Button batteries are a staple of modern life, and many people still use mercury fever
thermometers. Mercury-containing wall thermostats are still common in many homes. When these products are thrown in the trash, they release mercury when broken.2 Several counties sponsor thermometer exchanges or offer free mercury-recycling facilities for households. Businesses can contract for mercury recycling services or, in some cases, pay a fee to drop off materials at municipal hazardous-waste facilities. For information about mercury recycling opportunities in your area, go to http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/contact/recyclelinks.html.
* Replacing medical equipment containing mercury and improving waste separation in hospitals. The Washington State Hospital Association and Department of Ecology are working to reduce hospitals’ reliance on equipment containing mercury by using safer alternatives.
* State grants are available to local governments and non-profit organizations to strengthen and better publicize hazardous-waste services and facilities.
At least a half-ton of mercury pollution can be prevented in Washington by improvements in several areas:
* A national strategy is needed to address mercury in a comprehensive manner, as mercury pollution does not stay within state or national boundaries.
* Stronger federal environmental requirements for abandoned and active mines and coal power plants could achieve additional mercury reductions.
* Free technical and engineering assistance to manufacturers and waste processors is available through a team of engineers and pollution-prevention specialists from the Department of Ecology.
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September 20th, 2010
Mercury is an element that occurs naturally through volcanic or geothermal activity and in ore, such as cinnabar. These natural sources account for about one-third of the total mercury load in the environment and are not the focus of the mercury action plan. But as a waste, highly concentrated amounts of mercury and mercury compounds end up in the air, land and water through myriad human causes that can and will be addressed in the Mercury Chemical Action Plan.
Mercury waste is found at mines, coal-power plants, refineries, laboratories, garbage incinerators, municipal sewage plants, auto wreckers and repair shops, cement plants and printing industries. Mercury is a naturally occurring constituent of fossil fuels, such as oil or coal.
When released into the environment, mercury can recycle through the air indefinitely or can bind with bacteria in water to create such compounds as methylmercury. When a fish eats organisms containing these bacteria, methylmercury is ingested and builds up in fish tissue. If a person eats a tainted fish, the methylmercury “load” is transferred to the human and lodges in numerous organs and tissues.
Several studies by the Department of Ecology have evaluated the presence of mercury in toxic cleanup sites, urban bays and other water bodies.
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August 5th, 2010
In today’s modern age art can take on many forms, and in many cases what we consider art today may not have been considered art when it was created, and its creator may not have been considered an artist. Take for instance a piece of Greek ceramic pottery. At the time of its creation a piece of one of a kind ceramic pottery was most likely created to preform a daily task, and not considered a piece of art, but over time as creation techniques and styles changed those scarcely found remnants of the past became regarded as art, and their creators as artist.
In today’s modern age art has taken on an even broader definition, and may now encompass anything and everything imagined and created by somebody considering themselves an artist. In combination with the internet age artist have emerged from every corner of the globe and now have the ability to share and sell artwork all over the world.
The internet now gives the modern artist the ability to reach a broad audience which in turn has allowed artist to create a wider variety of art because they are no longer confined to creating art that people in a small local area are will to buy based upon their art tastes. Today artists can create art that appeals to any group of people and they now have the ability to reach them with their creations. Artist can now take their creations and sell custom artwork online at various websites that reach a broad audience.
In short never has it been easier for artist to create unique pieces or art and reach a broad audience of potential art buyers, and from a customers perspective buying art online has given the modern art customer the ability to connect directly with artist and save money on unique pieces of art! Technology now gives us the ability to shop for art online from our own home. Weather you are looking for oil paintings, art sculptures, art drawings or anything in between the internet now gives you the ability to find them all from the convenience of your home.
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May 17th, 2010
In the new Action Combat Uniform (ACU) military name tapes will now be attached by hook and loop fasteners, otherwise known as velcro. In theory this sounds quite convenient but is it really? While there are pro’s to this concept there seem to be just as many con’s.
The intent of this idea sprang from the need to “sterilize” the uniform for certain operations. This means the taking off of all names, units, branch info and all else that would claim who you are and where you came from. It also makes it easier to replace the tapes when damage has occurred or changes have been made, new ranks or locations ect. One default to this is that many soldiers don’t actually need to “sterilize” since it is only a select few groups who preform those opperations.
Another down side is that the new tapes can make the ACU military name tape appear sloppy. While the tapes may stay in near new condition the uniforms will fade over time. This just makes the uniform appear even older then it is in contrast to the look of the name tapes. Also the corners start to curl not only giving to that sloppy look but catching on things easy.
Another complaint is that while the general name tapes are velcro the additional badges are not. These must be pinned on. It takes away from the overall order and are easily caught on things causing the wearer to be pin pricked. So if velcro is the way to go maybe it should be made for all patches, tags, badges and tapes.
Now to add to their long list of worries and duties they have to make sure their names are still attached and keep cleaning out the sand from the back of their velcro military name tapes.We all want to make the life of a soldier easier but maybe velcro name tapes isn’t the way to do it.
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The long-term strategy for reducing health risks from exposure to mercury is to lower concentrations of methylmercury in fish that people eat – the primary route of human exposure. Currently, about 3,900 to 5,000 pounds of mercury are released into Washington’s environment each year from human sources within the state. By simply focusing on better waste disposal and recycling, mercury pollution can be greatly reduced. Pollution-prevention strategies are available to hundreds of businesses and industries.
thermometers. Mercury-containing wall thermostats are still common in many homes. When these products are thrown in the trash, they release mercury when broken.2 Several counties sponsor thermometer exchanges or offer free mercury-recycling facilities for households. Businesses can contract for mercury recycling services or, in some cases, pay a fee to drop off materials at municipal hazardous-waste facilities. For information about mercury recycling opportunities in your area, go to http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/contact/recyclelinks.html.
