Wednesday, April 6, 2016

The Dangers of Isopropyl Alcohol

As we've discussed in a previous post, there are many advantages of using isopropyl alcohol in the manufacturing process, but what we didn't cover is some of the risks and dangers of IPA. Today we'll cover some of those issues so that you can take full advantage of isopropyl's benefits while mitigating the hazards of this potentially dangerous liquid.

The first thing I think of when I think of the dangers of isopropyl alcohol is its flammability. Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable and can easily ignite. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air, traveling to a source of ignition and flash back, and use of water spray to fight fires may be inefficient. Isopropyl alcohol should be kept away from heat, sparks, flames and other sources of ignition, as well as strong oxidizers, acetaldehyde, chlorine, ethylene oxide, acids and isocyanates. A flammable safety cabinet is the best storage option.

Another danger of using isopropyl alcohol is poisoning. IPA poisoning occurs when the liver is no longer able to manage the amount of IPA in the body. Your body can handle small amounts of isopropyl alcohol. In fact, your kidneys remove approximately 20 to 50 percent of IPA from your body. The rest is broken down into acetone by enzymes known as alcohol dehydrogenases. This acetone is filtered out of your body through the lungs or kidneys.

Isopropyl alcohol can enter the body three ways: ingestion, inhalation, and absorption.

The first way is most direct, and easiest to avoid. Since ingesting IPA causes rapid intoxication, people sometimes drink it when conventional alcohol is unavailable, or as a means of suicide. ingesting isopropyl alcohol has an immediate effect on the central nervous system, which controls the involuntary actions of the body, including heartbeat, breathing and gag reflex. Isopropyl alcohol slows these functions and may shut them down altogether. IPA is so strong that it can induce hypothermia and subsequent cardiac arrest. The blood's thinning also causes blood sugar levels to fall so sharply that seizures may result.

Isopropyl-Alcohol-Chemical-Label-LB-1591-074

Limiting access to large amounts of IPA can deter people from misusing the product in this way. IPA should always be kept in a container clearly marked, preferably with a GHS label. It should never be kept anywhere or in anything that might be mistaken for consumption, for example in a water bottle, or near where food is prepared or consumed.

Isopropyl alcohol inhalation occurs anytime you are around an open container, although working with reasonable amounts of IPA is generally safe, it can cause headaches. Inhaling large amounts of isopropyl alcohol can cause nausea, vomiting, irritation of the nose and mucous membranes, throat irritations, and even difficulty with breathing as coughing can occur making it difficult for you to catch your breath.

If breathing is impaired for an extended period of time and there is trouble getting enough oxygen into the bloodstream, you can become dizzy and even lose consciousness and require resuscitation. Always use IPA in a well ventilated area and utilize proper safety equipment in the event of a spill. If someone experiences breathing problems, the individual should immediately be removed and placed into fresh air. If the person's breathing is still impeded, call 911 immediately.

Isopropyl alcohol is readily absorbed through the skin, so spilling large amounts of IPA on the skin may cause accidental poisoning. Small amounts of IPA on the skin is generally not dangerous, but repeated skin exposure can cause itching, redness, rash, drying, and cracking. Prolonged skin contact may cause corrosion. Always wash thoroughly with soap and water when contact with IPA occurs, and always use safety equipment when dealing with large amounts of IPA.

Some of the effects of IPA poisoning are as follows:

Dizziness
Low blood pressure
Stomach pain
Nausea
Rapid heart rate, or tachycardia
Low body temperature
Slurred speech
Slow breathing
Vomiting
Unresponsive reflexes
Throat pain or burning
Seizure
Coma

If you experience any of these symptoms after exposure to IPA, or if you see symptoms in another, the first step is to remove yourself or the individual from further exposure and place them in a fresh air environment. If symptoms persist, immediately seek medical attention.

Further treatment depends on the extent of exposure and the type of exposure. When isopropyl alcohol has been ingested, individuals who are conscious and not convulsing should drink one to two glasses of water to dilute the chemical. Do not induce vomiting, as the chemical can be aspirated into the lungs causing further damage. A medical professional may use laxatives and activated charcoal to clear stomach contents.

In the event of inhalation exposure, the individual should be moved into the open air. If fresh air does not improve symptoms, medical help should be called to provide respiratory support, along with oxygen and fluids when high-level inhalation exposure has occurred.

When contact with the skin has occurred, the affected skin should be flooded with water and then gently and thoroughly washed with soap and water. In the event of a large spill in contact with skin, wash and monitor for signs of poisoning, seek medical treatment if symptoms appear.

If the affected individual is wearing contact lenses, they need to be removed. The eyes should then be flushed with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes or longer if necessary, lifting the upper and lower lids occasionally.

This post is not intended to scare anyone, or deter people from using isopropyl alcohol in their manufacturing process, but to encourage awareness and safety practices that can prevent accidents from occurring. The more informed users are of the dangers of products, the easier it is to maintain safety. When using IPA in a workplace, make sure all of the employees are trained in the proper use of isopropyl alcohol, have access to safety equipment, and understand the symptoms of poisoning so that they can recognize it in themselves or others.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9319511

The Most Common Drinking Water Contaminants

With the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, it has never been more important to monitor your drinking water. Today. we'll take a look at the most common water contaminant, and what you can do to stop it affecting your family.

The water contaminant making all the headlines at the moment is lead. Lead is particularly dangerous because it is odorless, invisible, and has little effect on how water tastes. The corrosion of old water pipes, which use lead based solder, is the main cause of lead water pollution in homes. To truly know whether your home has a problem, you must get in contact with your local water authority. Statistics should be supplied online. Lead is particularly harmful to the young and pregnant, but its effects should not be taken lightly by anyone. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have set the danger threshold of lead in water at 15 parts per billion, but the vulnerable should be wary of levels even close to this.

So, how do we keep unwanted lead away from our water?

1) Traditional cures like boiling water can work killing viruses, but have absolutely no impact on the removal of lead from water. If your local water supply has a problem with lead contamination, then the best solution is a home water filter. There are various types of water filter, each with their own method of filtration, and positive and negative effects. The most powerful from of home water filtration is reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis filters down to 0.001 microns, which is a much more stringent process than other types of water filter. This means that any particle bigger than 0.001 will not be allowed to pass into the drinking supply. Lead particles range in size from 0.1 to 0.7 microns, so are easily "picked up" by the reverse osmosis filter.

2) Limit your interaction with hot water in your home. While the cold water supply might contain traces of lead, the hot water pipes will likely have much higher readings for lead pollution.

3) Flush your water pipes for a few minutes before using the water. Lead tends to leech into you water when it sits in the tank or pipes for long periods of time. By running the water before using it, you can limit the amount of lead that leeches into the water.

It's never been more important to know exactly what is in your drinking water. If you are concerned about the state of your water supply, then learning more about what reverse osmosis systems are available is a good start. Remember that just because your water looks and tastes good, doesn't mean that it's not doing you and your family harm. You can get information about what your state is doing to tackle the lead problem at The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Unfortunately, not every state has such high standards for water purity, and by taking initiative you can protect yourself and your family.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9336027

Tips for Buying Organic Food on a Bargain

Do a quick search online and you'll find several farmer's markets and organizations near your location that sell organic food. You'd get excited once you find out that there are already a lot of small shops and markets selling organic food.

First Choice: The Farmer's Market

The farmer's market is one of the best sources of organic food items anywhere the world. They always supply fresh, local products for the local in their area. Once you get there, don't hesitate to ask around and find good food deals because you'll surely come around tasty items at the cheap. It would be better if the farmer/store was recommended by a friend. Eating Food samples are always a reliable source of quality and taste.

There are food items called "seconds" which are misshaped version of the produce they sell but are still delicious and they sell it cheap. You can also get bulk-buying information and where you can find their food items if the farmer's market isn't open.

Invest in the Agricultural Program of your community

There are certain areas with Community Supported Agriculture Programs (CSA) that invite shareholders for funding. Usually, investments go to cover for the overhead costs that the farmers incur when growing their produce. As a return of investment, shareholders get boxes of fresh produce each week to use in their homes. You are able to help the farmers and yourself with this investment which is a win-win situation for the community and local farming.

Bulk-buying your Organic Food Supply

For people who have the money, it is always good to purchase food items by bulk whether its organic or not. You'd be better off buying large containers of grains, nuts, beans, and lentils because you'll be able to save more money in the long run. You won't need to make additional trips to the store if you have an adequate storage area for these food items to last you several months. Some items are more perishable than others. Choose wisely on the food that you're going to store in bulk.

Winter Time purchases should be Frozen and/or Preserved

It's easy to concede to expensive in-store food items during winter. But, you'd be better served by buying your favorite organic foods in preserved form. Organically-grown berries, peaches, corn, and peas are commonly preserved in a jar for winter. They are still organic and they come at the cheap come winter time.

Organic Food should be Stored in a Freezer

Organic food storage needs a good freezer to be successfully done. Don't use your freezer to store take-out dinners and leftover pizza, always allocate storage space for your organic fruits and veggies especially when you do bulk-buying often. You'll find this very useful once winter season arrives.

Of course, there are tons of other ways to get good deals on your favorite organic foods. This is just meant to get you started. You can always start growing your own, or even exploring your online shopping options. There are tons of ways to score great deals while still getting the fresh and unmistakable taste of organic produce.

A little more research would help you find more ways to buy organic food on a bargain. Use the information you got here as a starter. It is also a good idea to grow food of your own or shop for food items online. Organic produce can be acquired in several different ways. You just have to find the ones that give you the best deal and the freshest produce.

From learning more about home energy, she has also become one of the newest advocates for clean and sustainable energy. She started the blog http://www.diyhomeenergyreview.com/ for various and realistic tips, reviews, and studies on green living.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9341391

The Benefits Of An Air Purifier

You may have seen air purifiers advertised online or you may have seen them when out and about and you were wondering why you should have one in your home. These products are used in homes throughout the world offering you with a range of health benefits, some you may know and some you may not.

There are a number of benefits to choosing to introduce air purifiers into your home. They can be used in bedrooms and living rooms, even the office to make sure you get most benefit at all times.

The first advantage is that the air quality is immediately improved. It is important that you are aware that not all air purifiers are of the same quality, some come with a basic filter, while others also have a carbon filter which purifies the air at all times. Have a look at the options before you buy to ensure the one you choose is going to give you the best quality air at all times.

Remember we are exposed to toxins every single day and the air quality in the home may not be as good as you thought it was. Often cars driving past, factories and other pollution causing products will cut how clean the air is, which can have a negative impact on your health now and moving forward.

As you can imagine with improved air quality comes a reduced number of allergies, which can be highly beneficial for you or anyone in the family who does suffer from allergies. Anyone who suffers from hay fever will find that using an air purifier at home and work will improve air quality, remove any allergens from the air and therefore making it easier to breathe and cut the need for anti-histamines at all times.

Clean air is always beneficial for everyone in the home. You get to cut the number of dangerous chemicals you inhale each day and give your lungs with clean air that you won't get without a good filtered air purifier. Remember that you want to cut toxins and chemicals, you want the cleanest and purest air that you can enjoy at all times, day and night, at home and at work.

Anyone suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma will benefit greatly from an air purifier. Asthma can be triggered by a number of factors from toxins in the air to dust in the home. The air we breathe is brimming with dangerous and harmful substances which can trigger an asthma attack at any time. Anyone suffering from this respiratory disease will know how dangerous their condition is and it is only manageable with medication. To cut the amount of medication you take each day, you can use an air purifier to ensure you enjoy clean air at all times, reducing the allergens you breathe and thereby reducing the risk of attack now and moving forward.

The last benefit to using an air purifier in the home or office is to eliminate smells and odours. Whether you are cooking up a family treat or you have just washed the floors with a strong chemical, you will find that putting on the air purifier will reduce the smell permeating through the property and give you clean air from the start.

These devices are cheap and easy to use, you simply plug them in and they do all the work. You will need to check, clean and replace the filter from time to time to ensure the air purifier continues to provide you with filtered and clean air at all times now and in the future.

AMOS is a leading wholesale manufacturer and online retail merchandiser based in the United Kingdom. This company offer their services to thousands of personal and business customers on a daily basis, providing first class service and support at all times. The company has been operating since 2007 and is open 7 days a week, twenty four hours a day on their easy to use and secure website. AMOS caters to customers of all ages with a dedicated team of professionals. The company has already expanded their range and reduced their carbon footprint over the years. To find out more, visit http://amos.co.uk



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9362796

Who Owns Florida's Natural Freshwater Resources?

When consuming tap water at home, does one know or care where the water they consume is drawn from or originates? The water one drinks is usually pumped from a freshwater well if living in central Florida and the aquifer the well is pumped from is more likely to be the Floridan aquifer or "public waterways". Let's say for argument sake that all natural (riparian) fresh water resources are owned by the state in which they reside. Freshwater resources are loosely defined as rivers, lakes, streams, springs, and aquifers all of which are riparian (public) waterways. Legally speaking, riparian waterways in Florida are owned by the state, with five water resource management districts overseeing its regional distribution, storage, and supply. As a last resort, Florida law allows the transfer of freshwater resources from one of the five regions to another.

What happens when a private entity owns thousands of contiguous acres with mineral rights to the land and wants to pump billions of gallons of freshwater yearly, such as Florida's phosphate industry, from Florida's (public) aquifer systems. Florida law differentiates freshwater resources from mineral deposits. So freshwater resources remain in the public domain and minerals rights are not owned by the state, but bought and sold as private property. Riparian waterways are ownership of the state giving public citizens the right to use these waterways without an adjacent land owner's permission.

Florida laws say the entity owning the land, and the mineral rights do not own the public waterways for freshwater or saltwater traversing property boundaries (1). Surface and sub-surface waterways such as aquifers, rivers, lakes, streams, springs, and other tidal waterways are public domain. State issued permits are required in all five Florida water management regions to pump large volumes of water from Florida's (public) aquifers. Large volumes in this case are defined as millions of gallons per day.

One may wonder how so much water can be used on a daily basis. Agriculture in Florida pumps the most freshwater in the state. However, much of the water consumed by agriculture filters back to the aquifers or evaporates and then falls to earth as rain and so on. Meaning, freshwater being consumed by agriculture is naturally recycled.

Another mega-consumer of freshwater is Florida's phosphate industry. Interestingly, Florida's phosphate industry boasts their conservation of freshwater resources but consumes "unmetered" volumes of freshwater from Florida's (public domain) aquifers on a daily basis. No one knows how much water is being consumed by the phosphate industry because their freshwater consumption has no enforced bounds.

No limits on freshwater are mentioned because when stripping the land to reach the phosphate ore, everything else is also stripped away. The monstrous dragline shows no mercy to Florida's rivers, streams, lakes, springs, or aquifers systems. As the dragline removes the land surface, all life is removed and with it goes Florida's riparian (public waterways) as well.

The dragline strips the land including Florida's riparian waterways, digging through and entirely removing rivers, springs, aquifers, lakes, water tables, and so on. (2) The amount of freshwater being entirely wasted daily by strip mining cannot be measured because the dragline removes all sources of freshwater, including riparian water resources by definition, as it strips the land. Amazingly large volumes of once clear fresh water now sit in giant man-made pits in the ground, some as large as a square mile and may be over one hundred feet in depth. These pits are so large one can see them on Google© Maps from space.

West Central Florida, seen from Google© Maps displays the untold amounts of freshwater being wasted by Florida's phosphate industry. All those square blue holes seen in west central Florida are where draglines have stripped the earth, while industry produces super-sized rectangular shaped pits in the Florida landscape and filled with billions of gallons of toxic water.

That's right; those big blue rectangular shapes on the map are not lakes. Those huge rectangular holding tanks (not lakes) are for billions of gallons of toxic wastewater by-products to be kept for an indefinite amount of time. The mountainous walls of the giant pits are made of radioactive phosphogypsum which is a toxic by-product of the production of fertilizers.

The proof of riparian waterways being destroyed by the phosphate industry is undeniable. State officials "see" the environmental damage as well, but do not enforce existing laws, or "permit" certain politically motivated allowances. Apparently, the phosphate industry is not held accountable for severe environmental impacts, over consumption of (public) freshwater resources while continuously creating numerous toxic pits of wasted freshwater resources.

Reference

1. FDEP - dep.state.fl.us/water/
2. Florida Faces Vanishing Water Supply: NPR. -npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11097869

Florida Mines is your website for learning the unethical practices of Florida's phosphate strip mining industry. See how they destroy and pollute unique aquifer systems, watershed, springs, creeks, and rivers.

Florida's residence should contact their elected officials over Florida's phosphate industry's severe environmental impacts.

Read more from: https://www.flmines.com



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Explaining Reverse Osmosis

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is constantly surveying our local water supplies for new contaminants, in order to safely supervise and regulate the condition of our drinking water. According to them, apportioned levels of certain contaminants are safe to ingest, and therefore allowed, in our drinking water, but many people prefer water that is entirely contaminant-free. In order to achieve this level of water purification, millions of homes have chosen to use reverse osmosis. Continue reading to learn what contaminants linger in our drinking water, and how reverse osmosis combats them.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration

Water can be contaminated in many ways, but most often, pollution is the root cause. Pollutants like household cleaners, fertilizers, and industrial waste can seep into local rivers and waterways. Treatment plants often add chemicals to water in order to neutralize contaminants. For instance, chlorine is added to prevent the growth of microbes; but adding chemicals like this gives water a funny taste and odor. Reverse osmosis is essentially a technology that removes contaminants from drinking water without having to add any chemicals.

This technology utilizes water pressure and semi-permeable membranes to remove the majority of contaminants from drinking water. They provide safe, great-tasting, crystal-clear water on demand. Depending on the level of contaminates in the local area, some homes might need one system for just a particular area, while others will need one for the entire property.

How It Works

Reverse osmosis is achieved by using a specialized plumbing device. These plumbing devices are referred to as "RO systems" and contain four primary parts equipped on all models. These parts include a prefilter, postfilter, RO membrane, and storage tank. City or well water will enter the property through the prefilter. The prefilter is meant to work as a body guard for the membrane, filtering out all the sediment and contaminants that can harm it. This not only protects the membrane, it extends its life. Although the prefilter has an important role in filtering, the membrane does the major filter work.

The RO membrane is semi-permeable, meaning that some things can pass through and some can't. In terms of water filtration, it depends on the molecular charge and size of the particle. Water particles can pass through the pores of the membrane, but particles like smoke or paint pigments are too large and get filtered out. The water that makes it through the membrane is called the permeate stream. This stream of water is not only safe to drink, it also tastes really good! And to increase convenience, permeate stream water is stored in a storage tank for on demand, clean water. Any contaminants that arise in the storage tank are picked up by the postfilter, making routine replacement necessary.

Call Soft Water Indianapolis at 317-749-0949 for reverse osmosis information and soft water services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get professional water filtration services at a price you can afford. They offer RO system installation, service, and repair, as well as, a wide range of additional water purification services for residential or commercial properties. Call 317-749-0949 for free estimates and information about reverse osmosis in Indianapolis, IN and it surrounding counties, today.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9367962

Know More About Ozone and Ozone Air Purifiers

Ozone or tri-oxygen is found in the earth's stratosphere in very low concentrations. It has a spiky smell that resembles that of chlorine and we can literally smell them even when they are in lower concentrations.

So what does ozone basically do?.

SO IT BASICALLY SCREENS HARMFUL RAYS!! Then why the heck are some companies using it in air purifiers? Well are you getting fooled by these companies or is there some pitch in their deals when they talk all big about ozone air purifiers?

Marketing is actually a skill; and when a customer goes to purchase something he or she should be treated as a king and that is how it works. But right now these marketers are a highly talented bunch of thugs who can actually make a fool out of you without even letting you know that. Oops!! I guess that was a bit harsh, but still that's the fact.

We have been hearing all the buzz about ozone air cleaners and purifiers and was wondering what on earth this product is all about. I mean why do we act like gods and why don't we let the ozone stay up at its place? It is only meant to filter ultra violet radiations and not to purify the air. Ozone air purifier manufactures claim that ozone gas actually helps to filter out contaminants like harmful gases, toxins and other irritants along with giving out a fresh smell.

What they don't tell you about ozone air purifiers?

Ask the ladies at your house about the face bleach creams that they use. It is a common instruction that is found in those bleaches not to use around the eyes and it is due to the presence of ozone in it as it is considered as an irritant gas. It can cause coughs, lung problems like asthma, chest pain and shortness of breath. So in the first place why would one want to install such a thing to purify the air?

Please don't bring the ozone to your door steps as it is really harmful for your health and it reacts with many other substances like polymers, and even reacts with water easily to form complicated stuffs. Imagine when the ozone gas reacts with the water in your eyes it will easily strain your eyes so please avoid such bogus products and don't spend money on them.

Conclusion: If you own an ozone air purifier then first purify it by replacing with a normal one which does not contribute to the ongoing indoor pollution. It's better not to own an air purifier than having an ozone purifier; at least you can stay safe from one extra irritant.

Related posts:

Airpura Air Purifiers Reviews

AustinAir Air Purifiers Reviews



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