United Nations inspectors have found trace amounts of enriched uranium that is higher than it is supposed to be in Iran. At Iran’s Fordo site where the uranium is enriched for power plants, uranium was found to have uranium enriched at 27%. 20% in supposed to be the maximum allowed there. Iran claims that the uranium may be enriched at a higher percentage due to “reasons beyond the operator’s control.” Although it is not enough to be weapon-grade uranium, it brings Iran one step closer to it, and it is enough of an increase to get the world’s attention. Enriched uranium must be at 90% to be used in weapons. More talks about nuclear weapons are to be held by between Iran and six major world powers in the next month.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
WHO : Post-Fukushima radiation levels in Japan 'low'
In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami caused a Japanese nuclear plant to meltdown and spread radiation throughout Japan and neighboring countries. Over a year after the meltdown, a report from the World Health Organization states that radiation in most areas are now below cancer causing levels. There are still two towns close the Fukushima plant that have higher levels of radiation, but surrounding countries have radiation levels that are returning to normal. People on average are exposed to 2 millisieverts (mSv) just from the environment. Most of Japan now has levels between .1-1 mSv while most surrounding countries have less than .01 mSv.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sticking solar power station where the Sun shines
Solar power is a renewable resource that can be much less expensive than oil. However, due to weather and the night, it is much less reliable. Scientists in Scotland are trying to make a solar satellite capable of taking in solar energy in orbit and beaming it down to Earth. The energy would be sent to Earth using microwaves or lasers. The person leading this project, Dr Massimiliano Vasile, says that the energy could be used in disaster stricken areas where emergency power is needed. The problem is that it is very expensive to put satellites into orbit. Also, finding materials light enough to send into space is very difficult.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Urban sprawl blamed for Squamish cougar encounters
Urban sprawl has been becoming a major problem in countries around the world. It is causing humans to expand into the territories of animals which is making them encounter each other more frequently. In British Colombia, cougars have been being seen more often around the area of Valleycliffe. In this area, a new housing development is being built where woods used to be. Most people look at the cougars as if they are invading humans’ land, but humans are really the ones that are causing all of the problems. Because the cougars are being seen close to humans, many have been being shot so that they won’t pose a threat. District Councilor Brian Raiser said, “Every time you take up more forest, we move into animals' homes and it takes some adjustment. I don't think this particular incident was related to the recent development."
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Study: Ozone Layer Slowly Recovering
When CFCs were being used, the ozone was slowly being depleted until large amounts of UV radiation were reaching Earth’s surface. Even when CFCs were banned and steps were taken to reduce them, they remained in the atmosphere and can stay there for many decades. Because of this, there has been no progress in the recovery of the ozone layer for many years. However, studies have been showing that since around 2000, the ozone has been slowly recovering and UV intensity has decreased slightly. Scientists believe that there was a time lag before any effects were shown. Scientists are also saying that even though the ozone is recovering, sun block is still needed because there is still a large amount of UV reaching Earth’s surface. This shows how the steps we are taking to fix our environment are working and should continue to help if more people are willing to do them.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
As extreme weather events increase, so does acceptance of climate science
Over the past few years, there has been an unusual amount of extreme weather all over the world. From record breaking temperatures to Hurricane Irene, the US has also been affected by this strange weather. A recent survey of Americans showed that the majority of them say that the weather is getting worse and most of those people blame it on global warming. A decade ago, most Americans either didn’t believe in global warming or thought it was a problem that wouldn’t affect them in their lifetime. Now people are starting to realize that it is currently happening and we have to do something about it. The results of the survey showed that 72% of the people said that global warming made the last winter unusually warm. 69% said it also caused the record snowfall in 2010 and 2011. This shows that people are finally realizing that this has the potential to become a real problem and they might start trying to fix it before it brings serious consequences.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Panel Recommends Adding Mesothelioma To Conditions Covered by 9/11 Health Program
A panel of medical advisors has asked that mesothelioma patients from 9/11 be eligible for compensation from their treatments. Mesothelioma is cancer of the lung lining and is usually caused by asbestos which was in the debris from the World Trade Centers. The Zadroga Act will provide those who helped in this tragedy and now suffer from an ailment because of it. It provides 4.3 million dollars to treat and monitor suffering from these health problems. Originally, this act was not going to cover any kind of cancer. However, once many of the volunteers began being diagnosed with cancer, they realized it had caused many other severe health problems. Thyroid cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and leukemia are among other cancers trying to be included in this new act.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
New Drug Combo for Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis kills millions of people each year. After about forty years of using the same medications to treat it, there are now strains of it now that have become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat it. These strains include XDR and MDR. However, there is a new way of treating TB by combining the meropenem antibiotic with clavulanate. These two substances together actually kill the TB bacterium. Mtb releases an eczyme that destroys other types of antibiotics. Recent studies show that clavulanate the bacterium from producing the enzyme from producing the enzyme so that meropenum is able to get rid of the infection. One of the only disadvantages is that meropenem is much more expensive than other TB treatments. Although this is a recent discovery, it has cured a 14 year-old girl with a severe case of TB after only about eight months.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Waste-to-Energy Technology Markets
Waste-to-energy technologies have been being research for the past few years. WTE processes capture the energy release from municipal solid waste and use it to generate heat and electricity. These processes also decrease the volume of waste by 90% and reduce methane emissions. This can greatly reduce the number of landfills in the world and also create another source of energy. In 2011 alone, two billion tons of solid waste was produces in the world, and this number is increasing due to population growth and urbanization. Currently, only about 11% of the waste is treated with WTE technologies. The use of Advanced Thermal Treatment and biological processes are starting to increase worldwide.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Charcoal Studied for Landfill Methane Containment
Abandoned landfills are a major contributor to methane escaping into the atmosphere. Researchers at the University of Illinois believe the use of charcoal can greatly reduce the amount of methane escaping into the atmosphere. These researchers believe that a layer of biochar would trap the methane long enough for methanotropic bacteria to get rid of the methane and instead release carbon dioxide which is less harmful. Biochar is charcoal made from wood, crop waste, or other types of biomass. Usually, the methane escapes too fast for the bacteria to consume most of it. A layer of charcoal gives the bacteria more time to break it down. Biochar is also very cheap and sustainable and even helps oxygenate the soil which promotes the growth of the bacteria. Another advantage to biochar is that the process of making it produces a bio-gas which can be used for fuel.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Preventing contamination in recycling
Over time, impurities can build up in recycled aluminum making it less useful. These accumulated impurities include paint, labels on the aluminum as well as other metals. As of right now, this problem is manageable but can become a much more serious problem in the future. Lower grades of aluminum that are created can be used to make things like engine blocks that aren’t affected be its purity. The purest aluminum is used for more specialized applications such as circuits and airplanes. Steps can be taken to reduce these substances from the aluminum during the molten processing. However, these systems can be difficult to install in older factories. Instead, they should be added to factories that are being built. Much more research is needed to help fully develop the technologies needed to solve this problem.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Two-Headed Trout: Water Pollution Rearing Its Ugly Heads
Last week, photos of two-headed brown trout in southern Idaho were taken. These fish were mutated due to phosphate mines in the area producing selenium into the environment. Selenium contamination in this area has killed livestock, horses, and other wildlife. This is a reminder that we are constantly polluting our water with harmful substances than can not only destroy the environment but harm humans as well. In humans, selenium is known to cause hair loss, walking problems, reduced reflexes, circulation problems, and an increased risk of cancer. Humans can be affected by this by drinking contaminated water or eating animals that it has bioaccumulated in. Although the selenium in this area came from mining, it can also come from agriculture and coal mining. This is why new water regulations need to be created and properly enforced.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. Files Application for Transportation and Utility Systems and Facilities on Federal Lands
Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. has applied to lease a large piece of land in southwestern United States to build a draft tower. This area is the most beneficial because it provides proper weather conditions for the draft tower and is in proximity to the power grid. Each downdraft tower is able to generate 1,100 megawatts per hour which can power about 1,600,000 homes. Downdraft towers use natural, harmless elements to generate electricity as well as clean water. The towers create energy in two ways. One way is by using wind vanes to capture wind and turn turbines. The other way is by allowing a mist of water to evaporate. When it condenses over it, it becomes heavier and falls into the tower at speeds of 50 mph causing turbines to turn.. The main goal of Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. is to become one of the world's leading providers in efficient, clean energy without the harmful effects of fossil fuels.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Fission power back on NASA’s agenda
Nuclear-research manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Michael Houts believes that a small amount of uranium-235 can be used to efficiently power rockets in space. This invention would revolutionize space exploration. If small enough fission reactors could be created, they could power long-lasting space missions to the surface of other planets. Nuclear propulsion is twice as efficient as chemical rockets and can travel faster which would help decrease the amount of space radiation given to astronauts. However, in 2005 the project was cancelled so NASA could focus on another mission to the moon. But a recent generator was created that is lighter and more efficient than any other created so far. The Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator used the natural heat from the decay of plutonium instead of fission for power. With this new generator, two space missions are being proposed. One the Saturn's moon Titan and the other to hop from comet to comet.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Homeowners and businesses who invest in renewable energy could get a tax break under plan
Florida legislators revived the debate over renewable energy and a bill that will provide tax incentives to homeowners or businesses that invest in renewable energy technology. The state of Florida is greatly dependant on natural gas as its primary source of energy. This makes Florida very dependent on foreign energy sources and transportation. Many believe that this is as important step in converting the state to renewable energies. Solar panels, wind turbines, and bio fuels are some of the technologies that can receive the tax incentives. The bill also allows companies to install charging stations for electric cars to encourage more people to buy and use them. Lastly, the bill requires electric companies to be judges on their fuel diversity if they want to build a new power plant. I believe that, if passed, this bill will motivate people to begin to use renewable energy and will be a small step in reducing the need for natural gas and oil.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Alpha fights to block health studies from permit lawsuit
In Charleston, West Virginia, environmental groups are trying to make a lawsuit against Alpha Natural Resources for mountaintop removal. There have been studies that show that mountaintop removal may be linked to certain human health issues in areas near the site. These studies show an increase in birth defects and cancer among these residents. It is believed that these health impacts are a result of increased air and water pollution around these areas. In West Virginia, the lawsuit also includes evidence that challenges the Clean Water Act permit that was issued for this company. Alpha Natural Resources has had its lawyers do whatever it can to prevent these claims from becoming a lawsuit.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
FDA Defines Maximum Level of DEHP for Bottled Water
Recent studies have shown that the main way that people have been being exposed to DEHP is through food and drinks. DEHP is used to make plastics and small amounts can be found in foods or drinks that are packages in plastic. The EPA says that long term exposure to this chemical can cause liver damage and cancer. It can also damage reproductive organs causing birth defects. Because of these studies, the FDA has decided to change the maximum allowable concentration of DEHP in bottled water. The new regulation states that 0.006 mg/L is the maximum contaminant level for all water. This brings the level of DEHP to be the same as tap water. This new law also requires that all manufactures of bottled water test finished bottles of water as often as necessary, but at least once a year is acceptable. This will make it so that the quality of bottled water is closely regulated so that it doesn’t cause any harm to humans. This regulation will take effect on April 16, 2012.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)