Information about Environmental Issues

Roughly 1% of the population of the United Kingdom has private water supplies to their homes. These homes are generally in rural areas and farms. Areas where standard municipal water suppliers can not reach and are not connected to the mains water supply for the rest of the United Kingdom. Generally these private water supplies are sourced through springs, boreholes, streams, rivers or in many instances that are sourced through wells that have been dug by the owners of the property or have indicated on the properties prior to the owners occupying the property / land. In some instances these wells may have been present during or before even Roman settlement in the UK, so some of these wells may be of quite ancient heritage. Therefore before using one we must first understand and alleviate any safety concerns that might abound in relation to the water contained in that particular well.

What's Typically In Well Water?

When using well or any other type of private water supply, it is necessary to have the water tested before using it. This ensures that the water is safe for whatever purpose you intend to use it for. Be that drinking or showering in, it is important that any water that you might shower inside is actually safe for consumption as well. So before even considering putting a shower filter on any well drawn water, make sure that the water has been tested to ensure that it is safe for consumption.

Bacteria, Algae, Parasites

As a well is exposed to the environment and is typically in an area of ​​topological depression, rain water which falls around the area and then flows along the ground (or underground) and collects in the well can sometimes be polluted with animal faeces that is strewn on the ground.

Choosing a shower filter with KDF-55 will help to kill Bacteria and Algae because it has natural anti-bacteria properties. Having said that, as bacteria and virus' can cause some serious illness – it is advised that water is tested to ensure that there is no potential harmful contaminants in well water and not to only only on a shower filter to protect itself from these hazardous substances .

Heavy metals

Metals such as; mercury, iron, magnesium, copper and a variety of other heavy metals are naturally found in soil all through the United Kingdom. A small amount of heavy metals can generally be found in most water supplies, be that from well water or from municipal water supplies. Also small amounts of some metals are actually required in our diets to keep healthy, for example people with a low level of iron in their blood can suffer from health problems such as anemia. Yet because of the nature of a well, the water in the well can have long term and constant contact with ground which may have concentrations of heavy metals which are actually harmful to humans. These heavy metals can become soluble within well water and if not controlled can cause serious illness to health. When showering in water which has high concentrations of copper, blonde hair can turn green.

Again – a shower filter with KDF-55 will also help eliminate water soluble heavy metals. Water soluble heavy metals will bond to the KDF-55 and it can remove up to 90% of heavy metals from water as it passes through the shower filter.

Water Hardness and Pesticides

Just like heavy metals in well water, water found in wells are typically harder than above ground sources of water. This again is because hardness (which is attributed to higher mineral content in water) of water is increased because of the exposure of the water in wells to ground which may have in itself higher mineral contents and therefore these minerals are expressed from the general environment which the water is in contact with and becomes imbibed within well water.

Pesticide run off from either domestic or industrial and agriculture use can also contaminate well water supplies. Just like with bacteria and algae, pesticides can be picked up when rain water runs across ground or crops which have been sprayed with pesticides and eventually be deposited in well water supplies.

Using a shower filter which has Granulated Active Carbon (GAC) can help a great deal with Water Hardness and Pesticides. GAC has been known to have great filtering properties when it comes to filtering these types of contaminants. When using shower filters with GAC for filtering water hardness and pesticides it is important to keep an eye on changing the filters more often. As GAC is a porous type of filter which actually traps the contaminants within itself and then cartridges should be changed more regularly to ensure fresh healthy water is always achieved.

In conclusion – when using well water or any other type of personal water supply when showering, the first thing to do is have a professional water test done to ensure that the water is safe for the usage that one requires it for. After that, if tests come back as safe – then it is important to employ a shower filter to make sure that optimum water filtration is achieved to have a safe, healthy and enjoyable shower experience.

There are many different choices available when it comes to cutting boards for your kitchen. Most people are familiar with the old school wood models as well as the newer plastic versions. However there are also a wide number of chopping boards made out of bamboo. Bamboo cutting boards are definitely a newer craze, but a lot of questions have come up with these, as well.

Is a bamboo cutting board safe for your kitchen? There's a lot of argument over this point. One of the positives of bamboo boards that is widely touted is the board being hard enough to allow for good easy cutting while soft enough to not damage the knives. On the other hand, there are multiple reports from people saying they've had problems with these chopping boards being too hard and causing chipping with cheap knives and other similar kitchen tools.

This conflict in stories points out one of the potential safety issues with using a bamboo cutting board. Not everyone is going to be made the same, and there have been enough reports of knives chipping or getting damaged that you can not just ignore them as a one in a million occurrence.

Obviously chipping knives is a serious issue. Having the blade slip can result in cuts or injury, not to mention little chips of metal getting mixed in with whatever is being cut up. This is an issue particularly if you tend to use really cheap knives as opposed to high end stainless steel kitchen knives. This is one spot where quality makes a big difference.

Next, it's important to note that to keep a bamboo cutting board safe and in good condition you will need to season it on a regular basis. That means washing by hand in hot soapy water then after it dries giving it an oil rub.

Part of the issue also involves technique. Since bamboo chopping boards can be harder than wood, it takes some time to get used to not cutting so hard so the knife does not slam against the board at the end of the cut. This can often take a couple of weeks since the feeling of cutting on bamboo is different than its wood or plastic counterparts.

So to answer the question of whether bamboo cutting boards are safe: in most instances they are and in fact they can be an extremely high quality cutting board. However with that being said, if you are not used to bamboo boards and you use extremely cheap knives, there are some serious concerns that should not be blown off lightly. If, on the other hand, you choose to use high quality knives and kitchen utensils then bamboo boards should be perfectly safe.

There are many fans of these boards but there are detractors as well. Since so many accidents can happen in the kitchen it's always good advice to use the cutting board you are most comfortable with.

Every time you open a magazine or switch on the television, you can witness advertisements advocating the importance of fresh smelling and germ free homes. In order to achieve such high level of results, many time cleaning product manufacturers make use of some really noxious chemicals, which are harmful to both human health as well as the environment. It is not rocket science to deduce that if these chemicals are so harmful to the germs and bacteria, what level of impact do they have on the human animals and their surroundings.

It is a fact that no matter how clean a house is, there are some germs present, which may or may not pose any harm to the human beings. While the advertising companies are busy selling the idea of ​​germ and bacteria free homes, they forget to mention or rather deliberately do not mention, the perils contained in the bright and shiny bottles holding the cleaning agent. In reality, the truth is that many of these products are even more dangerous to human beings and the environment than a few of the germs present in the home, which are to be eliminated with the help of these chemicals.

Advertising companies very clearly play with the human fear of illness and portray the germs as villains, without even bringing the real villains into focus, which are the cleaning products. Moreover, in order to avoid the aversion of the customers from using these products, they certainly do not mention the fact that many of these products tend to contain known carcinogenic compounds.

Although, the human body possesses amazing immunity powers for protecting itself, many of these chemicals are so toxic in nature that they tend to cross this immunity mark. Many synthetic chemicals used in the cleaning agents actually mimic the metabolic functions of the human body, which elevates the risk posed by the cleaning agents. Some of the toxic combinations even interfer with the immunity system of the human body and the ability of the body to heal and recover. This increases the frequency of un-explainable ill health conditions.

Moreover, quite a few chemicals fail to break down and decompose in the environment and continue to linger in the food chain and the soil for many years to come. While some of the chemicals harm us when they come into contact with the skin, others pose hazards through their inhaled fumes. In addition, children tend to be more affected by these elements and results might be as worse as lifelong health problems.

In developed countries, nanotechnology is being promoted as a technological revolution that will help to solve an array of problems. It promises to provide new ways of solving some of developing countries' chronic challenges such as treating tuberculosis and malaria, preserving food, and diversifying energy sources and other applications. Many nanomaterials are now globally manufactured for structural applications (ceramics, catalysts, films and coatings, and composite metals), skin care products (cosmetics), information and communication technologies (nanowires and optoelectronic materials), biotechnology (drug delivery, diagnostic marks, and biosensors) and environmental technologies (nanofiltration and membranes).

Nanotechnology provides many promising solutions for improving “point of use” water treatment – ie becoming more efficient and effective about removing all the contaminants in water to make it safe to drink. There are three nanotechnologies for water treatment; nano-filters with membrane (carbon nanotubes) to filter out contaminants, nanosensors to detect contaminants in the water and nanomaterials to help with water pollution remediation, and the desalination.

In the past years, mechanical or chemical methods have been used for effective filtration techniques but the recent technique is nanofiltration. Nanofiltration is a reliably recent membrane filtration process used most often with low total dissolved solids water such as surface water and fresh groundwater, with the purpose of softening (polyvalent cation removal) and removal of disinfecting by-product precursors such as natural organic matter and synthetic organic matter. Using nanoscale particles increases the efficiency to absorb the contaminants and is comparatively inexpensive compared to traditional precipitation and filtration methods because the nano-enabled technologies include a variety of different types of membranes and filters based on carbon nanotubes, nanoporous ceramics, magnetic nanoparticles and other nanomaterials . Its mechanism is based on the use of membranes with suitable hole sizes, where the liquid is pressed through the membrane. Nanoporous membranes are suitable for a mechanical filtration with extremely small pores smaller than 10 nm (nanofiltration) and composed of nanotubes. Magnetic nanoparticles offer an effective and reliable method to remove heavy metal contaminants from waste water by making use of magnetic separation techniques.

Separation membranes with structure at the nanoscale can also be used in low cost methods to produce potable water. In a recent study in one of the developing countries, tests were run using polymeric nanofiltration in conjunction with a reverse osmosis process to treat brackish groundwater (water that is salty, but less so than sea water). These tests produced potable water. The reverse osmosis membranes removed a large majority (about 99%) of all the solutes, but the concentrations of essential nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium ions, were reduced to levels that were below the specifications of the World Health Organization standard for drinking water . The product water there before had to be spiked with these nutrients to provide drinking water of the required quality.

Low-cost nanostructured separation membranes methods have shown to be effective in producing potable water. Providing nanofiltration methods to developing countries, to increase their supply of clean water, is a very inexpensive method compared to conventional treatment systems.

A great cosmetology school should be on the cutting edge of all things. One of the most important areas for a school to model is the most effective way to deal with the fumes that off gas from many of the products that they will be asked to use in salons.

And setting the example by using an air purifier to eliminate fumes will speak volumes to them about how important you thing clean air is. Here are 5 reasons every cosmetology school needs an air purifier.

Set The Bar High —- Your students will surely learn from the things they hear. But they will remember more about the things you do. Telling them about the chemicals and their best uses is great. And telling them about the fumes they produce is great too.

But being a good role model by actively removing the fumes with an air purifier says the most about how important you as an instructor and the school as a whole really think this issue is.

Having students experience the difference filtration can make is self-perpetuating. A greater percentage of students who are lucky enough to have their air filtered in school are likely to do the same when they are on their own. And even if they work in someone else's space, they will know better than put themselves in harm's way by breathing air that is not filtered.

Safeguard Health of Students And Staff — Generally the age of the student in class is fairly young. If you are teaching such a class your experience in the field makes you all aware of how breathing air heavy with fumes can adversely affect health.

By filtering the air when procedures are being done, you are letting the cleaner take the fumes out of the air rather than the lungs and liver of your students.

Be A Good Neighbor — Many times classes are held inside a regular school or at a technical school where other trades are taught. Left unfiltered the chemical odor can circulate through the building leaving the auto mechanic, industrial arts, and home economics teachers complaining about the smell.

And even if your school is in a mall or a professional office building, if you share heating and air conditioning; it can put other businesses in a tough spot to have to try to get rid of odors that they are not creating. Consider the effects these odors would have on an errant restaurant or business that offers massages.

Filtering the air 24 hours a day with an air cleaner that is specifically designed to remove volatile organic chemicals that evaporate so easily at room temperature is a proactive and effective way to handle the problem. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The growing functional range of smartphones, digital cameras and tablets requires a high level of integration density in the semi-conductor field and the miniaturization of electronic modules.

Until now, the use of faster microchips was virtually impossible due to increased heat generation. This problem can now be resolved by integrating the microchips within the flat module (embedded technology). This means that the use of chip carriers in connection technology is a thing of the past.

The patented process is a milestone in the development of mobile communications. The scope of functions of mobile end-user units largely depends on micro-conductor technology and the miniaturization of contact surfaces.

The H2O2 process used so far has the disadvantage of having a very broad process window which results in an unstable and hard-to-control etching process.

• negative effects on the etching quality of the structures
• high production scrap rate.

The ozone technology enables a really small process window and accurate metering of the etching solution. The positive effects on the surface structure of the tracks can be seen in the

• steepness of the etched flanks
• liner structures and increased signal quality
• the production yield increases as a result
• the reduction in costs in this hard-bought market

The decisive factor is the ground-breaking development of the new process, which revolutionizes the manufacture of printed circuit boards.
In the manufacture of printed circuit boards, the conducting structures are etched onto a copper surface in a complex and expensive process. Up to now, liters of the hazardous material hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were used in these etching processes. The problem is this: Hydrogen peroxide is a very strong oxidation agent which increases the risk of fire and can cause severe damage to the eyes and irritation to the skin. It is also toxic.

It is precisely that this technology is setting new standards, because this flammable toxic material is replaced by ozone (O3) that is generated “in situ”. The process generates ozone from ambient air using a generator. The ozone is introduced into the production cycle directly at the point it is required. The volume of ozone generated in this way is of the order of a few grams. Excess ozone is converted to oxygen in a catalytic converter and then discharged back into the air. The critical and expensive handling of the toxic material hydrogen peroxide is completely eliminated.

In the electronics industry alone, an annual saving of over 15 million liters of dangerous hydrogen peroxide can be made.

Overview: What is OSHA?

The Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) offer training requirements for individuals who are employed in professions that may expose some dangerous and hazardous components or conditions. This training program is laid down by the federal agency's primary tool to coach every batch of workers to understand various issues related to safety and healthy employment conditions at a workplace. This program teaches how to protect workers, business, public, and the overall working environment from potential dangers and work-risks. The course covers topics related to workplace safety and can be customized as per application specialty. After the completion of the course, certification is provided through the OSHA Training Institute, approved OSHA Education Centers and OSHA Outreach Training Program.

OSHA training is found in two forms, both online and onsite classroom training whereby, individuals can enroll in these courses as per their own convenience and career requirement. People who are keenly looking forward to taking up this course, but unfortunately can not make it for the classroom training, however, have the easy option of going with the Online OSHA Training program.

Main Procedures to Follow in an Online OSHA Compliance Training Program

10-Hour Training Program: This program is mainly intended as orientation training course for entry-level workers. The web-based 10-hour training program has a better impact and quality as compared to other classroom based sessions. An online program educates an individual quite effectively. After attending these sessions, the employees are well informed with the most essential information that one needs with oneself on an onsite job.

30-Hour Training Program: This program is primarily intended for experienced workers who are accountable for safety in their related work areas. This program set-ups real life incident for the learners, and prepares them with each scenario that is likely to occur at a job site. The educational lessons taught in this program make a learner capable enough of spotting, understanding, and reducing the risks on-field. It is highly intent to create a safer and much safer working environment for the employee and his / her co-employees.

Beside, the above discussed aspects, which obviously hold a prime importance when you plan to take up an online OSHA training program, also try considering several different factors that include provider of the course, the total cost of the program, the ease of accessibility while doing training online, customer experience, and the effects of educational lessons in real-life situations.

OSHA requires workers in many states to engage in compliance training shortly before being hired to work in certain industrial fields and occupations. The courses which are offered by online vendors are the ones needed the most by many general industry and construction workers. There are many industries were work safety is an issue of utmost concern, and then, there are several jurisdictions that need ongoing Online OSHA Training programs for management, owners, and employees in order to evaluate basic safety skills in them.

The Amazon Rainforest covers over a billion acres, said to be the “Lungs of our Planet” producing more than 20 percent of the world's oxygen. More than half of the world's estimated 10 million species of plants, animals and insects live in the rainforests.

In the time it takes to read this article, an area of ​​Brazil's rainforest larger than 20 football fields will have been destroyed. Over the past 40 years, close to 20 percent of the Amazon rainforest have been cut down-more than in the previous 450 years. Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest is our planet's most threatening environmental concern. Deforestation accounts for about 17 percent of man-made emissions each year – more than all cars, airplanes, trains, and ships in the world put together.

If managed properly, the rainforest can provide the world's need for these natural resources on a perpetual basis. Promoting the use of these sustainable and renewable sources could stop the destruction of the rainforests and create a new source of income by wild harvesting. The rainforests are more valuable alive than cut and burned. Rainforest land converted to cattle operations yields the landowner $ 60 per acre – If timber is harvested, the land is worth $ 400 per acre – However, if medicinal plants, fruits, nuts and other renewable and sustainable resources are harvested, the land will yield the landowner $ 2,400 per acre! This value provides an income not only today, but year after year – for generations. These sustainable resources – not the trees – are the true wealth of the rainforest.

Purchasing sustainable rainforest products can effect positive change while supporting the native people's economy. By using the living rainforest, we directly contribute to preserving the Amazon. All raw materials for our products come from legal wild collection, and respect traditional land use rights of the local population. The wild collection of the fruits and seeds is transported out by qualified collectors' groups from the local indigenous population. Wild collections are only in licensed rainforests. The contracts between the collectors' groups and the licensed companies are long-term and trading relationships are based on fair trade principles. The trees are not harmed in the collection process.

The products are unrefined, raw and alive, 100% active ingredients naturally rich in proteins, vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants with moisturizing, toning, soothing, nourishing and healing properties. Ingredients which have been used by Amazonian natives both for healing and beautifying purposes for years of proven effectiveness.

Benefits of the ingredients have been tested by generations of indigenous peoples' plant knowledge, shamans, local healers and rural herbal doctors throughout the Amazon and validated by researchers carried by hundreds of clinical studies around the world.

The quality of the soil and climate of the Amazon all have an extraordinary effect on the final product. As with natural foods, the raw ingredients must be so carefully and delicately handled that their valuable natural constituents are not damaged or destroyed in any way.

It's been more than a century since cardboard packaging has made its way into the food industry – and other industries as well. From corrugated to paperboard boxes, they have been ever-improving, too; we've managed to make them leak-proof, customizable, colorful, and even with windows to show off the food inside. Modern paperboard food boxes are compact, pre-cut, and easy to unfold and go. When anything sticks around for more than a hundred years after their invention, you can tell that the industry is not planning on trying to fix what is not broken, and because they've got so many uses, they probably are not going anywhere anytime soon.

But for many years, cardboard and paperboard boxes have had to compete with other types, especially in the food industry. Styrofoam, plastic, and aluminum containers pose many of the same benefits: they're compact, come in many sizes, make it easy to store foods that contain a lot of moisture, et cetera. So why, over the past few years, have their paperboard brethren been getting ahead in the race of popularity?

One of the main reasons, of course, is the cultural obsession with “going green.” This is one of the things our society has latched onto that's actually proactive and makes sense. Some of the most important benefits that plastic and Styrofoam do not have involve are more environmentally-friendly. They're recyclable [and often made from recycled materials, as well], for one, and therefore consume fewer natural resources in terms of material and energy. The majority of the resources they do use are renewable, and some brands are made from a minimum of 35% post-consumer materials.

On top of that, though, many companies are enjoying the fact that they're attractive. Paperboard packaging is more upscale in appearance and adds a little something extra to any restaurant that chooses to use them. Companies can even have their logos printed onto the boxes to assist with their branding, which shows that they put forth the extra effort for their customers.

Paperboard packaging, due to their neat, folded designs and locking lids, do not require purchasing separate lids. They already come in a number of shapes and sizes, so restaurants can get everything they need from one provider without having to worry about ending up with more lids than bases. And on top of that, they can hold any type of food: hot or cold, wet or dry.

Needless to say, what with the revolution of sustainability in all types of industries and their convenience for restaurants that use them, our culture is moving in the direction of opting for these choices rather than other materials. When going the extra mile for the Earth benefits the company in terms of their appearance and inventory, competitive materials simply do not hold a candle.

The CDC estimates that 15,000,000 households in the United States readily upon water from private well for drinking water. Private wells fall under the category of water systems that are not regulated by the EPA and, though, are not subject to the strict standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) of 1974, later amended in 1986 and 1996. Owners of these private wells are solely responsible for the safety of the water consumed in their homes.

All private wells use ground water. Typically, ground water aquifers are sourced by rain water leaching through layers of soil. In a perfect world the aquifers would contain highly-filtered, very clean water. However, we are not in a perfect world anymore. Over the past fifty years the US has experienced population explosion and industrial expansion which has seriously affected the quality of ground water all across the nation. You no longer have to live within two miles of a Superfund site in order to have your private well water compromised.

Ground water can become contaminated through a variety of sources. Naturally occurring chemicals and minerals such as arsenic and radon often find their way into the aquifers. Local land use can play a major role in the safety, or lack thereof, of the ground water. Large and small industrial operations, mining, agriculture, animal feeding operations, refineries, and even gas stations are found to contribute to contamination of the ground water through their release of organic and inorganic chemicals, minerals, and bacteria.

Additionally, malfunctioning or outdated waste treatment systems such as septic systems and community waste treatment plants can also release volatile contaminants into aquifers used by private wells, even when the well is located many miles away from the source.

Presence of these contaminants can lead to serious health issues. Gastrointestinal, neurological, vascular, and reproductive problems have been seen, particularly in infants, children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems due to chemotherapy, transplant medications, AIDS, etc. In fact, the CDC reports that serious outbreaks in wells caused by Hepatitis A, Giardia Intestinalis, Campylobacter, Ecoli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Cryptosporidium have occurred across the nation.

In order to insure that your well water is safe to drink, the CDC recommends that you have your well tested annual, at least. While there are commercially-available testing instruments that can be used, the best approach would be to use a testing lab recommended by your local water commission. Professional labs will test for a broad spectrum of contaminants where other methods might not be as thorough. It's very important to test yearly because the quality of the ground water tapped by a private well can change quickly.

The CDC also recommends the use of water filtration systems to insure the quality of the water you drink from a well. Typical commercially-available ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and distillation systems, when used alone or in combination (depending upon contaminants found), can effectively neutralize a broad spectrum of contaminants and insure that the water from your well is safe to drink.

Summarizing, do not absorb the water from your private well is safe for your family to drink. Get it tested now and, hopefully, you will not be surprised.

Biodegradable plastic is gaining immense popularity as it is both eco-friendly and safe for the environment. It decomposes naturally as it is made of renewable raw materials. With the rising use of plastic products in our daily lives, there has been a substantial increase in pollution as plastic bags and products that end up in landfills in large amounts. These plastic waste products seldom degrade and as a result it remains in the landfills for many decades.

Ordinary Plastic- Threat to the Environment:

Today many countries have invented degradable plastic bags and products which can be recycled easily. Environment friendly plastic bags are manufactured by various companies these days. It is quite impossible to live without the use of plastic products as it has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Although these products are durable and cheap, it pollutes the environment. According to recent studies, more than a billion plastic bags are dumped in landfills in every country in a year.

Ordinary plastic bags and products require more than hundreds of years to degrade. Meanwhile it can cause serious harm to life of animals if it is ingested. Burning of bags and bottles causes green house gas emissions and pollution which can harm human life. The poisonous gases emitted from burning these bags causes various health issues such as respiratory diseases and allergies.

Importance of Biodegradable Plastics:

It is quite difficult to ignore the importance and uses of plastics. Scientists discovered a new way to utilize the usability of plastics without the harmful effects. Biodegradable plastic is the result of intensive research as it offers the usability and the efficiency of these products without the harmful effects of pollution. These products can be refurbished and recycled as it is made of degradable raw materials.

Moreover, it is cost effective compared to the other types of substitutes. It is one of the main reasons for its increased usage and popularity. These types of degradable plastic are used for a wide variety of materials such as bottles, plates and glasses. It is also easy to find renewable plastic bags in many of the stores these days. Today people are concerned about the safety of the environment and prefer to use eco-friendly products as it seldom harms the living atmosphere.

It is quite easy to degrade these types of bags as it is naturally decomposed with the help of oxygen, light or heat. As it is one of the best methods to counter the harmful effects of ordinary plastic bags and products, many companies have begun to manufacture these bags and products at affordable price rates.

Some countries introduced the use of paper bags to negate the harmful effects of plastic bags. But, the use of paper bags further aggravated cutting of trees to make paper bags. This will create more pollution and harm the environment in many ways. The use of renewable plastic bags and items is the only plausible option which can help to reduce pollution and take advantage of the beneficial features of plastic.

In the United States, about 14,000 oil spills occurs in a year according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These spills are cleaned up by trained emergency response teams that are mobilized the EPA, transport companies and Coast Guard, in order to prevent contamination which can be harmful to aquatic animals and plants. You can clean oil spills in your neighborhood or farm and the following tips will guide on how to go about it.

You should use a boom to contain the oil because the spilled oil will float on water. Booms prevent the oil from polluting the shoreline and concentrate it into a thick substance substance which will make it easier to collect.

Furthermore, skimmers should be used to scoop up the oil. Skimmers float across the top of the oil within the boom and they scoop up the oil into storage facility on close by vessels or on the shore. There are three types of skimmers; weir, oleophilic and suction skimmers. The weir skimmer traps the oil into a well, the oleophilic skimmer obliterates it from the water surface and the suction skimmer vacuums it up. Skimmers are efficient in comparatively calm water and rough seas because they recover more water than oil.

You should also use dispersants to break up the oil because they are chemicals that reduce the surface tension of water. This results water and oil from mixing which will eventually break up the oil into small droplets thatby assisting in seeding its natural biodegradation. Naturally oil will break down if left alone but in order to avoid the harm it can cause to wildlife, it is essential to speed up the process.

It is important to note that dispersants can only be used within the first 2 hours of a spill so that it can effective. Dispersion of oil into the ocean or river can cause a lot of damage to marine life and this should be avoided at all cost. Dispersants can not be used in freshwater and are not very effective for diesel or gasoline spills.

Biological agents can be used to speed up biodegradation as these agents break down the oil into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and fatty acids. In sensitive areas like marshes, shorelines and wetlands, fertilizing nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen are used to stimulate the growth of these microorganisms in order to quicken biodegradation process. Species of bacteria that do not exist in the area of ​​the spill are used in order to increase the population of the microorganisms that can biodegrade the oil.

One of the biggest things for you to make sure you realize, no matter who you are, where you live, what you do for a living, or what your social or economic status is, is the fact that it is absolutely vital that you are doing what you can to take care of the planet; of course, if each and every one of us were doing what we could do in order to make the planet a better place, it would not be nearly as vital that you did your part – but the fact of the matter is, many people are not doing their part, and this makes it all the more important that you are doing your part. Even though this might seem somewhat overwhelming at first, the fact of the matter is, it is not really all that difficult to do your small part to take care of the planet – and so, here is a look at a few things you can aim to do yourself in order to ensure you are helping to take care of the planet.

Recycle: This might seem like a minor thing, but when it comes down to it, we create far too much waste on the planet, and we have far too few places to put this waste; Currently, there are landfills all across the country filled with items that will not decompose for decades or centuries – but when you take the oh-so-simple step of sorting your recyclable products from your non-recyclable products, you will make it possible for the planet to sustain itself for a much longer time, as items you have already used will be re-used down the road.

Water: Another big thing to think about (another big thing, that is, that most people fail to realize is a big deal) is the amount of water you are using, as water is becoming more and more of a limited resource as the worldwide population continues to grow; when you take simple steps such as showering for a little less time, fixing any leaks in your house, and turning off your water when you are brushing your teeth, you will not only save money, but you will also help to save the planet!

Electricity: And when it comes to ways to both save money and save the planet, your electricity usage will be one of the largest items of all, as electricity usage damages the environment, while also damaging your bank account; when you take simple steps, however – such as buying compact fluorescent light bulbs (yes – they do save you money over time!), turning off lights when you are not in a room, and unplugging appliances when they are not in use – you will do quite a bit to help protect the environment, and will also do quite a bit to save money for yourself.

Mold is a specific type of fungus that lives by feeding on moisture. For the homeowner, it is not only unappealing from an aesthetic standpoint, it can also have a negative impact on an individual's health. Because of the higher levels of moisture that can accumulate in basement areas, mold spores are provided with a perfect breeding ground. Controlling basement mold and mildew involved controlling the accumulation or build-up of moisture. However, by taking the proper precautions, you can create a mold and mildew resistant basement.

If you suspect that you have a water leak call a professional – you want to repair these as quickly as possible so that no damage results. You might want to have your plumbing and roof checked for leaks as well. The investment in this type of inspection could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. In most cases, contractors will repair foundation and wall cracks with some type of water-resistant cement.

Increase the air flow in the basement – opening basement windows and using fans to circulate the air in the basement will help to increase the amount of air flow that it is exposed to. If there is a bathroom or a laundry room in the basement, be sure to install exhaust fans to pull the moisture out of the air.

Clean up any standing water within 48 hours – bedding, carpeting, clothing, and furniture make perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew if they have been exposed to moisture for long periods of time. If you find that they have developed a mildewy or moldy smell, be sure to clean or wash everything using hot, soapy water. If the damage is too extensive, remove these items from the basement completely.

Inspect the ground surrounding your home – does it slope away from your foundation or towards it? If it slopes down towards your home, build up the soil enough so that it slopes down from the house and directs water away. This will prevent any water from collecting around the foundation and ever seeing into the basement. You can create that slope yourself or you can hire a professional to do the job for you.

Watch humidity levels – installing a humidity meter in your basement will help you track the level of humidity in the air. Most home improvement stores carry these. Monitor the humidity level regularly and ensure that it does not exceed 60%. If you notice levels higher than that, install a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture by pulling the moisture from the air.

Clothes dryer vents must lead to the outside – never vent your clothes dryer to the inside as this will raise humidity levels within the foundation. Occasionally, the build up of humidity is going to result in mold growing.

Be sure the basement is properly insulated – the amount of insulation that was required for older homes was significantly less than what it is today. If you live in an older home, you should have this inspected to determine whether or not you have the proper amount of insulation required by law. This will help you prevent any moisture build-up from occurring or eliminate it completely.

Check rain gutters and downspouts for clutter – clean out any debris that you find and make sure the downspouts direct water away from your home. Consider attaching a 6 'to 10' extension to ensure the water is directed further away from the house. Make sure that your basement has been sealed and window wells have been installed. Additionally, if you ever notice that condensation or water droplets are accumulating on the windows, wipe them dry immediately to prevent the growth of basement mold.

It's easy to make a few simple changes – you will see and feel the rewards, and the earth will thank you. Anyone can do it – whether you are ready to jump in boots and all, or simply make a couple of small changes, you can give your family a healthier life. All while helping to preserve our precious environment.

1 – Grow Your Own

Grow at least one herb, fruit or vegetable. Whether it is a small herb box on your kitchen window sill, a lemon tree in the back yard or a full vege garden you will be saving money, and helping the environment. If you can walk to the back yard and pick fresh lemons, you're not using your car, and think about how far the fruits and vegetables have come before they even reach the supermarket shelves.

2 – Pass It On

Be a green role model. Pass on your passion and skills to others. Whether you teach your children to make fresh bread, or help a neighbor plant a vege patch your making the world a better place.

3 – Avoid Artificial Additives

Do what you can to cut back on artificial colors, flavors, fragrance and preservatives. Look through your cupboards and read some labels. Educate yourself about what is really in your beauty products and house hold cleaners. Choose products that are eco friendly, natural or organic.

4 – DIY

Make your own. Start with one thing, like your own natural cleaner, or bath salts. This cuts down on artificial additives and food and product mileage by making your own. It also helps to show our children about the process of making. Children can learn to make their own fruit salads, instead of opening a tin. Or what about making your logo sauce or peanut butter?

5. Recycle And Reuse

Do you have a tree with fruit falling onto the ground – cut out the waste and take some into your local kindergarten or next door to your neighbors.

6 – Do Something For The Environment

Weather it simply be deciding to use greener products, or walking to the post box instead of driving. Or something larger like picking up rubbish from your local river or beach. The environment needs you and this passes on green thinking to our children.

7 – Choose Organic

Even if it is only one thing. It is less pesticides and chemicals going into your family and the environment. Even if you buy some organic tomatoes, dry the seeds of the tomato on your window sill, plant them into some soil in a container and you can grow your own organic tomatoes.

8 – Buy Local Whenever You Can

Have you looked at where your fruit and vegetables are coming from? At certain times of the year apples may have traveled around half way around the world to get to the supermarket. Choose to buy foods from your country, and locally as possible. This helps us to eat in season, which is better for our health and well-being.

9 – Green Family Time

Choose one hour a week where you or your family spend an hour without using any power, technology or fuel. Make this green time your family time, whether you play a board game, word game or just go for a walk – it can bring you closer together and helps our environment.

10 – Encourage One Other Person To Think Greener

Pass on the passion for greener living and help make the world a healthier place for our next generation.