CONTROL NATURAL DE LA PRESION ARTERIAL

Guia para Regular la Presion Arterial




La hipertensión esencial por lo general es asintomática hasta que se presentan complicaciones. Los síntomas dependen entonces de los órganos afectados.


Los profesionales de la salud también pueden recomendar modificaciones en el estilo de vida, como una reducción de peso moderada y una disminución en el consumo de sal. Aunque la hipertensión esencial no se cura, el tratamiento puede modificar su curso y reducir el riesgo de complicaciones.



Suplementos nutricionales


Coenzima Q10 (CoQ10) (50 mg dos veces al día durante al menos diez semanas): Se ha visto en varias pruebas clínicas que la CoQ10 reduce considerablemente la presión sanguínea en personas con hipertensión.
Aceite de pescado (10 gramos de aceite de pescado al día): El EPA y el ADH, los ácidos grasos omega-3 del aceite de pescado, bajan la presión sanguínea, según un análisis de los resultados de 31 estudios.
Potasio (Para personas que no toman diuréticos ahorradores de potasio): La mejor manera de consumir potasio es comer más fruta, que contiene más mineral que los suplementos de potasio. Sin embargo, la fruta contiene tanto potasio que las personas que toman medicamentos ahorradores de potasio (como ocurre con algunos hipertensos) pueden terminar con un exceso de potasio si comen demasiada fruta al día. Por tanto, las personas que tomen diuréticos ahorradores de potasio deben consultar con su médico antes de aumentar su consumo de fruta.
Calcio (De 800 a 1,500 mg diarios): Sólo pueden esperarse resultados modestos.
Fibra
Magnesio (Para personas que tomen diuréticos): De 350 a 500 mg diarios.

Cambios en el estilo de vida



Dejar de fumar: Fumar es especialmente nocivo para las personas con hipertensión. La combinación de hipertensión y tabaquismo aumenta el riesgo de padecer enfermedades cardiacas y morir por ello.
Consumir alcohol con moderación: El consumo de tres o más bebidas alcohólicas al día incrementa la presión sanguínea en proporción a la cantidad de alcohol que se consuma.
Ejercicio: El ejercicio diario puede bajar la presión significativamente. Un programa de ejercicios de 12 semanas de Tai Chi chino fue casi tan efectivo como el ejercicio aeróbico para reducir la presión sanguínea en personas mayores sedentarias con hipertensión.
Pérdida de peso: Muchas personas con hipertensión tienen sobrepeso. Bajar de peso puede reducir la presión significativamente en pacientes que son tanto hipertensos como obesos.

Efectos de la hipertensión arterial

Aparato electrónico para la toma de la tensión arterialLa hipertensión arterial, o tensión alta, es un factor importante en la aparición de problemas renales en personas diabéticas. Tanto los antecedentes familiares de hipertensión como su presencia misma parecen aumentar las probabilidades de que el paciente presente una enfermedad renal. La hipertensión también acelera la evolución de la enfermedad renal cuando ésta ya está presente.

La Nueva clasificación del JNC VII establece nuevos valores para la clasificación de la hipertensión; los mismos son: Normal: Presión arterial sistólica = <120(mmHg); Presión arterial diastólica = <80(mmHg), Pre-Hipertensión: Presión arterial sistólica = 120-139; Presión arterial diastólica = 80-89.Hipertensión estadio 1: Presión arterial sistólica 140-159; Presión arterial diastólica 90-99. Hipertensión estadio 2: Presión arterial sistólica >160; arterial diastólica >90. [1]. Estos cambios, que reflejan una disminución cada vez mas progresiva en los valores, se producen debido a la observación de la morbi-mortalidad en pacientes con valores de presión, considerados anteriormente como normales (140-90)

En 1997, el Instituto Nacional del Estudio del Corazón, los Pulmones y la Sangre (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) emitió nuevas metas de tensión arterial específicamente para diabéticos y para personas con insuficiencia renal en el Sexto Informe del Comité Nacional Conjunto para la Prevención, Detección, Evaluación y Tratamiento de la Hipertensión Arterial (Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, JNC VI). En este informe, el comité recomienda que las personas diabéticas mantengan su tensión arterial en menos de 130/85 y que las que sufren insuficiencia renal (proteinuria mayor de 1 g en 24 h) la mantengan en menos de 125/75.

La hipertensión se puede considerar no sólo como una causa de la enfermedad renal sino como resultado del daño ocasionado por la misma. A medida que la enfermedad renal avanza, los cambios físicos de los riñones provocan un aumento de la tensión arterial. De esta manera se crea una espiral peligrosa, en la que se combinan la hipertensión y los factores que la producen. La detección y el tratamiento precoces de la hipertensión, incluso de los casos leves, son de suma importancia para las personas diabéticas.

Además de los problemas renales produce alteraciones a nivel de la microvasculatura y macrovasculatura de todo el organismo, produciendo reprercusiones a nivel general.


Alimentos para Rebajar la presion arterial

Entre los principales alimentos que deberian estar presentes en la alimentacion de los enfermos de hipertension mencionariamos los siguientes:


El ajo: Uno o dos dientes diarios de ajo en ensaladas ayudara a rebajar la tensión arterial y a reducir el colesterol . Las reducciones son muy significativas al cabo de dos o tres meses de comerlo.
El tomate: Contiene GABA ( gammaaminoácidos butiricos) especialmente adecuados para rebajar la presión arterial.
El apio: La ingestión habitual de este alimento produce una disminución de la hipertensión. Resulta muy recomendable comer unos trozos de esta hortaliza diariamente en las ensaladas.
Zanahoria: Rica en vitamina C y en betacarotenos, disminuyen el colesterol, previenen la arteriosclerosis y constituyen uno de los principales alimentos para proteger nuestras arterias.
La col, el bróculi y las coles de bruselas: Todas estas hortalizas de la familia de las crucíferas, constituyen estupendos antioxidantes que previenen la degeneración arterial y ayudan a mejorar la salud de las enfermedades vasculares.



Acerca de la dieta

El sodio es un mineral que, aunque se necesita en pequeñas cantidades en el organismo, juega un papel muy importante en el buen funcionamiento del cuerpo. Los requerimientos diarios en adultos es de 500 mg y en niños de 225 a 500 mg.

Una dieta restringida en sodio ayuda en el manejo de varias complicaciones como son:

Hipertensión

Afecciones cardiácas
Retención de líquidos


El sodio interviene en la regulación de líquidos en el organismo; un exceso de éste provca retención de agua, así como ganancia de peso y/o presión arterial alta.
Generalmente uno consume mayor cantidad de sodio que la que realmente se necesita; un adulto llega a consumir de 4 a 5 gramos de sodio, que equivale a 2 cucharaditas de sal. Recordemos que el gusto por la comida salada es una conducta aprendida; por esta razón el proceso de ajuste de alimentos bajos en sal, tardará algo de tiempo.

La sal añadida a los alimentos no es la única fuente de sodio, existen por lo menos 60 diferentes aditivos o conservadores que lo contienen y que generalmente se añaden en la industrialización y preparación de productos comestibles.
Una dieta saludable trata de reducir el consumo de sal, entre 1/2 a 1 cucharadita al día. Para poder lograrlo es conveniente seguir con la dieta establecida y tener de referencia todos aquellos alimentos restringidos en este plan nutricio.
A continuación se detalla una guía de alimentación que debe tomarse en cuenta para llevar mejor el plan de alimentación.


Fuentes de Sodio



Productos para cocinar: bicarbonato de sodio así como polvo para hornear
Sazonadores: sal, salsa de soya, sal de ajo, sal de cebolla, sal de apio, ablandador de carne y vino de cocina.
Aditivos y conservadores: glutamato monosódico, fosfatos de sodio, caseinato de sodio, ascorbato de sodio y nitrato de sodio.
Medicinas: antiácidos, laxantes, pastillas para dormir y aspirinas
Cómida rápida
Otros: pasta de dientes y enjuague bucal (no deben ser tragados)


Alimentos Permitidos y Prohibidos
CARNE, PESCADO, POLLO, HUEVOS Y QUESOS
PERMITIDOS PROHIBIDOS
Cortes magros de carne
Cualquier carne enlatada y salada, así como carnes ahumadas y curadas
Pescado fresco y enlatado que no contenga sodio
Embutidos como: jamón, pepperoni, salami, tocino, salchichas, etc.
Quesos procesados con poca sal como el queso cottage
Pescado enlatado: anchoas, caviar, sardinas, atun, salmón, etc.
Huevo fresco Mariscos como almejas, cangrejo, ostiones, langosta, camaron, etc.
Leche entera, descremada y semidescremada Quesos como: tipo americano,cheddar, suizo, provolone, feta, queso-crema, mozzarella ricotta, holandés, manchego, Chihuahua y Oaxaca
Leguminosas cocidas sin sal
Botanas y entradas congeladas, enlatadas o empaquetadas, como pizzas, pastas, etc.
CEREALES
Pan de caja, muffins, rollos o pan preparados con polvo para hornear bajo en sodio
Galletas saladas como pretzels
Galletas y palomitas sin sal
Frituras, palomitas y papas con sal
Cereales cocinados como avena
Creales de caja, especialmente los que tienen la leyenda “fácil de preparar”
Tortillas de maíz y harina
Arroz o pasta listas para preparar
Cereales de caja integrales
Productos enlatados, instantáneos y congelados
Papas frescas
Fríjol, garbanzo, haba, arroz o espaguetti sin sal
FRUTAS
Toda la fruta fresca, congelada, enlatada o en jugos, siempre y cuando no contengan sal o consevadores. Frutas secas preparadas con sal o conservadores
VERDURAS
Verdura fresca o congelada Jugos enlatados
Jugos de verdura naturales Verduras en conserva que hayan sido preparados con sal o similares
Cualquier verudra en salmuera sin sal
LÁCTEOS
Leche entera, semidescremada, descremada y deslactosada Leches preparadas con chocolate en polvo y leche evaporada
Yogurt natural y con frutas

MICELÁNEOS
Sopas y guisados preparados sin sal ni conservadores. Sopa y guisados enlatados, deshidratados o empacados.
Aderezos y gravies comerciales.

Haciendo ejercicios

Las personas que no hacen ejercicio físico asumen el doble de riesgo en comparación con las personas activas. Con la falta de movimiento el organismo está menos preparado para adaptarse a un esfuerzo repentino.
Por lo tanto, el ejercicio físico tiene muchos beneficios, como por ejemplo:


Mejora y aumenta la función del corazón.
Retrasa el envejecimiento prematuro.
Disminuye la presión sanguínea.
Combate el exceso de peso.
Disminuye las grasas de la sangre. Aumenta la efectividad del colesterol protector (HDL).

El ejercicio practicado regularmente, no necesariamente debe ser un deporte. Aunque es considerado el ideal, también existen ejercicios que sirven y son eficaces, como por ejemplo: salir a caminar o jardinear.
Puede caminar una hora diaria, distribuidos en media hora en la mañana y media hora en la tarde, en forma regular y mantenida.



El tratamiento natural de la presión arterial baja, a base de remedios caseros, te permitirá recuperarte de una baja de presión y volver a sentirte bien. Sin embargo, ten en cuenta, que es importante que se

investiguen las causas de tu episodio de hipotensión, por lo que no debes dejar de consultar con tu médico, especialmente, si las bajadas de presión se repiten a menudo.

Uno de los remedios caseros más sencillos y efectivos para subir la presión arterial es el jugo de
remolacha cruda. Simplemente, licúa una remolacha con un poco de agua y bebe dos tazas al día del jugo que obtengas. Quizás el tratamiento más práctico y rápido, ante una bajada de presión arterial sea recurrir a la sal. Diluye una cucharada en un vaso de agua y bébelo, para salir al instante de un episodio de hipotensión. Otra posibilidad es tomar agua tibia con canela.

Además, puedes preparar un remedio natural para la presión arterial baja, elaborando una infusión con tres cucharadas de raíz de jengibre rallada y una pizca de pimienta de Cayena, por taza de agua. Hierve durante algunos minutos y luego deja reposar, antes de colar.

BEER CHEMISTRY

Are brown bottles better for beer?


Beer is typically made from water, malted grains, yeast and hops, which combined to produce more than 600 volatile compounds. These chemical reactions continue to occur as the beer ages. And as with most chemical reactions, they are affected by energy in the forms of both heat and light. Some of these reactions can yield a mellower flavor. Too much light, however, can be a problem and leads to ‘lightstruck’ or ‘skunky’ beer.

The substances that are most affected by light are found in hops. Hops are the cone like flowers of the climbing plant Humulus lupulus and are used to give beer its bitter flavor and many unique aromas. When light reacts with certain hop-derived compounds, it creates a variety of unpleasant-smelling and -tasting chemicals, with 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol (MBT) being the major offender.

Light-resistant hop extracts are now available that can help prevent beer from becoming lightstruck. Antioxidants can also be used. But these approaches affect the final taste of the beer. The best solution is to keep the beer from being exposed to light. And that is achieved through the packaging. Cans are optimal, but for glass bottles, brown glass blocks out more light than green glass, and both are far better than clear glass. Dark beers, which absorb more light, are best bottled in brown glass, while green glass is generally fine for lighter beers.

CHEMISTRY AND MUSCLES

Nitric Oxide

Researchers have recently determined that nitric oxide is a critical player in your body's creation of new muscle cells, and the science behind nitric oxide is surprisingly straightforward: Nitric oxide relaxes the smooth muscle cells around your blood vessels, widening the inner walls of your arteries. This process enhances nutrient and oxygen delivery to your muscles, boosting strength and endurance while working to prevent fatigue.

Unfortunately, your body doesn't create enough nitric oxide on its own to produce the results you want. That's why supplementing your body's natural supply of nitric oxide is a critical component of muscle building success. Nitric oxide supplements are used by tens of thousands of professional athletes and bodybuilders, and millions of average men.

The impact of nitric oxide cannot be understated. It's essential, and without a nitric oxide boost, your workouts are suboptimal, no matter what other steps you are taking.

What Now?

First and foremost, start eating right and working out properly. Without that foundation, nothing else you do will make a difference. Second, start taking a nitric oxide supplement daily. Doing so will allow you to transform your body in ways you have only dreamed.

There are so many nitric oxide products on the market today, and so many confusing marketing messages, it's tough to choose the right one – the one that makes the most sense for you.

Most nitric oxide supplements are similar enough that it wouldn't matter which you used, but some are notably different. Force Factor, for example, has been shown more than any other product on the market to start working immediately to increase muscle gains. It's more expensive than some of the alternatives, but it's also the most effective, so the additional cost is justified (wasting your money on cheaper products that don't work is senseless, we believe). And unlike many of its competitors, the company behind Force Factor knows what it's doing when it comes to developing phenomenal products.

GREEN CERTIFICATIONS

Outlining Green Certifications — Special Online Feature
Updating the latest green certifications and what they mean to HS readers

By Corinne Zudonyi, Editor
Email the HS editors

Certifications are an important aspect of a department's custodial goal. In fact, the 2010 Housekeeping Solutions survey revealed that 86 percent of readers sought out products that were green certified. Sixty-seven percent commented that green certification for workers or the department was somewhat or very important. And another 67 percent commented that green certification for the entire facility was somewhat or very important.

Even though they are important, just like general green or sustainable terms, new and revised certifications have caused some confusion among in-house managers. Here, Housekeeping Solutions defines common certifications that have caused confusion over the years to help managers stay up to speed.

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CIMS–GB — Administered by ISSA, Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) is a management framework that aids in the development of departmental operations, performance systems and processes. CIMS-Green Building (CIMS-GB) is one of the standard's six areas of management best practices: Quality Systems; Service Delivery; Human Resources; Health, Safety, and Environmental Stewardship; Management Commitment; and Green Building.

"The CIMS-GB certification program can help an in-house cleaning organization achieve operational excellence and validate the importance of its services in order to secure budgetary support in the boardroom," says Plamena Todorova, account executive — Facility Service Programs at ISSA.

READ MORE:
CleanLink Articles: green, sustainable, certification

Related Topics: Green Regulations, LEED

Industry Articles: green, sustainable, certification

CIMS applies to an entire department or organization, as oppose to a single product or person and compliance with this standard can earn points or credits towards other certifications, such as LEED-EBOM. Specifics on this program can be found at www.issa.com.

CleanGredients — This is not a certification, but is still worth mentioning. This is an online database of cleaning ingredients designed to help formulators identify ingredients that have potential environmental and human health and safety benefits. It is also designed to provide the opportunity for manufacturers and producers of cleaning ingredients to showcase their ingredients with potential environmental and human health and safety benefits. Originally funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment (DfE) program, CleanGredients is managed by GreenBlue. A listing of products can be found at www.cleangredients.org.

CRI Seal of Approval — The Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) Seal of Approval program recognizes carpet cleaning solutions and equipment that, when used properly, removes soil and stains without damaging the carpet. The program currently focuses on vacuums, extractors, deep cleaning systems and carpet chemicals. CRI's Green Label and Green Label Plus programs take this one step further by testing for and certifying low emissions from carpet, cushion and adhesives. Equipment certified by this program reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emissions and contribute to the growing use of recycled content for building materials. Additional information can be found at www.carpet-rug.org.

Design for the Environment (DfE) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's DfE program labels safer products — such as cleaners and detergents — that meet the requirements of its Standard for Safer Cleaning Products and safer ingredient criteria. The DfE Standard and ingredient criteria ensure that DfE-labeled products perform well and contain the safest possible ingredients. DfE authorizes the use of its logo under a signed partnership agreement that requires notification and pre-approval of ingredient changes, partnership renewal every three years, and annual audits, including an on-site audit during the partnership period. Additional information, as well as those products recognized by DfE, can be found at www.epa.gov/dfe.

EcoLogo — Formally known as the Environmental Choice Program, this use to be Canada's eco-labeling program. Over the years, the certifying body has been embraced in the U.S. to become one of North America's largest environmental standards and certification marks. The EcoLogo Program is a Type I eco-label, which means that the program compares products/services with others in the same category (i.e. chemicals vs. other chemicals), develops rigorous and scientifically relevant criteria that reflect the entire lifecycle of the product and awards the EcoLogo to those that are verified by an independent third party as complying with the criteria.

"EcoLogo standards ensure that certified products are safer for human health and the environment by specifying criteria for: less harmful chemicals and materials; use of recycled and recyclable materials; minimizing pollution generated by the production, use and disposal of these products and their packaging; and more," says Dr. Angela Griffiths, executive director of the EcoLogo Program. "EcoLogo assesses multiple impacts throughout the life cycle of the product and addresses those that are most important."

More information can be found at www.ecologo.org.

EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines — The Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) program is part of the EPA's continuing effort to promote the use of materials recovered from solid waste. Buying recycled-content products ensures that the materials collected in recycling programs will be used again in the manufacture of new products. Additional information about the CPG program can be found here.

Green Cleaning in Schools — This is Healthy Schools Campaign's national partnership to promote green cleaning in schools. The initiative brings together the cleaning industry, educational leaders, parents and advocates to support schools in the adoption of environmentally friendly policies, practices and products.

"There are so many benefits to having a green cleaning program in place," says Mark Bishop, vice president of policy and communications. "It is about cleaning with that safest available products and most current procedures, and that we are doing things to help promote the health and safety of the staff. In turn, we are educating and keeping children healthy as well as being responsible environmental stewards."

HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools helps to communicate information and resources on infection control, sustainability, green cleaning for food service, laundry care, new technologies and more. Learn more at www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/programs/gcs.

Green Seal — This is a non-profit eco-label that creates green standards for a variety of products, as well as provides product certification. Over the years the reputation of the Seal brand has grown to symbolize environmental leadership, and it continues to represent green products and services. As states continue to pass legislation that requires green cleaning practices, Green Seal product certification has become more prevalent. Many of these legislations do require the use of Green Seal certified products. An outline of all the Green Seal standards can be found at www.greenseal.org and are available for free to all interested parties.

One Green Seal standard that directly relates to this industry is GS-42, for Commercial and Institutional Cleaning Services. According to the website, this standard "establishes environmental requirements for cleaning service providers of commercial, public, and institutional buildings, including in-house and external cleaning services, to create a green cleaning program that protects human health and the environment." More information specifically pertaining to GS-42 can be found at http://www.greenseal.org/GreenBusiness/Standards.aspx?vid=ViewStandardDetail&cid=0&sid=30.

Greenguard — The goal of the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) is to improve human health by enhancing indoor air quality and reducing exposure to chemicals and other pollutants. To do so, GEI certifies products and materials for low chemical emissions. Specific product certifications include: Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified, Greenguard Children & Schools Certified, and Greenguard Premier Certified. Only one facility certification — Greenguard Building Construction Certified — is available for new construction. More information on Greenguard and all the certifications available can be found at http://www.greenguard.org/.

LEED-EBOM — Formally LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB), this certification was revamped by the U.S. Green Building Council in spring 2009 to become LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED-EBOM). The rating system now features streamlined reporting, fewer prerequisites, greater focus on operations and maintenance, ease of scale for use in greening large portfolios of existing buildings and more rewards for measured environmental performance.

Green cleaning, for example, is now a prerequisite for LEED-EBOM and can contribute at least six additional points to organizations seeking certification. It has been consolidated to one credit category and emphasis has been added on achieving a comprehensive green cleaning program and use of performance metrics for cleaning effectiveness.

Revisions to LEED-EBOM are again under review and updates are expected to be announced in November 2011. Up-to-date changes can be found at www.usgbc.org.

(OS1) — This is a cleaning management system that forms teams of workers, of which specialize in specific tasks. Workers are outfitted with the tools specified to complete their particular job function and tasked with conducting that individual task as part of the team. According to the ManagemMen website, developers of the program, "This simplification of the cleaning process results in a safer, healthier and easier working environment."

In addition to data tracking, benefits to the program include improved safety, reduced product and personnel waste, lower environmental impact, balanced employee workload, improved training and standards compliance.

"The tools are standard (selected by benchmarking best practices), the rules are established and scientifically validated, and with competition the various (OS1) organizations help "raise the bar" for cleaning performance," says Ben Walker, director at ManageMen. "(OS1) is the simple path for a busy in house manager to add professionalism to their program."

More information can be found at http://www.managemen.com/os1/green and training for the program is available through Janitor University.

Practice Greenhealth — This is a membership only community of institutions in the healthcare industry that have made a commitment to sustainable and/or eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment, according to the website. More information can be found at http://www.practicegreenhealth.org/.

Transpare — Originally referred to as the Information-Based Environmental Label (IBEL), Transpare outlines critical information regarding the environmental, safety and health attributes of cleaning products, empowering purchasers to make informed choices that are consistent with their organizational sustainability goals. Currently under development, Transpare is first being designed to address chemical products, but will soon be modified to address other major product categories, including those for which there are currently no third party eco-label programs such as microfiber, brooms and some equipment. ISSA and Ecoform will soon begin Beta testing of Transpare with an eye toward launching the system in late Summer 2011.

"Transpare will enable the user community to compare and contrast green cleaning products and select those that posses preferred environmental and safety and health attributes," says Bill Balek, director of environmental services at ISSA. "This capability is critical in today’s marketplace where there are over 2,500 certified products. While this statistic is a compliment to the industry’s progressiveness, the fact remains that at the present there is no effective way of distinguishing one certified product from another based on its environmental profile. Current eco-label certification programs do not make the underlying environmental data transparent, and as a consequence there is no way to identify, let alone select, the greenest product. Transpare will make this information transparent to purchasers, who can use it to make informed purchasing decisions."

GREEN AGAIN, IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

FEATURES
Defining Green and Sustainability
Sorting through the green and sustainable lexicon

By Corinne Zudonyi, Editor
Email the HS editors

In 2007, 67 percent of Housekeeping Solutions readers commented that they used green cleaning products within their facility. By 2010, that number jumped to 86 percent. What's even more impressive though, only 50 percent of readers surveyed in 2007 commented that they would do whatever they could to incorporate green products into their programs. In 2010, that number shot up to 88 percent.

As green cleaning and sustainable initiatives continue to evolve and gain momentum with in-house departments, it can become difficult for managers to navigate the lexicon of changing terms.

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The federal government defines green as "products and services that reduce the health and environmental impacts as compared to other products and services used for the same purpose.” Custodial managers know that incorporating these products and methods into a green cleaning program will help improve the health and environment of a building and its occupants.

However, confusion often arises when it becomes necessary for managers to go beyond green products and define product certifications, product life cycle, greenwashing or biobased products, to name a few. Here, common terms and phrases that have caused confusion over the years are defined to help managers clarify green and sustainable best practices with confidence.

READ MORE:
CleanLink Articles: green, sustainable, health

Related Topics: Green Regulations, LEED, Products & Certifications

Industry Articles: green, sustainable, health

Refresher Course
Not all terminology associated with green and sustainability is new to custodial managers. In fact, sometimes all that's needed is a refresher course and some clarification on what they already know.

BIOBASED PRODUCTS — Defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as "a product that is composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products or renewable domestic agricultural materials (including plant, animal and marine materials) or forestry materials.” Some common ingredients in biobased cleaning products include citrus, coconut, corn, lavender and parsley.

It is important to note that not all biobased products are green and not all green products are biobased. For instance, while the ingredient in a product may be naturally derived, one also has to consider the toxicity, packaging and the manufacturing process.

ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING — Purchasing products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.

LEED — The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a rating system and certification program for facilities. Due to consistent updates made to the program, there are now nine different types of certifications available, six of which pertain to the jan/san professional — LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (scheduled for revisions in 2012), LEED for Commercial Interiors, LEED for Schools, LEED for Retail, LEED for Healthcare and LEED for New Construction. Each category of certification has specific requirements outlined pertaining to custodial departments. In addition to those requirements, there are supplementary cleaning tasks that can help earn points towards certifications.

Still Causing Confusion
Although green cleaning is a concept in-house departments are accustomed to and familiar with, there is still some confusion when talking specifics. For instance, what is the difference between cleaning for health and indoor air quality? Is green really different from sustainability? These questions, as well as others, are answered in the following descriptions.

CLEANING FOR HEALTH — Some confuse this with indoor air quality, but IAQ only addresses exposure to cleaning through inhalation, which is just part of the cleaning for health concept.

"There are three routes of exposure: inhalation, ingestion and absorption through the skin,” says Steve Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group and The Sustainability Dashboard. "Inhalation is important, but it is only one part of the equation. Cleaning for health looks at all the issues.”

The cleaning for health concept claims that cleaning has value beyond the aesthetic, and can positively impact human health and the environment by reducing exposure to chemicals, improving indoor air quality, and reducing germs that prevent disease, allergic reaction and infection for building occupants and cleaning crews. What speaks to management: the cleaning for health concept has shown to increase worker productivity and reduce absenteeism.

ECO-LABELING — An eco-label is a logo of which is affixed to a product that suggests green or sustainability. Common labels include those from EcoLogo, Green Seal, Carpet and Rug Institute or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to name a few. Manufacturers might also put their own eco-labels on products, which is called self-certification.

Purchasers are advised to research eco-labels to confirm the accuracy of green claims. This is often easily done as many certifying bodies provide lists of products carrying their labels, as well as those fraudulently making claims.

GREENWASHING — TerraChoice and EcoLogo coined the formal definition for greenwashing as "the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.”

As the green initiative took off, independent third-party certifications became necessary to differentiate a green product from one with no environmental benefit. In addition to certifications, Green Guides were introduced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to control and clarify the terms manufacturers used to market their products as green.

Proposed revisions to these guidelines are currently being reviewed to ensure that manufacturer environmental advertising and labeling claims comply with the law and do not mislead buyers. Changes to the agency's Green Guides include new guidance on marketers' use of product certifications and seals of approval, "renewable energy” claims, "renewable materials” claims and "carbon offset” claims. Those that do not comply are considered to be greenwashing.

According to TerraChoice, developers of the Greenwashing Report and The Seven Sins of Greenwashing, more than 95 percent of consumer products claiming to be green were found to commit at least one of the "Sins of Greenwashing.”

LIFE CYCLE — The life cycle of a product is a concept that recognizes the product's impact on the environment not only during usage, but across its entire life cycle. This includes everything from the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing process, transportation and recycling or disposal of the product. The term cradle to grave (the cradle representing where the raw materials came from and the grave representing disposal after use, according to Ashkin) is often used in conjunction with life cycle, but should not be confused with cradle to cradle.

Cradle to cradle is used to explain a product that incorporates a sustainable life cycle, but as oppose to being disposed of, is instead recycled into or reused as a product of equal or greater quality. An example of this is taking the motor out of an old piece of floor care equipment and using it in a newer model that is then reintroduced into the workforce.

RADICAL TRANSPARENCY — This is a relatively new term used in the jan/san industry and is formally defined as "a management method where nearly all decision making is carried out publicly.” In other words, radical transparency is when manufacturers honestly and completely disclose sustainable processes and product ingredients — i.e. no secrets.

SELF-CERTIFICATION — To self-certify is when a manufacturer develops their own set of certifying criteria and a certification label that confirms achievement of that criteria. Tests are often not conducted by a third party but results and additional details such as life cycle studies and inspections of operations, are traditionally made available. Purchasing agents are encouraged to review these results when determining the product's viability for a particular cleaning program. Some experts consider this a form of greenwashing, but others comment that radical transparency will support self-certification claims.

SUSTAINABILITY — The concept of sustainability is often confused with or used in conjunction with green. The main difference, though, is that green is defined by products and/or services. Sustainability is defined as a process that "meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainability minimizes cleanings impact on people and the environment, but more importantly, it is a process, not a product.

For instance, a green certified paper towel (a product) often consists of recycled fibers from previously cut-down trees. A manufacturer practices sustainability (a process) by planting a new tree for each that is used in the development of that paper towel, replenishing forests for future generations.

"There is no such thing as a sustainable product,” says Ashkin. "Sustainability addresses how products are made or used. It is about the triple bottom line: environmental aspects, financial aspects and social equity.”

New/Revised Certifications
To help in-house managers navigate the green and sustainable lexicon, third-party certifiers have developed — and in some cases already revised — product, personal, departmental and facility certifications. The goal is to create standards for which the industry can use as a benchmark to drive green and sustainable cleaning initiatives forward.

Descriptions and links to additional information pertaining to these third-party certifications can be found here.

OIL SPILLS AT SEA AND THE ROLE OF DISPERSANTS

Oil pollution, particularly of navigable waters, has excited more public concern than any other waste or spill material. This oil pollution has steadily increased with the increased oil consumption.
Crude oil released to the marine environment through accidental spillage or drainage from land causes serious damage to the environment and marine life .It is subjected to a wide variety of weathering processes which include evaporation, dissolution, dispersion, photochemical oxidation, microbial degradation, adsorption onto suspended material, agglomeration, etc.(1). These physicochemical changes in the oil enhance its dissolution in sea water.
Previous studies showed that photo oxidation of oil in the aquatic environment leads to the formation of numerous oxygenated products such as aromatic, aliphatic, benzoic and naphthanoic acids, alcohols, phenols and aliphatic ketones(2). Some of these products like aromatic and aliphatic acids, medium-molecular weight aromatic alcohols and ethers are water soluble. The most toxic effect is caused by water soluble aromatic derivatives that freshly spilled crude oil contains.
The methods that are commonly used to remove oil, involve booms, skimmers, sorbents etc .The main limitations of some of these techniques are their high cost and inefficient trace level adsorption(3). Surfactants are the active (i.e., interfacial tension reducing) ingredients in dispersants. Surfactants are compounds that have hydrophobic and hydrophilic components within the same molecule. The amphiphilic character of surfactants causes them to accumulate at interfaces because the hydrophilic part of the molecule interacts strongly with water, but the hydrophobic part is displaced from the aqueous phase because it interferes with more thermodynamically-favorable hydrogen bonding interactions between water molecules(4). When applied to a film of oil, the surfactants diffuse to the oil/water interface. There, they align themselves so that the lipophilic end of the molecule is attached to the oil phase and the hydrophilic end extends into the water phase. This reduces the interfacial surface tension between water and oil.
Nonionic surfactants are most common in dispersants because they are more effective, are generally less toxic, have a much lower aqueous solubility, and are less affected by electrolyte concentration than are anionic and cationic surfactants(5) . The nonionic surfactants used in commercial surfactants are ethoxylated derivatives of fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and fatty acid esters of sorbitan(6-8) .
However, the use of dispersant surfactants is the most widely employed and immediately effective method of combating oil pollution both on sea and on beaches. Surfactants applied to oil slick would cause the slick to break up into tiny droplets which would disperse throughout the water column. This effect causes the surfactants to accelerate natural oil weathering processes, and make the slick more amenable to biodegradation by increasing the available surface area. For these reasons the use of dispersants has become quite wide -spread worldwide (9-11).
The behavior of surfactant is strongly affected by the balance between the hydrophilic and lipophilic groups in the molecule (HLB) (12).
This work aims at preparing some nonionic dispersants and evaluating their effectiveness in dispersing and removing oil spills from contaminated water samples
Taken from a colleague collaborator in the petroleum and gas journal

GOOD NEWS

Materials . . .


No Tickling, Please!
In a first step toward artificial skin, Stanford University created a polymer which encases parallel electrodes. The surface is 1,000x more sensitive than human skin and can detect the weight of a butterfly landing. Using polydimethylsiloxane patterned with micropillars, the material is also able to flex and return to its original shape.
Do You Care?
No one knows exactly how it works, but when you're bleeding, does it matter? University of Maryland researchers developed an inexpensive polymer gelatin substance that stops bleeding in minutes. The new synthetic hydrogel is made with water and acrylamide, a fibrous polymer that works with blood clotting proteins.

If you find this subject interesting, subscribe to the GlobalSpec e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Medical Equipment Design.

Composites . . .


Rough Conduct
New to the family of Carbo e-Therm super-composite materials, Future Carbon just launched CarboImpreg. The high-efficiency coating impregnates rough surfaces to make them electrically conductive, but at a safe, low voltage. The product soaks into a surface and makes it possible for the material to be warmed with the proper voltage.
Dude, Where's My Car?
A composite that's 10x stronger than steel at a fraction of the weight seems great. Since its main component is illegal in the U.S., Canada plans to corner the market on a car made of hemp composite. Calgary's Motive Industries will debut the electric Kestrel soon, and the hippie jokes will surely follow.

MAS SOPORTE SOBRE LAS BONDADES DEL CLORURO DE MAGNESIO

Los sacerdotes jesuitas siempre se destacaron por sus grandes conocimientos para curar las enfermedades utilizando medicina natural como las hierbas medicinales y los minerales puros.

En tono de broma, el Padre Suárez me dijo:

--- Mientras tomes esta sal, sólo te vas a morir si te das un tiro en la cabeza o si tienes un accidente.

Comencé a tomar una dosis diaria todas las mañanas. Tres días después, comencé a tomar una dosis a la mañana y otra a la noche. Asimismo continué durmiendo todo arrollado. Pero el vigésimo día, cuando me levanté estaba todo extraño y me dije:

--- ¿Será que estoy soñando?, dado que ya no sentía dolores y hasta pude dar un paseo por la ciudad, sintiendo todavía en mi memoria el peso de diez años de sufrimiento con esta incomodidad y limitación.

A los cuarenta días pude caminar el día entero, sintiendo un pequeño peso y dolor en la pierna derecha. A los sesenta días, esta pierna dolorida estaba igual o mejor que la otra... Luego de tres meses sentía crecer la flexibilidad en los huesos y un inesperado alivio en todo mi cuerpo.. Pasaron diez meses y puedo doblarme como si fuera una serpiente, sintiéndome otra persona.

El Cloruro de Magnesio, arranca el calcio depositado en los lugares indebidos y los coloca solamente en los huesos y más aún, consigue normalizar el torrente sanguíneo, estabilizando la presión sanguínea..

El sistema nervioso queda totalmente calmo, sintiendo mayor lucidez mental, mejorando notoriamente la memoria, la atención y la concentración, la sangre se torna más fluida y más limpia.

Las frecuentes puntadas en el hígado desaparecieron y la próstata que debía ser operada hace años, ahora ya casi no me incomoda.

Pero el efecto más importante de todos, fue el de haber sido preguntado por otras personas:

--- ¿Qué está pasando contigo que estás mucho más joven?

Yo les contestaba:

--- Sí, la verdad me siento más joven y me retornó la alegría de vivir.

Es por esto que me veo obligado a difundir este remedio natural, como un agradecimiento a Dios por haber escuchado mis ruegos. Así es que envío copias de este articulo para toda persona que esté sufriendo, padeciendo dolores y malestares.





MODO DE PREPARACIÓN



Hervir 1 litro de agua. Luego introducir el contenido de un sobrecito de 33 gramos de Cloruro de Magnesio (se consigue en farmacias), en una botella o recipiente de vidrio (no en plástico).

Agregarle el agua hervida fría para disolverlo, luego mezclar y tapar. De esta manera se obtiene una preparación pura que se mantiene inalterable. No es necesario guardarlo en la heladera.


Dosis recomendada: el equivalente a un pocillo de café, de acuerdo a la edad y la necesidad.

1. El Cloruro de Magnesio produce equilibrio mineral, como en la artrosis por descalcificación, reanima los órganos en sus funciones, como a los riñones para que eliminen el ácido úrico.

2. Regula la actividad neuromuscular y participa en la transmisión de los impulsos nerviosos.

3. Es un gran energizante psicofísico y equilibra el mecanismo de contracción y relajación muscular, previniendo la fatiga o cansancio muscular, evitando calambres y fortaleciendo los músculos, lo que es imprescindible en cualquier deportista.

4. Es necesario para el correcto funcionamiento del corazón pues desempeña un importante papel en el proceso de múltiples procesos biológicos.

5. Mejorando la nutrición y la obtención de energía, combate la depresión, los mareos y es un poderoso agente antiestrés

6. Cumple una función primordial en la regulación de la temperatura del cuerpo.

7. Benéfico para evitar niveles altos de colesterol.

8. Regulador intestinal.

9. Juega un rol importante en la formación de los huesos.

10. También en la metabolización de carbohidratos y proteínas.

11. Es útil en problemas de irritabilidad neuromuscular como tétanos, epilepsia, etc.

12. Ayuda a disminuir lípidos (grasas) en la sangre y la arteriosclerosis purificando la sangre y vitalizando el cerebro, devuelve y conserva la juventud hasta avanzada edad.

13. Después de los 40 años, el organismo humano comienza a absorber cada vez menos magnesio en su alimentación, provocando vejez y enfermedades. Por eso, el Cloruro de Magnesio debe ser tomado de acuerdo a la edad.

14. Previene y cura la próstata y hemorroides.

15. Previene la gripe

16. Alarga la juventud.

17. Evita la obesidad.

18. Es preventivo del cáncer.

19. Evita la arteriosclerosis.

20. Es un excelente laxante.

21. Modera los trastornos digestivos

22. Reduce la bronquitis.

23. Evita los sabañones.

24. Actúa como desodorante.





EDAD


De 10 a 50 años: 1/2 dosis

De 51 a 70 años: 1 dosis a la mañana.

De 71 en adelante: Una dosis a la mañana y otra a la noche..

Para las personas de la ciudad, con alimentación de bajas calidades como refinadas y comidas enlatadas, deben consumir un poco más de Magnesio.

Para las personas de campo, la dosis puede ser un poco menos.

Ciertamente se conseguirá una persona escapar de todos los males simplemente por tomar Cloruro de Magnesio, pero el consumirlo hará que todo sea más gratificante y llevadero.

El Cloruro de Magnesio no crea hábito, no es un elemento químico, es un elemento natural, sin ninguna contraindicación y es compatible con cualquier otro medicamento simultáneo.







INDICACIONES


En la columna: Nervio ciática o lumbar, sordera por descalcificación.

Tomar una dosis por la mañana, otra por la tarde y otra por la noche.
Una vez obtenida la curación, se continúa tomando para evitar el regreso de la enfermedad, pero disminuyendo una o dos dosis por día según la edad.



En artrosis: El ácido úrico se deposita en las articulaciones del cuerpo, especialmente en los dedos que se hinchan. Esto sucede porque los riñones están fallando por falta de magnesio: hay que tener cuidado, los riñones pueden estar deteriorándose.

Tomar una dosis por la mañana, si en 20 días no siente mejoría, continuar con una dosis a la mañana y otra por la noche.Después de la curación, continuar con la dosis preventiva mínima según la edad.



En próstata: Según cuentan, un anciano no conseguía orinar, y en la víspera de la operación le dieron a tomar 3 dosis y comenzó a mejorar; después de una semana estaba curado, sin necesidad de cirugía. Hay casos en que la próstata vuelve a la normalidad.

Tomar una dosis por la mañana, 2 dosis por la tarde y 2 dosis por la noche. Al conseguir la mejoría, continuar con la dosis mínima según la edad.



En ataques de vejez: Rigidez ósea, calambres, temblores, arterias duras con colesterol en sus paredes internas, falta de actividad cerebral.

Tomar una dosis por la mañana, otra por la tarde y otra por la noche Al obtener mejoría, continuar con la dosis mínima preventiva.



En cáncer: todos tenemos predisposición a padecerlo. Consiste en células malformadas por causa de algunas sustancias o de presencia de partículas tóxicas. Estas células no se armonizan con las sanas, mas no son inofensivas, solo hasta cierta cantidad que el Cloruro de Magnesio consigue combatir utilizando células sanas. Felizmente el proceso canceroso lento, no causa dolores hasta aparecer el tumor, hay virus muy variados que invaden las células sanas produciendo ramificaciones El Cloruro de Magnesio, cuando la enfermedad está avanzada puede apenas frenar un poco la acción cancerosa, pero ya no cura totalmente, aunque hubo casos en que fue curado.

Existen indicios de que el cáncer es hereditario. El Cloruro de Magnesio es el mejor preventivo para el cáncer de mamas y para que el mismo no se degenere y forme tumores malignos.
Hay que evitar los alimentos cancerigenos.Cloruro de Magnesio como remedio. Es suficiente que el cuerpo esté normalmente mineralizado para que esté libre de casi todas las enfermedades.

Es aconsejable para todos los casos en que se haya logrado la curación esperada, disminuir las tomas del Cloruro del Magnesio a las dosis mínimas preventivas según la edad, para evitar que regrese la enfermedad y luego, también es recomendado descartar las tomas durante 2 a 4 meses para después continuar con períodos de 4 a 6 meses de dosis mínimas preventivas con el descanso intermedio mencionado.

La falta de magnesio en el ser humano puede provocar entre otras cosas: debilidad general, enfermedades degenerativas como el cáncer, tuberculosis, diabetes, también neuritis, trastornos nerviosos, debilidad en los huesos y anemia.

BED BUGS : NOT HARMFUL BUT NOT WANTED !! HOW TO GET RID OF THEM

Bed bugs are not found to spread diseases, but can be annoying, especially when sleeping.
Follow the link below and after a short commercial you will see a step by step video on how to safely and affectively get rid of the.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-home/video/default.aspx?vid=1a68b9bb-c3e3-423a-9b45-c2ebac0a39fe%26tab=Room%20Design%26ap=howcast&from=en-us_msnhp&GT1=32045

AFTER H1N1

OTHER LESSONS FROM H1N1
The 2009 H1N1 pandemic has also helped to promote non-alcohol hand sanitizer, specifically quat-based (Benzalkonium Chloride) hand sanitizers. This option is particularly useful in schools where there is a concern about children ingesting alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

"Prior to H1N1, there was a universal acceptance of alcohol-based sanitizers," says Linda Silverman, president at Maintex. "After that, you're seeing a greater understanding and acceptance of alcohol-free, quat-based hand sanitizers as well."

Quat-based hand sanitizers have a longer kill claim than alcohol-based varieties. It can still be effective against killing germs after it has been applied to the skin. Quat-based hand sanitizers are non-flammable and also don't dry hands out as much as alcohol-based products.

Hercules & Hercules Inc. sought to educate consumers on the benefits of quat-based sanitizers and encouraged school districts to make the switch.

"We provided samples and efficacy data," says Belinda Jefferson, company president. "Some made the switch, others didn't."

Along with the increase in hand sanitizer sales, distributors sold more foam hand soap following the H1N1 outbreak, thanks to the public's renewed interested in keeping hands clean. Hercules & Hercules encouraged salespeople to sell touch-free foam soap in addition to hand sanitizer and educate customers on the benefits of touch-free restrooms.

"Hand safety is something the public needs to be aware of," Jefferson says. "The most critical thing to do is to wash your hands."

Distributors also learned some valuable purchasing lessons from the pandemic, namely not to overlook any cross-contamination-related product when stocking up on the more obvious necessities, such as hand sanitizer and soap.

"H1N1 taught us to look at the whole picture when dealing with a pandemic," says Mike Griffin, sales manager at San-a-Care. "We probably could have given more thought to bringing in disposable gloves and masks because we got caught with orders for those, and we couldn't fill them very quickly."

WOOD FURNITURE CARE; BEST TIPS:

1. To clean the finish on your wood furniture just use warm water and mild dish soap. Cleaning furniture with water won't hurt it -- just be careful not to soak it. Use an old toothbrush for hard-to-get areas. Wipe the dirt off the surface with soft cloths or paper towels until they come up fairly clean. Then dry off any residual moisture with a soft cloth.

2. After a good cleaning, the best way to protect the finish is to use a good-quality soft paste wax. Apply a thin coat as directed on the label. Wait five minutes and buff lightly with a soft (shoe) brush or cloth. Wait another 30 to 60 minutes and buff/brush again with a bit more vigor. You'll see a beautiful shine return to the finish that will last for many months.

3. Keep your furniture out of the sun. The temperature of the summer sun coming through a window can go above 140 degrees. It will cook fine finishes, fading and destroying them over time, and dry out and shrink the wood, which will cause cracks.

4. Don't place wood furniture near heating units or vents. Dry heat will cause the wood to dry and shrink, leaving cracks. Use a humidifier in the drier months to bring the moisture up to the 40 to 45 percent level.

5. For a quick-fix touch up, use the appropriate color shoe polish on scratches and chips, especially to make them less visible on the feet of furniture. Carefully using a matching-color felt-tip marker first will hide it even better.

6. When polishing metal hardware, take it off the furniture first. Take your time and make a note to remember what piece goes back where. Use a quality metal polish to get it shining again. Once it's buffed, put it back on, being careful not to scratch the wood surfaces. I recommend that you don't try to do this all at one time. It can be a lot of work, so take a few days, doing a few pieces at a time, instead of getting tired and frustrated with trying to do too much.

7. Wood isn't hungry! You cannot feed furniture. No matter what the advertising says, wood cannot be fed or nourished or enriched with polishes or oils. Once it has a protective finish over it for beauty and protection, the wood is sealed. Polishes and oils will not penetrate it.

8. There are several ways to remove the white hazy ring or spot that the hot coffee mug or hot pizza box made on your table. The least invasive way is to rub it with a mild abrasive, such as non-gel toothpaste mixed with baking soda or cooking oil mixed with ashes. You can rub it in a small spot with your finger or use a soft cloth on larger areas.

Another method that has excellent results is to place a soft cloth or towel over the spot and iron it carefully for 10 to 20 seconds at a time with the iron at a medium setting. You can turn the iron up a bit if needed. Always keep the iron moving and check your progress frequently.

9. When shopping for new or antique furniture, look at the back, inside and undersides of furniture and drawers. Many times it tells you more about quality than looking at the "show" side. The so-called "secondary" woods can speak volumes about the age of the item and the quality of construction.

10. Restoring or refinishing an older or antique piece of furniture to its original glory might seem like a good idea, and many times it is. But it's important to get advice from someone who is knowledgeable about the item you are considering. You may find that your piece is valuable and just needs a proper cleaning. Any more extensive work should be left to a professional.

CLEANING OIL SPILLS , APPROPRIATE FOR THE GULF OIL !!

Cleaning and Salvaging: Video
Two months after the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a University of Pittsburgh, PA, engineering professor offers another cleanup solution. A cotton filter soaked in a polymer solution blocks oil and allows clean water to pass through. The polymer is both hydrophilic — so it bonds with the hydrogen in water, and oleophobic — so that it repels oil. The filter fabrication process entails soaking cotton cloth in liquid polymer solution followed by drying. The hope is to create trough-shaped filters to drag through the affected area, recovering oil and leaving clean water behind. A video shows impressive recovery; see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfRKjiOXVWE

OIL DISPERSANTS, TOXICITY as per EPA

EPA Releases First Round of Toxicity Testing Data for Eight Oil Dispersants



WASHINGTON —The US Environmental Protection Agency today released peer reviewed results from the first round of its own independent toxicity testing on eight oil dispersants. EPA conducted testing to ensure that decisions about ongoing dispersant use in the Gulf of Mexico continue to be grounded in the best available science.



EPA’s results indicated that none of the eight dispersants tested, including the product in use in the Gulf, displayed biologically significant endocrine disrupting activity. While the dispersant products alone – not mixed with oil - have roughly the same impact on aquatic life, JD-2000 and Corexit 9500 were generally less toxic to small fish and JD-2000 and SAF-RON GOLD were least toxic to mysid shrimp. While this is important information to have, additional testing is needed to further inform the use of dispersants.



"EPA is performing independent tests to determine the potential impacts of various dispersants. We will continue to conduct additional research before providing a final recommendation, " said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "We want to ensure that every tool is available to mitigate the impact of the BP spill and protect our fragile wetlands. But we continue to direct BP to use dispersants responsibly and in as limited an amount as possible."



EPA continues to carefully monitor BP’s use of dispersant in the Gulf. Dispersants are generally less toxic than oil and can prevent some oil from impacting sensitive areas along the Gulf Coast. EPA believes BP should use as little dispersant as necessary and, on May 23, Administrator Jackson and then-Federal On-Scene Coordinator Rear Admiral Mary Landry directed BP to reduce dispersant usage by 75 percent from peak usage. EPA and the Coast Guard formalized that order in a directive to BP on May 26. Over the next month BP reduced dispersant use 68 percent from that peak.



Before directing BP to ramp down dispersant use, EPA directed BP to analyze potential alternative dispersants for toxicity and effectiveness. BP reported to EPA that they were unable to find a dispersant that is less toxic than Corexit 9500, the product currently in use. Following that, EPA began its own scientific testing of eight dispersant products on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule (NCP-PS). Those dispersant products are: Dispersit SPC 1000, Nokomis 3-F4, Nokomis 3-AA, ZI-400, SAF-RON Gold, Sea Brat #4, Corexit 9500 A and JD 2000. Today’s results represent the first stage of that effort.



EPA tested these eight products for endocrine disrupting activity and potential impacts on small fish and mysid shrimp. The testing found:



· None of the eight dispersants tested displayed biologically significant endocrine disrupting activity.

· While all eight dispersants alone – not mixed with oil – showed roughly the same effects, JD-2000 and Corexit 9500 proved to be the least toxic to small fish, and JD-2000 and SAF-RON GOLD were the least toxic to the mysid shrimp.



The next phase of EPA’s testing will assess the acute toxicity of multiple concentrations of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil alone and combinations of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil with each of the eight dispersants for two test species.



To view the first round of test results please visit: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants



R232

COMMERCIAL ASPECTS OF OPTICAL BRIGHTENERS

Optical brighteners are dyes that absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet region (340 - 370 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum, and re-emit light in the blue region (420 – 470 nm). Fluorescence is a short-lived emission response. These additives enhance the appearance of fabric and paper by increasing the amount of reflected blue light relative to that for yellow light.




CBS-X is used in whitening detergents, soaps, synthetic washing powders, and especially liquid detergents. It can also be used directly in knitting cotton, silk, woven fabric, and paper. CBS-X is Arkalon's most popular whitener and is stable to chlorine/oxygen bleaching with good solubility in water.The quality of our product is superior to that produced by most other suppliers.
 

LA QUIMICA DEL PEPINO

1. Los pepinos contienen más de las vitaminas que usted necesita diariamente. Solo un pepino contiene Vitamina B1, Vitamina B2, Vitamina B3, Vitamina B5, Vitamina B6, Acido Fólico, Vitamina C, Calcio, Hierro, Magnesio, Fósforo, Potasio y Zinc.

2. Si se siente cansado en la tarde, coja una soda (gaseosa, refresco) cafeinada y seleccione un pepino. Los pepinos son buena fuente de Vitaminas B y Carbohidratos que pueden suministrar ese rápido refresco que puede durar por horas.

3. Cansado de que su espejo se empape de vapor después de una ducha? Frote una rodaja de pepino a través del espejo, le eliminara la niebla y le suministrara una fragancia calmante como spa.

4. Están los gusanos y las babosas arruinando sus matas? Coloque unas pocas rodajas en una lata pequeña y su jardín se vera libre de plagas en toda la temporada. Los químicos en el pepino reaccionan con el aluminio para emitir una esencia indetectable por los humanos pero enloquece a las plagas del jardín y hace que ellas abandonen el área.

5. Esta mirando por una forma rápida y fácil para remover la celulitis antes de ir afuera o a la piscina? Frote una o dos rodajas de pepino a través del área con el problema por unos pocos minutos, los fotoquímicos en el pepino causan que el colágeno en su piel se apriete, afirmando la capa exterior y reduciendo la visibilidad de la celulitis. También trabaja magníficamente en las arrugas!!!

6. Quiere evitar un guayabo (resaca) o un terrible dolor de cabeza? Coma una rodajas de de pepino antes de irse a la cama y levántese fresco y libre de dolores de cabeza. Los pepinos contienen suficiente azúcar, vitaminas B y electrolitos para reaprovisionar los nutrientes esenciales perdidos en el cuerpo, conservando todo en equilibrio, evitando los guayabos y dolores de cabeza!!!

7. Esta tratando de combatir los excesos de comida de la tarde o de la noche? El pepino ha sido usado por siglos y con frecuencia usado por los exploradores, comerciantes y tramperos Europeos como comida rápida para engañar la hambruna.

8. Tiene una reunión importante o una entrevista de trabajo y usted ve que no tiene suficiente tiempo para limpiar sus zapatos? Friegue un pedazo de pepino fresco sobre el zapato, sus químicos le suministraran un brillo rápido y durable, que no solo luce muy bien, sino que también repele el agua.

9. Ausente de WD 40 (Water Displacement-40th Attempt) y necesita arreglar esa bisagra chillona? Tome una rodaja de pepino y frótela en la bisagra problemática y voila, el ruido se fue!

10. Estresado y no tiene tiempo para un masaje facial o visitar el spa? Corte un pepino entero y colóquelo en un contenedor para hervir agua, los químicos y los nutrientes del pepino reaccionaran con el agua hervida y se liberaran en el vapor, creando un calmante y relajante aroma que se ha demostrado para reducir el estrés en nuevas madres y los estudiantes de la universidad en los exámenes finales.

11. Recién termino un almuerzo de negocios y se da cuenta que usted no tiene goma de mascar o menta? Tome una rodaja de pepino y presiónelo en el paladar de su boca con su lengua por 30 segundos para eliminar el mal aliento, los fotoquímicos mataran las bacterias responsables del mal aliento en su boca.

12. Esta viendo por una forma “verde” para limpiar sus grifos, lavaplatos o aleaciones de acero? Tome una rodaja de pepino y frótela en la superficie que usted quiere limpiar, no solamente le removerá los años de opaco y le devuelve el brillo, sino que no le dejara rayones y no le afectara sus dedos o las uñas mientras usted limpia.

13. Escribiendo con un lápiz y comete un error? Tome el exterior del pepino y úselo suavemente para borrar el escrito, también trabaja magníficamente en crayones y marcadores que los chicos han usado para decorar las paredes!

LA LECHE, CONSIDERACIONES QUIMICAS

Sea cuidadoso al ingerir leche
Publicado en May 25, 2010 por Cyber Alcalde en BIENESTAR
Un debate se ha generado en Estados Unidos alrededor de los beneficios comprobados de la leche y sus derivados lácteos. En apariencia poderosos grupos fuera del negocio han comprobado que sólo la contribución de proteínas pareciera ser el único elemento de valor en su consumo.

En este extracto, quisimos evaluar la posición medica ante ese hecho y tomamos como referencia una exposición digital del reconocido Dr. Frank Lipman, de Nueva York, quien enumeró las cinco causas más importantes a considerar para reducir o eliminar el consumo de leche en su dieta diaria.

Notamos la dinámica de sus comentarios al leer respecto de su posición ante el consumo de leche por humanos de acuerdo a resultados de pacientes atendidos en su práctica profesional: "La leche de vaca debe ser para becerros debido a que he notado que la mayoría de los humanos tienen dificultades ingeriéndola."

Lipman menciona que ha visto muchos pacientes sufriendo de constipación crónica, artritis, sinusitis crónica y una diversidad de alergias que desaparecen del organismo tan pronto los pacientes detienen la ingesta de leche o sus derivados lácteos.

En su exposición, Lipman menciona que retira la leche de la dieta de sus pacientes, lo que le ha permitido comprobar sus sospechas.

Existen cinco prácticas según la óptica de Lipman que deben tomarse en consideración a la hora de consumir leche. Que sea usted quien tome la última decisión, pero no deje de observar los siguientes conceptos.

1. Las vacas lecheras son nutridas con el alimento equivocado, lo que no simplemente causa cambios en la naturaleza de la leche sino que le ocasiona problemas de salud a la propia vaca. La comida con la que alimentan a estos animales regularmente contiene soya, maíz, semillas de algodón, conchas de naranja -las que a su vez son protegidas con el uso de plaguicidas. Ese tipo de alimento no es apropiado para nutrir a las vacas, que son animales rumiantes y deben estar alimentándose con pasto, monte o grama. Desafortunamente ése no es el caso y la gran mayoría de las vacas son mantenidas en áreas industrializadas y confinadas por toda su vida sin nunca probar monte.

2. La leche es pasteurizada. Para quienes no lo tienen claro, pasteurización es el proceso de elevar el nivel de la temperatura al punto que logre matar cierto tipo de bacteria y eliminar enzimas. Este proceso no sólo destruye enzimas, vitaminas y desnaturaliza las frágiles proteínas en la leche, sino que mata a bacterias beneficiosas. Incluso los becerros se desarrollan pobremente y muchos mueren prematuramente y jóvenes cuando son alimentados con leche pasteurizada. Recordemos que el proceso de pasteurización fue implementado en los años 1920s para combatir la tuberculosis, la diarrea infantil, la fiebre ondulante y otras diversas enfermedades que fueron causadas por la mala alimentación de los animales y sus no muy higiénicos métodos de producción para la época. Pero los tiempos han cambiado y los modernos tanques de acero inoxidable, máquinas ordeñadoras, camiones refrigerados y los muy innovadores métodos de inspección sanitaria convierten a la pasteurización en un elemento obsoleto para la protección del consumidor.

3. En algunos casos, la misma leche es ultra pasteurizada para desprenderse de aquella bacteria que es resistente al calor y para permitirle una mayor duración al líquido después de abierto el empaque. Este proceso conduce a la leche más allá del punto de ebullición en menos de dos segundos y es usado para la leche que estará almacenada a temperatura ambiente.

4. Para empeorar la situación, la leche pasa por un proceso de homogeneización el cual genera una nueva transformación en la naturaleza de la leche quebrando la nata o grasa butírica de manera de impedir que ésta suba a la superficie. Leche pasada por este proceso es mucho más difícil de digerir, de manera que las proteínas que se suponen serían procesadas en su paso por el estámago terminan siendo absorbidas en el flujo sanguíneo. Frecuentemente el cuerpo reacciona a estas proteínas extrañas mediante una alteración de su sistema inmune, causando inflamación en la mayoría de los casos. Esto igualmente puede generar situaciones auto-inmunes. La leche homogeneizada ha sido vinculada a condiciones cardiovasculares causadas por los glóbulos de grasa que quedan dispersados por este proceso.

5. Adicionalmente a sus alteraciones químicas que resultan en un producto difícil de digerir y causa problemas, la leche de hoy usualmente contiene esteroides, antibióticos, pesticidas debido a la ingesta de granos tratados, bacteria proveniente de animales infectados y hormonas de crecimiento.

De manera que si usted toma leche la sugerencia apropiada es que ingiera leche pura de vaca alimentada en pastizales, porque posiblemente el daño no lo esté causando la leche como tal, sino sus alteraciones químicas.

THE CHEMISTRY OF GOOD DIETS

7 times a day, low cholesterol diet

Main principles:

1- do not mix carbohydrates (Flour, bread, pasta) with proteins (meet, chicken, eggs, fish)

2- no sugar, only natural from fruit and vegetables (splenda or equal allowed)

3- eat seven times a day but reduced quantities

4- all cooking and salads with olive oil

5- Drink Water when hungry between food brakes.

Select one from each alternative given on each eating break
Waking up:

1- Glass of water

2- Coffee, tea

3- Orange juice
Breakfast:

1- two slices of integral bread (whole wheat, oats, etc) with marmalade,( no butter)

orange juice and/or coffee, tea

2- One banana or papaya or melon slice, with natural juice and crackers with low fat white cheese

3- Cereal bowl, shredded wheat, corn, rice or other with no sugar,2% fat milk. (Can add fruit). Best add honey. Coffee,tea

4- Omelets with vegetables but using only egg’s whites and white rice or integral bread.
10.30 am break:

1- Cereal bar or protein bar with juice or water

1- Coffee no sugar but splenda or equal integral crackers, water

2- Yogurt low fat, water

3- Banana or apple, water

4- 2 Boiled egg only white

5- Turkey breast sandwich with integral bread
Lunch:

1- Fish fillets (oven or fried in olive oil) with any type of vegetable salad or steamed vegetables. Rice is allowed.

2- Chicken breast with any salad or steamed vegetables. Rice is allowed

3- Turkey roasted or oven cooked with any salad or steamed vegetables, Rice

4- Stewed meet cubes with vegetables and salad. Rice allowed

5- Beef steak on grill or fried with olive oil and rice. Vegetables and salad.

6- Vegetable soup or chicken broth. Roasted chicken or turkey or rabbit. Rice allowed

7- Pasta with tomato or garlic or vegetable sauce, No meet.
3.30 pm Break:

1- yogurt with integral crackers

2- Cereal bar with water

3- Fruit and water

4- Integral bread and honey

5- Integral cracker and low fat white cheese

6- Fruit juice and integral cracker
Dinner:

1- Tuna fish (a can or natural if available) with salad

2- Salad with feta cheese and integral crackers

3- Whole grain cereal with low fat milk and honey

4- Vegetables with boiled eggs whites

5- One low fat ice cream

6- Potato puree no butter one portion, with salad

7- Steamed vegetables with low fat white cheese

8- Fruit and cereals no sugar, low fat milk.

Before bed:

1- Manzanilla, tilo tea or green tea no sugar or with honey

2- One low fat pop corn

3- Low fat ice cream

4- Yogurt

5- Glass of low fat milk

6- Carrot or papaya or melon

In bed:

1- Glass of water

2- Manzanilla tea, no sugar
EAMG606060

HOME MADE GLASS CLEANER

ADD TO 1 QUART EMPTY BOTTLE, HALF CUP DISHWASHING LIQUID,  HALF CUP OF ANTISEPTIC ALCOHOL ( ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL), 1 QUART OF CUP OF VINAGER AND TWO TABLESPOONS OF LEMON JUICE. ADD FINALLY WATER TO FILL THE BOTTLE AND SHAKE;  ........ YOUR  GLASS CLEANER IS READY.

Rapid and quick measure of Chlorine content

Chlorine photometer kit




The eXact® Chlorine Photometer Kit, the latest product from Industrial Test Systems, directly tests Free and Total Chlorine at an expanded range of 0.01-11.0 ppm. The photometer uses a patented method using eXact® Micro reagent strip technology, eliminating the need for powders, tablets, and liquids. It provides results without the guesswork of color matching and meets 4500-CL-G requirement. The waterproof meter (IP-67) fits comfortably in your hand, has a built in sampling cell and comes with a five year warranty.

Industrial Test Systems Inc.

Rock Hill, SC

Tel: 800-861-9712 Web: www.sensafe.com

Taken from Water World Magazine, march 2010 edition

DESALINATION; The best alternative when potable water is too expensive to find

Desalination




A modular desalination and water purification system – originally designed for the US Military and disaster relief – is now available for municipalities. Available from Global Water Group, the system combines desalination using reverse osmosis (RO) technology with a second modular unit that employs the company's proprietary LS3 process for fresh water purification. Units are available in many different sizes, configurations and housings, and they can process volumes ranging from 25 gallons of potable water per hour to as much as 11,000 gph from seawater in one module.

Global Water Group Inc.

Dallas, TX

Web: www.globalwater.com

taken from WATER WORLD Magazine, March 2010 edition.

THEORY OF FOAM CONTROL IN WATER BASED SYSTEMS

Taken from the Paints Magazine at the following link:  http://www.pcimag.com/Articles/Article_Rotation/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000724034

Mechanisms for Combating Macro and Microfoam in Low-VOC Waterborne Systems


by Charles S. Douglas

Markus Hallack

Wernfried Heilen

Christopher Howard

Heike Semmler

January 1, 2010

In the early 1980s, the domestic ink and coatings industry began a major effort to provide products that would help coatings manufacturers lower VOC emissions. The industry used a number of approaches including, but not limited to, exempt solvents, increased solvent capture by the coatings formulators and water-based coatings.
Each approach had positive and negative considerations. Using solvents exempt from the EPA Method 24 calculations lowered VOC output but proved of little use due to limited solubility with certain resins. Use of solvent capture equipment was, and is a viable option but is constrained by the high capital and maintenance costs. Partially driven by innovations at that time, water-based systems presented the most economical means of compliance with evolving VOC and HAPS (hazardous air pollutants) regulations. However, the resins and emulsions used for these systems require surfactants (soaps) to make them compatible in an aqueous medium. Unfortunately, these additives, plus others used to enhance properties like pigment and substrate wetting, contribute to foam formation within inks and coatings.
Today, the need to lower emission levels even further – combined with multiple-purpose raw materials – creates an even greater likelihood of formulating clearcoats that foam. This paper investigates the use of organo-modified siloxane technology to control the proliferation of foam, while maintaining desired properties.

Foam is a mass of gas bubbles stabilized by a surfactant double layer – the foam lamella – within a matrix of liquid film formed in or on the surface of, in this case, an ink or coating. The word “in” refers to microfoam, while the word “on” suggests macrofoam (Figure 1). Let’s begin by looking at the characteristics of each type.
Macrofoam, found at the surface of a coating, contains bubbles – generally >100 µm– which rise very quickly. According to Stokes’ Law (Figure 1A), the size of the bubble markedly affects its velocity rising through the fluid, which is directly proportional to the radius of the bubble; thus, the larger the bubble, theaster its speed. Stokes’ Law also has a viscosity component: the velocity of the rising bubble decreases as viscosity increases. However, given the rather low application viscosities of water-based inks and coatings, along with their relatively low coat weights and thicknesses, foam should dissipate rapidly absent other contributing factors.(1, 2)
Previously mentioned factors that contribute to foam formation include surfactant packages in the polymer system and functional additives required to address key properties of the coating system. Generally speaking, many classes of defoamer will eliminate macrofoam (Figure 2) in inks and coatings since they are surface-active agents. By spraying the defoamer on top of the liquid film or adding it in the liquid phase, defoamers destroy the foam by acting within the foam lamella and destabilizing it. High-speed incorporation may not be required for this class of defoamers
Microfoam (Figure 3), on the other hand, becomes entrained within the liquid film because its small-radius bubbles do not rise fast enough to the surface. According to Stokes’ Law, these bubbles – typically 10 to 100 µm – rise infinitely more slowly than macrofoam in the same viscosity liquid. Consequently, because it remains entrained, microfoam causes numerous problems in post-cured film. Formulators must employ a very specific type of foam destabilization additive to remove microfoam from water-based surface coatings.
Many products on the market claim to eliminate foam from aqueous-based systems (Figure 4). Their performance relies on characteristics such as incompatibility, low surface tension, hydrophobic nature and other mechanisms to either prevent or destroy the foam lamella, or both.
In general, defoamers consist of several compounds, which, in total, are not compatible with the coatings system. If defoamers are too compatible with the system, problems arise, e.g., over time they become inefficient. However, if they are too incompatible with the system, the defoamers may be highly efficient bubble busters but will cause problems in the applied film. The ideal solution, then, is to balance compatibility and incompatibility for maximum efficiency.
Destabilizing agents are multi-component additives with varying groups of functional materials. There are three principal classes of components: carriers, representing 75-90% of the formulation; hydrophobic ingredients, ranging from 5-10%; and other special substances (e.g., biocides, thickeners, emulsifiers) representing 0-20%.
The purpose of the carrier is to spread on the surface and remove the layer of surfactant molecules. Therefore, it has a lower surface tension than water. Another important property of the carrier is to supply a means for the hydrophobic ingredients of the destabilizing package to reach the surfactant double layer. The carriers also have to be insoluble and incompatible with the solvent (water) to rise to the surface. The monolayer formed by the defoamer ingredients will have a lower surface elasticity compared to that of the foam bubble’s double layer. Oils can be the carriers for destabilizers. Mineral oils are the most versatile and least costly. Paraffinic (medical white) oils meet health regulations (FDA). In addition, vegetable oils, silicone oils, polysiloxanes, organo-modified siloxanes and water can all be used as carriers. Fatty acids, fatty alcohols and polyvinyl ethers are used as well.
A defoamer’s hydrophobic ingredients can be used either in liquid or solid form. In liquid form, they exist as emulsion droplets (Figure 5).
Particle size of hydrophobic materials is an important factor in penetrating the surfactant double layer (Figure 6). They must be between 0.1 and 20 µm. Too small a particle size significantly reduces effectiveness because water can enter the double layer and dilute the concentration of defoamer particles. If the particle size is too big, the particle cannot penetrate the double layer and the micro bubbles will not collapse into macro bubbles, which more easily burst on the surface. An important task of a hydrophobic ingredient is to absorb surfactant molecules from the double layer, thereby generating an increase in surface tension that facilitates spreading and the ultimate rupture of the foam lamella. The total concentration of hydrophobic particles in a defoamer formulation is limited due to the fact that the total concentration of surfactant molecules must be kept within a certain range to avoid destabilizing the coating emulsion. Compounds used as hydrophobic particles include waxes, fumed silica, metal soaps, polypropylene glycols, amides and polyurethanes.(3, 4)
Microfoam Issues
Several defoaming mechanisms readily dissipate macrofoam, but microfoam is different and a complex issue that requires addressing. Owing to its small bubble size, microfoam is generally not visible to the naked eye but its negative effects on a dried coating cannot be missed: surface defects, color control and clarity/haze.
Perhaps the most noticeable surface defect caused by microfoam is pinholing. On substrates that require a more homogenous coating for barrier properties, microfoam creates an avenue for environmental contact that can lead to weathering, deterioration or corrosion damage. Because microfoam is difficult to eliminate with traditional defoamer additives, new and different technology must be employed. The study that follows focuses on a foam destabilizer technology that uses polyether-modified siloxane chemistry with a hydrophobic component, hereafter referred to as a deaerator.(1,5-6)
The program to optimize the deaerating performance of polyether-modified siloxane explored the effects of adjusting a number of variables:

A.1 – Polarity – hydrophilic-lipophillic balance (HLB);

A.2 – Degree of polymerization (DP);

A.3 – Organic-siloxane ratio; and

A.4 – End blocking.
In this case, adjusting the HLB characteristics of substance Class A achieved significant improvements in deaeration. Varying the molecular weight changed the HLB character of some of the products shown in Figure 8. Organic modification changes of the products were also performed and the effects on microfoam elimination were tested.
Test results depicted in these micrographs clearly show that a product with strong hydrophobicity will not necessarily produce the best results (Figure 8). For efficient elimination of microfoam, a critical balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity must be struck, as seen in the test coating system with substance A.1 (Figure 8).
To provide easier dispersion in a coating system, the active ingredients of the deaerator A.1 can be compounded in distinct forms: emulsion in water stabilized by surfactants; concentrate with 100% active matter; and dilution in glycols or glycol ethers.
The initial evaluation used the concentrate form of substance A.1; therefore, the next compositions created for testing were the emulsion and the dilution in glycol ether (Figure 9). The active ingredients in these two forms were equilibrated to deliver the same total amount of active matter in each test formulation. Comparing the micrographs in Figure 9, the concentrate version of A.1 undeniably provides superior microfoam dissipation.
A number of explanations exist for the lack of efficiency shown by the emulsion and the diluted variants, but the prevalent theory is that the non-concentrate forms of delivery have a higher solubility characteristic. Less of the active component reaches the liquid-air interface and cannot act on the foam lamella.(7)
This stage of the testing compared two versions of the same concentrate of Substance A.1: one without hydrophobic particles (A.1.1), the other with fumed silica hydrophobic particles (A.1.2). Micrographs of the two inks formulated with these products are shown in Figure 10. The performance of A.1.2 in Figure 10 clearly illustrates the value of including a hydrophobic component to increase foam destabilization efficiency.
Conclusion
Deaerators designed on an organo-modified silicone platform – more specifically, a silicone polyether containing hydrophobic moieties – provide superior macro- and microfoam suppression capabilities.2 In this study, TEGO® Airex 901W and Airex 902W have proven to be the most effective additives for dissipating microfoam in aqueous-based inks and coatings that contain high surfactant levels. Further investigation in numerous inks and coatings provided additional evidence that Airex 901W and Airex 902W are ideal choices in systems where it is difficult to eliminate both macro- and microfoam. (See suggested formulations in the Appendix.)
As the coatings market moves to more environmentally friendly systems that demand practically zero percent solvent usage, foam problems will be part of the equation. It will require joint efforts between the coating manufacturers, as well as additive suppliers, to continue the design and optimization of future eco-friendly products.
Appendix - Selected Formulations
References

1. Evonik Tego Chemie Service GmbH: Tego Journal 2007, 53-59.

2. US Patent 6045219 - Pigmented ink jet prints on gelatin overcoated with hardeners.

3. Adams; Vltasvsky; Heilen. The battle against the bubble. American Paint and Coating Journal 1990, 22, 32-34.

4. Streefland, W. Ink foaming of water-based inks, what is the reason and can it be resolved? FlexoTech News 2006, 9, 2-3.

5. Kleinsteinberg; Struck. Dealing with Foam Generated During Printing Ink and Varnish Production. Ink World 2006, 10.

6. Schwartz; Bogar. An additives approach to defect elimination in thermoplastic water-based industrial maintenance coatings. Journal of Coating Technology 1995, Vol. 67, No. 840.

7. Semmler and Heilen, “A New Approach to The Elimination and Prevention of Micro-foam in Water-based Wood and Furniture Coatings,” (Internal Document: Evonik Industries).

8. Kukackova, A. Using the Si-O Strength. European Coatings Journal 2007, Vol. 6, 54-59.

NEW DEFOAMER FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANTS

New Product: Microcat®-DF




A new defoaming liquid, known as Microcat®-DF Biodefoamer has been introduced by

Bioscience, (http://www.bioscienceinc.com/). The synthetic material can be used in aeration tanks, sludge digesters and other

wastewater treatment plant process facilities to suppress foam without inhibiting the biomass or

having other side effects of conventional defoamers.

Because Microcat-DF does not contain silicones, mineral oil, nitrogen or phosphorus

compounds, it is compatible with all Microcat microbial-enzyme formulations and with naturally

occurring biomass.

WWTP foams may result from filamentous bacteria

infestation, rapid temperature or pH fluctuations,

influent composition changes or shock loading. It can

also occur at plant start-up.

Infestation with filamentous micro-organisms, such

as Nocardia or Microthrix is often a symptom of

excessive fat, oil and grease (FOG) in the influent

wastewater. In this case, use of Microcat-DF with

Microcat-XF filament controller or other Microcat

products for digesting FOG, provides an economical

"green" solution to foaming problems, while also

reducing Nocardia that inhibit settling and produce poor effluent quality.

Microcat-DF is generally metered continuously into the foam source. The liquid has a shelf life

of two years without settling.

THE STANDARD COMPOSITION FOR TODAY'S ANTICORROSIVE COATINGS

For more than 100 years, the accepted system for anticorrosive coatings was a combination of lead based paints and oil alkyd layers.
A significant improvement was attained in the 1970s with the introduction of three-coat, high performance system based on zinc-rich primers, pigmented intermediates and light stable polyurethane topcoats for the industrial maintenace market. This three coat system is now the standard anti-corrosive coating system around the world, providing outstanding protection, chemical resistance and weatherability to bridges, petrochemical facilities, power generating plants, waste/water tretment facilities and industrial construction structures.

TRANSFORMING GRASS INTO PLASTICS

More and more attention is focusing on developing processes to make biofuels and biochemicals from non-food crops and cellulosic wastes. A leader in such efforts is Biofine Renewables, Waltham, Mass.

Since 2007, the company has operated a demonstration plant in Gorham, Maine, that's successfully converted cellulosic biomass feedstock into levulinic acid intermediates used in a variety of chemicals, plastics and fuels.

The good news is that everywhere there is immediate access to a low-cost feedstock that's high in cellulose, such as waste wood pulp. Today, though, such a material generally poses burdens not benefits.
The company's technology promises to change that. "Instead of having to pay to haul the waste away or just burning it in a boiler, they can convert it into chemical intermediates that have high values," Fitzpatrick, a company's speaker notes. "The process also generates a byproduct called lignin that can be burned to provide energy to the plant or nearby consumers." (Academic and commercial research underway may lead to use of lignin as a biochemicals feedstock or as non-biodegradable soil amender.)

New meaning to "magnetic" stirring

A new approach to using magnetism for mixing provides a simple and robust way to achieve instantaneous and homogeneous mixing at any scale, say its developers at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M. The technique avoids agitators or other mechanical parts contacting fluid. Instead, it relies on magnetizable particles suspended in the fluid forming chains and then swirling to create effective mixing throughout the fluid. When mixing is done, a magnet can quickly and completely remove the particles, which can be reused, notes Jim Martin, a materials scientist at Sandia.

The method, called vortex field mixing, subjects particles to a rotating magnetic field with a precession-like motion. This causes the particles to assemble into a multitude of microscopic chains that follow the field motion and stir the entire volume of fluid regardless of the complexity its shape (Figure 1). (A YouTube video showing the mixing can be downloaded via http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2izq-XOvlg.)

SMART POLYMERS, The "Chameleon" principle

These very to-date technological advances in polymer science were taken from the American Coatings Show in Carolina, see www.american-coatings-show.com


By: Sergiy Minko, Clarkson University

Stimuli-responsive macromolecular nanostructures are capable of conformational and chemical changes upon “receiving an external signal” such as a change in temperature, chemical composition, applied mechanical force, irradiation with light, or exposure to an electrical or magnetic field. The changes at the molecular level are accompanied by variations in physical properties at a macroscale. These principles were explored in the development of reconstructable surfaces. Reconstructable surfaces change their wettability, permeability, and adhesive, adsorptive, mechanical, and optical properties. Various applications extend to materials with rapidly switchable adhesion (from sticky to nonsticky) and wetting (from wettable to non-wettable), with switchable appearance and transparency, and coatings capable of rapid release of chemicals, as well as self-healing coatings.

Reconstructable polymer surfaces form a toolbox for the rapidly developing field of smart coatings. The structure of the coatings can be programmed in the formulation. After deposition, external stimuli affect the spatial arrangement of the ingredients and direct the assembly of the coating with programmed properties.


By: Brij Mohal, Evonik


Smart coatings are often referred to as structured coatings which provide additional benefits by giving an appropriate response to outside conditions. There has been much talk about self-healing or super hydrophobic and hydrophilic coatings, to name a few. More examples will be given in this session, comprising dirt resistant coatings, as well as stimuli responsive polymeric polymers acting on demand. Other interesting developments are anti-fog coatings and the use of natural materials in order to achieve functionality.

By: Jamil Baghdachi, Eastern Michigan University

Introduction: Surface coatings function to protect or improve the appearance of a substrate or both. No matter how carefully the coatings are designed, manufactured and applied, all will eventually fail through some type of force in excess of the tolerance level of the coating or its ingredients. Failure of a coating system occurs by any number of failure modes and can often be attributed to a number of root causes including coating degradation, mechanical damage, or polymer fatigue upon service and exposure to elements of weather.

The concept of self healing materials has drawn significant attention of researchers all over the world.1-10 Self-healing and self-repair concept, using both organic and inorganic materials have been applied to composites, plastics, concrete, adhesives, artificial skin, and most recently to functional coatings.

In an effort to mimic self-healing functions in living systems, we have the developed polymeric coating systems that are stimuli responsive. The most attractive feature of this system is that the factors that damage the coating the most, such as humidity, exposure to high temperatures etc., are the same factors that initiate self-healing phenomenon (Figure 1). This property is unique since the extent of the healing is proportional to the magnitude of the damage, i.e., release on demand.