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TitrIC combines the advantages of direct measurement of pH value and conductivity, of titration and ion chromatography in a single system that provides fully automatic drinking water analyses.

All ionic components are determined reliably, quickly and reproducibly. The results are saved in the integral database and can be processed to produce a combined report. Intelligent control and thoroughly tested technology guarantee reliable analyses regardless of the time of day or night. Up to one hundred samples can be analyzed fully automatically. This reduces the time required and inreases the precision of the measurements.

Metrohm is a worldwide leading manufacturer of precision instruments for chemical analysis. In the field of electrochemical ion analysis Metrohm has been the leader for many years. This is reflected in the company's comprehensive product range:

• pH meters, ion meters, conductometers
• Potentiometric, thermometric and Karl Fischer titration
• Polarography, voltammetry and CVS
• Ion chromatography
• Stability measurement of fats, oils and biofuels
• Process analysis
• Automation in titration, voltammetry, ion chromatography and process control

Metrohm offer much more than just instruments. In their laboratories they develop customized applications to help their customers safeguard the quality of their products, comply with regulations and optimize processes.

Metrohm is exclusively represented in more than 80 countries, in more than 40 of which they have their own subsidiaries. This guarantees a tight network for sales and service.

Head office: Herisau CH-9101 Switzerland 

Paper has a long history of "grass" based feedstock -- think papyrus and even cotton!  Maybe it's time to rethink trees as the best natural resource for papermaking.  The chemicals used to convert wood into pulp requires enormous quantities of very caustic, very toxic chemicals. Green chemistry could be a way of exploring other fibers that require less chemicals and less toxic chemicals for the papermaking process.    

Canopy has launched an online survey to gather information that will help assess market interest in North America for papers made with agricultural residues.

Agricultural Residues such as Wheat Straw

"This study is the first of its kind in North America. Up until now, information about the market viability of non-wood paper has been anecdotal," says Neva Murtha, Second Harvest Campaigner with Canopy. "When done, we'll be able to translate demands for eco-paper into initiatives that help make straw papers a North American reality."

Straw Based Papers

Last year's successful trial of the Wheat Sheet issue of Canadian Geographic showed that non-wood papers pass the technical and quality requirements of the North American market. Also apparent during last year's trial was a significant level of interest by large paper consumers in agricultural residue paper alternatives such as the Wheat Sheet. With environmental concern on the rise, so is support for innovative business solutions that alleviate the stress on intact and endangered forests and the climate. Diversifying North America's paper fibre basket to include agricultural residues rather than carbon and species rich forests is one such solution that could also help ensure a secure supply of fibre for domestic producers.

Environmental Paper

This study is designed to help Canopy identify new and emerging opportunities for environmental paper. The survey will provide further information about what level of support exists for non-wood paper development in North America - a key element in new pulping capacity being developed in the US and Canada.

All survey input shall remain confidential and only used in aggregate numbers, unless otherwise approved by participating companies. Data collection will be targeted primarily at large paper consumers, such as publishers, printers, office retailers, and will capture data such as demand tonnage, priority grades, and how participants would like to engage in further stages of non-wood paper development.

To complete the survey about agricultural residue paper


For more information:
Canopy's work to build a market for agricultural residue papers, please visit their website.
For more information on the Wheat Sheet
CONTACT:
Neva Murtha, Second Harvest Campaigner
604-817-4974 | neva@canopyplanet.org 

Paper has a long history of "grass" based feedstock -- think papyrus and even cotton!  Maybe it's time to rethink trees as the best natural resource for papermaking.  The chemicals used to convert wood into pulp requires enormous quantities of very caustic, very toxic chemicals. Green chemistry could be a way of exploring other fibers that require less chemicals and less toxic chemicals for the papermaking process.    

Canopy has launched an online survey to gather information that will help assess market interest in North America for papers made with agricultural residues.

Agricultural Residues such as Wheat Straw

"This study is the first of its kind in North America. Up until now, information about the market viability of non-wood paper has been anecdotal," says Neva Murtha, Second Harvest Campaigner with Canopy. "When done, we'll be able to translate demands for eco-paper into initiatives that help make straw papers a North American reality."

Straw Based Papers

Last year's successful trial of the Wheat Sheet issue of Canadian Geographic showed that non-wood papers pass the technical and quality requirements of the North American market. Also apparent during last year's trial was a significant level of interest by large paper consumers in agricultural residue paper alternatives such as the Wheat Sheet. With environmental concern on the rise, so is support for innovative business solutions that alleviate the stress on intact and endangered forests and the climate. Diversifying North America's paper fibre basket to include agricultural residues rather than carbon and species rich forests is one such solution that could also help ensure a secure supply of fibre for domestic producers.

Environmental Paper

This study is designed to help Canopy identify new and emerging opportunities for environmental paper. The survey will provide further information about what level of support exists for non-wood paper development in North America - a key element in new pulping capacity being developed in the US and Canada.

All survey input shall remain confidential and only used in aggregate numbers, unless otherwise approved by participating companies. Data collection will be targeted primarily at large paper consumers, such as publishers, printers, office retailers, and will capture data such as demand tonnage, priority grades, and how participants would like to engage in further stages of non-wood paper development.

To complete the survey about agricultural residue paper


For more information:
Canopy's work to build a market for agricultural residue papers, please visit their website.
For more information on the Wheat Sheet
CONTACT:
Neva Murtha, Second Harvest Campaigner
604-817-4974 | neva@canopyplanet.org 

California Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Maureen Gorsen explains how, by using wiki technology, California shares with the public at large its mandate to create Green Chemistry regulations.

Director Gorsen also instructs wiki users on how to participate in this innovative approach to advancing California's green product revolution. California is implementing the first body of green chemistry law in the world and DTSC, the agency charged with its implementation is making history by writing the regulations on real time along with stakeholders and the people of the State of California.


Wiki for Green Chemistry

Benign By Design

Chemicals used in wood preservation are coming under environmental and health related attacks and new approaches for a greener chemical approach are underway.

The US Department of Agriculture carries on extensive research about wood -- how to grow it, how to engineer it to conserve it, and how to protect it over the lifetime of the building or application -- and what happens to the chemicals infused into the wood after the used wood is discarded in landfills. The Forest Products Laboratory is the research arm of the USDA that tests wood, wood products, and the chemicals used in wood for construction purposes.

UC Berkeley Extension Sponsors Courses in Green Chemistry  for Public and CEUs

Green Chemistry Initiative

A society-wide shift from toxic to green requires educating the entire supply chain from consumers to retailers to distributors to manufacturers to change a system -- any system -- from current practices to new best practices.  The greening of chemistry requires that same dedicated educational process.  California's Green Chemistry Initiative is being strengthened with education for professionals in the supply chain as well as consumers through courses available across the state in accessible channels such as continuing education  for licensed professionals and the general public.

Extension Courses on Green Chemistry

University of California's UC Berkeley Extension is expanding their green chemistry course offerings in the spring of 2010.  The UC Extension will offer 2 courses for career enrichment and licensing CEUs, Green Chemistry Policy as well as Toxicology and Risk Assessment.  The Green Chemistry Policy course will be offered in both classroom and on-line formats to make learning about best practices implementation available statewide.

Public Event on Role of Green Chemistry

UC Berkeley Extension is also sponsoring a free public event called "Can We Achieve a Sustainable Future? The Role of Green Chemistry."  The presentation is scheduled for March 25, 2010, 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the UC Berkeley campus.  Registration is requested.

Please see the UC Berkeley Web site and contacts for additional information on these courses as well as UC Berkeley Extension's Certificate Program in Green Chemistry

Self-education about everyday chemistry can be helpful to your career as this massive chemical shift takes shape.  From health care to personal care to building chemicals for wood preservation, green chemistry is working its way through the labs into the supply chain...and into our homes.  Your career can benefit from learning best practices related to identifying alternatives to toxic chemicals.

Chemical ingredients are casually accepted by consumers because the terminology and the science are so complex that even scientists argue over the impact on people and the environment.   But it is important for citizens -- parents, loved ones, and merchants who care about their customers -- to learn as much as possible about key ingredients.   That's what the green movement is about -- and that is what social justice is about.  Pollutants can be recognized and removed from our homes and work environments.

Here is a basic overview of one set of known problem chemicals:  organic bromine and chlorine.  Better known as substances in PVC pipe, electronics and other common product materials.

This overview of organic bromine and chlorine is quoted from a report by the International Chemical Secrtariat (www.chemsec.org) and Clean Production Action (www.cleanproduction.org)

Organic bromine and chlorine

Compounds that contain organic bromine and chlorine tend to be particularly likely to bioaccumulate, be persistent and/or toxic - or to degrade in the environment into new brominated or chlorinated organic compounds with these characteristics.

As they accumulate over time, these organo-halogen compounds can become widespread pollutants in air, water, soil, and sediment, where they are increasingly ingested by humans and animals. It is also important to note that inorganic forms of these chemicals can lead to the formation of dioxin and other problematic chemicals, particularly when they are mixed with organic matter.

Chlorinated dioxins and furans can cause severe health problems, including:

• Cancer
• Endocrine disruption
• Endometriosis
• Neurological damage
• Birth defects and impaired child development
• Reproductive system damage
• Immune system damage

Because dioxins and furans break down slowly, they endure in the environment for long periods of time.18,19 Like many organohalogens, they bioaccumulate in animals' fatty tissue. The highest concentrations are found in animals at the top of the food chain, including humans. Linda Birnbaum, a leading science expert on BFR s and dioxins, led the US EPA's 1994 dioxin assessment process, which concluded that for certain dioxins there was no safe level of exposure for humans.

Most of what we know about dioxins and furans is the result of the study of one particular dioxin: tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCD ), which is a developmental toxicant that causes skeletal deformities, kidney defects, and weakened immune responses in the offspring of animals exposed to it during pregnancy. The compound is also associated with some cancers and other health effects, including immune system alterations and skin lesions. Additionally, studies indicate many of the hundreds of other dioxins and furans are likely to cause similar health effects.

Dioxin precursors

Of particular concern is the ability of halogenated organics to act as precursors for generating dioxin, a potent known human carcinogen4 that is toxic at very low levels. Exposing halogenated organics such as the BFR s, CFR s, and PVC in electronics to incineration at insufficiently high temperatures or the uncontrolled burning practices commonly used in informal recycling in the developing world can generate dioxins, as well as furans, which can be equally toxic.

Chlorine Use in PVC

The predominant use of chlorine in electronics has been in PVC plastics. Most internal and external cables use PVC to insulate copper wires. Human health and environmental concerns about exposure to plastic additives used in PVC, such as lead, cadmium, and phthalates, as well as dioxin formation during the combustion of PVC components, triggered industry-wide efforts to replace PVC use in wire and cables. The major challenge has been developing alternative resins, that meet safety standards that in some instances were only written to specify PVC resins. To further complicate the situation, these safety standards vary geographically, forcing companies to use and get approval for multiple alternatives that comply with the different regional standards.

Bromine- and chlorine- based compounds are used extensively in the production of today's modern electronic products as flame retardants, solvents, dyes, adhesives and plastic resins.

The highest concentrations of bromine and chlorine are used in brominated and chlorinated flame retardants (BFR s and CFR s) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

However, in response to growing awareness of the human health and environmental problems associated with the use of bromine and chorine, leading manufacturers have started to restrict the use of these chemicals. These manufacturers have also come to recognize that the wide variety of halogenated compounds used in the electronics supply chain makes it very difficult to certify that specific brominated or chlorinated compounds have successfully been removed from electronics products.

Accordingly, some manufacturers have chosen to restrict the use of all substances containing these two elements, rather than contend with the difficulties involved in implementing and validating restrictions on specific, individual brominated and chlorinated substances. The method of focusing on chemicals on the group level rather than on individual compounds has come to be known as the elemental approach.

The Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC) is currently in the process of developing another standard for all plastic resins. The current proposal (September 2009) applies the elemental standard to a subset of brominated and chlorinated compounds, namely BFR s, CFR s, PVC, and PVC congeners in plastic resins. This approach, however, is more difficult to verify through testing and some companies are calling for a more verifiable approach that would apply restrictions on all uses of bromine and chlorine.

Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Sustainable farming systems are biologically-based and designed to be productive in both the short- and long-term.

Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--

• environmental health,
  
• economic profitability, and
  
• social equity
  

Because it is more a philosophical approach to agriculture than a set of farming practices, the specific practices that can be called sustainable vary depending on the crop and the specific environmental and social issues important to a region. Therefore, it is important that all those interested in making agriculture more sustainable--consumers, growers, environmentalists, farm workers, processors, retailers--educate themselves on the related issues.

Does sustainable agriculture and organic farming mean the same thing?

No. Agriculture can be "sustainable" without being "organic." And some organic operations may not be sustainable. Organic farming excludes the use of any synthetic agricultural chemical and then certifies this to be true. Often, however, approaches to management of healthy soils can be similar between organic and sustainable farming systems.

Can chemicals be used in a sustainable system?

Yes. Growers frequently ask if synthetic chemicals are appropriate in a sustainable farming system. Sustainable approaches are those that are the least toxic and least energy intensive, and yet maintain productivity and profitability. There may be situations where the use of synthetic chemicals would be more "sustainable" than a strictly non-chemical approach.

For example, one technique for weed control may involve mechanical cultivation. A hoe,  weed knife or other implement may need to make several passes in a season to do what one application of Round-Up (a relatively safe, effective, and economic herbicide) could accomplish in terms of weed control. The passes with the mechanical device have associated environmental and social risks (i.e., soil compaction, soil erosion, fuel consumption, potential worker injury). The manager needs to decide which is the most appropriate method based on a particular situation and resource concerns at a particular site. The manager may decide that the chemical option has less environmental, economic, and social risks than the non-chemical option.

Converting to sustainable practices does not mean simple input substitution. Instead, sustainable farming substitutes enhanced management and scientific knowledge for conventional inputs, especially inputs that may threaten the natural or human resources. One goal of sustainable agriculture is to develop efficient, biological systems that do not need high levels of material inputs.

Read more about sustainable farming...and applications in vineyard mangement at Central Coast Vineyard Team

Adapted from materials from the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UCSAREP) www.sarep.ucdavis.edu.

Design firm Perkins+Will Introduces Precautionary List Examining Chemicals and Building Materials

"There is an ever increasing focus in the green building movement on the relationship between humans and the built environment," notes Peter Syrett, AIA, LEED AP™ of Perkins+Will and one of the creators of the Precautionary List. "There are thousands of chemicals used in a building and only a small percentage have been tested. We created the Precautionary List to advocate for alternative building products and advocate care when using products that have identified chemical hazards."

One example from the list is mercury, a known neurotoxin that can be found in HVAC controls, lamps, resilient floors and thermostats. The precautionary list showcases mechanical controls without mercury systems, different flooring systems, mercury-free lamp alternatives and encourages builders to pursue, advocate and specify for these alternatives when reasonable.

The entire Perkins+Will Precautionary List is online at http://transparency.perkinswill.com/