Monthly Archives: August 2020

Terrifying Saharan Dust Storm

2020 is really proving to be a year of extremes!  Although Saharan dust blowing over to the United States is a yearly event, this year’s dust is proving to be quite terrifying.  The following article from Mother Jones explains more.

Dust Storm - Airborne dust particles -Terrifying Saharan Dust Storm

2020’s Latest Biblical Plague: A Terrifying Saharan Dust Storm Is Heading for the United States
The dust cloud is forecast to sweep across Texas and Louisiana this week.

MOLLY OLMSTEAD

June 26 2020

In what appears to be the latest biblical plague of 2020, a nearly 4,000-mile-long dust storm from the Sahara Desert is currently headed toward the southeastern coast of the United States.

This dust plume, known as the Saharan Air Layer, is a phenomenon that develops every year off the coast of Africa, where powerful winds from thunderstorms over the Sahel can push the dust many thousands of feet up into the atmosphere. A few times a year, that layer of dust sends out vast clouds that then drift over the sea.

But this year, the dust clouds that normally do little more than amplify sunsets have drifted far lower to coat Caribbean islands with a thin layer of dust and choke the air with a dry haze that in some places cut visibility by more than half. The cloud is forecast to sweep across the southeastern United States—Texas and Louisiana in particular—on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Another wave of dust is expected to follow.

According to the New York Times, in those areas affected by the dust, some people with asthma and underlying lung conditions might be at risk for irritation and discomfort. Those residents should avoid outdoor activities and monitor the air quality.

One good quality of these plumes is that they typically squash any early hurricane formations with their dry air. But according to the Washington Post, the dust can also deposit enough iron into the Gulf of Mexico to spur dangerous and noxious algal blooms. It’s also possible some of the microbes and nutrients carried in the dust play an important role in local ecosystems.”

_______________________________________________

Dust Monitoring Equipment – providing equipment, services and training in dust fallout management to the mining industry.

Fallout Dust Monitoring Equipment. Dust Monitoring Equipment – Supply and Services of Dust Monitoring Equipment. Dust Buckets. Dust monitoring training courses. Dust Watch.

Why is air quality so important?

A few articles that explain why air quality is so important – vital both to personal health and the health of the economy.

Please follow the links to read the articles at source.

_________________________________

“Why is air quality so important?
Here’s why Europe needs to tighten its legislation on threats to air quality from road vehicles, diesel machinery and sea-going ships.

https://www.transportenvironment.org

How does air pollution affect us?
An adult breathes 15,000 litres of air every day. When we breathe polluted air pollutants get into our lungs; they can enter the bloodstream and be carried to our internal organs such as the brain. This can cause severe health problems such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer and reduces the quality and number of years of life. (New evidence even suggests that every organ in the human body is harmed.) Vulnerable groups, namely children, people with chronic diseases, and the eldery, are particularly sensitive to the dangerous effects of toxic air pollution.

Polluted air also causes eutrophication and acidification of our ecosystems, which results in the loss of agricultural productivity, irreversible damage to ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity. Last but not least, air pollution causes severe damage to our cultural heritage by degrading architectural masterpieces that are part of our national and European identity.

How is the air quality in Europe?
In the EU 100 million sick days and more than 390,000 premature deaths can be attributed to air pollution every year. According to the European Environment Agency more than 95% of the EU’s urban population are exposed to dangerous levels of ozone pollution, three-quarters breathe excessive levels of particulate matter (PM2.5), and 7-8% are exposed to toxic levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Infringement procedures against 15 EU member states are ongoing for the breach of ambient air quality limits.

What is the economic cost of air pollution?
The health costs attributable to air pollution caused by road transport have been estimated at €67 billion to €80 billion annually by the EU in a study for the European Public Health Alliance. An estimated 75% of these costs are linked to diesel cars, and are primarily borne by taxpayers and customers paying insurance premiums. These costs can be significantly reduced by up to 70% by 2030 if appropriate measures are taken, such as low emission zones, the study finds.

What are the pollutants of main concern to air quality in Europe?
The pollutants of main concern for health in the EU are particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ground-level ozone (O3). Particulate matter has the most severe health effects, in particular the ultrafine matter which can penetrate deeper into our lungs and body. There is no safe concentration level, according to the World Health Organisation.

Nitrogen dioxide’s (NO2) has major negative effects such as inflammation of the airways, bronchitis in asthmatic children, and reduced lung function. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) cause acidification and eutrophication and is a precursor of O3 and PM.

Excessive O3 in the air can cause breathing problems, asthma and lung diseases. It can lead to reduced crop yields, loss of biodiversity and degradation of physical cultural heritage. Furthermore, it causes global warming.

Why is it so important to tackle air quality threats from road and diesel machine sources?
Our roads are crowded with motor vehicles. Vehicle exhaust gases contain a number of dangerous pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particles, and unfortunately we are exposed to them every day. Exposure is particularly important if we live in a city or near a busy road or highway. Road transport is responsible for 39% of NOx emissions from all land sources.

Diesel machinery also represents an important health problem, in particular for workers using it.

What is Europe doing about air pollution?
Air pollution legislation includes the Ambient Air Quality directive (AAQD), the National Emissions Ceiling Directive (NECD) and sector-specific legislation.

The AAQD sets quality objectives for ambient air by establishing limit values for air pollutant concentrations. These limits apply to pollutants responsible for acidification, eutrophication and O3 formation. Member states have an obligation to comply with the limits but can choose how to achieve this.

The NECD establishes national ceilings for total emissions of four different pollutants. The NECD is based on the Gothenburg protocol, an international agreement with the very same objectives.

Sector-specific legislation includes emissions rules for passenger cars and light vans (light duty vehicles), trucks and buses (heavy duty vehicles), diesel machinery (also known as non-road machinery) and seagoing ships.

What should Europe do?
Europe must be ambitious and make sure that cars, vans, trucks, trains, planes, ships and construction machines are as clean as possible, not only during type approval, but also in real life. The newly developed Real-world Driving Emissions (RDE) test for light-duty vehicles should be strengthened and used for all compliance in the future.

T&E also wants the EU to strengthen its Euro standards for air pollutants (future Euro 7 standards for cars, VII standards for trucks) with the WHO guidelines in a technology-neutral manner which doesn’t discriminate between fuels. It should also tighten further and ensure compliance with its legislation on diesel machinery and seagoing ships.”

Why is air quality so important?

Air Pollution

https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1

World Health Organisation

“Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. WHO data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. WHO is working with countries to monitor air pollution and improve air quality.

From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause about seven million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guideline limits, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures, both indoors and outdoors.

Ambient Air Pollution
From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. Ambient air pollution accounts for an estimated 4.2 million deaths per year due to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.

Around 91% of the world’s population live in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits. While ambient air pollution affects developed and developing countries alike, low- and middle-income countries experience the highest burden, with the greatest toll in the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions.

The major outdoor pollution sources include vehicles, power generation, building heating systems, agriculture/waste incineration and industry. Policies and investments supporting cleaner transport, energy-efficient housing, power generation, industry and better municipal waste management can effectively reduce key sources of ambient air pollution.

Air quality is closely linked to earth’s climate and ecosystems globally. Many of the drivers of air pollution (i.e. combustion of fossil fuels) are also sources of high CO2 emissions. Policies to reduce air pollution, therefore, offer a “win–win” strategy for both climate and health, lowering the burden of disease attributable to air pollution, as well as contributing to the near- and long-term mitigation of climate change.

Household Air Pollution
Household air pollution is one of the leading causes of disease and premature death in the developing world.

Exposure to smoke from cooking fires causes 3.8 million premature deaths each year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Burning fuels such as dung, wood and coal in inefficient stoves or open hearths produces a variety of health-damaging pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), methane, carbon monoxide, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Burning kerosene in simple wick lamps also produces significant emissions of fine particles and other pollutants.

Particulate matter is a pollutant of special concern. Many studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between exposure to PM and negative health impacts. Smaller-diameter particles (PM2.5 or smaller) are generally more dangerous and ultrafine particles (one micron in diameter or less) can penetrate tissues and organs, posing an even greater risk of systemic health impacts.

Exposure to indoor air pollutants can lead to a wide range of adverse health outcomes in both children and adults, from respiratory illnesses to cancer to eye problems. Members of households that rely on polluting fuels and devices also suffer a higher risk of burns, poisonings, musculoskeletal injuries and accidents.”

____________________________

Dust Monitoring Equipment – providing equipment, services and training in dust fallout management to the mining industry.

Fun Facts about Mining

For something a bit lighter!  Here are a few fun facts about mining.

Follow the links to the source of the information.

Fun Facts about Mining

https://www.generalkinematics.com/blog/7-fun-facts-mining-industry/

7 FUN FACTS ABOUT THE MINING INDUSTRY

“Around the world, countries of all shapes and sizes depend on the vast wealth of resources waiting just underneath the surface of the planet. For centuries, mankind has used mining techniques as the basis for ushering entire civilizations into grand new eras.

Mining has become an integral part of the economy for almost every developing nation. The practice has created a rich history. Let look at a few fascinating facts about the mining industry.

1. The first metals to be unearthed were gold and copper.

Copper finds have dated back to 8,700 BC. Scientists have even located copper pipes that dated back more than five thousand years.

2. Individual Americans use an average of 40,000 pounds of minerals each year.

From the vitamins we use to ward off colds (zinc is great for that) to the minerals that we use to flavor our food (e.g. salt), Americans consume a myriad of minerals daily.

3. Petroleum is used in more than 6,000 daily items.

Far more than simply fueling our vehicles and heating our homes, petroleum is used in plastic, crayons, DVDs, and more.

4. The ‘Luck of the Irish’ is an old mining term.

During the gold and silver rushes in Western America, some of the most famous and successful miners were Irish immigrants or of Irish descent. This phenomenon gave rise to the phrase “The Luck of the Irish.”

5. The average modern electronic device has more than 35 minerals in it.

From the smartphone in your pocket to the computer you rely on for work, modern electronics use gold, copper, zinc (which is 100 percent recyclable, by the way), and several other minerals to function properly.

6. There’s more than one ‘Fool’s Gold’

You knew that pyrite was called “Fool’s Gold,” but so is chalcopyrite and biotite mica.

7. Gold is elusive.

It’s believed that upwards of 80% of the world’s gold has yet to be discovered and is still buried beneath the earth’s surface. And did you know that pure gold is so soft that it can be molded with nothing more than a simple hand tool?

The world of mining has been a benefit to mankind since its inception, and thanks to the innovations in vibratory equipment from General Kinematics it will continue to be a beneficial trade in the coming decades. Let GK put their revolutionary mining technology to work for you.”

______________________

10 INTERESTING MINING FACTS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW
February 2, 2017/in Mining/Heavy Industrial by Dana Belstler

https://johnsonsearchgroup.com/2017/02/10-interesting-mining-facts-probably-didnt-know/

“It’s no secret that mining is important to our economy, but I don’t think most people realize how vital and integrated the mining industry is in our everyday lives! For instance, did you know…

1. Every American uses an average of 40,000 pounds of new minerals each year.

2. A newborn baby will need during its lifetime:

800 pounds of lead
750 pounds of zinc
1500 pounds of aluminum
32,700 pounds of iron
26,550 pounds of clay
28,213 pounds of salt
1,238,101 pounds of stone, sand, gravel, and cement

3. Because of wood shortages in the 1600’s, Brewers in England started drying their Malts with heat generated by coal. Unfortunately, coal flavored beer was not a hit. After more experimentation, the brewers found that the undesirable gases could be eliminated by heating the coal in an airtight oven. Thus, the discovery of the coke making process, so vital to iron and steel! The next time you have a cold one, give a toast to the Brewers of the 1600’s!

4. Copper and Gold were the first two metals discovered by man, with Copper dating back to 8,700 BC, per Wikipedia. Slag found on islands in the Aegean Sea suggests that man was separating silver from lead as early as 3000 B.C.!

5. In ancient times, an ounce of salt was traded for an ounce of gold! Fast forward to present day: Can you imagine $1,200/oz. for salt?

6. Out of all the elements, Silver is the best conductor and thus the reason it is used so heavily in technology.

7. Silver is also a superior anti-bacterial. Small concentrations kill bacteria by chemically breaking down their cell membranes. Bacteria does not develop a resistance to silver!

8. Zinc is the fourth most widely consumed metal after iron, aluminum, and copper and is also vital to the human body for proper function and health. Zinc is needed for the body’s enzymes and immune system. (Zinc tablets to ward off colds!)

9. Indium is a byproduct of zinc production and is also used in high technology applications from LCD screens to solar panels.

10. Wyoming is the nation’s top coal-producing state. Who knew?

Being on the Mining Team at Johnson Search Group, I have had the pleasure of speaking with the men and women in the industry and wish to extend a big “Thank you”, for all the hard work you do in keeping us in the lifestyles we are accustomed to!”

Sources

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/teachers/activities/soudan_mine/miningfacts.html
http://geology.com/usgs/uses-of-zinc/
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/10-elements-crucial-to-modern-life-that-youve-probably
http://igentry.blogspot.com/2008/07/interesting-facts-about-silver.html

 

___________________________________

Dust Monitoring Equipment – providing equipment, services and training in dust fallout management to the mining industry.

Air Quality – Economies, Ecosystems and Children

Air pollution and air quality affects all of us.  Here are some articles relating to it’s impact on economies, ecosystems and children’s health.

Please follow the links to read the articles at source.

__________________

How air quality affects economies and ecosystems

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/how-air-quality-affects-economies-and-ecosystems

“Clean air means healthier ecosystems

Air pollution affects the ecosystems that Minnesotans value. Pollutants in our air reduce visibility, creating a haze that can affect scenic views in pristine places such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Voyageurs National Park, as well as in our urban areas.

Minnesota’s lakes and streams can be harmed by air pollution that causes acid rain, and fish can be affected by mercury that settles out of the air and into the water. In addition, emissions of greenhouse gases contribute to climate change, which will cause significant changes to Minnesota’s ecosystems in the years to come. Reducing air pollution means protecting the wild places we enjoy and the plants and animals that inhabit them.

Clean air means a stronger economy
The money spent on reducing pollution in Minnesota often stays in Minnesota. Companies that design, install, maintain, and operate pollution-reducing processes and equipment create thousands of high-paying green jobs in engineering, manufacturing, construction, materials, operation, and maintenance.

Cleaner air and a growing economy can go hand in hand. Since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, emissions of common air pollutants in the U.S. have dropped 70 percent while the U.S. gross domestic product has grown nearly 250 percent.

Cleaner air protects the fish and natural places that many Minnesotans rely on for their livelihoods. Air pollution can also cause damage to crops and forests. Clear skies, edible fish, and healthy crop and forest land are critical to Minnesota’s economy.

Because cleaner air also improves our health, having good air quality means fewer missed work and school days and less spending on air pollution-related illness. We estimate the overall economic impact of health effects associated with exposure to current levels of air pollution in Minnesota may exceed $30 billion per year.

Cleaner air means a strong, diverse economy for all Minnesotans.”

_____________________________

Children’s environmental health

WHO – https://www.who.int/health-topics/children-environmental-health#tab=tab_1

“Reducing environmental risks could prevent 1 in 4 child deaths. In 2012, 1.7 million deaths in children under five were attributable to the environment. These included 570 000 deaths from respiratory infections, 361 000 deaths from diarrhoea, 270 000 deaths from neonatal conditions, 200 000 deaths from malaria and 200 000 deaths from unintentional injuries.

Environmental risks have an impact on the health and development of children, from conception through childhood and adolescence and also into adulthood. The environment determines a child’s future: early life exposures impact on adult health as fetal programming and early growth may be altered by environmental risk factors.

Adverse environmental conditions and pollution are a major contributor to childhood deaths, illnesses and disability, particularly in developing countries.

Children are particularly vulnerable to certain environmental risks, including: air pollution; inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene; hazardous chemicals and waste, radiation; climate change; as well as emerging threats like e-waste.

Risks
Children are more vulnerable than adults to environmental risks:

Children are constantly growing. They breathe more air, consume more food, and drink more water than adults do, in proportion to their weight;
Children’s systems are still developing. This includes their central nervous, immune, reproductive, and digestive systems. At certain early stages of development, exposure to environmental toxicants can lead to irreversible damage;
Children behave differently from adults and this means there are different ways they can be exposed to environmental risks. For example, young children crawl on the ground where they may be exposed to dust and chemicals that accumulate on floors and soils;
Children have little control over their environment. Unlike adults, they may be both unaware of risks and unable to make choices to protect their health.
Environmental risks account for 25% of the disease burden in children under five. Children’s health problems often result from exposure to a number of environmental risk factors in the places where they live, work, play and learn.

Only through adopting a holistic approach to environmental risk factors can significant progress be made in reducing the environmental burden of disease on a global scale. Such an approach means involvement across sectors and at all levels of society including individuals, communities, municipalities, healthcare professionals, and policy makers.

Capacity
Childhood diseases related to environmental factors represent an enormous global public health problem. This is particularly true in developing countries and impoverished communities, where there is often lack of awareness and knowledge about the effects of environmental hazards on children’s health.
To help address this problem, WHO prepares information and training materials and implements training activities. To allow healthcare providers to better identify and prevent childhood diseases related to environmental risk factors, experts from both developed and developing countries have been involved in the preparation and peer-review of materials on specific environmental topics.”

______________________________

Dust Monitoring Equipment – providing equipment, services and training in dust fallout management to the mining industry.

Air Quality - Economies, Ecosystems and Children