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Water,,,worth more than Gold?
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by: Scooterjr
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Water…more valuable than Gold?
New Technology that may Help Save some of this Precious Resource
Did you know that only 3% of our planet’s water is freshwater, and much of that is inaccessible, and that at least 36 states anticipate water shortages by 2013? According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a family of 4 uses 400 gallons of water per day. Have you looked at your water bill lately? Is your neighborhood, city or county imposing water restrictions or levying fines for using too much water or watering your lawn on the wrong day? Will the worth of water be more costly than the worth of gold one day? Not to sound fanatical, but it has been suggested that there are many who predict that future wars in the Mideast are as likely to be about water as they are to be about religion or energy.
I find it ironic that many of the proposed solutions for “Green Energy” such as Solar Power and Wind Mills would use more, than we currently use, of potentially our most precious and valuable resource…water. The author of “Unquenchable: Americas Water Crisis and what to do about it”, Robert Glennon, indicated that most commercial solar power projects concentrate heat energy to boil water to turn a turbine that generates electricity rather than store the energy in a battery. The byproduct of this process is heat which is released back into the atmosphere by evaporation using “gobs of water.”
Studies show that 15% - 20% of all water consumed in the home (where the average # per household is 4) is used in the laundry which amounts to between 60 – 80 gallons per day. A study completed by the California Energy Commission concluded that an average washing machine uses approximately 40 gallons of water per load.
I ran across a company by the name of “Advanced Eco Tex” (www.advancedecotex.com) that has applied a technology useing an organic molecule to reduce odor causing bacteria, mold, mildew, algae, yeast and fungus in its textiles. Furthermore, additional research show laboratory tests conducted in Malaysia, with the chemical used by Advanced Eco Tex, “show antiviral activity against a range of viral types.” I did a little research, and here is what I found:
What could these products mean for the conservation of water and our environment?
First, allow me to discuss the nature of the organic molecule applied to the textiles.
- SAFE! There product poses no danger to our environment or to a person using the textiles.
- EPA and FDA approved.
- The molecule used is permanently bound to the fabric, and is organic. This means that its components occur naturally or come from our environment.
- Products are ecologically friendly. There are no heavy metals like silver or arsenic that leach out of the material into our environment after washing. Again, the applied molecules never come off until the fabric wears away and needs to be replaced.
- The mode of action is like millions of spears lined in a row that attract the microorganisms into the points of the spears and explode the microbes. Therefore, the organisms have no ability to adapt or mutate which could cause them to become more resistant to the molecules attached to the textiles. Simply put, they explode in an electrolytic action on the molecular spears.
- Reduces the need for the use of toxic chemicals which could potentially enter our water supply.
- The durability of the treated textiles helps extend the life of the product which ultimately reduces the energy and byproducts of the textile manufacturing process.
- The molecule is not absorbed by the organism. It remains to kill the microorganisms over and over again.
What effects does this have on the textiles?
- Products stay fresher longer. The advanced technology that Advanced Eco Tex employs has been found to kill odor causing bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew, algae, and yeast.
- The polymerization (inter connections) of the millions of molecules acts to strengthen the fabric. Thus, the textiles have a longer life.
- Textiles can be used more between washings. Eliminates sour smell caused by many of the microbes which are exploded when coming into contact with the long line of spears.
- Reduces the amount of detergents one has to buy. The textiles can be laundered with or without laundry detergents.
In conclusion, and to answer our question as to how this favorably impacts our use of water and other affects on the environment.
- Products don’t need to be washed as often. If this only reduces even 1 load of laundry a week, you are saving 2,080 gallons of water per year AND the electricity ( 272.48 kWh which is the amount of energy your refrigerator would use if you left the door open for 4 months, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. ) generated to do the washing and drying. Just imagine the impact we could have on our environment if everyone did this.
- Fewer potentially harmful chemicals being released into the environment.
- There is an existing product that is safe for us and the environment and saves water.
Other Advantages:
- Dish towels that are odor free and can be used for a longer duration, even using 1 towel for up to a full week or even longer.
- Wet towels don’t develop that sour mildewy smell.
- Less work doing laundry.
- Peace of mind that your towels are protecting your children and family rather than harboring or growing potentially disease causing microorganisms.
- Effective for those that suffer with sensitive skin or have skin allergies to soaps and cleansers.
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About the Author
The author has degrees in Biological Science and Microbiology from Colorado State University. He enjoys the outdoors; especially camping with his family. He also enjoys fishing and hunting. He is an active supporter of conservation efforts in his community. He is not a fanatic, but a responsible citizen that cares about the environment and researches ways in which he can help save our precious ecological resources and tries to teach his family to do the same.
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