You cannot turn on a computer or television, without seeing a story about climate change. Our planet is being choked by man-made emissions, and experts spend countless hours and dollars researching ways to reduce this plague, that we continue to bring upon ourselves. Changes have already been made in many industries, with hybrid vehicles, solar powered homes, and products made of recycled goods becoming ever more popular. But there are still huge questions when it comes to manufacturing and industrial fields. Nuclear power plants, steel companies, waste management facilities, coal mines… all industries that have come under fire in recent years, for producing dangerous emissions. The majority of recommendations to reduce these emissions involve cutting back on production, which could potentially have massive economic repercussions. But here is the thing, there is a simple solution, that has existed for decades. [Read more…]
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint this Halloween!
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint this Halloween!
There is no question that our planet is suffering, because of human beings, and the lifestyles we have. Plastic pollution and emissions control have been front page news, for a while now, insisting that our planet will not survive much longer, at the pace we are going.
Holidays are a time for celebration, fun, family, and often… waste. Halloween is a fun time for adults and children, alike. We at Gulf Coast Environmental Systems love this time of year, and the festivities that come with it. Please implement this quick list of ideas on how you ghouls and goblins can reduce your carbon footprint, this year. [Read more…]
5 Ways to Limit the Negative Health Effects of Air Pollution in Your Everyday Life
5 Ways to Limit the Negative Health Effects of Air Pollution in Your Everyday Life
Recently, the UN released an alarming study addressing the extreme dangers our planet is facing, because of pollution. You cannot turn on the news without seeing headlines like “Air Pollution Linked to Alzheimer’s” or “Air Pollution Increasing Asthma Deaths.” Air Pollution is now a leading cause of death in most parts of the world, and governments are scrambling to find ways to curb then amount of pollution produced. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemicals like Nitrogen Oxides, Ammonia, Methane, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Sulfur Monoxide are you just a few of the dangerous gases and particles found in the atmosphere, that we are breathing in, daily.
Pollution control equipment and government initiatives/regulations will hopefully lessen the amount of pollution being released into the atmosphere, but there are a few things you can do in your everyday life to reduce the immediate negative effects on your health. [Read more…]
My Reason, What’s Yours?
I am admittedly, and shamefully, a former climate-change denier. There. I said it! I believed that global warming was real, but thought that humans played little to no role in the process. It has happened before, and we need to stop obsessing over something we have no control over. I was not a person you would consider to be environmentally conscious, at all; in fact, those “tree-huggers” often annoyed me, with their suggestions that I make changes in my own life, to stop this process I didn’t think I had a role in. [Read more…]
Is There Money Hiding in Your Landfill?
What gases are released by landfills?
Landfills consist of a complex mix of gases and VOCs, and are a source of major pollution, and potential revenue… which we will address later in this article. Dangerous gases like methane (CH4), carbon dioxide(CO2), sulfides (SOx), and ammonia, are created by the decomposition and evaporation of organic compounds, as well as chemical reactions between waste components. Methane and carbon dioxide are the most prevalent, making up between 90 and 98% of all gases and VOCs released. 
Why are these chemicals a concern?
These gases and VOCs are considered greenhouse gases, and play a huge role in global warming. According to the EPA, in the United States, landfills are the third most prevalent source of methane, and other greenhouse gases. Another risk when dealing with methane is the flammability of the gas, which is incredibly high. When condensed into a small space, methane is considered an explosive, and should be handled with extreme caution. Landfill gas explosions are not uncommon.
In addition to pollution and the risk of exploding, these VOCs pose a serious risk to human health. They have been linked to eye, throat and lung irritation, nausea, headache, nasal blockage, sleeping difficulties, weight loss, chest pain, and even asthma. Some recent studies indicate a connection between air pollution, and Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and slow fetal development. [Read more…]