[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Plastic Contamination







>From: donahuer@ols.net (Randy )
>Reply-To: "permaculture" <permaculture@franklin.oit.unc.edu>
>To: "permaculture" <permaculture@franklin.oit.unc.edu>
>Subject: Plastic Contamination
>Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 01:36:13 -0500 (EST)
>
>            Hello again:
>
>                       I am using large plastic tubs to transport water. I 
>am
>not going to store water in them for any period of time. They have been
>rinsed with water inside and out, and allowed to sit exposed to the
>elements. How can I clean them to reduce the amount of plastic/ plasticizer
>contamination in the water? Would baking soda or rubbing alcohol work?

you don't say what you are using the water for, from the little i know about 
plastic/poly products i wouldn't use anything but food grade poly/plastic 
containers for drinking water. my rule of thumb is if it smells plasticy and 
taints the water use the water on the garden etc.,.

also from what i uderstand cheaper plastic containers leech phyto-eostrogens 
(please excuse the spelling me dictionary's packed away).

>                       There is another dillemna with contamination. I had 
>a
>large order of compost delivered that I found to contain a large amount of
>plastic and (perhaps treated)wood waste. The company that I bought it from
>has been dicking around for quite a while. I am going to post an
>advertisement to give it to anyone who wants it for free, just to get it 
>off
>my land. . . on the condition that it is not used with edibles. What kind 
>of
>substances occur when soft and hard plastic are heated within a large
>compost pile? Is there a firm that I can send a sample to? How should I
>rehabilitate the land where it was located/ leaching?

plastics in compost are probably low risk but will take ages to break down 
and with no benefits that i could imagine, just the treated timber would be 
a concern to me there are 2 schools of thought with this but for me i err on 
the side of caution if there is no real need to use it, in light of better 
alternatives being available.

at best you could use it around the non-edible gardens maybe, at least then 
you maybe aren't passing the problem on to someone with less knowledge.

>                        Also: What substances are commonly used to treat
>lumber, and what kind of diagnostics can be used to detect them in the 
> >soil?

as i know it they use copper sulphate and arsenic, and any testing would 
need to be done in a laboritory could cost a bit.

hope some of the above helps

len

>I would really appreciate any piece of mind you can provide.
>
>                      Thank you,
>                      Donahuer@ols.net
>
>
>
>
>---
>You are currently subscribed to permaculture as: gardenlen@hotmail.com
>To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
>leave-permaculture@franklin.oit.unc.edu
>Get the list FAQ at: 
>http://www.ibiblio.org/ecolandtech/documents/permaculture.faq

_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.