Article 3495 (2 more) in misc.rural:
From: bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano)

Subject: Re: Ban Gas Weedeaters
Message-ID: <1992Aug9.214410.18072@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>
Sender: news@usenet.ins.cwru.edu
Nntp-Posting-Host: cwns5.ins.cwru.edu
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, (USA)
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 92 21:44:10 GMT
Lines:       16


I read about gas weedeater pollution in an environmental journal
recently which was reporting on EPA studies.
I realize this is not postage stamp farm bbs.
Yes an electric weedeater would not be of much use on larger tracts.
But it is something to think about....(how about goats or sheep on
movable pens?)....the study says that a chainsaw or weedeater, run
for 2 hours equals the pollution of a car driven across the U.S.
Surely technology can find a better way.  
Incidentally I have seen a new (actually invention was 50 years ago)
product which is basically a lawnmower (or brush mower) with a car type
battery sitting on it...providing portable, rechargable power...and
it was self propelled, etc.
--MORE--(95%)-- 
            Mike Romano     Univ. Calif. Berkeley
End of article 3495 (of 3497)--what next? [npq] Article 3496 (1 more) in misc.rural:
From: bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano)

Subject: Re: Ban Gas Weedeaters
Message-ID: <1992Aug9.215556.18752@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>
Sender: news@usenet.ins.cwru.edu
Nntp-Posting-Host: cwns5.ins.cwru.edu
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, (USA)
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 92 21:55:56 GMT
Lines:       28


I on the other hand have been concerned about environmental issues for a
number of years...however I see through a lot of hypocrisy in these areas.
I totally agree with you that corporate pollution is far greater and even
more hazardous often than person use and waste, etc.  And it is a typical
madison ave or public relations ploy to focus on the householder (or farm
holder) and try to hammer away at every little thing done around the home
in terms of its pollution.....nonsense...
However, the data here were particularly striking about hydrocarbons released
by the gas/oil type motor....and yes there are a number of relatively easy
solutions.  Various exhaust devices can be installed on these motors which
have tended to escape all pollution controls (weedeaters, chain saws, etc.).
It is also something to think about...one's own health in terms of frequent
--MORE--(61%)use of such machines.
I personally believe that cleaner engines (and yes electric motors are not
very practical for this tool)...based on alcohol, methane, or propane have
been available on the drawing board for decades...but the oil company....
convenience/consumer mentality has ignored them....
There is particularly a real irony with alcohol...this fuel is extremely
easy to produce in a farm situation...the biggest problem here is human
nature...a fuel with shall we say a few too many uses....only 8 acres of
properly farmed corn (or other crop) produces enough to fuel use of a car
for a full year....
Meanwhile, our methane deposits in this country are largely untapped and
could be used as a gas substitute with at least 80% reduction in emissions.
-- 
            Mike Romano     Univ. Calif. Berkeley
End of article 3496 (of 3497)--what next? [npq] 