Q: EPA Chief Hails Clean Diesel Progress at 2007 Trucks and Buses Showcase
(Washington, D.C. - May 8, 2006) EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson reviewed vehicles that meet the agency's stringent 2007 standards for trucks and buses, which cut emissions of smog-causing nitrogen oxides by half and lower emissions of particulate matter by more than 90 percent.
"Together with the Diesel Technology Forum, EPA is meeting the president's call to get our nation off the treadmill of foreign oil dependency by advancing the technologies that are good for the environment, good for our economy, and good for our energy security," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "For the past century, diesel engines have been America's economic workhorse – reliable, fuel efficient, and long lasting. Through innovations in technology, this economic workhorse is expanding into an environmental workhorse."
Administrator Johnson discussed the science behind clean diesel technology with the many executives on hand from the fuels, trucking, engine, and environmental communities. Johnson also witnessed a "white handkerchief test" on the exhaust as a demonstration of the remarkable improvement in diesel's environmental performance.
EPA's clean diesel program uses a "systems approach," in which cleaner fuels help enable cleaner engine technologies. The program is nearing a key milestone. On June 1, 2006, refiners and importers must ensure that the sulfur content of at least 80 percent of the volume of the highway diesel fuel they produce drops from the current level of 500ppm to 15ppm. Lowering the sulfur content will enable modern pollution-control technology to be effective on the 2007 trucks and buses.
Once these fuel and engine regulations are fully implemented, 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced each year. Soot or particulate matter will be reduced by 110,000 tons a year. An estimated 8,300 premature deaths, 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis and 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children will also be prevented annually.
Q: How to discover mold!
How you know if what you've found is Mold in your house ?
-You Have to look several things and some of them are listed below:
1.Inside Cabinets
Any place that is dark, and where moisture can accumulate, is a potential breeding ground for mold.
2.Beneath Drywall
When mold grows within wall cavities (which it often does) the nearby drywall is usually infected as well. If toxic mold does become engrained in the drywall, it should be replaced (after the mold is cleaned up and the source of excessive moisture is resolved).
If your walls show signs of mold (cracked/peeling paint, bulging behind the paint, discoloration of walls), then that section of drywall should be torn out and inspected. If the drywall is determined to have mold (How you know if what you've found is Mold), then follow the suggestions on the Mold Clean Up page.
3.Behind Floor Baseboards
The space between the wall and the baseboards serves as a great growing ground for mold. Since it is a fairly sealed off space, it traps moisture. Plus, a lot of dirt ends up here, providing the mold colonies with plenty of nutrients to thrive.
4.Basements/Crawl Spaces
If you suspect that you have a mold problem, then you should be especially conscientious of the basement or crawl space of your house. This level has more of a chance of fostering mold growth than any other level in the home.
In basements and crawl spaces, just look for any evidence of dampness. Be especially aware of any black mold growth that might be taking place in wooden building materials, especially in the framing, since this is the best path for mold to take to other parts of the home. It can also lead to the weakening of beams and other bearing walls that are crucial in the stability of the structure.
5.Water-Damaged Areas
Any area where flooding, leaks, or other types of water damage have occurred are prime candidates for toxic black mold growth.
6.Rooms / Areas with High Relative Humidity
If the relative humidity in a certain room or area is commonly above 55%, then over time, there is a strong likelihood a mold problem will occur. In which case, it is important to monitor areas with high humidity on a regular basis.
In order to determine the relative humidity for a room or area, you will need a relative humidity sensor (a.k.a. moisture meter or hygrometer):
Q: I have found mushrom like fungi under the house???
What to do ? 2 weeks ago we have noticed some mushrom grwing from the carpet all around the bedroom area.What is the best way to clean this ???
Q: What is mold spore?
Spores: Seed like spores released by the sporangium carrying and protecting the substances which will produce young fungi. They can be single or multi-celled. Spores range from 2-20 microns (um) in size, although some are larger then 100 um. Spores with thick walls are built to survive extremely harsh conditions. They can lie dormant until a moist environment is available to support growth. Most spores are adapted for air travel dispersal. For example if mold is sprayed with a biocide, the burst of air in front of the biocide can disperse the spores. Spores are designed to survive.
