Holly Lawrence, a native of Cedartown who has lived in New York City for the past 32 years, returned on Thanksgiving Day to visit relatives and make a special gift to the community.
She presented the Polk County Historical Society with an oil painting of the fountain which presently adorns the garden of that organization. “Cedartown was an important part of my life and I want to reestablish that bond,” Lawrence said.
Calling it her favorite landmark, Lawrence painted the fountain at the age of 12 when it was located in Peeks Park.
“From my vantage point as a child, I considered the fountain to be the grand aristocrat of the park with its own ornate swirls and regal presence. I studied the structure intensely, circling around it and imagining far away palaces and castles that I longed to visit some day. I was so happy to find out that the Historical Society had given the fountain a permanent home,” she continued.
Lawrence began her interest in art at the age of six while attending Benedict School in Cedartown. She credits local artists Margret (Peg) Whipple and Reba York with her inspiration and early training. She was a frequent competitor in 4-H Club arts and crafts contests as well as the annual Cedar Valley Arts Festival.
Lawrence continued her art studies at Floyd Junior College before leaving for New York to earn her Bachelor of Arts in English at Marymount Manhattan College and a Master of Arts from Columbia University in New York City. She has also studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, California.
In addition to her career in art, Lawrence is an avid traveler. She has visited almost every continent and loves to find beautiful fountains around the world.
Lawrence’s painting can be viewed at the Polk County Historical Society Museum from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays.
2011年11月30日星期三
2011年11月27日星期日
Getting to know snow
Snow here in the High Country is a thing of beauty, covering the landscape in a peaceful white. It is as valuable now as gold was to the miners in this area and snow is actually a mineral! The definition of a mineral is: “A naturally occurring homogeneous solid, inorganically formed, with a definite chemical composition and an ordered atomic arrangement.”
Snow is beautiful as each snowflake is unique; a slice of a six-sided crystal and every snowflake, like a quartz crystal, is vibrant and vibrating. Snow crystals form in six-sided shapes because water molecules are made of one oxygen and two hydrogen molecules. As water begins to crystallize into ice, its hydrogen molecules hook together in ways that form six-sided crystals.
Snowflakes are agglomerates of many snow crystals. Most snowflakes are less than one-half inch across. Under certain conditions, usually requiring near-freezing temperatures, light winds and unstable, convective atmospheric conditions, much larger and irregular flakes can form. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest snowflake ever measured was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick. This was observed and recorded in 1887 at Fort Keogh, Mont.
So what is snow? It is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by external pressure.
Snowfall tends to form within regions of upward motion of air around a type of low-pressure system. In mountainous areas, heavy snow is possible where upslope flow is maximized within windward sides of the terrain at elevation if the temperature is low enough.
Why is snow white? Visible sunlight is white and most natural materials absorb some sunlight which gives them their color. Snow, however, reflects most of the sunlight. The complex structure of snow crystals results in countless tiny surfaces from which visible light is efficiently reflected. What little sunlight is absorbed by snow is absorbed uniformly over the wavelengths of visible light, thus giving snow its white appearance.
The fluffiest, lowest density snows typically fall with light winds and temperatures near 15 degrees Fahrenheit. At colder temperatures, the crystal structure and size change. At very cold temperatures near 0 degrees Fahrenheit, crystals tend to be smaller so that they pack more closely together as they accumulate, producing snow that may be denser.
Fresh snow absorbs sound, lowering ambient noise over a landscape because the trapped air between snowflakes absorbs vibration. Walking across snowfall produces a squeaking sound at low temperatures.
A layer of snow is made up of ice grains with air in between the ice grains. Because the snow layer is mostly empty air space, when you step on a layer of snow you compress that layer a little or a lot, depending on how old the snow is. As the snow compresses, the ice grains rub against each other. This creates friction or resistance; the colder the temperature, the greater the friction between the grains of ice. The sudden squishing of the snow at lower temperatures produces the creaking sound. At warmer temperatures closer to melting, this friction is reduced to the point where the sliding of the grains against each other produces little or no noise.
In a snow pack with a significant temperature gradient, large six-sided, cup shaped “depth hoar crystals” form a loosely packed layer at the bottom. Many small non-hibernating mammals depend upon these loose snow crystals for easy construction of tunnels throughout the subnivean environment. This “sugar snow” can often be the weak and unstable layer that causes avalanche hazards.
Snow cover can protect crops from extreme cold. A blanket of snow keeps the ground evenly frozen, preventing frost heaves and protecting the plants from upheaval.
Each snowflake forms around a particle of dust, which is a tiny grain of soil containing a minute amount of minerals. The minerals in snow are absorbed into the soil, and when the ground thaws, they are taken up by the plants. Minerals provide structure and allow communication in cells, plants and animals.
The water content of snow is variable. Ten inches of fresh snow can contain as little as 0.10 inches of water or as much as 5 inches, depending on crystal structure, wind speed and temperature.
One major benefit of a good snow cover is that snow is an excellent insulator of the soil. Without snow, very cold temperatures can freeze the soil deeper and deeper. Generally, temperatures underneath a layer of snow increase about 2 degrees F for each inch of accumulation. Because the soil also gives off some heat, the temperature at the soil surface can be much warmer than the air temperature.
Most skiers are familiar with the many terms referring to snow or snow conditions: boilerplate, breakable crust, powder, champagne powder, corduroy, corn, hard pack, packed powder, moguls, cornice, glacier, flurries and avalanche just to name a few. The most magical moments on the mountain are a sunny morning after a fresh snowfall when sun shining on a few stray flakes in the air look like floating diamonds or stardust against a brilliant blue sky.
Snow is beautiful as each snowflake is unique; a slice of a six-sided crystal and every snowflake, like a quartz crystal, is vibrant and vibrating. Snow crystals form in six-sided shapes because water molecules are made of one oxygen and two hydrogen molecules. As water begins to crystallize into ice, its hydrogen molecules hook together in ways that form six-sided crystals.
Snowflakes are agglomerates of many snow crystals. Most snowflakes are less than one-half inch across. Under certain conditions, usually requiring near-freezing temperatures, light winds and unstable, convective atmospheric conditions, much larger and irregular flakes can form. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest snowflake ever measured was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick. This was observed and recorded in 1887 at Fort Keogh, Mont.
So what is snow? It is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by external pressure.
Snowfall tends to form within regions of upward motion of air around a type of low-pressure system. In mountainous areas, heavy snow is possible where upslope flow is maximized within windward sides of the terrain at elevation if the temperature is low enough.
Why is snow white? Visible sunlight is white and most natural materials absorb some sunlight which gives them their color. Snow, however, reflects most of the sunlight. The complex structure of snow crystals results in countless tiny surfaces from which visible light is efficiently reflected. What little sunlight is absorbed by snow is absorbed uniformly over the wavelengths of visible light, thus giving snow its white appearance.
The fluffiest, lowest density snows typically fall with light winds and temperatures near 15 degrees Fahrenheit. At colder temperatures, the crystal structure and size change. At very cold temperatures near 0 degrees Fahrenheit, crystals tend to be smaller so that they pack more closely together as they accumulate, producing snow that may be denser.
Fresh snow absorbs sound, lowering ambient noise over a landscape because the trapped air between snowflakes absorbs vibration. Walking across snowfall produces a squeaking sound at low temperatures.
A layer of snow is made up of ice grains with air in between the ice grains. Because the snow layer is mostly empty air space, when you step on a layer of snow you compress that layer a little or a lot, depending on how old the snow is. As the snow compresses, the ice grains rub against each other. This creates friction or resistance; the colder the temperature, the greater the friction between the grains of ice. The sudden squishing of the snow at lower temperatures produces the creaking sound. At warmer temperatures closer to melting, this friction is reduced to the point where the sliding of the grains against each other produces little or no noise.
In a snow pack with a significant temperature gradient, large six-sided, cup shaped “depth hoar crystals” form a loosely packed layer at the bottom. Many small non-hibernating mammals depend upon these loose snow crystals for easy construction of tunnels throughout the subnivean environment. This “sugar snow” can often be the weak and unstable layer that causes avalanche hazards.
Snow cover can protect crops from extreme cold. A blanket of snow keeps the ground evenly frozen, preventing frost heaves and protecting the plants from upheaval.
Each snowflake forms around a particle of dust, which is a tiny grain of soil containing a minute amount of minerals. The minerals in snow are absorbed into the soil, and when the ground thaws, they are taken up by the plants. Minerals provide structure and allow communication in cells, plants and animals.
The water content of snow is variable. Ten inches of fresh snow can contain as little as 0.10 inches of water or as much as 5 inches, depending on crystal structure, wind speed and temperature.
One major benefit of a good snow cover is that snow is an excellent insulator of the soil. Without snow, very cold temperatures can freeze the soil deeper and deeper. Generally, temperatures underneath a layer of snow increase about 2 degrees F for each inch of accumulation. Because the soil also gives off some heat, the temperature at the soil surface can be much warmer than the air temperature.
Most skiers are familiar with the many terms referring to snow or snow conditions: boilerplate, breakable crust, powder, champagne powder, corduroy, corn, hard pack, packed powder, moguls, cornice, glacier, flurries and avalanche just to name a few. The most magical moments on the mountain are a sunny morning after a fresh snowfall when sun shining on a few stray flakes in the air look like floating diamonds or stardust against a brilliant blue sky.
2011年11月22日星期二
Bubble, bubble, toil and success
It started with a simple concept: bubbles. But Central Middle School eighth-grader Carolyn Jons has turned that concept into a national-award-winning science project.
“My project was the effect of soap bubble size on insulative ability of foams,” said Jons.
First, she won the Eden Prairie School District Science Fair, then regionals, then state. Further awards were earned at the Minnesota Academy of Science State Science and Engineering Fair held in Bloomington in March. Jons eventually ended up qualifying out of 300 semi-finalists from around the country to be among the 30 finalists competing in the Broadcom Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars middle school national science competition held in Washington, D.C. There, she scored among the top 10 and took home the Rising Star Award, which includes a trip to watch the Intel ISEF high school competition in Pittsburgh.
According to a news release, “She investigated whether bubbles would provide adequate insulation against heat loss in a bathtub or outdoor whirlpool. She developed an experiment to test the insulating capability of soap bubbles and to determine whether large or small bubbles were better insulators. She hypothesized that a layer of small bubbles would be a better insulator than a layer of large bubbles. Through her research, she confirmed that bubbles prevent heat loss, but found no significant difference in the insulating ability of small versus large bubbles.”
Jons has been participating in science fairs since she was in first grade, but this year knew her interests were soap bubbles and insulation.
While doing research on the subject, she found a website looking into how soap bubbles were providing insulation for a green-house in Canada, she said.
It made me wonder if soap bubbles could provide an affective means of insulation, and from there, her project began.
At the Broadcom event the focus is on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and teamwork. At the event, participants were broken up into teams and put to work on a number of problems. Judges weren’t so much looking to see teams get the perfect answer, but instead they wanted to watch their thinking process, noted Jons.
The teams had five different challenges, she said. One involved water purification. They were to determine what polluted a sam-ple of water. “There wasn’t very much detail and you had to go research facts on various pollutants,” said Jons.
Another project involved building a circuit. For another project, they built a suspension bridge. And finally, on the second day, they built a Rube Goldberg machine.
For Jons, science runs in the family.
“My dad’s a scientist so I didn’t really have a choice not to enjoy science,” she said.
So far she’s mostly done physics projects but this year’s science project has something to do with mold growth. She won’t reveal more details.
“My project was the effect of soap bubble size on insulative ability of foams,” said Jons.
First, she won the Eden Prairie School District Science Fair, then regionals, then state. Further awards were earned at the Minnesota Academy of Science State Science and Engineering Fair held in Bloomington in March. Jons eventually ended up qualifying out of 300 semi-finalists from around the country to be among the 30 finalists competing in the Broadcom Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars middle school national science competition held in Washington, D.C. There, she scored among the top 10 and took home the Rising Star Award, which includes a trip to watch the Intel ISEF high school competition in Pittsburgh.
According to a news release, “She investigated whether bubbles would provide adequate insulation against heat loss in a bathtub or outdoor whirlpool. She developed an experiment to test the insulating capability of soap bubbles and to determine whether large or small bubbles were better insulators. She hypothesized that a layer of small bubbles would be a better insulator than a layer of large bubbles. Through her research, she confirmed that bubbles prevent heat loss, but found no significant difference in the insulating ability of small versus large bubbles.”
Jons has been participating in science fairs since she was in first grade, but this year knew her interests were soap bubbles and insulation.
While doing research on the subject, she found a website looking into how soap bubbles were providing insulation for a green-house in Canada, she said.
It made me wonder if soap bubbles could provide an affective means of insulation, and from there, her project began.
At the Broadcom event the focus is on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and teamwork. At the event, participants were broken up into teams and put to work on a number of problems. Judges weren’t so much looking to see teams get the perfect answer, but instead they wanted to watch their thinking process, noted Jons.
The teams had five different challenges, she said. One involved water purification. They were to determine what polluted a sam-ple of water. “There wasn’t very much detail and you had to go research facts on various pollutants,” said Jons.
Another project involved building a circuit. For another project, they built a suspension bridge. And finally, on the second day, they built a Rube Goldberg machine.
For Jons, science runs in the family.
“My dad’s a scientist so I didn’t really have a choice not to enjoy science,” she said.
So far she’s mostly done physics projects but this year’s science project has something to do with mold growth. She won’t reveal more details.
2011年11月15日星期二
Toasty Warm Vest, Keeps Upper Body Warm During All Outdoor Cold Weather Activities
The new non-electric Weber Toasty Warm Vest (Patent Pending) solves the "warmth without bulk" winter clothing problem once and for all! The Aerogel insulation material in this new kind of winter wear is a spin-off product developed by NASA for use by astronauts during space walks. Aerogel is the the world's best and lightest insulation known to man. When wearing this new Weber Toasty Warm Vest, this extremely efficient insulating "barrier" protects the upper body from the many discomforts and dangers of exposure to extremely cold weather.
There is no more need to spend valuable time searching for a good quality, reasonably priced vest that can keep the upper body warm and that can provide both warmth and comfort in the worst of the cold winter weather.
With this Weber Toasty Warm Vest the wearer will be "toasty warm" - no matter how cold
the weather becomes because... the wearer will now have a very efficient "barrier" or "insulator", between the upper body and the cold, outside - winter temperature.
The amazing Insulation material used in the new Weber Toasty Warm Vest is NASA's "Aerogel" (also called "frozen smoke") it is the lightest and lowest-density solid known to exist. It also holds the World records for being the best insulator and the lowest density solid. Aerogel is composed of amorphous Silicon Dioxide, and is 99.8% air. Aerogel is chemically similar to ordinary glass. Aerogel's true strength is its incredible insulating properties. It negates just about any kind of energy transfer: thermal, electrical or acoustic. Aerogel's density is just 3 milligrams per cubic centimeter (it weighs only 3 times that of air). It's melting point is 2,200- degrees (F). 1,200-degrees (C).
This NASA Insulation material was developed for use in extreme environments and is the world's best thermal protection for outdoor gear, apparel and footwear.Aspen Aerogels developed by NASA has proven its barrier type insulation value in boots, jackets,vests and sleeping pads tested in the most extreme environments on Earth - from the frigid summit of Mt. Everest to the blistering floor of Death Valley.
Now, that extreme protection is available here on earth for all kinds of consumer outdoor gear including Weber's line of versatile, affordable non-electric insulated products such as: Weber Wrist & Ankle wraps (keeps fingers and toes much warmer); Toasty Feet Foot Warmer Insoles and Weber Toasty Warm Vest.
When Weber as asked: "What kind of feedback do you get from your customers?" He replied: "Here are a few comments we get from our users:"
"These have made me more comfortable. Thanks!"
"I use the vest for ice fishing. All day on ice, no problems! Very good. Thanks"
Weber Toasty Warm Vests make use of this, the world's best insulation material. This NASA designed nanoporous material is named: Aerogel. It has the highest thermal insulation value of any solid material available today allowing it to block both heat and cold efficiently it is ultra thin and very light weight and is now available for many applications in space and here on earth. It maintains barrier-like insulation values even under severe compression and it can be infused into shoe insoles to keep feet warm as well as being used in Weber Toasty Warm Vests and other articles of warm and comfortable winter clothing.
Additional features of this kind of Insulation as used in Weber outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear include: Highest thermal performance; minimum weight and thickness, loft not required to maintain R value; doesn't compress or lose performance under load ; waterproof yet allows vapor transmission; increased fashion and design elements ; durable in normal wash/dry cycle.
There is no more need to spend valuable time searching for a good quality, reasonably priced vest that can keep the upper body warm and that can provide both warmth and comfort in the worst of the cold winter weather.
With this Weber Toasty Warm Vest the wearer will be "toasty warm" - no matter how cold
the weather becomes because... the wearer will now have a very efficient "barrier" or "insulator", between the upper body and the cold, outside - winter temperature.
The amazing Insulation material used in the new Weber Toasty Warm Vest is NASA's "Aerogel" (also called "frozen smoke") it is the lightest and lowest-density solid known to exist. It also holds the World records for being the best insulator and the lowest density solid. Aerogel is composed of amorphous Silicon Dioxide, and is 99.8% air. Aerogel is chemically similar to ordinary glass. Aerogel's true strength is its incredible insulating properties. It negates just about any kind of energy transfer: thermal, electrical or acoustic. Aerogel's density is just 3 milligrams per cubic centimeter (it weighs only 3 times that of air). It's melting point is 2,200- degrees (F). 1,200-degrees (C).
This NASA Insulation material was developed for use in extreme environments and is the world's best thermal protection for outdoor gear, apparel and footwear.Aspen Aerogels developed by NASA has proven its barrier type insulation value in boots, jackets,vests and sleeping pads tested in the most extreme environments on Earth - from the frigid summit of Mt. Everest to the blistering floor of Death Valley.
Now, that extreme protection is available here on earth for all kinds of consumer outdoor gear including Weber's line of versatile, affordable non-electric insulated products such as: Weber Wrist & Ankle wraps (keeps fingers and toes much warmer); Toasty Feet Foot Warmer Insoles and Weber Toasty Warm Vest.
When Weber as asked: "What kind of feedback do you get from your customers?" He replied: "Here are a few comments we get from our users:"
"These have made me more comfortable. Thanks!"
"I use the vest for ice fishing. All day on ice, no problems! Very good. Thanks"
Weber Toasty Warm Vests make use of this, the world's best insulation material. This NASA designed nanoporous material is named: Aerogel. It has the highest thermal insulation value of any solid material available today allowing it to block both heat and cold efficiently it is ultra thin and very light weight and is now available for many applications in space and here on earth. It maintains barrier-like insulation values even under severe compression and it can be infused into shoe insoles to keep feet warm as well as being used in Weber Toasty Warm Vests and other articles of warm and comfortable winter clothing.
Additional features of this kind of Insulation as used in Weber outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear include: Highest thermal performance; minimum weight and thickness, loft not required to maintain R value; doesn't compress or lose performance under load ; waterproof yet allows vapor transmission; increased fashion and design elements ; durable in normal wash/dry cycle.
2011年11月9日星期三
High time to grow up
Clever garden designers have burst on to the green scene by thinking laterally – or vertically, in fact – when it comes to getting creative with small spaces.
“The dynamic quality about vertical gardens, is that you can create 110m2 of garden within a 10m2 floor space,” says Durban landscape artist Brendon Edwards. “Aesthetically, they provide very powerful imagery as you experience the whole garden immediately, unlike a conventional garden that one needs to walk through to appreciate the visual impact of colour and texture.”
The look and feel of a vertical garden can be designed to suit almost every need and taste of the user. No one green wall needs be the same.
The fundamental reason that this form of wall-scaping can be successfully created, says Edwards, is that plants do not need soil in order to grow.
“Firstly, a frame is built on the wall over which a waterproof membrane is fixed. Placed over this is an inert matrix, which acts as the soil into which the chosen plants are bedded, and through which a micro-drip irrigation system is woven.” The upside of this garden is that is that it does not have to be cleaned. The irrigation cloth is a micro-ecosystem that recycles through a biological process.
“Water and plant food are pumped through the system and filtered down to a gutter, from where the water is recycled. Over time, the garden becomes its own self-sustaining ecological environment,” says Edwards.
Apart from greening outdoor and interior walls the environmental benefits are impressive. This natural wall covering reduces heat-loss from the building, acts as a natural insulator, cleans the air around it and acts as a soundproof barrier.
As well as recycling the water through the irrigation system, excess water from air-conditioning units and grey water can be used to feed the living walls.
If you are keen to push the boundaries when it comes to traditional gardening principles and can’t grow out – grow up. Create a three-dimensional living piece of art that will add beauty and energy to any urban space. - The Mercury
The modern vertical gardens, also referred to as living walls, bio walls or green walls, can be entirely attributed to French botanist and artist Patrick Blanc. When he created his ‘mur vegetal’ collection, the green world sat up and took instant notice.
His numerous creations, which include the exterior of the Quai Branly Museum in Paris and the parliament in Brussels, prove that living in a city does not have to mean abandoning the natural world.
Blanc has helped to solve one of the biggest urban planning problems of modern times – how to find space for the greenery that we need to maintain our air quality and emotional health.
“The dynamic quality about vertical gardens, is that you can create 110m2 of garden within a 10m2 floor space,” says Durban landscape artist Brendon Edwards. “Aesthetically, they provide very powerful imagery as you experience the whole garden immediately, unlike a conventional garden that one needs to walk through to appreciate the visual impact of colour and texture.”
The look and feel of a vertical garden can be designed to suit almost every need and taste of the user. No one green wall needs be the same.
The fundamental reason that this form of wall-scaping can be successfully created, says Edwards, is that plants do not need soil in order to grow.
“Firstly, a frame is built on the wall over which a waterproof membrane is fixed. Placed over this is an inert matrix, which acts as the soil into which the chosen plants are bedded, and through which a micro-drip irrigation system is woven.” The upside of this garden is that is that it does not have to be cleaned. The irrigation cloth is a micro-ecosystem that recycles through a biological process.
“Water and plant food are pumped through the system and filtered down to a gutter, from where the water is recycled. Over time, the garden becomes its own self-sustaining ecological environment,” says Edwards.
Apart from greening outdoor and interior walls the environmental benefits are impressive. This natural wall covering reduces heat-loss from the building, acts as a natural insulator, cleans the air around it and acts as a soundproof barrier.
As well as recycling the water through the irrigation system, excess water from air-conditioning units and grey water can be used to feed the living walls.
If you are keen to push the boundaries when it comes to traditional gardening principles and can’t grow out – grow up. Create a three-dimensional living piece of art that will add beauty and energy to any urban space. - The Mercury
The modern vertical gardens, also referred to as living walls, bio walls or green walls, can be entirely attributed to French botanist and artist Patrick Blanc. When he created his ‘mur vegetal’ collection, the green world sat up and took instant notice.
His numerous creations, which include the exterior of the Quai Branly Museum in Paris and the parliament in Brussels, prove that living in a city does not have to mean abandoning the natural world.
Blanc has helped to solve one of the biggest urban planning problems of modern times – how to find space for the greenery that we need to maintain our air quality and emotional health.
2011年11月8日星期二
Toxic Trade
From his tiny, ramshackle home in Ahmedabad 71 year old Naran Mehra cuts a forlorn figure.
The former power station worker is sick after years of exposure to asbestos that’s used as an insulator in his workplace.
‘When it would blow, my hair would turn white’. Naran Mehra
Unwittingly, he brought the danger home. His wife Sevita Devi used to shake asbestos dust from his clothes before washing them and now she’s also stricken with disease. With no money for proper medical care the couple have given up hope for the future.
Asbestos illness in India is under-diagnosed and mostly unrecognised as a health problem. But with the proliferation of factories making and using asbestos products and an import trade in asbestos building products booming, India has become a new frontier for what’s sure to be a dramatic, devastating health crisis.
Indian asbestos workers have little in the way of safety equipment and if they contract a respiratory illness like asbestosis or a cancer like mesothelioma few are paid compensation.
And unlike many developed countries where asbestos products have been banned, India can’t get enough of what’s called poor man’s roofing. Alarmingly it’s a first world nation that’s supplying the stuff. Canada won’t use asbestos itself but it is selling it by the shipload to India. Business is so brisk Canada is breathing new life into its asbestos mining industry to bolster its exports.
‘It amounts to Canada being a purveyor of death around the world. Our country is an exporter of a deadly substance, and we enjoy it … at least our federal government does’. Professor Amir Attaran, University of Ottawa
The asbestos industry is pouring millions of dollars into a campaign to assure India and convince any other developing nation that may be in the market that white asbestos, or chrysotile, is safe.
‘This particular asbestos has not been known to give cancer, so far’ Abhaya Shanker, Managing Director, Hyderabad Industries
Reporter Matt Peacock has spent decades investigating and uncovering many of the health scandals caused by asbestos. In fact much of his reporting has helped to elevate awareness about the dangers of asbestos in Australia. He’s encountered some shocking scenes in his career but India’s asbestos drama shocked even this seasoned correspondent.
‘I first began covering the story of its trail of death in Australia thirty years ago. Back home and in other developed countries the problem now is how to get rid of it. But India it seems is racing headlong into repeating the same mistakes only on a massive scale.
The former power station worker is sick after years of exposure to asbestos that’s used as an insulator in his workplace.
‘When it would blow, my hair would turn white’. Naran Mehra
Unwittingly, he brought the danger home. His wife Sevita Devi used to shake asbestos dust from his clothes before washing them and now she’s also stricken with disease. With no money for proper medical care the couple have given up hope for the future.
Asbestos illness in India is under-diagnosed and mostly unrecognised as a health problem. But with the proliferation of factories making and using asbestos products and an import trade in asbestos building products booming, India has become a new frontier for what’s sure to be a dramatic, devastating health crisis.
Indian asbestos workers have little in the way of safety equipment and if they contract a respiratory illness like asbestosis or a cancer like mesothelioma few are paid compensation.
And unlike many developed countries where asbestos products have been banned, India can’t get enough of what’s called poor man’s roofing. Alarmingly it’s a first world nation that’s supplying the stuff. Canada won’t use asbestos itself but it is selling it by the shipload to India. Business is so brisk Canada is breathing new life into its asbestos mining industry to bolster its exports.
‘It amounts to Canada being a purveyor of death around the world. Our country is an exporter of a deadly substance, and we enjoy it … at least our federal government does’. Professor Amir Attaran, University of Ottawa
The asbestos industry is pouring millions of dollars into a campaign to assure India and convince any other developing nation that may be in the market that white asbestos, or chrysotile, is safe.
‘This particular asbestos has not been known to give cancer, so far’ Abhaya Shanker, Managing Director, Hyderabad Industries
Reporter Matt Peacock has spent decades investigating and uncovering many of the health scandals caused by asbestos. In fact much of his reporting has helped to elevate awareness about the dangers of asbestos in Australia. He’s encountered some shocking scenes in his career but India’s asbestos drama shocked even this seasoned correspondent.
‘I first began covering the story of its trail of death in Australia thirty years ago. Back home and in other developed countries the problem now is how to get rid of it. But India it seems is racing headlong into repeating the same mistakes only on a massive scale.
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