All articles tagged with #environmental safety
A radioactive wasp nest with radiation levels ten times the regulatory limit was found at the Savannah River Site, a former US nuclear weapons facility, but officials confirmed there was no environmental or public health impact, attributing the contamination to legacy radioactive residues from Cold War activities.
NASA is conducting cloud creation experiments to study Earth's upper atmosphere by releasing harmless chemical compounds like Tri-methyl aluminum from high-altitude probes. These artificial clouds help scientists observe atmospheric currents and patterns, crucial for understanding atmospheric dynamics and space weather. The experiments are environmentally safe and transparent, aiming to advance knowledge of Earth's near-space environment, and are not related to weather manipulation or conspiracy theories.
Rechargeable batteries in everyday devices like phones and electric razors pose a fire hazard if not disposed of properly, as demonstrated by Montgomery County officials on "America Recycles Day." Improper disposal can lead to fires in trash trucks and landfills, with Maryland reporting 56 lithium-ion battery-related fires this year. Officials urge consumers to bring devices with batteries to designated disposal sites to prevent accidents.
A fire broke out at a battery recycling plant in southern France, housing 900 tonnes of lithium batteries, sending thick black smoke into the sky. While the fire is under control, it is expected to last for several hours. Lithium batteries, vital in electrical devices, contain combustible materials and can emit toxic fumes when burning. Authorities have stated that there is no immediate danger to nearby residents, but the potential release of cadmium through fumes is a concern.
Two Philadelphia schools, Frankford High School and Mitchell Elementary School, are closing temporarily due to the presence of asbestos in their buildings. The discovery comes after asbestos was found earlier this year in two other district-owned and managed buildings that had "incomplete or inaccurate records." Asbestos, which was once commonly used in building materials for insulation and as a fire retardant, becomes a health concern when it is released into the air and can be inhaled. Nearly 300 buildings in the Philadelphia school district were constructed or repaired when asbestos was commonly used.