Despite the many results and profits chemicals bring, chemicals do come with several disadvantages. One of the most notable of these is toxicity. Most chemicals are not safe for consumption, and if exposed to them often enough without precaution, they can bring about a variety of health complications for both people and the environment.
Although this toxicity is present in a majority of industrial used solutions, there are environmentally friendly alternatives available for usage. They do not possess any toxins and promote a cleaner world.
However, these components, qualities, and possibilities have led some to believe that there can be a ‘perfect’ chemical. A substance that is above all others in quality and performance, can be applied and distributed without risks or consequences. And although this would be highly effective and ideal, this simply is not true.
No chemical is perfect. Each diverse and specific combination of elements comes with its strengths and weaknesses.
Inside this community blog, we will further explain the composition of various chemicals, the history of their applications, what makes a chemical toxic, and how we promote toxic reduction as well as effective chemical usage.
A Brief History of Toxic Reduction
Before we can discuss some substances’ toxic natures and how to lessen them, we must begin with a better understanding of how they have come to be.
The origin of chemicals has been roughly traced back to a few hundred thousand years after the creation of our universe. From the aftermath of the notable explosion, two distinct subatomic particles- electrons and protons- had cooled enough to settle into several elements. Two of these elements include helium and hydrogen, with helium receiving a lesser amount than hydrogen.
Although these two subatomic particles contributed to these, this would be their most notable contribution to the formation of the substances that we know today. Since most other elements’ origins are attributed to the stars. Stars had been given their place in our universe millions of years after their formation. And it is from the formation of these many elements that chemical compounds became possible. Not only for our universe but for our world as well.
When humans began to utilize these peculiar and vintage substances is somewhat unknown. There is no exact date, but historians have traced it back to ancient times. Where civilizations without modern industries had managed to create glass through the combination of alkaline and limestone. Glass that would then go on to be used for multiple products for trade. However, this creation of products from entwining certain combinations would not be the last nor would this new chemical development be lost to time.
Soon enough the practice of utilizing chemicals for one of their greatest potentials among others had become industrialized, centuries after the first to apply them. The industrial revolution- a revolution in technological advancements, beginning in Britain around the eighteenth century- had been the birth of the chemical industry. Despite not truly becoming worldwide until a century after, this revolution commenced the creativity and means to produce chemicals on larger scales as well as in multiple parts of the world. It is from this revolution, that we can have not only substances for a variety of applications but also other alternatives.
Chemicals for industrial usage though powerful and efficient, whether applied back then or in our current time, do produce toxins that harm not only the earth but ourselves as well. It is from the harm that these toxins inflict, some chemical companies have made efforts to offer more eco-friendly options. These efforts had begun a little more than two decades ago and have been gaining much support as well as implementation.
Toxicities & Limitations
Now that you have a good grasp on where chemicals have originated from and how the history of their applications has led us to the present, you may now be wondering the following question.
What makes a chemical toxic?
The answer to this is rather simple. Substances can be toxic due to containing components that damage the life of our planet as well as its many inhabitants. Two particular components that can result in a chemical’s toxicity are carbon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to these, no matter if it is brief or elongated, can cause an abundance of complications. For the environment, it pollutes the air. For people, however, the complications are much more felt and seen.
If exposed to these harmful substances briefly, people can experience some of the following:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Nose Irritation
- Eye Irritation
If the exposure is more than brief, people can experience some of the following:
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Damage
- Lung Disease
- Various Cancers
- Death
To avoid this exposure, some companies have introduced and encouraged chemicals that do not possess these harmful components. And although effective in keeping our environment healthy and those who use them the same, they do come with their consequences and limitations.
Eco-friendly chemical products come at a higher price than their harmful counterparts. This can make them less desirable to industries, especially to those who cannot afford the expense.
There is also the chance of customer backlash. Some consumers are reluctant to change, and may not approve. They may see nothing wrong with the current chemicals they purchase and might threaten to withdraw their support from their current supplying industry. The loss of customers, especially a significant amount, is something that no industry would want to risk.
However, with these toxicities and limitations aside, there is a compromise that can be found between the two. This compromise lies in toxic reduction through the use of various chemicals that benefit your industry, customers, and the environment.
How We At Ecolink Promote Toxic Reduction
Here at Ecolink, we have been contributing to the reduction of toxins for nearly two decades with our efforts in lowering VOCs. We do this not only through the featuring of greener chemical solutions but also by promoting solutions that give off lower VOCs while still maintaining their traditional makeup. In addition, we have several informative and concise blog posts designed to educate about proper chemical usage, including the lowering of toxins.
Several products that we offer to aid in this effort are:
Acetone
This chemical is one that we sell often and is regarded as a VOC-exempt compound. This means that it does not possess the same makeup as VOCs and therefore, is less damaging but also not eco-friendly. Industries use this substance for two main purposes, these being for hand-wiping cleansing and hand-wiping rinsing. It can be applied to an abundance of surfaces and possesses many other benefits.
ELECTRON
This dielectric solvent is not only efficient but classified as environmentally friendly. From its beneficial composition, it is able to clear away several unwanted elements such as grease and carbon. It also comes with many benefits aside from its nonharmful composition, such as being non-flammable as well as containing no surface leakage.
Soy Methyl Ester
This industrial cleaning solvent, also known as Methyl Soyate, also contains an eco-friendly makeup. It aids in the production of many products, such as detergents and lubricants, and slows drying times for paint coatings. Its benefits mainly stem from its design as well as its effectiveness.
Hexane
This chemical is often mixed with other solvents in order to enhance performance. It is like acetone, in that it is less harmful compared to the likes of VOCs. It is mainly used for various edible oil extractions and comes with several benefits such as a low boiling point.
Would You Like To Learn More about Toxic Reduction?
Then you do not have to look any further than us!
Here at Ecolink, we are dedicated to informing our industries on all things chemical. Whether it is from the diverse solutions that we sell or from the informative written pieces that we compose, helping you understand these diverse substances is our goal! Our products are plentiful and affordable, whether they are of a greener makeup or not. We aim to give you the best that we have to offer and then some for your industrial needs!
If you would like to get in contact with us, you can reach out to us here. We are here to help you with whatever you may need for your industrial applications and more. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today! We are just a click away!
What Is Trichloroethylene?
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersTrichloroethylene, commonly referred to as TCE, is a popular halocarbon industrial solvent. The chemical is utilized in a variety of industrial applications and is extremely useful.
But while TCE is a popular choice for a solvent, it does not come without its risks.
Read on to learn more about the uses of trichloroethylene and the dangers associated with this chemical.
Trichloroethylene Explained
As previously mentioned, TCE is used for several industrial applications. Here are some of the most popular uses for this solvent:
Degreasing – TCE is primarily used in cleaning and degreasing processes due to its ability to effectively dissolve grease and oils. The solvent is a particularly popular option for vapor degreasing, as its non-flammability and high boiling point allow it to remove stubborn debris.
Extraction processes – TCE is sometimes used as an extraction solvent for oils and waxes.
Additive – This solvent is occasionally added to certain types of adhesives, paint removers, and paint thinners. It is also present in certain household products, such as cleaning wipes and carpet cleaners.
Refrigerant manufacturing – trichloroethylene is also utilized to produce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.
Those who may be researching trichloroethylene will most likely come upon multiple articles and studies discussing the hazards associated with it. In recent years, companies have been replacing TCE with safer alternatives because of the negative health effects it has caused to workers:
On top of these health hazards, trichloroethylene is known to contaminate various drinking water sources throughout the country. It can leak from industrial storage tanks and seep into groundwater, where it is not able to evaporate. This means that it can potentially cause these negative health effects in unsuspecting people, particularly those living near facilities that use the solvent.
Luckily, safer options are now readily available to effectively replace TCE. Not only are a majority of these alternative solvents worker-friendly, but they are also biodegradable, low VOC, and cheaper.
Interested in TCE Replacement Chemicals?
Ecolink provides high-quality industrial chemicals with the focus of ensuring the protection of workers and the environment. You can begin shopping for our products here, or contact our experts here for help finding the best product for your business!
Lowering Toxic Reduction: Understanding The Imperfections Of Chemicals
/in Toxic Chemicals/by Industrial DegreasersDespite the many results and profits chemicals bring, chemicals do come with several disadvantages. One of the most notable of these is toxicity. Most chemicals are not safe for consumption, and if exposed to them often enough without precaution, they can bring about a variety of health complications for both people and the environment.
Although this toxicity is present in a majority of industrial used solutions, there are environmentally friendly alternatives available for usage. They do not possess any toxins and promote a cleaner world.
However, these components, qualities, and possibilities have led some to believe that there can be a ‘perfect’ chemical. A substance that is above all others in quality and performance, can be applied and distributed without risks or consequences. And although this would be highly effective and ideal, this simply is not true.
No chemical is perfect. Each diverse and specific combination of elements comes with its strengths and weaknesses.
Inside this community blog, we will further explain the composition of various chemicals, the history of their applications, what makes a chemical toxic, and how we promote toxic reduction as well as effective chemical usage.
A Brief History of Toxic Reduction
Before we can discuss some substances’ toxic natures and how to lessen them, we must begin with a better understanding of how they have come to be.
The origin of chemicals has been roughly traced back to a few hundred thousand years after the creation of our universe. From the aftermath of the notable explosion, two distinct subatomic particles- electrons and protons- had cooled enough to settle into several elements. Two of these elements include helium and hydrogen, with helium receiving a lesser amount than hydrogen.
Although these two subatomic particles contributed to these, this would be their most notable contribution to the formation of the substances that we know today. Since most other elements’ origins are attributed to the stars. Stars had been given their place in our universe millions of years after their formation. And it is from the formation of these many elements that chemical compounds became possible. Not only for our universe but for our world as well.
When humans began to utilize these peculiar and vintage substances is somewhat unknown. There is no exact date, but historians have traced it back to ancient times. Where civilizations without modern industries had managed to create glass through the combination of alkaline and limestone. Glass that would then go on to be used for multiple products for trade. However, this creation of products from entwining certain combinations would not be the last nor would this new chemical development be lost to time.
Soon enough the practice of utilizing chemicals for one of their greatest potentials among others had become industrialized, centuries after the first to apply them. The industrial revolution- a revolution in technological advancements, beginning in Britain around the eighteenth century- had been the birth of the chemical industry. Despite not truly becoming worldwide until a century after, this revolution commenced the creativity and means to produce chemicals on larger scales as well as in multiple parts of the world. It is from this revolution, that we can have not only substances for a variety of applications but also other alternatives.
Chemicals for industrial usage though powerful and efficient, whether applied back then or in our current time, do produce toxins that harm not only the earth but ourselves as well. It is from the harm that these toxins inflict, some chemical companies have made efforts to offer more eco-friendly options. These efforts had begun a little more than two decades ago and have been gaining much support as well as implementation.
Toxicities & Limitations
Now that you have a good grasp on where chemicals have originated from and how the history of their applications has led us to the present, you may now be wondering the following question.
What makes a chemical toxic?
The answer to this is rather simple. Substances can be toxic due to containing components that damage the life of our planet as well as its many inhabitants. Two particular components that can result in a chemical’s toxicity are carbon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to these, no matter if it is brief or elongated, can cause an abundance of complications. For the environment, it pollutes the air. For people, however, the complications are much more felt and seen.
If exposed to these harmful substances briefly, people can experience some of the following:
If the exposure is more than brief, people can experience some of the following:
To avoid this exposure, some companies have introduced and encouraged chemicals that do not possess these harmful components. And although effective in keeping our environment healthy and those who use them the same, they do come with their consequences and limitations.
Eco-friendly chemical products come at a higher price than their harmful counterparts. This can make them less desirable to industries, especially to those who cannot afford the expense.
There is also the chance of customer backlash. Some consumers are reluctant to change, and may not approve. They may see nothing wrong with the current chemicals they purchase and might threaten to withdraw their support from their current supplying industry. The loss of customers, especially a significant amount, is something that no industry would want to risk.
However, with these toxicities and limitations aside, there is a compromise that can be found between the two. This compromise lies in toxic reduction through the use of various chemicals that benefit your industry, customers, and the environment.
How We At Ecolink Promote Toxic Reduction
Here at Ecolink, we have been contributing to the reduction of toxins for nearly two decades with our efforts in lowering VOCs. We do this not only through the featuring of greener chemical solutions but also by promoting solutions that give off lower VOCs while still maintaining their traditional makeup. In addition, we have several informative and concise blog posts designed to educate about proper chemical usage, including the lowering of toxins.
Several products that we offer to aid in this effort are:
Acetone
This chemical is one that we sell often and is regarded as a VOC-exempt compound. This means that it does not possess the same makeup as VOCs and therefore, is less damaging but also not eco-friendly. Industries use this substance for two main purposes, these being for hand-wiping cleansing and hand-wiping rinsing. It can be applied to an abundance of surfaces and possesses many other benefits.
ELECTRON
This dielectric solvent is not only efficient but classified as environmentally friendly. From its beneficial composition, it is able to clear away several unwanted elements such as grease and carbon. It also comes with many benefits aside from its nonharmful composition, such as being non-flammable as well as containing no surface leakage.
Soy Methyl Ester
This industrial cleaning solvent, also known as Methyl Soyate, also contains an eco-friendly makeup. It aids in the production of many products, such as detergents and lubricants, and slows drying times for paint coatings. Its benefits mainly stem from its design as well as its effectiveness.
Hexane
This chemical is often mixed with other solvents in order to enhance performance. It is like acetone, in that it is less harmful compared to the likes of VOCs. It is mainly used for various edible oil extractions and comes with several benefits such as a low boiling point.
Would You Like To Learn More about Toxic Reduction?
Then you do not have to look any further than us!
Here at Ecolink, we are dedicated to informing our industries on all things chemical. Whether it is from the diverse solutions that we sell or from the informative written pieces that we compose, helping you understand these diverse substances is our goal! Our products are plentiful and affordable, whether they are of a greener makeup or not. We aim to give you the best that we have to offer and then some for your industrial needs!
If you would like to get in contact with us, you can reach out to us here. We are here to help you with whatever you may need for your industrial applications and more. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today! We are just a click away!
Striving For Sustainability: The Shift Towards Lower VOC Emissions
/in VOC/by Industrial DegreasersVOCs, fully defined as Volatile Organic Compounds, are chemicals that evaporate with ease and are designed for versatility. However, even though these elements are popular and reliable for a variety of tasks, they come with an exhaustible cost. The application of them comes with the possibility of problematic exposure. No matter how brief or elongated, this problematic exposure can result in several side effects. These several side effects can compromise your health and even afflict lifelong diseases. The cause of this is the toxins from these chemicals’ compositions being released into the air around us. It is from these complications that an effort has been created to lower VOC emissions.
Inside this community blog, we will delve into the makeup of these varying compounds, their historic usage, their toxic components, and the multiple efforts to lower them for the betterment of those who use them as well as the earth.
Background & Usage
Before we can discuss the motivations and reasons for the efforts to lower VOC emissions, we must understand their background and usage.
These distinct compounds can originate from the first or second metabolisms of microorganisms as well as human intervention. From their internal composition, they contain a high level of evaporation. It evaporates so swiftly in fact, that it can even evaporate at room temperature. It is from its makeup also, that these chemicals are regarded alternatively as industrial solvents.
These industrial solvents take on two formations of matter, liquid, and gas. These forms only increase its diversity as well as its number of uses. It is also worth noting that these compounds contain both carbon and parts of living organisms, hence them being categorized as organic.
VOCs, from their internal compositions and features, are capable of many abilities that benefit an abundance of industries. These compounds contribute to the creation of the following products but are not limited to:
These products, though distributed and utilized by businesses, are also utilized in households and handled by non-professionals. This, in turn, results in more exposure compared to other elements. And this exposure increases the chance of potential harm.
Toxicities & Side Effects of VOCs
Although their versatility is notable and brings industries great success, these compounds come with terrible toxicities. These toxicities are invisible to the eye- since they are spread through the air- but strike the senses without restraint. The reason behind its toxicity stems from these chemicals’ designs. Both the human intervention in their formation as well as the carbon it contains, aid in these substances’ poisonous natures.
There are two types of exposure that these chemicals can afflict, the first being short-term and the second being long-term. Each of these types not only comes with its levels of severity but its side effects as well.
Short-term exposure to VOCs emissions can result in some of the following:
These effects, despite the discomfort and threats that they bring, are rather minor compared to the long term. They can still be managed with slight medical intervention and even mended.
Long-term exposure to VOCs emissions, meanwhile, can result in some of the following:
These effects cannot be managed with slight medical intervention or over-the-counter remedies. Instead, if they are not caught soon enough, they can lead to deterioration of the body and even death.
It is important to remember that due to these compound properties, both interior and exterior areas are prone to give off acute or prolonged exposure. However, there are several ways that these levels of exposure can be lowered.
One way that this can be done is to store your chemicals in an area where you do not go very often. This way you only get your chemicals when you need them and keep contact with them at a minimum.
Another way that this can be done is only to buy the number of compounds that you need. It is easy to overestimate the amount that your application or applications require. Overbuying leads to the unused compounds going to waste and increasing the likelihood of harmful exposure since there is an unnecessary abundance.
And though these ways are effective, among others, there is one way that outshines the rest. This method is simply lowering the emissions of VOCs through the use of eco-friendly alternative chemical compositions.
The Reasons Behind The Shift for Lower VOC Emissions
This method and the shift for it are relatively new. The first of these efforts had been implemented as early as 2003, nearly two decades ago. This, compared to the existence and implementations of these compounds throughout the years, is a short period of time. Nevertheless, the effort is continuing to be made.
The reasons for this shift are due to the toxicities that the compounds produce and how it affects our health. As we had mentioned, these toxicities can compromise the health of many and have for many years. By lowering the emissions with greener solutions, these risks from exposure are greatly lessened and are even an impossibility- especially for the longer-term effects. If greener solutions become the more popular of the two, the tainting of our air and the ailments it creates for us.
Our Contributions To The Shift to Lower VOC Emissions
Here at Ecolink we have dedicated ourselves to lowering these emissions since 2003 and provide a variety of information as well as products to assist in this effort. We have several written pieces on VOCs, breaking down the intricacies that define them. And several posts promoting eco-friendly chemical solutions. Three of our highly regarded products that have been designed to lower VOCs are:
Preptone- Low VOC Handwipe Solvent
This solvent offers what VOCs supply and more without any compromises. It is made up of an intricate blend of ultra-high purity d-limonene and an acetone base. This combination contributes to its swift level of evaporation as well as protection from oxidation.
This blend comes with some of the following benefits:
SAFE STRIP- Eco Safe Paint Remover
This solvent specializes solely in painting, specifically its removal. From its abilities, it outdoes several VOCs and possesses a lower Inhalation Hazard index.
This composition of substances comes with some of the following benefits:
Dimethyl Carbonate
This solvent, unlike the other two mentioned, can also serve as a reagent. It is biodegradable and possesses a generous makeup for the senses.
This chemical composition comes with some of the following benefits:
Looking To Learn More About Lower VOC Emissions?
Then you have come to the right place with us! What better source to learn from than a well-regarded chemical distribution company?
Here at Ecolink, our staff is greatly knowledgeable on all things chemical! From the chemicals that we sell to the blog posts that we compose, each possesses a great amount of information.
If you would like to get in contact with us, you can reach out here. Ecolink is here to help you with whatever you may need for your industrial applications and more. Please do not hesitate to contact us today! We are just a click away!
Paint Thinner Use: Enhancing Efficiency in Painting Projects
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersPaint thinner is a versatile solvent with multiple uses and applications. The applications for paint thinners vary, from diluting to various paints. It is a substance that no industry should be without. This blog will explain how a paint thinner can enhance industrial painting projects.
What are the uses of paint thinner?
A paint thinner can be used for several tasks:
Paint thinner use often depends on the thinner type. The most common paint thinners are:
You often find paint thinner (such as toluene) applied in industries where dilutions create substances such as print ink and rubbers.
Acetone is another popular paint thinner used regularly to remove ink stains.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone is another popular substance used in industries to dilute gums and resins; however, many health risks are associated with the product.
If you are looking for a safer, more eco-friendly option for the paint thinners listed above, then we here at Ecolink are here to help! We offer a product called SAFE STRIP which is an environmentally preferred paint and resin solvent.
SAFE STRIP is a great replacement for substances such as MEK and toluene. It can be used like most paint thinners, and it has a similar performance to MEK. This product, however, is biodegradable and non-ozone-depleting.
The use of paint thinners can help enhance your efficiency during painting projects. Using a thinner consistency paint allows for easy application on textured surfaces. A paint thinner will also allow for quicker application times.
Looking for more paint thinner options?
Here at Ecolink we offer a variety of different eco-friendly chemicals. If you would like to browse through our selection, click here! If you have an idea of what you are looking for, click here to talk with one of our expert chemists! They will be willing to help you in any way that you need!
New Ideas for a New Future – Michael Spehalski
/in Scholarship Contest/by Industrial DegreasersChemically enhancing agricultural yields has been a process used in America since the 1930s and spurred an agricultural boom that has led to an unprecedented production of efficiently grown produce. However, this doesn’t come without adverse effects. Soil leaching, insect immunity to pesticides, and the genocide of native plant life are just a few of the dominos toppling over into a great scheme of environmental harm due to modern agricultural methods. Chemicals are a significant part of these methods, and while the use of these chemicals certainly helps nourish an ever-growing population, it wouldn’t be ludicrous to suggest that they have an equally consequential, and potentially disastrous effect on the world.
A new agricultural revolution is turning the corner; one revolving around advanced data-driven technology and sustainability. The current overuse of chemicals that contain elements such as phosphorus and nitrates to promote crop growth is due to the lack of oversight and data on crop yields, and it is starting to prove detrimental. A central issue with the use of these types of chemicals in agriculture is that the excess runs off into surrounding water supplies, which causes problems such as algae blooms, soil and water acidification, and general ecosystem disturbance. So how do we fix this? Of course, there is an array of solutions, ranging from complex to astonishingly simplistic answers. A newly emerging form of agriculture that is starting to form is called vertical farming. This process can also use processes such as aeroponics and hydroponics to use significantly less water and energy, but most importantly, fewer chemicals. At this point in time, these forms of agriculture are pretty well researched and are starting to be implemented across the world. However, I have a new vision that could not only complement these techniques but tackle even more environmental dilemmas.
In the Fall of 2020, my first semester in college, I was awarded the research project manager position within Engineers Without Borders, University of Delaware Chapter. As a project manager, I lead an impressive team of driven individuals researching a newer form of technology called microbial fuel cells (MFCs). While the name seems quite daunting, the idea of it is fairly simple: create electricity from dirt. What? Yes, create voltage from the dirt beneath our feet. Without diving too deeply into the technicalities of it, a microbial fuel cell uses the microbes within the dirt in order to harvest electrons. In a simpler sense, it is a battery. Biomatter such as dirt is sandwiched between an anode and cathode coated in carbon. The carbon acts as an area for the microbes within the dirt to attach to and create larger colonies. As these colonies develop, they let off electrons, thus creating an electron potential between the anode and cathode—just like what the chemical reactions within household batteries do. My team tested and designed prototypes of microbial fuel cells within our university’s lab spaces in order to implement such a prototype in a third-world country abroad. I was also a contributing member to other similar projects such as designing water wells and pumps in the Philippines, which helped me understand the importance of such a technology in this type of area. Within my group, I was the driving force in prototyping and developing testing plans for our MFCs, and in so, I discovered a promising world of applications.
Before discussing how these intriguing devices can help solve the overuse of chemicals in agriculture, discussing the additional benefits of MFC’s is worth mentioning. The biology and chemistry involved in this process not only creates an electrical current but can also filter wastewater at the same time. In future applications, a wastewater treatment plant can use significantly fewer chemicals and electricity to clean our population’s wastewater. Wastewater treatment facilities use vast amounts of electricity every day as well as consume large amounts of chemicals in order to clean the water. In the future, we can use an MFC process to not only clean the water with less of these chemicals but also power the plant itself at the same time – killing two large birds with one fractionally sized stone. This type of MFC would be designed differently, however, compared to the one used in agriculture. The design of an MFC used in agriculture could consist of having plants grow within the system itself. While the plants or crops grow within the system, an ecosystem of nutrients is created, causing prime conditions for colonies of microbes to grow. These colonies will not only facilitate more electricity within the system but also foster great growing conditions for the crops themselves. With more positive bacteria, oxygen, and other vital nutrients in the soil, the crops don’t need extra chemicals such as phosphorus or nitrates to help them grow—especially in regions where the soil doesn’t have a surplus of nutrients. With this also comes an electrical system that can provide power for data monitoring systems for irrigation and soil health without having to draw from a large power plant. In other words, a farm could be its own power plant and stay off a power grid. Being self-sustaining and off of a power grid that requires constant maintenance further helps the cause of using fewer chemicals as a whole because there wouldn’t be a need for coolants, degreasers, etc., within the mechanical systems of a power grid since there wouldn’t be a power grid.
Imagining a world of self-performing farms running on dirt seems like something out of a science fiction movie, and that’s because we are quite far away from that reality. However, that is why we start small. Although there is much more research to do for my team to complete, I hope to one day see my research used in one of Engineers Without Borders’ partnering communities where they don’t have the luxury to use chemicals to help produce their own food or clean their water. Testing out an MFC system in this type of community would not only benefit the members of the community but also provide a microcosm of what an MFC agricultural system can do for the world in terms of lessening chemical usage. The environment can be affected by something that seems as minuscule as a pin-drop for the simple fact that the environment has its hand in everything that happens on this planet. Implementing one system such as a self-sustaining MFC not only creates a slew of benefits, but also lessens adverse effects from every industry: agriculture, transportation, energy, construction, infrastructure, and even the economy. Every one of these industries uses chemicals in some sense, so changing one aspect of this interconnected arch of systems, such as putting MFCs into agriculture or wastewater treatment, could be part of an answer to the evermore important question of how we can lessen our chemical use.