Legionella in Potting Soil Mix Linked to Australian Mother's Death.

An Australian mother taking medication for arthritis died from Legionella likely the  Legionella longbeachae strain on January 14, 2014.  Her exposure to the Legionella bacteria was linked to potting soil mix.  She refused early medical treatment thinking the symptoms she had were linked to side effects from her arthritis medication.  The Legionella diagnosis came to late and she died when her lungs ceased to function.  Her father granted an interview with Angella Cutterback from WANews.

This case is prompting a discussion regarding proper warning labels with potting soil mix. People are suggesting that the labels have explicit directions to wear a respirator while working with the potting soil.  Some potting soils do have warnings "avoid inhaling the mix."  The deaths are not infrequent as a cluster of deaths was reported in 2005 noted in the caption below the photo.

 Death from potting soil mix - Carol Nadar AuNews 2005 - Photo Estelle Grunberg

Using a respirator would be especially important for elderly individuals or those with suppressed immune systems.  The immune system can be suppressed through illness, age or medication.  Many anti-arthritic medications suppress the immune system to reduce the inflammatory response of the body.

The most comfortable disposable respirator has an exhalation valve and two straps.  The exhalation valve reduces moisture buildup inside the mask making it more comfortable to wear.  The respirators make it harder to breath so some individuals may not have the cardiovascular fitness to wear one.

3M - N-95 respirator with exhalation valve.

 

Legionnaires' disease - 14 minutes

Castle made by concrete 3D printer

Andrey Rudenko- Breitbart article

A local Shorewood, Minnesota architect/engineering, Andrey Rudenko, has developed a process of 3D printing with concrete.  This 7 foot high castle took 3 months to build.  According to the Mpls Star Tribune, he had originally planned to construct it in less then a week but had issues with weather and equipment. 

Optimizing the equipment for high viscosity and low flow has been a challenge but he has worked through the difficulties.  He is planning on constructing a real house using this technique.  He envisions that this process would reduce the time and cost associated with home construction.  Using metal reinforced concrete with foam insulation would work well for energy efficiency as well as sound attenuation.  He is looking to construct his home in a warmer climate in a state that allows this technique in their building codes.

Chinese researchers have also been experimenting with a similar process. 

3D printer Castle - Minnesota -2min.

China 3D printer for houses in less than a day - 12 min.

Weed blaster or propelled aggressive grit management - PAGman

PAGman

Over the past few years organic and sustainable farm researchers have attempted to control weeds using high velocity grit to hinder the growth of weeds in crop fields in particular field corn.  Corncob bits appear to be one of the most effective grit materials. 

USDA Researcher, Frank Forcella at Morris, MN  MN Star Tribune have been attempting to combine the corncob bits with cornmeal and other organic fertilizers to develop an organic weed and feed combination.  His research on corn row crops is availabe as a pdf at ( Weed Technology 2012 26:161-164 ). 

According to Mr. Forcella, using the initial prototypes, the current cost of application is 5 times the cost of chemical herbicides.  Cost of application is expected to fall as the machinery becomes mass produced and the technology improves.  Sam Wortman at the University of Illinois has focused on the horticultural applications for weed control in tomatoes and broccoli.

http://www.agriculture.com/crops/organic-farming/pest-control/add-some-grit-to-your-weed-control_172-ar44761

I am impressed with this technology.  Further research needs to be done regarding the most sustainable grit and the appropriate organic fertilizer mix.  This also has some positive implications for improving the quality of ground water and control of chemically resistant weeds.  I can also see the application for home gardening using a cone around the nozzle to protect adjacent plants.  The ergonomics of weed removal would be greatly improved.

Ror information on the USDA grant see Development and Demonstration of a New Method of Physical Weed Control with researchers Frank Forcella and Sharon Clay, SDSU.

Controlling Particle production in China

Optical depth of particles - Wikipedia

The Chinese government has been taking action to address problems with smog in the country.  As the pollution from this country has a global effect this is good news.

University of Minnesota researchers David Pui and others are attempting to assist China with their $277 billion dollar investment to reduce the production of PM 2.5 particles. The Airborne Pollution Prevention Control Plan makes a significant investment from 2013 -2017 towards reining in pollution. 

One of the major roadblocks to there success is the inability of the government to shut down inefficient older steel production facilities.  Local interests with respect to employment and business conflict with the broader goals of efficient production.  An increase in production at coal fired power plants, cement plants and the increase in the number of motor vehicles in Beijing are other major contributors to the production of PM 2.5 particles.

Singapore Haze

PM 2.5 micron sized particles are small enough to deposit in the lungs and cause respiratory health problems in individuals.  Campfires and burning wood for heating also contribute to PM 2.5 particle production in less developed countries.

Tesla to team with Panasonic on Giant Battery Factory

http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/tesla-reveals-details-about-its-battery-gigafactory.html

Telsa automotive has formed a partnership with Panasonic to build the next generation battery factory to produce batteries for the model 3 electric car aimed at middle class consumers with a price point around $35,000.  The location of the 5 billion dollar SW USA Gigafactory has yet to be determined.  The goal of the factory is to reduce the cost of next generation rechargeable batteries by 30%.  The location is important as both wind and solar energy will be used to power the plant. 

http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/tesla-reveals-details-about-its-battery-gigafactory.html

11 minute electric car update 8/1/2014

Waste Carbon Dioxide as a Resource

A Motley Fool Article in USA Today suggests that the use of waste carbon dioxide as a resource could add over 1 Trillion dollars to the US economy.

Captured carbon dioxide could be used for chemical production or to add in algae biofuel production. The US department of energy lists 12 innovative concepts for using waste carbon dioxide.  This includes construction materials, natural gas production, fertilizer production and others.

Methanol Production - click on image to enlarge

Biofuel production with waste carbon dioxide and solar energy

Solar/Biofuel production -79 minutes

Combining wind turbines and pumped water storage hydro power

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/02/ludington_pumped_storage_plant.html

A July 2014 Minnpost article describes how an elevated levee at Luddington, Michigan allows a power company to convert wind power into stored hydropower.  This is an example of Pumped-storage hydroelecticity.

Below is a diagram of how the energy storage system works for the Luddington, Michigan plant.  It was originally constructed in 1973 and used non wind energy sources to run the pumps.

http://www.consumersenergy.com/content.aspx?id=6985

A wind farm located near the Luddington power plant now provides a significant amount of the energy needed to run the pumps. The plant is 70% efficient.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/devriesd/7997893102/

School funding Minneapolis

http://www.better-ed.org/

Aspergillus versicolor compound reverses NDM-1 antibiotic resistance

Ann Lukits from the Wall Street Journal reports (New Weapon in Fight against Superbugs) on a compound from an Aspergillus versicolor found in Canadian soil that turns off an antibiotic resistant gene NDM-1 in bacteria.

NDM-1 gene information Sunnybrook - 3min.

Environmental Reporter - Posts on Environmental Sampling

MN Forest teaming with airborne allergens

EMLab P&K has many informative articles on sampling for bioaerosols, particulates and allergens available at the Environmental Reporter.  A recent article deals with a spike in mucormycosis following natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes and a tsunamis.

KXAN News -Texas report on elevated mold counts two days after a rainstorm.