Environmental Sustainability free essay sample

Lakehead University, is the first university to become environmentally sustainable, and the first university in North America to be â€Å"green† from top to bottom. While many buildings in Ontario have aimed to be environmentally qualified, Lakehead has made it their goal for the entire campus to be sustainable and built to environmental standards that will make the campus the greenest in the country. The university has strived to make every aspect of the building environmentally safe, from the roof the parking lot, as well as the interior of the building. As a student I have experienced how Lakehead Orillia has been environmentally conscious, and whether or not they have been true to their word of being safe for the environment. Lakehead has made a dramatic name in society being the first all â€Å"green† building and has attracted many people because of the environmental standards they have set. However, being a university this is a difficult promise to keep, especially with the expansion they are expecting. Through my time I have spent at the new campus, I have observed the sustainability of the school, and how conscious they really are at maintaining the school â€Å"green†. Lakehead currently stands as a poster child for environmentally sustainable building, and represents the first in Canada, as well as the first in Canada to meet LEED platinum status. This is a huge accomplishment for Lakehead achieving this goal to be an all green building. However this did not come cheap, a shocking $43 million dollars can be contributed to the environmentally sustainable status of the school. So how conscious is the university? While being built the university ensured that the area was a sustainable site as well as keeping the water efficient, energy efficient, carful material selection and indoor environmental quality. All of these were set standards made prior to the construction of the building, and were followed throughout the assembly. The first aspect of the school that makes it green is the roof top. The roof contains approximately three inches of earth and vegetation to keep the building cool, and help manage run off. Another aspect to the schools environmental sustainability is the geothermal heating and cooling temperature. This feature is key for sustainability because there is no need for a furnace or air conditioning in the building, which saves thousands of dollars that could have been spent on heating and cooling the school. This heating and cooling system basically takes the heat that’s stored in the ground and brings it into the building, and the same with cooling. At the front of the university four sets of ponds are displayed under bridges. These unique ponds are not just for a decorative entrance, they are built as a rain water retention pond. Water is collected into these ponds and stored, the water is then sifted into a concrete tank and is re-used later to flush the toilets in the washrooms. These are some of the main features of Lakehead University and the environmentally sustainable steps they have taken to achieving an all green building. However this is not the end of the â€Å"green† campus. Building directors and architects have planned on making the entire campus environmentally sustainable. The newly built cafeteria and residence both succeed the green standards and LEED platinum status, deen Kim Fedderson states, â€Å"This is a demonstration project in sustainability to the entire nation†. This is a huge honour that Lakehead is receiving and should set an example for every other future building to be built. With all this said, the real question remains will Lakehead be able to maintain this green status. The school is planning to expand dramatically over the next ten years. They are hoping to be building a new residence within the next few years, which could mean double the amount of students for residence. With this said, numbers are going to be increasing drastically within the university, and this means they will need to strictly enforce their sustainability to make sure their goals are still met with remaining green. LEED, which is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gives building owners and operators a frame work for implementing green building design, construction as well as maintenance solutions. It is evident that Lakehead took the appropriate measures in achieving an all green building during the construction. Although the campus claims to be LEED certified, they are still waiting on confirmation that it has completely gone through. Lakehead is not officially certified, and should be conscious of this when advertising the green status of the building. However with respect to the professors and the interior of the school remain a different story for sustaining an all green environment. The interior of the school is designed with an open layout. The front foyer and common area are surrounded by big open windows that provide a great deal of sunlight, which helps with reducing the amount of lighting needed to be used. This is one of the obvious key green features that I have noticed while coming into the school daily. However with all this said with the schools achievements, I have noticed otherwise. The school has not taken any other precautions in making it sustainable. The school has a cafeteria as well as a small coffee shop inside the building which provides different types of food, as well as coffee and tea. I have noticed that each food item is packaged in a paper box; every time an item is sold it is placed in this. Coffee and tea is provided in paper cups that are not reusable and are probably wasting several hundreds of trees with the amount of paper and cardboard packaging they are using. Even though these items are recyclable many of these products are thrown out which defeats the purpose of them being recycled. This is something that would be hard to avoid being a university and providing food without having some sort of packaging. However, because Lakehead strives to be environmentally sustainable, students should simply eat in the cafeteria where the food is provided this way all food packaging is avoided. In the future if the school would like to remain green, this is something they should look into for their food supply. The school also lacks green bin and compost from food disposal. This would be very beneficial for the school to have because of all the wasted food and is being thrown in the garbage. If the school is really environmentally sustainable, these are easy steps they can take to achieve a green school. The schools also provides vending machines, which are contrary to an all â€Å"green school†. Vending machines require a great deal of energy and electricity, while also being filled up with snacks that contain absolutely no nutritional value, and all the products contain wrappers that require garbage. From my observations garbage disposals are not placed as frequently around the school as they could be, so wrappers are easily thrown on the ground and littered around the property. Professors at the school have attempted to become environmentally sustainable, however being a university this is a difficult task to succeed at. Professors have hundreds of students, and with many classes professors require two to three relatively long essays per semester as part of their course requirements. This means that many students are printing thousands of sheets of paper on assignments and essays, which does not qualify as staying â€Å"green†. Many professors have converted to putting their assignments on webct to conserve paper and create online discussions as appose to printing sheets. Despite these efforts, there are still countless professors act of what Lakehead is trying to promote. This is the second year of the new Lakehead Orillia campus to open. The campus is expected to grow drastically over the next ten years, with a new residence built and many other new buildings to be built in the near future. With this said, there will be a noticeable growth in the amount of students attending the school. It is extremely hard to sustain an environmentally friendly vicinity with the number of expected students arriving to the university. The school is also built in a town that has low income and little to no environmentally sustainable buildings. This is hard to adjust to considering many students are not coming from previous school that provided an environmentally friendly area. Now, many attending a university that is all â€Å"green†, and in a town that does not exactly support this outlook can be a difficult adjustment. If the school was highly concerned about keeping everything environmentally friendly, they should have considered using an old building downtown, and converting it to become sustainable. This would have saved millions of dollars, as well it would have saved materials that were used during the construction of the new campus. The campus is also located in an area surrounded by fields, and not much else which is because they are expecting growth. However, the school should have considered building it closer to the down town core. This would make it more environmentally conscious for students because they are constantly driving downtown for lunch, or the bookstore for example which creates unnecessary gas pollution that could have been avoided with better planning. Lakehead needs to take a stronger approach to being environmentally conscious if they want to remain an all â€Å"green† school. However with the expected student population this can be next to impossible unless they step up their standards. When I first applied to this university, they strongly advertised how environmentally friendly the school was, and the unique features about the school that separate it from other universities. Upon deciding what school to choose, they sent me a recyclable journal that was 100% re-usable to advertise their commitment to staying all green. However, deciding on Lakehead University I had high expectations that  the school was strict on environmentally friendly items. I have failed to see this, and at times I forget the school is even conscious about being green because of their lack of commitment to obtain the status of keeping green. Lakehead advertises the fact that they are environmentally sustainable every chance they get, this is especially evident when there are tours throughout the school for new coming students and I’m constantly hearing their push for a gree n, clean area. Although the school may be kept very clean, this does not necessarily mean all green. Lakehead Universtiy should take a stronger approach to their goal of a green school, and consider planting gardens around the property. This provides endless environmental benefits, and the school lacks a single garden around the perimete. Climate could be a factor with planting gardens, also the location of the school being set in Orillia and winter taking up most of the school season, however this can still be achieved for the warmer seasons. There is also a lack of vegetation in the interior of the building, the school fails to display any sort of plant inside and this could really help with keeping the air clean. All of these suggestions could assist with making Lakehead more environmentally conscious, and providing an all green school. Not every individual will be satisfied with helping encourage the goal of keeping the school green, however because the school strongly advertises this upon students applying, it should be part of our job to help contribute to this goal. With the help of all faculty members, and students the goal of being an all green school, and help improving some of the imperfections Lakehead holds with keeping an environmentally sustainable school we could see some significant changes. This all sounds wonderful written on paper and could potentially happen if every person came together to take the initiative to help maintain a green school. The goal of making a school all green especially with hundreds of young adults can be extremely difficult. Individuals are here at the school to get there degree and leave, students are not hear to necessarily go out of their way to help protect their campus from being littered or maintaining the green status that Lakehead is trying to do. Although there are simple things that students and faculty members can stress for others to do to demonstrate the green status of the school. Faculty members need to look at certain things that the school is providing, and work around changing some of these things to make a greener environment. Simple steps can be taken to achieve this such as, building more water fountains around the school so students are not buying plastic waterbottles, and are using re-usable ones. Students can bring their own mugs and glasses when purchasing beverages to avoid using paper cups that are not always recycled. The cafeteria should encourage healthy plant based snacks, and snacks that avoid excessive packaging such as chips and candy, instead providing more fruits and vegetables. Professors can also provide recycled paper to students for taking notes, instead of students wasting sheet upon sheets of notes. Or professors can understand the importance of using webct and moodle to most their lecture slides and assignments. Overall, Lakehead has received an honour being the first university in North America to obtain an all green campus. However Lakehead is not as conscious as keeping a green atmosphere as they propose they do. The school needs to re-evaluate the campus area and figure out new ways to eliminate some of the non- environmental acts that have been permitted. The school needs to take a stronger approach to being as green as they say they are. With Lakehead promoting their green atmosphere it is giving students false belief that they are doing everything they can to maintain an environmentally sustainable area, when really there can be many simple changes done to obtain this goal.

Sample of Annotated Bibliography Essay

Sample of Annotated Bibliography EssayA sample of annotated bibliography essay should prove to be a good technique that can be used by students and college students in order to write their own essays. It is basically an electronic book that contains a lot of information that is made available to the student through the online or print books. It has been made available in several formats. So if you are wondering about the format, you can just simply download the book from the internet or simply make a printable copy.Sample of annotated bibliography has been known as the best technique to learn a lot of things through the use of the internet and the print books. The method can also be used by teachers who want to train their students in the use of the electronic books. The online book is also known as the best type of books to teach students as well as the best reference book for research.A Sample of annotated bibliography will help the student to study and the faculty can also make us e of it to teach their students. The method can be useful for people who need some help in their educational or professional careers. As the students get their education through the books and online books.Another great thing about the sample is that it contains the important facts that are very helpful when it comes to the writing process. The writer will be able to properly handle the materials of the book because it has very good descriptive part that can be used to write the notes. In fact, it is the most efficient reference book which helps the writer to be more accurate and concise in their writing.The online book can also be downloaded for free. The sample can be uploaded to any other electronic devices such as the PC, laptop, digital camera, etc. All these devices have the ability to store the information and can be accessed anywhere at anytime.The online book has the advantage of being easily accessible and searchable. The student can find the information easily on the inter net. This is very helpful for people who are looking for the kind of information they require for their jobs and projects.It is best for students to have access to the online book as they can use it for their school assignments during their spare time. It will not affect the personal life because there is no need to buy the book. This is what makes the online book better than the printed books.The online book can also be used by the college students to get updated about current events and the different happenings in the world. There are many benefits that can be seen in the online books.

Make Your WordPress Site Mobile Friendly With WPtouch

In a time  when responsive themes are the standard, one would  be forgiven for wondering why a plugin is needed to make your WordPress site mobile friendly.  The answer is simple: WordPress has been around since 2003, meaning that owners  of some older generation websites are looking for a way to produce a mobile friendly version of their battle tested  website.Enter  WPtouch  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ a WordPress plugin that automatically generates a simple (and customizable) mobile theme for mobile visitors, all while leaving your existing desktop WordPress theme intact.  It offers a simple solution  to accommodating the vast number of people browsing the internet via mobile devices.In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to make your WordPress site mobile friendly with WPtouch.  But before that, lets explore  why choosing a responsive theme – instead of using WPtouch – could be  a better alternative:Why you should consider a responsive th eme instead of WPtouchThese days,  the best way to make your WordPress website mobile friendly is by using  a fully responsive theme.The clear  benefit in doing so (as opposed to using WPtouch)  lies in the fact that no further action is needed to produce responsive content. If your  theme is  responsive, your website  is responsive. As such, there is  no need to install an extra plugin such as  WPtouch.Furthermore, the main  issue  in  using  WPtouch is that it produces a generic theme for your site when viewed on mobile devices, which may look drastically different to your existing  WordPress theme. From a branding perspective, this is far from ideal.  On the other hand, if you opt for a responsive theme, you will achieve design consistency across all devices – both desktop and mobile.To make matters even simpler, any self-respecting modern  WordPress theme is  fully responsive out of the box.All of our themes, including IsleMag above, are fully responsive.Were not saying that WPtouch is redundant, otherwise we wouldnt be writing this article. However, we do consider  the use of a fully  responsive theme as the optimal solution, if you can make it work for you. If not, lets crack on with our guide to making your website mobile friendly with WPtouch!How to make your WordPress site mobile friendly with WPtouch WPtouch Author(s): WPtouchCurrent Version: 4.3.37Last Updated: April 13, 2019wptouch.4.3.37.zip 72%Ratings 12,821,197Downloads WP 4.2+Requires The beauty of WPtouch lies in its simplicity. After you install and activate it from the WordPress plugin repository, youll notice that it immediately gives you a new mobile theme, making it the easiest way to make your WordPress site mobile friendly. Below are examples of how WPtouch renders three key sections of any given blog, posts/pages, the homepage, and comments:Impressively, no further configuration is required once the plugin is installed and activated. However, for the sake of design consistency, we recommend you apply some basic modifications to ensure  your new mobile site more closely resembles your desktop site.To do that, head over to the  WPtouch  icon from the WordPress dashboard:You will be presented with the rather comprehensive WPtouch settings dashboard:To adjust the appearance of your new mobile friendly theme, click Theme Settings on the sidebar, and  WPtouch will give you a long list of theme configuration options. Lets drill down to the ones that impact the appearance of your mobile theme most.Firstly, youll notice that you can upload a custom logo to be displayed on mobile devices. Furthermore, you can  include a search bar  in the header, and choose  which side to display the menu button on:Further down that same page, you will find Theme Colors. As you might expect, this interface enables  you to customize the colors used by WPtouch. We recommend you select a color scheme that matches your main d esign.You can also choose between a number of different fonts. We once again suggest that you select a font that resembles the font on your desktop website:Finally, towards the bottom of the page, you will come across some options pertaining to the presentation of your blog posts:You can choose to display thumbnails, tags, post dates, and the number of comments that each post has received.Optional step: consider WPtouch themes for improved  design consistencyIf the default WPtouch theme doesnt  complement the design of your desktop website as much as you would like, you might consider purchasing one of WPtouchs seven premium themes, available from $35, to make your WordPress site mobile friendly in a more unique way.To access those themes, click Themes on the WPtouch dashboard sidebar:From there, you can browse through their selection. By clicking on any of the available themes, WPtouch will present screenshots and further details. To go to the purchase page, click Learn More:Co nclusionWith over 80% of internet users owning a smartphone, there is no doubting the importance of having a mobile friendly website.  Ignoring mobile device users  could spell disaster for your website, as they  expect mobile friendly experiences and have little patience for  websites that are difficult to navigate.To ensure that your website is accommodating to all screen sizes, be sure to pick one of the following options:Option a) Start afresh with a responsive theme (we would of course recommend one of ours).Option b) Install and customize the  WPtouch plugin to mimic your desktop website.Are you tempted by the WPtouch plugin, or are you a responsive theme fan? Let us know how you prefer to make your WordPress site mobile friendly in the comments section below!

Missing Information in MLA Referencing

Missing Information in MLA Referencing Missing Information in MLA Referencing There are few things more frustrating when writing a college paper than finding a great source, but then being unable to find the publication details. Don’t worry, though! You can still cite a source with missing information. In this post, for example, we will look how to handle missing information in MLA citations and the list. Sources Without a Named Author When a source has no named author, you can use the source title in citations instead. For example, to cite an article with no named author, we might write: Many predicted that 2012 would be the end of the world, but this proved premature (â€Å"Apocalypses Through History† 12). Here, for example, the citation is for page 12 of an article called â€Å"Apocalypses Through History.† If the source title is too long, moreover, you can shorten it to fit in citations. The same rule applies in the list, so use the source title in the first position there if no author is named. However, make sure to check carefully for an author. Typically, there will at least be a corporate author to cite. This will be the organization responsible for producing the source you are citing. In-Text Citations Without Page Numbers Some sources have no page numbers to cite (e.g., websites and ebooks). When this happens, MLA recommends using paragraph or line numbers instead if these are available: Page numbers are a thing of the past (Smith par. 12). This citation, for instance, would point to paragraph 12 in a source. However, if the source does not include its own paragraph or line numbers, simply leave this information out of citations. Other Missing Information in the List Finally, we have the list. This is where you give full source information. If you cannot find certain details, however, you will need to adapt your reference accordingly. The MLA Handbook, Eighth Edition. The MLA Handbook does not have strict guidelines about how to handle missing information in the list other than using the title when there is no named author (see above). Generally, then, if you cannot find a piece of information within a source (e.g., place of publication or publication date), you can skip this and move on to the next detail. However, the MLA Handbook does say you can include source information from an external source such as a database or publisher’s website. To do this, simply place the information in question in square brackets. Your teacher or supervisor may also have preferences about how to approach missing information in MLA style references. For example, some suggest using â€Å"n.d.† to indicate a missing date of publication, so remember to check your style guide if you have one available. Summary: Missing Information in MLA Referencing If you cannot find information about a source you have cited, MLA recommends the following: When a source has no named author or suitable organizational author, use the title instead. This applies to both citations and the list. When a source has no page numbers, leave these out of citations. You can use paragraph or line numbers if these are included in the source itself. For other missing information in the list, if it is available from a third party, include it in square brackets. If not, skip the detail in question. And if you want help checking yours referencing, get in touch with Proofed.

Liquified flesh in edvard munch's paintings Research Paper

Liquified flesh in edvard munch's paintings - Research Paper Example The essay "Liquified flesh in edvard munch's paintings" discovers the art and life of Edvard Munch. In order to understand the ‘liquid flesh’ concept as indicated, there is a need to understand Symbolic artistic style that employed images to convey ideas or experiences. In this regard, symbols were used as signs to communicate a perspective. In symbolism, the artist devised a way of communicating with images while avoiding portraying these images in a naturalistic manner as they appeared to the audience this involved avoiding vanishing points and perspectives in from the painting, and altering the naturalistic colors in avoid any detail that would make the image real. These involved the artist exaggerating, simplifying or applying a new style, and application of unnatural colors to indicate that the images were not real by themselves but were standing in for a certain perspectives. However, The Kiss painting did not amuse Prxybyszewski due to the distortion of images to hide reality and facilitate symbolization of ideas. As such, the The kiss" is repulsive, and that it resembles "liquefied flesh.† Therefore, Munch’s paintings were visual messages that reflected issues in the society, and which expressed his feelings concerning issues affecting him on a daily basis, suggesting that any literal definition of these paintings lost the actual messages that Munch expressed. Prxybyszewski when referring to Munch’s paintings as liquefied flesh and repulsive was reacting to the disorder. involved in the symbolism approach, in communicating ideas and perspectives  through images. As Prelinger explains, the symbolic artist had a view of communicating with images, but the images were not to have any realistic resemblance so as not to blur the message communicated.2 As a result, the artist embraced a tendency to change the images used by simplifying them, exaggerating or distorting the style of painting to ensure the images only communicat ed the intended message. In other words, symbolism artists such as Munch had a tendency of imposing their dominion on the reality to ensure the reality was their servant and not the artists acting as the servant of reality.3 As Prelinger explained, symbolism in this approach only had regard for thoughts and moods and employed reality as symbol. In this case, Prxybyszewski was referring to this alteration in images. In painting â€Å"the kiss,† the two images while kissing are closely fused and are embedded as two people with one head. â€Å"On the rosy frontier, the inner and outer parts of the man meet and exchange their emancipations while thousands of sensitive nerves give and receive the impressions received from the senses.†4 Between man and the women, space has been lost and has merged their heads together forming the symbol of a knotty tree, which makes the lovers seem like to ancient trees.5 The image portrays the togetherness that results from burning passion between a man and a woman such that there is no distance between them as they explore fantasy. Prxybyszewski laments, â€Å"†¦.but the entire passion of the kiss, the horrible power of sexuality, painfully yearning longing the disappearance of the consciousness of the ego†¦. – all this is so honestly experienced that we can accept the repulsive-unusual.†6 Prxybyszewski in this remark portrays the power passion and live experienced between a man and woman such that they were completely merged to one another and with all their consciousness lost. In other

Sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 5

Sociology - Essay Example While adult crime rates remains comparatively stable, the number of violent crimes committed by juveniles has skyrocketed over the recent decades. Thus, between 1988 and 1994 the rate of juvenile arrests for violent crimes has risen by 75 percent, which makes many experts project doubling of the rate by the end of this decade (Snyder, Sickmund, and Poe-Yamagata, 1996). Crime is potentially preventable – or at least controllable – social phenomenon, but the only key to its prevention is knowledge of the causes of youthful offending. Impressive number of studies performed up to date reveals that although many factors contribute to the making of a delinquent child, negative peer associations always remain arguably the major source of juvenile delinquency (Andrews, Hoge, and Leschied, 1994: 556). The present study aims to empirically establish and measure correlation between negative peer associations and high occurrence of delinquent behavior in teenagers. Although the potential findings of this research are of minor theoretical importance – comprehensive expert studies have already established and explained the nature of both short- and long-term correlation between negative peer associations and juvenile delinquency – their practical value in predicting juvenile delinquency rates and defining risk groups should not be diminished. The correlation may significantly vary depending upon many factors, such as religion, age, traditions, etc., and only data relating to concrete environment has reliable predictive power and can be used for prevention of juvenile delinquency. Positive correlation between juvenile delinquency and negative peer associations has been explored in many studies. The most common approach adopted by the scholars is the social learning theory: behavioral patterns are learned from social interactions (direct learning) and observation (indirect learning) (Bandura, Ross, and Ross, 1961). In studies of

Chromium and Nickel in Welding Fumes Essay Example for Free

Chromium and Nickel in Welding Fumes Essay Chromium and nickel compounds are one of the many byproducts of the reaction between a metals and welding materials. Welders are exposed to these byproducts all throughout their welding works. However, too much exposure of a person to these by products may lead to serious health problems. In this paper, the disparity of American Welding Society safety facts and other organizations will be discussed. In addition, the ways to control exposure to the said compounds will be discussed. An overview of such effects of nickel and chromium compound fumes is listed by the AWS. It is stated that nickel and chromium compound fumes are possible carcinogens to the human system. Health effects of alloys that contain nickel and chromium to welders and users are not yet determined. Possible health effects should be referred to National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (American Welding Society [AWS], 2003). When one say that a person is exposed to a certain compound, this means many things. However, in this paper fumes that has concentrations of nickel and chromium compound. The disparity between the organizations will be examined. The American Welding Society (AWS) discussed three things, the immediate effects of exposure to fumes, the chronic or long-term effects of exposure to the fumes and protection against over exposure. In controlling exposure of a welder to nickel and chromium compounds, the AWS suggested a few things. First, welders or persons that are near welding sites should avoid inhaling the fumes. Second, Proper ventilation and exhausts should be provided to welding sites and arcs to avoid the gases to be near your breathing system. Third, Air samples should be tested for the correct level of compounds in the air if ventilation and exhausts are not properly established in a welding location. Last, minimize the exposure to the said compounds (American Welding Society [AWS], 2003). In contrast to the recommendations of AWS, Nickel Institute has a more detailed recommendation for controlling exposure to fumes with nickel and chromium compounds concentrate. In their recommendation, the level of concentrations of nickel and chromium compounds in fumes should be limited to 0. 05 mg/m3 up to 0. 1 mg/m3. In the recommendation, it is also stated that to control emission of fumes, proper choice of welding process must be employed. However, choice of welding process is usually determined by the technical and economic factors (Nickel Development Institute [NDI], 2001). Overall, safety of welders is still the concern that should be given proper handling. The goal of having a good control of the fumes with chromium compounds and nickel concentrations is to eliminate it. If one cannot eliminate it, then one should minimize it. First, proper welding process should be employed. Second, welder should work in a proper welding area. This means that the workplace should be fully ventilated and has exhausts. Third, proper welder equipments and apparatus should be used. Fourth, proper welder uniform should be used. This is one of the most important things to be considered. If a welder has a proper uniform, then possible direct damages to the person may be minimized or neglected. Last, routine checks of the work area, equipments, apparatus, and welders should be done. This means that a routine check of the said things must be done, like checking fume concentration levels, checking welder health, etc, in order to secure health hazards that may arise during the work. If the said recommendations are fully employed, then health hazards like over exposure to fumes can be minimized, if not eliminated. Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes is one of the most used materials in welding. Thoriated tungsten has thorium. Thorium is a radioactive metal that emits alpha, and small amounts of beta and gamma particles. Thorium is one of the best welding materials due to its long lasting, easy to use, low melting and low rate of consumption of electrodes. However, certain health hazards are associated to thorium. External exposure of a person to thorium is not a big deal. The real danger of thoriated tungsten is when dust particles during the grinding of the thorium is ingested or inhaled. If a person accidentally ingested or inhaled thorium from grinding it, there is a big potential of internal radiation to the person who ingested or inhaled the dust particles (American Welding Society [AWS], 2003). The source of the thorium exposure is mainly derived from the grinding of the tungsten before use so that maximum arc stability of the electrode is achieved. In that process of grinding, thorium dust particles are released in to the open air that creates an unhealthy environment to welding personnel. Health officers in work areas should employ some recommendations in order to reduce the exposure of workers to thorium dust particles. In order to eliminate thorium dust particles, one should eliminate the use of thorium tungsten electrodes. Many thorium-free tungsten electrodes are available. Some of these are cerium, lanthanum, yttrium, and zirconium tungsten electrodes. If thoriated tungsten electrodes cannot be replaced, authorities in work areas should utilize the use of proper handling of the said materials. That is following the Material Safety Data Sheet for thoriated tungsten electrodes. One should also take in to consideration the containment of the dust particles. This means that one should contain dusts created from grinding as soon as possible in order to prevent the health hazards associated to it. In addition to that, work area authorities should also assess the ventilations systems. In that way, one can control the flow of dust particles that is not contained so that workers will be able to prevent inhalation and ingestion of the said particles. Containment of the dust particles is only the first step. The next step after it is the disposal of the dust particles. Thoriated dust particles should be disposed properly and regularly. Disposal of thoriated tungsten electrode dust particles should be disposed with compliance to federal state (The Welding Institute, [TWI], 2008). Radiation obtained from thoriated tungsten electrode can be prevented if one complies with the recommendations that are given from the previous paragraph. There should be someone who is able to check if a work place complies with the recommendations. Federal authorities are one of the many institutions that implement the recommendations of the American Welding Society (AWS). In addition to that, public health officers are also responsible in implementing the said recommendations. Furthermore, work places should also have their own health and safety officers that ensure a healthy working environment for its workers (American Welding Society [AWS], 2003). Health risks in work places can be prevented in many ways. Recommendations made by some institutions are welcomed in order to have a healthy work place for welders. If strict implementation of health and safety recommendations made by AWS is enforced, health risks like internal radiation can be prevented. Knowledge is the key to being safe and healthy. Knowledge in proper handling of thoriated tungsten electrode and proper disposal of thoriated dust particles can eliminate hazards brought about not only by thorium but also by all of the other materials that can cause health hazards. In the end, safety and health of workers will still be the concern of everyone. References American Welding Society. (October 2003). Chromium and Nickel in Welding Fume. Safety and Health Fact Sheet. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from http://files. aws. org/technical/facts/FACT-04. PDF American Welding Society. (October 2003). Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes. Safety and Health Fact Sheet. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from http://files. aws. org/technical/facts/FACT-27. PDF Nickel Development Institute (NDI). (March 2001). Stainless Steel and Welding Fume. Nickel Institute. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from http://www. nickelinstitute. org/index. cfm/ci_id/229. htm The Welding Institute (TWI). (2008). The Use of Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from http://www. twi. co. uk/content/faq_thoriated. html