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Electronic waste
|This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: fix References. (May 2013)
Electronic waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. The used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal are also considered as e-waste. Informal processing of electronic waste in developing countries may cause serious health and pollution problems, though these countries are also most likely to reuse and repair electronics.
All electronic scrap components, such as CRTs, may contain contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or brominated flame retardants. Even in developed countries recycling and disposal of e-waste may involve significant risk to workers and communities and great care must be taken to avoid unsafe exposure in recycling operations and leaking of materials such as heavy metals from landfills and incinerator ashes. Scrap industry and U.S. EPA officials agree that materials should be managed with caution[1]
- 1 Definition
- 2 Amount of Electronic waste world-wide
- 3 Global trade issues
- 4 Environmental Impact of Electronic Waste
- 5 Information security
- 6 E-waste management
- 7 Electronic waste substances
- 8 See also
- 9 References
- 10 Further reading
- 11 External links
"Electronic waste" may be defined as discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets, and refrigerators. This includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal. Others are re-usables (working and repairable electronics) and secondary scrap (copper, steel, plastic, etc.) to be "commodities", and reserve the term "waste" for residue or material which is dumped by the buyer rather than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling operations. Because loads of surplus electronics are frequently commingled (good, recyclable, and non-recyclable), several public policy advocates apply the term "e-waste" broadly to all surplus electronics. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are considered one of the hardest types to recycle.[2]
CRTs have relatively high concentration of lead and phosphors (not to be confused with phosphorus), both of which are necessary for the display. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) includes discarded CRT monitors in its category of "hazardous household waste"[3] but considers CRTs that have been set aside for testing to be commodities if they are not discarded, speculatively accumulated, or left unprotected from weather and other damage.
The EU and its member states operate a system via the European Waste Catalogue (EWC)- a European Council Directive, which is interpreted into "member state law". In the UK (a EU member state), this is in the form of the List of Wastes Directive. However, the list (and EWC) gives broad definition (EWC Code 16 02 13*) of Hazardous Electronic wastes, requiring "waste operators" to employ the Hazardous Waste Regulations (Annex 1A, Annex 1B) for refined definition. Constituent materials in the waste also require assessment via the combination of Annex II and Annex III, again allowing operators to further determine whether a waste is hazardous.[4]
Debate continues over the distinction between "commodity" and "waste" electronics definitions. Some exporters are accused of deliberately leaving difficult-to-recycle, obsolete, or non-repairable equipment mixed in loads of working equipment (though this may also come through ignorance, or to avoid more costly treatment processes). Protectionists may broaden the definition of "waste" electronics in order to protect domestic markets from working secondary equipment.
The high value of the computer recycling subset of electronic waste (working and reusable laptops, desktops, and components like RAM) can help pay the cost of transportation for a larger number of worthless pieces than can be achieved with display devices, which have less (or negative) scrap value. In A 2011 report, "Ghana E-Waste Country Assessment",[5] found that of 215,000 tons of electronics imported to Ghana, 30% were brand new and 70% were used. Of the used product, the study concluded that 15% was not reused and was scrapped or discarded. This contrasts with published but uncredited claims that 80% of the imports into Ghana were being burned in primitive conditions.
Amount of Electronic waste world-wide[edit]
Rapid changes in technology, changes in media (tapes, software, MP3), falling prices, and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe. Dave Kruch, CEO of Cash For Laptops, regards electronic waste as a "rapidly expanding" issue.[6] Technical solutions are available, but in most cases a legal framework, a collection, logistics, and other services need to be implemented before a technical solution can be applied.
Display units (CRT, LCD, LED monitors), processors (CPU, GPU, or APU chips), memory (DRAM or SRAM), and audio components have different useful lives. Processors are most frequently out-dated (by software no longer being optimized) and are more likely to become "e-waste", while display units are most often replaced while working without repair attempts, due to changes in wealthy nation appetites for new display technology.
An estimated 50 million tons of E-waste are produced each year.[1] The USA discards 30 million computers each year and 100 million phones are disposed of in Europe each year. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled, the rest of these electronics go directly into landfills and incinerators.[7][8]
According to a report by UNEP titled, "Recycling - from E-Waste to Resources," the amount of e-waste being produced - including mobile phones and computers - could rise by as much as 500 percent over the next decade in some countries, such as India.[9] The United States is the world leader in producing electronic waste, tossing away about 3 million tons each year.[10] China already produces about 2.3 million tons (2010 estimate) domestically, second only to the United States. And, despite having banned e-waste imports, China remains a major e-waste dumping ground for developed countries.[10]
Electrical waste contains hazardous but also valuable and scarce materials. Up to 60 elements can be found in complex electronics.
In the United States, an estimated 70% of heavy metals in landfills comes from discarded electronics.[11][12]
While there is agreement that the number of discarded electronic devices is increasing, there is considerable disagreement about the relative risk (compared to automobile scrap, for example), and strong disagreement whether curtailing trade in used electronics will improve conditions, or make them worse. According to an article in Motherboard, attempts to restrict the trade have driven reputable companies out of the supply chain, with unintended consequences.[13]
Global trade issues[edit]
One theory is that increased regulation of electronic waste and concern over the environmental harm in mature economies creates an economic disincentive to remove residues prior to export. Critics of trade in used electronics maintain that it is still too easy for brokers calling themselves recyclers to export unscreened electronic waste to developing countries, such as China,[14] India and parts of Africa, thus avoiding the expense of removing items like bad cathode ray tubes (the processing of which is expensive and difficult). The developing countries have become toxic dump yards of e-waste. Proponents of international trade point to the success of fair trade programs in other industries, where cooperation has led to creation of sustainable jobs, and can bring affordable technology in countries where repair and reuse rates are higher.
Defenders of the trade[who?] in used electronics say that extraction of metals from virgin mining has been shifted to developing countries. Recycling of copper, silver, gold, and other materials from discarded electronic devices is considered better for the environment than mining. They also state that repair and reuse of computers and televisions has become a "lost art" in wealthier nations, and that refurbishing has traditionally been a path to development.
South Korea, Taiwan, and southern China all excelled in finding "retained value" in used goods, and in some cases have set up billion-dollar industries in refurbishing used ink cartridges, single-use cameras, and working CRTs. Refurbishing has traditionally been a threat to established manufacturing, and simple protectionism explains some criticism of the trade. Works like "The Waste Makers" by Vance Packard explain some of the criticism of exports of working product, for example the ban on import of tested working Pentium 4 laptops to China, or the bans on export of used surplus working electronics by Japan.
Opponents of surplus electronics exports argue that lower environmental and labor standards, cheap labor, and the relatively high value of recovered raw materials leads to a transfer of pollution-generating activities, such as smelting of copper wire. In China, Malaysia, India, Kenya, and various African countries, electronic waste is being sent to these countries for processing, sometimes illegally. Many surplus laptops are routed to developing nations as "dumping grounds for e-waste".[6]
Because the United States has not ratified the Basel Convention or its Ban Amendment, and has few domestic federal laws forbidding the export of toxic waste, the Basel Action Network estimates that about 80% of the electronic waste directed to recycling in the U.S. does not get recycled there at all, but is put on container ships and sent to countries such as China.[15][16][17][18] This figure is disputed as an exaggeration by the EPA, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, and the World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association.
|This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2013)
Independent research by Arizona State University showed that 87-88% of imported used computers did not have a higher value than the best value of the constituent materials they contained, and that "the official trade in end-of-life computers is thus driven by reuse as opposed to recycling".[19]
Electronic Waste Dump of the World: Guiyu, China[edit]
Guiyu in the Shantou region of China is a huge electronic waste processing area.[15][20][21] It is often referred to as the "e-waste capital of the world." The city employs over 150,000 e-waste workers that work through 16-hour days disassembling old computers and recapturing whatever metals and parts they can reuse or sell. The thousands of individual workshops employ laborers to snip cables, pry chips from circuit boards, grind plastic computer cases into particles, and dip circuit boards in acid baths to dissolve the lead, cadmium, and other toxic metals. Others work to strip insulation from all wiring in an attempt to salvage tiny amounts of copper wire.[22] Uncontrolled burning, disassembly, and disposal causes a variety of environmental problems such as groundwater contamination, atmospheric pollution, or even water pollution either by immediate discharge or due to surface runoff (especially near coastal areas), as well as health problems including occupational safety and health effects among those directly and indirectly involved, due to the methods of processing the waste.
Only limited investigations have been carried out on the health effects of Guiyu's poisoned environment. One of them was carried out by Professor Huo Xia, of the Shantou University Medical College, which is an hour and a half's drive from Guiyu. She tested 165 children for concentrations of lead in their blood. 82% of the Guiyu children had blood/lead levels of more than 100. Anything above that figure is considered unsafe by international health experts. The average reading for the group was 149.[23]
High levels of lead in young children's blood can impact IQ and the development of the central nervous system. The highest concentrations of lead were found in the children of parents whose workshop dealt with circuit boards and the lowest was among those who recycled plastic.[23]
Six of the many villages in Guiyu specialize in circuit-board disassembly, seven in plastics and metals reprocessing, and two in wire and cable disassembly. About a year ago the environmental group Greenpeace sampled dust, soil, river sediment and groundwater in Guiyu where e-waste recycling is done. They found soaring levels of toxic heavy metals and organic contaminants in both places.[24] Lai Yun, a campaigner for the group found "over 10 poisonous metals, such as lead, mercury and cadmium, in Guiyu town."
Guiyu is only one example of digital dumps but similar places can be found across the world such as Asia and Africa. With amounts of e-waste growing rapidly each year urgent solutions are required. While the waste continues to flow into digital dumps like Guiyu there are measures that can help reduce the flow of e-waste.[23]
A preventative step that major electronics firms should take is to remove the worst chemicals in their products in order to make them safer and easier to recycle. It is important that all companies take full responsibility for their products and, once they reach the end of their useful life, take their goods back for re-use or safely recycle them.
Proponents of the trade say growth of internet access is a stronger correlation to trade than poverty. Haiti is poor and closer to the port of New York than southeast Asia, but far more electronic waste is exported from New York to Asia than to Haiti. Thousands of men, women, and children are employed in reuse, refurbishing, repair, and remanufacturing, unsustainable industries in decline in developed countries. Denying developing nations access to used electronics may deny them sustainable employment, affordable products, and internet access, or force them to deal with even less scrupulous suppliers. In a series of seven articles for The Atlantic, Shanghai-based reporter Adam Minter describes many of these computer repair and scrap separation activities as objectively sustainable.[25]
Opponents of the trade argue that developing countries utilize methods that are more harmful and more wasteful. An expedient and prevalent method is simply to toss equipment onto an open fire, in order to melt plastics and to burn away non-valuable metals. This releases carcinogens and neurotoxins into the air, contributing to an acrid, lingering smog. These noxious fumes include dioxins and furans.[26] Bonfire refuse can be disposed of quickly into drainage ditches or waterways feeding the ocean or local water supplies.[18][27]
In June 2008, a container of electronic waste, destined from the Port of Oakland in the U.S. to Sanshui District in mainland China, was intercepted in Hong Kong by Greenpeace.[28] Concern over exports of electronic waste were raised in press reports in India,[29][30] Ghana,[31][32][33] Côte d'Ivoire,[34] and Nigeria.[35]
Environmental Impact of Electronic Waste[edit]
The processes of dismantling and disposing of electronic waste in the third world lead to a number of environmental impacts as illustrated in the graphic. Liquid and atmospheric releases end up in bodies of water, groundwater, soil, and air and therefore in land and sea animals – both domesticated and wild, in crops eaten by both animals and human, and in drinking water.[36]
One study of environmental effects in Guiyu, China found the following:
- Airborne dioxins – one type found at 100 times levels previously measured
- Levels of carcinogens in duck ponds and rice paddies exceeded international standards for agricultural areas and cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead levels in rice paddies were above international standards
- Heavy metals found in road dust – lead over 300 times that of a control village's road dust and copper over 100 times[37]
The environmental impact of the processing of different electronic waste components
|E-Waste Component
|Process Used
|Potential Environmental Hazard
|Cathode ray tubes (used in TVs, computer monitors, ATM, video cameras, and more)
|Breaking and removal of yoke, then dumping
|Lead, barium and other heavy metals leaching into the ground water and release of toxic phosphor
|Printed circuit board (image behind table - a thin plate on which chips and other electronic components are placed)
|De-soldering and removal of computer chips; open burning and acid baths to remove final metals after chips are removed.
|Air emissions as well as discharge into rivers of glass dust, tin, lead, brominated dioxin, beryllium cadmium, and mercury
|Chips and other gold plated components
|Chemical stripping using nitric and hydrochloric acid and burning of chips
|Hydrocarbons, heavy metals, brominated substances discharged directly into rivers acidifying fish and flora. Tin and lead contamination of surface and groundwater. Air emissions of brominated dioxins, heavy metals and hydrocarbons
|Plastics from printers, keyboards, monitors, etc.
|Shredding and low temp melting to be reused
|Emissions of brominated dioxins, heavy metals and hydrocarbons
|Computer wires
|Open burning and stripping to remove copper
|Hydrocarbon ashes released into air, water and soil.
Information security[edit]
E-waste presents a potential security threat to individuals and exporting countries. Hard drives that are not properly erased before the computer is disposed of can be reopened, exposing sensitive information. Credit card numbers, private financial data, account information, and records of online transactions can be accessed by most willing individuals. Organized criminals in Ghana commonly search the drives for information to use in local scams.[39]
Government contracts have been discovered on hard drives found in Agbogbloshie. Multi-million dollar agreements from United States security institutions such as the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Transportation Security Administration and Homeland Security have all resurfaced in Agbogbloshie.[39][40]
E-waste management[edit]
Today the electronic waste recycling business is in all areas of the developed world a large and rapidly consolidating business. People tend to forget that properly disposing or reusing electronics can help prevent health problems, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.[41] Part of this evolution has involved greater diversion of electronic waste from energy-intensive downcycling processes (e.g., conventional recycling), where equipment is reverted to a raw material form. This recycling is done by sorting, dismantling, and recovery of valuable materials.[42] This diversion is achieved through reuse and refurbishing. The environmental and social benefits of reuse include diminished demand for new products and virgin raw materials (with their own environmental issues); larger quantities of pure water and electricity for associated manufacturing; less packaging per unit; availability of technology to wider swaths of society due to greater affordability of products; and diminished use of landfills.
Audiovisual components, televisions, VCRs, stereo equipment, mobile phones, other handheld devices, and computer components contain valuable elements and substances suitable for reclamation, including lead, copper, and gold.
One of the major challenges is recycling the printed circuit boards from the electronic wastes. The circuit boards contain such precious metals as gold, silver, platinum, etc. and such base metals as copper, iron, aluminum, etc. One way e-waste is processed is by melting circuit boards, burning cable sheathing to recover copper wire and open- pit acid leaching for separating metals of value.[43] Conventional method employed is mechanical shredding and separation but the recycling efficiency is low. Alternative methods such as cryogenic decomposition have been studied for printed circuit board recycling,[44] and some other methods are still under investigation.
Consumer awareness efforts[edit]
|The examples and perspective in this section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (December 2011)
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages electronic recyclers to become certified by demonstrating to an accredited, independent third party auditor that they meet specific standards to safely recycle and manage electronics. This works to ensure the highest environmental standards are being maintained. Two certifications for electronic recyclers currently exist and are endorsed by the EPA. Customers are encouraged to choose certified electronics recyclers. Responsible electronics recycling reduces environmental and human health impacts, increases the use of reusable and refurbished equipment and reduces energy use while conserving limited resources. The two EPA-endorsed certification programs are: Responsible Recyclers Practices (R2) and E-Stewards. Certified companies ensure they are meeting strict environmental standards which maximize reuse and recycling, minimize exposure to human health or the environment, ensure safe management of materials and require destruction of all data used on electronics. Certified electronics recyclers have demonstrated through audits and other means that they continually meet specific high environmental standards and safely manage used electronics. Once certified, the recycler is held to the particular standard by continual oversight by the independent accredited certifying body. A certification accreditation board accredits certifying bodies and oversees certifying bodies to ensure that they meet specific responsibilities and are competent to audit and provide certification. EPA supports and will continue to push for continuous improvement of electronics recycling practices and standards.[45]
- e-Cycle, LLC: e-Cycle, LLC is the first mobile buyback and recycling company in the world to be e-Stewards, R2 and ISO 14001 certified. They work with the largest organizations in the world, including 16 of the Fortune 20 and 356 of the Fortune 500, to raise awareness on the global e-waste crisis.[46]
- Best Buy: Best Buy accepts electronic items for recycling, even if they were not purchased at Best Buy. For a full list of acceptable items and locations, visit Best Buy's Recycling information page.[47]
- Staples: Staples also accepts electronic items for recycling at no additional cost. They also accept ink and printer toner cartridges. For a full list of acceptable items and locations, visit the Staples Recycling information page.[48]
- In the US, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) urges consumers to dispose properly of end-of-life electronics through its recycling locator at www.GreenerGadgets.org. This list only includes manufacturer and retailer programs that use the strictest standards and third-party certified recycling locations, to provide consumers assurance that their products will be recycled safely and responsibly. CEA research has found that 58 percent of consumers know where to take their end-of-life electronics, and the electronics industry would very much like to see that level of awareness increase. Consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers sponsor or operate more than 5,000 recycling locations nationwide and have vowed to recycle one billion pounds annually by 2016,[49] a sharp increase from 300 million pounds industry recycled in 2010.
- The Sustainable Materials Management Electronic Challenge was created by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Participants of the Challenge are manufacturers of electronics and electronic retailers. These companies collect end-of-life (EOL) electronics at various locations and send them to a certified, third-party recycler. Program participants are then able publicly promote and report 100% responsible recycling for their companies.[50]
- AddressTheMess.com is a Comedy Central pro-social campaign that seeks to increase awareness of the dangers of electronic waste and to encourage recycling. Partners in the effort include Earth911.com, ECOInternational.com, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Many Comedy Central viewers are early adopters of new electronics, and produce a commensurate amount of waste that can be directed towards recycling efforts. The station is also taking steps to reduce its own environmental impact, in partnership with NativeEnergy.com, a company that specializes in renewable energy and carbon offsets.
- The Electronics TakeBack Coalition[51] is a campaign aimed at protecting human health and limiting environmental effects where electronics are being produced, used, and discarded. The ETBC aims to place responsibility for disposal of technology products on electronic manufacturers and brand owners, primarily through community promotions and legal enforcement initiatives. It provides recommendations for consumer recycling and a list of recyclers judged environmentally responsible.[52]
- The Certified Electronics Recycler program[53] for electronic recyclers is a comprehensive, integrated management system standard that incorporates key operational and continual improvement elements for quality, environmental and health and safety (QEH&S) performance.
- The grassroots Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (svtc.org) focuses on promoting human health and addresses environmental justice problems resulting from toxins in technologies.
- Basel Action Network (BAN.org) is uniquely focused on addressing global environmental injustices as a result of the global toxic trade. It works for human rights and the environment by preventing disproportionate dumping of hazardous waste on developing countries, on a large scale. Today, BAN is not only the leading global source of information and advocacy on toxic trade and international hazardous waste treaties, but it has also developed market-based solutions that rely on the highest standards for globally responsible recycling and rigorous accredited and independent certification to those standards.
- Texas Campaign for the Environment (texasenvironment.org) works to build grassroots support for e-waste recycling and uses community organizing to pressure electronics manufacturers and elected officials to enact producer takeback recycling policies and commit to responsible recycling programs.
- The World Reuse, Repair, and Recycling Association (wr3a.org) is an organization dedicated to improving the quality of exported electronics, encouraging better recycling standards in importing countries, and improving practices through "Fair Trade" principles.
- Take Back My TV[54] is a project of The Electronics TakeBack Coalition and grades television manufacturers to find out which are responsible and which are not.
- The e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA)[55] has been instrumental in building a network of e-waste recyclers and refurbishers in the country. It continues to drive the sustainable, environmentally sound management of all e-waste in South Africa.
- E-Cycling Central is a website from the Electronic Industry Alliance which allows you to search for electronic recycling programs in your state. It lists different recyclers by state to find reuse, recycle, or find donation programs across the country.[56]
- Ewaste.guide.info is a Switzerland-based website dedicated to improving the e-waste situation in developing and transitioning countries. The site contains news, events, case studies, and more.[57]
- StEP: Solving the E-Waste Problem This website of StEP, an initiative founded by various UN organizations to develop strategies to solve the e-waste problem, follows its activities and programs.[42][58]
Processing techniques[edit]
In many developed countries, electronic waste processing usually first involves dismantling the equipment into various parts (metal frames, power supplies, circuit boards, plastics), often by hand, but increasingly by automated shredding equipment. A typical example is the NADIN electronic waste processing plant in Novi Iskar, Bulgaria—the largest facility of its kind in Eastern Europe.[59][60] The advantages of this process are the human's ability to recognize and save working and repairable parts, including chips, transistors, RAM, etc. The disadvantage is that the labor is cheapest in countries with the lowest health and safety standards.
In an alternative bulk system,[61] a hopper conveys material for shredding into an unsophisticated mechanical separator, with screening and granulating machines to separate constituent metal and plastic fractions, which are sold to smelters or plastics recyclers. Such recycling machinery is enclosed and employs a dust collection system. Some of the emissions are caught by scrubbers and screens. Magnets, eddy currents, and trommel screens are employed to separate glass, plastic, and ferrous and nonferrous metals, which can then be further separated at a smelter.
Leaded glass from CRTs is reused in car batteries, ammunition, and lead wheel weights,[26] or sold to foundries as a fluxing agent in processing raw lead ore. Copper, gold, palladium, silver and tin are valuable metals sold to smelters for recycling. Hazardous smoke and gases are captured, contained and treated to mitigate environmental threat. These methods allow for safe reclamation of all valuable computer construction materials.[18] Hewlett-Packard product recycling solutions manager Renee St. Denis describes its process as: "We move them through giant shredders about 30 feet tall and it shreds everything into pieces about the size of a quarter. Once your disk drive is shredded into pieces about this big, it's hard to get the data off".[62]
An ideal electronic waste recycling plant combines dismantling for component recovery with increased cost-effective processing of bulk electronic waste.
Reuse is an alternative option to recycling because it extends the lifespan of a device. Devices still need eventual recycling, but by allowing others to purchase used electronics, recycling can be postponed and value gained from device use.
Benefits of recycling[edit]
Recycling raw materials from end-of-life electronics is the most effective solution to the growing e-waste problem. Most electronic devices contain a variety of materials, including metals that can be recovered for future uses. By dismantling and providing reuse possibilities, intact natural resources are conserved and air and water pollution caused by hazardous disposal is avoided. Additionally, recycling reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the manufacturing of new products.[63]
Benefits of recycling are extended when responsible recycling methods are used. In the U.S., responsible recycling aims to minimize the dangers to human health and the environment that disposed and dismantled electronics can create. Responsible recycling ensures best management practices of the electronics being recycled, worker health and safety, and consideration for the environment locally and abroad.[64]
Electronic waste substances[edit]
Some computer components can be reused in assembling new computer products, while others are reduced to metals that can be reused in applications as varied as construction, flatware, and jewelry.[62]
Substances found in large quantities include epoxy resins, fiberglass, PCBs, PVC (polyvinyl chlorides), thermosetting plastics, lead, tin, copper, silicon, beryllium, carbon, iron and aluminium.
Elements found in small amounts include cadmium, mercury, and thallium.[65]
Elements found in trace amounts include americium, antimony, arsenic, barium, bismuth, boron, cobalt, europium, gallium, germanium, gold, indium, lithium, manganese, nickel, niobium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, selenium, silver, tantalum, terbium, thorium, titanium, vanadium, and yttrium.
Almost all electronics contain lead and tin (as solder) and copper (as wire and printed circuit board tracks), though the use of lead-free solder is now spreading rapidly. The following are ordinary applications:
- Americium: The radioactive source in smoke alarms. It is known to be carcinogenic.
- Mercury: Found in fluorescent tubes (numerous applications), tilt switches (mechanical doorbells, thermostats),[66] and flat screen monitors. Health effects include sensory impairment, dermatitis, memory loss, and muscle weakness. Exposure in-utero causes fetal deficits in motor function, attention and verbal domains.[67] Environmental effects in animals include death, reduced fertility, and slower growth and development.
- Sulphur: Found in lead-acid batteries. Health effects include liver damage, kidney damage, heart damage, eye and throat irritation. When released into the environment, it can create sulphuric acid.
- BFRs: Used as flame retardants in plastics in most electronics. Includes PBBs, PBDE, DecaBDE, OctaBDE, PentaBDE. Health effects include impaired development of the nervous system, thyroid problems, liver problems. Environmental effects: similar effects as in animals as humans. PBBs were banned from 1973 to 1977 on. PCBs were banned during the 1980s.
- Cadmium: Found in light-sensitive resistors, corrosion-resistant alloys for marine and aviation environments, and nickel-cadmium batteries. The most common form of cadmium is found in Nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries. These batteries tend to contain between 6 and 18% cadmium. The sale of Nickel-Cadmium batteries has been banned in the European Union except for medical use. When not properly recycled it can leach into the soil, harming microorganisms and disrupting the soil ecosystem. Exposure is caused by proximity to hazardous waste sites and factories and workers in the metal refining industry. The inhalation of cadmium can cause severe damage to the lungs and is also known to cause kidney damage.[68] Cadmium is also associated with deficits in cognition, learning, behavior, and neuromotor skills in children.[67]
- Lead: Solder, CRT monitor glass, lead-acid batteries, some formulations of PVC.[69] A typical 15-inch cathode ray tube may contain 1.5 pounds of lead,[3] but other CRTs have been estimated as having up to 8 pounds of lead.[26] Adverse effects of lead exposure include impaired cognitive function, behavioral disturbances, attention deficits, hyperactivity, conduct problems and lower IQ[67]
- Beryllium oxide: Filler in some thermal interface materials such as thermal grease used on heatsinks for CPUs and power transistors,[70] magnetrons, X-ray-transparent ceramic windows, heat transfer fins in vacuum tubes, and gas lasers.
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): Found in Non-stick cookware (PTFE), used as an antistatic additive in industrial applications, and found in electronics. PFOAs are formed synthetically through environmental degradation and, in mice, after oral uptake. Studies in mice have found the following health effects: Hepatotoxicity, developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, hormonal effects and carcinogenic effects. Studies have found increased maternal PFOA levels to be associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) and stillbirth. Increased maternal levels of PFOA are also associated with decreases in mean gestational age (preterm birth), mean birth weight (low birth weight), mean birth length (small for gestational age), and mean APGAR score.[71]
- Hexavalent chromium: A known carcinogen after occupational inhalation exposure.[67]
There is also evidence of cytotixic and genotoxic effects of some chemicals, which have been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, cause cell membrane lesion, cause DNA single-strand breaks, and elevate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels.[72]
- DNA breaks can increase the likelihood of developing cancer (if the damage is to a tumor suppressor gene)
- DNA damages are a special problem in non-dividing or slowly dividing cells, where unrepaired damages will tend to accumulate over time. On the other hand, in rapidly dividing cells, unrepaired DNA damages that do not kill the cell by blocking replication will tend to cause replication errors and thus mutation
- Elevated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels can cause damage to cell structures (oxidative stress)[72]
Generally non-hazardous[edit]
- Aluminium: nearly all electronic goods using more than a few watts of power (heatsinks), electrolytic capacitors.
- Copper: copper wire, printed circuit board tracks, component leads.
- Germanium: 1950s–1960s transistorized electronics (bipolar junction transistors).
- Gold: connector plating, primarily in computer equipment.
- Iron: steel chassis, cases, and fixings.
- Lithium: lithium-ion batteries.
- Nickel: nickel-cadmium batteries.
- Silicon: glass, transistors, ICs, printed circuit boards.
- Tin: solder, coatings on component leads.
- Zinc: plating for steel parts.
See also[edit]
- 2000s commodities boom
- Computer Recycling
- Digger gold
- eDay
- Electronic waste in Japan
- Green computing
- Mobile phone recycling
- Material safety data sheet
- Polychlorinated biphenyls
- Retrocomputing
Policy and conventions:
- Basel Action Network (BAN)
- Basel Convention
- China RoHS
- e-Stewards
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS)
- Soesterberg Principles
- Sustainable Electronics Initiative (SEI)
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
- Organizations
- Empa
- International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
- Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI)
- Solving the E-waste Problem
- World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association
- ^ a b : Sthiannopkao S, Wong MH. (2012) Handling e-waste in developed and developing countries: Initiatives, practices, and consequences. Sci Total Environ.
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- ^ a b Morgan, Russell (2006-08-21). "Tips and Tricks for Recycling Old Computers". SmartBiz. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- ^ "Defining & categorization of wastes via the regulations". ITGreen. 2013-06-02. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
- ^ "Ghana e-Waste Country Assessmen". Ghana e-Waste Country Assessment. SBC e-Waste Africa Project. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ a b Prashant, Nitya (2008-08-20). "Cash For Laptops Offers 'Green' Solution for Broken or Outdated Computers". Green Technology (Norwalk, Connecticut: Technology Marketing Corporation). Retrieved 2009-03-17. In "Opinion". National Center For Electronics Recycling News Summary (National Center For Electronics Recycling). 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2009-03-17.[dead link]
- ^ "Statistics on the Management of Used and End-of-Life Electronics". US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
- ^ "Environment". ECD Mobile Recycling. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ Section, United Nations News Service (2010-02-22). "As e-waste mountains soar, UN urges smart technologies to protect health". United Nations-DPI/NMD - UN News Service Section. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ a b "Urgent need to prepare developing countries for surges in E-Waste".
- ^ Kozlan, Melanie (2010-11-02). "What is 'E-Waste' & How Can I Get Rid Of It?!". Four Green Steps.
- ^ "Poison PCs and toxic TVs".
- ^ Ingenthron, Robin (2011-03-31). "Why We Should Ship Our Electronic "waste" to China and Africa". [Motherboard.tv].
- ^ Grossman, Elizabeth (2006-04-10). "Where computers go to die - and kill (4/10/2006)". Salon.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
- ^ a b Basel Action Network and Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (2002-02-25). "Exporting Harm: The High-Tech Trashing of Asia" (PDF). Seattle and San Jose.
- ^ Chea, Terence (2007-11-18). "America Ships Electronic Waste Overseas". Associated Press.[dead link]
- ^ Slade, Giles (2006). "Made To Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America". Harvard University Press.
- ^ a b c Carroll (January 2008). "High-Tech Trash". National Geographic Magazine Online.
- ^ "Product or Waste? Importation and End-of-Life Processing of Computers in Peru", Ramzy Kahhat and Eric Williams, Center for Earth Systems Engineering and Management, Arizona State University, published Environmental Science and Technology June 2009.
- ^ "Activists Push for Safer E-Recycling". Retrieved 2006-11-13.[dead link]
- ^ Slade, Giles. "Computer age leftovers". Denver Post. Retrieved 2006-11-13.
- ^ "Electronic Waste Dump of the World". Sometimes-interesting.com. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
- ^ a b c "Toxic Tea Party". Greenpeace.org. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
- ^ "E-Waste Dump of the World". Seattletimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
- ^ Minter, Adam. "Shanghai Scrap". Wasted 7/7. The Atlantic. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Royte, Elizabeth (2005-08-01). "E-gad! Americans discard more than 100 million computers, cellphones and other electronic devices each year. As "e-waste" piles up, so does concern about this growing threat to the environment.". Smithsonian Magazine (Smithsonian Institution). Retrieved 2009-03-17.[dead link]
- ^ "Computer waste disposal in China" (WMV). CBC News.[dead link]
- ^ "Illegal e-waste exposed". Greenpeace International.
- ^ "E-Trash Industry Poses Hazards to Workers".
- ^ Simmons, Dan (2005-10-14). "British Broadcasting Corporation". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ "Electronic Waste in Ghana". YouTube.
- ^ "Poisoning the poor – Electronic Waste in Ghana". Greenpeace International.
- ^ "British Broadcasting Corporation". BBC News. 2008-08-05. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ "British Broadcasting Corporation". BBC News. 2006-11-27. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ Carney, Liz (2006-12-19). "British Broadcasting Corporation". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ Frazzoli, C. &. (2010). Diagnostic health risk assessment of electronic waste on the general population in developing countries' scenarios. Environmental Impact Assessment Review , 388-399
- ^ Sthiannopkao, S. &. (2012). Handling e-waste in developed and developing countries: Inititatives, practices and consequences. Science of the Total Environment
- ^ Wath, S. B., Dutt, P. S., & Chakrabarti, T. (2011). E-Waste scenario in India, its management and implications. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment , 172, 249-262.
- ^ a b "Africa's Agbogbloshie Market Is a Computer Graveyard" NewsBreakingOnline.com. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.
- ^ Doctorow, Cory. "Illegal E-waste Dumped in Ghana Includes Unencrypted Hard Drives Full of US Security Secrets." Boing Boing. 25 June 2009. Web. 15 Mar. 2011.
- ^ Fela, Jen (April 2010). "Developing countries face e-waste crisis". Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 8 (N0.3): 117.
- ^ a b "Statistics on the Management of Used and End-of-Life Electronics | eCycling | US EPA". Epa.gov. 2006-06-28. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ^ Sthiannopkao S, Wong MH. (2012) Handling e-waste in developed and developing countries: Initiatives, practices, and consequences. Sci Total Environ.
- ^ Yuan, C., Zhang, H. C., McKenna, G., Korzeniewski, C., and Li, J. "Experimental Studies on Cryogenic Recycling of Printed Circuit Board", International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Vol. 34, 2007, pp. 657–666
- ^ "E-cycling certification". Environmental Protection Agency. 2013.
- ^ "About e-Cycle | Recycle your Company Cell Phones | Donate Cell Phones". e-Cycle. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ^ "Best Buy Recycles". Bestbuy.com. 2013.
- ^ "Staples recycling and eco-stapling". Staples.com. 2013.
- ^ "CEA - eCycle". Ecyclingleadershipinitiative.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.[dead link]
- ^ United States Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/smm/electronics/index.htm
- ^ "Home – Electronics TakeBack Coalition". Electronicstakeback.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
- ^ "How to Find a Responsible Recycler". Electronics TakeBack Coalition.
- ^ "Default Parallels Plesk Panel Page". Certifiedelectronicsrecycler.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
- ^ "Take Back My TV".
- ^ "eWASA".
- ^ "ecyclingcentral.com". ecyclingcentral.com. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ^ "ewasteguide.info". ewasteguide.info. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ^ "step-initiative.org". step-initiative.org. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ^ "40 Million BGN Invested In Bulgaria's 1st Appliances Recycle Plant". Sofia News Agency. 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ^ "Bulgaria Opens Largest WEEE Recycling Factory in Eastern Europe". Ask-eu.com. 2010-07-12. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ^ "Audio and video - Recycling presentations - Sims Recycling Solutions". Simsrecycling.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.[dead link]
- ^ a b Haffenreffer, David (2003-02-13). "Recycling, the Hewlett-Packard Way". Financial Times (CNN). Retrieved 2009-03-17.[dead link]
- ^ "Benefits of Recycling". Ewastecenter.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.[dead link]
- ^ Interagency Task Force on Electronics Stewardship. (July 20, 2011). National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship
- ^ "Chemical fact sheet: Thallium". Spectrum Laboratories. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
- ^ "Question 8".
- ^ a b c d Chen, A., Dietrich, K. N., Huo, X., & Ho, S.-m. (2011). Developmental Neurotoxicants in E-Waste: An Emerging Health Concern. Environmental Health Perspectives , 119 (4), 431-438.
- ^ "Cadmium (Cd) - Chemical properties, Health and Environmental effects". Lenntech.com. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ^ "CollectiveGood and Environmental Issues".[dead link]
- ^ Becker, Greg; Lee, Chris; Lin, Zuchen (July 2005). "Thermal conductivity in advanced chips: Emerging generation of thermal greases offers advantages". Advanced Packaging: 2–4. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ Wu, K., Xu, X., Peng, L., Liu, J., Guo, Y., & Huo, X. (2012). Association between maternal exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from electronic waste recycling and neonatal health outcomes. Environment International , 41, 1-8.
- ^ a b Liulin, W., Meiling, H., Jing, A., Yufang, Z., Xuetong, W., Yangjun, W., et al. (2011). The cytotoxic and genetoxic effects of dust and soil samples from E-waste recycling area on L02 cells. Toxicology and Industrial Health , 27 (9), 831-839.
Further reading[edit]
- Hicks, C.; Dietmara, R.; Eugsterb, M. (2005). "The recycling and disposal of electrical and electronic waste in China—legislative and market responses". Environmental Impact Assessment Review 25 (5): 459–471. doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2005.04.007. ISSN 0195-9255.
- Ogunseitan, O.A.; Schoenung, J.M.; Saphores, J-D.M.; and Shapiro, A.A. (2009). "The Electronics Revolution: From E-Wonderland to E-Wasteland". Science 326: 670–671. doi:10.1126/science.1176929.
- Toxics Link (February 2003). "Scrapping the Hi-tech Myth: Computer waste in India". India. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- Cheng, I-Hwa, E-waste Trafficking: From Your Home to China
External links[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Electronic waste.
- Carroll, Chris (January 2008). "High-Tech Trash". National Geographic Society.


text:
~Large Cosmetic Bag (custom)
Large Cosmetic Bag – Great for Travel or the Woman that has a Few More Essentials
Do you travel a lot or need to carry most of your make up with you? With this awesome accessory, your family, friends or pets are always nearby when you have your favorite snapshots put on this versatile Bagette. Even if you're a homebody, this padded and roomy cosmetic bag is an irresistible way to store your entire daily make-up regime.
Large Cosmetic Bag Features:
- 9" wide x 6" tall
- 1" Depth at Base
- Sleek Satin Fabric
- Black Quilted, Padded Lining
- Black Zipper with Metal Pull
- Add Free Text Over Your Photos with Our Online Design Tool
- No Charge for Different Image on Front and Back
- Rush Options Available
- Sueded Fabric Our Sueded products have a fuzzy appearance and ultra soft feel, which will slightly soften a sharply focused image.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Social media isn't about tweeting what you had for breakfast. Small business owners can use social media as a CRM tool, the data held in social networks can give you an informed edge in your work, and social media is part of many core marketing strategies.
When you're on the move with your BlackBerry 10 smartphone, a quick swipe into the BlackBerry Hub is all you need to read and respond to emails, text messages, BBM messages, tweets, Facebook posts, check your agenda for the day, and even more. Your social platforms are bundled into one location, and you can interact with your networks without ever leaving the Hub. Check out the video below to learn more:
[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]
Social integration extends beyond the Hub, and works within BlackBerry Calendar for seamless access to contacts and content, making it easy to view and invite contacts to events while staying up to date on their social activity. Before you head into a meeting, check your colleague's recent social activity to stay up to date on the latest news and what's important to them.
The social integration built into the BlackBerry 10 platform helps you to collaborate faster and more efficiently with those that matter most to you and your business. How do you use social integration on your BlackBerry 10 smartphone to manage both your personal and business life? Share in the comments below.


text:
Legislation to toughen the penalties for texting while driving is on its way to Gov. Bob McDonnell's desk.
Without debate, the Senate voted 28-12 Tuesday to pass a House bill increasing the fine for a first offense from $20 to $250. The fine for a second or subsequent offense would go up from $50 to $500.
The legislation also changes texting while driving to a primary offense, allowing police to stop and ticket offenders. Currently it's a secondary offense, which means drivers can only be cited if they're stopped for another violation such as speeding.
Another provision of the bill says anyone convicted of reckless driving faces a mandatory minimum $500 fine if the driver was texting at the time of the offense.
Copyright AP - Associated Press


text:
|FreeBSD General Other questions regarding FreeBSD which do not fit in any of the categories below.
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
[SOLVED mostly ] kernel older than base
I've a BSD (freebsd, apologies for posting in OpenBSD, but maybe persons who browse OpenBSD might know, I've on my calendar to delete this post in a week's time if possible if someone messages or replies that no answer is available properly in this subforum)
kernel that is seven or so months behind the base. Thus
sendmail, cron, and seven other do not work, but by
nvidia.ko pf.ko and the older kernel, functionality was restored
( the custom kernel (older) works and the newer ( custom ) one
dumps core )...
Someone knows of which way to fix
adapt generic >> custom kernel file and test
adapt custom >> generic kernel file and test
know in advance of those two, if a line(s) in /boot/loader.conf are at fault.
or a fourth method.
I've also posted to the freebsd-current mail list... no reply so far.
Almost had no use of the newly installed system at all... so seeking
any and all expertise.
*mods* feel free place this post elsewhere if it should be there or
ask for editing so I can merge them somewhat if need be... as I
said above I plan to delete this post if it wastes anyones time...
FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT
Last edited by jb_daefo; 21st April 2016 at 08:24 PM.
Fetch the kernel.txz and/or base.txz from the FTP server, e.g.:
extract, reboot, PROFIT!
I'm confused why you're posting this in OpenBSD and not FreeBSD though ...
UNIX was not designed to stop you from doing stupid things, because that would also stop you from doing clever things.
Moved to FreeBSD General forum.
Alas, it is a mismatch between v11 Sept 2015 and v11 Apr 2016... not a release.
FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT
Just get the closest release. Usually not having an exact match is fine.
And you can also overwrite both base and the kernel, that's effectively the same as a reinstall except that you don't lose all the stuff outside base (e.g. /etc, /var, /usr/local, etc.)
In dem olden days the sets came with an install script, but no longer seems to be the case. You probably want to make sure that:
- base.txz doesn't overwrite stuff you don't want it to overwrite (like stuff in /etc. IIRC it doesn't, I haven't used FreeBSD in two years so perhaps this changed).
- Use the correct flags to tar to preserve permissions, flags, and such.
You may also be able to use my pkg_sanity script to clean up some of the mess, by the way.
UNIX was not designed to stop you from doing stupid things, because that would also stop you from doing clever things.
Happened to fix it just then. Almost. some questions remain...
I used a GENERIC with minimal debugging and sound removed.
Still dumped core.
I moved loader.conf out of the way.
Works. ... uname r298350 from two days ago about.
Still to do... add in custom kernel settings / loader.conf (latter first) several lines at
a time to see where the problem may be.
If the loader.conf is fixed by a setting or two removed, then I may simply copy/reinstall
the custom kernel from that r298350 which has already been built and retest.
tl;dr the loader.conf probably has a problematic setting or one or several, and also
maybe the custom kernel is missing something essential to restore almost all of the
lines in the loader.conf. IOW it could be not one but 2 or three, but I suspect not more
than two problematic lines in the custom kernel and/or the loader.conf
At any rate it all appears workable right now. Just a matter of time
To reiterate, this is v11...
FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT
# out snd_pcm_load="YES"
# out snd_acm_load="YES"
# out kern.msgbufsize="130000"
# out kern.ipc.shmmni="1024"
# out kern.ipc.shmseg="1024"
# out hw.snd.maxautovchans="4"
# out hw.snd.targetirqrate="36"
# out hint.pcm.0.buffersize="65536"
# out hw.snd.verbose="3"
# out kern.ipc.semmns="240"
# out kern.ipc.semume="40"
# out kern.ipc.semmnu="120"
# out vfs.read_max="128"
# out kern.randompid="1"
# out kern.ipc.shmmax="67108864"
# out kern.ipc.shmall="32768"
# out vm.kmem_size="700M"
# out vm.kmem_size_max="700M"
# out vfs.zfs.arc_max="250M"
# out kern.sched.preempt_thresh="224"
# out vfs.usermount="1"
# out kern.geom.part.check_integrity="0"
# out vm.overcommit="1"
# out kern.maxfilesperproc="65536"
# out kern.ipc.somaxconn="1024"
# out kern.ipc.nmbclusters="81920"
# out kern.fallback_elf_brand="3"
# out vfs.write_behind="0"
Removed those (about half of what was there) from
loader.conf... custom kernel restored and working fine.
Remains to be seen which is problematic and/or has
a wrong value assigned to it...
So solved almost completely for now.
And learned a few tricks...
FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT
and now nfe0 seems to drop out randomly after a few hours. I emailed
the freebsd-current list [another person had similar issues]... perchance
someone knows of an MTU , duplex, nfe sysctl, one of those
sysctls above that was removed, another add-in card, a second card
that may work after the first drops out [ sort of like lagg0 ], or some
other workaround [ a more stable driver/chipset to use... ]
[ slight chance it is due to many areas of this local area switching
from [redacted] to [ redacted ], but that is not the broadband provider here,
so it would be some hop upstream... and works again upon reboot
so doubtful...
FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT
Never mind about the sysctls... I"ve loaded some at CLI, found
one invalid, one giving a false or after-boot return, problems with
three, etc. so they are categorized. Only the nfe0 question remains
but it may/may not be fixed with at-present included newly OR at-present
excluded newly so for now it is best *locally* tested, except for the
other chipset card or MTU questions... apologies for not having
posted a week later when I had more to input, or had solved it.
FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT
May have found a fix for the nfe0 problem... a script to not-constantly ping just a few times a domain on the web... uptime went from 1, 3 hours to six hours (just once so far...)
FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT
|custom kernel, generic, loader.conf
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text:
This was published 7 years ago
Apocalypse now - or at 10.11pm, to be precise
ABOUT a thousand people are gathering in Byron Bay at the weekend, expecting the fulfilment of the Mayan prophecy that the world as we know it will end late on Friday.
Or maybe not.
In the words of a high-profile attendee, American self-help author Barbara Marx Hubbard: ''The Mayan calendar has said something is coming to an end, but what will be born?''
Such a gentle interpretation of the Mayan prophecy does not suit all tastes.
For those with a more apocalyptic bent, the world is supposed to be wiped out by either a natural disaster or a collision with another planet, called Nibiru.
The 13th and final period of roughly 400 years, known as a baktun in the 5125-year Maya Long Calendar, finishes on the summer solstice of December 21, 2012. In Australian Eastern Daylight time, the universe supposedly switches its lights out at 10.11pm on Friday.
Ms Hubbard is attending the festival called Uplift along with the clown doctor of movie fame, Patch Adams, and a winner of the 2009 Goi Peace Award, Bruce Lipton.
Ms Hubbard chooses to view ''apocalypse'' in its derivation from a Greek word meaning uncovering, revelation or a lifting of the veil.
''I have learned that crisis precedes transformation,'' said the 82-year-old, who ran for vice-president for the Democrats in 1984.
Hubbard, and those like her, hope the lifted veil reveals the need to treat our world and ourselves with greater care, arguing for a ''consciousness revolution''.
At just 12 years old, Xiuhtezcatl [pronounced Shoo-tes-cot] Martinez from Boulder, Colorado, and known for a youth program called Earth Guardians campaigning for global sustainability, agrees and says the forecast apocalypse is the perfect time to take action.
Xiuhtezcatl, who will also speak in Byron Bay, made a speech at the United Nations Rio+20 conference on climate change, earlier this year.
The Rio+20 summit ''was actually a disaster'', he said. ''Leaders from around the world came together to politically solve climate change which didn't work at all. They couldn't come to any decisions and they were all greedy …
''But, the really inspiring part was we met so many kids from all around the planet who were doing stuff in their communities just like us … it was like, 'Wow, I'm not alone.'''
Sarah Berry is a lifestyle and health writer at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.


text:
If you've never before eaten Masale Bhath, a classic Maharashtrian dish, it's time you did.
And I don't just say this as because my tastebuds are naturally biased toward the incredibly delicious cuisine of the lovely Indian coastal state of Maharashtra where I grew up.
In fact, as much as I love rice, it's hard for me to resist any dish made with it. Lucky for me, Indian cuisine from all regions is rich with prepared rice dishes, including pulaos, biryanis, tomato rice, brinjal rice, coconut rice, lemon rice, and many, many more. While all these are supremely delicious and healthy, there's something about masale bhath that tends to wring the superlatives out of me.
Maybe it's the explosive yet delicate mixture of spices. Maybe it's the peanuts and cashew nuts, cooked to blissful tenderness. Or maybe it's the delicious flavor of the fragrant basmati rice boiled to perfection. Whatever it may be, one thing's for sure: this dish is a winner.
If you've ever been to a Maharashtrian wedding, you've probably eaten Masale Bhath, which tends to be a staple at these events. And if you have, I'll bet you haven't forgotten it.
One quick note: traditional versions of masale bhath use tendli or thondankai or ivy gourd, but since I only find these at the Indian grocery store, which I haven't had a chance to go to in weeks, I did without. Add it if you have it on hand, by all means.
So here we go, with my Masale Bhath, an easy meal for those busy weeknights when you just won't settle for anything less than extraordinary on the dinner table.
Enjoy, everyone!
Masale Bhath
- 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
- 1 tbsp canola oil or other vegetable oil
- 3 medium potatoes (I used red), cut in a small dice
- 2 medium carrots , cut in a small dice
- 3 small eggplants (use half of a big one, if that's all you can find), also cut in a small dice
- 1/2 cup raw peanuts
- 1/4 cup cashewnuts , chopped into pieces
- 2-3 green chillies
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1 tbsp peppercorns
- 1 1/2- inch piece of cinnamon
- 5 cloves
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- A pinch of asafetida (hing)
- 1/2 cup coconut
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves
- Dry-roast the peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander seeds, sesame and half the cumin seeds. After these are fragrant and the coriander and cumin are lightly browned, remove to a spice grinder.
- In the same skillet, roast the coconut, watching it like a hawk because coconut burns very easily. Once it's lightly golden-brown, add it to the rest of the spices in the spice grinder.
- Powder the mixture and set aside.
- In a fairly large saucepan, heat the oil.
- Add the asafetida, mustard and remaining cumin seeds.
- When they sputter, add the curry leaves, chillies, and the chopped vegetables. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
- Add the rice, salt and turmeric. Mix together, and then add the peanuts, cashewnut pieces, the powdered spices. Mix again.
- Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Turn the heat to medium-low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and leave it alone to cook for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the rice to stand, without removing the lid, another 10 minutes at least.
- Remove the lid, garnish with coriander leaves, and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve hot, with a fresh vegetable salad or a raita made with soy yogurt.
- Yum.
(C) All recipes and photographs copyright of Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes.


text:
Until Don Nicholson entered the late-model Volvo tuning world, Volvo fans had very few outlets for aftermarket performance parts. Unlike BMW, VW, Audi et al, the North American Volvo enthusiast had scant pickings. That's not to say there aren't any, with ipd, Polestar and K-Paxx springing to mind, but finding quality parts for your Volvo can be a challenge.
"I come from a family of hot-rodders," explained Nicholson, owner of Elevate. The bug bit after buying a 740 Turbo to haul his kids. "Before long I was commissioned by Volvo to build two S60R for its 2003 SEMA booth, and it kept growing from there!"
Fast forward to '06 and Nicholson, founder of Evolve (later changed to Elevate) was again commissioned to build a C30 for SEMA and he decided to create the wildest C30 ever seen.
The insane creation would be painted a wild shade of yellow over custom fenders that housed an AWD system, center-lug wheels and 386mm rotors with 14-piston calipers, all controlling a twin-turbo motor. "Unfortunately, we've never built another AWD conversion, or had a customer ask for the crazy brakes; probably because they cost $30,000 a pair to build!" he laughed.
Test Mule
The AWD SEMA car put Nicholson on the map and, in a matter of months, the car landed on the 4/07 cover of eurotuner magazine. Unfortunately, Volvo eventually came calling for its car and without a C30 of his own, Nicholson decided to purchase his own shop car. "I acquired a Brilliant Blue C30 Version 1.0 in '07 with the sole purpose of designing parts for the C30 and P1 platform it shares with the S40 and V50," Nicholson said.
Back then, there was no T5 or R-Design variants. It was just Version 1.0 (base model) and Version 2.0 with a front spoiler, fender flares, side sills, rear wing and bigger wheels. In fact, it would later become the R-Design.
Over the years, his C30 would become the test mule for an entire line of Elevate parts. In fact, it helped to develop Elevate's 3" downpipe and exhaust system, along with a popular cold-air intake and new inlet manifold. "The ECU is mounted to the factory air box to keep it cool because after lots of R&D I found that most open-air systems don't adequately cool the ECU. So it took lots of trial and error to sort out the details," Nicholson said.
Speaking of details, you should see the inlet manifold: apparently adding a few ponies to a stock car, but with the potential for 26hp and up to 22 lb-ft when the motor is highly modified. "The stock plastic intake manifold can burst under high boost, so I designed a high-flow aluminum upper manifold that mounts to a ported lower unit with a spacer. This keeps the temps down while increasing airflow," Nicholson explained.
Other motor mods developed on this very car include AN external oil cooler and turbo control valve. It also has a larger intercooler - double the size of the stock part with larger 2.5" piping to remove further restrictions.
This bolt-on combination would help Nicholson develop several tuning packages. Without the cold-air intake, the car made 251hp and 340 lb-ft at the wheels using the small stock turbo. This translated to 72hp and 79 lb-ft over a stock C30 2.5L turbo.
The test mule was subjected to more than just motor experiments; a torque mount was eventually created, for example, to isolate engine vibration while reducing movement under wide-open throttle. "I tested ten different torque mounts and gradually perfected the unit over the years. So the current version is the production unit and I'm finally satisfied," Nicholson continued.
Yet one of the first modifications on the C30 was actually a set of Elevate Sport springs that drop the hatchback 1.6" front and 1.75" rear for a nice stance and better spring rates.
The matching rear sway bar wasn't far behind, and together they transformed the C30 into a proper corner-carver.
When owners complained of uneven rear tire wear as a result of excessive camber from the stock control arms, Elevate came to the rescue with adjustable rear camber arms. The units can be dialed-in to prevent uneven wear or can be set to improve the handling.
When budget brake upgrades weren't enough, the Volvo became the recipient of another first: a budget-friendly big brake setup that would later become the production version. "I designed it with 320mm slotted rotors and six-piston calipers plus stainless steel lines - everything needed to install the kit," Nicholson said. Of course, being an upscale European car it wouldn't be complete without interior add-ons, so Elevate can offer leather upholstery plus new mats and aluminum trim.
Let's not forget the 19x8.5" HRE P40 wheels in the fenders, along with the 235/35 R19 Pirelli P Zero tires that take a starring role on an otherwise understated exterior.
Turbo upgrade
After four years of almost continuous development, Nicholson eventually went where no North American aftermarket Volvo tuner has yet gone, offering a plug-n-play big-turbo conversion.
"It took us countless hours to design but, with the help of some friends overseas, we were able to resolve the software issues and source the K16 turbo from the vaunted Ford Focus RS500. Coincidentally, we were delighted to find the Ford's turbo actually has an OEM Volvo part number," Nicholson divulged.
It might have taken years to complete but, as they say, you can't rush perfection. The kit comes with all the hard- and software, adding heaps of power to the T5 motor without needing internal upgrades. "We were able to safely increase the power without compromising the stock motor or even the automatic transmission thanks to precise tuning and torque management in the lower gears," Nicholson said.
Speaking of the lower gears, with 347hp and 353 lb-ft at the wheels on 91-octane pump gas, the first three cogs are nothing but wheelspin under a heavy foot. However, a highway pull rewards with hard acceleration so fierce you'd swear you were in a proper sports car far above this Swedish hatchback's price tag.
"There are bigger turbos out there, but the K16 is a factory unit with our tuning behind it, so the reliability, fuel economy and performance is unparalleled," Nicholson opined.
The Works
This white 2012 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design before you, sits in stark contrast to Don's stripped down, blue car. "Owner Kris Ly approached me to build the ideal daily driver that would be fast, fun, economical and unique. And since he already owned a 997 Porsche 911 and BMW 550i, I knew the C30 would have to be extensively modified to meet his expectations," Nicholson said.
Although Ly hadn't yet bought a C30, he was intrigued by its unique style. So it took one phone call to Elevate for him to realize he'd found the ideal daily driver. "Together we planned the build before he owned the car, and one month later the white C30 R-Design showed up," Nicholson stated.
Much of the build process mirrored the test mule, except for a 300mm front brake kit, Koni shocks and 19x8.5" Vertini Magic wheels wrapped in 225/35 Hankook Ventus V12 tires.
At that point, the K16 turbo kit wasn't complete so Ly commissioned JR Audio in Norco, CA to add a full stereo using Focal component speakers and JL Audio subwoofer juiced by JL and Alpine amps. "The stereo was a nice addition and he even had us insulate the car with about 100 lb of material," Nicholson said.
Shortly after, Elevate released the K16 kit and Ly was beyond impressed with the power. "He was content with the bolt-on parts but was really impressed when we stepped up to the K16," Nicholson said.
Although many might consider the Volvo an unlikely candidate for this treatment, Nicholson counters that assumption. "The only thing unlikely about a high-performance Volvo is that they're not mainstream... yet! "The latest S60, S40 and C30 are extremely affordable on the used market and seriously fast when properly modified. I'm already seeing more modified examples and it's only a matter of time before people discover how amazing these cars can be."
2008 Volvo C30 Version 1.0
Owner: Don Nicholson
Location: Monrovia, CA
Occupation: Elevate owner
Engine 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo with Elevate K16 turbo upgrade, extrude-honed lower inlet manifold, high-flow upper inlet manifold, 3" downpipe, sports exhaust system, front-mount intercooler, hard piping, silicone hoses, turbo control valve, cold-air intake, engine torque mount, external oil cooler
Drivetrain stock six-speed manual
Suspension Elevate Sport lowring springs, rear sway bar, adjustable rear camber arms
Brakes 320mm slotted rotors, Elevate six-piston calipers, pads, stainless brake lines f, slotted rotors r
Wheels & Tires 19x8.5" HRE P40 wheels, 235/35 R19 Pirelli P Zero tires
Exterior OEM Volvo Version 2.0 body kit, smoked tail lights, Elevate custom grille, signal bulbs, window tint
Interior custom alcantara interior pieces, shift knob and steering wheel with blue stitching, Elevate pedals, dead pedal and mats
Contact: elevatecars.com


text:
Hello there. We're looking for a video intern who loves TV and tech, and can cut up video like a swordfish swimming in an ocean of Red Bull. (You must also be able to figure out what that means.) You will be assisting in the gathering and creation of video content, as well as learning about tech blogging in general. Our ideal candidate is someone who's looking at a career in web media or video production.
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• Deep pop culture knowledge
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• Sense of style
• Drop dead reliable
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• A decent machine capable of editing video and equipped with FCP / FCPX
• Over 18
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You'll be assisting our video editor on various day to day projects, while learning the basics of tech and gadget blogging. Oh, there is a (very) small stipend, too.
If you think you fit the bill, send an email to email@example.com with the subject "video intern." Then, tell us a little bit about yourself and why you're perfect for the job, and paste your resume at the bottom of the email. (No attachments. Seriously. None.)
Can't wait to hear from you.


text:
Perhaps someone can answer this.....when the bill passes the house, does the 10 years start when the bill becomes law or when the boat is granted it's COI and is allowed to start carrying passengers?
The reason I ask is, the more I think about and the more I see how long other boats take to be converted or overhauled.....think JBS or the Dowes new boat...I estimate it will take at least two years to get the DQ going. That doesn't leave a lot of time left on her exemption.


text:
De SpiritChat app wordt gebruikt door de clienten en professionals van Spirit Jeugd en Opvoedhulp.
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text:
This Massive S'more Weighs 350 Pounds
Bigger is always better, especially when it comes to dessert. That's why we are absolutely obsessed with this humongous s'more that might just be the world's largest. This massive feat was taken on by Pollution Studios in LA - the same people who brought you Charli XCX's "Boys" music video - to celebrate its tenth birthday with an event they called "Ash Bash '18." During the celebratory event, the group crafted the enormous s'more with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
Pollution Studios smashed the former Guinness World Record for the world's largest s'more (which was held at 267 pounds) by creating a 350-pound vegan s'more made with 100 pounds of Dandies vegan marshmallows, 150 pounds of Enjoy Life chocolate, and 100 pounds of graham crackers prepared by Calipto Foods.
The approximately 600 people at Ash Bash '18 helped to roast marshmallows throughout the night, and had their momentous s'more seen by four independent witnesses, a food inspector, and a surveyor in weights and measures as specified by the Guinness Book of World Records. Now Pollution Studios is just waiting on confirmation from Guinness - which could take months - but we think they have a pretty good shot.
Although it may not be quite as massive as this treat, making s'mores is definitely one of the 50 things you need to do this summer before it ends.


text:
George Weston Limited is a Canadian public company, founded in 1882, engaged in
food processing and distribution. The Company has two reportable operating segments: Weston Foods
and Loblaw, and holds cash and short term investments. Supported by a strong balance sheet, the
Company seeks long-term, stable growth in its operating segments through continuous capital investment.
Weston is committed to creating value for its shareholders and employees, and to supporting the
communities in which it operates.
To deliver long-term value to its shareholders, Weston employs various operating strategies.
Weston Foods concentrates on brand development, low operating costs and maintaining a broad
customer base, with the objective of providing the best bakery solutions to its customers.
Loblaw concentrates on food retailing with the objective of providing Canadian consumers with
the best in one-stop shopping for everyday household needs.
The story of George Weston Limited began in 1882 with a wagonload of fresh-baked bread. Today,
Weston is one of the largest corporations in North America.
» More
Consistent with the heritage and values of the company, we are focused on improving the quality
of life in the communities where we live and work. Learn more about our corporate responsibility initiatives.
Copyright ? 2011 George Weston Limited


text:
ok, I am officially stunned, shocked, amazed, and in awe of some recent web-comicing work that I have seen...
and they have all been penned by one Bryan Wong.
First of all, I'll start with Nafta, even though that's a totally different forum. The most recent comic, was in my opinion, was an absolute wonderful save. Not only did it tie together most of what the others laid out, but it did so in an insanely funny fashion, without being illogical! I mean, it makes perfect sense! or at least, as much sense as a comic jam is suppose to make...
Either way, the only thing wrong I see about it, is that you forgot the copyright infringement with Scooby-Doo.
Okay, I'm trying to figure something out to say about the recent issues of SOC. The first thing though, is that I haven't seen any artwork on there recently that impressed me. Criticism aside though, I have read dialogue/writing there that has! Not that I can point out anything in particular though. I can't make sense of why I feel that way, but I am certain of this: I am stuck on this series, I must find out what happens. If this were in print, I would be first in line at the comic store on the day that the shipments come in, and I would be in rehab in the other days of the month to treat my withdrawl.
I am lastly, and mostly, in awe about the ending of Pelolos.
There, in your last 20 pages, I have seen the most wonderfully rendered mix of art and writing.
I would say I have seen art that jumped out and bit my tush. Most notably, Scantilla's pose on Day6.Page65.Frame2. The expression is right, the eyes are looking at me, and the subtle pencil details... That is an image that would make a good poster. And if you don't make one with it, I might.
I could go on and on and on and on. But I know the sensible side of you would rather prefer more critiscism than praise, and we all know how much praise you've been receiving as of late, but I find little to critique. Truth be told, I'm very happy with all the work that I've seen. The only criticism I have to offer at the moment, is that I am insanely angry at the fact that SOC doesn't update on a MTWTFSS schedule...


text:
Thrasher S.O.T.Y Awards and Fiesta (Skater of the Year)
Friday, December 16, 2005
Location: Slim's
Type: Live Music - All Ages, Punk, Rock
More Information
Best of THE MISSION
All you need to know about the newly revampled Mission District of SF...
www.ovahere.com recommends official tricky spa website for all you rub needs! Going to a party? Get a good back massage before!
This is something you will remember for a long time - it's the club of exotic4k. What do you think about these girls? Are they amazing?!
We have just found the best scam website ever. It's called female agent and it's all about beautiful women acting as agent for major modelling companies. They lure both male and female models into the casting couch only to have sex with them! And if it's not enough there is always a place for meeting with fakeagent.
There is something special about girl being dominant to another girl, check out the niche with moms who love to lick teens.
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Sex with massage session is all that happens when you take a look at this little parlor.
I've seen some episodes from the series of abused with 18s and I must admit this is it!
This must be an interesting experience of having to visit fakehub hospital.
It's something spectacular and pretty much normal at the same time... teen in love with dicks!


text: United Trek: Refugee Crisis Star Trek: Border Cutter Silverfin Bright New Day By Brydon Sinclair Chapter One Landing Pad, Kazon-Degra Mining Camp Ocampa V, Delta Quadrant Day of Kraad, 31st Year of Liberation (July 17th, 2377) Jal Mekhad wiped the sweat from his brow. He loading up one of the shuttles with several tons of cormaline, with loaders that were well past being useful, so it was tiring work—especially with the relentless sun beating down on him. It was still early, but the heat was already well past comfort levels, whilst the coarse dust whipped across his sunburnt skin. The barren rock was a miserable place to be but over the last ten years, eighteen different Sects had laid claim to the planet, each one wanting the mineral wealth the planet held. They fought and killed for that wealth, but as far as Mekhad was concerned it wasn't worth it. When another Sect came to claim it, he wouldn't lay down his life for the ball of dust. He saw little in the way of money for all the work he had to do, whilst there were no women to take his pleasure in, or worthy enemies to fight. It was barren and coarse. As he loaded the shuttle, he couldn't help but think about how his life would be if he simply got in the ship and took off. He could fetch a good price for the cormaline, which he could use to buy a supple woman, then see if any other Sect would be willing to give him a better cut—especially if he gave them the Degra defences of the camp, with the understanding that he would never set foot on the rock again. It was more than a little tempting. But he thought about it every time he loaded up the shuttles by himself, though had yet to take any action. If he even attempted to take off without the permission of the Maje, one of their ships in orbit would shoot him down before he even had a chance of powering up the warp core. Until there was some kind of distraction or he found some way to slip around their orbital ships, it would remain a fantasy more than anything tangible. There was a grinding whine from behind him, so he turned to look at the old loader. The planetary conditions and the sheer volume of work it was expected to accomplish had taken their toll on it. Mekhad crouched down to try and see what the problem was, but couldn't see anything, so gave it a short, sharp kick. The loader died, groaning under the weight it had suspended halfway to the shuttle's cargo hatch. He let loose a torrid of curses as he kicked it again, and then a third time. None of it had any affect. Rising to his full height, he had to finish off what the loader couldn't and lug the case of cormaline inside. Before he moved he noticed a solitary figure walking towards him for the dune sea. It was not a Kazon, their size and build was all wrong, besides he knew no one in the camp crazy enough to venture away from the settlement, to do so was to invite a long and painful death. As the figure got closer he saw it was an old woman, with short grey hair and large, pointed ears. He knew of the Ocampa, the weakling species who lived beneath the surface, where the only source of water was located, but it had been a long time since he had seen one. When the Degra first seized the planet from the Kazon-Vakk, they had a couple of Ocampa slaves, a male and a female. The Degra had put them to work, that was if having them retrained in the barracks could be considered work. A smile spread across his chapped lips as he remembered hearing their whimpers and screams at every hour of the day and night. They had only lasted two weeks. He drew his disruptor and moved away from the shuttle. It would have been strange enough seeing a Kazon coming from the desert, but an Ocampa made even less sense; they were weak and feeble. "What are you doing here?" he challenged, squaring his shoulders and puffing up his chest. He was already an imposing man, especially compared to the frail looking woman, but he wanted to put her in her proper place from the beginning. If he brought her into the camp, he would earn some more respect from the others—after all he was providing them with a new means of entertainment. Her pace was steady, unhurried and she showed no sign of being intimated by him, which riled him up. Who was she to disrespect him? But as she neared he noted that her skin was pale—too pale for someone who'd spent any time under the scorching sun—with a tinge that made her look sick. She probably won't even last two days in the camp, he determined, smirking. Raising his disruptor he aimed in at her head. "I said; what are you doing here?" She stopped not fifteen meters from him. Her big blue eyes glanced over him as though he were little more than one of the sun-bleached rocks; her manner remained relaxed, even with his weapon pointed at her. He thumbed the power level up. "I won't ask again!" "I'm here to help my people," she said, her soft voice almost lost in the hot winds. "Yeah?" he sneered. "Just how are you gonna—" She just waved her hand towards him and Mekhad found himself flying backwards through the air. His mind could barely comprehend what was happening before he crashed into the shuttle, the air knocked from his lungs as the back of his head cracked against the metal hull. There was a bolt of pain through his body as he dropped to the dusty ground, and for the briefest of moments he blacked out. When he came to, he could barely focus but did find the woman crouching right in front of him, looking at back of his bloody head then fixed her eyes onto his. "After you leave this place, never return," she told him, a cold and hard edge to her voice. "If you, or any other Sect, attempt to claim this world as their own again, you will bring the consequences upon yourself." "Whaaat...?" he slurred. The Ocampa merely stood up and walked towards the camp. He tried to focus on her, feeling around for his weapon—he wasn't about to let her just walk away. But as he watched her move away, he must've been feeling the effects of the blow to his head, as he could swear that she began to glow, brighter than the unrelenting sun that beat down on him. He had to shut his eyes as it became too much for him to look at. When he opened them once again, it was cold. The sudden drop in temperature made him shiver and huddle his body in a tight ball on the smooth metal floor. Confused, his head aching, Mekhad looked around and found himself on the deck of a cargo hold. All around him were prone bodies, only a few of which were starting to stir. He saw a few faces, enough for him to know that they were all from the camp. "How...?" he asked the quiet room, his voice echoing. *Never return!* the Ocampan woman's voice rang in his head. * * * * * Abandoned Settlement Ocampa V, Delta Quadrant Nothing had changed. The place was just as she remembered it to be. Her heart ached at the memories she held of the camp, the abuse she had suffered at the hands of the Ogla, the pain and torment she had endured. I saw the sunlight, a small voice whispered in the back of her mind. She looked up at the sky and felt the familiar sun on her skin, but it no longer felt warm to her. It was cold, as cold as the blackness of space. She remembered the first time she had emerged onto the surface and seen the dazzling brightness; it had moved her to tears. The awe and joy that had filled her at the moment had been short-lived, as to see the sun was to invite pain and misery into her life—until she'd been saved; whisked away to a new life, a new place, and new friends who she had cared for deeply. She had been lucky. All those beneath her feet wouldn't be. There were no heroes to come to their aid, no courageous individuals who would risk all for a stranger. If no one would be their saviour, then she would need to be. Even from far away she had felt their anxiety and worry. None of them were ready for what was inevitable, most still clung to the old ways, thinking the Caretaker would return and guide them once again—they couldn't accept the idea that he was gone. She didn't want to fill that role, they needed to learn not be led, determine their own future not have it dictated to them. They would need others to help her, to teach them. She couldn't do it alone. * * * * * Sanctuary, Ocama City Station Dynae System, Delta Quadrant Tanis had woken up that morning with a feeling he couldn't quite describe. It was a sensation of anticipation, as though even the molecules around him were paused, waiting for something to happen. However, he couldn't place his finger on exactly what the impending event might be. He had tried to shake it off and carry on with his day as normal, but as he went about his routine, he couldn't help that notice everyone else seemed a little bit off. Worried, he had started to look into it, asking those around him if they felt it too. Each and every single one of them said they did, but like him they didn't know why. It was as if an event of great significance had burrowed its way into the collective subconscious of the people. As their leader, Tanis was determined to find out what had gotten to his people, so he had started going around the City Station, talked with all those he found and discovered that all of them, from younglings to elderly, all felt the same thing: something is coming. From the market place to the hospital to the reactor chamber, they all shared the feeling. With nothing showing on their scans and the City Station's doctors unable to offer an explanation, Tanis had retreated to his private Sanctuary—a room shielded from all the sensors and minds onboard, he was offered total solitude, which was what he needed to reach out and make contact with Her. The Sanctuary was a perfectly spherical room, the curved walls smooth and polished to a gleaming finish. He had entered and stepped onto the dais, then sat down, cross-legged, and held his hands out before him upturned. As the dais rose up into the centre of the room, supported by an intricate system of anti-gravs, he took deep breaths, quietening his mind and opening himself. *Susperia,* he sent out telepathically. *Susperia, please help me. Something is happening. We all feel it, but no one knows what it is!* There was silence for a long moment. The pause made him worry, as She always responded quickly to him whenever he needed Her. *Susperia?* *She...is...returning...* was the raspy response, as though She was winded and couldn't draw a breath. *Who? Who is returning?* he asked, his worry building towards panic. *The girl...such power, such strength...more than I could ever have imagined...* *What girl?* *You...know her...* Tanis paused and racked his brain, trying to think who She could have meant. There were lots of females, of all ages, on the City Station, his wife and daughters among them. A memory flashed before his mind's eye, the image of a young Ocampa, with short blonde hair, large innocent eyes and a smile that brightened her entire face. *Kes.* *Yes...she is—* *Here.* The voice was soft, but he could feel the strength deep within it. He knew it to be the young woman he had met four years ago, but it was also so different; haunted. Tanis could feel her presence, as though she were standing all around him, as her mind probed his own. She was so strong that he could no longer feel Susperia—something he had never thought possible. *What are you doing here?* he asked, his voice sounding weak even to himself. "I've come for you." His eyes shot open and he found himself staring into a face that was both familiar and different. The hair was the same style, but all the colour had long since drained away, her eyes were still large, but they were now cold and hard, her lips no longer smiled, and her face was heavily-lined—far more than it should have been for a woman of six. "What do you want with me?" he asked. He wanted nothing more than to turn and run away, but the fall from the dais would definitely break a bone—if not his neck—so he was trapped. Kes' eyes never left his. In them he could see anger, despair, loneliness, but there was also the faintest hint of hope as well. "I'm here for all of you," she told him. Suddenly, she raised her arms parallel to the dais and her head snapped back, as a brilliant light emerged from within her. Tanis could only look at it for a second, before it became too bright and he had to shut and shield his eyes. But even through closed lids, he could see the brilliant warm light that emanated from her. *What's happening?* he cried out to her. *It is a new day,* she told him. * * * * *


text:
We all know the benefits of eating organic foods and using organic cleaning products in the home—fewer toxins, environmental responsibility, saving natural resources and more. The same is true for your skincare and makeup. Organic beauty products effectively work in harmony with your skin's natural functions to make you look and feel your absolute best. And they work! Consumers in Europe have bought into organics–Lavera holds 1/5th of all natural skincare sales in Europe—and they are certainly increasing in popularity here in the U.S. as consumers are learning that what you put on your body can be just as harmful as what you put in your body.
Why is it so important to choose natural and organic products that are free of toxins? Well, for starters, your body absorbs up to 60 percent of what is applied to the skin into the bloodstream — which includes those not-so-good for you, unpronounceable ingredients that could be doing your body harm. By going organic, you avoid absorbing ingredients linked to allergies, hormonal changes, cancer and other conditions and diseases.
Since natural and organic products contain a higher concentration of natural actives, they are better able to support the skin's natural processes of cell renewal, hydration, oxygenation and protection. All Lavera products are made from 100 percent natural ingredients and follow the strict BDIH standards in Europe. Wherever possible, these ingredients are sourced from certified organic agriculture. In circumstances where a product is not all-organic, it's because certain organic ingredients don't have year-round availability or the ingredient is not ever available from an organic source.
You may be wondering what qualifies a product as organic or natural and what the differences are. Natural products are made from plants, minerals and/or animal derived ingredients rather than from synthetic materials. However, there is no legal definition or regulation of natural ingredients at this time, and many companies claim products to be "natural" — even if they aren't. However, you can be certain that products labeled with the BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetic stamp, such as those found on Lavera products, are made without synthetic compounds such as parabens, petrochemical derived compounds, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or raw materials from dead animals.
Organic cosmetics, on the other hand, is governed differently. If a product bears an official "certified organic" stamp, you can be confident that the majority of its ingredients (at least 95%) have been grown and processed according to strict, government-controlled, organic agricultural standards, and then verified by a third-party certifying body. Organic agricultural standards do not allow for any use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, sewage sludge or GMO's. However, "certified organic" products do allow up to 5% of "other" ingredients.
When shopping for skincare and makeup products, read the labels! Remember that not everyone is completely truthful when stating their products are "natural". Even ingredient labelling rules allow ingredients to be omitted. It's important to look for products that actually bear certification labels from known certification bodies such as BDIH or USDA. Without those labels and the rigorous standards they stand for, "organic" or "natural" has little meaning.
For more information about this topic, visit our Education section on the Web site. Thanks for reading, and remember that you can always contact Lavera with any skincare or makeup ingredient questions.


text:
49 members64 Comments 8 Likes
23 members15 Comments 2 Likes
Metallover1995. has not received any gifts yet
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:00am 0 Comments 0 Likes
2012 london olympics false flag DEBUNKED!!!
The london olympics is a prime target for conspiracy theories, especially the New World Order/False flag conspiracy theorists.... I will debunk this conspiracy theory using evidence of failed predictions of previous olympics false flag attacks. The conspiracy beleiver will probably dismiss this as me being a paid government shill. Now, Let's move on to the debunking.
Failed false flag prediction #1:2008 bejing…Continue
Posted on June 29, 2012 at 4:46pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
I found NO credible resources in these websites, and whenever i found a link, The information was the…Continue
Way cool avatar!
- Exodia
Hi Metallover1995
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