|
Schutter
on
biofuel
·
On May 2,
2008 Olivier
de Schutter,
UN new top
adviser on
food urged a
freeze on
biofuel
investment,
saying the
blind
pursuit of
the policy
is
"irresponsible".
·
The UN's new
top adviser
on food has
urged a
freeze on
biofuel
investment,
saying the
blind
pursuit of
the policy
is
"irresponsible".
·
The use of
food crops
for
alternative
sources of
energy like
ethanol is
one factor
behind the
price hike.
·
His
predecessor
in the job,
Jean
Ziegler, had
condemned
biofuels as
a "crime
against
humanity"
and called
for an
immediate
ban on their
use.
·
Calling for
a special
session of
the UN Human
Rights
Council to
discuss the
food crisis,
de Schutter
also said he
wanted to
find ways to
limit the
impact of
speculative
investments
in food
commodities
like wheat,
which had
further
driven up
prices.
Biodiesel
-
Biodiesel
is a
vegetable
oil-based
fuel that
runs in
unmodified
diesel
engines -
cars,
buses,
trucks,
construction
equipment,
boats,
generators,
and oil
home
heating
units.
-
It's
usually
made
from soy
or canola
oil,
and can
also be
made from
recycled
fryer oil.
One can
blend it
with
regular
diesel or
run 100%
biodiesel.
Benefits
1) National
security.
Since it's
made
domestically,
it reduces
our
dependence
on foreign
oil.
2) National
economy.
Using
biodiesel
keeps our
fuel buying
dollars at
home instead
of sending
it to
foreign
countries.
This reduces
our trade
deficit and
creates
jobs.
3) It's
sustainable
& non-toxic.
Face it,
we're going
to run out
of oil
eventually.
Biodiesel is
100%
renewable...
we'll never
run out of
it. And if
it gets into
your water
supply,
there's no
problem -
it's veggie
oil!
4)
Emissions.
Biodiesel is
nearly
carbon-neutral,
meaning it
contributes
almost zero
emissions to
global
warming!
Biodiesel
also
dramatically
reduces
other
emissions
fairly
dramatically.
5) Engine
life.
Studies have
shown it
reduces
engine wear
by as much
as one half,
primarily
because it
provides
excellent
lubricity.
Even a 2%
biodiesel/98%
diesel blend
will help.
6)
Drivability.
We have yet
to meet
anyone who
doesn't
notice an
immediate
smoothing of
the engine
with
biodiesel.
It just runs
quieter, and
produces
less smoke.
Acute Oral
Toxicity/Rates
-
Biodiesel
is
nontoxic.
The acute
oral LD50
(lethal
dose) is
greater
than 17.4
g/Kg body
weight. By
comparison,
table salt
(NaCL) is
nearly 10
times more
toxic.
Skin
Irritation -
Humans
-
A 24-hr.
human
patch test
indicated
that
undiluted
biodiesel
produced
very mild
irritation.
The
irritation
was less
than the
result
produced
by a 4
percent
soap and
water
solution.
Aquatic
Toxicity
-
A 96-hr.
lethal
concentration
for
bluegill
of
biodiesel
grade
methyl
esters was
greater
than 1000
mg/L.
-
Lethal
concentrations
at these
levels are
generally
deemed
“insignificant”
according
to NIOSH
(National
Institute
for
Occupational
Safety and
Health)
guidelines
in its
Registry
of the
Toxic
Effects of
Chemical
Substances.
Biodegradability
-
Biodiesel
degrades
about four
times
faster
than
petroleum
diesel.
Within 28
days, pure
biodiesel
degrades
85 to 88
percent in
water.
-
Dextrose
(a test
sugar used
as the
positive
control
when
testing
biodegradability)
degraded
at the
same rate.
Blending
biodiesel
with
diesel
fuel
accelerates
its
biodegradability.
For
example,
blends of
20 percent
biodiesel
and 80
percent
diesel
fuel
degrade
twice as
fast as #2
diesel
alone.
Flash Point
-
The flash
point of a
fuel is
defined as
the
temperature
at which
it will
ignite
when
exposed to
a spark or
flame.
-
Biodiesel’s
flash
point is
over 300°
Fahrenheit,
well above
petroleum
based
diesel
fuel’s
flash
point of
around
125°
Fahrenheit.
Testing
has shown
the flash
point of
biodiesel
blends
increases
as the
percentage
of
biodiesel
increases.
-
Therefore,
biodiesel
and blends
of
biodiesel
with
petroleum
diesel are
safer to
store,
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