Petroleum, like all fossil fuels, primarily consists of a complex mixture of molecules called hydrocarbons. Petrochemical plants convert the components of oil and gas, such as ethane, propane, and more into chemicals like ethylene, propylene, and methanol. Two of the most common petrochemical classes, olefins and aromatics, are the building blocks for plastics, industrial chemicals, agricultural
Unfortunately, many communities across the country are plagued with dirty and unsafe drinking water. One such pollutant that affects communities across North America is MTBE. The presence of MTBE in drinking water can be potentially harmful. Fortunately, testing and filtration can be done to make sure you are getting the cleanest, safest water in your
PCBs, or Polychlorinated Biphenyls, are chemicals that were developed and used in machinery and industrial production. They were also commonly used as additives in coolants as well as electrical insulators and components of various electronics from refrigerators to TVs. In the later part of the 1970s, scientists began to understand the potentially damaging effects of
VOCs, Volatile Organic Compounds, are chemicals commonly found throughout our daily lives. From paints and stains to cleaning products and objects found in and around our homes like carpeting and plastics, they can be problematic not only because of their pervasiveness, but also because prolonged exposure can cause a variety of adverse reactions.
Just like bell-bottomed pants or Paleo diets, water treatment methods tend to come in and out of vogue over the years. As new trends emerge in health, wellness, and even fashion, the ‘best’ water treatment methods and practices can also shift to align with emerging science and preferences. For example, distilled water, ionized water,
You bought the Brita, the Pur, or the generic brand water filter pitcher because your water doesn’t taste quite like you’d like. Generally speaking, this over the counter solution might work when it comes to improving water taste, however, they can provide a false sense of security regarding some common water contaminants found in drinking
According to the NRDC, 80 percent of the world’s wastewater is dumped and largely untreated back into the environment, polluting rivers, lakes and oceans. Water pollution refers to any number of contaminants not normally present in water that enter the water supply through surface water exposure in lakes and rivers. Because water
