Ethanol

[maryaz]

Minnesota ethanol producer hit with big fine for environmental violations

www.startribune.com/535/story/1581244.html

I am not pretending to understand any of this. I don't. I know that Ethanol is in many of our MDI's now. I cannot tolerate the ones that have it. Could if absolutely necessary but in HFA Atrovent could not under any circumstances.

I am sure there is a big scientific explanation why this is not harmful for people to inhale, but in my small mind, it doesn't register well when I read things like this.

I remember when I first saw the word Ethanol and had no clue what it was. The first one to speak up and post about it was Phil. I miss you Phil and will never forget you.

[John]

Good ? Mary ! How can that be good for our lungs Isn't that what there putting in gasoline

[cheryl]

I"m pretty sure it is, John. When I saw the word "ethanol", gasoline was the first thing that came to my mind.

[LindaNY]

Ethanol is alcohol and is in any alcoholic beverage and many, many medications.
The only harm would be to pregnant women and kids.

Hell, at my age I don't worry about a little tiny bit in my inhaled medications when I drink at least two glasses of wine every evening.

Here is a description.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol

Take note of this.

Because of ethanol's ease of production and its low toxicity, it finds widespread use as a solvent for substances intended for human contact or consumption, including scents, flavorings, colorings, and medicines. In chemistry it is both an essential solvent and a fundamental feedstock for the synthesis of other products.

[spike99]

To me, it sounds like this company is "probably" made a great Ethonal product during 2006/2007. What they are being fined for is "improper factory processes and improper containment of its discharges side effects" - that is normal output to make ethonal. Say what? Think of it another way.... The home Painter painted the kitchen walls really great. Great looking and like many contractors he did what was told. They did the service and got customer sign-off (as job complete). But.... they washed the paint brush and roller off in home owner's drinking water - instead of sealing the waste in plastic bags, and properly disposing of the waste. Normal waste that is created to paint the wall. He simply rinsed his brushes and ran (sort of speaking).

To me, ethanol is a safe product to use. This is assuming "the ethanol" is used for what it's made for. And, proper amounts are used. For example...., keeping below 10% in unleaded gas for our vehicles. Under 10% keeps the gas tank, its flow and intake system clean. And being ethonal, it stops any condensation in the system from freezing. 10% is a great mixture - if that engine was built for it.

To me, ethanol output (the product we use) isn't in question at this factory. Its how that company disposed of its "processing bi-products" - in order to create the ethanol. Same as if the inside house painter simply threw his paint brushes in the 10 gallon fresh water container (in the home owner's kitchen) - and did NOT tell the home owner about it.

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