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> hello, but i am sorry, maybe i am not geting the 'point'
> here? but is it really that much of a drag to spend the time
> and neutralize the solution with soda, ashes, and some other
> base before 'dumping' it out of site (and mind)? just to help
> along, how's that, this planet a bit?
My point wasn't that it's too much trouble, and you're welcome
to do it if you wish. I am just of the opinion that it's not
needed or particularly of any difference. The reason is that the
sewage effluent where you're dumping the stuff is already full of
various ions and materials, basic, organic, and otherwise, which
will quickly react with the acidic compounds in the pickle to
neutralize it just fine. It's been pointed out that pickle is
strong enough to chew up clothes. Yup. That's true. And for
the same reasons, when it hits the sewage, it can help degrade
some of that organic material just as well, neutralizing both
itself in the process, and leaving a little less degredation for
the sewage plant to do. Seems to me that neutralizing it and
then dumping it has only the net effect of adding yet more mass,
the neutralizing stuff, to the sewage flow. The nature of
pollution is complex. These same sulphate ions, in air
pollution, become disastrous as acid rain (which can be
surprisingly strongly acidic. Clouds have been measured with ph
levels similar to vinager. The effect on vegitation of those
levels of acidity isn't surprising) . But once back on the
ground in the municipal sewage lines (not in the mountain streams
and groundwater) they have little effect. Please remember that
I said it's probably OK to just dump it with the provision that
your dumping into municipal sewage which will go to a treatment
plant. My reasoning is stated above. DON'T just dump this into
your septic tank or into rain water runoff drains or the like,
which will not guarantee neutralization.
Ans someone else noted that after I pointed out that there isn't
much copper in the pickle, that checking the bottle on the copper
sulphate crystals it is found to kill fish, I also agree. But
the whole point is that your NOT adding a while bunch of copper
sulphate when you dump pickle that has turned very slightly blue.
If you dump that container of copper sulphate into your septic
tank, you're not only gonna make a big difference to your septic
tank for the worse, but those downstream fish will be unhappy.
Pickle, however, has such a tiny amount of copper, despite what
you may imagine from what can plate out when your binding wire is
still on the piece, that the effect on the water supply is
virtually nil. It's a matter of degree here. Yes, if everyone,
industry included, dumps this stuff, it makes a difference.
You're little pint of used pickle every six months will not. Do
remember as well that copper, like sulphate ions, are normally
occuring in natural waters as well. Indeed, some small levels of
copper are required nutrients for us, and most other animals.
Again, pollution is a complex issue. Some metals in the
environment are completely harmless. Iron, for one. Worst it
can do is stain a few things, and it's already a very, very
common material in the environment. Anywhere you see reddish
rocks you're seeing iron, after all. Copper too, isn't all that
rare, and is readily taken up by the system without harm, so long
as concentrations are not high. But you want to dump some really
heavy metals, like mercury compounds? or larger amounts of
copper? Or organo-phosphates, dioxins, pcbs, or steady hundred
gallons per day flows of used pickle compounds from your steel
mill, or anything else that substantially upsets the balances
the need to exist in natural systems, then of course you run into
trouble. I'm not advocating that people do anything harmful or
careless with the environment. On the contrary, I'm personally
quite actively a supporter of environmental concerns, and do as
much as I can in my own life to promote those interests and
practices of benefit to the environment. All I'm saying is
that putting lots of energy and effort into avoiding things which
do not actually have any real effect is a waste of precious
energy and time. If you REALLY wish to take steps to improve the
environment, then don't worry so much about your pickle, and
instead work on recycling more of your trash, ride a bicycle or
the bus to work instead of driving your car, and support those
farmers who use organic farming methods instead of chemical
pesticides. THAT, even on a single person basis, DOES make a
difference. Be good for your health too.
Peter Rowe
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