A Concrete Solution To Pollution

PreacherTom writes "With concerns over global warming and pollution control reaching an all-time high, an Italian company has developed an interesting solution. It is called TX Active: a concrete that literally breaks down pollutants in the air. The effects are significant: 'In large cities with persistent pollution problems caused by car emissions, smoke from heating systems, and industrial activities, both the company and outside experts estimate that covering 15% of all visible urban surfaces (painting the walls, repaving the roads) with products containing TX Active could abate pollution by up to 50%.' Even more significant is that the cost is only 30% over that of normal concrete. Remarkable."

Comments

Solution to Pollution

[Himring]

Solution to Pollution

Conjunction junction, what's your function?...

Re:Reduce at the source

[gnool]

I have an idea, perhaps we can control pollution forming toxins at the source.

You mean create clean cars and clean factories that don't pollute the atmosphere? What are you some kind of communist?!

New invention

[Richard W.M. Jones]

Actually, I invented a much better air purification system a while back.

It consists of a structure which waves in the air on large beams rising from the ground, on which are placed what are known as Local Environmental Air Filters ("LEAF"s).

The best thing is it uses an innovative self-assembly technique which just requires placing a single capsule in the ground, so installation is pretty simple.

After use, it can be disassembled using hand tools and the parts reused for many other uses, so it's ideal for use in both developed and developing countries.

Rich.

Re:New invention

[Chocky2]

An excellent idea, however I suspect that problems may arrise around this point:

> "After use, it can be disassembled using hand tools and the parts reused for many other uses"

since when the immediately utility provided by disassembling-and-reusing the structure is perceived to outweigh the longer term utility provided by its air-filering function the structures will be disassembled & reused.

The problem may be exacerbated by the length of time the "innovative self-assembly technique" requires to instll a new instance of the structure and any additional resources required to install and operate it.

My suggestion would be to focus any further development work in this area on improving the assembly/installation process -- make it quicker, more robust, and less dependent on other resources.

Re:New invention

[Richard W.M. Jones]

Sorry, but if you'd read the End User License Agreement (EULA) for my product you would know that (section 5.2) Benchmarking and Criticism of the Product are not permitted without prior written agreement from Timber Research & Environmental Engineering (T.R.E.E.) Corp. You will be hearing from my lawyers.

Rich.

Re: 30% is still a fair amount for nonenvironmenta

[userlame]

Cathalitic convertors

...Trying to sway pollution from being Protestant?

Painting over the cracks

[Sir Runcible Spoon]

Great! Now we just need someone to get up there and paint over the hole in the ozone layer.

It is rarely this appropriate...

[steveo777]

But...

NObody expects the Spanish Iquisition!!

Sounds plausible

[Anne_Nonymous]

>> an Italian company has developed... a concrete that literally breaks down pollutants in the air...

Sounds plausible. Wasn't it the Italians who created a concrete which absorbs and contains competing mobsters?

Re:30% is still a fair amount for nonenvironmental

[pcmanjon]

You think that whenever you visit Dallas?

Gee, I drive there every day and all I can think of is how shitty the city is and how I want to get back to Fort Worth.

I highly doubt any city is going to pay 30% more though. The cities and counties out here bid to the cheapest contractor and the cheapest contractor is probably going to get the cheapest concrete.