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Military Develops "Green" Cleaners For Terrorist Attack Sites
An anonymous reader writes "Chemists with the US military have developed a set of ultra-strength cleaners to be used in the aftermath of a terrorist attack. The formulas are reportedly tough enough to get rid of nerve gas, mustard gas, radioactive isotopes, and anthrax. But they are also non-toxic, based on ingredients found in foods, cosmetics, and other consumer products."
Made by Bechtel/(insert cozy contractor here) for only 2600$ a pint
Just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not out to get you
Because we can totally trust what they put in them?
The formulas are reportedly tough enough to get rid of nerve gas, mustard gas, radioactive isotopes, and anthrax.
Summary makes it sound like this wonder neutralizes the components instead simply physically removing them. Are radioactive isotopes harder to remove than your generic chocolate stain?
If we suffer a WMD terrorist attack, I want the BEST products to be used to deal with it, who cares if it's "green"?
If the fastest decontamination agent creates dangerous byproducts to neutralize NBC agents, is it the best? I think it's hardly worth decontaminating a site if you contaminate the site with your cleaners. "Green" in this article means the site is actually clean when you're done.
There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I know some editors class too many things that should be Idle as something else, but this seems to be the opposite; a legitimate article that is being filed as Idle. How exactly is this not considered news? It's a new application for existing chemicals that helps deal with terrorism without restricting rights, which is a hell of lot better than most of the anti-terrorism procedures we've been putting into place.
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Isn't a massive terrorist attack causing widespread destruction likely to cause FAR more pollution than anything we'd have to do to clean up AFTER IT?
Well who knows, but the less toxic they can make it, the better, so they can slather it on like crazy without having to worry about anything except the immediate threat... if it's somewhat less effective but can be used much more freely and quickly, in greater quantity, "green" may be a huge advantage.
We live, as we dream -- alone....
If we suffer a WMD terrorist attack, I want the BEST products to be used to deal with it, who cares if it's "green"?
If the fastest decontamination agent creates dangerous byproducts to neutralize NBC agents, is it the best? I think it's hardly worth decontaminating a site if you contaminate the site with your cleaners. "Green" in this article means the site is actually clean when you're done.
I don't know if I'd consider STB (Super Tropical Bleach) as a product to create "dangerous byproducts". Especially when you consider that the agents it cleans will have you doing the kickin' chicken within minutes of exposure. I'm afraid I have to agree with the GP here. If I've been exposed to an NBC agent, I want something that I know works. I really don't care if it kills the grass I'm standing on.
STB is basically chlorine bleach and lime. Yes, it's not the kind of thing I would want on my skin or lungs, but there are many household and garden products that would fit into that category.
There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
If I've been exposed to an NBC agent, I want something that I know works.
You're missing the point. This is not a treatment for exposure, it's a cleaner for contaminated sites. The question is whether you want to use a cleaner that has known negative effects on the environment (especially when used in large quantities) or one that is less destructive. It doesn't make sense to use super bleach when the military has come up with an effective "green" cleaning agent.
There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Fear is not thinking.