Hazardous Material Handling Essay Example for Free

Hazardous Material Handling Essay Chemicals are found in all places; they are used to enhance crop production, distill drinking water, and simplify everyday chores. But chemicals can also be hazardous to the environment as well as to humans if released or used inappropriately. These hazards can take place during disposal, use, transportation, storage, or production.   If a chemical is released in harmful amounts or used unsafely, it can cause lifelong health effects, serious injury, death, and damage to homes, buildings, and other property. In the recent years, the Federal Bureau of Investigation publicly announced that terrorists are particularly interested in releasing hazardous material as well as in targeting their containers on American soil. Alarmingly, if terrorists succeed in such an attack in a populated vicinity, the result would be devastating. The number of casualties ensuing from such an attack would be enormous; dwarfing the fatality count in the 911 attacks. Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Agents and Incidents Deadly chemical, biological, and nuclear agents that may be employed by non-state actors or adversarial nations against civilians could cause mass casualties.   Other than calculated terrorist attacks and deliberate employment of NBC weapons during military operations, the hazards could result from the release of toxic radioactive matters, biological agents of operational significance, and industrial chemicals (Mauroni, 2007, p. 290). Basically, chemical incidents are depicted by rapid onset, from minutes to hours, of apparent health indicators. While in cases of radiological and biological incidents, the onset symptoms entails days to weeks, normally with no distinctive indicators. A recent simulation by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory revealed that if an attack should occur during a political event or other public celebrations, people could die at a rate of more than 100 per second and, within 30 minutes, up to 100,000 people could die (District of Columbia, Office of the Attorney General, 2005, p. 2). Likewise, a 2004 study by the Homeland Security Council found that even under less crowded circumstances, an attack in a metropolitan area would cause 100,000 hospitalizations, 10,000 severe injuries and 17,500 deaths (District of Columbia, Office of the Attorney General, 2005, p. 2). I. Chemical Agents Several types of toxic cyanide compounds may be used in terrorist attacks. Potassium or sodium cyanides are pale yellow-to-white salts that can be easily utilized to poison drinks or food. When combined with chemicals that enhance skin penetration, cyanide salts can be dispersed as a contact poison. Toxic industrial chemicals such as mustard or nerve agents, in contrast, can be utilized in larger amounts to compensate for their inferior toxicity. Initial skin contact results in slight skin irritation, which turns into more acute yellow fluid-filled lesions (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2003). Inhalation of mustard causes breathing problems, damages the lungs, and death by suffocation caused by water in the lungs. II. Biological Agents Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that generates anthrax, is an attractive biological agent for terrorist attacks because it can endure different environmental conditions, and its inhalation could normally result in death. Anthrax can be used to contaminate water or food or disseminated in an aerosol to respectively cause ingestional or inhalational anthrax (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2003). III. Radiological and Nuclear Agents and Devices An RDD or radiological dispersal device is designed to cause contamination of radioactive material due to its diffusing function.   A range of radioactive materials could be employed in a RDD, including Cobalt-60, Strontium-90, and Cesium-137 (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2003). Use of an RDD by terrorists could result in economic, environmental and health effects, as well as social and political effects. In a nuclear terrorist event, the hazards are nuclear radiation, shock or blast effect, and thermal radiation. Developments on MAZMAT Incidents Approaches Proper sample gathering is significant to preserve sample veracity for laboratory testing, to guarantee chain-of-custody documentation for possible legal actions, and basically to protect those on-site responders and victims (Association of Public Health Laboratories, 2008). Accordingly, in the recent years the laboratory training programs slowly and seriously take in a proactive sample collection seminar, along with familiarization with laboratory testing methods, as well as proficiency testing program. These programs are intended to assure that first responders in the field will be able to accurately use hand-held testing devices, correctly understand test results and develop proper action plan derived from the findings. Moreover, in view of the fact the ability to detect impending terrorism agents is essential to effective and safe emergency response, Hazmat responders are now being trained on how to operate a range of Hazmat detection devices. As the war against terrorism has intensified, the number of technological advances and knowledge in the field of terrorist agent detection has also been improved among Hazmat teams. Conclusion Hazardous materials incidents cover a diversity of possible situations including explosions, transportation accidents, spills, fires, and similar events. Hazards may include chemical reactions, health hazards, toxicity, explosives, radiological hazards, or a combination of any of the said hazards. In view of these, terrorists have a wide range of alternatives of toxic materials and means for attacks. To adequately and safely counteract Hazmat terrorist attacks, Hazmat teams are regularly modernizing, as well as participating in related trainings, as these trainings identify their strengths and weaknesses not only of their respective teams, but how the teams works together when disaster does arise.

Essay --

A popular writer in his own lifetime, William Shakespeare's reputation became increasingly popular after his death and his work is widely performed throughout the world. He is the most quoted writer in the literature and history because of his poetries and playwrights. His most famous play was â€Å"Hamlet†, which showed a great deal of revenge. This plays theme reflected the true meaning of betrayal, hate and revenge. In this play Shakespeare shows how individuals would act towards a loves death, no matter the outcomes. In the play Hamlet, there were four revengers, Hamlet himself, Laertes, Fortinbras, and Pyrrhus. However, Hamlet and Laertes will be my main focus on examining Shakespeare’s depiction of revenge. Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark, the son of the old King Hamlet. He is very melancholy, and bitter, full of hatred for his uncle’s usurpation. Laertes in the other hand is the son of Polonius. His character is very passionate but contrasts for the reflective Hamlet. These two characters have many comparisons in seeking revenge after the death of their fathers. Although each has the same intentions the outcomes are dissimilar. When Hamlet’s father King Hamlet and Laertes’s father Polonius were killed, it made them want to seek revenge. The similarities that compare these two characters are their life style and education, the emotions towards their father’s death, and the reasons for their revenge. Each character was described as young man who spend most of their times away from their families. Hamlet spends his time studying at the University of Wittenberg and Laertes spends much of the time in France. They were living their life away from all the problems that were occurring in their homes, until the news of t... ... king Hamlet murdered in the garden by his nephew. There Hamlet realized that the ghost’s word has been proven true and then started his revenge. Hamlet took everything much easy and took time to plan his revenge and Laertes didn’t and failed. In conclusion the death of a father has a strong impact on individuals. This play endorses revenge because everyone paid for their sins. Hamlet revenged his father by killing Claudius and so did Laertes when saying about the plot he did with Claudius which is proven in the book and in the film I saw of Hamlet. In the film, however Laertes shots Hamlet with a gun, that then reverses and Hamlet shots him and Claudius. Revenge was taken place and both fathers murder had vengeance. Even though everyone had to die, this play shows that no matter who was involved in any plot. Everyone involved has to pay for their actions. Essay -- A popular writer in his own lifetime, William Shakespeare's reputation became increasingly popular after his death and his work is widely performed throughout the world. He is the most quoted writer in the literature and history because of his poetries and playwrights. His most famous play was â€Å"Hamlet†, which showed a great deal of revenge. This plays theme reflected the true meaning of betrayal, hate and revenge. In this play Shakespeare shows how individuals would act towards a loves death, no matter the outcomes. In the play Hamlet, there were four revengers, Hamlet himself, Laertes, Fortinbras, and Pyrrhus. However, Hamlet and Laertes will be my main focus on examining Shakespeare’s depiction of revenge. Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark, the son of the old King Hamlet. He is very melancholy, and bitter, full of hatred for his uncle’s usurpation. Laertes in the other hand is the son of Polonius. His character is very passionate but contrasts for the reflective Hamlet. These two characters have many comparisons in seeking revenge after the death of their fathers. Although each has the same intentions the outcomes are dissimilar. When Hamlet’s father King Hamlet and Laertes’s father Polonius were killed, it made them want to seek revenge. The similarities that compare these two characters are their life style and education, the emotions towards their father’s death, and the reasons for their revenge. Each character was described as young man who spend most of their times away from their families. Hamlet spends his time studying at the University of Wittenberg and Laertes spends much of the time in France. They were living their life away from all the problems that were occurring in their homes, until the news of t... ... king Hamlet murdered in the garden by his nephew. There Hamlet realized that the ghost’s word has been proven true and then started his revenge. Hamlet took everything much easy and took time to plan his revenge and Laertes didn’t and failed. In conclusion the death of a father has a strong impact on individuals. This play endorses revenge because everyone paid for their sins. Hamlet revenged his father by killing Claudius and so did Laertes when saying about the plot he did with Claudius which is proven in the book and in the film I saw of Hamlet. In the film, however Laertes shots Hamlet with a gun, that then reverses and Hamlet shots him and Claudius. Revenge was taken place and both fathers murder had vengeance. Even though everyone had to die, this play shows that no matter who was involved in any plot. Everyone involved has to pay for their actions.

Environmental Science Essay

Environment is one of the most discussed topics in the international community and is one of the many concerns of political leaders today. Due to this, different environmental issues have arisen such as the climate change, sustainable development, and air pollution. Climate change is the most popular and most discussed issue in the international community today. According to the European Commission, â€Å"climate change is one of the greatest environmental, social, and economic threats facing the planet† (European Commission, 2008). I have learned that climate change is the altering of the temperature of the earth. It is something that we all experience not only in one region of the world but also in different parts of the globe, as depicted in the images that the media are presenting to us. The issue on climate change and other environmental concerns caused the United Nations to form a policy as a countermeasure. Thus, the term sustainable development emerged. In a report of World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987 entitled â€Å"Our Common Future,† sustainable development is referred to as a â€Å"development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs† (cited in Bankobesa, 2005). The statement caught my interest because it captured the essence of why our environment must be taken care of. The thought of having the future generation suffer due to the actions and decisions of the present generation does not reflect a very beautiful image in my mind. Maintaining the environment is an obligation for the present generation because of the necessities of the future. Air pollution is another issue that I am very much concerned about. There are outdoor and indoor pollutions, such as black carbon pollutions and noxious gases which could affect the environment and inflict serious health problems to people when inhaled, such as irritation of the nose, eyes and throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer, and heart disease just to name a few (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, n. d. ). These issues which have grabbed my attention and concern are all too big a problem to be solved by one person only. As the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN) (2008) put it, we have â€Å"One world, One environment. † Hence, these environmental which affect the whole world can only be addressed when each and every one of us will cooperate with each other. However, everyone must be aware first of the problems of the environment. This is the reason why several promotional campaigns and awareness programs, such as the ads made by Hollywood celebrities, have emerged to encourage the Americans and the rest of the world to fight against their advocacies. By making them more aware of these environmental issues, individuals would be able to do their part in protecting the environment and saving it from disintegration. To increase the amount of help they can give, I suggest that they join organizations that combat environmental issues. I learned that environmental science cannot be separated from the lives of human beings. Although some people may not notice it, environmental science is part of our daily lives and is highly evident. Although some of the effects of these environmental issues are rooted from the changes in nature itself, most of them are provoked by human activities such as smoke belching, illegal logging, improper dumping of waste, and many more. Thus, while we perform the activities that could harm our environment, we are also the ones who can alter the consequences that gave rise to these environmental issues. Therefore, working together towards addressing these problems would only be solved through cooperation and unity. References Bankobesa, G. M. (2005). Ozone Protection: The International Legal Regime. The Netherlands: AJ Utrecht. European Commission. (2008, May 05). Environment: Climate Change. Retrieved May 05, 2008 from http://ec. europa. eu/environment/climat/home_en. htm International Education and Resource Network (iEARN). (n. d. ). One world, one environment. Retrieved May 05, 2008, from https://media. iearn. org/node/205 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. (2008, May 05). Indoor & outdoor air pollution. ELSI Project. Retrieved May 05, 2008, from http://www. lbl. gov/Education/ELSI/pollution-main. html

Agatha Christie - Author of 82 Detective Novels

Agatha Christie was one of the most successful crime novelists and playwrights of the 20th century. Her lifelong shyness led her to the literary world where she conjured up detective fiction with endearing characters, including the world-famous detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Not only did Christie write 82 detective novels, but she also wrote an autobiography, a series of six romance novels (under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott), and 19 plays, including The Mousetrap, the world’s longest running theatrical play in London. More than 30 of her murder mystery novels have been made into motion pictures, including Witness for the Prosecution (1957), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and Death on the Nile (1978). Dates: September 15, 1890 – January 12, 1976 Also Known As: Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller; Dame Agatha Christie; Mary Westmacott (pseudonym); Queen of Crime Growing Up On September 15, 1890, Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born the daughter of Frederick Miller and Clara Miller (nà ©e Boehmer) in the seaside resort town of Torquay, England. Frederick, an easy going, independently wealthy American stockbroker, and Clara, an Englishwoman, raised their three children -- Margaret, Monty, and Agatha -- in an Italian-style stucco mansion complete with servants. Agatha was educated in her happy, peaceful home via a mixture of tutors and â€Å"Nursie,† her nanny. Agatha was an avid reader, especially Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series. She and her friends enjoyed acting out gloomy stories where everyone died, which Agatha wrote herself. She played croquet and took piano lessons; however, her extreme shyness kept her from publicly performing. In 1901, when Agatha was 11, her father died of a heart attack. Frederick had made some bad investments, leaving his family financially unprepared for his untimely death. Although Clara was able to keep their home since the mortgage was paid, she was forced to make several household cuts, including the staff. Rather than home tutors, Agatha went to Miss Guyer’s School in Torquay; Monty joined the army; and Margaret married. For high school, Agatha went to a finishing school in Paris where her mother hoped her daughter would become an opera singer. Although good at singing, Agatha’s stage fright once again prevented her from publicly performing. After her graduation, she and her mother traveled to Egypt, which would inspire her writing. Becoming Agatha Christie, Crime Writer In 1914, the sweet, shy, 24-year-old Agatha met 25-year-old Archibald Christie, an aviator, who was in complete contrast to her personality. The couple married December 24, 1914, and Agatha Miller became Agatha Christie. A member of the royal Flying Corps during World War I, daring Archibald returned to his unit the day after Christmas, while Agatha Christie became a volunteer nurse for the ill and injured of the war, many of whom were Belgians. In 1915, she became a hospital-dispensing pharmacist, which gave her an education in poisons. In 1916, Agatha Christie wrote a death-by-poison murder mystery in her spare time, mostly due to her sister Margaret challenging her to do so. Christie titled the novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles and introduced a Belgian inspector she invented named Hercule Poirot (a character who would appear in 33 of her novels). Christie and her husband were reunited after the war and lived in London where Archibald received a job with the Air Ministry in 1918. Their daughter Rosalind was born on August 5, 1919. Six publishers turned down Christie’s novel before John Lane in the US published it in 1920 and subsequently published by Bodley Head in the UK in 1921. Christie’s second book,  The Secret Adversary, was published in 1922. That same year, Christie and Archibald set sail on a voyage to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Canada as part of the British trade mission. Rosalind stayed behind with her aunt Margaret for ten months. Agatha Christie’s Personal Mystery By 1924, Agatha Christie had published six novels. After Christie’s mother died of bronchitis in 1926, Archibald, who was having an affair, asked Christie for a divorce. Christie left her home on December 3, 1926; her car was found abandoned and Christie was missing. Archibald was immediately suspected. After a police hunt for 11 days, Christie turned up at the Harrogate Hotel, using a name patterned after Archibald’s mistress, and saying she had amnesia. Some suspected that she actually had a nervous breakdown, others suspected that she wanted to upset her husband, and the police suspected that she wanted to sell more books. Archibald and Christie divorced April 1, 1928. Needing to get away, Agatha Christie boarded the Orient Express in 1930 from France to the Middle East. On tour at a dig site in Ur she met an archaeologist named Max Mallowan, a big fan of hers. Fourteen years his senior, Christie enjoyed his company, finding out that they both worked in the business of uncovering â€Å"clues.† After they married on September 11, 1930, Christie often accompanied him, living and writing from Mallowan’s archeological sites, further inspiring her novels’ settings. The couple remained happily married for 45 years, until Agatha Christie’s death. Agatha Christie, the Playwright In October 1941, Agatha Christie wrote a play titled Black Coffee. After writing several more plays, Christie wrote The Mousetrap in July 1951 for Queen Mary’s 80th birthday; the play became the longest continuously running play in the West End of London, since 1952. Christie received the Edgar Grand Master Award in 1955. In 1957, when Christie became ill living at the archaeological digs, Mallowan decided to retire from Nimrud in northern Iraq. The couple returned to England where they busied themselves with writing projects. In 1968, Mallowan was knighted for his contributions to archaeology. In 1971, Christie was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire, the equivalent of knighthood, for her services to literature. Death of Agatha Christie On January 12, 1976, Agatha Christie died at home in Oxfordshire at the age of 85 of natural causes. Her body was interred at Cholsey Churchyard, Cholsey, Oxfordshire, England. Her autobiography was published posthumously in 1977.