Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) September 26, 2013
For decades, scientists have been researching the environmental and health impact of airborne emissions from the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. According to water and health advocate Sharon Kleyne, many potential long-term consequences have not been adequately considered. The longtime radio commentator is especially concerned about the effects of air pollution on Earth’s envelope of water vapor/humidity that is essential to all life.
Sharon Kleyne is Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research, a water and health research and product development center. Natures Tears® EyeMist® is the company’s global signature product for dry eye and dry facial skin. As part of an ongoing commitment to educating the public about water and health, Kleyne hosts the globally. syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water® radio show on VoiceAmerica and Apple iTunes.
Kleyne notes, citing the Department of Energy, that despite decades of efforts develop alternatives, coal burning remains the source of 45% of electrical power in the United States. This is down from 52% in 1997 but is by far the largest single source of electricity. Natural gas is second at 23% and nuclear power is third at 20%. Hydropower from dams amounts to only 7%.
Although much of the particulate matter released to the air by coal burning in the Unite States is recaptured, says Kleyne, air pollution levels remain far from satisfactory. Kleyne notes that in China, 69% of electrical power comes from coal and air quality and emission standards are much lower (Coal statistics – energy consumption by country; http://www.nationmaster.com, 2005). In the US and in China, increases in dry eye syndrome, caused by dry and polluted air, are approaching crisis levels. Much of China’s pollution moves eastward with the prevailing winds, crosses over Korea and Japan and ends up in North America.
One potentially troublesome effect of air pollution particularly troubles Kleyne. Her research shows that the human body, particularly the skin, lungs and eyes, obtain a substantial portion of their daily water intake from the air’s natural water vapor/moisture. When vapor droplet form around carbon black or fly ash particles, or when the droplets contain traces of toxic chemicals, the results cannot be beneficial to lungs, eyes and skin. Kleyne would like to see far more research on this subject (Twomey, S, “Effects of pollution on the shortwave albedo of clouds,” Journal of Atmospheric Science 13(7), 2007).
In addition, says Kleyne, nobody as yet knows how polluted humidity/water vapor effects the hydrological cycle, the rain and snow that feed the rivers, lakes and oceans and sustain life. Kleyne advocates greatly increased research into pollution, humidity, health and climate, and believes this research should be ongoing forever for the benefit of human life (Cecil, LD, “Climate change planning success stories,” Sharon Kleyne Hour. http://www.voiceamerica.com, 11-26-12).