Conserving Energy for Better Health

          How does flipping on your light switch affect your health?  To answer this, consider the way electricity is generated.  Typically, plants generate electricity using superheated water or steam to drive the rotation of turbines.  In much of the United States, power plants burn coal and natural gas (NG) in order to heat this water.  Known as fossil fuels, coal and NG unfortunately contain a number of toxic compounds such as mercury.  When plants burn fossil fuels, these chemicals are released into the atmosphere and in turn affect our health.  If you think you’re not at risk simply because you don’t live near a power plant, think again.  These compounds, when released into the air, are rather efficiently transported around the world via jet streams and other weather systems.  That said, since the industrial revolution, global mercury concentrations have increased 3 to 6 times that of estimated pre-industrial levels. 

          To improve health as a population, it’s important to minimize air pollution generated by our energy industry by making an effort to cut unnecessary energy wasting in your home and workplace.  Some tips to reduce such waste are listed below.  Please write other good tips in the “comments” section!

1. Avoid leaving random house lights on in rooms which nobody is occupying. 
2. Unplug your cell phone chargers from the wall when you’re not charging your phone (the charger by itself uses electricity). 
3. Replace your conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).  They use less power and often last longer!
4. Don’t blast your AC when you’re not home.
5. Purchase energy-efficient appliances and unplug appliances that are rarely used.
6. Push congress to tighten power plant emissions regulations and explore cleaner energy options by contacting your state representatives.

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                                                                                                 -Shahir Masri