The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
[Main archive index/search] [List information] [Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq Homepage]
>the problem of getting enough sheer volume of water and Although this is less problematic for those near rivers >the problem of the miniralization of the water that also >cause loss of stomach contents, etc. But here there should also be a fairly simple answer for treatment on a very local or individual level -- easier than boiling, which wouldn't help for hard water anyway. I have very limited knowledge of chemistry and purification techniques, but it seems to me that someone with expertise could come up with a plan which wouldn't depend on fixing the whole water system right away, and might even be usable with material already available. Perhaps even solar power could be used with available reflecting materials, or an electrolyses technique using car batteries and alternators, or filtration methods. In the section on laundry in my formuals book (published by Popular Science -- not Popular Mechanics) it says that wash water should be between 140 and 160 degrees F., for 20 minutes to kill bacteria. That might well be achievable with solar power, considering how hot it already is in Iraq. A temporary answer might be found just by shifting thinking about it from the the big corporate/government modes to simple, "small is beautiful" modes, and information might be the critical thing to send. Even if halazone tablets are used -- or swimming pool tablets -- they are small and easy to ship, and don't require engineering teams and power transmission lines. Perhaps checking out information from the survivalists, special forces, or even camping and hunting emergency sources would yield the solution. "Primitive" technology can be very effective, and may well be something Iraqis can do for themselves even before rebuilding. Isn't this the sort of thing that scientists and technologists should be able to do? If you don't have what you need to do it "right" find a way to do it with what you have. ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk