Effective and Environmentally Safe Household Cleaner

Effective and Environmentally Safe Household Cleaner Introduction Cleaning products are an essential part of maintaining any home or workplace. However, many of the well-known household cleaners contain chemicals that can harm the environment. This is a main reason as to why a consumer’s choice upon choosing a cleaning product should rely on the safety of not only humans but the environment as well. For example, cleaning products that contain Volatile organic compounds can affect indoor air quality as well as contribute to the formation of smog in outdoor air (EPA, 2010). Therefore, an experiment has been conducted to accurately determine which cleaner-vinegar, Comet, All Purpose, baking soda, or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda- is the most environmentally safe and the most efficient. The end result should display the mix of Vinegar and Baking Soda as being the most environmentally safe and efficient household cleaning product. Method To begin the experiment, draw two lines on each tile (five tiles total) 10 centimeters long. Label each line as either a 1 or 2 on each tile to distinguish the trials. (Note: each line will be used for separate trials.) Also, label each tile as the name of the cleaner being used. Then, measure 10 milliliters of vinegar using a graduated cylinder. Depending on paper towels available, fold as needed to where it does not rip or bleed through while scrubbing. Next, pour the vinegar from the graduated cylinder slowly onto the line marked as trial 1. Scrub the stain that has vinegar on it vigorously using the paper towels. Same person scrubbing the vinegar will do so for the rest of the products and trials. Start the stopwatch once the scrubbing begins and stop as soon as the mark is completely removed. Record results immediately after the stain is erased and clearly state any observations obtained. Repeat this procedure for both Comet and All Purpose cleaners. However, a different method must be taken when removing the stain with a baking soda and water solution. In a plastic cup mix two scoops of baking soda with 30 milliliters of water. Measure 10 milliliters of that solution into a graduated cylinder. Pour the solution onto the tile labeled trial 1. Scrub vigorously using paper towels as needed. Record observations and the amount of time it takes to remove crayon stain. Repeat the procedure with baking soda and water except replace the water with vinegar. It will now be a baking soda and vinegar solution. Finally, record observations and time taken to remove the crayon mark. Repeat all procedures for each solution an additional time but instead using the mark labeled as trial 2. Make sure to record all data and observations after each crayon mark is thoroughly removed from the tile. Results Observations were made immediately following each trial. For instance, vinegar was clear and watery. It had a sour scent and was not messy. Unlike vinegar, baking soda was messy, milky, and gritty. Comet was a thick, green, slimy, and bleach-smelling product. Like baking soda, Comet was also messy. All Purpose, however, was not messy and had a bleach stench. It was also watery and made bubbles once the scrubbing began. Vinegar and baking soda mixture was milky, gritty, and made a reaction when mixed together. Conclusion In conclusion, this experiment was successful in displaying which cleaning product was the most efficient, while being environmentally safe. In this experiment there were four specific cleaning products that were experimented. The hypothesis is supported by the data that was obtained; the combination of vinegar and baking soda is the most efficient in removing a crayon stain. Moreover, as well as being the most efficient, vinegar and baking soda is the most environmentally safe. The data that was concluded from each product are as follows. The first cleaning product tested was vinegar and was found to be inefficient time wise, taking over 3 minutes to remove the stain. Vinegar has an ingredient of acetic acid. If acetic acid is released into the environment it will either evaporate or natural waters will neutralize the solution into acetate salts, either of which are not harmful (Iowa State University, 2001). The next product tested was Comet. It was found to be inefficient, but on a verage was the second to fastest in removing the stain, taking only over a minute compared to vinegar’s 3 minutes. Comet contains fragrance, surfactant, sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, water, and cleaning agent. Of the ingredients, sodium hypochlorite was found to be the most harmful because it is a toxic chemical. Although sodium hypochlorite is only entered in the environment by a spill or misuse, overexposure can result in harm to aquatic wildlife such as freshwater fish (SDA, 1997). Another product tested was Great Value All Purpose Cleaner. All Purpose took almost as much time as Vinegar to remove the stain, making it inefficient as well. Like Comet, All Purpose contained 2% sodium hypochlorite; therefore, they have similar effects on the environment, both of which are harmful to aquatic wildlife if overexposed. An additional product tested was baking soda. The data for baking soda in the first trial of the experiment can be classified as inconclusive as a result of the baking soda sinking to the bottom of the cup when mixed with water. However, when conducting the second trial the time made an enormous decrease, taking a little over 30 seconds to remove the crayon mark. Baking soda is made up of sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate occurs in nature. Therefore, further studies indicate that under normal conditions and use of sodium bicarbonate there are no harmful effects pertaining to plant life and the environment. In fact, research studies show that sodium bicarbonate improves sewage treatment by effectively using pH and enhancing anaerobic digestion of solids (Arm and Hammer, 2012). The final cleaning product tested was a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. This mixture was concluded to be the most efficient in time, taking less than 20 seconds to remove the crayon mark in both trials 1 and 2. Due to this mixture of acetic vinegar and basic baking soda, the resulting solution is a neutral substance- carbon dioxide- that is not harmful to the environment. Ultimately, as previously stated, the hypothesis was supported by this experiment; vinegar and baking soda mixed is the most effective and environmentally safe product. The cost of both vinegar and baking soda is not the cheapest, being a little over 3 dollars, but the effectiveness and safety override that factor. An error recorded for this experiment is that the lines drawn onto the tiles were too thick, making it harder to scrub off with the cleaning product which may have altered the overall data for that trial. Furthermore, the tiles itself had different textures which could have had an overall effect on the amount of time taken to remove the crayon stain. Works Cited Arm and Hammer. (2012). Product Safety Summary. Retrieved from http://www.ahperformance.com/media/files/Product-Safety-Summary_SBC_Final.pdf Iowa State University. (2001). Material Safety Data Sheet Acetic Acid, Glacial. Retrieved from http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/acglac.htm The Soap and Detergent Association. (1997). Sodium Hypochlorite. Retrieved from http://www.aciscience.org/docs/sodium_hypochlorite.pdf U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Greening Your Purchase of Cleaning Products: A Guide For Federal Purchaser. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/cleaning.htm

The Abortion Arguments of Cider House Rules Essay -- Movie Cider House

The Abortion Arguments of Cider House Rules I am writing this essay on a Saturday evening, not with any real contemplation, or even planning. I am writing this because I was just minutes ago watching the movie Cider House Rules. I won't go into the plot of the movie, but, to explain my motivation for writing this, I will simply describe one portion of the movie. The scene at issue in my mind right now is one where a fourteen-year-old girl comes to the orphanage which is the setting for part of the movie. This girl came to the orphanage because it was known in the region as a place that performed abortions. She had had a crude abortion performed in such a way that she had been severely injured (her uterus was punctured by a crochet hook, and, not being a sterile instrument, this caused an infection of the uterine lining, eventually killing her). The resident doctor is disgusted by this, and uses the girl's injury as an example explaining why he performs abortions. The doctor's argument is fairly simple. If the girl had come to him, rather than the ignorant abortionist she chose, she would likely have survived. In addition, he claims that potential parents have a right to choose to be parents or to not be parents. The doctor, a seeming proponent of utilitarianism, says that this demonstrates a duty to perform abortions. The young man to which the doctor is speaking, Homer, has been in essence an apprentice under the doctor, but has refused to perform abortions. His reasoning is this: those individuals seeking an abortion should have been responsible enough to have not conceived an unwanted child. Their lack of sexual responsibility should not be an excuse to take human life. Homer, while not legally a doctor (having... ...e that die do so in the commission of a wrongful act, and because of this are to be blamed for their own demise. Perhaps this sounds cold and uncaring to you. My intent is not to make some kind of case for the despising of young pregnant women who seek abortions. I feel a real sense a pity for them, but I cannot circumvent what I believe to be a solid refutation of one of the major arguments for abortion legalization. This essay, remember is not meant to be a complete argument against abortion, but rather attempts only to address the argument used in Cider House Rules. There are many other areas of discussion which can have a great effect on the ethics of abortion. The point at which a fetus becomes a person with rights is one such area. The question of whether or not a mother is obligated to carry to term a child who is in fact a full-fledged human is another.

Aruna in fasting and feasting Essay

2007 was the year in which I failed to finish the Indian novels I started. I read 2 and faltered at the 500 page mark in both. I found Vikram Chandra’s amalgam of literary fiction and crime in Sacred Games remarkably tedious. But my failure with Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy was downright weird. An absolute 5-star epic, I was enjoying it. Unfortunately I had listened to an abridged audio a few years before, so I knew where it was heading and I couldn’t motivate myself to read the extra 1000 pages I needed to reach the end. So 2008 heralds a change of tactic. For starters, a short novel by an Indian authoress. Desai was born and educated in India and has spent many years teaching in the States. Well placed, therefore, to write about the similarities and differences of both cultures and she does this with a text that is by turns witty, farcical, poignant and shocking. It’s quite a mix and one that kept the pages turning †¦.. right to the end! It could be argued that this novel is actually two novellas linked only by the character who moves from India to America. Each section is self-contained. Yet separating them would dilute the impact of the message that modern culture (be it Indian or American) is dissatisfying with gender inequality rife in both. In India, MamaPapa (so in tune with each other, they cannot be divided) are raising their two daughters and a son. Aruna is beautiful. Uma is clumsy and plain. But both must be married off. Aruna has her pick of suitors but finding a bridegroom for Uma is a desperate task and the squandering of two dowries is source of much entertaining farce. Flip the coin, however, and the farce becomes tragedy. A failure to marry means a life of humiliating servitude to parents and a life of spinsterly loneliness and suffocation. My heart aches for Uma but it bleeds for Anamika (Uma’s cousin), denied her Oxford scholarship and married off to a family who cared little for her.  She endures 25 years of servitude and married loneliness before †¦. well, you’ve heard the rumours of what happens when unloved wives grow old and a second dowry is required. Desai barbecues American family life as thoroughly as Mr Patton does his steaks. America, the land where freezers are full yet the food cannot be eaten because what would we eat in an emergency? Housewives wear t-shirts with born-to-shop slogans because that is all they are good for! Keep the cupboards full. We’ll help ourselves. The tv is king – forget spending time together and eating at the dinner table. Eating disorders are both cry for attention and rebellion against the profligate overconsumption of the West. Mrs Patton, as neglected as many as Indian bride. seeks to keep herself cheerful with the shopping and her sun-bathing. One day Arun comes home to find her bikini-clad and oiled-up ready for her day in the sun. She might have been on display in the Foodmart, a special offer for the summer, gleaming with invitation. Almost, one feels, one might see a discount sign above it. Surprising that Desai has painted this incident with so cruel a brush? Yet a major point of the novel is that daughters suffer most when their mothers unquestioningly comply with traditions or the lead of their men-folk. Actually not only daughters. Sons too. Arun is damaged by the excess of education and the weight of familial expectation. Seeking solitude and anonymity (the ultimate freedom) when he reaches America, his behaviour unconsciously mirrors that of his sister Uma, back at home. Just one of many echoes which Desai uses to tie her two stories together. Shortlisted for the 1999 Booker prize, Desai’s novel was, in effect, the runner-up. In a rare glimpse of the judging process, Gerald Kaufmann, the chair that year said, â€Å"If we could have a chosen a runner-up, we would undoubtedly have given the runner-up award to Anita Desai and Fasting, Feasting; a most beautiful novel, very moving, very funny, terribly  illustrative of what happens to women in different parts of the world.†

The Chicken Coop Case Essay Example

The Chicken Coop Case Essay Example The Chicken Coop Case Essay The Chicken Coop Case Essay The chicken coop case Facts Since 1974 the Company had registered Increase In 10% In sales per year, Industry has only being growing 5% per year, during the past 5 years. 1994 1) $775,000 average sales per restaurant 58. MM mark In sales 2) 7. 7 billion chicken SIRS segment ? which KEF dominates with 5,000 restaurants and greater that 50% market share. Each week MM consumers make purchase at KEF. 25% of market shares, small and independent stores 1995 sales were down in 20 (6%) of the 76 stores those 20 where the 32% of total sales Owner went to visit the 20 stores Marketing UP and Quality UP recommends three pronged approach 1) Conduct focus group 2) Brand image monitoring survey pilot for a continuous brand tracking program 3) Customers will be paid to visit the coop and the competition and they will not know which Company paid them Turnaround really expensive marketing strategies Executive meeting In order to define: Investment In market research, how much and which programs to fund. 985 24 restaurants By paying more attention to customer the Coop will gain market share. Success of restaurants was quality of food, quality of service, cleanness quality of entire addling experience and good value (price, quality and abundance) for low prices. Focused providing family environment targeting consumers between the ages of 18 to 45 years. Starting price $3. 99 and whole meal for eight people for $24. 95. The CEO of The Chicken Coop, must decide if the company invests in market research, how much money to spend, and which programs to fund Take decision based on What is the size of the loss? What have been attributed to this loss? The loss is 6% of sales in 20 stores that means that $775,000 is the average sale per store, so the 6% ass per store is $46,500, times the 20 stores the total size of the loss will be $930,000. The loss can be attributed by many factors, for example, more competition In the area where the 20 stores less performing are, changes In demographics, people that used to go to those stores moved from that neighborhood and different people came, changes in consumer habits, healthy programs and obesity start concerning parents and people living nearby, the stores werent delivering the value that characterizes The Coop such as quality of food, quality of service, cleanness quality of entire dining experience and good value (price, quality and abundance) for low prices, or the economy was suffering a recession and the first impact are the 20 stores. Analyze the dynamics between Michael and Wallace. Are they looking into the same direction? They are looking into the same direction because they have the same objective that is increase sales and reduce the gap of sales in revenue in the less performing stores, so what they are proposing different ways to close the gap and fulfill the obje ctive. Wallace Is relatively new to the Company but he has great experience In the Industry and he knows what he Is doing and how to be successful In the business, the difference with Michael Is that she Is a loyal employee that shares the core values and beliefs of The Coop well defined. So one is proposing Innovation Ana evolution Ana ten toner one Is proposing quality Ana customer satisfaction, which in this case both ideas and methods are needed. Evaluate the initiatives proposed by Bushmaster Wallace and Michaels Bushmaster is proposing customer feedback cards, this approach is the cheapest one and the information they will get is limited in terms of innovation and attracting new consumers. Wallace is proposing Brand image monitoring survey, this is the most expensive proposition in long term for the company, here is where the Coop will have to start making focus groups and they are worried about not being well equipped for that in their facilities and the outcomes of the results may not be as trustfully as any other method. Michaels is proposing Taste tests, this approach can help to identify where the stores are failing in terms of quality and also it can identify what customers really would like in terms of food and taste but the information may be not accurate customer samples cant be loyal customers because they dont fully represent the whole market.

Free Essays on Through My Eyes

Through My Eyes What is religion? One might agree it is a broad way of life, a belief regarding one’s relationship with the universe, or even God. In some societies today, religion is still a way of life, and it has become a way of providing salvation and sanctuary to an individual or community. Throughout my childhood, I have memories of Sunday school, church, and prayer. My brother and I were brought into the church and taught the "ways of a Catholic." For many years I blindly believed everything that I was taught, did as I was told and acted in the proper Catholic manner. The thought never crossed my mind to question anything or disobey anyone in fear of upsetting my peers and more importantly my mother. She always said to believe in what your heart tells you, but when you don’t know any better, what do you believe? I felt somewhat trapped, and unable to explore the questions I had about God, the universe, life, and death. All my life my mother taught me that church was time to grow and become closer to God, but as a child I what does this mean? Does it mean getting to know someone unreal, or talking to someone that doesn’t talk back? For me church was just another routine. When Sunday morning rolled around, we would all get up, dress up, and hop in the mini-van to go to church. We would then sit there for about an hour listening to the priest rambling on about who knows what. My mind would wander, and I would ask my mother questions and be shushed from the people behind me. Then came Sunday school where we were supposed to learn about what we heard in church. Instead we colored, painted, and goofed off. As I went through puberty, I began to wonder it’s as though I gained a mind of my own and began to question the ideas and rituals of Catholicism. I found myself drifting away from my beliefs, but I never went against them. From my experiences I have learned that society judges what is different. No one likes to be... Free Essays on Through My Eyes Free Essays on Through My Eyes Through My Eyes What is religion? One might agree it is a broad way of life, a belief regarding one’s relationship with the universe, or even God. In some societies today, religion is still a way of life, and it has become a way of providing salvation and sanctuary to an individual or community. Throughout my childhood, I have memories of Sunday school, church, and prayer. My brother and I were brought into the church and taught the "ways of a Catholic." For many years I blindly believed everything that I was taught, did as I was told and acted in the proper Catholic manner. The thought never crossed my mind to question anything or disobey anyone in fear of upsetting my peers and more importantly my mother. She always said to believe in what your heart tells you, but when you don’t know any better, what do you believe? I felt somewhat trapped, and unable to explore the questions I had about God, the universe, life, and death. All my life my mother taught me that church was time to grow and become closer to God, but as a child I what does this mean? Does it mean getting to know someone unreal, or talking to someone that doesn’t talk back? For me church was just another routine. When Sunday morning rolled around, we would all get up, dress up, and hop in the mini-van to go to church. We would then sit there for about an hour listening to the priest rambling on about who knows what. My mind would wander, and I would ask my mother questions and be shushed from the people behind me. Then came Sunday school where we were supposed to learn about what we heard in church. Instead we colored, painted, and goofed off. As I went through puberty, I began to wonder it’s as though I gained a mind of my own and began to question the ideas and rituals of Catholicism. I found myself drifting away from my beliefs, but I never went against them. From my experiences I have learned that society judges what is different. No one likes to be...

Leader ship Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Leader ship - Assignment Example In Robins & Judge (2010) for proper discharge of companies’ services to their clients, the management should focus on excellence of their products, ensure their clients are contented with their products and give their employees inducement in order to maximize their productivity. Leadership Theory In any business environment the management should ensure proper coordination of activities right from the organization to the clients. For the management to achieve this level of operation, they should ensure they are focused and be able to control other activities of the organization. According to management theory the leaders of any organization have a task to ensure that all other components in the organization are well coordinated (Robins & Judge, 2010, p.567). On the other hand, relationship theory requires the organization leaders to give their workers stimulus in order to ensure proper coordination of activities within the organization. The managers should ensure that workers a re aware of the organizations objectives in order to pursue them. They should also ensure that all appropriate resources are available for the worker in order to promote efficiency in the organization. ... This streamlines communication within the organization hence enabling the company’s management to effectively make their objectives known to the employees and work with a common interest of achieving the set goals. This will also simplify the problem of delegating tasks to the workers. The management practicing this theory in their organization will be interested with the collective prosperity of the individual’s advancement. Motivation Giving incentives to both workers and consumers plays a magic in the performance of the organization (Gorman, 2004, p.57). The management can give their employees incentives of various forms such as increasing their salaries, offering them an opportunity to advance their careers, or just appreciating them for their good work in the presence of other workers. This enables the workers to identify with the organization and feel encouraged to work and achieve management objectives. Organizational leaders should also encourage the employees b y giving them challenging tasks in the organization and avoid public condemnation even when they have gone wrong. The management should also establish training programs in order to assist the workers to upgrade their skills (Gorman, 2004). This enables the workers to increase their efficiency and confidence of performing their duties hence increasing their output in the organization. The workers will be able to interact with their clients freely and offer them excellent services. Providing products and services to the consumers is of paramount importance to the organization because it will help to create consumer trust on company and their products. When worker provide exemplary services to the customers, the

Functional Systems Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Functional Systems - Case Study Example Basically, the Lynx Company is using the sales information system. In this scenario, this system collects sales data to help the company monitor sale transactions and to help the management understand the status of their organizations, whether their business is running in profit or in loss (Shah, 2009; Beaubien, 2013). The system has been a great success for the company and some of the reasons behind this success are outlined below: 1. The system is designed for a particular purpose (e.g. Sales system). So it specifically deals with sales functions and minimizes confusions with other departments. It is easy for the sales department to understand the functions and carry put tasks effectively using this system. 2. As discussed above, this system is an isolated system. In this scenario, it is not connected to any other system such as human resource system or decision support system. So it is much easier for staff members to operate it independently without requiring the data from other departments. 1. In view of the fact that this functional system is based on a particular function (e.g. sales system) so the flow of work and information between other departments can suffer. For instance, it can be difficult to connect this system with other systems such as decision support system or human resource systems. Or in some cases there can emerge various data integration issues (Beaubien, 2013). 2. Since this functional system operates over the Internet so information security can be a serious challenge. The system can face security attacks from hackers. In addition, the system can also face virus attacks which can destroy the entire data (Henderson, 2013). 4. In order to perform accurate working there would be need to train the staff members. Since this system deals with money matters so a small error can cause serious loss for the company. In this scenario, they must train their staff members so it is an extra burden on the company (Henderson,