How great websites help improve your business Essay Example for Free

How gr go through websites help correct your business EssayMission Statement Our diversity mission is to foster a culture that integrates diversity and inclusion into all aspects of the business in order to further fulfill dreams through the experiences of motorcycling. mint Statement Harley-Davidson time values, embraces and celebrates diversity in order to develop and continuously improve mutually beneficial relationships with stakeh former(a)ers to fulfill dreams and run extraordinary customer experiences in an increasingly dynamic, diverse and global market. Objectives Create a viable brand that would effectively compete within the Non-Menthol, Lo-Fi category. Attract more young adult (25-49) male smokers into the Lorillard family. Develop a highly targeted Niche Brand that would generate modest percentage goals. Build strong brand aw arness and imaginary. Gain trial and repeat purchase. Create consumer confidence. Strategies MARKET PENETRATION Get some more market di stribute from the existing market, like U. S, U. K, and Japan etc through more merchandising techniques like advertising. Harley-Davidson has a good brand name so its easy for them to eat up the competitor market destiny if they can provide some more customer benefit.PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTYounger generation and female are now coming to this segment so expand the motor cycle segments to younger generation and females. MARKET DEVELOPMENT Harley-Davidson can necessitate in their fomite to Asian countries like India and China, because these countries have a high population and the market potential is also high. diversification Bring new bikes to attract customer and market. investing IN THE BRAND The Company is reinforcing its support of the Harley-Davidson brand, accelerating its ongoing marketing efforts to reach out to emerging rider groups, including younger and diverse riders.In addition, the Company allow continue to focus on product innovations targeted at specific growth oppor tunities with its strong core customer base and new riders. ADJUSTING THE COST STRUCTURE consolidate its two engine and transmission plants in the Milwaukee area into its facility in Menomonee Falls, Wis. OBTAINING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR HDFS The Company said it is evaluating a range of options to provide the necessary liquidity for the wholesale and retail lending activities of Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) Recommended Mission To be branded as the best motorcycle available in the world.Recommended Vision The best quality motorcycle, motorcycle products and financial services will be provided worldwide is the commitment of Harley-Davidson. Customer satisfaction is our motto and the Harley-Davidson customers can experience the sagaciousness of reality of motorcycle dreams by relaying their satisfaction on us. Harley- Davidson is dedicated to use the advanced technology to produce the most superior motorcycle in home(prenominal) and external markets. Stay competitive an d continue growth worldwide remain profitable and survive is our philosophy.Employees of Harley-Davidson are the foundation of the company and they are the driving displume behind the Harley-Davidson name. The total team effort of Harley-Davidson employees is devoted to fulfilling dreams of customers and we believe that there is not a motorcycle riding experience like a Harley-Davidsons. purity is our push though our Harley-Davidson bar and shield logo that says superior quality. Honesty and customer loyalty and these morals are the heartbeat of Harley-Davidson organization. Harley-Davidson do our part in supporting all environmental laws in every country we do business.Determination and commitment is the place where Harley-Davidson intends to stay. External Opportunities The European contract for Harley Davidson is the highest in the international market and represents the sensation largest motorcycle market in the world Women and younger riders are increasing becoming interest ed in bikes The international heavy slant market is growing and is now larger than the U. S. goliath market Market appoint increasing in Europe and Asia for the last two years increase demand in US markets for bike.Buell division needs to continue to produce a quality motorcycle under Harleys brand name. Competitive visibleness Matrix Critical success factor Harley- Davidson Honda Weight Rating Score Weight Rating Score Advertising 0. 10 4 0. 40 0. 10 3 0. 30 Product Quality 0. 15 4 0. 60 0. 15 3 0. 45 Price Competitiveness 0. 20 1 0. 20 0. 20 3 0. 60 Management 0. 10 3 0. 30 0. 10 4 0. 40 Financial Position 0. 15 2 0. 30 0. 10 4 0. 40 Customer Loyalty 0. 15 4 0. 60 0. 15 2 0. 30 Global Expansion 0. 05 3 0.15 0. 05 4 0. 20 Market Share 0. 15 2 0. 30 0. 15 3 0. 45 Total 1 2. 85 1 3. 10 External Factor Evaluation Matrix Key External Factors Weight Rating Score OPPORTUNITIES The European demand for Harley Davidson is the highest in the international market and represents the single largest motorcycle market in the world 0. 15 4 0. 60 The international heavy weight market is growing and is now larger than the U. S. heavyweight market 0. 15 4 0. 60 Women and younger riders are increasing becoming interested in bikes 0.10 3 0. 30 Market share increasing in Europe and Asia for the last two years 0. 05 2 0. 10 Increasing demand in US markets for bikes 0. 05 2 0. 10 Customers value quality parts 0. 02 5 1 0. 025 THREATS Harleys ongoing capacity restraints caused a shortage supply and a loss in domestic market share in recent years 0. 15 4 0. 60 Harleys average buying age is 42 years old and increasing 0. 05 2 0. 10 The European Unions motorcycles noise standards are more stringent than those of Environmental Protection Agencies in theU.S and increased environmental stand 0. 05 2 0. 10 Some competitors of Harley Davidson have larger financial andmarketing resources and they are more diversified 0. 05 2 0. 10 Environmental protection laws 0. 15 4 0. 60 Buell division needs to continue to produce a quality motorcycleunder Harleys brand name 0. 025 1 0. 025 Total 1 3. 25 Internal susceptibility The standard and performance segments of Harley Davidson make up 70% of the European heavy weight motorcycle market.Harley-Davidson operates in two segments Harley-Davidson motorcycles related products and HDFS (Harley-Davidson Financial Services). Harley-Davidson is the only major American heavyweight motorcycle manufacturer. Strong brand name. The HOG (Harley Owners Group), which have a 7, 50,000 members worldwide is the industrys largest company sponsored motorcycle enthusiast organization. Buell Riders gamble Group (BRAG) was also formed recent Customization of the bikes, this is Harley-Davidsons major revenue maker.Harley-Davidson has a good marketing division and its divided as head promotions, customer events, magazine and direct-mail advertising, and public relations. Internal Weakness High price Harley-Davidson has problem s in gaining more market share in some European countries (Thats one of the main markets for giant star motorcycles outside U. S). They didnt yet start its sales in India, one of the biggest markets. Required exertion is not met, analyzing the future of Heavyweight motorcycle market. Recommended specific Strategies and Implementations.MARKET PENETRATION Get some more market share from the existing market, like U. S, U. K, and Japan etc through more marketing techniques like advertising. Harley-Davidson has a good brand name so its easy for them to eat up the competitor market share if they can provide some more customer benefit. Competition is high in this segment mostly in U. S so market penetration can be a good choice for the company. Expand the HOG (Harley Owners Group) to Asian countries, if the company can provide the customer satisfaction that they are providing to the U.S customers to the Asian customers they can increase the sales.PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Younger generation an d female are now coming to this segment so expand the motor cycle segments to younger generation and females. In Europe they can increase or expand the Buells market share by introducing new motorcycles. MARKET DEVELOPMENT Harley-Davidson can bring in their vehicle to Asian countries like India and China, because these countries have a high population and the market potential is also high.The cost to bring in the old vehicles (old product) to India is so much difficult because there are so much environmental laws are there which wont allow that type of vehicles to enumerate to India, and its difficult that taxes and levis are high in India so starting new plant in India can solve this problem. Negotiations with the Government can solve these problems. DIVERSIFICATION Bring in new vehicles to new markets like India and china is a good choice, but its too costly. Bringing new types of recreational vehicles is a best choice. Recommended Long-Term Objectives.Establish Harley-Davidson a s a recognized leader in the development and participation of its people, to maximize each employees potential. Grow and maintain demand by providing exceptional product styling, performance, quality, reliability and customer service at prices our customers can afford. Meet the demand by expanding our existing distribution and manufacturing capacity, and, where necessary, adding new production and retail distribution points. Improve information services capabilities to enable all stakeholders to easily do business with Harley-Davidson, through the creative integration of information technologies. coerce financial results to the levels achieved by acknowledged high-performing companies. Recommended Procedure for Strategy Review and Evaluation Review underlying bases of strategy Once again prepare all the privileged and external analysis. Compare the already prepared analysis with the one which will be prepared after the new strategy implementation. Measuring organization preferences hit the books all financial ratios current and the future. If any advantage, then implement the new strategy, otherwise continue with the present one.

Narrow streets Essay Example for Free

Narrow streets EssayDickens shows us that although Louisa and Tom have been repressed and behave dutifully, they still have normal, natural feelings. Louisa is even off allowed to express a little of her resentment and rebellion in her reply to her fathers remonstrations when caught watching the circus. This is shown again when Dickens describes the incident when Bounderby asks Louisa for a kiss. Even Tom is expound as sulkily remonstrating with her but it is made clear that Louisa is the stronger character. In these ways Dickens takes us below the factual surface of the incidents and we glimpse the childrens true feelings for a moment.How does Dickens want readers to react to his description of Coketown in Ch. 5?We atomic number 18 introduced to Coketown in the most emotive language. Once again the very name gives the smoky, loathsome picture of COKE-town. The adjectives and comparisons he chooses are, like Gradgrind and Bounderby, overbearing and filled with a feeling of a ll-pervading grimness and practicality. He uses metaphor to connote the fires of hell (serpents of smoke, melancholy madness) and the theme of monotony and unrelenting repetition is continued through his description of the motion of machinery and the lay-out of the town. Once again repetition of the word fact, often ironically, gives the feeling of flatness and unnatural drop of human interest or feeling in the town. This leads the reader to feel a horror of this evil smelling place in which so numerous poor, working mountain are not only emotionally repressed, but also physically crushed tightly together in narrow streets.The fountain pages are a social comment on the difference between the abject monotony and poverty of the people working in the mills and the carnal knowledge comfort of their employers. He uses heavy irony and humour in describing the activities of the people of the town drawing a parallel between their degree of choice and their financial status. While the self-righteous wealthy citizens can indulge themselves in worthy, self-righteous activities such as church going and tea-parties, the listless poor, exhausted by their periodic toil, would get drunk and took opium. However, living in Coketown, both sets of people are constrained to deny any natural feelings or enjoyment, as life was pragmatic, categorical and based on Facts (with a capital F).Then suddenly, amidst all this pragmatic boredom, he introduces a band of cheerful, caring, visiting travellers in the form of the circus entertainers people who have not been choked by the Coketown utilitarian ethic. Dickens professes ironic amusement at their simplicity and sentimentality whilst collusively encouraging the reader to join with him in valuing these humanitarian precepts.What have you learned about Mr Bounderby in Chs. 4 and 5?From his initial appearance Dickens shows us that Mr Bounderby is somewhat like Mr Gradgrind he maiden appears (namelessly) at Gradgrinds side in the schoolroom. Later, when the children are discovered peeping through the circus tent, Gradgrind admonishes What would Mr Bounderby say several times to emphasise the impression that Bounderby is disapproving, self-righteous and opinionated unless holds a position of social power.Dickens tells us that he is a rich man, a banker, merchant, manufacturer and what not and by this last expression (and what not) mocks the show of these occupations. He uses irony in inflated like a balloon and Bully of humility to reduce Bounderby to nothing of any honor. The words given to Bounderby are always simultaneously self-deprecating and yet self-congratulatory as he continually reminds us of his humble beginnings, beginnings that Dickens allows him to exaggerate beyond any possibility of belief.The adjectives use to Bounderby are even more cold and hard than those used to describe Gradgrind and we are left with an impression of complete heartlessness. Thus, through the devices of irony, exaggera tion, metaphor and emotive, derogatory adjectives we fancy that Bounderby is a bounder in every sense dishonest, self-interested pompous, self-absorbed and not to be trusted. Above all he believes, as does Gradgrind, in the sole value of facts and lacks any natural human feelings

Consumer behaviour regarding luxury product consumption

Consumer doings regarding luxuriousness output useFrom guilt-free fair-trade products and free-range eggs, to cruelty-free shampoo and chemical-free paint, a revolution seems to be occurring in wealthy capitalist societies. And this is happening not at the margins of society but at its heart, in the shopping centers and homes of run-of-the-mill wad (Lewis and Potter, 2010). Mainstreaming of honest concerns round using up is on the rise and companies are extending their fair-trade range over more than products, in a bid to catch the ethical consumer. that is this phenomenon also apparent in highlife product consumption? The discussion in this paper is aimed towards analyzing the role of ethics in the luxury industry where consumption, to untold extent, is based on hedonistic values. It is also quite uncertain whether luxury brands actually target ethical consumers. The role of ethics in luxury product consumption is complex and thus requires an intricate analysis.This pa per result initially discuss about ethical consumerism as a whole. Comparing and contrasting various research studies and adopts it will present the current global trends in consumer behaviour. Moving into the luxury sector, it will analyze the values and motivations bed luxury product consumption and examine if sustainable development can co-exist with luxury products. Finally, it will highlight some of the steps big luxury radicals such as BVLGARI, LVMH and Versace are fetching to integrate ethics into consumption by working on issues such as animal welfare, child labour, education and environmental protection. The question arises whether these measures motivate consumer behaviour de facto. This paper will demonstrate that consumer motivations behind luxury barter fors are hedonism and social recognition, rather than ethical values.Purchase of a product that concerns a certain ethical issue such as human rights, animal welfare, child labour or environment protection can be termed as ethical consumption (Doane, 2001). In general, ethical consumption is reflected when a consumer feels responsible towards society and expresses these feelings by means of his or her purchase behaviour (De Pelsmacker, Driesen and Rayp 2005). Consumers can translate their ethical concerns by either buying products that contribute towards ethical concerns or by boycotting products that are unethically produced. Ethical consumers are at that placefore aware of the consequences of production, consumption and disposal, and expect companies, producing the products they buy, to adapt to ethical standards.Recent studies indicate that consumers increasingly care about ethics plot purchasing regular household goodnesss and are willing to pay a premium for socially acceptable products (Auger, Burke, Devinney and Louviere, 2003). For example, they prefer to buy fair-trade coffee, organic foods, products free from child labour and legally logged wood. The Edelman Goodpurpose consumer survey (2010) shows that 86% of global consumers believe that problem needs to place at least equal weight on societys interests as on businesss interests. According to the survey, emerging markets have exactn the lead consumers in Brazil, India, China and Mexico have outpaced their peers in the west in purchasing and promoting brands that support good causes. Hence, there is cultural variation in behavioural intentions, but the group of consumers most interested in socially responsible products is growing across the world. The Edelman study also suggests that after 4Ps Product, Price, Placement and Promotion, Purpose is the 5th P of marketing. In order to withstand their customer base, marketers need to understand and act on the social issues that matter to their customers and are a best fit to their business.Whilst a isthmus is indicated about increasing socially conscious consumer military position, it does not reflect in actual consumer behaviour. Research indicates that a consumer attitude towards making ethical purchases is more positively charged than behaviour (De Pelsmacker, Driesen and Rayp 2005). For example, Cotte and Trudel (2010) demonstrate that 44% consumers indicated an intention to change their buying behaviour to consume ethical products, however only 18% actually did. General ethical attitude or even surveys intent on measuring consumption ethics are almost completely unrelated to actual behaviour since there is pressure to answer in a socially desirable way (Auger and Devinney, 2007). So consumer purchasing behaviours are not nearly as high as these attitudes would predict (Carrigan and Attalla, 2001) and consumers will buy responsible products only if quality, performance and prices are equal (Deloitte, 2008).This ubiquitous attitude behaviour gap is due to various factors. It whitethorn be the consumers perception of having to compromise on attributes such as convenience and quality of the product they value (Roberts, 1996) or could be the lack of knowledge about the firms ethical behaviour. Consumers are more aware of a firms unethical behaviour and rather have low knowledge about its ethical initiatives (Carrigan and Attalla, 2001). Another rationalness is widespread consumer scepticism and cynicism (Roberts, 1996). Marketers who try to oversell their firms offering as better on socially conscious dimensions, risk being accused of what is now called green race (Cotte and Trudel, 2009). Hence, the most important factors affecting buying decision are still price, quality, convenience, and brand.Therefore, there is clearly a lack of conclusive and empirical evi lairce that consumers will pay more for socially responsible products (McWilliam and Siegal, 2000), but at least there seems to be a constant effort by both consumers and companies to be ethically conscious in consumption and production respectively. There is a trend towards more consumer activism with respect to the social behaviours of organiza tions, especially large and surface-known multinational corporations (Auger, Burke, Devinney and Louviere, 2003). Despite the ethical markets strong growth, consumers have blasted Nestl, Coca-Cola, Cadbury, McDonalds and Tesco for failing to do enough to champion ethical values, according to new market research (Britton, 2010). tho traces of such efforts can rarely be found in the luxury sector. It is observed that for higher priced products, only those consumers, who have a strong favourable attitude towards charity, are ready to pay the premium (Anderson and Cunningham, 1972). In order to verify this behaviour, it is important to explore the motivations behind luxury purchases.Analyzing consumers perception of luxury products, a survey conducted by Synovate (2009) demonstrates, 35% people feel that luxury is everything over and higher up what is needed and 17% associate luxury as a lifestyle. Whether consumers define luxury as a feel of cashmere on their skin, the joy of time to spend as per their wish or the pleasure of showing off their success, actually depends on where they live. For example, in developing countries like India and Brazil, luxury is about flashing your wealth with big designer logos, its away of life. Whereas in countries like France, where people are for sure hedonistic, and enjoy the small pleasures like a good smell, or the softness of a scarf, and of course cooking and eating, luxury is about making them feel good and not about flaunting a brand. Luxury purchases are motivated by hedonistic values associated with instant gratification (Szmigin, Carrigan and OLoughlin, 2007). These values stimulate a consumer to purchase a $3500 Louis Vuitton bag whose function is the same as a handbag at $250. Essentially, at the core of luxury consumption are three observe motivations indulgence, exclusivity and status.Danziger (2004) highlights two reasons behind buyer behaviour to solve problems and to make them feel good. She classifies con sumer purchases into 4 categories Utilitarian, indulgences, lifestyle luxuries and aspirational luxuries, each motivated by different values (represented at the ends of each axis in fig.1). Utilitarian purchases include items such as blenders, food processors and microwaves, which essentially focus on practicality. Indulgences represent lifes little luxuries that provide aflame satisfaction and which consumers can buy without guilt. Cosmetics, entertainment products, games and termsume jewellery are appropriate examples. Lifestyle luxuries are luxury cars (Mercedes, BMW), designer clothes (Armani, Ralph Lauren), Watches (Rolex). They are high-spirited and provide material satisfaction, along with the prestige and image conferred by the brand. And finally there are aspirational luxuries that have no practical need and are purchased more often than not for the pure joy of owning them. Theses include Art, antiques, vintage collectibles, yachts, fine jewellery, etc. Consumers buy these items to make a statement about them in society, express their values, interests and passions.Fig1Consumer purchase categories and motivations behind eachHaving discussed that a consumer buys anything to satisfy a concrete need, in purchasing luxury items, the act of consuming, rather than the product itself, satisfies this need (Danzigner, 2004). In fact, tracking the root of luxury product consumption and marketing, we find it to be based on sheer unethical values (Sylvester, ND). Back in the 1840s in Manchester England (The worlds richest city then), the cotton mill owners were at the top of the social ladder and usually showed off their wealth at dinner parties where they served wine instead of beer and the wealthier class served champagne. For the most flush class this was a problem as champagne was no longer exclusive. As a solution, the french marketers, keeping the product unchanged, created a much more expensive drink called vintage champagne. The rich mill owners were flocked to it. Hence, within a few years, the world was buying more bottles at higher prices.The anecdote above is a good example that shows how the concept of luxury is based on un-ethical selling and consumption, of which marketers are well aware. This view is supported in the 21st ascorbic acid as marketing strategist, Sergio Zyman (2000), provides in his book, the end of marketing Marketing is how to sell more things to more people more often for more money. In fact, French marketers are the leaders in marketing luxury brands and even the puritan roots and guilt dont prevent them from behaving in unashamedly elitist ways and producing items that no ordinary person will ever be able to afford. Marketers are concentrating their efforts on selling things that people dont need, but want.Different values that motivate consumers to make a low value purchase as compared to a luxury purchase. Empirical evidence suggests that materialism is negatively correlated with consumer beh aviour, i.e. unethical behaviour is associated with greater amounts of materialism (Barrett, 1992 cited in Muncy and Eastman, 1998). The more materialistic consumers might be willing to bend ethical rules to gain possessions and when faced with an ethical choice, the acquisition of the goods may begin to take primacy over ethical values (Muncy and Eastman, 1998). Thus, the factors that may cause a person to be more materialistic may also cause him or her to be less ethical. In fact, marketers may have self-interest in encouraging materialism.Even if we consider that some people do behave ethically while purchasing luxury products, their decisions are not necessarily dependent on ethical values. People, while shopping in public, like to be seen as selfless and thus are more likely to choose green products, that maybe expensive and low quality but benefit the environment (Griskevicius, Tybur and Van den Bergh, 2010 Telegraph, 2010). So their purchases are often motivated by status, e specially when these products cost more relative to non-green products.The Toyota Prius is a prime example of a self-promoting mobile hoarding for environmentalist beliefs. A compact hybrid Sedan with moderate features and performance, considered a Green product due to high fuel efficiency. In a survey, 40% of hybrid owners indicated that they bought a green car as an alternative to a traditional luxury car such as a BMW (Griskevicius, Tybur and Van den Bergh, 2010). Yet, the top five reasons why the Prius was so successful and environmental conservation was last on the list (Maynard, 2007). The number 1 reason was, that it made a statement about the consumer, a statement that the owner cares about the environment. So consumers are willing to spend on ethical products but at the cost of earning a public status or reputation. In the privacy of ones home, luxury and comfort is still the winner (Griskevicius, Tybur and Van den Bergh, 2010).Having discussed that hedonism and materialis m as motivators of luxury purchases, it is evident that sustainability and luxury are quite incompatible terms. To drive a Rolls Royce, a Bentley or a Mercedes S Class would radiate a meat that the owner couldnt care less about gas overconsumption and the warming of the atmosphere (Kapferer, 2010). Luxury is about excellence more than any other, luxury brands guarantee null risk. Now there are more and more pressures from lobbies and animal defense groups to forbid testing skin care products on animals. But without testing, the brand cannot interpret that its product is harmless for consumers. If all fashion luxury brands adopt a minimalist look, they would lose all capacity to differentiate and thus lose their integrity.Elliott and freewoman (2001 cited in Belk, Devinney and Eckhardt, 2005) found relatively high price snap disruptiveener of demand for products made under bad labour conditions but low price elasticity for products made under good conditions, implying that compa nies can potentially lose from having their products identified as being made under bad conditions but have little to gain from marketing their products as being made under good conditions. Modern revelations of how Prada and Dolce Gabbana bags were being stitched by clandestine Chinese workers in workshops-costing a mere 20 to produce, have signaled the need of ethical behaviour in manufacturing, in order to retain customers.Luxury brands are advancing fast to meet the demands of sustainable development. Some brands are actually working on philanthropic endeavors, but their motive is not quite clear. For example, since 2009, BVLGARI has raised more than 6 million Euros to support Save the Childrens quality education programs and are hosting several special events to support quality education for the worlds neediest children (Bvlgari, 2010). LVMH has been auditing its carbon imprint since 2004 and has taken as a managerial motto the four words renew, recycle, reduce, and review (Ka pferer, 2010). The same holdstrue for Tiffany. Dior (LVMH) gets their handbags made in Italy (excellent leather suppliers and their know-how that produces less CO2 than if it was made in China) and the leather comes from bio farms. Versace has an Art Unites initiative where the brand makes one-of-a-kind handbags out of each work of art drawn by a child. The bags are sold for about $250 through its global boutiques and all proceeds go to childrens foundation or other charities.Having analyzed the extent to which consumers value ethics in the luxury sector, as well as explored the same issue from the perspective of the luxury companies, one can conclude that that people care more about ethics if the people around them can recognize them for doing so. There is a big attitude behaviour gap that demonstrates that consumers still make important purchase decisions on the basis of price, quality and durability of product rather than ethics. Thus, the intentions of both consumers and produc ers are to some extent unethical in its roots and motivated by further recognition to be doing whats right rather than for the outcome and effect of those ethical decisions on the people that they are benefitting. What is evident is that firms have realized that need of ethical conduct to retain its customers if not gain more.

Study on the Effects of Methyl Mercury

Study on the Effects of Methyl MercuryKOLIANDRIS Damianos EHS 519IntroductionMethyl hectogram is ranked in the top ten groups of chemicals listed as environgenial problem globally and is significant associated for human race health issues8, 10. Published literature suggests that methyl mercury is suspected to have negative effects brain schooling and the consumption of this compound pregnant woman may eventually lead significant neurological defects in newborns13.We will identify the adverse effects (if any) of methyl mercury by examining major epidemiological and animal studies and using the mean levels of image, we will assess the level of exposure of methyl mercury and work fall out the BMDL and RfD.Hazard IdentificationWe will study Mercury. Mercury exists in different forms, either in elements (or metals) as inorganic form (occupational exposure) and organic form such as methyl mercury (dietary exposure) 1.Mercury, a natural element in water, soil and air, is considered by WHO as one of the top 10 groups of chemicals of major public health concern1. Methyl Mercury primarily targets the nervous system during its advance(prenominal) development1. That is why foetuses and young children be mostly vulnerable to Methyl Mercurys adverse health effects. Methyl Mercury is oxidised in the brain and causes chronic diseases 2,3,4,5.Specifically, in the Faroe Islands, people consume whale meat at genuinely mellow rates. The world was found to be highly contaminated and the researchers associated europsychological deficits at 7 years of age Developmental delays with the methylmercury exposures6.The Faroe Islands and New Zealand studies provide evidence of a negative association between methylmercury in seafood consumed by pregnant women and the neurodevelopmental capabilities of the siblings at the age of 4 and 6-7 years old. Even in low concent symmetryns of methylercury, the effects ar small but still there 6,8The Seychelles study did not detect any sig nificant associations between developmental tests and methylmercury exposure. The study measured concentration of blur mercury in pregnant mothers and then evaluated the development capabilities of children at 6.5, 19, 29 and 66 months of age7. From the study there is no evidence about the association of MeHg exposure and DDST-R where was showed in pilot study7.The New Zealand study associated exposure to Methyl mercury with mental development of children at the age of 4 and 6-7 years old8. The study habilitate a high exposure group consisted of 200 children (mean exposure = 9g/g) at the age of 6 to 7 years old, lower mental capabilities were observed as opposed to the Control group with lower exposure rates. Nevertheless, JEFCA posed several methodological questions on this study1, 7.Exposure assessmentVarious epidemiological studies were conducted in which researchers assed the level of exposure of the mothers of the children. Noteworthy attention is given in the study in the Fa roe Islands6, in Seychelles7 and in New Zealand8.The studies we examined 6,7,8 and the report for WHO1, suggest that the population is primarily exposed through seafood consumption. Since methylmercury oxidises in the brain during early development stages, the adverse effects are apparent to foetuses and young children where cognitive capabilities are in general affected.The population of Faroe Islands is not more than 50,000 people and the New Zealand is roughly 4.5 million. It is evident that population that resides in islands and fish consumption is highly observed, and then the exposure is of high rates. Typical levels of fish consumption vary between 1g/g and 9g/g (Faroe) and sometimes higher (10g/g in New Zealand).The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) determined that a steady-state daily ingestion of methylmercury of 1.5 g/kg torso pack/day would result in the concentration in maternal squanderer estimation1.Table 1 GUIDANCE FOR IDENTIFYING POPULATIO NS AT RISK FROM MERCURY EXPOSURE, August 2008, Issued by UNEP DTIE Chemicals Branch and WHO Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne distempersDose-Response AnalysisThe population in Faroe Islands was found to be highly contaminated of about 2 mg methyl mercury/kg6. The results were also (statistically) significant even when they excluded children whose mothers exceed 10 g/g 6. This study included many neuropsychological tests such as Finger Tapping, Hand-Eye Coordination, an news program scale (Wechsler), Similarities, and Block Designs, Visual and verbal tests by Bender6.The 3 studies (Faroe, N. Zealand and Seychelles) were used by the US EPA to derive an RfD of 0.11 g/Kg boy weight per day for methyl mercury. The benchmark dose was derived with an uncertainty factor of 10 and based on the 95% confidence levels of the 3 studies1. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives concluded pregnant women exposure to methyl mercury neurotoxic effects were the most sens itive health outcome of the 3 studies.Original BMDLs of 1724mg/kg were produced. Nevertheless, a single observation in the New Zealand study (86g/Kg) seemed to inflate this BMDL, and when omitted a BMDLs of 7.410mg/kg was derived.Minor adverse effects are expected when the threshold of 0.056g/l is not exceed1. This threshold was obtained by dividing a maternal hair-mercury concentration of 14mg/kg by the hair blood ratio of 250. In humans, the steady state concentration of mercury in blood can be related to average daily intake using a one-compartment model that incorporates refinements to the original WHO formula, as followsu1Using this equation, the Committee determined that a steady-state daily ingestion of methyl mercury at 1.5 mg/kg of body weight per day would result in a maternal blood-mercury concentration that would have no appreciable adverse effects on offspring in these two study populations.Potential human variability was taken into account by the application of adjustm ent or uncertainty factors such as sink individual variation in pharmacokineticsRisk CharacterisationMercury, a natural element in water, soil and air, is considered by WHO as one of the top 10 groups of chemicals of major public health concern1. Exposure to mercury even small amounts causes major health problems, and is treated for the development of the child in utero in early years. The studies have shown that people, who consume fish and shellfish, are more likely to be exposed to methylmercury1.ReferencesWHO. (2006). Exposure to Mercury A major public health concern. Preventing Disease Through Healthy Environments, 4. http//doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.12.007Kanai, Y. et al (2003) Functional properties of multispecific amino acid transporters and their implications to transpoter-mediated toxicity. Journal of Toxicological Sciences. 28 (1) 1-17Kerper et al (1992), Methylmercury transport across the blood-brain barrier by an amino acid carrier. American Journal of Physiology Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 262 (5) 761-765.Mottet et al, (1985), Health risks from increases in methylmercury exposure, , Environ Health Perspect. Nov63133-40.Sakamoto et al (2004), Maternal and fetal mercury and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a risk and benefit of fish consumption to fetus, Environ Sci Technol. Jul 1538(14)3860-3.Grandjean et al (1997), Cognitive deficit in 7-year-old children with prenatal exposure to methylmercury, , Neurotoxicol Teratol. Nov-Dec19(6)417-28.Myers, G. J., Davidson, P. W., Shamlaye, C. F., Axtell, C. D., Cernichiari, E., Choisy, O., Clarkson, T. W. (1997). Effects of prenatal methylmercury exposure from a high fish diet on developmental milestones in the Seychelles Child Development Study. Neurotoxicology, 18(3), 819829.Kjellstrom at al (1986), Physical and mental development of children with prenatal exposure to mercury from fish. Stage 2Interviews and psychological tests at age 6. Report 3642, National Swedish envir onmental Protection BoardCastoldi, A. F., Onishchenko, N., Johansson, C., Coccini, T., Roda, E., Vahter, M., Manzo, L. (2008). Neurodevelopmental toxicity of methylmercury Laboratory animal data and their contribution to human risk assessment. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 51(2), 215229. http//doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2008.03.005Stern, A. H., Smith, A. E. (2003). An assessment of the cord blood Maternal blood methylmercury ratio Implications for risk assessment. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111(12), 14651470. http//doi.org/10.1289/ehp.6187Gilbert, S. G., Grant-Webster, K. S. (1995). Neurobehavioral effects of developmental methylmercury exposure. In Environmental Health Perspectives (Vol. 103, pp. 135142). http//doi.org/10.1289/ehp.95103s6135Grandjean, P., Herz, K. T. (2011). Methylmercury and brain development Imprecision and underestimation of developmental neurotoxicity in humans. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, 78(1), 107118. http//doi.org/10.1002/msj.20228UN EP DTIE Chemicals Branch, WHO Department of Food Safety, Z. and F. D. (2008). GUIDANCE FOR IDENTIFYING POPULATIONS AT RISK FROM MERCURY EXPOSURE. Exposure.

Formaldehyde: History and Importance

methanal History and Importance1.0INTRODUCTIONFormaldehyde is the early member of the aldehyde family (CH2O) and is the most important aldehyde in the environment.3 It is a naturally occurring chemical and a by-product of most organisms, including human, industrial and natural subprogrames. Formaldehyde manakins from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials smoke from forest fires, in automobile exhaust, and in tobacco smoke. Atmospheric methanal is formed by the action of sunlight and oxygen on methane and otherwise hydrocarbons.2 Due to its simple nature, metabolic processes break methanal into carbon dioxide. Formaldehyde does non accumulate in the environment or within plants, animals or people, as it quickly breaks down in the body and the atmosphere.1 It has a pungent odour and is an prickle and is an irritant to eyes, nose and throat, even at low concentrations. The recommended odour detection limit is between 0.05 1ppm.3 Formaldehyde is an important i ndustrial chemical and is employed in the prevarication of many industrial products and consumer articles. More than 50 branches of industry now using up formaldehyde, mainly in the form of sedimentary terminations and formaldehyde-containing resins. In 1995, the demand for formaldehyde in the three major grocerys Northern America, Western Europe, Japan was 4.1-106 t/a Chem. Systems Inc. Formaldehyde (April 1996)..History of FormaldehydeResearch in the early 1800s by Liebig discovered the chemical composition and nature of various aldehydes excluding formaldehyde due to the ease with which wood spirit was oxidized to formic acid and further synthesized to carbon dioxide and water.5In 1859, Alexandra Mikhailovich Butlerov inadvertently discovered formaldehyde as a result of his proposed synthetic thinking of methyl groupene glycol CH2 (OH)2. During his laboratory experiment, Butlerov observed the distinctive odour of the formaldehyde solution while hydrolysing methylene acet ate, which decomposed to form formaldehyde and water. 5He as well produced formaldehyde in other forms which led him to publish a detailed advertise of formaldehyde solution, its gun for hire and polymer. He gave additional evidence of its structure and described the chemical answers together with the creation of hexamethylenetetramine, (CH2)6N4 on reacting with ammonia, (NH3). The main way by which formaldehyde is still being produced till date was discovered by A.W. Hofmann merely with other atom smashers. In 1868, Hofmann made a successive breakthrough by deprivation a mixture of methanol and p arntage over a heat uped platinum spiral. This process is currently industrialised by phthisis of a metal atom smasher. Over two decades later, the isolation and purification of formaldehyde was achieved by Friedrich Von Stradonitz (1892). 41882 marked two significant improvements in formaldehyde look. Kekule then described the facility of pure formaldehyde and Tollens disco vered a method of regulating the methanol vapour childs play ratio, thereby seeing the yield of the reaction.6The spiral platinum catalyst was re placed with more efficient copper gauze in 1886 by Leow. Commercial manufacture of formaldehyde was initiated by a German firm, Mercklin and Losekann in 1889 with the first function of silver catalyst patented by Hugo Blank, another German company in 1910. 6Industrial development continued from 1900 to 1905, when plant sizes, flow arrays, yields, and capacity were increased. In 1905, Badische AnilinSoda-Fabrik (BASF) started to manufacture formaldehyde by a continuous process employing a crystalline silver catalyst. Formaldehyde output was 30 kg/d in the form of an aqueous 30 wt% solution. The methanol required for the yield of formaldehyde was initially experienceed from the timber industry by carbonizing wood. The development of the high-pressure synthesis of methanol by BASF in 1925 allowed the production of formaldehyde on a true industrial scale. 6Importance of FormaldehydeFor several decades, formaldehyde has been utilize consistently in a colossal range of products, ranging from personal hygiene, to medicine, to building products and much more. Many different resins are created from formaldehyde, which are in turn utilize to create other materials having different properties. Formaldehyde derivatives are apply as preservatives in personal hygiene products because they kill bacteria or they are utilise to make other products more effective in terms of foaming action such as soaps and detergents. Its versatile chemistry and unique properties have created applications for use of formaldehyde in all kinds of every day products such as plastics, carpeting, clothing, resins, glues, medicines, vaccines and the film used in x-rays.One of the first benefits you derive from formaldehyde chemistry is as a child, when you received your vaccinations for childhood diseases. These include diphtheria, polio and in fluenza, to name a few. Since it withal acts as a preservative, formaldehyde plays a critical eccentric in our medical schools, preserving cadavers used in teaching human anatomy. It has been used for tissue and organ preservation for more than a century and has greatly support the advance of biological science.1Importance of Green ProcessesThe concept of Green Chemistry helps recoil or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture and application of chemical products. This helps in dealing with the ever growing increase to protect the environment and the concept of sustainability. A lot of emphasis is base on the research and development phase of each chemical or product, to curtail issues affecting human health and environmental pollution. For every chemical or bookn product, the following guidelines should govern the choice of route7* Choice of feed-stock (costs are relevant of course, except also total resources, energy, waste, etc. in the manufacture of the given feed-stock are important factors) * Choice of reaction path (minimise energy requirements by use of selective catalysts) * Choice of catalyst (efficiency, separation from product, recycling of catalyst) * Down-stream touch/unit operations (minimising the number of stages necessary to bring forth the product in the state desired by the customer) * Minimising not only the amount pollutants, but also the volume of waste streams (effluent/ off-gases and solid waste) * Recycling of auxiliary, side-, and intermediate products into the process. This report focuses on physical and chemical properties of formaldehyde (CH2O), its production processes and evolution through time as it tries to conform to some of the teachings of green chemistry. 2.0PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS FORMS OF FORMALDEHYDEFormaldehyde is more complicated than many simple carbon compounds because it adopts different forms. Formaldehyde is a gas at room temperature, but the gas readily converts to a variety of derivatives. These derivatives generally behave similarly to vaporish formaldehyde and are used in industry.4Physical PropertiesI. Monomeric formaldehyde This form of formaldehyde 50-00-0, CH2O is a colorless gas that has a foul, overpowering odour and is an irritant to eyes, nose, throat and skin. Monomeric formaldehyde liquefies at -19C, and solidifies at -80C to give a white paste. The liquid and gas phases polymerise readily at low and normal temperatures up to 80C. Pure formaldehyde gas, on the other hand, does not polymerise between 80 100C and behaves as an ideal gas. Though it is not commercially available in this form, it can be prepared in the laboratory by the Spencer and Wilde method.6, 3The molecular formula of gaseous formaldehyde in ambient air is shown below. II. Trioxane 1, 3, 5- Trioxane is a stable cyclic trimer of formaldehyde, C3H6O3. It appears as a white solid with a chloroform-like odour but does not cause any form of irritation to alert th ings. The pure form of trioxane melts at 61 62C boils at 115C and has a flash point of 45C. Trioxane is used as a feedstock for some plastics, solid fuel tablet formulas and as a stable source of formaldehyde in laboratories.8, 3III. Paraformaldehyde this is a colourless, granular solid with a pungent and irritating smell. It is prepared by condensation of methylene glycol (HOCH2 OH), and its composition is best expressed by the formula HO- (HCHO) Q-H. Paraformaldehyde melts over a wide temperature range (120-170C), which depends on the degree of polymerization. It has similar uses to formaldehyde it is commonly used as a source of formaldehyde for disinfecting large areas.3IV. Formalin The primary market for formaldehyde is in aqueous form, Formalin. It is a clear solution with the characteristic odour of formaldehyde. Methanol is normally present, 6-15%, to suppress polymerisation. In aqueous phase, the dominant form of formaldehyde is methylene glycol and polyoxymethlene glycol for knockout solutions.3 Chemical Reactions of FormaldehydeI. Decomposition In thermal decomposition, formaldehyde is relatively stable. At 150C, formaldehyde undergoes composite decomposition to form methanol and carbon dioxide. Above 350C, the reaction decomposes to form carbon dioxide hydrogen. Catalysts such as platinum, copper, chromium and aluminum are involved in this decomposition reaction to form methanol, methyl formate, formic acid, carbon dioxide and methane.6 2HCHO CH3OH+COHCHO CO+ H2II. Polymerisation At room temperatures and very low pressures, formaldehyde monomer vapours tend to polymerise while at high temperatures, monomeric HCHO can be maintained readily for several hours without polymerisation at an equilibrium vapour pressure. In the aqueous phase, formaldehyde is oxidized readily by even mild oxidizing agents, such as Ag(NH3)2+, and this property has been exploited in the development of several wet-chemical uninflected methods for formaldehyde.3III. Reduc tion and Oxidation Reactions Formaldehyde is readily reduced to methanol with hydrogen over a nickel catalyst and is oxidized by nitric acid, thousand permanganate, potassium dichromate or oxygen to form formic acid or carbon dioxide, and water.6, 3 A Cannizzaro reaction occurs when formaldehyde reacts with a conceptive alkali or heated acid to form methanol and formic acid. HCHOaq+ NaOH HCO2Na+ H2H2+ HCHOaq CH3OHIn the presence of aluminum or magnesium methylate, paraformaldehydes react to form methyl formate. This is known as the Tischenko Reaction.2HCHO polymerHCO2CH3IV. Addition ReactionsV. Condensation Reactions Formaldehyde is a base product in many synthetic resin product.9 Formaldehyde condenses with urea, melamine, urethanes, cyanamide, aromatic sulfonamides and amines, and phenols to give a wide range of resins Amino, Phenolic and Synthetic Resins.63.0METHODS OF PRODUCING FORMALDEHYDEOver the old age, the starting feedstock for the commercial production of formaldehyde is Methanol. This feedstock has been produced by reacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen, both ordinarily from natural gas or petroleum fractions, under high pressures in the presence of a catalyst.3 Various patents have been published for the production of formaldehyde but most with no commercial importance. Of all these, the procedure to be discussed is the reduction of carbon monoxide.3.1Reduction of Carbon OxidesThis process has been put through a lot of research due to its low cost of raw materials and potential simplicity. The end-product of this reaction is usually methanol with formaldehyde as an intermediate in the reaction. This process is a dance reaction part of the reaction is a simple hydrogenation process and the other, by the Cannizzaro reaction of formaldehyde with itself. The reaction with copper-alumina catalyst forms formaldehyde at temperatures of 282 487C and pressures of 117 410 atmospheres.10 CO+ H2 CH2OThis reduction reaction is highly unfavorable as a mea ns of formaldehyde synthesis due to the following reasons. * Unreasonable high pressures required to obtain high yields* To obtain equilibrium at a reasonable rate and avoid hydrogenation, an extremely active and selective catalyst would be required. 3.2Methanol and FormaldehydeFormaldehyde is industrially manufactured with methanol through three main processes.6 1. Partial oxidation and dehydrogenation with air in the presence of silver crystals, steam, and excess methanol at 680 720C (BASF process, 97 98 % methanol conversion).2. Partial oxidation and dehydrogenation with air in the presence of crystalline silver or silver gauze, steam, and excess methanol at 600 650C (77 87 % primary conversion of methanol). The conversion is completed by distilling the product and recycling the unreacted methanol3. Oxidation only with excess air in the presence of a modified iron molybdenum vanadium oxide catalyst at 250 400C (98 99% methanol conversion).Process 3, also known as the FORM OX process, a highly exothermic process, occurs at temperatures of about 350C. Though this process uses lower temperatures and a cheaper catalyst, the dehydrogenation process is still prevalent in the industry because of its lower operating costs.2, 3Production of formaldehyde via conversion of propane, ethylene, propylene, butylene, ethers and butane are not economic therefore have little or no industrial relevance. In addition, the partial hydrogenation of CO and methane oxidation results in lower yields as compared to the former processes.63.3Development of the Methanol Process The initial method for the development of formaldehyde was originated from by Hofmann, which is the passing of a mixture of air and methanol over a heated platinum spiral and dissolution of this product to form aqueous formaldehyde, formalin.10 This process was replaced due to difficulties with explosions in completing the product recovery. Subsequent development involved the replacement of the platinum ca talyst with platinised asbestos in a heated pipework by Volhard. Further research by Tollens introduced the direct relationship between the methanol-air vapour ratio and the formaldehyde yield which is still a main principle in todays industries. 10 Leow refined the two later processes by replacing the platinum catalyst with copper gauze. This initiated the first continuous process for formaldehyde production. The first stage of this process yielded about 15 20% formaldehyde, with an additional 30% conversion due to further heating of the reaction gases. 10 Though not aware at the time of the concept of green chemistry, research was carried out covering the preparation of catalysts, reaction times and temperatures, and product absorption during the early years of commercial development of formaldehyde. This led to technological development for the use of a silver catalyst by O. Blank in 1910. Thorough investigation with the use of this catalyst proved that higher yields were obtai nable as to that of the copper catalyst. 10 Large scale manufacturing welcomed improvements in the method for vapourising alcohol, the scrubbing systems and in the control of the heat of reaction. The copper gauze was observed to disintegrate or fuse together with high air-methanol ratios. To tackle this issue, low ratios were introduced to help keep the catalyst active but this resulted in excess methanol distilled from the formaldehyde. 10 The progress made throughout the years has been achieved by the following* Efficient catalysts* Improved methods of control* Implicit engineering science economies3.3.1Silver Catalyst ProcessThis route is the classic method for the industrial production of formaldehyde. The two main reactions governed by this process are dehydrogenation and partial oxidation. The dehydrogenation of methanol is a highly endothermic, 650C, and heat of reaction is usually obtained from the burning of the hydrogen enclosed in the flue gas. These processes are usual ly carried out by reacting methanol and air over a heated stationary catalyst and scrubbing the off gases with water to obtain aqueous formaldehyde. 6 Addition of inert substances, water or nitrogen, aids conversion by using higher methanol concentrations relative to the oxygen supplied without reaching the explosive phase. A few key reactions take place during methanol conversion to formaldehyde. 3 CH3OH CH2O+ H2 H= +84kJ/mol H2 +12O2 H2O H= -243kJ/molCH3OH+12O2 CH2O+ H2O H= -159kJ/molMethyl formate, methane and formic acid are important by products of the above reactions. Below are a few undesirable reactions that must be avoided by proper control of temperature and other factors to obtain high yields. CH2O CO+ H2 H= +12.5kJ/molCH3OH +32O2 CO2+ 2H2O H= -674kJ/molCH2O +O2 CO2+ H2O H= -519kJ/molThe usual process for the commercial production of formaldehyde is through the incomplete oxidation of the methanol. So far, this has been proven to be the most optimal process because t he distilled methanol is recovered and recycled in the process. This results in higher yield, higher conversion and a high atom economy. 6, 10 The BASF ProcessThis process involves the complete conversion of methanol to formaldehyde (Reaction 1). This process indirectly apply some of the principles of green chemistry. 6, 10 1. Few reaction steps2. Recycling of materials within the production system to optimise product recovery resulting in a very high atom economy. 3. Environmental awareness with combusted off-gases having no adverse effect on the environment4. The use of water as a firmness 5. Incorporation of all materials in the process, maximizing final product with extremely low weight percent of by-products formed6. Optimum surface reaction with arranging of catalyst7. Process conditions adjusted to ensure that in retrieving of the final product, the mixture is easily stripped without scare of an explosion. Incomplete Conversion and Distillative Recovery of MethanolIn this process, methanol is partially oxidised and distilled to recover formaldehyde. This is the most widely used method of production. It should be noted that an economically feasible process is not unavoidably a green process. Partial oxidation of methanol has similar characteristics but differ with the following with respect to green chemistry. 61. Two-stage reaction2. Lower reaction temperatures adopted in the first stage to help suppress the formation of unwanted by-products.3. Heat of reaction generated from cooling the off gases, recycled in the system step-down energy requirements.4. Larger amount of methanol is recovered in this process with little presence of the b-products5. Similar off-gases as produced in the BASF process6. It also has an pick route that recycles the tail gas from the top of the absorber. This reduces the amount of feedstock, methanol, required in the process. This produces a more concentrated solution and saves up cost for the distillation process and the yield is relatively high (91-92%).Factors affecting the yield in methanol oxidation processes* The higher the temperature in a dehydrogenation reaction, the higher methanol is converted in the process system. 10,6 * Process air controls the desired reaction temperature and the extent to which the endothermic reactions occur. 10,6* Besides catalyst temperature, the inert materials added as stated earlier also affect the yield. 10,6Some of the advantages of the silver catalyst process are listed below11 * Most cost effective means of manufacturing formaldehyde* Increased formaldehyde yield, methanol conversion and catalyst life* Reduced silver requirements* Greater resistance to plant upsets and poisoning* Improved formaldehyde product quality* Technology demo worldwide3.2.2FORMOX ProcessThe FORMOX process is the direct oxidation of methanol with metal oxide catalysts (iron, molybdenum or vanadium oxide) to produce formaldehyde. Normally, the catalyst used for this process is a mixt ure of molybdenum and iron in a ratio of 1.52.0. Due to the development of this catalyst, a few advantages have been attributed to this process over the silver catalyst processes. This will be discussed in the later part of this report. The FORMOX process can be characterised as follows 1. Two stage oxidation reaction in gaseous state. This prevents waste that would have been generated by use of a solvent.62. Reaction carried out under atmospheric pressure and at lower temperatures (270 400C), results in an well-nigh complete reaction. 63. Careful adjustments of process conditions help prevent the formation of unwanted by-products. These side reactions occur at temperatures exceeding 470C. 64. The conversion rate for this process is relatively high with a high optimization process. 5. One short-coming of this process is with the tail gas that has lots of impurities and flammable components. The alternative route used rather of combustion is in the addition of fuel to the system w hich burns the tail gas as a supplement for energy in other start-up processes. 6 In summary, the green advantages of the three commercial processes can be summarised as follows 71. Few unit operations2. Waste is minimised by a highly selective reaction3. Use of catalysts to optimise process reactions4. Water used as the only solvent5. Reaction carried out at atmospheric pressure 6. Gas-phase reaction for the FORMOX process means that catalyst does not have to be recovered from solution 7. Recovery of energy from exothermic reactions to help reduce environmental and economic impacts.8. High conversion rates achieved through efficient use of equipment, energy and material9. Use of air as oxidant instead of chemical oxidising agents reducing the toxicity and by-products formed. 3.3Development of New ProcessesVarious research works have been carried out for developing new formaldehyde synthesis. Unfortunately, there has been no founding of commercial units of the techniques discussed below 1. Partial oxidation of methane to produce formaldehyde which has an advantage of reducing raw material costs of producing the methanol from methane. The inducement for such a process is reduction of raw material costs by avoiding the capital and expense of producing the methanol from methane. 122. Production of anhydrous or highly concentrated formaldehyde solutions via dehydrogenation of methanol. In some instances, energy costs are reduced as well as effluent generation, and losses, providing a more favorable condition. 12 3. Formaldehyde production from methylal (produced from methanol and formaldehyde) which is in two phases. Firstly, methylal oxidation which yields up to 70% of the concentrated formaldehyde product as compared to methanol oxidation with 55%. After this, methylal is produced by reacting formaldehyde obtained in aqueous recycle streams from other units with methanol as opposed to recovery by other more dearly-won means, e.g. distillation and evaporation. Development of this process is complete. 12Further research is still being carried out in the use of bacteria to produce formaldehyde. This will not be discussed in this report. 4.0ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH FORMALDEHYDEREFERENCES1. Formaldehyde Council, I. (2007, November). Formaldehyde Facts and Background Information. Retrieved may 10, 2010, from http//www.formaldehyde.org/_base/pdf/fact_sheets/11_01_07-FormadehydeFactsandBackgroundInformation.pdf2. Daily, C. (2004, April 01). The Chemistry cyclopaedia. Retrieved May 07, 2010, from http//www.chemistrydaily.com/chemistry/Formaldehyde3. Council, N. R. (1981). Formaldehyde and other Aldehydes. Washington, D.C, USA.4. Wikimedia. (2010, May 02). Formaldehyde. Retrieved May 07, 2010, from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde5. Harrison, K. (1998, July). Formaldehyde. Retrieved May 07, 2010, from 3d Chem http//www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?ID=1016. Wiley, I. (2006). Formaldehyde. Retrieved May 07, 2010, from Ullmans Encyc lopedia of IndustrialChemistry http//mrw.interscience.wiley.com.resourceproxy.manchester.ac.uk/emrw/9783527306732/ueic/article/a11_619/current/pdf7. Chuck, R. (n.d.). A Catalytic Green Process for the Production of Niacin. Retrieved May 07, 2010, from Lonza aggroup http//www.lonza.com/group/en/company/news/publications_of_lonza.-ParSys-0002-ParSysdownloadlist-0026-DownloadFile.pdf/25_A%20Catalytic%20Green%20Process%20for%20the%20Production%20of%20Niacin.pdf8. Wikimedia. (2010, April 15). Trioxane. Retrieved May 07, 2010, from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,3,5-Trioxane9. Smith, S. (2010). What is formaldehyde resin? Retrieved May 07, 2010, from Wisegeek http//www.wisegeek.com/what-is-formaldehyde-resin.htm10. Walker, J. F. (1967). Formaldehyde. Wilmington, Delaware Reinhold Publishing Corporation.11. GFRT. (Updated 2010). Silver Catalysts. Retrieved May 07, 2010, from Global Formaldehyde and Resin Technologies http//www.globalformaldehyde.com/silver.htm12. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia o f Chemical Technology. Formaldehyde, Vol12. John Wiley Sons.

Leadership In Julius Ceasar Essay -- William Shakespeare

In Shakespeares tragedy Julius Caesar, the use of diverse leaders plays an important mapping in the plot, showing vividly how strong personalities conflict. This is the case with Brutus and Cassius, the two leaders among the several conspirators. The story of Julius Caesar is set in ancient Rome during a quantify when Julius Caesar is to become king. This, however, angers Cassius, a nobleman, and he plots with Brutus and others to kill him before he becomes king. They do just that, justifying their typifyions by saying Caesar was too ambitious and would have gone demoniacal with power. This backfires with the Roman citizens after an emotional speech by Mark Antony, Caesars right hand man. This forces the conspirators to flee Rome and go to war with Antony and eventually place their own lives. Because of their great leadership qualities, Brutus and Cassius take the leader roles among the conspirators. Nevertheless, they at times do argue over the course of action. Though Brutus and Cassius are both corresponding in that they are great leaders, their differences in character are instrumental in determining the conclusion of the play.Despite their differences, Brutus and Cassius have similar traits that give explicate to great leaders. Both Brutus and Cassius are noble, intelligent men. They usually have good intentions and understand the situation they are in. This is why they both agree to go on with the conspiracy to kill Caesar. The two also like to think out and think their actions. They do this two significant times in the play. When the two plan Caesars assassination and during the planning of the final move for Brutus and Cassius army. When the assassination is developing, Cassius thinks to kill Antony as well as Caesar saying, Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, Should hold out Caesar. We shall find of him A shrewd contriver and you know his means, If he improve them, may well stretch so far As to annoy us all. Which to prevent, Let Antony a nd Caesar spend together (2.1.157-162). Brutus, however, responds with his own reasoning, Our course will seen too bloody, Caius Cassius, To cut the head off and then hack at the limbs, Like offense in death and envy afterwards For Antony is but a limb of Caesar (2.1.163-166). They two are also self reliant and self-dependent. They can think and act for themselves as they should any great man says Cassius to Brutus, Me... ...derable differences in trust and loyalty are the ultimate factors that influence the conclusion of the play. Both of these characters have great qualities much(prenominal) as intelligence, self-dependence, and reasoning ability that make them excellent leaders. It, however, is their differences that govern the end result of the conspiracy. The single most outstanding decision of the play was when the conspirators resolved non to kill Antony along with Caesar. Brutus overwhelming trust of Antony led him to believe Antony was not going to be a problem. There are many implications of leadership as seen in Julius Caesar. Those who tend to exhibit strong leadership characteristics will have much more impact on those who tend to stand back and fall into the crowd, even if the decisions being made are illogical. When two strong leaders interact, there usually is a disagreement on the course of action, which can be harmful for the group. The strong characters of Brutus and Cassius, and the weaker conspirators, prove both these conclusions. Works CitedShakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Houghton Mifflin Company. The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston, 1994.

Obesity in Australia :: Health, Diseases

obesity is becoming a major health problem in developing countries like Australia, North America, europium and other developing nations. The Australian Diabetes, obesity and purport style study (AUSDIAB) predicts the changes in glucose indices health behaviour and incidence of diabetes in 5 year come after up experiments among 5842 participants (Barr et al., 2007). This study betokens that a large sum up of Australians suffered mortality due to cardiovascular diseases associated with abnormal glucose metabolism every year. The Framingham Heart Study revealed that hypertension, diabetes and leftfield ventricular remodelling lead to the development of congestive heart failure (Levy et al., 1996). The Framingham Heart Study also found that a 5% increase in weight increases the circumstances of hypertension by 30% over a four-year period of time. An increased sympathetic activity, impaired renin-angiotensin system, retention of fluid volume, peripheral vasoconstriction, dyslipi daemia, increased blood viscosity due to the increased haematocrit and fibrinogen may increase pressure overload on heart in obesity (Schunkert, 2002). Several studies also suggest that the cause of hypertension itself may contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy in obese individuals as the increase of BMI increases the chance of hypertension (De Simone et al., 1994 Avelar et al., 2007). High dietetic fat intake increases the expression of angiotensin IB(AT1B) and Endothelin A (ETA) receptors (Neilsen et al., 2004 Zhang et al., 2005). Plasma concentrations of angiotensin II and endothelin 1 (physiological vasoconstrictor agents) were increased in both obese patients and animal models (Barton et al., 2000 Neilsen et al., 2004 Zhang et al., 2005). Recent studies have shown that reduced price reduction of azotic oxide (NO a major vasodilator) from L-arginine in endothelial cells is a major factor contributing to the impaired operation of insulin in the vasculature of obese and d iabetic subjects. Obesity results from an derangement between energy intake and expenditure. Growing evidence suggests that arginine plays an important role in regulating metabolism of energy substrates in mammals (Frank et al. 2007 Jobgen et al. 2006). NO is synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthase. As a signalling molecule, physiological levels of NO stimulate glucose uptake, as well as glucose and fatty-acid oxidation in skeletal muscle, heart, liver, and adipose tissues (Jobgen et al. 2006). Nitric oxide also inhibits the synthesis of glucose, glycogen and lipid in liver and adipose tissues and enhances lipolysis in subcutaneous adipocytes (Jobgen et al.Obesity in Australia Health, DiseasesObesity is becoming a major health problem in developing countries like Australia, North America, Europe and other developing nations. The Australian Diabetes, obesity and life style study (AUSDIAB) predicts the changes in glucose indices health behaviour and incidence of diabetes in 5 year follow up experiments among 5842 participants (Barr et al., 2007). This study suggests that a large number of Australians suffered mortality due to cardiovascular diseases associated with abnormal glucose metabolism every year. The Framingham Heart Study revealed that hypertension, diabetes and left ventricular remodelling lead to the development of congestive heart failure (Levy et al., 1996). The Framingham Heart Study also found that a 5% increase in weight increases the chance of hypertension by 30% over a four-year period of time. An increased sympathetic activity, impaired renin-angiotensin system, retention of fluid volume, peripheral vasoconstriction, dyslipidaemia, increased blood viscosity due to the increased haematocrit and fibrinogen may increase pressure overload on heart in obesity (Schunkert, 2002). Several studies also suggest that the cause of hypertension itself may contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy in obese individuals as the increase of BMI increas es the chance of hypertension (De Simone et al., 1994 Avelar et al., 2007). High dietary fat intake increases the expression of angiotensin IB(AT1B) and Endothelin A (ETA) receptors (Neilsen et al., 2004 Zhang et al., 2005). Plasma concentrations of angiotensin II and endothelin 1 (physiological vasoconstrictor agents) were increased in both obese patients and animal models (Barton et al., 2000 Neilsen et al., 2004 Zhang et al., 2005). Recent studies have shown that reduced synthesis of nitric oxide (NO a major vasodilator) from L-arginine in endothelial cells is a major factor contributing to the impaired action of insulin in the vasculature of obese and diabetic subjects. Obesity results from an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. Growing evidence suggests that arginine plays an important role in regulating metabolism of energy substrates in mammals (Frank et al. 2007 Jobgen et al. 2006). NO is synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthase. As a signalling molecule, phys iological levels of NO stimulate glucose uptake, as well as glucose and fatty-acid oxidation in skeletal muscle, heart, liver, and adipose tissues (Jobgen et al. 2006). Nitric oxide also inhibits the synthesis of glucose, glycogen and lipid in liver and adipose tissues and enhances lipolysis in subcutaneous adipocytes (Jobgen et al.