Subject: generalizations
From: "Bill Robinson" <roseguy@flash.net>
Organization: Flashnet Communications, http://www.flash.net
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 1997 08:39:35 -0700
Message-ID: <MOD$970922.22377@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
Andrew Lopez made some generalizations about synthetic materials vs.
organic materials. Like most generalizations, I think that they are
generally true but I want to add 'not in all cases'. He said synthetic
materials
last a very long time and organic materials bio-degrade right away. It is
certainly true that many of the synthetic materials are long lasting in the
enironment. DDT, for example, has about the same water solubility as
diamond and the material is world class stable. There are deposits of
DDT sitting on some spots of the ocean floor that will be there for many
years to come. Most synthetic pesticides, however, are considerably less
stable and bio-degrade in the course of conventional hot composting.
It is true that most of the organic materials bio-degrade rapidly, but not
all
and there are also exceptional situations. Petrified wood comes to mind as
well as some of the still viable seeds from ancient sites.
He also said that the break down products of synthetic materials were toxic
and lend themselves to toxic combinations. Hold it! This is not to say
that
there aren't any toxic break down products nor that there aren't any
toxic combinations, but rather that this is a generalization and there are
lots
of exceptions. 2,4-D, for example, is a herbicide that works because it is
so
much like a growth hormone both in structure and in activity. I wouldn't
expect
the break down products to be any more toxic or less toxic than the break
down products of a conventional protein or carbohydrate. How about some
data?
Bill