WINE, YOUR NOSE, AND CEMENT

Maybe I should have included "My Ear" in the title. I am always listening for bits of information to underscore my conclusions. Yes, I do have an agenda. My ear is what picked up the first of the two events I am going to relate to you now (well, eventually).

So, are you asking yourself, "How are wine, my nose, and cement related?" One way might be to overindulge on wine and fall face first onto the cement, momentarily flattening or even breaking your nose. Ouch! Despite the agony, you would be better off than the people I am gearing up to describe. And, no that is not the connection. Good guess if you went this route.

While tuning my radio (I believe it was on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2002) to find a strong station, I heard a Canadian news report about two people killed in a freak accident at a winery. One fellow fell in the vat. Another went to help him and ended by falling in also. I don't recall exactly what details were reported, but I knew precisely the reason although I am certain that wasn't disclosed. A search on the internet found the printed story, "B.C. wine-country residents shocked by freak deaths of winemakers," by Camille Bains, Canadian Press, Tuesday, November 12, 2002.

To her credit, Ms. Bains reported carbon dioxide as the culprit. I do have a bit of a problem with the description, "a freak accident no one has ever heard of happening before." I might be hard pressed to come up with such an accident involving wine making, but such events are not that unusual in graineries, silos, ships holds, and other areas where carbon dioxide can concentrate in enclosed spaces. Years ago, I was able to do a "Nexus" search that revealed many such "accidents." I have to find the time to try the search on google.com. (Why don't you try - - - exclude the "noise" from 'global warming' alleged deaths)?

My recollection (you need to verify this on your own as I may be wrong) is that the carbon dioxide level can get so high that it is not suffocation that kills you. Death is instantaneous not prolonged as you struggle to breathe. But, I would not expect Ms. Bains to know this. I do expect us all to know that CO₂ is heavier than air and "does not readily disperse." It can, however, readily disperse you.

I do find it a bit amazing that the opening to the vat was only 38 centimeters across. I guess that means 38 centimeters in diameter. That is just a little more than one third of a meter, or about 15 inches! These men must have run too many marathons and/or eaten too many vegetables. More pot roasts and meat and potatoes and cookies and pies might have saved them. Not only size-wise, but intelligence-wise.

The second person to do a swan dive into the bubbly was described as "winemaking consultant Frank Supernak." Obviously, on this day his nak was not super.

If your nose tells you that I am not through yet, well, then, you are getting the hang of it. Carbon dioxide is described as an odorless gas. Is it really? That leads me to a second story I found this week about the South Park odor. At first, I thought it was an article about the TV show, South Park. It was not. Instead it was about a small community south of downtown Seattle where some industry is concentrated. Recently, residents have been complaining of a chlorine like smell that has been causing problems and seems to be coming from a cement plant in the area. Seattle Times, November 9, 2002, "More links to cement plant as odor source" by Matthew Craft

The authorities are trying to pin the blame on oxides of nitrogen and sulfur they say the plant is producing. Some of this may be true in part, but what is the major chemical compound that is produced at a cement plant? Of course, it is unnamed in the stories I have seen. Why? Second, does it really have an odor?

The apparent source of the problem is the kiln at the cement plant and the high temperatures it produces which might be oxidizing the nitrogen in the air and sulfur (in the rock, I presume). Are high temperatures really necessary for cement production or are they required to incinerate the "smoke" that the authorities don't want you to see?

What does making cement require? In one stage, Calcium carbonate rock or limestone is heated and that gives off carbon dioxide gas leaving calcium oxide. I suppose the hotter the faster, but . . . is there a critical temperature required for the process to start, or can it be done at lower temperatures? Can it be done at temperatures that would not oxidize nitrogen or sulfur? Economically?

If sulfur and/or nitrogen are oxidized, what quantities are produced relative to carbon dioxide? Is the vast amount of carbon dioxide really the problem? There was a high pressure system around during part of the time period involved. Could it have been just too much CO₂ hanging around, and the authorities need a fall guy?

Conclusion: Whether you are a wine maker, South Park resident, or other mammal, carbon dioxide is a toxic gas - - - was in my chemistry book and still is. Your nose should tell you that something stinks.

And, it gets worse. Late breaking news from the Seattle Times, Friday, November 15, 2002, Is it the school or 'South Park odor'? By Matthew Craft, this amazing disclosure on a 3-year old school in the South Park area still needs to be digested by me (especially remarks such as the one about indoor and outdoor air) before I can comment . Revised 11-30-02 to link to my article on the school.. (Note: For later developments, search the Seattle Times for "cement odor". If you try "south park" and have a filter on your internet service, you won't be allowed access! Damned TV program). The Seattle Times may be doing a good job on this. We'll see how far they can go.

Copyright © 2002, Donald L. Beeman. All rights reserved.

Other Essays
Table of Contents (up, more)
HOME (up, most)