It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
The 2008 Olympic torch relay has not exactly inspired warm feelings of international cooperation, its journey across the world (and back again) is [also] leaving a historic trail of CO2 emissions. [O]our calculations estimate that the entire trip will unfold over 50,000 miles in 20 countries.
[]
270,000 gallons of jet fuel
[]
6,447,600 pounds of CO2.
[]
The flame's 50,000-mile journey has an annual carbon footprint equivalent to 624 Chinese citizens'. (Keep in mind that China claims it's offering a green Olympics.)
[]
We can't calculate the carbon footprint of the torch while it's being paraded around by Olympic heroes because neither the company that designed the torches nor the Beijing Olympic Committee answered our questions about how much propane was burned every hour.
A torch can usually keep burning for approximately 15 minutes in conditions where the flame is 25 to 30 centimetres high in a windless environment. The torch has been produced to withstand winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour and to stay alight in rain up to 50mm an hour. The flame can be identified and photographed in sunshine and areas of extreme brightness.
[]
The fuel is propane which is in accordance with environmental guidelines.
Under the concept of a Green Olympics, environmental protection was a key element listed in the invitation documents to the design companies, by BOCOG. The fuel of the torch is propane, which is a common fuel which also comes with a low price. It is composed of carbon and hydrogen. No material, except carbon dioxide and water remain after the burning, eliminating any risk of pollution.
Chemical: PROPANE
CAS Number: 74-98-6
The U.S. EPA conducted a comprehensive review of publicly available chemical testing data in 1997 to examine whether the basic information needed to identify chemical hazards is available for high production volume chemicals.
[]
The following basic tests to identify chemical hazards have either not been conducted or are not publicly available:
* Carcinogenicity
* Chronic toxicity
* Ecotoxicity
[]
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.
[]
The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system
Exposure to lower levels of propane can cause damage to the central nervous system, lung congestion, fluid in the lungs, fatigue, decreased night vision, tunnel vision, hallucinations, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, headache, euphoria, numbness and tingling of arms and legs, hyperventilation, rapid heartbeat, poor judgement, confusion, memory loss, anorexia, nosebleeds, conjunctivitis, weight loss, and skin irritation and discolouration.
It is produced as a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
Originally posted by freakyclown
LOL now work out how much oil/plastic/fuel you just spent making that post