Test The Rain Project

It’s finally official!! We have launched the Test The Rain Project. Thank you for those ATS members who have waited patiently as we put this project in motion. Our mission is simple. Determine if toxic chemicals from the oil spill are moving inland through the gulf moisture. What started out as a simple idea has grown into a major research project. We have been able to grab the attention of many in the scientific community.

This project will be an ongoing study as there are so many uncertainties in how this may affect the environment and our health.

I have noticed lately on ATS that the “high” profile attention of the spill has faded as do many “hot” topics of the moment.

We have decided not to accept the governmental / BP spin that “all is well” and “the seafood is safe to eat” knowing that 2 million gallons of dispersant have been dumped into the gulf.

It is easy to sit here behind the screen of ATS or any other forum criticizing another’s opinion on a topic matter as many have done in the threads concerning the BP gulf spill. So its time to let our actions do our talking. Anyone from ATS is welcome to join our effort to collect data. We need volunteers across North America.

As part of setting up the protocols for the project, it was decided to develop a website dedicated to its mission. We launched the site yesterday and we are increasing our network of volunteers who can aid in the data collection process.

A special thanks to Paxnatus for her assistance.

testtherain.com...

Thank you for this.

It's great to see American's helping out.

For nothing in return



I want to help what can I do

[edit on 3-8-2010 by cosmo740]

good to see
I'm sure ATS will put your results front and center when they arrive.
F&S

[edit on 3-8-2010 by Danbones]

reply to post by Cloudsinthesky


So the project ends with an incomplete sentence? I was expecting to see data.

I saw no link to continue reading what was presented.

But thanks for the work. I realize it's just getting started.

[edit on 3-8-2010 by davidmann]

[edit on 3-8-2010 by davidmann]

please link to any more info on this. I will be happy to take samples and send them wherever they need to go for testing. As long as it isn't expensive for the testing, I would even be willing to pay for my test. But I need to know at the very least, what you want to test for.

I think this is a great idea by the way. Stop blowing fear colored smoke up peoples back sides and let science talk for you.

I am glad and very impressed how you are going to make this happen. There is a thread on ATS which implies that neither Corexit or oil or any combination can be transferred from this 'spill' via rain. This project will set the records straight. Thanks.

I am happy to test the samples in Atlanta, GA. In fact I think Atlanta would be a good indicator of what will happen to areas that are quite near , but not actually ON the gulf coast spill region.
I am also open to working with other ATS members in Atlanta if need be.
Thank you and everyone involved for taking action. Like I said I'm happy to join you and I will be signing up. s&f

Love the site, can't wait for some of the pages to be fully developed. I just requested my testing kit! I can't wait to help with this...

Great job!!

reply to post by network dude


At Cloudsinthesky's request this post has been edited.

Just so everyone knows.. ... Cloudsinthesky is not attempting to collect information on ATS... I am asking that you go to the site (which I have had nothing to do with, until now) and request your kit!

[edit on 3/8/2010 by Iamonlyhuman]

reply to post by Iamonlyhuman


Hey Iamonlyhuman..........Thanks for updating your post

Looking forward to working with you....

Thanks Cloud

[edit on 3-8-2010 by Cloudsinthesky]

[edit on 3-8-2010 by Cloudsinthesky]

[edit on 3-8-2010 by Cloudsinthesky]

Phenomenal that you guys got going what should have been done by those paid to serve and protect us. Can't wait to see how it goes, is awesome idea!

Great freakin job Cloudinthesky!!! I cant wait to see the outcome and hopefully the oil & toxins wont be absorbed in the moisture and come inland. I'm anxiously waiting for this experiment to pan out!

I just saw a local paper saying that BP was testing the air here in Botetourt County Virginia. That's a good ways from the gulf huh? I've already heard of vegetation in NC being affected.

PS Hello ATS and nice avatar Danbones.

Hello,

First let me say thank you for your patience, I think everyone will be satisfied once we are off and rolling.

If I may I would like to share a bit more information regarding how we got to where we are with the rain project and where we are going.

I had no idea how difficult getting one sample of rain tested would be. After weeks and hours on the phone, a very clear picture was beginning to emerge. Not only did BP have a monopoly on most of the labs in the country, the process was extremely expensive, I am talking about starting at $500 and easily exceeding thousands. Still Clouds and I were so determined to do this we did not want lack of funds standing in the way.

Through a little luck and some ingenuity, we now have some of the top research scientists in the country on board.

There is no cost to you you simply follow the protocol and submit your sample. We will then post whether or not the sample you submitted is toxic

and wee will have the capability to track or back track the weather system that produced the specific sample.

Here is how this works: The rain will be tested for VOC's or Volatile Organic compounds that is where you start. Basically, anything in the rain that should not be there would be classified as an organic compound.

It needs to be emphasized we are not so concerned as to the exact chemical makeup of the rain water we are more or less looking for "is the rain water toxic? "

In order for the research to be valid all samples must be collected and submitted in the same way. Please understand this endeavor is not about individual rain water test results, this project is about a collective whole. It will take time to learn the results and this project may go on for quite some time. If you are looking for quick results, than this is not for you. However, if you are looking for accurate results and see this as an opportunity for you to make a difference then this may be for you.

One voice may not be heard, but it has been proven through history that many will be. We feel we have the right to know the truth about a potential health risk as it relates to the Gulf oil disaster. We also believe we are not being told the truth.

Just a note, the testtherain website is not a forum nor does it require a membership. It should not detract from anything you would like to do on ATS.

I would also like to say the work Clouds has done in putting this idea into motion has been phenomenal. Thank you for asking me to partner with you.

Pax

If anyone has questions for me they can u2u me. I will be happy to help.

Thank you Pax & Clouds!
Joined & ordered my kit this morning...

S&F

Ektar

Originally posted by dragonsmusic
I am happy to test the samples in Atlanta, GA. In fact I think Atlanta would be a good indicator of what will happen to areas that are quite near , but not actually ON the gulf coast spill region.
I am also open to working with other ATS members in Atlanta if need be.
Thank you and everyone involved for taking action. Like I said I'm happy to join you and I will be signing up. s&f

i'm where you are, though it sounds like you would be actually performing the test?
just requested my kit BTW....WOOT!

[edit on 4-8-2010 by ahmonrarh]

[edit on 4-8-2010 by ahmonrarh]

Congratulations on getting the site up and getting the testing arranged where it would be free for volunteers.

I do see some concerns with how the project has progressed, however.

Getting involved with academic researchers may gain you credibility but you lose the immediacy of timely results that could be obtained from a commercial lab. Academics often don't even like to reveal results until they have their publication submitted and approved, which sometimes takes a couple of years. For environmental contamination where there are potential health risks, that's too long.

This sample collection and testing should have started months ago. [That's just a comment, not a criticism, because I realize the difficulty involved in getting any project going.] With much of the surface oil-dispersant mix now disappearing from the surface, the impact on contaminating rain, if any, should be less now. If the well is sealed off, we've already missed the most crucial period. If the leak continues or gets worse, and especially if they keep spraying dispersant, then the project could still be very important and timely.

Testing for VOCs just to show the rain is toxic is a bit of a disappointment for such an official, scientific testing procedure. That allows the toxicity to be blamed on many causes other than the oil and dispersant pollution in the Gulf. Can't this lab give some indication of what's in the rain that ain't supposed to be there? Even if the results can't be specific to Corexit, any indication of which elements are present and/or higher than normal would be helpful.

A "quick and dirty," cheap homebrew test of some type (or several) would still be a valid and valuable addition to the project. If we have something that would let us know the likelihood of rain being contaminated, we could take action immediately rather than waiting for academia to get the job done. Anything you can do to get immediate results, regardless of lack of acceptance by the news media, academia, or the government, would be in the best interest of the public.

Is there any coordination of this with air quality testing? Rainwater can pick up contaminants from the air as it condenses and falls. Private citizens generally would not be able to do the higher altitude testing that would be the best indicator. The best we could do is test the air at our ground level, ranging from sea level to the mountains. That could then be analysed for any correlation with data from the agencies that monitor air quality.

The web site looks really nice, but IMO, substance is more important than looking pretty. I know you're just getting started - I'm just saying, whenever possible, give priority to info and data more than the cutesy stuff.

[edit on 4-8-2010 by ttatw]

Read this article.

www.cnn.com...

Apparently the govt is now saying some of the oil evaporated.



I wish these people would get their stories straight!

reply to post by ttatw


I feel your pain better than anyone! I am the one who researched too many labs to count. The problem is testing rain water period unless you go to someone who is directly involved with the EPA and the Govt. which leads back to BP, which we did not.

Who said we were tied to a University looking at academic research no one is making that claim. I assure you this is so much bigger than that. We are not at liberty to reveal our sources at the moment due to potential legalities that could jeopardize the entire project. We have well known names backing us up, but that is not even important.

While you have valid claims regarding the air etc. what you need to understand is anytime you test water you start with VOC's no one said we were stopping there, but you first must find a base line.

If you want to test your own sample then do it. Try and see where you can get it done. After calling many and i do mean many labs you will find out the
price begins at around $500.00 and goes up to around $50,000 depending on how much you break down the chemicals of the water. I had one chemical toxicologists and vice president of the company explain that it usually takes 5 gallons of water to run all the extensive test that needs to be done, to determine exactly what is in the water. He is now one of my consultants on this project.

We searched extensively to find a way to get the testing not only done for you but done at no cost to you. It takes time to get accurate results and takes more than one lab to verify the results. I apologize if this is not what you expected or wanted.

Thank you for your comments, but I find it unnecessary and rude to refer to our website as "cutesy" no one says you must do this. If you are not satisfied with our method that has been accepted in the scientific community than perhaps you should not participate. Although we would love for you to. Try a little patience and you may be pleased.

Again thank you,

Pax

I genuinely admire your resolve and initiative here, and am eagerly looking forward to the results. It's about time we had more "grassroots science." I trust you understand the need for rigid protocols. I would also suggest that each sample be sent to two or more independent laboratories under "double blind" conditions. This will help minimize the risk of systematic error. If you rely upon a single laboratory, you run the risk of those with a political or economic agenda of accusing the project of "bias." On the other hand, it is necessary to track the origin of each sample carefully, to determine if "anomalies" in the data may not be due to deliberate contamination by participants with their own agenda. A difficult but worthy task. Kudos!