Cob: enviroshake/rain collection

[billc_lists at greenbuilder.com]

Hi folks,

That certainly doesn't sound like any actual lab testing has been done.

I would suggest being *very* cautious about using a product such as 
this for rainwater catchment for drinking water.  Tires have plenty 
of nasties - heavy metals like cadmium and if I remember correctly 
mercury (I'd have to ask my neighbor who's with the Sierra Club and 
is constantly battling cement kilns that want to burn tires as fuel). 
Anyway, the point is there can be leaching and physical breakdown 
even if the water doesn't look or taste funny.  And the cumulative 
effects of drinking water containing certain substances are pretty 
well known in the water utility industry.

Personally, i wouldn't trust 'em without a full test - that means 
putting a test installation through enough freeze/thaw, UV, heating, 
and other cycles to simulate 15 or 20 years in service, THEN collect 
water off it and have a thorough lab analysis run.

I'd also want to know what exactly that discoloration is from. 
Something natural from the hemp?  Something from the tires? Some 
other ingredient?  And is the discoloration only after the initial 
installation, or after any long period of no rain?

Anecdotal answers such as the ones below are not good enough when it 
comes to human consumption.

>Hi folks, if anyone is interested in what the enviroshake people 
>have to say, here it is...
>
>In response to your email.  I can not say that there is any off-gasses from
>the product,  but what I can say is that the composition of tire rubber is
>only 8%, of the actual shake.  I have had a lot of inquiries about the
>effect of the sun on the product,, and of the sites that have been done, we
>haven't experienced anything except discolouration in the water.   Usually
>after 3 or 4 rains the water is back to its natural colour.  Quite a few of
>our customers use rainbarrels to collect water, and we have not had any
>complaints or any damage.
>
>One of our customers is in Florida, and he hasnt had any problems, with his
>flowers or vegetables.
>
>If there is any thing else , please do not hesitate to contact me back.
>
>thanks
>Chris Jackson
>Product Specialist
>Wellington Polymer Technology Inc.
>
>Phone: 519-380-9265
>Fax: 519-380-0689
>Tol Free: 866-423-3302
>
>Jenny Walker
>Freelance Graphic Designer
>& Illustrator
>613-741-7980
>http://www.jwalkerdesign.ca
>jenny at jwalkerdesign.ca


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Bill Christensen
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