Notes

[alt text] 

Green leaf that takes up the middle of two pages lying in a black background that fades into lighter shades as it descends down the page, the leaf has droplets dripping down the center, liquid is clear 

[transcription]

#Dow Corning silicone fluid: The alternative to organics when environmental impact is a concern 

Organic doesn’t always mean better. Dow Corning silicone fluid proves that. In hundreds of different applications. One reason silicone fluid is replacing organic fluids in so many areas is because of what it does environmentally. Which is essentially nothing. 

Extensive tests prove it.* They show that silicones do environmentally degrade. Do not bioaccumulate. And are not toxic to avian or aquatic life. 

What all that means in plain terms is that silicone fluid is safe. For the earth, the air, the water, the plants, the animals. And man. 

That explains why so many chemists, engineers and managers are looking at silicone fluid as the safe alternative. It explains why silicone fluid is replacing askarels as a transformer coolant. It explains why silicone fluid is replacing organic fluids as a defoamer. It explains why silicone fluid can replace PCB’s in such a wide variety of applications. And most importantly, it explains why you should take a closer look at Dow Corning silicone fluid. 

For a booklet that tells much more about Dow Corning silicone fluid and provides detailed test results and references, write The Safe Alternative, Dow Corning Corporation, Department A-9002, Midland, Michigan 48640. 

##DOW CORNING 

*Test data and documentation cited are based on extensive research on various polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fluids.

[additional notes]

• there is an emphasis on environmental impact: this can be greatly influenced by the concern for the safety of the environment during this era as stated in the Sanders reading many consumers became concerned about pollution and substances seeping into our natural world

• the chemists here are trying to not completely alter the substance of previous organic fluids as I have read from the reading that can be severely costly, therefore it makes sense that they are making an ‘alternate’ not necessarily a new fluid 

• massive amounts of testing are required in order for food companies to even consider a new alternate and that explains the emphasis on the multiple tests that prove silicone fluid is applicable 

• What is silicone fluid used for?

• anti-foaming agent also used for packaging and a lubricant 

• prevents food that may stick and contols foam 

• lowers the amount of foam

• edible oil processing 

• the ability to perform reliably without degrading 

• non-toxic and complies with FDA standards, safe contact with foods

• also used in packaging materials

• the Sanders reading brought about the idea of much concern from the public regarding toxic chemicals and poisonous substances in their foods, therefore, for Dow Corning to address that issue demonstrates that they are considering the food companies’ concerns about public opinion 

• What is a transformer coolant?

• high heat resistance :liquid or gas 

• provides isulation 

• protection against oxygen/moisture from going into the insulator

• the list of replacements aids in the idea of a smooth change from the organic fluid to the silicone fluid 

• temperature resistance 

• durable and strong product that can fulfill multiple functions

• to place this liquid on the image of a leaf shows its naturalness and lack of harm to natural substances

• emphasizes the variance of silicone fluid to market to not only food companies but other companies as well 

• PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) which were replaced by silicone fluid as PCBs became known as  carcinogenic and a pollutant

• giving an easy alternative solution to a problem they assume the food industry might have

Themes: environmentally friendly, alternative applications, costs vs. benefits relationship, interchangeability, stability, naturalness, non-toxic

[Karlene Rodriguez]