I Can’t Hear You — And That’s a Problem
Scientists in Europe are warning millions of young people that they could suffer permanent hearing loss if they listen to MP3 players at too high a volume for too long.
What’s too long? More than five hours a week for five years, according to a study conducted for officials of the European Union.
It said that as many as one in 10 listeners could become deaf if they do not turn down the volume. Listening regularly to something louder than 89 decibels could spell trouble, the study said.
Here in the U.S. because of the potential for permanent hearing loss, workplace noise is not supposed to exceed 85 decibels.
The euphoria that swept Wall Street on Monday gave way to a sober reality on Tuesday
A day after the stock market staged one of its biggest rallies in history, buoyed by the government’s plan to rescue banks, investors retreated once again. Worries about the economy came to the fore. Many people fear that corporations — and by extension their workers and shareholders — will face harder times in the months ahead.
I guess we’ll have to get used to the roller coaster ride. There is some good news though, A Gust of Green Jobs
Wind turbine blades are heavy and huge. Could manufacturing them closer to the nation’s wind belt save transport costs and create much-needed jobs? (Photo: Associated Press)
As Detroit shrinks, could “green jobs” — so beloved of presidential candidates — ride to the rescue of industrial America?
In the past month, four wind turbine parts manufacturers have announced plans to put factories in the heartland, otherwise known as the wind belt. New factories in Arkansas and Iowa will make turbine blades. Two others in Indiana and Minnesota will make gearboxes, which control a turbine’s rotational speed.
There have been 9 announced plans for wind power manufacturing related facilities. It looks like America might start making things again rather then import them from China – of the components expected to be used in American wind power projects it is projected that half will be made here. Since we keep hearing that Detroit auto makers are in for some hard times, an up tick in wind and solar related manufacturing would be just what we need.
tangledwing 