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HUMIC ACID FOUND IN SOIL REDUCES ANIMAL DEATHS An acid found rich in hummus soil breaks down the misfolded proteins called prions that cause chronic wasting diseases. Prions are misfolded proteins which characterize several fatal neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans. These malformed versions of proteins affect the nearby normal proteins to take on its complex shape and is harmful to the nerve cells. Infected animals become disoriented, and are unable to chew food or drink water months before death. Chronic wasting disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disease. It has killed large populations of deer, elk and moose. This has been spread across several countries such as South Korea, Sweden and Norway.  Deers are prone to be infected when they graze in prion contaminated areas. The discovery of how humic acid affects prions makes it easier to curb this disease.  Humic acid is a substance that is found naturally in soil. It binds to a plant'
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The Seveso Disaster, 1976

The Seveso Disaster was an industrial accident that took place on the 10th of July, 1976. The accident took place in a small chemical manufacturing plant which is approximately 20 kilometres north of Milan in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is called the Seveso Disaster because Seveso, a community populated with 17,000 residents in 1976, were the most affected by this catastrophe. Neighbouring communities that were also affected are located in Meda, Desio, Cesano Maderno, Barlassina and Bovisio Masciago. The industrial plant was located in Meda and was owned by the company Industrie Chimiche Meda Societa Azionaria or otherwise recognized as ICMESA. Residents did not perceive the factory to be a source of danger since the factory had been there for many years. In 1969, the factory produced 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP),  a by-product used mainly in the preparation of an acid. The derivatives which are used as herbicides and the preparation of an antibacterial subs

The Bhopal Tragedy, December 1984

Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. It is well known for its historical records, artificial lakes, and its amazing verdure. Most of all, this city is vastly popular across the world for the worst industrial catastrophe that occurred 35 years ago. A gas leakage engulfed the city of Bhopal, killing thousands and maiming many residents of the city to this day . What Happened? Nearly 40 metric tons of methyl isocyanate otherwise known as MIC, was released from a Union Carbide pesticide plant. This occurred on the night of December 2nd till December 3rd of 1984. The leakage had taken place at Plant Number C of the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal. The night breeze that picked up the pace, bore itself with poisonous gas that was leaking from the Union Carbide factory overwhelming the city and residents of Bhopal. The deadly gas murdered both the awake and asleep. According to a testimony given by the government, approximately 3000 people died.