Sulfur Hexafluoride Law Passed in California

Sulfur Hexafluoride is commonly known as a gas that is produced by greenhouses. It is a non flammable, non toxic gas created by SF6. Sulfur Hexafluoride was used in an exhibit by Mythbusters when discussing what different gasses can do to your voice. Helium will pitch your vocal chords higher causing you to sound funny and Sulfur Hexafluoride does the opposite. It drops your voice to a very low pitch making you sound very different.

Much of the greenhouse gas is emitted by the computer manufacturers. They emit this gas and use this gas when creating computer chips. Other industries and manufacturers may also emit or use this gas, however, the computer chip industry is taking the largest hit for this gas.

The reason that this gas has become so controversial for states like California, is the high amount of computer manufacturing that is done there. Home to Silicon Valley, this will affect this state a great deal. California has also become more environmentally aware in the past few years. They are concerned about the harmful effects to the climate that Sulfur Hexafluoride emits. It is thought to be one of the causes of global warming. Global warming has had a huge impact on the environment in recent years, this new regulation is trying to help lessen this potential threat to the climate.

This new regulation passed by California sets a limit on the amount of gases they can use and emit. The goal is to begin decreasing the usage of this gas and eliminating it in cases where that is a viable option. In addition President Obama and Congress are making plans to visit this and other global warming issues in the upcoming year. President Obama hopes to work on changes and improvements on a national level during his presidency.

This will impact the manufacturers and plants hard financially. Some are even talking about shutting down their plants in the US state of California and moving back to countries like Japan. Plants will have to spend millions of dollars to comply with new regulations and reporting procedures. This could impact the residents depending upon these companies for a paycheck. With unemployment already on the rise, this may be another hit in the job market.

While it is no secret most Americans are willing to make changes to help save the environment from further destruction, can we afford the implications of some of these changes? Is there a price tag on eliminating environmental threats and concerns? These are the questions that this new regulation will raise. The answers and opinions will differ by each individual.

Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-silicon27-2009feb27,0,6919141.story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-XbjFn3aqE