9 out of 10 families want a flat screen plasma television, and most of these families indeed end up purchasing them. Little do we know that this television actually contributed to global warming, thus helped make the Earth’s atmosphere a little warmer.
Plasma Televisions
The manufacturing of plasma televisions includes the usage of a gas called nitrogen triflouride (NF3), which is a greenhouse gas so strong that is about 17,000 times better at warming Earth’s atmosphere than C02, hence making it more lethal as a global warming agent than C02.
NF3
The ironic part is that NF3 was first used as an alternative to perfluorocarbons – another potent greenhouse gas – and it was initially believed that the amount of NF3 used in the process was too miniscule to matter. Of course, it was later found out that NF3 is at least four times more ubiquitous in the atmosphere than originally expected.
Increasing Demand for Plasma Television
Furthermore, due to the increasing demand for plasma television and other electronics that use NF3 in their manufacturing process, this greenhouse gas which was once considered insignificant now quietly increase its presence.
Plastic is Extremely Long-Living
Worse still, this gas, like plastic, is extremely long-living. It takes years and centuries to eradicate from the atmosphere. Therefore, even though only a small amount of the gas is released into the atmosphere, eventually it may still add up into one big problem.
Manufacture Plasma Televisions
NF3 is not just used to manufacture plasma televisions. It is also used when manufacturing liquid crystal flat-panel displays, thin-film photovoltaic cells and microcircuits. It is basically used in making semiconductors, monitors, computer microchips, and even solar thin-film photo-voltaics which is used to convert sunlight into electricity.
How Damaging NF3 Is
Although researches are being conducted to determine how damaging NF3 is towards our atmosphere and attempts had been made to manufacture the products mentioned above without using NF3, there is no point denying that this gas has a lethal impact on the world we are living in.
Think For a While
Before a proper solution is found, perhaps we should all pause and think for a while before deciding to buy the new monitor, plasma television or MP3 Player. It may seem cool, but remember, that cool gadget in your hands will make the world you are living in warm. You don’t want that.
It is best to act before it is too late.