SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

 

To arrange for Dr. Charles D. Holland to speak on any of the studies published, please contact TIACT by letter, telephone, fax, or email.

 

Charles D. Holland

The Texas Institute for Advancement
of Chemical Technology (TIACT)
3125 TAMU
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas 77843-3125
(979) 845-3372 Phone
(979) 862-4202 Fax

E-mail: cms5701@chemail.tamu.edu

 

 

Charles D. Holland Vitae Introduction

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would be delighted to speak to your group on either one of these topics. Since the mission of TIACT (a nonprofit organization) is to advance technology though an informed society, there is no charge for any of these presentations.

 

The two most recent presentations

 

· Alternate Energy Sources

· Alternate Energy Sources—Solution of Major Problems


These presentations are based on studies listed under the publications tab.

 

1. Alternate Energy Sources are believed to hold the key to the two major problems facing the United States today; namely,

Reduction of carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxides and other pollutants;

A description of the major alternate energy sources:

nuclear

hydropower

geothermal

biomass

wind

solar

A summary of the overall findings for each of the alternate energy sources enumerated above is presented. Included is the cost of electricity, the amount generated in the United States from each source, and the future generation as well as some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

 

2. Alternate Energy Sources—Solution of Major Problems—This study shows that of the alternate energy sources, only nuclear has the capacity for providing the huge amounts of energy needed to solve the major problems facing us while reducing emissions. Three of the major problems facing the U.S. are:

 

· The demand for electricity is projected to increase approximately 1.8% per year or 1.8 million GWh/year over the 2000-2025 period, according to the Edison Electric Institute. (This increase corresponds to the output of 194 power plants each having a power output of 1000 MW);\

· The buildup of greenhouse gases resulting from the use of fossil fuels;

· The almost exclusive use of natural gas in the new power plants. (In 2001, over 95% of all new power plants used natural gas as a fuel.)

 

The higher cost of natural gas in the United States than in any other nation is beginning to drive our chemical industry off-shore. Electricity produced by nuclear energy power plants is now competitive in price with that from fossil fuel plants. The use of nuclear fuel in all new power plants and in the replacement of decommissioned coal plants would reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas to well below the Kyoto Accords by 2020.  Also, the progressive transition to nuclear power plants would make natural gas more available for the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors of our society.


2. Handling of Odor Problems - Odors are at best a nuisance and at worst a health hazard. By handling odor complaints in an appropriate manner, they may be converted into opportunities.

The handling of odor problems calls for the detection, identification, and quantification of odors, and instruments presently available for carrying out these tasks are described.

Some special techniques form elimination of odors are described. Also presented is a check list to aid in the handling of odor problems.

Also presented is a summary of the most common odorouw chemicals with their repsective Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), and their Effects Screening Levels (ESLs).

 

A summary of other presentations follow. These presentations are based on studies listed under the publications tab.

3. Particulate Matter and Health Effects - This study was undertaken because of the recent EPA regulation on very fine particulate matter (2.5 micrometers or less in diameter). Although this regulation is being held in abeyance by the courts, several recent studies have been made.

A review of the particulate matter levels in Texas  are presented as well as the results of the studies that have been made.

A statistical association was shown by ecological studies to exist between the levels of particulate matter and mortality rates for exposed populations. The mortality rates increased with the particulate levels.

 

3. Cancer in Texas (Second Edition) - At the request of a number of the members of TIACT, the cancer mortality data for Texas and the U.S. have been updated. The cancer mortality data found by Dr. Sharon Cooper for over 92,000 chemical and refinery employees, over time periods up to 50 years, are the same as presented in the original study. These data show that the cancer mortality rates for these workers were 9% below those of the general public. The updated data for Texas show that the distribution of cancer mortality rates for Texas is a reflection of the ethnic distribution. The Eastern Public Health Regions have cancer mortality rates higher than the Western Public Health Regions because of the population distribution of the African Americans, Anglos, and Hispanics. African Americans have the highest cancer mortality rates followed by Anglos and Hispanics, with Hispanics having the lowest rate of the three ethnic groups.

 

4. Major Problems/Opportunities Facing Texans and the Chemical and Refining Industries in the 21 st Century - In this study approximately 30 leaders in industry, government, and consulting organizations and approximately 30 citizens were interviewed for the purpose of identifying and defining these major problems. Their comments are summarized and further elucidation is provided for selected topics which appeared to be the major problems/opportunities in the 21 st century such as, the environment, water, the business climate 2000 and beyond, educating the Texas work force, cancer in Texas, chemical and biological terrorism, and transportation.

 

5. Education Needed by the Work Force in the 21st Century - This study presents some projections of what industry and society are expected to look like in the 21st century. One of the significant findings of the work force study was that the educational level in 2030 is expected to be lower than it is today.