Fallout shelter latrine?

reply to post by icybreeze

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icybreeze I have guesstimated that with 2 adults and 2 children the air would become contaminated beyond a breathable atmosphere in 16 to 18 hrs. remember we exhaust 5% CO2 and 16% O2, if the O2 is not being replenished and the CO2 not scrubbed the problem is compounded.

Excellent point. Joseph Priestley published a paper in 1772 entitled Impregnating Water with Fixed Air (his name for carbon dioxide) in which he described forcing the gas to dissolve by agitating a bowl of water in contact with the gas. Indoor concentrations higher than 1,000 ppm (0.1%) will cause discomfort in more than 20% of occupants.

For carbon to be sequestered artificially (i.e. not using the natural processes of the carbon cycle) it must first be captured. Currently, capture of carbon dioxide is performed on a large scale by absorption of carbon dioxide onto various amine-based solvents. Other techniques are currently being investigated, such as pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, gas separation membranes, and cryogenics.
www.moleculargate.com/carbon-dioxide-removal-adsorption-system.html

My conclusion is there are NO readily available home sized means to reduce CO2. Therefore, you must rely on FRESH air to be introduced into your shelter. Obviously, well filtered.

[edit on 10/8/2007 by donwhite]

NASA has done a lot of research on this. For instance I have majesty palms, snake plants, golden photos, english ivy, and dragon trees cleaning my air. Google around, but take note of what may be toxic to your pets if you have any.

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Especially in the bathroom.

reply to post by donwhite

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but if one has to rely on fresh air to be "filtered" what means does one use? HEPA only filters particulates, carbon for gasses...doesn't sound very affordable no matter how you slice it.

reply to post by icybreeze

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That's what I learned in 1959. Filters won't work. Alternative? You have to work for peace. For nuclear disarmament. For Non proliferation. That's your only and best alternative.

Nixon, not known for his peaceful disposition, signed the ABM Treaty which slowed to a halt the MAD threat between the USSR and the USA. Nixon engaged in SALT 1 talks to limit the number of nuclear weapons.

Reagan was no peace-nik but he engaged in SALT 2 for the same goal. The Sr Bush and Clinton continued to reduce the nuclear weapons inventory.

Big Problem. America either furnished or allowed France to furnish to Israel enough nuclear material to make between 50 and 300 nuclear bombs. We have NO credibility when it comes to non-proliferation. We allow our ally Pakistan to have nuclear weapons. We allow our NEW ally India to have nuclear weapons. On what grounds or by what right don't we allow NK and Iran to have nuclear weapons?

Bush43 has revoked the ABM treaty. He has allowed NK and Iran to gain nuclear knowledge. He has been a disaster we may all pay for. Red state types tend to be pro-war. Blue state types tend to be anti-war. It's your choice.

[edit on 10/8/2007 by donwhite]

For fallout all you need to worry about are particles.

Everything else, wear a mask.

A fallout shelter needs to be sealed, period. There is no requirement for concrete or block interior walls. A good, useable and concealed fallout shelter can be constucted in your basement by the addition of a basement bathroom. During construction of the bathroom, put in 3 layers of poly plastic vapour barrier instead of the usual single layer, and ensure to tape each layer for an airtight seal.
Install a hepa filter air filtration set that feeds a positive pressure into the room from a source inside the basement. Next, install a flapper valve air outlet on the outside of the house.
Use an exterior style door with a bottom sill so that it will seal, and keep a roll of duct tape in a drawer in the bathroom, to provide a secondary seal.
A polypropolene water tank can be easily fitted into your existing water supply, so that there is always a supply of fresh water on hand. You can put in in the bathroom if you wish, but as long as the vent line with check valve is mounted in the bathroom somewhere, the tank can sit anywhere in the basement. A small electric or battery operated or hand operated pump can be used to supply the water for drinking and operating the toilet.
A solar panel in use with a hand operated 12v generator to charge a small battery rack can supply the power to operate the pump, lights and hepa filtration set in the event of a power failure.
Cupboard space can be used for emergency rations and other supplies.
The tank and 12 v dc system are fairly easy to rig up. You mentioned tat there was a floor drain nearby, so cutting in to install the bathroom fixtures won't be a problem. You won't need a bath tub, so a two peice installation is your best and cheapest bet, as the tub cost the most. If you also use it as a pantry or storage room, that iliminates the question of what to bring down with you and allows you to store case lots of canned goods.
Good Luck
Direwolf