http://www.boston.com/dailynews/239/nation/FARM_SCENE_Plant_oils_made_fro:.shtml

FARM SCENE: Plant oils made from biodiesel studied for potential cleaning powers

By Elliott Minor, Associated Press, 8/27/2001 01:23

ALBANY, Ga. (AP) Farmers have been pushing biodiesel made from the oil of soybeans, peanuts and other crops as an alternative to gasoline, but a University of Georgia researcher thinks it might have a better future making safer cleaning products.

John Goodrum, who has been studying biodiesel for 20 years as part of an effort to add value to Georgia crops, noticed its cleaning properties when he poured it into a tank that had contained regular diesel.

''We realized that we got a free tank cleaning,'' said Goodrum, adding that biodiesel is safer than most of the harsh chemicals used in typical household cleaners.

The average American home has approximately 3 to 10 pounds of corrosive, flammable or poisonous chemicals in everything from furniture polish to oven cleaners to flea powder. Exposure to some of the chemicals can cause eye and skin irritation, or more serious illnesses if the products are accidentally ingested.

''Many industrial-strength cleaners are chlorinated and contain chemicals linked to cancer,'' Goodrum said. ''The solvents used to remove grease from cars and the cleansers used by commercial laundries are very toxic to humans.''

A typical toilet-bowl cleaner containing bleach is labeled ''poison.'' A typical bug spray has a label cautioning users to avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Goodrum said products made from biodiesel would be much safer.

''If you drink a little bit, it's no big deal,'' he said. ''They don't kill little things in the water. They actually can be used as food, so it is a very environmentally friendly product.''

Biodiesel costs 1 1/2 times as much as regular diesel fuel, but it is becoming more popular as a fuel additive because it reduces soot and carbon monoxide emissions. However, biodiesel increases nitrous-oxide emissions. Biodiesel production is expected to climb to about 25 million gallons this year, up from 5 million gallons last year.

Farmers are pushing for state and federal subsidies on biodiesel fuel. Goodrum thinks that there is an even bigger potential to help farmers by using biodiesel in cleaning products. He is testing different kinds of biodiesel in his Athens lab. Biodiesel is usually made from soybean oil. It can also be produced from peanut, cotton and corn oil, or from recycled vegetable oil from restaurants.

''Five different kinds of oils could be separated from crude peanut oil and made into cleansers with different uses,'' he said.

In tests, biodiesel cleaners have dissolved grease, while many conventional cleaners only ''spread that stuff around,'' Goodrum said. ''We think there's going to be interest and desire to use a truly green product. We feel like the industry will develop over the next few years with some specialized products.''

An Arizona company is already offering them. GEMTEK Products of Phoenix sells plant-based products ranging from diesel fuel to degreasers to body lotion.

''Everything is nontoxic and biodegradable,'' said Sarah Kirstoff, the company's vice president. ''With our core chemistry, you can clean anything from a contact lens to ... oil spills.''

After Goodrum publishes the results of his research, it will be up to industry to formulate cleansers for specific purposes.

On the Net:

GEMTEK Products: http://www.gemtek.com

National Biodiesel Board: http://www.biodiesel.org

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001