Describe hazard, risk, and outrage - Essay Example

Hazard, Risk and Outrage Hazard, Risk and Outrage In Occupation and Environmental Epidemiology, hazard is “the potential to cause harm while risk is the likelihood of harm” (Agius, 2009). A hazard in work environments would mean a source of potential damage or harm on something or someone (Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, 2009). On the other hand, risk is the chance that a person will be harmed if exposed to a hazard. Outrage is “a powerful feeling of resentment or anger aroused by an injury, insult, or injustice” (Definitions.net, n.d.). One alternative to gasoline for automobiles is the use of straight vegetable oil (SVO).

There are already several companies which offer conversion kits for any type of car using gasoline. SVO-run vehicles have almost a zero net carbon dioxide emission which is very favorable to the environment (Veg Oil Motoring, n.d.). SVO-run vehicles can run on recycled waste oil from restaurants; thus, producing an exhaust that smells like whatever food was cooked in the oil.1. Would you consider buying one of these in the future? Why or Why Not? Yes, one would consider buying this type of car in the future because aside from the savings on fuel costs, there is reduced emission.

Buying this car would mean that one is contributing in his own little way to reduce the cause of global warming. The use of vegetable oil does not harm the environment and poses less risk on the health of the people unlike gasoline-powered automobiles.2. How many gallons of gas would you save annually if you bought one of these vehicles? If one travels 20,000 miles per year and uses gasoline at $3/gallon, one will spend $1,090 per year, assuming one gets 55 miles to a gallon (Middleton, 2011).

If one uses SVO which costs $0.89/gallon, one will spend $395 per year, assuming one gets 45 miles to a gallon of SVO. Therefore, total annual savings will be $695 per year or approximately 64% savings.3. Why do you think there are not more of these vehicles in use? One thinks that the reason why there a few vehicles using SVO is because of the lack of information about it. Vehicle owners do not know whether there are any hazards in converting their cars. They are wary of the risks it poses on their vehicles, if any.

Most of these car owners are risk-averse. They are not willing to risk the valuable money which they spent on their cars. People are afraid that conversion of their cars from being gasoline or diesel-run to SVO might damage it. They are also concerned that their insurance companies might charge them additional premiums if they convert. Vehicle owners are worried that it might affect the warranty of their cars. The conversion kit might void the warranty. Another major concern is the question on the performance of the automobile.

Questions such as “will it affect the performance of my car” or “will it be more fuel efficient?” are often raised. Some automobile owners are cautious with regards to its effect on the life span of their cars. Aside from the personal concerns of the vehicle owners, one thinks that another reason that alternative sources of fuels are not popular despite the fact that gasoline and diesel have harmful effects is the power of the big multi-national oil companies. One believes that these companies exert pressure on the government and other political leaders to dissuade people from using non-fossil fuels for automobiles.

New discoveries on alternative sources are being blocked-off by these companies. However, it is believed that every responsible citizen of this world must do his part in saving the environment from total devastation. Using other sources of fuel for automobiles is one step towards the goal of having a clean and safe environment.ReferencesAgius, R. (2009, November). Hazard and risk. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from agius.com Web site: http://www.agius.com/hew/resource/hazard.htmCanadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

(2009, November 20). Hazard and risk. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Web site: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hazard_risk.htmlDefinitions.net. (n.d.). Definitions of outrage. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from Definitions.net Web site: http://www.definitions.net/definition/outrageMiddleton, C. (2011, March 22). How to run a car on cooking oil (at 18p a litre). Retrieved December 1, 2011, from Telegraph Media Group Limited Web site: http://www.telegraph.co.

uk/finance/personalfinance/8396085/How-to-run-a-car-on- cooking-oil-at-18p-a-litre.htmlVeg Oil Motoring. (n.d.). Why veg oil? Retrieved December 1, 2011, from Veg oil motoring Web site: http://www.vegoilmotoring.com/eng/why-veg-oil