OK folks, I've got another dumb question. Does it seem to you that things are rusting worse this spring than they have in the past? We've had buckets of rain since November. The corrogated metal that I have out in the open is rusting. The part that is covered isn't. The cast iron pan I messed up and left out through several rains is rusted much worse than usual (I'm habitual at leaving them outside.) The water tank we use for the horses has rusted terribly on the inside this year. We've had it for 7 years and it had minimal discoloration until this winter and spring. Now suddenly it has big rusty flakes in it. Is anyone else having this, or is this just another perk of living near 2 coal fired generating plants?

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), May 10, 2001

Answers

Green -

I don't have any metal outside other than some leftover roofing. But, I have noticed that 'sun-bleach' in my hung out clothing doesn't seem to work anymore... Because I don't have a wringer and wash by hand, I sometimes have to leave things out over-night. If it rains, I'm sunk and have to rewash. Noticed the same back in IL last summer.

If you are in one of the areas that's getting tons of rain this year, I would attribute it to that. Its been getting worse little by little each year - especially in the mid-west, but I've noticed it here in ID, too.

ALSO - China's dust storm from a month or so ago has crossed the ocean and is dumping tons of dirt here now. The USGS noticed it first and now the Weather folks are watching it. Don't know many details, though. If you are west of the Missouri - you are getting hit with lots of Chinese 'dust' right now. Has been going on for about two weeks - at least that's when the folks started noticing it.

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), May 10, 2001.

I have the same problem with my line dried clothes. Sometimes if it is really humid it takes 3 days to dry. Sometimes then they smell sour. Bah-humbug.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), May 10, 2001.

If you haven't checked out the post above on chemtrails, you may want to. From what I've read other places it may be what is causing all of the stuff you're talking about. Not to mention the strange illnesses people seem to be having. I'm trying not to be paranoid but it's getting harder all the time! Deena

-- Deena in GA (dsmj55@aol.com), May 10, 2001.

I haven't really noticed it getting worse here. I also haven't seen any chemtrails here...wonder why.

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), May 12, 2001.