Alana’s F.O.G project Did you know, before modern sewer systems and regulations, F.O.G was usually disposed of in trash or local environments? No? Oh well...you're in for learning more about F.O.G! Definition of F.O.G and the difference between the three types of fats! Source:https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-10/fog-slides.pdf and https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/ 1. Fats, oils and grease, also known as F.O.G are organic polar compounds that come from vegetables/plants and animal sources. They are composed of long chain triglycerides, which are fatty acids and glycerol. We all know this, of course. 2. Unsaturated fats are liquids that are at room temperature. They are considered beneficial fats because they are able to improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation and many other things. Saturated fats are fats that are mostly found in animal products and also plant foods like coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil. Trans fats are the worst types of fats; lowering “good” and raising “bad” HDL. Environmental impact and waste management! Sources: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/fats-oils-grease#:~:text=FOG%20can%20be%20liquid%20or%20solid%20and,Landfill%20Complex%20during%20Household%20Hazardous%20Waste%20hours 3. F.O.G negatively impacts the environment with SSO/Sanitary sewage overflows, septic system failures and a lot of other things. Sanitary sewage overflows lead to blockage, backups, pipe bursts and overflows which also can result in things such as floods. Raw sewage can pollute the water with waste and make it undrinkable and contaminate the water. We can fix this problem with proper disposal methods such as collecting your cooking oil in a container and NEVER putting it down a drain, this is how F.O.G gets right into the environment. Aside from this, your fats and grease that are solidified at a room temperature should be canned and disposed of in the trash. As I had mentioned, F.O.G causes SSO, better known as sanitary sewage overflow clogs our sewer system. This is what is currently happening to the Chesapeake Bay. If you’re not aware already, the Chesapeake Bay has been contaminated due to its sewer system overflowing with raw sewage. Health impacts, Uses & importance Sources: https://cleanreedy.org/fats-oils-and-grease/#:~:text=Learn%20Why%20It%20Matters%20to,disposal%20container%20in%20the%20trash.
