John F Dean

I am amazed that I had to read more than 20 articles, including university studies, to get concrete information. The high majority of articles talk in terms of %.  Percent has no meaning unless there is a hard figure to know what the % is of.  I still haven’t found enough info, but I have found some.

It seems that the FDA has a recommended arsenic limit for children of 100 parts per billion.  Even if we believe this, we still have to consider other sources of arsenic in our diet…such as the radish we pulled out of the ground, brushed off, and ate.  Arsenic is a naturally occurring trace element.

Brown rice appears to have 154 parts per million. So there is substantially more arsenic than the FDA would like.  

If washing can reduce arsenic 60%, then that takes the levels down to under the FDA threshold….in terms of parts per billion.

What I don’t know are the limits for an adult. And, I don’t know how much rice I would have to eat for that 154 parts per billion to amount to a problem.  Do I need to eat a cup of rice for there to be a problem … or do I need to eat a 55 gallon barrel of rice?

Right now, to me, this is looking like the Cranberry findings of the late 1950s.   I am sure I would rather than less arsenic than more. Other than that I can find very little out there.

I had a trip to make to Columbus Ohio from southern Illinois.   I put in a full day at my day job and headed out around 5pm.  Weather reports for my area, Indy, Dayton, and Columbus were all good. Sometime after Dayton I began noticing the cars in front of me exiting the interstate.  The problem was, I had driven that road many times and knew there were not that many exits.  I checked for traffic behind me .. there was none.  I took my foot off the gas and coasted to a stop off the side of the road. I stepped out of the car, and I was on my backside.   Black ice.   I made it to Columbus. Fortunately my motel was just off the exit. I took the exit ramp mostly sideways and made it to the motel.

Hi Burra,

I am not interested in these figures for maintaining weight. I am curious about them for maintaining life.  This is where finding the information gets tricky. The nutritional information out there is for a healthy diet.   The figures I am looking for are certainly not healthy.  

At this point I am thinking that a 1200 calorie diet with 30 grams each of fat and protein might be the bottom line for the “average” person.  No, I am not suggesting this as a weight loss diet ….though I would certainly dump a good deal of weight if I was on it.

And, to be clear to anyone reading this, there very well could be damage to one’s body.   But, I suspect that if the above diet could be maintained, then they could stay alive for years…..not happy …not in good health…but alive.  

I don’t know the time frame you are working in. If I was in your position, I would contact the paint manufacturer for a donation.  Trust me, they have seconds.  Proceed with the concept of infecting young minds with the hobby of painting and positive vibes for the company.

Over the years I have gotten for myself or others AEDs, vehicles, power tools, and one Viking 6 burner kitchen range.

One of the huge challenges we face is that we live in an age where a homeowner will proudly spend $14000.00 for a new lawnmower.  

Working backwards, 1200 calories is at the lower limit for a diet.  10% protein is the lowest protein recommended.  That would be 120 calories from protein.  Protein has 4 calories per gram. Therefore ….following this questionable logic….probably  30 grams of protein would be the lowest limit,

In case anyone is Interpreting this wrong, I am not suggesting these figures be used for any diet.  It is  just my own curiosity.

If you can get permission, camp on the property at least overnight ….maybe a weekend.  That will give you tim3 to explore in detail.

Hi Tereza,

Interesting approach.  I have an IV book somewhere in my library. I will look for it.  I imagine the information is somewhere on the net.  Of course, most sites just repeat standard nutritional figures for optimal health.  I am wondering how low those figures can go long term without the person dying,

Roughly translated, I am getting about 40 grams of protein for a 150 pound person with kidney damage but not on dialysis.  So I am still left questioning.  People in prisoner of war camps experienced much lower intake than that for many years.

I have shifted to determinate Romas in cages.   Last year I got 90 qts out of 3 raised beds.  That does not count what I used fresh throughout the summer as well as what I froze.   I got tomatoes well into November.

I had a neighbor who build a barn on a foundation of timbers laid on the ground.   This was in the late 70s that it was built.  The barn is still standing. It measured about 48 x30 and had a small loft.  I am going from memory here.  I also had a friend with an old house build on timbers laid on the ground.

How bad is the wind at your location? Is the wind restricted by trees?  Has anyone in your area had a storage shed that was resting on the ground blow away?

Do you have building codes you need to worry about?