Journal of Indoor Environmental Quality

Predicting Residential Exposure to Phthalate Plasticizer Emitted from Vinyl Flooring: Sensitivity, Uncertainty, and Implications for Biomonitoring

Predicting Residential Exposure to Phthalate Plasticizer Emitted from Vinyl Flooring: Sensitivity, Uncertainty, and Implications for Biomonitoring Xu, Y., Cohen Hubal, E.A., Little, J.C.

Excerpt: Because of their substantial and widespread use, phthalates have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants (Koch et al. 2003; Weschler and Nazaroff 2008; Wormuth et al. 2006). More than 3.5 million tons of phtha¬lates are used worldwide each year, primarily as plasticizers in flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products (Cadogan and Howick 1996). Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is an important phthalate, with more than two million tons produced globally each year (Lorz et al. 2002). About 90% of phthalates are found in numerous consumer products, including floor and wall coverings, car interior trim, cloth¬ing, gloves, footwear, wire insulation, artificial leather, and toys (Afshari et al. 2004; Bornehag et al. 2005; Müller et al. 2003). DEHP is mainly used in PVC products such as vinyl flooring (VF), where it is typically present at concentrations of about 20–40% (wt/wt) (Clausen et al. 2004; Deisinger et al. 1998). Because phthalate plasticizers are not chemically bound to the product materials, they are emitted slowly into the surrounding environment (Müller et al. 2003; Wormuth et al. 2006) and have become widely recognized as major indoor pollutants.

Source credit: Environmental Health Perspectives

(pronounced THAL-alates)

RBc: other useful readings include: Current State of the Science: Health Effects and Indoor Environmental Quality 

Also available at the above page:

1. Elements That Contribute to Healthy Building Design
2. In Search of a Common European Approach to a Healthy Indoor Environment
3. Childhood Asthma and Environmental Interventions
4. Improving Indoor Environmental Quality for Public Health
5. Bringing Green Homes within Reach: Healthier Housing for More People
6. Associations between ambient, personal, and indoor exposure to fine particulate matter.
7. The Relationship of Housing and Population Health: A 30-Year Retrospective Analysis

EPA and DOE Join States to Speed Energy Efficiency Progress in the United States

WASHINGTON – As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to increasing energy efficiency and reducing costs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today the creation of the State Energy Efficiency (SEE) Action Network. This network is meant to help states achieve maximum cost effective energy efficiency improvements in homes, offices, buildings and industry by 2020. Strengthening energy efficiency initiatives across the country helps to save money and protect the environment at the same time.

For further information Contact:
Enesta Jones
jones.enesta (at) epa.gov
202-564-7873
DOE PUBLIC AFFAIRS:
202-586-4940
_________

Past deliverables from the network have included, “The Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency (RDEE) Toolkit” which is designed to help state and local authorities and energy efficiency program administrators plan and implement successful programs as they advance energy efficiency through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Toolkit was developed under the guidance of and with input from the Leadership Group of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

RBc: A quote from the tool kit includes something we support, “The measure mix (the technologies that are cost-effective for the program to rebate) of HVAC programs varies largely based on weather and primary fuel (electric or gas). For example, in some areas of the country measures such as ground source heat pumps and hydronic heating systems are cost-effective and have been incorporated into residential HVAC programs.”

We suggest readers learn more about low temperature radiant hydronic heating systems.

New Guidance on Clearing the Indoor Air through Improved IAQ

ATLANTA – Ensuring good indoor air quality (IAQ) means everyone breathes a little easier: occupants who experience improved health, comfort and productivity, and owners who see increased building value and reduced risk.

New guidance for achieving enhanced IAQ is available from five leading building industry associations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The book and CD provide strategies needed to achieve good IAQ using proven technologies and without significantly increasing costs.

“The health and comfort of buildings occupants is too important to leave IAQ as an after-thought in design, construction and operation,” said Andrew Persily, Ph.D., chair of the committee that wrote the new guidance. “There is plenty of experience out there to help avoid IAQ problems in buildings, allowing all of us to breathe a little easier.

The Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction and Commissioning is a collaboration between ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects, the Building Owners and Managers Association International, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors of North America and the U.S. Green Building Council.

The book describes 40 strategies for achieving critical IAQ objectives related to moisture management, ventilation, filtration and air cleaning and source control. It also highlights how design and construction teams can work together to ensure good IAQ strategies are incorporated from initial design through project completion.

The full publication complete with a CD that contains detailed guidance essential for practitioners to design and achieve good IAQ is available in hard copy or electronically for $29.

To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), fax 404-321-5478, or visit www.ashrae.org/bookstore.

For further information contact: Jodi Scott, Public Relations, 678-539-1140, jscott(at)ashrae.org

RBc: This is another powerful example of what is possible through the collaborative effort amongst industry groups. I have written about ASHRAE as a collaborator in the Sept/Oct Issue of HPAC Canada.

Biomimicry Institute 2006-2009 Report - Now Available

The Biomimicry Institute is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the study and imitation of nature’s remarkably efficient designs, bringing together scientists, engineers, architects and innovators who can use those models to create sustainable technologies.

Visit the Biomimicry Institute and download the 2006-2009 Report

RBc: We’re big fans of Biomimicry. Designers could learn a lot by studying the human skin….a 20 sq.ft. washable, stretchable, breathable surface that senses temperature and pressure and keeps our insides in and the outside out.

The 11th edition of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings immortalized in music on YouTube

Ya gotta love it... The 11th edition of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings (MEEB) immortalized in music on YouTube...thanks to Leonard R. Bachman, Associate Professor, University of Houston for bringing this to our radar screen.

ASHRAE Releases free IAQ Guide

ASHRAE Releases free IAQ Guide

The Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction and Commissioning is designed for architects, design engineers, contractors, commissioning agents, and all other professionals concerned with IAQ.

Developed in cooperation with the American Institute of Architects, The U.S. Green Building Council, the Builders and Owners Management Association International, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors of North America, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This comprehensive publication provides both summary and detailed guidance.

The summary guidance gives you:

• Best practices for all aspects of IAQ building design, commissioning and construction, including designing for maintainability
• Tools and material for demonstrating the value of IAQ to clients
• 40 strategies for achieving 8 critical IAQ objectives

Download the Indoor Air Quality Guide Summary Guidance for Free by visiting ASHRAE.org

RBc: For further studies in IAQ visit "Man_sneezing", "Particulate matter"

2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

Washington, D.C.—Today, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) unveiled a new Web resource for state policymakers and energy efficiency advocates.

This site is the initial phase of ACEEE's new State Energy Efficiency Policy Web site, an ongoing project under the umbrella of ACEEE's State Energy Efficiency Policy Activities. The site serves as an easy-to-use online database of energy efficiency policies in the states, searchable by state or by policy. The database covers:

• appliance standards
• building codes
• clean distributed generation policies
• tax incentives
• vehicle policies
• a host of utility-related energy efficiency information

The site currently covers information for most of the leading states. Ultimately the site will cover policies for all states and will be expanded to also cover state climate policies and smart growth initiatives.

“States are increasingly adopting and implementing new energy policies as a result of high energy prices and increasing concern over global climate change,” said ACEEE's Executive Director Steven Nadel. “ACEEE seeks to provide a comprehensive survey of existing state 'best practices' as a resource for policymakers, businesses, concerned citizens, and others in the energy efficiency community.” "This Web site builds on the extensive research regarding energy efficiency policies and programs for which ACEEE has become well known over the past 28 years," said ACEEE's project manager Sarah Black. "The database will serve as a portal to original ACEEE research as well as resources elsewhere on the Web.

The unique resources include information on clean distributed generation policies and several utility policies, including energy efficiency program funding and customer energy efficiency programs." The complete version of the Web site will roll out in conjunction with the release of ACEEE’s State Energy Efficiency Scorecard for 2007/2008 in the beginning of October. ACEEE anticipates updating information on the site on a quarterly basis as new policies emerge.

RBc: You might be surprised with the results of this report especially if you're from a cold climate!

Supportive Living Environments For Those Living With Dementia

Very little research exists on creating thermal comfort for seniors or those with physical and/or mental disabilities.

“Supportive living environments: A first concept of a dwelling designed for older adults with dementia” by J.V. Hoof and H.S.M. Kort in the August issue of Dementia is an excellent overview of challenges facing both the occupant living with dementia and designer responsible for these spaces. 

Excerpt: “People with dementia may have special needs regarding thermal comfort and the design and implementation of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, since older adults with dementia have a different perception of their thermal environment due to the atrophy of parts of the brain that are responsible for the perception of thermal sensation (van Hoof, 2008; van Hoof et al., 2008a). To provide occupants with a sense of comfort with the thermal environment, temperature differences within the home should not be too large. Floor heating systems are very suitable, since one does not get hurt by wall panels in case of falls.”

Original source: Dementia, published by SAGE Publications 

See also: In Search of a Common European Approach to a Healthy Indoor Environment and The Health, Safety and Comfort Advantages of Low Temperature Heating Systems - A Literature Review

Radon is a worldwide health risk in homes says World Health Organization

“On Monday, September 21st the United Nation's World Health Organization (WHO) said that radon is a worldwide health risk in homes. Dr. Maria Neira of WHO said that "Most radon-induced lung cancers occur from low and medium dose exposures in people's homes. Radon is the second most important cause of lung cancer after smoking in many countries." The WHO recommendations are contained in the "Handbook on Indoor Radon: A Public Health Perspective".” Source credit: EPA Press Release

RBc: From the World Health Organization: “The overall goal of this handbook is to provide an up-to-date overview of the major aspects of radon and health. It does not aim to replace existing radiation protection standards, rather it emphasizes issues relevant to the comprehensive planning, implementation and evaluation of national radon programmes. This handbook, published in September 2009, can be downloaded as a pdf file free of charge.”

See also: ASTM Standard Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings and Environmental Health Perspectives articles on other indoor air quality challenges