Greenlist(tm) Bulletin 02/15/2008
This is the weekly bulletin of the TURI Library, reporting a selection of recently published titles we have acquired. Our pledge is to keep the bulletin relevant to your work and brief -- no more than 10 titles. You are welcome to send a message to jan@turi.org if you would like more information on any of the articles listed here.
Titles here, abstracts below:
- Preservation of coatings with silver
- Improving cleaning processes
- The 'green' team
- EU nanotechnology R & D in the field of health and environmental impact of nanoparticles
- Scientists create environmentally friendly technology to produce commonly used compound
- Baby care products: possible sources of infant phthalate exposure
- More steps toward eco-friendliness: lead-free, halogen-free and energy efficiency
- The A to Z of eco fashion
- New sensor system improves detection of lead, heavy metals
- Dark side of a hot biofuel
1. Preservation of coatings with silver
Author: Falk, Uwe
Source: PCI Paint & Coatings Industry, January 2, 2008, pp70-72
Abstract: The combination of silver or silver with isothiazoline gives a new and very effective preservative system. By using this combination, the amount of sensitizing isothiazoline can be significantly reduced and, if an excess of benzisothiazoline is used, the well-known photosensitivity of silver compounds is reduced. This combination is a highly effective and safe new preservative system for coatings.
Labeling limits such as R43 for “sensitization” and N for “dangerous for the environment,” and pressures to choose from positive lists like the Blue Angel, are reducing the choice and applications of the existing biocides. Additionally, numerous preservatives will no longer be available once the Biocidal Products Directive comes into force and regulatory pressure continues to lower the limits for the labeling of single preservatives. Existing combinations of known actives have already reached their limits, and further novel optimization is unrealistic.
WWW: http://www.pcimag.com/CDA/Articles/Feature_Article/
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2. Improving cleaning processes
Source: MnTAP Source, 2007 Issue 2
Abstract: Cleaning and disinfecting are some of the most important steps in preventing the acquisition and spread of infectious diseases. In hospitals, different levels of clean are needed based on the use and potential patient exposure.
General cleaning involves dirt and dust removal similar to that of an office building. Disinfection, a higher standard of clean, is generally defined as reducing the number of microbes on a surface to very low levels. This requires the use of chemicals, which are technically considered pesticides and vary in degree of toxicity based on the level of disinfection required.
Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) realized it was using 60 different housekeeping chemicals throughout the hospital. These products were not located or purchased centrally and the cleaning process was not clearly defined. In addition to using too many chemicals, OMC was concerned about hazardous waste compliance and disposal costs and wanted to implement pollution prevention practices that would improve their environmental performance.
OMC worked with a MnTAP intern in the summer of 2007 to eliminate redundant and hazardous chemicals, establish standardization, implement green cleaning and best cleaning practices, improve safety, and demonstrate cost savings.
To reach the goals of the project, the MnTAP intern reviewed all the cleaning chemicals being used and stored on the shelves. Then, using the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) “Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health Care Facilities”, surfaces were evaluated and it was determined if they required cleaning or disinfecting. Once that determination had been made, the number and type of chemicals needed to clean and disinfect were identified. Replacement cleaners, if needed, were chosen based on pH, flashpoint, smell, cost, and if it had green cleaning certification. Green Seal cleaners are now being used at OMC.
WWW: http://www.mntap.umn.edu/source/2007-2/green%20cleaner.html
3. The 'green' team
Author: Sturdivant, James
Source: Book Business, February 1, 2008
Abstract: Like many paper-consuming industries in recent years, book publishers have found their environmental impacts coming under increasing scrutiny, and have been presented with, or have sought out, strategies for reducing them. What works best often depends on the size of a company, as well as specific manufacturing and supply chain considerations, making the equation of how best to be “green” without significant additional expense a complex one. The only thing certain is that, in an age when globalization equals a world of consumers concerned about the fate of the planet, dealing with the industry’s environmental footprint can no longer be put on the back burner.
WWW: http://www.bookbusinessmag.com/story/story.bsp?sid=90064&var=story
4. EU nanotechnology R & D in the field of health and environmental impact of nanoparticles
Author: Aguar, Pilar; Nicolas, Jose Juan Murcia
Imprint: European Commission, 2008
Abstract: Nanotechnology presents itself as a scientific and technology approach of paramount importance. Recently winner of the Nobel Prize on physical sciences, nanotechnology shows already a huge potential of applications. At the same time, some concerns have been raised regarding the potential of some nanoparticles to have a negative impact of the human health and the environment. Europe's strategy has been and is to support the safe, responsible development of nanotechnology while providing favourable conditions for industrial innovation to ensure that research and technological development is translated into affordable and safe wealth-generating products and processes.
The present compilation aims at gathering the most complete overview of past and ongoing research projects funded by the FPs, EU Member States, Candidate Countries and Countries associated to FP6 or FP7 in the area of possible impacts in health, environment and safety of nanoparticles. Being the first of its kind, this compilation has information of 106 projects, 14 of them are from the FPs which give around 32 million € in grants. The others 92 projects are from the EU Members States which spend around 47 million € in grants. This makes a total of some 79 million €. This information may well be incomplete. All interested parties are kindly requested to send additional information on research projects funded through national funding schemes to the email address pilar.aguar@ec.europa.eu. Several projects are currently in negotiation for funding under FP7; information will be added as soon as possible. It is the intention to regularly update this information and make it available through the European Commission dedicates websites.
WWW: ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/nanotechnology/docs/final-version.pdf
5. Scientists create environmentally friendly technology to produce commonly used compound
Source: Argonne National Laboratory, February 2, 2008
Abstract: A new environmentally friendly technology created by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory may revolutionize the production of the world's most commonly produced organic compound, ethylene.
An Argonne research team led by senior ceramist Balu Balachandran devised a hightemperature membrane that can produce ethylene from an ethane stream by removing pure hydrogen. “This is a clean, energy-efficient way of producing a chemical that before required methods that were expensive and wasteful and also emitted a great deal of pollution,” Balachandran said.
Ethylene has a vast number of uses in all aspects of industry. Farmers and horticulturalists use it as a plant hormone to promote flowering and ripening, especially in bananas. Doctors and surgeons have also long used ethylene as an anesthetic, while ethylene-based polymers can be found in everything from freezer bags to fiberglass.
Because the new membrane lets only hydrogen pass through it, the ethane stream does not come into contact with atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen, preventing the creation of a miasma of greenhouse gases – nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide – associated with the traditional production of ethylene by pyrolysis, in which ethane is exposed to jets of hot steam. The world’s ethylene producers manufacture more than 75 million metric tons of ethylene per year, causing millions of metric tons’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions.
WWW: http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/News/2008/news080205.html
6. Baby care products: possible sources of infant phthalate exposure
Author: Sathyanarayana, Sheela; Karr, Catherine J.; Lozano, Paul; Brown, Elizabeth; Calafat, Antonia M.; Liu, Fan; Swan, Shanna H.
Source: Pediatrics, February 2008 pp e260-e268
Abstract: OBJECTIVES. Phthalates are man-made chemicals found in personal care and other products. Recent studies suggest that some phthalates can alter human male reproductive development, but sources of infant exposure have not been well characterized. We investigated the relationship between phthalate metabolite concentrations in infant urine and maternal reported use of dermally applied infant care products.
METHODS. We measured 9 phthalate metabolites in 163 infants who were born in 2000-2005. An infant was considered to have been exposed to any infant care product that the mother reported using on her infant within 24 hours of urine collection. Results of multiple linear regression analyses are reported as the ratio of metabolite concentrations (with 95% confidence intervals) in exposed and unexposed infants. We standardized concentrations by forming z scores and examined combined exposure to multiple metabolites.
RESULTS. In most (81%) infants, 7 or more phthalate metabolites were above the limit of detection. Exposure to lotion was predictive of monoethyl phthalate and monomethyl phthalate concentrations, powder of monoisobutyl phthalate, and shampoo of monomethyl phthalate. Z scores increased with number of products used. Most associations were stronger in younger infants.
CONCLUSIONS. Phthalate exposure is widespread and variable in infants. Infant exposure to lotion, powder, and shampoo were significantly associated with increased urinary concentrations of monoethyl phthalate, monomethyl phthalate, and monoisobutyl phthalate, and associations increased with the number of products used. This association was strongest in young infants, who may be more vulnerable to developmental and reproductive toxicity of phthalates given their immature metabolic system capability and increased dosage per unit body surface area.
7. More steps toward eco-friendliness: lead-free, halogen-free and energy efficiency
Author: Brady, Todd
Source: GreenerComputing, January, 2008
Abstract: Once driven largely by governmental regulations, companies are increasingly looking at the entire life cycle impact of their products and voluntarily identifying ways to reduce their environmental footprint.
For a consumer, attempting to sort through all of the statements, claims and green ads can be a daunting challenge. Even for those who practice in the environmental field, a full environmental assessment is extremely complex with processes such as lifecycle assessments requiring a year or more to completely develop.
For many IT products, a relatively quick and simple assessment can be completed by focusing on three primary areas: material content, energy consumption and end of life considerations. In addition, a few tools have emerged to make the analysis even simpler.
WWW: http://www.greenercomputing.com/reviews_third.cfm?NewsID=36505
8. The A to Z of eco fashion
Author: Lee, Matilda; Sevier, Laura
Source: The Ecologist, October 2007, pp56-62
Abstract: During the past year, eco fashion has changed from a trend into a movement. From consumers to the media and the fashion industry itself, the roots of long-term,fundamental change have taken hold. Consumer research shows that there is an unprecedented surge in concern with who makes clothes, how they are treated and how the manufacturing process affects the environment. The mass media and high-fashion glossies carry reports on how it is ‘cool to care’. Businesses and retailers have also caught on to the fact that it pays to be ethical; while the costs for companies doing nothing get ever-higher.
WWW: http://www.theecologist.org/archive_detail.asp?content_id=1149
9. New sensor system improves detection of lead, heavy metals
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Newsroom, February 12, 2008
Abstract: The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed a new rapid, portable and inexpensive detection system that identifies personal exposures to toxic lead and other dangerous heavy metals. The device can provide an accurate blood sample measurement from a simple finger prick, which is particularly important when sampling children.
PNNL's portable analyzer system accurately detects lead and other toxic metals in blood as well as in urine and saliva. Results are as reliable as those of current state-of-the-art mass spectrometry systems many times its size. This new system provides a quicker, simpler and easier method of monitoring toxic metal exposures in high-risk populations, such as industrial workers, children and people living in polluted areas.
A bit larger than a lunchbox, the new detection system is field-deployable with plug-and-play features that allow different sensors to be easily exchanged to detect a variety of heavy metal toxins. The entire system is battery-operated and requires about one and one-half times the power of a typical laptop computer. The system also routinely delivers reliable measurements within a rapid two-to-five minute analysis period.
Early production cost estimates indicate that the device may be as much as 10 times less expensive than existing plasma mass spectrometry systems, which lack field portability and require samples to be returned to the lab for time-consuming and more expensive analysis.
WWW: http://www.pnl.gov/news/release.asp?id=297
10. Dark side of a hot biofuel
Author: Knudson, Tom
Source: Sacramento Bee, January 20, 2008
Abstract: For more than 30 years, Indonesia's oil palm plantations have fed a global market for vegetable oil, most used in everyday food products from cream cheese to candy bars, cookies to hamburger buns. As concern about climate change and oil prices has grown, interest in palm oil as a green, renewable fuel has soared.
The trend began in Europe a decade or so ago when governments began subsidizing companies to blend soybean, palm and other vegetable oils with diesel to reduce carbon emissions. Since 2004, biodiesel production has more than doubled in Europe to 4.9 million metric tons.
Now biodiesel is catching on in the United States. Last year, the nation's largest biodiesel plant, supplied in part with palm oil, opened in Washington state. In 2007, 15 million gallons of palm oil were offloaded in Southern California, where it helped power cruise ships and semi-trailer trucks.
Regulators are increasingly uneasy. This week, European Union officials plan to propose a law to ban the import of biodiesel derived from crops grown on recently destroyed forests. California's own alternative fuels plan says palm oil should "come from plantations whose creation does not disrupt that habitat of rare species."
"Palm-based biodiesel, practiced poorly, is an environmental disaster," said Eric Bowen, chairman of the California Biodiesel Alliance. "You've got orangutan populations under pressure. You've got deforestation going on."
WWW: http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/647848.html
This page updated Friday February 15 2008