Greenlist(tm) Bulletin 04/18/2008
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:
- European Court of Justice annuls Deca-BDE RoHS exemption
- Healthy schools: lessons for a clean educational environment
- Interactive tool from Siemens helps users visualize building energy consumption
- Environmentally-friendly controls for peach tree pests
- Gregoire signs toughest toy law in U.S.
- National survey finds consumers likely to spend $104 billion on green technology products per year
- Bottle maker to stop using plastic linked to health concerns
- Nano applications in functional coatings for paper and board
1. European Court of Justice annuls Deca-BDE RoHS exemption
Author: Roos, Gina
Source: EETimes, April 8, 2008
Abstract: The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has annulled the decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE) exemption to the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, dated October 2005 (Decision 2005/717/EC), stating that the European Commission used an incorrect criterion, an EU risk assessment as the basis for exemption. This enters into force on July 1, 2008.
The exemption allowed the continued use of the Deca-BDE flame retardant in electrical and electronics products. Deca-BDE is commonly used to protect plastic components of electronic devices from the risk of fire. It is used in the formulations for the housings of televisions and appliances and in wire and cable applications, said Debra K. Durbin, director of corporate communications for chemical company Chemtura Corp.
The court has found that the commission has neglected its work in terms of checking whether substitutes were available to Deca-BDE and whether substitutes would have more negative effects than continuing with its use, said Kris Pollet, director EU law & policy, Pollet Environmental Consultants. They stayed clear of stating whether or not Deca-BDE is or is not safe to use but basically said the commission hasn't been diligent enough in their decisions, he said.
WWW: http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207100485
2. Healthy schools: lessons for a clean educational environment
Imprint: United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2008
Abstract: More than 53 million children and 6 million adults in the United States spend their days in our elementary and secondary schools. Reducing environmental risks inside these buildings is critical to maintaining the public health. Almost all of New England’s children will spend a large portion of their childhood in school. To help our children stay healthy, we must reduce their exposure to environmental hazards in school environments. When students and their teachers are healthy and comfortable, children learn and produce more in the classroom, which in turn improves performance and achievement later in life. This brochure can help school employees and parents recognize potential environmental health issues at schools, both indoors and outdoors. It includes basic information about a broad range of topics, and links to web sites that off er more information and guidance on how to have a healthier school environment and comply with relevant laws. EPA’s Healthy School Environments web site provides access to programs that help prevent and resolve environmental issues in schools.
WWW: http://www.epa.gov/NE/children/pdfs/healthy_schools.pdf
3. Interactive tool from Siemens helps users visualize building energy consumption
Source: GreenerBuildings.com, March 27, 2008
Abstract: Siemens Building Technologies unveiled a new interactive tool that helps building owners analyze the energy consumption data of their properties in real time.
The GreenTouchScreen translates numerical building operational data into visual information to reveal the amount of energy being used, the amount saved over time and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
"Most organizations, whether they are public or private, want to provide stakeholders with better information on their sustainability and green efforts," said Richard Walker, the company's senior national manager of environmental solutions. "GreenTouchscreen offers us the ability to not only provide information on energy use and climate implications, but also on a broad variety of internal initiatives."
Also meant as an educational tool, the touchscreen can be housed in a building's foyer or mounted on an accessible wall, as well as be transmitted by Internet to classrooms or other learning environments. Siemens plans to install the screens in schools across the country as part of its Building Education program to introduce green engineering and sustainability to youngsters.
WWW: http://www.greenbiz.com/resources/energy/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55808
4. Environmentally-friendly controls for peach tree pests
Author: Durham, Sharon
Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), March 7, 2008
Abstract: Peach growers combat several insects that harm their crop, usually using chemical pesticides to do so. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in the Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory in Byron, Ga., are seeking environmentally friendly alternatives.
ARS entomologists David Shapiro-Ilan and Ted Cottrell, along with colleagues at the University of Florida and the University of Georgia, are evaluating two tiny, soil-dwelling nematodes as possible biological controls. They were used to thwart damage caused by the plum curculio weevil (Conotrachelus nenuphar), and two clear-winged moths, the peachtree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa), and the lesser peachtree borer (S. pictipes).
Shapiro-Ilan and Cottrell used the Steinernema riobrave nematode to defend against plum curculio larvae—producing a suppression rate of 78 to 100 percent.
For the peachtree borer, the researchers used another beneficial nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae. They found that a single field application of S. carpocapsae provided 88 percent suppression when applied to mature peachtree borer infestations in springtime. In a recent field trial, three applications of S. carpocapsae during the peachtree borer's fall egg-laying season completely suppressed all damage.
The scientists knew from lab studies that another peach pest, the lesser peachtree borer, is also highly susceptible to S. carpocapsae. But the researchers also realized that controlling the lesser peachtree borer would be more difficult because they attack trees aboveground—where the nematodes dry out and are less effective.
To deal with this problem, the researchers applied S. carpocapsae nematodes to tree wounds and then covered the wounds with moisture-holding bandages. In the first trial, 100 percent lesser peachtree borer mortality was attained in five days.
WWW: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080307.htm
5. Gregoire signs toughest toy law in U.S.
Author: Stiffler, Lias; McGann, Chris
Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 2, 2008
Abstract: Toy safety rules that started as a strong sprint, then nearly stumbled out of the race, finally wobbled across the finish line Tuesday when Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law the toughest standards in the nation.
After considering a veto of the Children's Safe Products Act because of worries that it would cause a broad ban on toys, Gregoire selectively nixed portions of the bill, keeping intact most of the restrictions on dangerous chemicals -- at least for now.
The governor said she would convene an advisory group to review the proposed standards, timelines and testing requirements before the rules go into effect in July 2009.
The law will dramatically cut the amount of lead, cadmium and phthalates, a commonly used plasticizing chemical, allowed in children's toys, cosmetics, jewelry, teething items and car seats made or sold in the state.
After lobbying from the toy industry, Gregoire removed a requirement for the state to set up a Web site to provide the public with information on dangerous chemicals in children's products and safer alternatives.
Also gone is a deadline for the state Department of Ecology to come up with a list of chemicals posing the greatest threat to children, as well as a deadline for manufacturers to file notices indicating which of their products contain these high-risk chemicals.
WWW: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/357287_toys02.html
6. National survey finds consumers likely to spend $104 billion on green technology products per year
Source: University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business, March 12, 2008
Abstract: Americans’ appetite for environmentally friendly technologies and consumer products is grossly underserved, with a potential $104 billion in sales this year, according to the 2007 National Technology Readiness Survey (NTRS) released today. The annual survey — sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and technology research firm Rockbridge Associates Inc. — found that 71 percent of adults are interested in green technology, but there is a large gap between the number of products consumers own now and the number they say they would like to own.
The $104 billion market opportunity represents the annual sales potential of the 11 product categories measured in the NTRS. More than half, $54 billion, is the potential for sales of “green” vehicles, including high-mileage, hybrid fuel, biofuel, and alternative-fuel vehicles. Researchers measured respondents’ interest levels for each of the green product categories and calculated market value based on average selling prices.
“The key to tapping this huge potential market is targeting and appropriately addressing the green consumer,” said P.K. Kannan, director of the Center for Excellence in Service. “Our research found that green technology trends are led by a small, yet powerful group of influencers that actively act as evangelists to a secondary group of adopters.”
The NTRS classifies respondents into six segments based on their commitment to green technologies, their influence on others on being green, their skepticisms about green and their interest in technology. The survey finds that those most committed to the environment — 10 percent of adult consumers — are also very enthusiastic about technology. These “green tech leaders” are the same consumers who are often approached by others for advice on technology and the latest gadgets and devices. The researchers urge marketers to target this segment when introducing green products and services.
WWW: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/news/releases/2008/031208.html
7. Bottle maker to stop using plastic linked to health concerns
Author: Austen, Ian
Source: The New York Times, April 18, 2008
Abstract: Nalgene, the brand that popularized water bottles made from hard, clear and nearly unbreakable polycarbonate, will stop using the plastic because of growing concern over one of its ingredients.
The decision by Nalgene Outdoor Products, a unit of Thermo Fisher Scientific, based in Rochester, came after reports that the Canadian government would declare the chemical bisphenol-a, or BPA, toxic. Some animal studies have linked the chemical to changes in the hormonal system.
Those reports also prompted many of Canada’s largest retailers, including Wal-Mart Canada, to remove food-related products made with plastics containing the compound chemical, like baby bottles, toddler sipping cups and food containers, from their stores this week.
The National Toxicology Program in the United States released a draft report on Tuesday reporting that some rats that were fed or injected with low doses of the chemical developed precancerous tumors and urinary tract problems and reached puberty early. While the report said the animal tests provided “limited evidence,” it also noted that the “possibility that bisphenol-a may alter human development cannot be dismissed.”
WWW: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/business/
18plastic.html?ex=1366257600&en=49dc6fcf05f14e5d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
8. Nano applications in functional coatings for paper and board
Author: Jopson, Nigel
Source: Paper 360, March 2008, pp28-29
Subjects: Nanotechnology; Pulp/Paper
Abstract: The rising cost of oil products will open opportunities for packaging based on renewable resources, i.e., cellulose fiber and other tree-derived macromolecules. The challenge is how to endow fiber-based packaging with the attributes needed to satisfy supply-chain and end-use requirements, including barrier properties and sealability for corrugated containers, cartons, flexible packaging, liquid packaging, spiral-wound tubes and moldable products. The development of water-based barrier coatings has been stimulated by the need to substitute for wax treatment. The challenge is not solely recyclability, but simple economics -- provision of equivalent functionality at a competitive cost. Nano-components can boost the performance of some of the emergent coating alternatives.
WWW: http://www.tappi.org/s_tappi/bin.asp?CID=11376&DID=558814&DOC=FILE.PDF
You are welcome to send a message to jan@turi.org if you would like more information on any of these resources. Also, please tell us what topics you are particularly interested in monitoring, and who else should see Greenlist. An online search of the TURI Library catalog can be done at http://library.turi.org for greater topic coverage.
This page updated Friday April 18 2008