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Greenlist(tm) Bulletin 01/19/2007

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 them:

An Environmental Guide for the Medical Device Industry in Massachusetts
Human Exposure to PBDEs: Associations of PBDE Body Burdens with Food Consumption and House Dust Concentrations
Self-Cleaning Sportswear
Environmental impact of genetically modified cotton in South Africa
Lead in Jewelry and Other Products Sold in Capitol Gift Shops
Historic preservation and green building: A lasting relationship
CRS Report for Congress: Restructuring EPA’s Libraries: Background and Issues for Congress
Trash Landings: How Airlines and Airports Can Clean Up Their Recycling Programs
Cell Phones Getting Greener
Protecting workers and the environment: An environmental NGO’s perspective on nanotechnology

1. An Environmental Guide for the Medical Device Industry in Massachusetts

DATE 2006

SOURCE Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA)

ABSTRACT This Guide presents a map to the environmental issues inherent in the design and manufacture of medical devices, including the landmarks, opportunities and roadblocks facing professionals in the sector. It shows different routes to consider in search of a product destination. And it lists points of interest and highlights along the way. It is designed for professionals in the medical device sector who wish to:* Learn more about Design for the Environment (DfE) and Pollution Prevention (P2) concepts, resources and tools * Identify relevant environmental requirements and issues, and access the corresponding environmental regulations * Obtain compliance assistance and guidance, and * Access case studies or examples. The audience for this guide includes product designers and manufacturing engineers, facilities personnel, and environmental, health and safety (EHS) professionals. Companies targeted by this guide are small and medium-sized manufacturers of surgical and medical equipment, electromedical and electrotherapeutic apparatuses and surgical appliances and supplies – as well as their product design firms, their suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMS). Larger companies may find the guide useful (1) as an internal resource to engage engineers and design professionals; (2) as an awareness raising tool to distribute to suppliers and OEMS to better manage supplier risk and align strategic product priorities; or (3) to share with customers as part of corporate efforts to demonstrate commitment to enhanced environmental performance.

WEB LINK http://www.mass.gov/envir/ota/publications/pdf/
env_guide_for_med_dev_industry.pdf

2. Human Exposure to PBDEs: Associations of PBDE Body Burdens with Food Consumption and House Dust Concentrations

AUTHOR Wu, Nerissa; Herrman, Thomas; Paepke, Olaf; Tickner, Joel; Hale, Robert; Harvey, Ellen; La Guardia, Mark; McClean, Michael D.; Webster, Thomas F.

SOURCE Environmental Science & Technology, Research ASAP, January 17, 2007

ABSTRACT This study was designed to determine the body burden of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) among first time mothers in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area and to explore key routes of exposure. We collected breast milk samples from 46 first-time mothers, 2-8 weeks after birth. We also sampled house dust from the homes of a subset of participants by vacuuming commonly used areas. Data on personal characteristics, diet, home furniture, and electrical devices were gathered from each participant using a questionnaire. Breast milk and dust samples were analyzed for PBDEs using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry. PBDE concentrations were lognormally distributed in breast milk and dust. We found statistically significant, positive associations between PBDE concentrations in breast milk and house dust (r ) 0.76, p ) 0.003, not including BDE-209), as well as with reported dietary habits, particularly the consumption of dairy products (r ) 0.41, p ) 0.005) and meat (r ) 0.37, p ) 0.01). Due to low detection rates, it was not possible to draw conclusions about the association between BDE-209 in milk and dust. Our results support the hypothesis that the indoor environment and diet both play prominent roles in adult human exposure to PBDEs.

3. Self-Cleaning Sportswear

AUTHOR Christensen, Bill

SOURCE Technovelgy.com, January 4, 2007

ABSTRACT Self-cleaning fabrics could revolutionize the sport apparel industry. The same technology, created by scientists working for the U.S. Air Force, has already been used to create t-shirts and underwear that can be worn hygienically for weeks without washing. The new technology attaches nanoparticles to clothing fibers using microwaves. Then, chemicals that can repel water, oil and bacteria are directly bound to the nanoparticles. These two elements combine to create a protective coating on the fibers of the material. This coating both kills bacteria, and forces liquids to bead and run off. The U.S. military spent more than $20 million to develop the fabric, deriving from research originally intended to protect soldiers from biological attack. Jeff Owens, one of the scientists who worked to develop the process, said "During Desert Storm, most casualties were from bacterial infections -not accidents or friendly fire. We treated underwear for soldiers who tested them for several weeks and found they remained hygienic. They also helped clear up some skin complaints."

WEB LINK http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=885

4. Environmental impact of genetically modified cotton in South Africa

AUTHOR Morse, Stephen; Bennett, Richard; Ismael, Yousouf

SOURCE Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, v117 n4, December 2006, pp277-289

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a large-scale study designed to monitor the impact arising from the introduction of insect-resistant Bt cotton in the Makhathini Flats, Republic of South Africa. Bt cotton provides a degree of resistance to cotton bollworm complex (Lepidoptera). Data were collected on the use of insecticides (type and quantity) as well as the farm-level economics of production from over 2200 farmers in three growing seasons (1998/1999, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001), and the results are discussed within the context of environmental impact brought about by insecticide. Over the three seasons of the study it was clear that Bt cotton provided benefits in terms of higher yield and gross margin relative to farmers growing conventional (non-Bt) cotton, and the benefits were particularly apparent for the smallest producers. Bt growers also used significantly less insecticide than growers of non-Bt cotton. Once quantities of insecticide applied to Bt and non-Bt cotton were converted into a Biocide Index and an Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) in order to allow for differences in terms of toxicity and persistence in the environment, it was apparent that the growing of Bt had a less negative impact on the environment. While this points to beneficial impacts on agricultural sustainability there are wider concerns regarding the vulnerability of resource-poor farmers in an area with limited (as yet) marketing options for their product and options for livelihood diversification both within and outside agriculture. Cotton producers in Makhathini are vulnerable as they rely on just one company for inputs (including credit) and for their market. While Bt cotton provides benefits it does not in itself address some of the structural limitations that farmers face.

5. Lead in Jewelry and Other Products Sold in Capitol Gift Shops

DATE 2006

SOURCE United States House of Representatives. Committee on Government Reform -- Minority Staff. Special Investigations Division

ABSTRACT At the request of Rep. Henry A. Waxman and Sen. Barack Obama, the Special Investigations Division tested inexpensive jewelry and other products used by children that are sold in gift shops in the Capitol and House and Senate office buildings. The testing showed that seven products had high lead levels, including some products that contained a potentially lethal dose of lead if ingested by a child. The products with high lead levels included a silver-plated bracelet, an eagle pendant, a gold-plated bracelet, a Capitol charm, and a souvenir spoon.

WEB LINK http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20061211123253-94983.pdf

6. Historic preservation and green building: A lasting relationship

AUTHOR Roberts, Tristan

SOURCE Environmental Building News, v16 n1, January 2007

ABSTRACT It’s a common saying in the green building movement that “the greenest building is the one that isn’t built.” This ideal may be great, but with growing demand in many parts of the U.S.—and the world—for buildings, it’s often ignored. Meanwhile, millions of buildings already exist but are not being used to their full potential, despite their historic character and environmental features. Built for a purpose that no longer exists or has changed and often lagging behind today’s performance standards, those buildings are strong candidates for rehabilitation. When rehabbing a historic property, taking an unmoving stance as either a green building advocate or as a historic preservationist can lead to considerable differences with the other camp. There is, however, a growing desire within both communities to align their agendas, as demonstrated by several recent events. Participants in the Greening of Historic Properties National Summit in Pittsburgh in October 2006 contributed to a ground-breaking white paper that is currently circulating as a draft among the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and The American Institute of Architects (AIA). That initiative comes on the heels of an increased focus on sustainability by the Association for Preservation Technology International and USGBC’s interest in applying its LEED® Rating System to historic properties. In the midst of this activity, a new saying has been going around: “The greenest building is the one that is already built.” This article examines that claim, looking at the most common historic preservation standards and at some of the challenges and opportunities that owners, designers, and contractors face in handling historic property. Several case studies address common areas of concern, including energy efficiency, and recommendations follow.

WEB LINK http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm?fileName=160101a.xml

7. CRS Report for Congress: Restructuring EPA’s Libraries: Background and Issues for Congress

AUTHOR Bearden, David M.; Esworthy, Robert

DATE 2007

SOURCE Congressional Research Service

ABSTRACT The closing of several libraries administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has raised numerous issues. The President’s FY2007 budget included a $2.5 million reduction for EPA’s libraries, $2.0 million of which was attributed mainly to these closures. EPA reports that the closings are part of its efforts to restructure its libraries to respond to the increasing use of the Internet to access its collections. Although EPA plans to digitize certain materials, some items may be archived or discarded. Members of Congress, library professional associations, and public interest groups have questioned the continued availability of EPA’s collections as the agency restructures its libraries. The closing of EPA’s libraries received increasing attention toward the end of the 109th Congress, including a request for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine the agency’s library restructuring plan. However, the funding and operation of the libraries were not mentioned in the FY2007 appropriations bill that would have funded EPA (H.R. 5386). This report examines EPA’s plan to restructure its libraries and discusses relevant issues.

WEB LINK http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/secrecy/RS22533.pdf

8. Trash Landings: How Airlines and Airports Can Clean Up Their Recycling Programs

AUTHOR Atkin, Peter

DATE 2006

SOURCE Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

ABSTRACT The U.S. airline industry discards enough aluminum cans each year to build 58 Boeing 747 airplanes. And aluminum waste is just the tip of the iceberg: The airline industry discarded 9,000 tons of plastic in 2004 and enough newspapers and magazines to fill a football field to a depth of more than 230 feet. Those are the findings of NRDC’s yearlong study of how U.S. airports and passenger airlines dispose of waste. The report shows that the airline industry has a dismal record when it comes to grappling with the amount of waste it generates each year. Although airports are responsible for a huge amount of trash—the 10 airports reporting waste generation data in our survey generated 1.28 pounds of waste per passenger in 2004, about one third of the total amount of waste Americans generate in an entire day—most of the trash discarded at airports is sent to landfills and incinerators. At this rate of waste generation, the 30 largest airports in the United States generate an amount of waste equal to that of a city the size of Miami. NRDC’s study finds that airport and airline recycling systems are largely underdeveloped, with even the best systems achieving recycling rates lower than the national recycling rate of 31 percent. If airports and airlines recycled as much as the average U.S. recycling rate, enough energy would be saved each year to power 20,000 U.S. households, and carbon emissions would be reduced by an amount equal to removing 80,000 cars from the road annually. Airports and airlines could achieve a recycling rate of 31 percent by capturing 70 percent of the discarded aluminum, newspaper, cardboard, magazines, office and mixed paper, PET plastic, and glass. And they could save money: Four airports with recycling programs studied by NRDC are achieving cost savings of more than $100,000 annually through recycling programs and efficient waste management. Increasingly, our resource-starved world is willing to pay for valuable materials that were previously considered worthless garbage—and pay well. Moreover, recycling is becoming mandatory at some airports. More than 90 percent of passengers who travel on the five largest U.S. airlines fly to cities with local recycling goals or mandates. Airlines may increasingly be required to accelerate their recycling programs to meet these regional standards. Fortunately, there is enormous potential for recycling initiatives to capture the majority of airport waste. At the airports studied by NRDC, approximately 75 percent of the waste stream is recyclable or compostable. This report will help guide those interested in establishing recycling initiatives, whether the goal is to meet regional requirements, realize energy savings, or cut operating costs.

WEB LINK http://www.nrdc.org/cities/recycling/airline/airline.pdf

9. Cell Phones Getting Greener

AUTHOR Leahy, Stephen

DATE 2007

SOURCE Tierramerica, January 13, 2007

ABSTRACT Cellular telephones that contain toxic chemicals are still being sold in Latin America and other developing regions. But thanks to strict European regulations, there are progressively fewer phones being made with cadmium, lead and other dangerous materials. The new, stricter standards adopted by the European Union in 2006, forced the world's five leading cell phone manufacturers to eliminate toxic metals and other materials from their products. In a year or two, the majority of the more than one billion new mobiles sold annually will meet the EU standards even if most countries don't have those restrictions, says Zeina Alhajj, a toxics expert with the environmental watchdog Greenpeace International. "The mobile phone is a global product with screws made in China, silicon chips made in Malaysia, and cables made in the Philippines," Alhajj told Tierramérica from Amsterdam. It would be too complicated to manufacture phones to meet different standards, so the big companies are making all their phones meet European regulations, which are the toughest in the world, she added. Five companies -- Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson -- manufactured more than 80 percent of the one billion phones sold in 2006, according to IDC Consulting's Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker. Nokia and Motorola are the leaders in Latin America. A mobile phone can contain 500 to 1,000 components. Many of these contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium, and hazardous chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants (BFR). Polluting PVC plastic is also frequently used to make the case and keypad and the batteries contain cadmium, nickel and lithium.

WEB LINK http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36161

10. Protecting workers and the environment: An environmental NGO’s perspective on nanotechnology

AUTHOR Balbus, John M.; Florini, Karen; Denison, Richard A.; Walsh, Scott A.

SOURCE Journal of Nanoparticle Research, v9 n1, January 2007, pp11-22

ABSTRACT Nanotechnology, the design and manipulation of materials at the atomic scale, may well revolutionize many of the ways our society manufactures products, produces energy, and treats diseases. New materials based on nanotechnology are already reaching the market in a wide variety of consumer products. Some of the observed properties of nanomaterials call into question the adequacy of current methods for determining hazard and exposure and for controlling resulting risks. Given the limitations of existing regulatory tools and policies, we believe two distinct kinds of initiatives are needed: first, a major increase in the federal investment in nanomaterial risk research; second, rapid development and implementation of voluntary standards of care pending development of adequate regulatory safeguards in the longer term. Several voluntary programs are currently at various stages of evolution, though the eventual outputs of each of these are still far from clear. Ultimately, effective regulatory safeguards are necessary to provide a level playing field for industry while adequately protecting human health and the environment. This paper reviews the existing toxicological literature on nanomaterials, outlines and analyzes the current regulatory framework, and provides our recommendations, as an environmental non-profit organization, for safe nanotechnology development.

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://greenlist.turi.org/ for greater topic coverage.

Compiled by the TURI Library, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2007

This page updated Friday January 26 2007

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Greenlist(tm) Bulletin 01/19/2007