Greenlist(tm) Bulletin 02/16/2007
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:
- Environmental Information: EPA Actions Could Reduce the Availability of Environmental Information to the Public
- Developmental Neurotoxicity of Industrial Chemicals
- Safer Blast Cleaning
- Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants from Mobile
Sources: Final Rule to Reduce
- Life Cycle of the Corn-Soybean Agroecosystem for Biobased Production
- Organic and Printed Electronics: The Next Big Thing?
- European Union Increases Research Efforts on Nanotechnology Risks
- MIT Launches Sustainable Business Lab
- Cross Cutting Effects of Chemical Liability from Products
1. Environmental Information: EPA Actions Could Reduce the Availability of Environmental Information to the Public
SOURCE
DATE 2007
ABSTRACT Although we have not yet completed our
evaluation, our preliminary observations indicate that EPA did not adhere to
its own rulemaking guidelines in all respects when developing the proposal to
change TRI reporting requirements. We have identified several significant
differences between the guidelines and the process EPA followed. First, late in
the process, senior EPA management directed the inclusion of a burden reduction
option that raised the Form R reporting threshold, an option that the TRI
workgroup charged with analyzing potential options, had dropped from
consideration early in the process. Second, EPA developed this option on an
expedited schedule that appears to have provided a limited amount of time for
conducting various impact analyses. Third, the decision to expedite final
agency review, when EPA’s internal and regional offices determine whether they
concur with the final proposal, appears to have limited the amount of input
they could provide to senior EPA management. We believe that the TRI reporting
changes will likely have a significant impact on information available to the
public about dozens of toxic chemicals from thousands of facilities in states
and communities across the country. First, we estimate that detailed
information from more than 22,000 Form Rs could no longer be reported to the
TRI if all eligible facilities choose to use Form A, affecting more than 33
percent of reports in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Second, we
estimate that states could lose all quantitative information about releases of
some chemicals, ranging from 3 in
WEB LINK http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07464t.pdf
2. Developmental Neurotoxicity of Industrial Chemicals
AUTHOR Grandjean, P.; Landrigan, P.J.
SOURCE The Lancet, 368.9553, December 16, 2006, pp2167-2178
ABSTRACT Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism,
attention deficit disorder, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy are common,
costly, and can cause lifelong disability. Their causes are mostly unknown. A
few industrial chemicals (eg, lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls
[PCBs], arsenic, and toluene) are recognised causes of neurodevelopmental
disorders and subclinical brain dysfunction. Exposure to these chemicals during
early fetal development can cause brain injury at doses much lower than those
affecting adult brain function. Recognition of these risks has led to
evidence-based programmes of prevention, such as elimination of lead additives
in petrol. Although these prevention campaigns are highly successful, most were
initiated only after substantial delays. Another 200 chemicals are known to
cause clinical neurotoxic effects in adults. Despite an absence of systematic
testing, many additional chemicals have been shown to be neurotoxic in
laboratory models. The toxic effects of such chemicals in the developing human
brain are not known and they are not regulated to protect children. The two
main impediments to prevention of neurodevelopmental deficits of chemical
origin are the great gaps in testing chemicals for developmental neurotoxicity
and the high level of proof required for regulation. New, precautionary
approaches that recognise the unique vulnerability of the developing brain are
needed for testing and control of chemicals.
3. Safer Blast Cleaning
SOURCE Products Finishing, v71 n5, February 2007, p31
ABSTRACT Dry ice blasting is a highly effective and mess-free cleaning method that eliminates the need to disassemble or move machinery before cleaning and does not alter surfaces being cleaned, according to developer Kärcher Industrial Products. The company’s new IB 15/80 dry ice blaster uses compressed air to propel small dry ice pellets at supersonic speeds. The media is produced by expanding liquid carbon dioxide from a storage tank at ambient pressure to produce snow, then compressing the snow through a die to make hard pellets. The pellets flash-freeze to a temperature of -109°F and lift grime, paint, rust, mold, asphalt and other contaminants off a broad range of target surfaces. The pellets then quickly dissipate into the air, leaving behind no wastewater, solvents sand or other media to dispose of. All that’s left, according to Kärcher, is the soiled contaminant that can then be swept up or vacuumed. The company says traditional blast cleaning media such as sand or glass beads are often too abrasive, resulting in etching or pitting of the surface being cleaned. Dry ice can be regulated so it is non-abrasive. The process uses a combination of kinetic energy and micro-thermal shock rather than purely mechanical action to lift contaminants off the surface being cleaned without altering the surface structure. According to Kärcher, this makes the process safe to use on virtually any material, from plastics and rubber to metals and even wood.
WEB LINK http://www.pfonline.com/articles/0207tn2.html
4. Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants from Mobile
Sources: Final Rule to Reduce
SOURCE United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
DATE 2007
ABSTRACT The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final rule to reduce hazardous air pollutants from mobile sources. Hazardous air pollutants, also known as air toxics, include benzene and other hydrocarbons such as 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and naphthalene. Air toxics emitted by motor vehicles and other moving sources (called “mobile source air toxics,” or MSATs) contribute significantly to the nationwide risk from breathing outdoor air toxics. The final standards will significantly lower emissions of benzene and the other air toxics in three ways: (1) by lowering benzene content in gasoline; (2) by reducing exhaust emissions from passenger vehicles operated at cold temperatures (under 75 degrees); and (3) by reducing emissions that evaporate from, and permeate through, portable fuel containers.
WEB LINK
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/toxics/420f07017.pdf
5. Life Cycle of the Corn-Soybean Agroecosystem for Biobased Production
AUTHOR Landis, Amy E.; Miller, Shelie A.; Theis, Thomas L.
SOURCE Environmental Science & Technology, v41 n4, February 15, 2007, pp1457-1464
ABSTRACT Biobased product life cycle assessments (LCAs) have focused largely on energy (fossil fuel) usage and greenhouse gas emissions during the agriculture and production stages. This paper compiles a more comprehensive life cycle inventory (LCI) for use in future bioproduct LCAs that rely on corn or soybean crops as feedstocks. The inventory includes energy, C, N, P, major pesticides, and U.S. EPA criteria air pollutants that result from processes such as fertilizer production, energy production, and onfarm chemical and equipment use. Agroecosystem material flows were modeled using a combination of GREET (the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation model), a linear fractionation model that describes P biogeochemical cycling, and Monte Carlo Analysis. Results show that the dominant air emissions resulted from crop farming, fertilizers, and on-farm nitrogen flows (e.g., N2O and NO). Seed production and irrigation provided no more than 0.002% to any of the inventory emissions or energy flows and may be neglected in future LCAs of corn or soybeans as feedstocks from the U.S. Corn Belt. Lime contributes significantly (17% of total emissions) to air emissions and should not be neglected in bioproduct LCAs.
WEB LINK
http://pubs3.acs.org/acs/journals/
supporting_information.page?in_manuscript=es0606125
6. Organic and Printed Electronics: The Next Big Thing?
AUTHOR Gamota, Daniel; Zhang, Jie
SOURCE Circuits Assembly, February 2007,
ABSTRACT The revolutionary concept of using graphic arts printing processes to manufacture electronic components such as wireless hardware (RFID), displays and ICs has been pursued since 2000 in corporate, government and university laboratories and by well-financed startups. This manufacturing process is novel compared to traditional means used to produce these components (e.g., cleanroom environments and vacuum deposition); however, printing-like technologies are already used to manufacture PWBs. PWB manufacturing and graphic arts printing share similar heritage, as both are based on imaging, etching and engraving processes. Their convergence promises extremely high throughput at very low costs, and holds significant potential for flexible displays, lighting, sensors, RFID and smart packaging. By taking advantage of new functional electronic inks (conductive, semiconductive and dielectric) and leveraging graphic arts printing platforms (gravure, flexography, inkjet), it is possible to reduce cost by several orders of magnitude and also significantly increase throughput over that of silicon IC manufacturing. Imagine, for example, printing all the electronics for a cellphone in a couple of hours via printing equipment typically used to pattern rich graphics posters and vibrant shampoo bottle labels. Organic and printed electronics is a disruptive technology that could affect a number of market segments without cannibalizing existing technologies. The technology has matured in recent years, migrating from lab to prototype production, and a supply chain is beginning to emerge. The 2007 iNEMI Roadmap includes a chapter on organic and printed electronics to help define elements required for the technology’s successful commercialization. The Organic & Printed Electronics Technology Working Group (TWG), which produced this chapter, brought together 40 individuals, representing established businesses and startups in printing and electronics, to develop a “schematic” for the supply chain. The chapter they developed provides an overview of critical technologies for commercial launch and market diffusion of organic and printed electronics-based products. It addresses technologies specific to functional inks, substrates, packaging, printing platforms, characterization tools, design and modeling, and reliability. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this roadmap is the first of its kind.
WEB LINK http://circuitsassembly.com/cms/cms/content/
view/4439/95/
7. European Union Increases Research Efforts on Nanotechnology Risks
SOURCE Nanowerk News, February 14, 2007
ABSTRACT The EU's largest ever funding programme for research and technological development, the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) launched on January 1, 2007, is the central mechanism of research funding at the European Commission level. The EU Member States have earmarked a total of €3.5 billion (approx. $4.5 billion) for funding nanotechnology related research over the duration of FP7 (2007-2013). In line with EU strategy FP7 includes calls for proposals on a wide range of activities related to the risk assessment of nanomaterials. This involves the generation of quantitative data on (eco)toxicology, as well as development of nano-specific tests, exposure and risk assessment methods, and methodologies for life cycle analysis. Development of suitable devices and instruments for measurement will also be addressed. These activities will help reduce uncertainty surrounding the potential (eco)toxicity of different nanoscale substances, and provide a basis for meeting current and potential future regulatory requirements. These calls are not only open to European researchers, but to most other countries. Addressing the potential risks of nanomaterials is not a national or European issue. To bring together all available knowledge in order to benefit from common synergies and reinforce progress worldwide has been highlighted as a key goal in this area by the EC.
WEB LINK http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1450.php
8. MIT Launches Sustainable Business Lab
SOURCE GreenBiz.com, February 5, 2007
ABSTRACT A future marred by stronger storms, rising sea
levels and a dramatic increase in global temperatures unless stronger efforts are
made to reduce carbon emissions is depicted in the new report by the U.N.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. But with today's business models
generating tremendous strain on the environment, how can free-market capitalism
be reconciled with the need for more sustainable business practices? MIT Sloan
School of Management is responding with the launch of its new Laboratory for
Sustainable Business (S-Lab) on February 7, 2007. S-Lab is the latest in new,
experimental curricula debuting at MIT Sloan, which includes, among others,
Conversations with Jack Welch and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Certificate Program. Interactive computer-based simulations will enable
students to play the role of entrepreneurs seeking to maximize their profits
investing in companies that impact the environment. In the process, students
will experience first hand the challenges of applying renewable resources
within the framework of existing policies and business models. They will then
have the opportunity to experiment with re-shaping these external factors in a
manner that promotes both sustainability and the bottom line. In another
exercise, S-Lab will look at an attempt by Conoco-Phillips, Inc. to win an oil
development contract in
WEB LINK
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34539
9.
SOURCE United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, Science Policy Council
DATE 2007
ABSTRACT Nanotechnology has potential applications in many sectors of the American economy, including consumer products, health care, transportation, energy and agriculture. In addition, nanotechnology presents new opportunities to improve how we measure, monitor, manage, and minimize contaminants in the environment. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is interested in researching and developing the possible benefits of nanotechnology, EPA also has the obligation and mandate to protect human health and safeguard the environment by better understanding and addressing potential risks from exposure to nanoscale materials and products containing nanoscale materials (both referred to here as “nanomaterials”). Since 2001, EPA has played a leading role in funding research and setting research directions to develop environmental applications for, and understand the potential human health and environmental implications of, nanotechnology. That research has already borne fruit, particularly in the use of nanomaterials for environmental clean-up and in beginning to understand the disposition of nanomaterials in biological systems. Some environmental applications using nanotechnology have progressed beyond the research stage. Also, a number of specific nanomaterials have come to the Agency’s attention, whether as novel products intended to promote the reduction or remediation of pollution or because they have entered one of EPA’s regulatory review processes. For EPA, nanotechnology has evolved from a futuristic idea to watch, to a current issue to address. In December 2004, EPA’s Science Policy Council created a cross-Agency workgroup charged with describing key science issues EPA should consider to ensure that society accrues the important benefits to environmental protection that nanotechnology may offer, as well as to better understand any potential risks from exposure to nanomaterials in the environment. This paper is the product of that workgroup. The purpose of this paper is to inform EPA management of the science needs associated with nanotechnology, to support related EPA program office needs, and to communicate these nanotechnology science issues to stakeholders and the public. The paper begins with an introduction that describes what nanotechnology is, why EPA is interested in it, and what opportunities and challenges exist regarding nanotechnology and the environment. It then moves to a discussion of the potential environmental benefits of nanotechnology, describing environmental technologies as well as other applications that can foster sustainable use of resources. The paper next provides an overview of existing information on nanomaterials regarding components needed to conduct a risk assessment. Following that there is a brief section on responsible development and the Agency’s statutory mandates. The paper then provides an extensive review of research needs for both environmental applications and implications of nanotechnology. To help EPA focus on priorities for the near term, the paper concludes with staff recommendations for addressing science issues and research needs, and includes prioritized research needs within most risk assessment topic areas (e.g., human health effects research, fate and transport research). In a separate follow-up effort to this White Paper, EPA’s Nanotechnology Research Framework, attached in Appendix C of this paper, was developed by EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) Nanotechnology Research Strategy Team. This team is composed of representatives from across ORD. The Nanotechnology Research Framework outlines how EPA will strategically focus its own research program to provide key information on potential environmental impacts from human or ecological exposure to nanomaterials in a manner that complements other federal, academic, and private-sector research activities. Additional supplemental information is provided in a number of other appendices.
WEB LINK
http://www.epa.gov/osa/pdfs/nanotech/
epa-nanotechnology-white-paper-final-february-2007.pdf
10. Cross Cutting Effects of Chemical Liability from Products
AUTHOR Langsner, Heather
SOURCE Innovest Strategic Value Advisors
DATE 2007
ABSTRACT Electronics, cosmetics, and pesticide
manufacturers are among the many companies that could face loss of market share
and access to major markets due to “toxic lockouts” according to a new report
by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors. The international investment research
firm examines this double-sided issue as well as other risks in four industry
sectors (Household and Personal Care Products, Multi-Line Retail, Healthcare
Equipment and Supplies and Household Durables) in their most recent analysis.
The report offers an analysis comparing companies’ chemical management
policies. “This is an issue for the
value investor” said Senior Analyst Heather Langsner. “Those concerned with the
long-term viability of the brand and future competitive value of these and
other large cap firms will need this information to understand potential
challenges to companies retaining and maintaining market share for their
products.” On the upside, growing consumer and market interest in “safer
chemicals” is spurring the development of new markets for higher value added
and differentiated products. Companies such as Herman Miller, Steelcase, and
Marks and Spencer are differentiating themselves in the marketplace with safer
products. Chemical companies like DuPont are also entering the green chemistry
space, winning recognition for new products even as they face continuing
liability and market exclusion risks for their older product lines. The report cites
new laws and regulations in
WEB LINK
http://www.innovestgroup.com/images/pdf/
iehn%20report%20final%2002-06-2007.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://greenlist.turi.org/ for greater topic coverage.
Compiled by the TURI Library, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2007
This page updated Friday February 23 2007