Greenlist(tm) Bulletin 08/24/2007
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:
- SRMs track fire retardants in humans and environment
- Hazard assessment for nanoparticles: report from an interdisciplinary workshop
- Environmental technologies: good practice, innovation, research and development
- Monadnock releases new sustainable print design guide
- A new classification system for the actions of IRS chemicals traditionally used for malaria control
- Halogen-free cable debuts on 2007 Toyota Tundra
- High-solids alkyd strategy
1. SRMs track fire retardants in humans and environment
Source: NIST Tech Beat, August 16, 2007
Abstract: If only the flame retardant chemicals routinely added to consumer products from carpets to cell phones just did their job and nothing more. Health officials, however, are concerned that one class of these chemicals called polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), may be doing more than reducing fire-related injuries and property damage.
After several decades of use, PBDEs are widely distributed in the environment as contaminants, and trace levels of these chemicals can be measured in animal tissues and in the food chain (they can be found, for example, in bird eggs and human breast milk). To help scientists evaluate the risks of PBDEs by improving measurements of these pollutants in the environment, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has re-evaluated several of its environmental reference materials to report PBDE concentrations in them.
Different commercial PBDE flame retardant formulations have been used, including pentaBDE in furniture foam; decaBDE in plastics for television cabinets, consumer electronics, draperies and upholstery; and octaDBE in plastics for personal computers and small appliances. Although human data on health effects are limited, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites animal tests as evidence that PBDEs are neurodevelopmental toxins, disruptors of thyroid functions, and liver toxins. The doses used in animal studies were slightly higher than PBDE levels found in some people in the United States.
To help investigators get a handle on the source and degree of PBDE contamination, NIST measured concentrations of selected PBDEs and other brominated flame retardants including hexabormocyclododecane (HBCD) in seven of the agency’s existing Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) that are considered benchmarks for measurements of environmental pollutants.
Concentration values for PBDEs are now available for NIST’s reference materials for house dust (SRM 2585), cod liver oil (SRM 1588b) and human blood serum (SRM 1589a). Newly certified values for PBDE concentrations in four other SRMs for whale blubber, mussel tissue and two types of fish tissue are expected to be available soon.
In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NIST also is developing four new SRMs based on human blood and milk. Two of these SRMs will have certified values for current PBDE concentrations to record the level of current human exposure. PBDEs will be added at higher levels for the other two materials to facilitate comparability of measurements among laboratories.
Link: http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2007_0816.htm#pbde
2. Hazard assessment for nanoparticles: report from an interdisciplinary workshop
Authors: Balbus, John M.; Maynard, Andrew D.; Colvin, Vicki L.; Castranova, Vincent; Daston, George P.; Denison, Richard A.; et al.
Source: Environmental Health Perspectives Article-in-Press, online 14 August 2007
Abstract: This report presents the findings from a nanotoxicology workshop held April 6-7, 2006, at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. Over two days, 26 scientists from government, academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations addressed two specific questions: what information is needed to understand the human health impact of engineered nanoparticles; and how is this information best obtained?
To assess hazards of nanoparticles in the near-term, most participants noted the need to use existing in vivo toxicological tests because of their greater familiarity and interpretability. For all types of toxicology tests, the best measures of nanoparticle dose need to be determined. Most participants agreed that a standard set of nanoparticles should be validated by laboratories worldwide and made available for benchmarking tests of other newly created nanoparticles. The group concluded that a battery of tests should be developed to uncover particularly hazardous properties. Given the large number of diverse materials, most participants favored a tiered approach.
Over the long term, research aimed at developing a mechanistic understanding of the numerous characteristics that influence nanoparticle toxicity was deemed essential. Predicting the potential toxicity of emerging nanoparticles will require hypothesis-driven research that elucidates how physico-chemical parameters influence toxic effects on biological systems. Research needs should be determined in the context of the current availability of testing methods for nanoscale particles. Finally, the group identified general policy and strategic opportunities to accelerate the development and implementation of testing protocols and ensure that the information generated is translated effectively for all stakeholders.
Link: http://www.ehponline.org/members/2007/10327/10327.pdf
3. Environmental technologies: good practice, innovation, research and development
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), 2007
Abstract: This portal focuses on Environmental Technologies, i.e. on cleaner and resource efficient technologies which can decrease material inputs, reduce energy consumption and emissions, recover valuable by-products, minimise waste disposal problems or some combination of these. They are classified according to the sector of intervention: Pollution management; Resources management; Industry. The portal includes the Environmental Technology atlas. The Atlas is a new web-based geographic service to assist the public to locate environmental technology and eco-efficient innovation players across Europe. It is a gateway to relevant information but it does not replace the original data sources.
Link: http://technologies.ewindows.eu.org/
4. Monadnock releases new sustainable print design guide
Source: Monadnock Paper Mills, August 14, 2007
Abstract: Monadnock Paper Mills has announced the release of the second edition of its instructional how-to guide for creating more sustainable print materials. The publication, A Field Guide: Eco-Friendly, Efficient and Effective Print is a single resource that presents objective information and points out alternatives for design decisions that support sustainability without sacrificing style and impact.
Designed with no bleeds and sized for efficient sheet use, the guide is an exercise in sustainability itself. This latest educational piece from Monadnock articulates the message that eco-friendly design can be cost-efficient, environmentally sensitive, and beautiful. The guide is printed on Monadnock’s Astrolite PC 100®, a 100% uncoated post-consumer fiber, process chlorine-free, archival quality paper. All Monadnock’s Graphic Arts Printing and Packaging Papers, including Monadnock Astrolite PC 100, are made with 100% renewable electrical energy and are manufactured carbon neutral. Designed by Signaltree Marketing and Advertising, A Field Guide is inspired by nature field guides, and features the whimsical nature illustrations of the late Charley Harper. The guide presents information from choosing paper to binding the finished piece including, paper types, paper contents, and chemical labeling, sizing to reduce paper waste, inks and coatings, finishing techniques, binding, printing processes, and the use of environmental logos.
Link: http://mpm.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=32&
5. A new classification system for the actions of IRS chemicals traditionally used for malaria control
Author: Grieco, John P.; Achee, Nicole L.; Chareonviriyaphap. Theeraphap; Suwonkerd, Wannapa; Chauhan, Kamai; Sardelis, Michael R.; Roberts, Donald R.
Source: PLoS One, August 2007
Abstract: Knowledge of how mosquitoes respond to insecticides is of paramount importance in understanding how an insecticide functions to prevent disease transmission. A suite of laboratory assays was used to quantitatively characterize mosquito responses to toxic, contact irritant, and non-contact spatial repellent actions of standard insecticides. Highly replicated tests of these compounds over a range of concentrations proved that all were toxic, some were contact irritants, and even fewer were non-contact repellents.
Of many chemicals tested, three were selected for testing in experimental huts to confirm that chemical actions documented in laboratory tests are also expressed in the field. The laboratory tests showed the primary action of DDT is repellent, alphacypermethrin is irritant, and dieldrin is only toxic. These tests were followed with hut studies in Thailand against marked-released populations. DDT exhibited a highly protective level of repellency that kept mosquitoes outside of huts. Alphacypermethrin did not keep mosquitoes out, but its strong irritant action caused them to prematurely exit the treated house. Dieldrin was highly toxic but showed no irritant or repellent action.
Based on the combination of laboratory and confirmatory field data, we propose a new paradigm for classifying chemicals used for vector control according to how the chemicals actually function to prevent disease transmission inside houses. The new classification scheme will characterize chemicals on the basis of spatial repellent, contact irritant and toxic actions.
Link: http://www.plosone.org/article/f
etchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0000716
6. Halogen-free cable debuts on 2007 Toyota Tundra
Source: Delphi Corporation, April 3, 2007
Abstract: Delphi Corporation's new halogen-free, ultra-thin wall cable makes its worldwide debut on the 2007 Toyota Tundra. This new cable also marks the first application of GE Plastics' Flexible Noryl resins in the automotive industry. The insulation on Delphi's new ultra-thin wall cable is half as thick as conventional coatings in North America — 0.2 mm versus 0.4 mm — or about as thick as two sheets of paper, reducing wire/resin weight by up to 25 percent and wire diameter an average 28 percent. This, in turn, helps reduce the size of the wire bundle by as much as 40 percent. These reductions in weight and mass improve fuel efficiency and vehicle performance, enabling the original equipment manufacturer to fit more content into the same space. Delphi's thin wall and ultra-thin wall cables also meet chlorine- and lead-free parts requirements, and have twice the pinch resistance and four times the scrape abrasion resistance as PVC cable with equal insulation thickness.
Link: http://delphi.com/news/pressReleases/pr_2007_04_03_001/?print=1
7. High-solids alkyd strategy
Author: Clausson, Anders; Mannea, Mircea; Sorensen, Kent; Stigsson, Susanne
Source: PCI Paints & Coating Industry, August 1, 2007
Abstract: This article presents new possible approaches for alkyd resin architecture in order to comply with market constraints related to VOC emissions. Examples and performance of alkyd concepts are presented with regard to VOC content and performance for “interior/exterior trim and cladding paints for wood and metal”. New regulations related to emissions/VOC content in coatings and increasing oil prices strongly recommend the shift to waterborne and high solids for coating manufacturing technology.
In Directive 2004/42/CE, from the European Parliament and the Council, limitations are established for the maximum VOC in decorative paints to be used within the EU. The products covered by the Directive are for use on buildings, trims, fittings and structures associated with buildings. Specific sub-categories are listed in the Directive with different limitations for maximum VOC in g/L of the ready-to-use product with two sets of limits for each sub-category. The first set of limit values will apply from 1 January 2007 and the second, stricter set, from 1 January 2010. Limits are established for both solventborne and for waterborne paints.
To reach these targets, along with the continuous development of waterborne systems is the possibility of finding new ways for high-solids technology.
Link: http://www.pcimag.com/CDA/Articles/Cover_Story/
BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000153581
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://slk060.liberty3.net/turi/ for greater topic coverage.
This page updated Friday August 24 2007