Feature
Antimicrobial Chemicals in Buildings: Hygiene or Harm?
Carpets, door handles, and a myriad of other building products now contain pesticides targeting fungi and bacteria, offering potential benefit to the indoor environment, but also raising health concerns. This article asks whether antimicrobial products live up to their marketing claims and whether relying on them is a sound path to a hygienic environment.
Letters
CFLs Aren't Perfect
The lifespan of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is shortened by frequent switching on and off, but in most applications they're worth using anyway.
Readers Support Renewables Over Carbon-Intensive Nuclear
Readers support EBN's recent editorial cautioning against a move toward nuclear power, noting that nuclear power can cause just as many greenhouse gas emissions as fossil fuels.
What's Happening
GE and Masco Team Up on Homebuilder Program
The new GE Ecomagination Homebuilder Program brings branded product requirements and greater marketing power to Masco's respected Environments for Living program.
Updated Guide Shows the Way to Cost-Effective Energy Optimization
The Core Performance Guide offers strategies for achieving 20%–30% energy savings in buildings, updating a previous guide which led to energy optimization points in LEED.
Report Says Green Still Doesn't Drive Building Cost
"Cost of Green Revisited" finds that how green goals are achieved has more of an impact on building cost than the eventual level of performance.
Newsbriefs
|
Awards & Competitions
"Building a Sustainable World" Winners Announced
Royal Institute of Architects USA has announced the winners of its design competition for self-sustaining communities.
Product Review
TerraClad Rainscreen Cladding
Boston Valley uses high-efficiency kilns to make this handsome recycled-content terra cotta rainscreen.
SierraPine Bets on Phenolic Particleboard
Encore particleboard, containing 100% recycled wood fiber, is made with a phenol-formaldehyde binder.
Carnegie Introduces Surface IQ Wallcoverings
Surface IQ polyethylene wallcoverings use natural clay fire retardants and offer optional microperforations to reduce the risk of moisture buildup.
BackPage Primer
Light-Emitting Diodes: Chasing White Light
LED lighting is becoming more energy-efficient and cost-effective, but it has not yet realized its potential for efficacy, and for wider applicability.
Calendar
Calendar of Events
|
