Feature Article
Mold in Buildings: What It Is and How to Keep It Out
Dubbed "the asbestos of this decade," mold can cause permanent injury
to building occupants and has driven contractors to insolvency.
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Photo: Jeff May
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The reasons for this relatively new and growing problem are both simple
and complex and have a lot to do with the integration (or lack thereof)
of good design, sound construction details, proper commissioning, and
careful operation of buildings. This month's feature explains the root
causes of mold problems and how to avoid them. Included is a checklist
for minimizing mold risk.
From the Editors
Oops! A Few Repairs
Corrections to last month's feature article statistics
Case Study Update: Vermont Law School
Energy use at Vermont Law School's Oakes Hall isn't quite as low as previously believed.
What's Happening
Light Pollution Mitigation for Vermont Prison
The State of Vermont and a regional astronomy club have agreed upon an innovative plan for mitigating light pollution from a new prison in Sprngfield, Vermont.
The Breathe Easy Office
The American Lung Association's Virginia chapter has built a demonstration office dedicated to reducing indoor air pollution, using low-cost, sustainable building products and techniques, and raising public awareness of indoor air quality.
Frisco First: Codified Green Building Program
Every new home in the City of Frisco, Texas must now be built to the
minimum standards of the city's green building program. A coincidental
overlap with a new initiative from the local utility, TXU Electric,
is helping to make these requirements affordable for builders.
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What's Happening (cont.)
Barrel Burning: Missing Dioxin Link
Still largely legal in most states, barrel burning of household trash
is a "worst case" situation for dioxin formation and contributes significantly
to environmental dioxin levels.
Newsbriefs
W.R. Grace & Company has filed for bankruptcy, due to asbestos liability
... the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has a
new standard for recycled-plastic residential decking ... as many
as 1 billion birds a year die in collisions with windows ... U.S.
imports of finished wood products from Asia have increased dramatically
... Greenpeace has unveiled a database of PVC-free products ...
and more
Awards & Competitions
The AIA announced its four new "Fellows" ... the American Solar Energy
Society (ASES) recognized Steven Strong for his contributions to the
field of solar energy ... and the ASES Passive Pioneer Award went
to Murray Milne for his work on climate-sensitive buildings.
Product News & Reviews
Solera Transparent Insulation
Advanced Glazings is offering a translucent glazing unit, called Solera,
which consists of a honeycomb matrix of transparent film sandwiched
between two layers of glazing. Solera acheives exceptional energy
performance without the use of low-e coatings or low-conductivity
gas.
Big Transitions for AAC
After a nine-year struggle by a half-dozen companies to introduce
autoclaved aerated concrete to the U.S. market, only two manufacturers
remain.
Recycled Content Certified in Collins Particleboard
Collins Products LLC has made a comittment to use only post-industrial
waste fibers in its particleboard.
From the Library
EcoHomes: The Environmental Rating for Homes
by the Center for Sustainable Construction of the Building Research
Establishment
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