Green Building Discussion

 

Topic: Information On Toxic Chemicals In Buildings

Discussion Participants:

• Victoria Schromer is looking for info online
• Tracy Straka - try OSHA online
• Bion Howard suggests the EPA
• George Hug has a good link
• Hal Levin on EPA efforts
• Bruce Sullivan on contamination mapping
• Bion Howard on contamination mapping
• Hal Levin on Contam93
• Michaella Wright is looking for statistics

All postings are the opinion of the writer, and BuildingGreen can take no responsibility for their accuracy or appropriateness.

Victoria Schromer is looking for info online

From: Victoria Schomer
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 1996 2:14 AM

Hi!

Am searching for a Web site with a listing of toxic chemicals with most recent research and, ideally, some reference to 'safe' or allowable levels of exposure.

With warm regards,

Victoria intconc@nbn.com

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead

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Tracy Straka - try OSHA online

From: Tracy Straka
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 1996 10:02 AM

SUggestion. Access OSHA and NIOSH on the internet. They regulate human exposure to many chemicals. Also The code of federal regulations lists hazardous chemicals and the levels at which they are considered hazardous.

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Bion Howard suggests the EPA

From: Bion Howard
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 1996 2:38 PM

Victoria:

Try contacting US-EPA Research Triangle Park group which works on the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) programs related to indoor air emissions. They also have retained the Radian Corporation to put together data bases of the chamber emissions tests performed on building materials.

At one point they were going to issue a manual, and I served on a review team with Harry Gordon and Mike Nicklas with others to help construct a format and approach helpful to builders sifting through emissions claims. However, I have never seen a final report or product from this effort. Also, a computer estimating tool to help predict emissions was discussed but to my knowledge never yet developed.

US EPA Office of Toxic Substances also is involved but not directly in the buildings area, except for the formaldehyde industry. Hope this is of some use.

US EPA has a personnel / programs locator at their website

http://www.epa.gov

Contact Information: ---------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Bion D. Howard bhoward2@sprynet.com (business) Building Environmental ZowWatt@aol.com (fall-back) Science & Technology Voice:(301)627-2780 FAX:(301)627-4735

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George Hug has a good link

From: George B. Hug
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 1996 7:38 PM

More than you ever wanted to know about toxic chemicals:

gopher://atlas.chem.utah.edu:70/11/MSDS

George -- George Hug gbhug@nwbuildnet.com HTML Writers Guild Member http://www.hwg.org/

NorthWest BuildNet http://www.nwbuildnet.com Internet Marketing and Design For the Construction Industry in the Pacific Northwest. Ph.(541) 895-3961

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Hal Levin on EPA efforts

From: Hal Levin
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 1996 10:16 PM

Bion:

An EPA computer program has existed for several years. It does not predict emissions, it predicts indoor air concentrations based on input values for emissions, ventilation, and other factors related to the building and its spaces. It is now called "Exposure" Version 2, and was developed by Les Sparks, U. S. EPA/ORD, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. 919-541-2458. A report is available by ordering "EXPOSURE VERSION 2, COMPUTER MODEL FOR ANALYZING THE EFFECTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTANT SOURCES ON INDIVIDUAL EXPOSURE. PROJECT SUMMARY," Order Number: EPA600S891013, from National Center for Environmental Publications and Information, P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419. Fax Number: = 513/489-8695.

Hal ************************************************************ Hal Levin email: hlevin@cruzio.com 2548 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Tel. 408 425 3946 Fax 408 426 6522

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Bruce Sullivan on contamination mapping

From: Bruce Sullivan
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 1996 12:04 PM

I recently learned of an IAQ program that calculates contaminant concentration as well as ventilation rate to maintain a given concentration and contaminant generation rate. It's called IAQ Tools for Windows and is published by Taitem Engineering, 607-277-1118, 607-277-1118 (fax). I haven't even installed the program yet, but hope to look it over soon.

Bruce

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce Sullivan Tel: 541-484-9353 Iris Communications, Inc. Fax: 541-484-1645 Web: http://oikos.com/ E-mail: iris@oikos.com ------------ 1,700 green building product listings online -------------

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Bion Howard on contamination mapping

From: Bion Howard
Sent: Monday, September 23, 1996 8:58 PM

>> !! Great information, Hal !! <<

In the mean time I have also learned that NIST (Andrew Persily) developed an IAQ modeling computer tool for multizone spaces. As I recall it was called CONTAM93' (help me here Hal...) I am a little weak on the details. Their publications are abstracted on CD-Rom now, which is a great help.

You might give them a call (301) 975-5900 Buildings and Fire Research Labs (BFRL).

---------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Bion D. Howard bhoward2@sprynet.com (business) Building Environmental ZowWatt@aol.com (fall-back) Science & Technology Voice:(301)627-2780 FAX:(301)627-4735 P. O. Box 1007 Upper Marlboro, Website: http://www.nrg-builder.com Maryland 20773 USA

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Hal Levin on Contam93

From: Hal Levin
Sent: Monday, September 23, 1996 11:59 PM

NIST has produced several versions of Contam over the years, and I believe '93 is the most recent update. It is a more powerful program than Exposure, and different. Perhaps not so user friendly, to put it bluntly, although Exposure is not as easy as it should be. Depending on the needs of the user, one or the other of these should be of interest. Best to inquire of both and make a choice. I have wanted NIST (and NBS before it) to produce a more user-friendly version of Contam for years now. Persily can be reached at 301 975 6418. email to apersily@nist.gov.

Hal Levin email: hlevin@cruzio.com 2548 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Tel. 408 425 3946 Fax 408 426 6522

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Michaella Wright is looking for statistics

From: Wright, Michaella
Sent: Monday, November 25, 1996 6:00 PM

I am interested in obtaining some slides of various kinds of green concepts/technologies in place - anything from PV, materials, daylighting...... I'm heading the Sustainable Design Department of HDR, a large A/E firm and would like to have some slides as I take the info. to our other offices. The presentation I am putting together is just an educational session for those of our employees who are not as familiar with green design. Does anyone know of any good sources? If you have any you would want to share, I would be happy to pay for them and credit the source.

Also, I would like to compile some good statistics about the impact building has on the environment. I've been collecting them on my own, but alway like to hear more. I think they can be used to get the point across when you're just introducing the idea. Specifically, quotes about energy or resource consumption, construction waste, loss in productivity, etc. If you have any you want to share, or want a list of quotes once I compile them, let me know,

Michaella Wright mwright@hdrinc.com