E-House Database

IAQ-Oriented Materials Database

Environmental Building Consultants, 312 A Jefferson Ave., Cheltenham, PA 19012-2021; 215/663-1611, 215/663-1637 (fax), ehouse@omni.voicenet.com (e-mail); $50 for PC or Macintosh diskette containing database and software to run it.

This initial release of an IAQ products database contains about 450 listings of companies and associations. Although the primary focus is on low-toxic and healthy products, listings relating to energy efficiency and resource efficiency are also included, with symbols identifying their category. Each listing provides basic product or company information, along with a short description of the product or service offered. The listings do not provide enough detail to evaluate the appropriateness of each product, but they do offer a good starting point for follow-up research.

This database is the most comprehensive listing of IAQ-related products on diskette we’re aware of. Although the number of listings is more limited than others, such as the REDI™ Guide or Harris Directory™ (see

EBN

Vol. 4, No. 2 for review), the database is set up very well. In particular, options for marking listings for later retrieval and adding comments to individual listings are clearly implemented. (It is not clear whether it will be possible to transfer such comments over to future updates of the database.) E-House has even provided a “user-response form,” similar to the reader-response cards found in many magazines. By marking up to 25 listings and mailing the form to E-House, users can get additional information from the listed companies. Use of the card is limited to once for each purchased copy of the database.

E-House has also linked up with the on-line information service Numenet™ to create a free on-line database of products called the “Plan it Earth! Marketplace.” This database includes those on the E-House diskette and many others, though for most listings only basic contact information is provided. Searching options are much more limited than on the diskette. World-Wide Web users can reach the database via the E-House homepage (www.ehouse.com), or at www.numenet.com/planit/pe_market.html.