Sustainability/Enviro Impact/Hazardous Materials/Toxicity (ALL) Flashcards
Environment & Wellness
LEED is how the building interacts with the __________
Environment
Environment & Wellness
WELL is how the building interacts with the __________
Occupants
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
LEED
Building Rating Systems
National, consensus-based rating system. It’s primary rating system
Leadership in energy & environmental design
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
GBI
Building Rating Systems
Non-profit that promotes sustainable building practices
Green Building Initiative
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
NAHB
Building Rating Systems
Describes green building practices for residential and site development
National Association of Home Builders. Green Building Standards
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Energy Star
Building Rating Systems
Program of the EPA. Classifies energy used compared to others
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
CHPS
Building Rating Systems
- Membership association composed of public, private and non-profit org.
- Indoor air quality, emissions for interior materials, mold, mildew, etc..
- Provides assessments and tools criteria
Collaborative for High Performance Schools
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
BRE
Building Rating Systems
Environmental Assessment Method. British Organization for environmental profiling
Building Research Establishment
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
BIFMA
Product Certification
- Furniture sustainability
- Maintains 2 ANSI approved standards for VOC. Level ratings of 1,2, or 3.
Business Institute of Furniture Manufacturer’s Association
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Energy Star Label
Product Certification
Voluntary labeling program to promote energy-efficient products
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
FloorScore (RFCI)
Product Certification
- Resilient Floor Covering Industry
- Tests and certifies hard surface flooring
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
FSC
Product Certification
Standards for forest management principles and criteria
Forest Stewardship Council
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Greenguard
Product Certification
- Nonprofit industry independent.
- Tests indoor products for emissions to ensure they meet acceptable indoor quality pollutant guidelines
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Green Label Plus, Carpet & Rug Institute
Product Certification
Voluntary testing for carpet, cushion and adhesive
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Green Seal
Product Certification
Nonprofit promoting environmentally responsible production, purchasing and products
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Green Format
Product Certification
Web based self-reporting properties of products
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
MTS
Product Certification
Oversees SMaRT program (Sustainable Materials Rating Technology)
Market Transformation to Sustainability
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
ISO14000
Product Certification
- Non-government organization.
- Collection of standards and guidelines that cover issues such as performance, product standards, labeling, environmental management, life cycle assessments, etc..
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
C2C (MBDC)
Product Certification
A sustainable business model and design philosophy that aims to eliminate waste by designing products to be recycled or upcycled at the end of their life
Cradle to Cradle
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
SCS
Product Certification
Providing global leadership in third-party environmental, sustainability, food safety and quality certification, auditing, and standards
Scientific Certification System
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
SFI
Product Certification
Independent Charitable organization promoting sustainable forest management
Sustainable Forest Initiative
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
UL
Product Certification
Promotes marketplace visibility of sustainable products, services & Organizations.
1. Recycle Content
2. VOC emissions and content
3. Energy efficiency
4. Reclamation programs
Underwriters Laboratories
Code does not allow for installation of light fixtures that are not UL rated.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Watersense
Product Certification
EPA program to help consumers identify water efficient programs and products by the WATERSENSE label
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Embodied energy
How much or little energy is required to acquire, transport and use the product -and how much waste is involved.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Recycled content
How much recycled content does the product have. This is easily determined by considering the post consumer, post industrial and recovered materials in the product.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Energy efficiency
Materials, products, and assemblies should reduce the energy consumption
in a building.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
What is use of local materials?
This reduces transportation cost. Products that are extracted, harvested or recovered and manufactured within 500 mi is considered locally sourced.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Durability
Even when the initial cost is higher, the life-cycle cost may be less
Hazardous Materials
LEAD
- It’s a highly toxic metal that was once used in a variety of consumer and industrial products such as paint. It’s found in contaminated air, water, soil, food, and consumer products.
- **Requires a LEAD removal Licensed Contractor to remove
** - Most commonly found in Paint, but also in plumbing if lead pipes are present
- Banned in 1978**
Hazardous Materials
ASBESTOS
- It’s a naturally occurring fibrous mineral found in certain types of rock formations. It is used commercially for their desirable physical properties (fire protection).
- Requires a Licensed Contractor to mitigate
- Asbestos is typically found in tiles, roof shingles, insulation, gaskets etc.
- Asbestos were banned in the US in 1989
Hazardous Materials
The following are agencies involved in LEAD and ASBESTOS contamination, cleaning, detection and mitigation.
- EPA:Environmental Protection Agency
- OSHA:Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- NESHAP:National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
- AHERA:Asbestos Hazards Emergency Response Act
- Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) are regulated by EPA/OSHA/State/Local Agencies
Hazardous Materials
VERMICULATE
- It’s a hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum iron-silicate that resembles mica.
- Requires a Licensed Contractor to mitigate
- It is found in poured insulation and mica can be contaminated with asbestos
Hazardous Materials
PCBs
- PCBs are mixtures of synthetic organic chemicals with physical states ranging from oily liquids to waxy solids
- Also known as Polychlorinated Biphenyls require a Licensed Contractor to mitigate
- PCBs were banned in 1977. They are most commonly found in fluorescent light ballasts, but also transformers and capacitors, or cable insulation
Hazardous Materials
RADON
- This is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soils, rocks, and water throughout the world
- Either a contractor or Homeowner can mitigate. However, if using a contractor many jurisdictions require a license
- Radon is a commonly found in the soil and rock beneath a home.
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
Toxcity contaminants can come from different sources
Chemical contaminants from indoor
* VOCs, smoke, nitrogen dioxide, CO
Chemical contaminants from outdoor
* CO, outside contaminants, exhaust
Biological Contaminants
* From moisture infiltration, standing, water, stagnant water in mechanical equipment
Poor Ventilation
* Allows indoor pollutants to accumulate
Chemical, Biological, and Physical.
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
What are the two categroies of Indoor Air contaminants?
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
- Chemical contaminants (volatile organic compounds, inorganic chemical, tobacco smoke, etc)
- Biological contaminants (mold, pollen, bacteria, and viruses)
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
VOCs
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Chemicals that contain carbon hydrogen and that vaporize at room temperature and pressure
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
Formaldehyde
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
- A colorless gas with a pungent odor, used in the preparation of resins and adhesives.
- It is also a human carcinogen
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
Biological Contaminants
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
The common problem of mold and mildew in addition to bacteria, viruses, mites, pollen, animal dander, dust, and insects
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
What causes Poor IAQ?
- Chemical contaminants from indoor sources
- Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources
- Biological contaminants
- Poor ventilation
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
What are the Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality?
- Sick building syndrome: Symptoms resolve when occupants leave
- Building related illness: Symptoms do not resolve when occupants leave
- Multiple chemical sensitivity: Condition brought by exposure to VOCs
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
Strategies for maintaining good IAQ
- Eliminate or reduce sources of pollution – plan to specify products that promote a good IAQ
- Control Ventilation
- Establish good maintenance program
- Control occupant activity – no smoking, add CO2 sensors
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
Clean Air Act of 1970
Indoor Air Quality Standards (IAQ Standards)
Regulates air emissions from area, stationary, and mobile sources
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Indoor Air Quality Standards (IAQ Standards)
Limits on the amount of six pollutants that can be present in outdoor air without harming public health or the environment:
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1
Indoor Air Quality Standards (IAQ Standards)
Minimum ventilation rates and other measures intended to provide indoor air quality (IAQ) that’s acceptable to human occupants and that minimizes adverse health effects
Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2
Indoor Air Quality Standards (IAQ Standards)
Minimum requirements to achieve acceptable IAQ via dwelling-unit ventilation, local mechanical exhaust, and source control.
Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
National VOC emission standards
Indoor Air Quality Standards (IAQ Standards)
Limits the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can be emitted from various sources
Toxicity and Indoor Air Quality
ASTM E1333
Indoor Air Quality Standards (IAQ Standards)
Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air and Emission Rates from Wood Products Using a Large Chamber
Environmental Regulations
Environmental Regulations
Rules and policies that aim to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices
Enforcement will typically fall under the State.
Environmental Regulations
EPA
- Protecting the environment and public health
- Implement environmental laws
- Overrides regulatory laws, and there are the individual state agencies.
Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Regulations
Clean Air Act (CAA)
Protect and enhance the quality of the Nation’s air resources
Overseen by the EPA
Environmental Regulations
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters
Overseen by the EPA
Environmental Regulations
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- Places a tax on certain businesses in industries engaged in work with hazardous materials.
- Provide funding to clean up any hazardous materials disposal sites if those businesses no longer existed.
Overseen by the EPA
Environmental Regulations
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
All Federal departments and agencies shall seek to conserve endangered species and threatened species
Overseen by the EPA
Environmental Regulations
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions.
EPA is heavily involved
Environmental Regulations
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Federal law that governs the disposal of hazardous and solid waste in the United States
Overseen by the EPA
Environmental Regulations
Passive Design
A building design strategy that uses natural sources of heating and cooling to reduce energy use
Environmental Regulations
Alternative energy sources to improve a building’s sustainability while decreasing life-cycle costs:
- Solar design (generate electricity)
- Wind (wind power to generate electricity)
- Geothermal (use of ground surface heat pumps using the temperature of the earth)
- Photovoltaic (direct conversion of sunlight into electricity)
Environmental Regulations
Sustainable design addresses
- Environmental impact of a building
- Use of materials
- Energy conservation
- Alternative energy sources
- Adaptive reuse
- Indoor air quality
- Reuse, site disturbance, site development (Brownfields vs. Greenfields)
What agency regulates the handling lead and asbestos contamination?
EPA
What Standards are given by ASHRAE?
Indoor Air Quality
What types of Asbestos are most commonly found in buildings?
Chrysotile
Which agency is involved in regulating Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)?
EPA
Building Commissioning is necessary for all design projects seeking LEED credits. Who is responsible to perform the building commissioning in this case?
Independent Team
Environmental Design Research is the approach to design that emphasizes
Human-environment interaction
What are 3 typical contaminants found in buildings that are present through faulty fresh air intakes.
CO (Carbon Monoxide), Car Exhaust, Smoke
What is one important component of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?
Outgassing
Which organization oversees testing of indoor products for emissions to ensure acceptable indoor air quality and certifies these products?
Greenguard Environmental Institute
Sustainability
What is adaptive use?
Uses as much as possible from existing building
Old warehouse = new apartments
Sustainability
What is building disposal?
Salvaging
Sustainability
What are recyle materials?
Ability to use a used material as a source of new product
Sustainability
What goes into Life Cycle Assessment?
- Determine purpose and goals
- Inventory analysis
- Impact assessement
- Improvemtn analysis
