Category: News

WASHINGTON – Several weeks ago, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson committed to address hexavalent chromium (also known as chromium-6) in drinking water by issuing guidance to all water systems on how to assess the prevalence of the contaminant. Today, the agency is delivering on that promise and has issued guidance recommending how public water systems might enhance monitoring and sampling programs specifically for hexavalent chromium. The recommendations are in response to emerging scientific evidence that chromium-6 could pose health concerns if consumed over long periods of time.

“Protecting public health is EPA’s top priority. As we continue to learn more about the potential risks of exposure to chromium-6, we will work closely with states and local officials to ensure the safety of America’s drinking water supply,” said Administrator Jackson. “This action is another step forward in understanding the problem and working towards a solution that is based on the best available science and the law.”

The enhanced monitoring guidance provides recommendations on where the systems should collect samples and how often they should be collected, along with analytical methods for laboratory testing. Systems that perform the enhanced monitoring will be able to better inform their consumers about any presence of chromium-6 in their drinking water, evaluate the degree to which other forms of chromium are transformed into chromium-6, and assess the degree to which existing treatment affects the levels of chromium-6 in drinking water. 

EPA currently has a drinking water standard for total chromium, which includes chromium-6, and requires water systems to test for it. Testing is not required to distinguish what percentage of the total chromium is chromium-6 versus other forms such as chromium-3, so EPA’s regulation assumes that the sample is 100 percent chromium-6. This means the current chromium-6 standard has been as protective and precautionary as the science of that time allowed.

EPA’s latest data show that no public water systems are in violation of the standard. However, the science behind chromium-6 is evolving. The agency regularly re-evaluates drinking water standards and, based on new science on chromium-6, has already begun a rigorous and comprehensive review of its health effects. In September 2010, the agency released a draft of the scientific review for public comment. When the human health assessment is finalized in 2011, EPA will carefully review the conclusions and consider all relevant information to determine if a new standard needs to be set. While EPA conducts this important evaluation, the agency believes more information is needed on the presence of chromium-6 in drinking water. For that reason, EPA is providing guidance to all public water systems and encouraging them to consider how they may enhance their monitoring for chromium-6. 

More information on the new guidance to drinking water systems: http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/chromium/guidance.cfm

Dear ENERGY STAR partner,

We are writing to let you know about EPA’s upcoming plans to present “Season 2” of the National Building Competition, a coast-to-coast contest to save energy in commercial buildings and fight climate change.

On January 25, 2011, ENERGY STAR partners will be invited to nominate one or more of the facilities they own or manage from across the United States to compete. We’re excited to add a few new twists to this year’s competition. Perhaps most importantly, all buildings that apply and meet eligibility requirements will be selected to compete to “work off the waste” through improvements in energy efficiency with help from EPA’s ENERGY STAR program. Then, at the mid-point of the competition, EPA will narrow down the field to a select group of finalists who will then battle it out for the top spot. Among this group of finalists, the building that reduces its energy use the most on a percentage basis will be recognized by EPA as the winner.

To learn more about last year’s competition, go to www.energystar.gov/BuildingContest. Stay tuned for EPA’s official call for applications on January 25!

DETAILS
Eligibility Requirements:
ENERGY STAR partners are eligible to nominate one or more of the facilities they own or manage. Any type of commercial building is eligible for the competition, as long as it has an active Portfolio Manager account that includes the nominated building’s monthly energy use data from September 1, 2009 to present. Organizations must use Portfolio Manager to benchmark and share their energy data with EPA. Buildings that are selected as finalists in the competition will be required to submit Statements of Energy Performance (SEP) for the baseline and comparative periods of the competition. SEPs must be signed and stamped by a professional engineer or licensed architect. Eligibility requirements will be explained in greater detail in the application.

Judging:
Buildings will be judged based on the percent energy reduction (adjusted for weather and building size) demonstrated between the baseline period of 09/01/09 – 08/31/10 and the comparison period of 09/01/10 – 08/31/11. Among the finalists, the building that demonstrates the largest adjusted percent reduction in energy use intensity (EUI) across this 24-month period will be recognized by EPA as the winner.

EPA Webinar on “How to Apply”:
Last year, more than 200 organizations applied to compete, but many were automatically disqualified because they did not complete all the application requirements. Don’t let that happen to you! Attend this webinar to learn about the right way to apply. February 1, 1:00pm – 2:30pm ET. To register, visit https://energystar.webex.com/energystar and click on the February 1 session titled “How to Apply for EPA’s National Building Competition.”

Key Dates:
Call for Applications: January 25
EPA Webinar on “How to Apply”: February 1
Applications Due to EPA: February 25
Eligible Contestants Notified: March 28
Launch Competition: May 4
Finalists Notified: June 15
Finalists Publicly Announced: July 27
Winner Publicly Announced: November 2

Environmental Working Group  2011 Bottled Water Scorecard

Labels on expensive bottled water may lead us to think the water inside comes from pristine springs or has amazing healing powers. But bottled water companies don’t have to tell us what is in those bottles.

EWG decided to look at what they do tell us. And the story can be summed up in a few words: not much.

EWG’s just-released 2011 Bottled Water Scorecard grades more than 170 bottled waters on the information they do or do not disclose on their labels and websites.

When we looked for answers to obvious questions — Where does the water come from? Is it purified? How? Have tests found any contaminants? — nine out of the ten best-selling brands didn’t answer at least one of those questions.

Yahoo! published this investigation on their home page and Green section and already it’s made a huge splash (no pun intended).

Because we know you care about what you drink, and feed your family — we wanted to make sure you saw this important right-to-know report.

Click here to see Yahoo!’s take on the best and worst of the brands we looked at.

Agencies working together to maintain benefits of preventing tooth decay while preventing excessive exposure

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today are announcing important steps to ensure that standards and guidelines on fluoride in drinking water continue to provide the maximum protection to the American people to support good dental health, especially in children. HHS is proposing that the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water can be set at the lowest end of the current optimal range to prevent tooth decay, and EPA is initiating review of the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water.

These actions will maximize the health benefits of water fluoridation, an important tool in the prevention of tooth decay while reducing the possibility of children receiving too much fluoride. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named the fluoridation of drinking water one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. 

“One of water fluoridation’s biggest advantages is that it benefits all residents of a community—at home, work, school, or play,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH. “Today’s announcement is part of our ongoing support of appropriate fluoridation for community water systems, and its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay throughout one’s lifetime.” 

“Today both HHS and EPA are making announcements on fluoride based on the most up to date scientific data,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Peter Silva. “EPA’s new analysis will help us make sure that people benefit from tooth decay prevention while at the same time avoiding the unwanted health effects from too much fluoride.” 

HHS and EPA reached an understanding of the latest science on fluoride and its effect on tooth decay prevention, and the development of dental fluorosis that may occur with excess fluoride consumption during the tooth forming years, age 8 and younger. Dental fluorosis in the United States appears mostly in the very mild or mild form – as barely visible lacy white markings or spots on the enamel. The severe form of dental fluorosis, with staining and pitting of the tooth surface, is rare in the United States.

There are several reasons for the changes seen over time, including that Americans have access to more sources of fluoride than they did when water fluoridation was first introduced in the United States in the 1940s. Water is now one of several sources of fluoride. Other common sources include dental products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses, prescription fluoride supplements, and fluoride applied by dental professionals. Water fluoridation and fluoride toothpaste are largely responsible for the significant decline in tooth decay in the U.S. over the past several decades.

HHS’ proposed recommendation of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water replaces the current recommended range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams. This updated recommendation is based on recent EPA and HHS scientific assessments to balance the benefits of preventing tooth decay while limiting any unwanted health effects. These scientific assessments will also guide EPA in making a determination of whether to lower the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water, which is set to prevent adverse health effects.

The new EPA assessments of fluoride were undertaken in response to findings of the National Academies of Science (NAS). At EPA’s request, NAS reviewed new data on fluoride in 2006 and issued a report recommending that EPA update its health and exposure assessments to take into account bone and dental effects and to consider all sources of fluoride. In addition to EPA’s new assessments and the NAS report, HHS also considered current levels of tooth decay and dental fluorosis and fluid consumption across the United States.

Comments regarding the EPA documents, Fluoride: Dose-Response Analysis For Non-cancer Effects and Fluoride: Exposure and Relative Source Contribution Analysis should be sent to EPA at FluorideScience@epa.gov. The documents can be found at http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/fluoride_index.cfm
The notice of the proposed recommendation will be published in the Federal Register soon and HHS will accept comments from the public and stakeholders on the proposed recommendation for 30 days at CWFcomments@cdc.gov. HHS is expecting to publish final guidance for community water fluoridation by spring 2011. You may view a prepublication version of the proposed recommendation at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/01/pre_pub_frn_fluoride.html.
More information about the national drinking water regulations for fluoride:
http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/fluoride.cfm

Many Americans have outdated technology in their homes, especially after the holidays when the average consumer planned to spend a record $232 on electronics gifts, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.

The average household now has 25 devices, the group says. And a November report, “Tackling High-Tech Trash,” from Demos, a public policy organization focused on economic fairness and sustainability, cited government data showing that Americans owned three billion electronic products, with a turnover rate of about 400 million units each year.

Yet less than 14 percent of those gadgets are recycled, the report noted.

There are, though, many outlets for consumers to recycle, donate or trade-in goods. The Environmental Protection Agency has a list, and the electronics association provides links with a ZIP code search feature to find corporate recycling programs and programs for donating used goods to charitable organizations. Earth911 offers an iPhone app.

Best Buy has been recycling most consumer electronics in its stores for two years. Consumers can drop off, at no charge, smaller items like CDs/DVDs, rechargeable batteries and cellphones at kiosks at the entrance of its stores.

Read the complete story at The New York Times Personal Tech

In a previous post, we described the trove of corporate social responsibility (CSR) data that is available from finance-related researchers.  One of the main places these firms get their data is from company-written CSR reports.  Corporate Register offers links to more than 6,000 of these reports—from all types of companies and organizations.

How do companies decide what to report and how to report it?  Since CSR and sustainability reporting are fairly new areas, most companies look outside of their accounting and management teams for guidance and standards.

Read the complete article at Triple Pundit

The Digital Version of GREEN BUILDER’S January Issue is now online.

Our special retrofit guide shows you how to make your homes greener, leaner, and less costly to maintain while adding beauty and flair. Check out these six stunning remodels loaded with design ideas as well as a behind-the-walls tour of an ultra energy efficient home makeover.

Take advantage of the home building industry’s first comprehensive use of barcode scanning technology! Download free software onto your smart phone and scan the barcodes you find throughout our magazine for instant access to install videos, manufacturer specs, additional photos and drawings, and much more.

You can also use our mobile app technology, which allows you to read Green Builder magazine on your phone—anytime, anyplace. (Be sure to enter to win a Whirlpool Duet Laundry pair—see page 6 for details!)

Subscribe to Green Builder e-Newsletter

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Presentations and videos from the Fifth State-EPA Environmental Innovation Symposium, held in Madison, Wisconsin, from November 1-4, 2010, are now available online for viewing and/or downloading.

Links to videos and presentations from plenary speakers are available on the symposium’s Agenda page:

http://environmental-symposium.org/2010/agenda.html

Links to all other videos and presentations are available on the Sessions page:

http://environmental-symposium.org/2010/sessions.html

 The theme of the 2010 symposium was Environmental Protection for a Changing Climate and Greener Economy. Topics included green products, green workforce development, green government, clean energy, innovative financing, sustainable and resilient communities, strategies to address multiple pollutants at once, turning liabilities into assets, innovating in regulatory activities, and more.