Champion Indoors

Houses That Work in Prescott – Buy One Get One Free if You Register by Friday!!

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:22:58 -0500

Greetings!

If you have any interest in building science or selling high performance homes, I would strongly recommend this educational opportunity. Both of the presenters are extremely knowledgeable and dynamic. Please also pass this on to any other realtors, builders, or other construction folks who should be interested.

http://www.eeba.org/housesthatwork/workshops/Prescott.asp

Globe Inspire - The Green Effect Contest

Thu, 21 May 2009 03:14:32 -0500

I have had a dream, a vision, a passion - to create a non-profit organization which has a very similar model to my business, but would allow me to do so much more... Two notebooks full of details, ideas and logistics...

Please check out my idea, give it a 5 star rating (you can do this once per day so please bookmark the site & feel free to leave a happy comment, and help me make Globe Inspire a reality!

Thanks!!!

The deeper meaning of "green"...

Thu, 21 May 2009 01:30:09 -0500

Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Waking up feeling slightly philosophical today, I wanted to share some thoughts and inspiration on what I feel is the deeper meaning of “green.”

Yesterday was one of those “one thing right after another” kind of days where I had to keep pulling myself back to all of the things I had to be grateful for, what lesson I was supposed to be taking from each experience, and remembering that it was my choice as to whether I wanted to laugh or cry. What does this have to do with green you ask?

Well let me tell ya…

The word GREEN in mainstream context can and does have many connotations. Recycling, solar power, low energy use, composting, sustainability, healthy living, etc. Green can mean 10 different things to 10 different people, and none of those things -or people, would be wrong.

But what is the BIGGER picture – the bigger message and meaning in the word “green”?

Croc on the way to Tortuguero, Costa Rica

I believe it starts with thinking BIG and remembering small. Let me explain. Last July I took a trip to Costa Rica. My travel companion ended up with a nasty case of food poisoning, so I was left to have solo adventures (of course after leaving him with Gatorade and activated charcoal tablets). We were in Tortuguero which is a wild and remote area of Costa Rica, only accessible by boat or airplane. We had made the trek originally to witness the nesting endangered sea turtles, but I quickly fell in love with many other things about the region.

Howler monkey in Tortuguero Natl. Park, Costa Rica

Tortuguero National Park receives 250 inches of rainfall a year and is home to many species of birds, critters, flora and fauna. I rented a pair of tall rubber boots in town (which is required by the park due to poisonous snakes and lots and lots of mud.) All alone, I took my time adjusting to being swallowed up by this rainforest, allowing my senses to become heightened – sight, hearing, smell… I was enveloped. As I sunk in mud, was startled by the loudness of the howler monkeys over my head, felt the occasional mosquito bite from a spot of skin not covered by insect repellant, and made sure to watch where I was stepping; I suddenly felt very very small. Small in a good way. Small in a humbled way. There were no other human beings in sight. In fact, I didn’t see one other person for nearly 3 hours, which at that point felt like an eternity! Just me, lil’ ol’ me, alone in what felt like a ginormous jungle. What a feeling!

I am a guilty American consumer. I will admit it. Being a single mom with my own business, I am as tempted by “convenience” as the next person, but – I also remember to TRY. I continually TRY to do the right things, TRY to teach my children positive behavior and habits, TRY to inspire those around me to begin their “green walk” by simply taking one small step at a time. We don’t need to run, as my rainforest experience taught me. We need to walk slowly, think about each step we take, heed the lessons that our fellow creatures have to teach us if we’re open to learning, and not only take each day as it comes; but every single moment…

So today, green to me, is simply an attitude. A way of life. A respect for this planet and all of it’s inhabitants – big or small.

This reminds me to “think big – and remember small.”

May you be moved today to feel inspired enough to inspire another.

Love and laughter.

Eco-conscious & green gift ideas for Mother’s Day - or any day…

Sat, 09 May 2009 04:07:41 -0500

As a mama, I can say that being a Mother is the most selfless, but at the end of the day, most rewarding job in the world. We have an attachment and love for our children that can't be measured. We carry them in our bodies, bring them forth into the world, sustain them with our breast milk, nurture and protect them with our instinct. We love them unconditionally from the moment they are with us.

Because it's so exhausting, especially in our current day and age where many of us work one or more jobs, own our own businesses, are single mothers, and ultimately become jugglers extraordinaire; I personally feel that we should work toward celebrating Mother's Day once a month instead of just once a year. But that's just my opinionated opinion...

So... Mother's Day should be a day of pampering, thanks, and respect. As most of us can't expect to be sent off to a Caribbean beach for the day (or month) to bask in the sun, napping at whim and being attended to by a stable of attractive young men, here are some ideas for reality that are both thoughtful and environmentally conscious.

Send this article on as a hint, use the ideas yourself for your own monthly Mother's Day, or treat the woman who gave you life.

Sleeping in with breakfast in bed. Is there a more precious commodity than sleep for most moms? I can't think of one personally, except maybe coffee (and the two seem to go hand in hand).

♦ So let's start with the bed itself. I have the most amazing bamboo sheet set that I absolutely love. They are cool like cotton but soft like silk. You can purchase them through an online store such as Organic Bamboo Sheets or locally at Natural Territory in North Scottsdale. Definitely a gift that keeps on giving!

♦ Ahhh yes - coffee! Women's Bean Project is a non profit organization that was founded in 1989 by Jossy Eyre, who after volunteering in a homeless woman's shelter, realized she wanted to make a positive shift in women's lives. Women's Bean Project began when Eyre bought $500 worth of coffee beans and put her idea and two homeless women from the shelter to work. The coffee is organic & fair trade and they also have some other yummy products available as well.

♦ What should you make to feed her? For every major holiday we usually have brunch and I always make Pain Perdu which has become a favorite tradition with my kids. It is a decadent affair made with croissants, eggs, cream and sugar. (Remember to use organic products where you can!) I always add slivered almonds and serve it with fresh mango slices, blackberries, and real maple syrup. If someone actually made this for ME and brought it to me in BED - I would be smitten for life! Top it off with a nice mimosa and I bet she'll be the happiest mom in town!

♦ And after eating breakfast, wouldn't it be nice to just stay in bed, sipping a mimosa and reading a magazine? A magazine subscription is a great gift that lasts all year, and with sites like Freecycle that allow you to keep passing them on, think of how many people could become more educated on green living. Depending on her style, a few ideas are Mother Earth News, Living Green Online Magazine, Natural Home and Yes! Magazine.

♦ All moms love sweets (because we're sweet)! Urban Cookies - located at 4711 N. 7^th Street in Phoenix, AZ has the most tasty and amazing cookies made with organic ingredients. They've recently come out with a new cupcake line as well. Mmmmmmm - cupcakes... Everything is sold individually as well as by the baker's dozen.

♦ If you're looking to take your mom out for a healthy meal, think about taking her to Mandala Tearoom located at 7027 E. 5^th Ave. in Scottsdale, AZ. Not only do they serve scrumptious organic vegetarian fare, but they have also "walked their talk" by using green building supplies such as soy based concrete stain, low VOC paint, waterless urinals and recycled resin tabletops.

♦ A mother doesn't exist who wouldn't want a break or an extra helping hand with the never-ending chore of housecleaning! A gift certificate from a green house cleaning service like Earth Maids would be a practical and extremely thoughtful gift.

♦ Because every mom deserves to look and feel beautiful, think about a gift certificate from one of our local businesses such as: puresalon, located at 7000 E. Shea Blvd. in Scottsdale, AZ who offer healthy, non-toxic hair services and Moss Wellness Spa, a leader in local "green" spas (and open by appointment only) which is located at 7135 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 240 in Scottsdale, AZ.

Whatever you choose to do for the Mothers in your life this Mother's Day, just remember a heartfelt "thank you" goes a long way (and a bit of chocolate never hurt)!

"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." ~Sophia Loren

*If you know of a local green business or event in the Metro Phoenix area (or elsewhere in AZ) you would like to see an article written about, please feel free to pop me a note.

Love and laughter.

What Exactly Are VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:33:22 -0500

Every "green" article you read usually mentions low or no VOC, yet they fail to teach you what Volatile Organic Compounds really are - or more importantly, why you really need to know what they are.

I thought it fitting that I write this article, as I just did a project yesterday where VOCs had been the culprit in making a couple sick in their rental home. The home in question had a catastrophic water incident occur last year (namely, a toilet which sprung a leak which wasn't discovered until the neighbor saw water pouring out from underneath the front door.) The couple was not told about the incident until after they were living in the home when the homeowner needed access to install the new kitchen cabinets.

Because of this incident, everything in the home was new - new carpet, carpet pad, paint, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, etc. Compound this with the fact that our homes typically don't have fresh air coming in (unless you open up the windows or provide it mechanically,) so you're left with a chemical soup filled "box" full of pollutants - generally up to 10 times worse than you would find outdoors, and sometimes much, much greater.

The clients told me it had that "new house smell." What they smelled, was the VOCs. This is also what ultimately made them sick...

So what are VOCs?

VOCs:

▪ Are organic chemicals that form gases at room temperature

▪ Are called organic because they contain elemental carbon

▪ Hydrocarbons have both hydrogen and carbon atoms and may include benzene and toluene (both known carcinogens)

▪ Are emitted by a wide array of products - thousands of them

▪ Can cause adverse health effects which may be short or long-lived (and can include serious effects such as central nervous system and internal organ damage and even cancer)

▪ Are commonly found in paints and lacquers, carpet, flooring, plywood, particleboard, adhesives, cabinets & countertops, and other building products.

After only about 5 minutes of being in my client's home (which had been completely shut up with the air turned off for about 2 weeks) I experienced burning in my eyes, nose, throat, and had a headache within 20 minutes. This was in the first 5 minutes without my respirator being on. Can you imagine living there?

While increasing ventilation is a good first step, there are many great no and low VOC products on the market - and readily available in Phoenix! Stores such as Natural Territory (http://www.naturalterritory.com) and AKA Green (http://www.akagreen.com) carry everything from healthy bedding to no VOC paint.

We owe it to ourselves - and more importantly our health - to become educated and conscious consumers. As consumer demand for healthier building materials, furnishings, and other products grow; prices will continue to balance out to meet the consumer demand. It is the way our economy works. Not to mention the fact that spending a little bit more money up front could potentially save you thousands of dollars in healthcare costs down the road... Just say NO to VOCs.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world," - Mahatma Gandhi

The Most Affordable Sustainability Conference in the Southwest - 2008 Green Summit - Sept. 5-6

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:41:22 -0500

Phoenix, AZ - August, 7 2008 - Around the globe massive changes are occurring. The need to become more in balance with our natural environment has catalyzed the growth of an exciting array of new innovations and opportunities. The term "green" has come to represent a common blueprint for citizens, businesses, and governments for how we can move towards a more sustainable future. The GreenSummit is designed to greatly accelerate this movement. We provide a unique platform for leading organizations to showcase the best products, services, and ideas that will make our society more efficient, lighter on the environment, and ultimately healthier for both ourselves and future generations to come.

Attendance at the Phoenix Convention Center for 2008 Green Summit, being sponsored by APS and Arizona State University (ASU), is expected to exceed 10,000 people. Industry leaders and government officials will be present, along with an Eastern European delegation of senior-level officials brought by the US Department of Commerce. Highlights of the event include an extensive educational track featuring over 100 experts speaking on a variety of topics, as well as numerous exhibitors showcasing the latest and greatest innovative products and services. Anyone who has ever wanted to learn more about sustainability and the green movement should attend. "With our economy in its current state and to keep with the spirit of sustainability; our goal is for GreenSummit to be both affordable and attainable to anyone and everyone who wants to learn more about these topics." said GreenSummit Founder Chris Samila.

When Chris Samila, a Global Studies Major at ASU organized 2007 GreenSummit on ASU's campus, his goal was simply to bring awareness of sustainability and green products and services, to both his campus and the community. What started out as a "grassroots" event, ended up playing host to approximately 4,000 attendees and 55 exhibitors. "It was just the beginning of a more sustainable future..." Chris said.

About GreenSummit:

The 2008 GreenSummit will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center on Sept. 5-6, 2008. The GreenSummit has grown into the premier event to understand how the world is changing and what options exist to move forward in a more sustainable direction. GreenSummit will consist of over 100 conference sessions and green companies on display to showcase the best products, services and ideas relating to the concept of sustainability.

www.GreenSummit.net

Sources + Design Magazine Interview

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:04:34 -0600

For those of you interested in what I do to put food on the table (as well as being my passion), I was interviewed for the March/April issue of Sources + Design magazine for the "Green Scene" column.

Here's the link to the interview/article: http://www.sourcesanddesign.com/archives/0803/0803_green_scene.html

-Ms. Champion

Mold Scams

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:30:04 -0600

Channel 5 (kpho - Phoenix) just did a great expose' on mold remediation scams that goes hand in hand with everything I've been shouting for the last 5 years.

They put some mascara on a bathroom wall (see photo above) then called in some companies to check out the "mold".

Not one company even addressed potential root cause as to why "mold" would be there in the first place, none of them did a visual assessment, and only one company even offered to test the "mold."

BUT, they were all happy to give $1000 - $2000 bids to remove the "mold."

These companies are preying on people's fear, draining people's bank accounts, and potentially DIMINISHING the quality of the indoor air/environment with the use of chemicals which were not needed in the first place.

Until we have some basic regulatory measures in place, and the Associations governing my industry decide to step up to the plate and police their members to help protect the consumers, it will continue to be the Wild Wild West.

Consumer beware...

Here is the link to the full article and video clip:
http://www.kpho.com/iteam/15414355/detail.html?taf=pho

Builders NEED Continuing Education

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:08:22 -0600

Hello colleagues, friends and clients.

I understand many of us are busy and don't like to get involved, which is a big part of the reason our country is in the state that it's in.

I urge you to please go to this webpage, read and consider signing this petition and help spread the word. http://www.petitiononline.com/ceusnow/petition.html

If you have the time to read it, you should have the time to sign it. It is a good thing for EVERYONE, and will help us live and work in well-built homes and buildings for many years to come.

It basically demands that building contractors do something many other professionals are required to do: get proper training and education.

Ongoing and continuing education in the building sciences has become an essential part of producing buildings that work, buildings that keep their occupants healthy and safe, buildings that perform for the 21st century and beyond.

Sometimes you have to be grassroots! This is your opportunity to make a difference.

Please pass this link along to anyone and everyone you know that you think believes in demanding the public have access to properly educated contractors. Even pass it to those you aren't sure about! You just never know who will help.

Thank you.

Kindest Regards,

Stacey Champion, CIE

Certified Indoor Environmentalist

Owner/Consultant

Champion Indoors, LLC - "World change begins at home!"

Champion Indoor Environmental Services, LLC

http://www.championindoors.com/

Is Green the New “Black”? Sorting out the Hype and Trends of the Green Building Movement

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:26:13 -0600

IAQA Oct. 2007 Conference Proceedings Paper
Is Green the New "Black"? Sorting out the Hype and Trends of the Green Building Movement
Written and Presented by: Stacey Champion, CIE
Owner/Consultant - Champion Indoor Environmental Services, LLC/Champion Indoors, LLC

It's no secret that the Green Building Movement is gaining momentum at a steady speed. "Green" has suddenly become the buzz word d'jour - gracing national magazine covers, grabbing headlines with the major networks, filling up bookstore sections and earning the attention of celebrities along the way such as Leonardo Dicapprio and Brad Pitt.

The largest Green Building conference, Greenbuild, put on by the USGBC saw a record breaking 13,000 attendees at their annual conference held in Denver last November ‘06. I can tell you firsthand that it was both impressive and tiring (as I was nearly 8 months pregnant when I waddled through the show and attended many sessions!) This year's conference which will be held in Chicago this November ‘07 will most likely see an even bigger turnout, with Bill Clinton scheduled as the keynote speaker.

The Green Building Movement seems to have sparked a new way of thinking for many mainstream consumers. It crosses over boundaries and disciplines to encompass much more than just how we build our houses and what they're built with, but includes such things as: organic food and farming, hybrid vehicles, "natural" cleaning and personal care products, healthier fabric and material options such as organic cotton and bamboo, sustainably built furniture and a general "shift" in the consciousness of how we should be protecting the earth and our resources, as well as what we put in, on and around our bodies.

So in a perfect world, what would define a Green Building?

It would be the practice of:
1. increasing the efficiency with which buildings and sites use and harvest energy, water, and materials, and
2. reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal - the complete building life cycle.

Green building is also sometimes known as "sustainable building" or "environmental building".
Benefits to building in this manner include:

· Reduced operating costs (by using less energy and water)

· Improved public and occupant health (due to improved IAQ/IEQ)

· Reduced environmental impact (lessening storm water runoff and the heat island effect).

• Taking advantage of renewable resources, e.g., using sunlight through passive solar techniques and using plants and trees through green roofs

So who are some of the key players in the Green Building Movement?

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has been a big driver of the bio-diesel bus! Founded back in 1993, the USGBC is now comprised of more than 11,000 member companies and organizations and has 75 regional chapters. Membership has increased 10-fold since the year 2000 and there are 91,000 actively engaged individuals.

The USGBC is probably best known for their LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System^TM which is a voluntary building certification program set to define high-performance green buildings. Offering third party validation of a building's "green-ness," and is set up to serve as a design guideline by evaluating buildings in five areas: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. "Within these credit areas, points are available and depending on the number of points a project earns determines the level of certification the building will be awarded." One can achieve varying levels of certification which include: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.

There are LEED projects in all 50 states and 41 countries and almost 40,000 LEED Accredited Professionals.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has also jumped on the Green Building Movement. Representing more than 235,000 residential home building and remodeling industry members, the NAHB created their own Model Green Home Building Guidelines in 2004. NAHB announced earlier this year that it would collaborate with the International Codes Council to create an American National Standards Institute-accredited residential green building standard, which is slated to be completed early next year. According to the NAHB, "The standard will serve as a baseline for green building programs without abandoning the proven principle that voluntary, region-specific, flexible programs can be truly green and also allow for innovation."

A recent NAHB survey revealed that to date, more than 97,000 homes have been built and certified by voluntary, builder-supported green building programs around the country which is more than a 50 percent increase from the last survey of green homes it conducted in 2004.

A few other well-known Green Building programs include: Built Green (with large programs in both Colorado and Washington), Green Building Initiative (GBI); as well as programs such as Energy Star and many local voluntary green building programs in cities across the nation.

The EPA's Green Building website section is another great resource which is "a portal site designed to give users one convenient gateway from which to access numerous EPA programs and topics related to environmentally friendly building" and includes numerous programs covering a wide range of industry sectors.
Is Green the New "Black?" - Stacey Champion
The cost of building green...

Many years ago when I would talk about green building, everyone would automatically start moaning about the cost. Not much has changed in that regard...

The analogy that I would use with folks back then centered on the cost of a DVD player. A few years prior, when they were still very "new," they were of course expensive. The minute the marketers discovered that everyone wanted one though, and that the days of bulky VHS tapes were over; companies were scrambling to make them faster and of course cheaper; until it got to the point that you could pick one up at Wal-Mart for $30.

There was CONSUMER DEMAND! This is the very simple way in which our economy works. The price comes down to meet consumer demand. Alas - this can of course come with its own set of problems - just look at all of the recent recalls and headlines with Chinese-made products... We are bound to see some of these same issues creep very quickly into the green building movement. Just think about all of those recent "safe" pesticide ads!

In 2004, Davis Langdon published a paper titled "Costing Green: A Comprehensive Cost Database and Budget Methodology." A recent report published this year which was based on LEED projects and titled "Cost of Green Revisited: Reexamining the Feasibility and Cost Impact of Sustainable Design in the Light of Increased Market Adoption" shows essentially the same results as 2004: "there is no significant difference in average costs for green buildings as compared to non-green buildings. Many project teams are building green buildings with little or no added cost, and with budgets well within the cost range of non-green buildings with similar programs."

According to McGraw-Hill Construction Analytics, the value of green building construction starts is expected to exceed $12 billion in 2007.
Another recent study released by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and titled "Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Business Realities and Opportunities" found that "respondents to a 1,400-person global survey estimated the additional cost of building green at 17 percent above conventional construction, more than triple the true cost difference of about 5 percent." Survey respondents also mistakenly put greenhouse gas emissions caused by buildings at 19 percent of the world total, when the actual number is 40 percent.

Many people and corporations are interested in green building BECAUSE of the cost savings. Buildings represent 39% of U.S. primary energy use (including fuel input for production), and represent 70% of U.S energy consumption.

On average, green buildings use 30% less energy than conventional buildings. For example, tenants can save about 50 cents per square foot each year through strategies that cut energy use by 30%. This can represent a savings of $50,000 or more in a five-year lease on 20,000 square feet. Buildings also use 12.2% of all potable water, or 15 trillion gallons per year. Buildings use 40% of raw materials globally (and 3 billion tons annually).

What are some of the past and current barriers seen in green building and what's happening to change them?

Two things that tie together strongly are education and tradition. Architects, builders and the end users - consumers - must all be educated to understand the benefits of building "green." This is starting to occur on a much larger scale and with so much media focus on construction defects and "sick" buildings, consumer demand for healthier and better built homes and buildings will have a domino effect within our society. The phrase "I've always done things this way" is not going to hold much weight with the general population anymore. Developers, businesses and commercial building owners are recognizing the marketability of green buildings along with the added cost savings and environmental stewardship.

Building codes need to play catch up. Our building codes are going to need a major overhaul and serious updating to help propel the Green Building Movement forward. Architect Randy Croxton had a great quote where he said: "Building to code means that if a building were designed any worse it would be against the law."

As building science is a huge contributing force in green building; viewing the entire building as a "system," building it tight - but building it right, and of course building the right way for the right climate, our codes need to incorporate the latest science which is bound to take some time.

Also in the past, products were not readily available and the cost was prohibitive. As previously discussed, this is not the case in the here and now.

Is there any current green building legislation and/or incentives?

It's been a busy year for the introduction of green building legislation across the nation. Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Vermont and Washington state all had various bills introduced that address various aspects of green building.

Some of the items addressed include issues such as: energy performance standards of schools (AZ), green building standards (CA), high performance state buildings (CO), energy incentive rebates (CT), public high performance buildings (ID), green building enterprise zones (IL), and sustainable building property tax deduction (IN), just to cover a few.

So where do we go from here?

We've determined there are a number of reasons to build green. Reasons such as occupant health and comfort, cost savings, market demands, environmental responsibility, and as stated above, many states will or already do currently have legislation in place mandating green building.

As Indoor Air/Environmental Quality Professionals, it just makes sense (and cents) to be a part of this movement. Whether you are a consultant, and educator or a contractor; there is a niche for you to fill within the Green Building Movement.

Adding different environmental services to your business and diversifying your company to stay in line with the current trends and market should be an easy transition.
Some ideas include: healthy home and building assessments, energy audits, integrated pest management (IPM) program design and implementation, green cleaning services and preventative maintenance plan and schedule development.

Kermit the Frog had it all wrong when he said "It's not that easy being green." The time couldn't be any better!

As Mahatma Gandhi so eloquently stated: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Think green!

Resources
1. Wikipedia - Green Building - (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building)
2. US Green Building Council - (http://www.usgbc.org/)
3. National Association of Home Builders - (http://www.nahb.org/)
4. National Association of Home Builders Research Center - (http://www.nahbrc.org/)
5. Built Green - (http://www.builtgreen.org/)
6. Green Building Initiative - (http://www.thegbi.org)
7. Energy Star - (http://www.energystar.gov/)
8. EPA - Green Buildings (http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/index.htm)
9. Davis Langdon - (http://www.davislangdon.com/USA/Research/)
10. McGraw-Hill Construction - (http://construction.ecnext.com/coms2/page_infocenter)
11. World Business Council for Sustainable Development - (http://www.wbcsd.org)
12. U.S. Department of Energy 2006 Buildings Energy Data Book - (http://buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/)
13. The TrendTRACK Company - (https://www.trendtrack.com/)
14. The American Institute of Architects - (http://www.aia.org/)

Conflict Of Interest - Mold

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:45:34 -0600

So often I am brought in as the 2nd opinion person...

Unfortunately, my industry is still light years away from where it should be with regard to regulations and enforcement of inherent CONFLICT OF INTEREST issues.

Here's the deal... I am a consultant. Just a consultant. My job is to call it like I see it - good or bad, make recommendations to help you solve your problem, document that the problem was fixed correctly, and make sure that everyone is living/working in a healthy and safe environment.

I have people call me all day long who are price shopping and wonder why my rates are so much higher than the fox guarding the hen house guys. You know - the companies who perform consulting AND remediation AND clear their own work guys. Or the duct cleaner, home inspector or carpet cleaner guys who went and got a one day certification and now do mold sampling.

This is why they charge less than me to walk through your door - THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL YOU!!! Like a $20,000 remediation, or a new HVAC system, or an un-necessary carpet cleaning and bad for you ozone treatment.

Everyone wants to save money - I get it. But please understand that by hiring an independent consultant who will have your best interest at heart, YOU WILL SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN AND HAVE THE JOB DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!!

I can't tell you how many of these projects didn't even need mold remediation. Or a bunch of stuff was missed which could have led to future liability/health/structural integrity issues.

My rates are comparable to those in my league. Those who have also spent time getting a meaningful certification, have done thousands of hours worth of research, have attended numerous conferences and training courses...

Buyer beware! You get what you pay for people! It's up to you as to whether you want to wear the 50 cent yard sale sneakers or the $150 leather Italian boots...

Builders Need Required Continuing Education

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:21:42 -0600

Hello colleagues, friends and clients.

I urge you to please go to this webpage, read and consider signing this petition and help spread the word.

http://www.petitiononline.com/ceusnow/petition.html

It basically demands that building contractors do something many other professionals are required to do: get proper training and education.

Sometimes you have to be grassroots! This is your opportunity to make a difference.

Thank you.

The Power Of Now

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:04:23 -0500

Though this post seems off-topic - I think the message is an important one and pertains greatly to the work and goals of many on this site. I felt it important enough to share. Cross-posted from my site - enjoy.

Poppy Tom & Baby Zoe

The last month has been a challenging one to say the least... It's been full of births and deaths, and many ups and downs - thus - the roller coaster of "life."

When I lost my great grandma Grace a few years ago, it was a peaceful affair in the sense that she was 98 years old, had lived a full life and was very ready to die. That feels so different in comparison to losing people suddenly, or when they appeared to be healthy, or when they are only an infant or even when you just haven't gotten to enjoy them as much as you want to...

Case in point: I was in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago visiting my grandparents. My grandma who is only in her early 70's is beginning to slip into the later phases of Alzheimer's. What a wicked disease. There are still many glimpses into the woman she once was - the woman who rocked me to sleep when I was a child and had many adventures with me as an adult, but her memory and mind are slipping away right before our eyes. It breaks my heart...

After only being back home for a week, we got a phone call telling us that Tim's dad was in ICU so we jumped on a plane to Florida. Tom McCune is a strong-willed man whom I loved the moment we met. He is a lung cancer survivor, likes boats, wine and funny jokes - a man after my own heart! Tom underwent brain surgery this past month and had gotten just past the halfway mark of his radiation treatments when he suddenly contracted pneumonia, which with one lung is a dire situation. We are now on day 5 and things don't seem to be improving. Tim's parents have been married for over 40 years so I can't begin to imagine how that must feel, though I try. All I can do is be here for support and to offer whatever help is needed. I am silently praying that I will get to hear Zoe call him Poppy while he is holding her - time will tell.

Last night I found a quote that I added to the blog I created for Tom so that all of his friends could stay posted on his condition. It touched my soul and I've been in a contemplative state since I read it.

It says: "In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways."

So what does this have to do with anything??? As I have been thinking so deeply of life and death and love and loss I remembered when I read Eckhart Tolle's "The Power Of Now," and how at the time when I read it and for a long while afterward, I consciously applied those lessons to my daily life. I savored each moment, every feeling, tasted my food, gave compliments freely, and remembered to express my love and gratitude openly and freely to all of those I love and to the people who touched my life in a special way.

I am in love with the Gandhi quote "Be the change you wish to see in the world" because I believe it is true and has merit. Our lives have the power to touch future generations as well as the people that come into contact with us in this life as well. Through our words, our work and our actions.

It is for this simple reason that I write these words today, with the hope that you the reader will stop a moment to think, and cherish your life and those who share it. Just like the earth we all call home, everything has a cycle. Our time here is short - but there is still so much we can accomplish. Let it be today.

My good friend Kim who has been trying for years to have a baby just finally gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Mateya. Looking at a photo of her expression while holding her new daughter brings me peace.

To feel is to live. To live is to feel. Please remember the power of now...

Green Building and Glidehouse

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 01:14:09 -0500

Cross-posted from my site. Enjoy.

I just returned from a week in Vegas which I'll be writing about tomorrow, and happened upon this article while getting caught up on my emails and news.

I'm a big fan of Michelle Kaufmann's Glidehouse designs, so was excited to see this article.

You can check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/yot835

Great job Michelle!

Green Building Primer (A Four Part Series) - Part IIII

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 02:13:03 -0500

Cross-posted from my site. Enjoy.

Part 4 - Indoor Air/Environmental Quality

Where does indoor air quality fit into all of this and how does this pertain to me?

The one reoccurring theme throughout any of the previously stated guidelines, or pertaining to green building in general; is the importance of good indoor air and environmental quality.

When one delves into the health statistics stemming from environmental exposure, it's easy to see why the need for awareness is so much greater. Take for instance:

- Of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities. (Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission)

- Cancer rates have increased since 1901 from only 1 in 8,000 Americans, to 1 in 3 today. By the year 2010, this disease will afflict 1 of every 2 individuals. (Source: American Cancer Society)

- In the past 50 years more than 75,000 chemicals have been introduced into the environment. Today 300 synthetic chemicals are found in the bodies of humans. Even newborn babies have synthetic chemicals passed on from their mothers. (Source: REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals, a European Union program)

- At any given time, there is 3.36 million tons of household hazardous waste to contend with in our country. Source: Chec's Health House, the resource for Environmental Health Risks Affecting Your Children)

Prevention of poor indoor air and environmental quality plays a large role in the green building movement. Occupant comfort is also addressed in this category which would include thermal comfort and daylighting.

Whether the goal is general health benefits, employee productivity, less absenteeism for students or employees, or a combination of all of the above; many of the studies which have been conducted are showing amazing results.

- A study by Carnegie Mellon University measuring the relationship between increased lighting control and productivity showed an average increase of 7.1% in productivity. (Source: eBIDS.)

- Sales in stores with skylights were up to 40% higher compared to similar stores without skylights (Source: California Board for Energy Efficiency Third Party Program).

- Students with the most daylighting in their classrooms progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% faster on reading tests in one year than those with the least day lighting. (According to a Heschong Mahone Group study, "Day lighting in Schools," conducted on behalf of the CA Board for Energy Efficiency).

Common and possible sources of indoor pollutants would include: biological contaminants (including mold, bacteria, etc.), radon, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, and of course asbestos and lead in older homes.

Careful planning and implementation of viewing the project as a "whole building system," is done from the beginning of the design phase, through the selection of interior products, HVAC design, and use planning.

Where do IAQ Professionals fit in to the green building industry?

According to U.S. Green Building Council statistics, the annual market for green building in products and services is $7 billion, representing 37% growth over the prior year (based on 2004 figures). This figure is expected to climb - and climb quickly.

While cost will always be part of the equation; just like eating organic foods can be more expensive, the same may be expected when it comes to safer, alternative building materials for your client's home or building, as well as the products and furnishings that go into it. For many people, the slightly higher cost is worth it for any number of reasons including: occupant comfort and improved health, energy and water savings, and of course adds value to their investment.

Many building teams (which would include the architect, builder, interior designer, etc.) understand the value and need for an IAQ/IEQ Professional. Who can better explain the importance of a healthy home!

Along those same lines, many builders are often willing to employ a consultant to teach them about preventative measures which can be utilized within the building process. Interior designers can also benefit from the assistance of an IAQ/IEQ professional. With so many new products out there, many people can become quickly confused, and with green going "mainstream" we are bound to see an increase in "greenwashing." Greenwashing is a term used to describe the "green" benefits of a product, that can often times only be sorted out by researching the particular product and delving into the MSDS. Again, teamwork comes into play with both the aesthetics coupled with occupant comfort and safety.

As IAQ/IEQ professionals, we have the opportunity on a daily basis to help make a difference. Simple things like recommending the use of no or low VOC paint, sealers, and other products can play a part in improving the indoor environment. Recommending clients upgrade their air intake filters to HEPA and installing carbon monoxide detectors is another good example. Asking your clients about their choice and use of cleaning products and giving them safer alternatives has the ability to potentially save a child's life. You can perform preventative healthy home assessments with unlimited possibilities to make a positive impact.

Where do we go from here?

If interested in green building, I would encourage you to attend a green building conference such as West Coast Green or Greenbuild to learn more. Green building is a definite win-win situation for all of those involved in the process. We have come a long way and still have a much longer way to go...

The question is, will you walk, or ride a bike???

As Mahatma Gandhi once said; "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Think green!

An Update On The Child Pesticide Death - Maybe you can help...

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:56:37 -0500

Just wanted to give everyone an update on this story. The police have not been able to locate the man who supplied the family with a commercial pesticide which killed their child.

They have just released his name and photo.

Please read the full story here: http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/072407/loc_072407029.shtml

What Is A Blog - And Why Are You Fenging up the Shui

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 01:10:33 -0500

Alllllrighty then...

Though I may be somewhat of a "newbie" to Active Rain, I ain't no spring chicken when it comes to "blogging."

After getting "scolded" now for the 2nd time for posting a relevant and informative link on someone's comment section (that had nothing to do with me or my company so there can't be a charge for "blatant self-promotion") - I felt it necessary to go over what BLOGS are generally about out there in the rest of the world.

Let's start out with a little snippet from Wikipedia on the "definition" of BLOG

And I quote: "A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs."

Care to read it for yourself? Here is the LINK - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Which brings me to my next point...

Apparently in Blog Land here in the confines of Active Rain, some of you don't want links in your posts because you want to "keep the attention on your blog and not lead people away..."

Well guess what? If it's interesting, entertaining, informative, and there might be other useful snippets they can glean from it - THEY WILL PROBABLY COME BACK!!! And if they DON'T come back, so what? How would you know anyway? Does it really matter???

So let's delve in a little deeper...

Why are you here? Why do you have a blog? What is your goal, your mission, your purpose? Is it entirely "about you"?

We live in a crazy technological era. A time when we can tell the world exactly how we feel. We can learn about 50 things at one time by having a virtual library at our fingertips, chat in real-time with friends on the other side of the world, and many folks have even met their significant other online!

This too has led to what I will refer to as - Small Town Superstar Syndrome.

Small Town Superstar Syndrome is a widespread and growing syndrome (an epidemic, if you will) where one thinks they are the most important person in the world. They don't want to share the spotlight. They don't want to acknowledge the knowledge of another. They don't want anyone to challenge their thoughts or steal their thunder.

And that ,my friend, goes AGAINST everything that true BLOGGING is really supposed to be about - SHARING!

You know, it's that thing that you do when you tell me what you think and then I tell you what I think, then you tell me what you know and I tell you what I know - and by the time it's said and done, we BOTH are thinking MORE and we BOTH know more too!

What a concept eh?!

I'll give you an example... My buddy Max (who is an awesome guy involved with Building Green TV - http://buildinggreentv.com/) posted a link on my business weblog today in response to my Green Primer Series for a slideshow for understanding LEED. In fact, here it is: http://www.slideshare.net/jetsongreen/about-usgbc-leed/

Did I throw my tiara at him and say "this is MY party Max..."???

Of course I didn't! And why? Because he helped me get my point across even better. He added to the subject matter.

I wasn't worried about someone running away from my site and abandoning me. I wasn't worried that people would think that Max is smarter than me or that they'd like him more...

Because even if those people decided that they were going to invite Max to their Pretty Princess Birthday Party and not me - WOULD I REALLY WANT TO GO ANYWAY???!!!

Yes, this is very childish - which is exactly my point.

So here's my final thought.

If you are SO concerned with making sure you have 100% control and all of the applause, here's a thought - why don't you go ahead and get yourself a nice website???

There's no interaction - it's all you all the time, you don't have to worry about deleting anyone's comments that don't fit into your tidy little box, and those of us who consider ourselves free thinkers and big proponents of FREE SPEECH won't be so irked that they feel the need to write a long-winded BLOG on the meaning of a BLOG.

So, there you have it. One person's opinionated opinion.

Comment your hearts out with the understanding that love me or hate me, your comments will remain pure and unaltered. And - if you don't like me, that's okay, because I probably wouldn't want to come to your Pretty Princess Birthday Party anyway...

Oh, and speaking of worms, if you want to read a really cool article that was written in Oct. 2006 on composting with worms in your office, you can check it out here - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15224793/

Maybe YOU will want to try it to help make OUR world a GREENER place!

Y'all come back now ya hear!

Green Building Primer (A Four Part Series) - Part III

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:25:03 -0500

Cross-posted from my site. Enjoy.

Part III - Statistics and Reasoning

So... what are some of the reasons and statistics to support the benefit of building green?

Regardless of whether or not you saw Al Gore's global warming documentary, global warming is gaining the attention of the media and scientists worldwide. The building industry, including how we power these buildings, how we live in them, and what we put in them, has played a significant role in global warming.

Energy from the sun drives the earth's weather and climate, and heats the earth's surface; in turn, the earth radiates energy back into space. Atmospheric greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. Without this natural "greenhouse effect," temperatures would be much lower than they are now, and life as known today would not be possible. Instead, thanks to greenhouse gases, the earth's average temperature is a more hospitable 60°F. However, problems may arise when the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increases.

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%, methane concentrations have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%. These increases have enhanced the heat-trapping capability of the earth's atmosphere. Sulfate aerosols, a common air pollutant, cool the atmosphere by reflecting light back into space; however, sulfates are short-lived in the atmosphere and vary regionally.

Why are greenhouse gas concentrations increasing? Scientists generally believe that the combustion of fossil fuels and other human activities are the primary reason for the increased concentration of carbon dioxide. Plant respiration and the decomposition of organic matter release more than 10 times the CO2 released by human activities; but these releases have generally been in balance during the centuries leading up to the industrial revolution with carbon dioxide absorbed by terrestrial vegetation and the oceans.

What has changed in the last few hundred years is the additional release of carbon dioxide by human activities. Fossil fuels burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and businesses, and power factories are responsible for about 98% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, 24% of methane emissions, and 18% of nitrous oxide emissions. Increased agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial production, and mining also contribute a significant share of emissions. In 1997, the United States emitted about one-fifth of total global greenhouse gases. (Source:http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/climate.html)

US buildings alone are responsible for more CO2. emissions than those of any other entire country in the world except China. (Source: Kinzey et al., "The Federal Buildings Research and Development Program: A Sharp Tool for Climate Policy," 2002 ACEEE proceedings, Section 9.21.)

Global mean surface temperatures have increased 0.5-1.0°F since the late 19th century. The 20th century's 10 warmest years all occurred in the last 15 years of the century. Of these, 1998 was the warmest year on record. The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere and floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased. Globally, sea level has risen 4-8 inches over the past century. Worldwide precipitation over land has increased by about one percent. The frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased throughout much of the United States.

Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are likely to accelerate the rate of climate change. Scientists expect that the average global surface temperature could rise 1-4.5°F (0.6-2.5°C) in the next fifty years, and 2.2-10°F (1.4-5.8°C) in the next century, with significant regional variation. Evaporation will increase as the climate warms, which will increase average global precipitation. Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions, and intense rainstorms are likely to become more frequent. Sea level is likely to rise two feet along most of the U.S. coast. (Source:http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/climate.html)

Energy use is therefore extremely important to consider. Buildings represent 39% of U.S. primary energy use (including fuel input for production), and represent 70% of U.S energy consumption. (Source: 2003 U.S. DOE Buildings Energy Databook)

The savings which can be realized through the green building process, both new builds and retrofit/remodels is not arguable. Coupled with the use of Energy Star rated products for both your home and business, the immediate and long term savings are a big part of green building incentive.

For example, tenants can save about 50 cents per square foot each year through strategies that cut energy use by 30%. This can represent a savings of $50,000 or more in a five-year lease on 20,000 square feet (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). On average, green buildings use 30% less energy than conventional buildings.

Water use, material use, and waste are also heavy contenders when opting for green building. Conserving water is often as vital as saving energy. Buildings use 12.2% of all potable water, or 15 trillion gallons per year. (Source: U.S. Geological Service, 1995 data.) Many things incorporated into a green building; including the landscaping, take water usage strongly into account.

Buildings use 40% of raw materials globally (and 3 billion tons annually). Combine this with the EPA's estimate that 136 million tons of building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris was generated in the U.S. in a single year - and you will have an understanding for the phrase "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." (Sources: Lenssen and Roodman, 1995, "Worldwatch Paper 124: A Building Revolution: How Ecology and Health Concerns are Transforming Construction," Worldwatch Institute and the EPA)

On the forefront of the green building industry has been the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Program.

What is LEED®?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System^TM is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. (Source: U.S. Green Building Council)

LEED's rating system basically gives "points" in all of the above stated goals, with various levels of "green-ness."

Several other organizations have developed their own green building guidelines, specs, and initiatives as well including: the National Association of Home Builder's voluntary Model Green Home Building Guidelines (http://www.nahb.org), Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines (http://www.csbr.umn.edu/B3/), Federal Guide for Green Construction Specs (http://www.wbdg.org/design/greenspec.php), and the American Lung Association Health House Builder Guidelines (http://www.healthhouse.org/build/04HHBuilderGuidelines.pdf)

Think green!

To be continued...

Green Building Primer (A Four Part Series) - Part II

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:14:17 -0500

Part II - Basic principles of green building

So… what are the basic elements or principles of green building?

Wikipedia sums it up nicely - Green building is the practice of:

1. increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy, water, and materials, and

2. reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal — the complete building life cycle.

Green building is also sometimes known as "sustainable building" or "environmental building".

The practice can lead to benefits including reduced operating costs (by using less energy and water), improved public and occupant health (due to improved indoor air quality), and reduced environmental impacts (for example, by lessening storm water runoff and the heat island effect).

Green building is an essential component of the related concepts of sustainable design, sustainable development and general sustainability.

Practitioners of green building often seek to achieve not only ecological but aesthetic harmony between a structure and its surrounding (natural or built) environment. The appearance and style of sustainable homes and buildings can be nearly indistinguishable from their less sustainable counter-parts.

Green design often emphasizes taking advantage of renewable resources, e.g., using sunlight through passive solar techniques and using plants and trees through green roofs and rain gardens. (Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building)

To be continued...

3 No No's

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:31:51 -0500

The duct to nowhere!

Honey the dishwasher leaked!

Should we change the filter???

Green Building Primer - (A Four Part Series) - Part 1

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:07:35 -0500

Cross posted from my site - http://www.championindoors.com/ No part of this post may be copied or used in any manner without prior written consent and full author credit. Thanks.

Part 1 - Laying the groundwork.

Ask ten people their definition of "green building," and you're likely to get ten completely different answers. While many perspectives of green building are more personal in nature, the basic concepts remain the same.

Green Building, which has quickly become a buzzword with the media, consumers, and manufacturers of every product under the sun, seems to have reached its tipping point. What was once reserved for the "alternative hippie" crowd, or the rich upper class - has finally found its way into mainstream America. Do a Google search on "green building construction," and you get over 39 million hits! People are interested!

This interest IMHO stems from several basic realities -
1. Global warming and environmental concern is a very hot topic.
2. Consumers are more aware of the health effects which are associated with poor indoor air and environmental quality. Through the media, personal journeys, and the stories of others; many more people are beginning to "think" about what goes into their homes and bodies.
3. Energy costs. Energy costs continue to climb, our natural resources are being quickly depleted, and big businesses are learning about the large amount of money which can be saved by reducing their energy costs. Regular consumers can reap the rewards as well.
4. Over-development of land. While development is a reality, having a conscience about the impact to that land, and how the land will be used, is becoming a necessity as open spaces dwindle.
5. Incentives. Because of all of the above, many incentives such as tax credits and positive exposure have lured people in.
6. We live in a technological era where there is a mass of information available at our fingertips. Gone are the days of pouring over stacks of books at the library... We are quickly becoming a more self-educated society.
7. It just makes sense - and cents!

As it is with everything, there is never one single "silver bullet" to undo the damage which has already been done, create an instant utopia, and not come with some trials and tribulations. But - green building is surely a step in the right direction.

To be continued...

TOXIC DEATH SENSATIONALISM (Or, I'm Going To Scream!)

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:09:26 -0500

Okay, I've made some interesting observations over the past few days. They're not new observations per se' - just something that has gotten to the point that it's time to be dragged out into the open.

I am fascinated by the "statistics" on Active Rain. What I have "learned" (keeping in mind it's nothing new really,) is that twice as many people have viewed my posts with scary or "negative" connotations than those who've viewed the "positive" posts with words like protecting, improving and resources.

Why is this the case? The media outlets know this too. Watch the news or read a newspaper. Scary scary scary - with a little happy fluff thrown in to make you feel better.

Let me give you the example from my "statistics."

As of a few minutes ago... 341 people have viewed "Child Dies From Pesticide Exposure" 246 have viewed "Protecting Our Future" 186 have viewed "Mama Resources" and 116 have viewed "Improving your Indoor Air Quality."

Last night I added "Protecting Our Future - The Children" to see if it made a difference in getting viewed. It made a little bit of a difference but nothing substantial... So what's my point?

My point is that our society is drawn to the easy way out. It's much easier to read the negative and say "how can this happen?" versus reading the positive and actually getting off your a** to do something about it. We're lazy. It's that simple.

If you don't want to see children harmed by pesticide exposure along with other indoor pollutants, revisit the "Protecting Our Future" post and get IAQ Tools For Schools implemented in your local school district. Read the resources and apply them to your life and home. Be proactive.

I will equate it to my beef with mold. (Which btw has nothing to do with moldy beef.) I've become very frustrated by all of the "scary" mold stories in the media over the past 5 + years. They usually start out "toxic black mold blah blah blah..." I have felt the media has taken an opportunity to educate people in a calm and logical manner and teach prevention; and has instead frightened people to the point of chaos.

Their reasoning? Sensationalism sells. "Toxic black mold" is much catchier than "mold - if we didn't have it we'd be surrounded by dead stuff so don't let it grow in your house, plus it's not healthy."

Hopefully you get the drift. If not, I'm sorry to have caused a ripple in your bubble.

Open your eyes, expand your mind and have a lovely day!

Open Dialogue (and YES Sometimes Even Debate) Is HEALTHY

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:34:55 -0500

Hmmm... I must say I'm slightly frustrated and a little confused. Is it a common practice on this forum for people to simply delete your comments if they don't agree 100% with what you say? What is the purpose of someone taking the time to comment if this is the case???

I posted comments on The Difference Between High Performance and Green Homes that were relevant to the discussion. This is not about a popularity contest - it is about becoming educated. I took the time to share what is my AREA of EXPERTISE. I listed good references, resources, and stated things that I have learned over the last 10 + years on this subject. The comments are now gone, as are the resources, etc. Had I known they would simply be deleted, I would have just written my own post about the subject. I didn't keep any of my comments, so I guess it will have to be a "do over."

Let it be known that I am not here to have my ego stroked - I am here to learn and to help you learn. If you don't always agree with me, that's okay too because this isn't 2nd grade and I'm not running for Class President. Challenge me, ask questions, agree, agree to disagree - it's all part of the process.

Open dialogue, and yes even debate (gasp) is a healthy thing. It makes you THINK - or should anyway... I will in the future refrain from leaving people comments and will instead just write my own posts on the subject matter.

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:14:07 -0500

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

Written by: Stacey Champion

Published in the Verde Independent, Dec. 2004

Indoor air quality has become a very hot topic. It is estimated that Americans spend approximately 90 percentof their time indoors. Our indoor air is often far more polluted than the outdoor air we breathe. Those who would be more susceptible to indoor air pollution would include: infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, immune-compromised individuals, and people who suffer from allergies and/or asthma. Indoor air pollution can stem from many different sources. Here are 5 of those possible sources, and simple steps you can take to improve the indoor air quality of your home. Happy breathing!

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is often called the "silent killer." It is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas. It can cause many health effects and can be fatal at high doses. Gas appliances, wood stoves and fireplaces, and gasoline powered equipment are potential CO sources. Placing a carbon monoxide detector near these appliances could save a life. Never idle your car in an attached garage. Use your exhaust fan if you have a gas stove. Make sure it is properly vented to the outside. It's also a good idea to have your central heating system and chimney inspected by a trained professional on an annual basis.

2. Pesticides. Creepy crawlies are an everyday part of life! The EPA reports that 80 percent of our exposure to pesticides occurs indoors. Before relying on toxic chemicals, consider trying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in your home. IPM incorporates removing the source of food, water, and shelter of the pests. Using poison as a last resort, IPM explores alternative ways to address the problem.

3. Remodeling. If you are remodeling your home, consider using "green" building materials. Green building focuses on creating healthy, sustainable, energy efficient buildings. Many things found in our homes off-gas VOC's, (volatile organic compounds). VOC's can potentially cause both short and long-term health effects. Building materials, furnishings, paint, cleaning products, and office equipment are all potential sources. There are many products on the market now which contain little or no VOC's. The prices of "green" products are quickly coming down to meet consumer demand.

4. Biological Contaminants. Some of these would include: mold, bacteria, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. Health effects associated with these contaminants can range from being mild to severe. Many steps can be taken to minimize and avoid indoor air quality issues associated with biological contaminants. Practice good housekeeping. If possible, invest in a HEPA vacuum cleaner. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. A HEPA filter will capture tiny particles (usually 0.3 microns and up) which we can't see. You also may want to upgrade your furnace's air intake filter to a HEPA filter. Do monthly maintenance checks at your home. Inspect plumbing, roof, and gutters. If you have a leak, fix it immediately or at least within 24 to 48 hours. This will discourage mold and bacteria growth. Try to keep the humidity level of your home between 30-50 percent. Mold, bacteria, and dust mites thrive in humid environments. Use ventilation fans when bathing and cooking. Make sure ventilation fans and clothes dryers are vented to the outdoors. Consider replacing carpeting in bathrooms with hard-surfaced flooring. If considering a portable or whole-house air filtration system, do your research prior to buying. Also never use ozone indoors as it is a known lung irritant.

5. Smoking. If you smoke in your home - stop! The second-hand smoke produced by cigarettes is said to contain more than 40 known carcinogens. Children suffer the greatest risk from second-hand smoke, as their lungs are still developing. Asthma, respiratory infections, ear infections, and reduced lung capacity are all risks associated with second-hand smoke. Smoking is also the leading cause of lung cancer.

Happy holidays, happy breathing, and may your home be a healthy one!

Informational resources:

Children's Health Environmental Coalition - http://www.checnet.org

US EPA - http://www.epa.gov

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers - http://www.aham.org

US Green Building Council - http://www.usgbc.org

How to Avoid ‘Greenwashing’ in Product Choices

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 02:39:42 -0500

Based upon the interest in green building materials and recent posts on Active Rain, I am sharing the following article which I wrote for the IAQ industry, but will be valuable to all of you who are trying to learn about green. Please keep in mind that this is a copyrighted article and is reprinted here with permission. It's a long article, but full of info and resources.

How to Avoid ‘Greenwashing’ in Product Choices

Written by: Stacey Champion

This article appears in Volume 7, Issue 12 (October 2006) of Indoor Environment Connections newspaper and is reprinted here with permission of the publisher. For subscription information, visit www.ieconnections.com.

Green buildings and greener materials are quickly going mainstream. One form or another of green has been on the cover of many newsmagazines in recent months. As we see an increase in consumer demand, more and more products will be touting themselves as being “green” or a plethora of other adjectives that sound happy and wholesome.

On the other hand, “greenwashed” is the term associated with products and such that are quickly coming into the marketplace touting themselves as being green, environmentally friendly or non-toxic when in reality they are not - and, in some cases, are potentially even more toxic or just a simple waste of extra money.

We will delve into understanding “green” terminology, resources to verify a product’s “greenness” and some of the new green products (and some of the old ones) that exist along with some pros and cons.

Let me give you a simple example of consumers being “greenwashed.” When conducting home assessments, one of the questions I ask my clients is whether or not they use pesticides in or around their homes. At least half of the time, these clients tell me they do, but their extermination company assured them that the product was completely harmless and is non-toxic. After reviewing the manufacturer’s safety data sheet, I find this is rarely the case. The suffix “-cide,” after all, means “kill.” The same can be said for any number of products - paints, sealants, flooring, cabinets, etc.

According to U.S. Green Building Council statistics, the annual market for green building in products and services is $7 billion, representing 37 percent growth over the prior year (based on 2004 figures). This figure is expected to climb - and climb quickly. While cost will always be part of the equation, just like eating organic foods can be more expensive, the same may be expected when it comes to safer, alternative building materials for your client’s home or building, as well as the products and furnishings that go into it. For many people, the slightly higher cost is worth it for any number of reasons, including occupant comfort and improved health, energy and water savings, and of course adding value to their investment.

The question becomes: How do you as a businessperson stay on the cutting edge of this trend without having the wool pulled over your eyes by unscrupulous marketing tactics? How do you promote, sell or utilize green products to increase your company’s profit margin while also providing an added service to your clients and the environment? The answer is research, research, research.

Let’s break it down to look at a list of alternative product options that a contractor may be able to offer his or her client for the put-back after a typical mold remediation project, keeping in mind that we are, after all, in the business of indoor air and environmental quality. What was removed in the course of the remediation? We’ll start with the basics: carpet, drywall and insulation. The replaced drywall will also need to be repainted, so we’ll add that to the list as well.

Carpet

Carpet itself is a known reservoir for all kinds of things known to contribute to poor indoor air/environmental quality. The off-gassing of the carpet and pad itself, biological contaminants, chemical residue - it’s all there. I remember reading about a TEAM study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the early 1990s on the carpet of hundreds of homes in the Midwest. They were finding, among other things that go bump in the night, residue of pesticides that had been banned for over 20 years. The conclusion of the study was that if you were to suck up all of the dust and other things in these carpets and put them into a dump truck, you would literally have Superfund site waste! If at all possible, the carpet should be replaced with hard-surfaced flooring or, at the very least, a healthier kind of carpet.

Let’s explore some of the options in flooring, keeping in mind that with their advantages can come some disadvantages:

Bamboo: This is a renewable resource. It is visually attractive, relatively easy to install, and generally costs $4 to $8 per square foot. Be sure to verify that the product has no added formaldehyde.

Cork: I love cork! Cork flooring is made from the bark of the cork oak. It is a renewable resource. It is easy on the feet, and has great sound insulating properties. It’s incredibly durable and easy to clean when sealed properly. Avoid cork-vinyl composites, make sure there is no formaldehyde added, and use a no- or low-VOC sealant. Cork flooring generally costs $3 to $6 per square foot.

Linoleum: Invented in 1863, linoleum has a 30- to 40-year lifespan. Make sure that the ingredients are truly natural and it’s not vinyl flooring being passed off as linoleum. Cost is usually around $4 per square foot. One brand, the Forbo corporation’s Marmoleum, is a very organic and resilient flooring option with a wide range of colors, patterns and options. It is made up of linseed oil, rosins and wood flour, and it has a natural jute backing. Marmoleum is being used in many commercial spaces and hospitals due to its natural anti-static, bactericidal and anti-microbial properties.

Tile: Tile often contains recycled material and is very durable and easy to clean. Try to find tile that is manufactured locally and has high recycled content. Cost varies from $1 to $6 per square foot. Stone:

Stone is a natural resource with a limited supply. It is better to find stone that does not need to be sealed. If it does need to be sealed, be sure to use a no- or low-VOC sealant. Cost is typically $3 to $10 per square foot.

Wood: Wood flooring never goes out of style! It is best to look for wood that is Forest Stewardship Council-certified, salvaged or reclaimed. When using salvaged wood, be sure to be careful of potential lead-based paint or arsenic additives. Avoid laminated products which contain formaldehyde. Use no- or low-VOC sealants. Cost is usually around $3 to $6 per square foot.

Concrete: There are many attractive, natural stains for concrete these days. Stained concrete flooring is gaining popularity in commercial buildings and homes alike. Due to the general ease of application and low cost, it’s a great option and one I’ve chosen for my own home. It is made from things such as bio-based soy esters that are very low-VOC. Make sure it is topped off with a no- or low-VOC sealant for ease in cleaning. Price varies depending on total square footage. Sealants: Some companies make several different floor stains and sealants especially for those who are chemically sensitive. As with everything, be sure to review the product’s MSDS.

Carpet: Healthier carpet alternatives are available in selections such as untreated wool with natural rubber latex backing. Several carpet manufacturers have either committed to entirely PVC-free manufacturing or produced PVC-free carpet backing.

Drywall

We all know that drywall is cheap, user-friendly, and one of the best mold foods around! In a perfect world in which cost was not an issue, we’d still be using plaster, which has better antimicrobial properties. There are, however, some alternative options coming into the marketplace. As stated above, do your homework on these products before you run out to buy them. Prestowall panels: Mainly used as a single skin, non-load bearing and internal wall, Prestowall panels are created through a dry extrusion process that densely compresses wheat straw into multi-use construction panels. Other available options include bamboo board, hayboard, plaster and wood paneling. Kirei Board, which comes from sorghum, also has some interesting uses for wall coverings, ceilings, cabinetry, etc. Be sure that the products are formaldehyde-free, and that you are using them for the proper application.

Insulation

We’ve come a long way with choices in how we insulate our buildings in recent years! With energy costs on the rise, spending a few extra bucks on insulation has a quick payback. How the building is buttoned up from the outside in is of course equally as important, as are utilizing the concept of building for the right climate, with the right products, with the right applications.

Cotton insulation: Primarily made from denim scraps, this insulation is formaldehyde-free, Doesn’t make you itch, has a higher insulation value per inch than most fiberglass batting, and has good sound blocking properties. Cost typically works out to approximately 56 cents per square foot for R-13 and 78 cents per square foot for R-19.

Cellulose insulation: Generally available as either a loose fill or spray-on material, cellulose insulation has been gaining in popularity due to its recycled content and ability to reach small cracks and crevices. The “dry” blown-in method reduces concern over moisture issues. It is made from recycled newspaper and cardboard, and is usually treated with borax, boric acid and calcium carbonate fire retardant. It can be purchased with a higher percentage of cardboard versus newspaper, and so there is less ink for those who are extremely sensitive. Though the cost of the material seems to be on par with fiberglass batts, installation costs can be higher, but many builders are discovering that it is well worth the added cost.

Icynene: I have witnessed the use of Icynene insulation in many green building projects. According to the manufacturer’s Web site: “Icynene is a two-component water blown insulation system that contains no formaldehyde, CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, or HFAs. Icynene is applied as a liquid and expands 100 times its initial volume in seconds, curing to soft, flexible foam made up of small, hydrophobic, open cells that act as an air barrier and insulation.” It is suited for both steel and wood frame construction but can also be used effectively in remodeling projects. Though more expensive at the onset, Icynene has tremendous insulating properties.

Paint

No- and low-VOC paints are catching on quickly, as is greenwashing in the paint industry. Paint suppliers such as Biosheild, American Clay, AFM Safecoat, Old Fashioned Milk Paint and a few others have been leaders in the industry with their no- and low-VOC paints. It is crucial to read the MSDS for any paint products, and also to understand that when you have bright or dark colors, it can often increase the level of VOCs. Once you have worked with no-VOC paint, you’ll have a hard time going back to the cheap stuff! No-VOC paint can dramatically improve indoor air quality and is a must, in my opinion, in bedrooms, nurseries or anywhere someone spends a large amount of time.

This is just a small example of some of the alternative building products available. There are many great resources available to help you do your homework and to stay on the cutting edge of the green industry. I would also encourage you to attend a green building conference and expo if given the chance. Some resources include http://oikos.com, www.treehugger.com (Don’t be scared by the name!), www.greenbiz.com, “Environmental Design and Construction” (www.edcmag.com) and “Eco-Structure” (www.eco-structure.com) are free to building trades professionals - just go to their Web site, click on the subscription link and fill out a short questionnaire. “Green Building Product News” sells ads to manufacturers of green building products, so this is a quick and easy way to get an idea of what’s new and happening in green building products; a subscription form is available by going to www.gbproductnews.com/subs.htm. There are also www.greenguard.org and www.greenseal.org.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Think green!

Stacey Champion is the owner of Champion Indoor Environmental Services LLC and Champion Indoors LLC, both located in northern Arizona. Champion Indoor Environmental Services LLC performs indoor air and environmental quality assessments, consults with individuals, businesses, and builders on creating healthier indoor environments, and conducts educational speaking engagements and seminars on indoor air/environmental quality issues across the nation. Stacey Champion can be reached by e-mail at sc@championindoors.com or by phone at (928) 649-1847.