An aquifer is an underground layer of porous rock, gravel, sand, silt or clay from which water can easily flow, and be extracted.

Biofuels
      fuels that are made from renewable raw materials, like plant biomass or vegetable oils, are widely
      considered to be cleaner burning than petroleum-based fuels. The use of biofuels as an additive to
      petroleum-based fuels can also result in cleaner burning and reduced carbon monoxide emission. 

Brownfield redevelopment

A piece of industrial or commercial property that is abandoned or underused; these were sites where factories, train yards and commercial structures that were the economic lifeblood of the American economy were located.

Bulk Products
       Products that are sold in larger quanities often use less packaging per per use than smaller sizes. The
       U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency recommends selecting grocery, hardware and househol items 
       that are available in bulk to help reduce soild waste

Carbon Footprint

The measure given to the amount of green house gases produced by burning fossil fuels, measured in units of carbon dioxide (i.e. Kg). Like walking on a soft sandy beach, everyone leaves a footprint. Basic reduction in power consumption, responsible travel, and various other activities can offset your carbon footprint.

Climate Change
       Refers to any significant change in measure of climate (such as temperature, precipitation or wind)
       lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). Climate change may result from both natural factors
       (i.e., changes in the sun's intensity) and human activities (i.e., burning fossil fuels)

Composting
        The process of turning cetain food scraps (i.e., vegetables or eggshells) and yard trimmings into valuable
        natural soil additives for use on your lawn or garden. It can also be an effective way of reducing the
        amount of waste you ( and your local government) must manage. today, more than 17 percent of
        America's waste is made up of yard trimmings.
Certified Wood
        Wood that was harvested from a sustainably managed forest
Concentrated products
        These products are sold with less water, and often require added water before use. Typically, they
        require less packaging and less energy to transport to the store, saving money as well as natural
        resources
Chain-of Custody
         The path taken by raw materials, processed materials and products, from forest to the consumer
          including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution.
       
Daylight harvesting

The process of using natural daylight (through windows) to light up offices or homes during the day.

Energy star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Star offers most energy efficient products and practices. http://www.energystar.gov/

EPA
       The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  is a government agency of 18,000 people whose mission is to
       protect human health and the environment. The EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier 
       environment for the American people for more than 35 years

FGBC is a nonprofit Florida Corporation dedicated to improving the built environment. Its mission is "to provide a statewide Green Building program with environmental and economic benefits." http://floridagreenbuilding.org/

Global Warming
       Global Warming refers to an average increase in the Earth's temperature which in turn causes changes in
       climate. A warmer Earth may lead to fluctuating rainfall patterns and rising sea levels, and can have
       various and wide-range effects on plants, wildlife and humans. when scientists talk about the issue of
       climate change, their concern is about global warming and the human activities which may contribute to
       the problem.
Green Globes
       An assesssment and rating system, which  is overseen by the Green Building Initiative in the United 
       States. Because it's online and interactive, the green Globes system enables you to change inputs in order
       to keep your assessment up-to-date. It serves as a virtual consultant, providing instant feedback on the
       environmental aspects of a structure's design along with advice and resources for improvements.
Greenwashing
       The practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a
       product, service, technology or company practice.

Greenfield

Sites in both rural and urban areas, which have not experienced previous development. It also includes forestry and agricultural land and buildings, as well as previously developed sites which have now blended into the natural landscape over time.

Green products/technologies

Environmentally friendly products and technologies that protect natural resources and reduce our impact on the environment. Some examples include: non-toxic paints, permeable surfaces, recycled flooring, grey water capturing/recycling and the use of native plants.

Green Roofs

Roofs of buildings and parking decks are planted. This reduces the heat transmitted to the building and the heat reflected into the atmosphere. The additional plants increase oxygen output and air filtration. The roof also becomes a recreational amenity.

Greywater system

Reuse the wastewater from sinks, showers and other sources for the flushing of toilets, landscape irrigation and other functions that do not require potable water.

High-density

Using land in the most efficient manner when designing a community. This type of development preserves natural resources, encourages independence from automobiles, reuses existing infrastructure, and feels more like fondly remembered, traditional neighborhoods.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle
       Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV's) typically combine the the internal combustion engine of a conventional
       vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle. this combination offers low emissions,
       combined with the power, range and conveniant fueling of conventional (gasoline or diesel) vehicles. In
       addition to helping improve gas mileage, HEV owners may be eligible for a U.S. tax credit.

LEED™

(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Low flow fixtures

fixtures such as toilets, faucet aerators and showerheads that have been developed to substantial amounts of water compared to conventional fixtures while providing the same utility.

Low-impact design

Environmentally friendly, sustainable practices that reduce our impact on the environment and conserve natural resources.

Mass transit

Public transport comprises all transport systems in which the passengers do not travel in their own vehicles. It is also called public transit or mass transit. While it is generally taken to mean rail and bus services, wider definitions would include scheduled airline services, ferries, taxicab services etc. — any system that transports members of the general public.

Median family income

the median family income is a measure of average family income. It divides the family income distribution into two equal parts: one-half of the cases fall below the median family income, and one-half above it.

Mixed-use developments

Developments that combine several uses on one site in a coordinated way, including office, retail, hotel, or residential development.

Multimodal hubs

One central location where a variety of transportation options are available. Modes such as rail, busses, airplanes, bike trails and walking paths will be accessible to the public.

Non-potable water

Non-potable water is water that is not treated to drinking water standards and is not meant for human consumption.

Organic
        "Organic" is the term used for agricultral products that are grown and processed without the use of 
          synthetic chemicals (i.e., synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, additives, etc.)
           USDA Organic Product Labels Explained:
         "100% Organic" = Contains 100 percent organic ingredients.
          "Organic" = Contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients.
          " Made with Organic Materials" = Contains at least 70% organic ingredients.

Permeable

Passable; allowing fluid to penetrate or pass through it.

Photovoltaics (PV)

Is a technology often confused with solar thermal and is in fact what many people mean when they refer to "solar energy." Photovoltaics (photo=light, voltaics=electricity) is a semiconductor-based technology (similar to the microchip) which converts light energy directly into an electric current that can either be used immediately or stored, such as in a battery, for later use.

Photovoltaic cells

Also known as solar cells, these devices use electrons to convert photons from the sun (solar light)) into electricity.

Rainwater harvesting system

This popular process collects water that otherwise would disappear into the ground or drain into local water bodies. The water is then treated and redirected as needed.

Recycling
       Recycling is a series of activities that includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be
       considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials such as fibers, and manufacturing
       those raw materials into new products. The U.S. recycles 32 percent of its waste, a rate that has almost
       doubled in the past 15 years

Redevelopment

To restore (buildings or neighborhoods, for example) to a better condition.

Segway™

A self-balancing personal transportation device with two wheels; can operate in any level pedestrian environment.

Solar Energy
       "Solar Energy" is just another way of saying "energy that comes from the sun." Solar Energy can be
         used to heat homes, buildings and water, and to make electricity. today, more than 200,000 houses in
         the United States utilize solar power.
Solar Power Systems

Solar power systems that use photovoltaic cells and converters can offset a significant portion of a household’s electricity demand. Though the systems require a considerable investment, over time they pay for themselves and can be factored into a mortgage to make the cost more manageable.

Solar Street Lighting

Solar street lights are set up off the power grid, meaning once installed, the light they supply costs nothing. There are many other benefits, as well. Take for instance, the extensive power outages from the recent over-active hurricane season. With solar lighting, the lights stay on even when the powers out.

Solar thermal technology

Uses the sun's heat energy to heat substances (such as water or air) for applications such as space heating, pool heating and water heating for homes and businesses.

Solar Water Heaters and Chillers

Installing a solar water heater is one of the best ways to lower energy expenses because up to one-third of a home’s energy use goes to heating water. Because the savings are so significant, this investment has a very low payback time. Using solar power to chill water has the same effect: reducing energy costs for the owner or occupant and reducing the amount of carbon in the air caused by traditional energy production.

Sprawl

Low-density development on the edge of cities and towns, poorly planned, land consumptive, auto-dependent, and designed without respect to its surroundings.

Sustainability
       Defined as meeting the resource needs (i.e., water, food and energy) of today's population without
       compromising our ability to supply for future generations. Sustainable practices can apply to any of
       our natural resource industries, such as fishing, agriculture, energy production, etc.

Sustainable Design
        Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment and the health and comfort of
        building occupants, thus improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to
        reduce consumption of nonrenewable resources, minimize waste and create healthy, productive
        environments.
Sustainable development

development that uses a holistic, realistic approach that incorporates long-range planning, green products/technologies, transportation alternatives and low-impact design.

Transit-oriented communities

Mixed-use, walkable, compact communities that offer a variety of alternative transportation options, such as people movers, buses and multi-modal hubs that connect to mass transit outside of the community.

Urban infill/infill development

The development of vacant land or redevelopment of existing urban structures or infrastructure where water, sewer and other public services are already in place; Urban infill reduces urban sprawl.

Urban redevelopment

The restoration or rehabilitation of existing urban structures or infrastructures where water, sewer and other public services are already in place.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)

Low-VOC paints are better for the occupants and for those applying the paints, too. For people with allergies and sensitivities, environmentally and people-friendly low VOC paints make the space enjoyable and the air breathable from day one.

Zero-carbon communities

These communities incorporate energy-saving technologies into homes and offices, which reduces or neutralizes our carbon footprint and significantly decreases energy bills and operating costs; A carbon footprint is the measure given to the amount of greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

If you haven't found the definition you are looking for, it may be located in one of my favorite sites...please click on to the encyclopedia of Sustainable Living below...
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/AEmain.html


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Building Materials:
What Makes a Product Green?

Quite a bit of attention has been focused on the issue of green building materials. What makes a given product “green”? How do you evaluate the relative greenness of different products? How do you find green products? More important, perhaps, manufacturers are asking, “How can we make our products greener?”

There are several directories of green building products available, some national in focus, some regional. In compiling any directory of green building products, the authors have to figure out what qualifies a product for inclusion. That was an exercise the EBN editorial staff went through when we began developing the GreenSpec^® directory, our own entry into the products directory field, in the late 1990s. This article is an attempt to lay out for public examination and discussion our standards for what makes a building product green. Our standards and thresholds have evolved over time, and this article lays out for public examination and discussion our current standards for “what makes a product green.” These criteria will continue to change, and as they do, the products included in future editions of GreenSpec will also change. We welcome input in this process of determining just what is green.

The Challenges in Defining What is Green

The Holy Grail of the green building movement would be a database in which the life-cycle environmental impacts of different materials were fully quantified and the impacts weighted so that a designer could easily see which material was better from an environmental standpoint. Though efforts are afoot along these lines we are not even close to realizing that goal. Very often, we are comparing apples to oranges. We are trying to weigh, for example, the resource-extraction impacts of one product with the manufacturing impacts of another, and the indoor-air-quality impacts of a third.

These issues were addressed in an earlier article on material selection (see EBN Vol. 6, No. 1), but in that article we were addressing the broader issue of material selection for a given project—not determining which materials should be considered green in general. This distinction is subtle but important. In building a house or office building, a great many materials and products will be used. Even in the greenest of projects it is likely that many products will be used that are not themselves green—but they are used in a manner that helps reduce the overall environmental impacts of the building. A particular window may not be green, but the way it is used maximizes collection of low winter sunlight and blocks the summer sun. So even a relatively conventional window can help make a house green. Creating a green building means matching the products and materials to the specific design and site to minimize the overall environmental impact.

This article examines products in isolation—not how to use a product to make a building green, rather what makes a certain product green. Green products, including virtually all of those found in GreenSpec, could be used in dumb ways that result in buildings that are far from environmentally responsible. In a well-thought-out building design, however, substituting green products for conventional products can make the difference between a good building and a great one.

Defining Standards When Feasible

Our tactic with the GreenSpec directory is to identify quantifiable, easily verifiable, standards where those could be defined, then base other decisions about what should be included on the collective wisdom of our editorial staff. In a few product categories, such as energy-consuming appliances and VOC-emitting paints, specific thresholds can be established relatively easily. But for many criteria, the lines are much fuzzier and judgment calls are required.

It is important also to note that multiple criteria often apply—in other words, a product may be considered green for more than one reason. Take recycled plastic lumber, for example: it’s made from recycled waste, it’s highly durable, and it can obviate the need for pesticide treatments. Straw particleboard products are made from agricultural waste materials, and they are free from formaldehyde offgassing. A product with multiple benefits could qualify for GreenSpec on the basis of its overall environmental performance, even if it doesn’t meet a threshold in any one category alone. Conversely, a product with one or more green attributes might not qualify if it also carries significant environmental burdens. For example, wood treated with toxic preservatives has advantages in terms of durability, but it would not be listed in GreenSpec due the health and environmental hazards it represents.

This article reviews the criteria—not listed in any order of priority—used to designate building products as green and therefore suitable for inclusion in our GreenSpec directory.

1. Products Made with Salvaged, Recycled, or Agricultural Waste Content

The materials used to produce a building product—and where those materials came from—is a key determinant of green.

1a. Salvaged products — Whenever we can reuse a product instead of producing a new one from raw materials—even if those raw materials are recycled—we save on resource use and energy. Many salvaged materials used in buildings (bricks, millwork, framing lumber, plumbing fixtures, and period hardware) are sold on a local or regional basis by salvage yards. Fewer salvaged materials are marketed widely, and it is generally only these that are profiled in a national directory such as GreenSpec. Local and regional green product directories can really shine when it comes to finding salvaged materials.

1b. Products with post-consumer recycled content — Recycled content is an important feature of many green products. From an environmental standpoint, post-consumer is preferable to pre-consumer recycled content, because post-consumer recycled materials are more likely to be diverted from landfills. For most product categories, there is currently no set standard for the percentage of recycled content required to qualify for inclusion in GreenSpec, but such standards will increasingly be developed in the future.

In some cases, products with recycled content are included with caveats regarding where they should be used. Rubber flooring made from recycled automobile tires is a good example­—the caveat is that these products should not be used in most fully enclosed indoor spaces due to offgassing concerns.

In certain situations, from a life-cycle perspective, recycling has downsides. For example, energy consumption or pollution may be a concern with some collection programs or recycling processes. Also, closed-loop recycling is generally preferable to downcycling, in which a lower-grade material is produced. As more complete life-cycle information on recycled materials—and the process of recycling—becomes available, we intend to scrutinize recycled products more carefully.

1c. Products with pre-consumer recycled content — Pre-consumer (also called “post-industrial”) recycling refers to the use of industrial by-products, as distinguished from material that has been in consumer use. Iron-ore slag used to make mineral wool insulation, fly ash used to make concrete, and PVC scrap from pipe manufacture used to make shingles are examples of post-industrial recycled materials. Usually excluded from this category is the use of scrap within the same manufacturing process from which it was generated—material that would typically have gone back into the manufacturing process anyway. While post-consumer recycled content is better than pre-consumer recycled content, the latter can still qualify a product for inclusion in GreenSpec in many product categories—especially those where there are no products available with post-consumer recycled content.

1d. Products made from agricultural waste material — A number of products are included in GreenSpec because they are derived from agricultural waste products. Most of these are made from straw—the stems left after harvesting cereal grains. Citrus oil, a waste product from orange and lemon juice extraction, is also used in some green products, but such products usually include other agricultural oils as well and are lumped under 2d – Rapidly renewable products.

2. Products That Conserve Natural Resources

Aside from salvaged or recycled content, there are a number of other ways that products can contribute to the conservation of natural resources. These include products that serve a function using less material than the standard solution, products that are especially durable and therefore won’t need replacement as often, products made from FSC-certified wood, and products made from rapidly renewable resources.

2a. Products that reduce material use — Products meeting this criteria may not be distinctly green on their own but are included in GreenSpec because of resource efficiency benefits that they make possible. For example, drywall clips allow the elimination of corner studs, engineered stair stringers reduce lumber waste, pier foundation systems minimize concrete use, and concrete pigments can turn concrete slabs into attractive finished floors, eliminating the need for conventional finish flooring.

2b. Products with exceptional durability or low maintenance requirements — These products are environmentally attractive because they need to be replaced less frequently, or their maintenance has very low impact. Sometimes, durability is a contributing factor to the green designation but not enough to distinguish the product as green on its own. This criterion is highly variable by product type. Included in this category are such products as fiber-cement siding, fiberglass windows, slate shingles, and vitrified-clay waste pipe.

2c. Certified wood products — Third-party forest certification, based on standards developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is the best way to ensure that wood products come from well-managed forests. Wood products must go through a chain-of-custody certification process to carry an FSC stamp. Manufactured wood products can meet the FSC certification requirements with less than 100% certified wood content through percentage-based claims. With a few special-case exceptions, any nonsalvaged solid-wood product and most other wood products must be FSC-certified to be included in GreenSpec. A few manufactured wood products, including engineered lumber and particleboard or MDF, can be included if they have other environmental advantages—such as absence of formaldehyde binders. Engineered wood products in GreenSpec do not qualify by virtue of their resource efficiency benefits alone (for more on this, see EBN Vol. 8, No. 11).

2d. Rapidly renewable products — Rapidly renewable materials are distinguished from wood by the shorter harvest rotation—typically 10 years or less. They are biodegradable, often (but not always) low in VOC emissions, and generally produced from agricultural crops. Because sunlight is generally the primary energy input (via photosynthesis), these products may be less energy-intensive to produce—though transportation and processing energy use must be considered. Examples include linoleum, form-release agents made from plant oils, natural paints, geotextile fabrics from coir and jute, cork, and such textiles as organic cotton, wool, and sisal. Note that not all rapidly renewable materials are included in GreenSpec—non-organic cotton, for example, is highly pesticide-intensive. In some cases, even though a product qualifies for GreenSpec by virtue of its natural raw materials, it may have negatives that render it inappropriate for certain uses—such as high VOC levels that cause problems for people with chemical sensitivities.

3. Products That Avoid Toxic or Other Emissions

Some building products are considered green because they have low manufacturing impacts, because they are alternatives to conventional products made from chemicals considered problematic, or because they facilitate a reduction in polluting emissions from building maintenance. In the GreenSpec criteria, a few product components were singled out for avoidance in most cases: substances that deplete stratospheric ozone, and those associated with ecological or health hazards including mercury and halogenated compounds. In a few cases, these substances may be included in a “green” product if that product has significant environmental benefits (for example, low energy or water use).

These substitutes for products made with environmentally hazardous components may not, in themselves, be particularly green (i.e., they may be petrochemical-based or relatively high in VOCs), but relative to the products being replaced they can be considered green. Most of the products satisfying this criterion are in categories that are dominated by the more harmful products—such as foam insulation categories in which most products contain HCFCs. We have created several subcategories here for green products:

3a. Natural or minimally processed products — Products that are natural or minimally processed can be green because of low energy use and low risk of chemical releases during manufacture. These can include wood products, agricultural or nonagricultural plant products, and mineral products such as natural stone and slate shingles.

3b. Alternatives to ozone-depleting substances — Included here are categories where the majority of products still contain or use HCFCs: rigid foam insulation and compression-cycle HVAC equipment.

3c. Alternatives to hazardous products — Some materials provide a better alternative in an application dominated by products for which there are concerns about toxic constituents, intermediaries, or by-products. Fluorescent lamps with low mercury levels are included here, along with form release agents that won’t contaminate water or soils with toxicants. Also included here are alternatives to products made with chlorinated hydrocarbons such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated fire retardants.

3d. Products that reduce or eliminate pesticide treatments — Periodic pesticide treatment around buildings can be a significant health and environmental hazard. The use of certain products can obviate the need for pesticide treatments, and such products are therefore considered green. Examples include physical termite barriers, borate-treated building products, and bait systems that eliminate the need for broad-based pesticide application.

3e. Products that reduce stormwater pollution — Porous paving products and green (vegetated) roofing systems result in less stormwater runoff and thereby reduce surface water pollution. Stormwater treatment systems reduce pollutant levels in any water that is released.

3f. Products that reduce impacts from construction or demolition activities — Included here are various erosion-control products, foundation products that eliminate the need for excavation, and exterior stains that result in lower VOC emissions into the atmosphere. Fluorescent lamp and ballast recyclers and low-mercury fluorescent lamps reduce environmental impacts during demolition (as well as renovation).

3g. Products that reduce pollution or waste from operations — Alternative wastewater disposal systems reduce groundwater pollution by decomposing organic wastes or removing nutrients more effectively. Masonry fireplaces burn fuel-wood more completely with fewer emissions than conventional fireplaces and wood stoves. Recycling bins and compost systems enable occupants to reduce their solid waste generation.

4. Products That Save Energy or Water

The ongoing environmental impacts that result from energy and water used in operating a building often far outweigh the impacts associated with building it. Many products are included in GreenSpec for these benefits. There are several quite distinct subcategories:

Sample GreenSpec Standards for Selected Equipment

[enlarge image]

4a. Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads — Examples include structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs), autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks, and high-performance windows and glazings. As these energy-saving products gain market acceptance, our threshold for inclusion in GreenSpec may become more stringent. For example, we may begin including only SIPs and ICFs with steady-state R-values above a certain threshold or with other environmental features, such as recycled-content foam insulation. Some products, such as insulation, clearly offer environmental benefits but are so common that they need other environmental features to qualify for GreenSpec.

In the case of windows, the base standard for energy performance of windows is an NFRC-rated unit U-factor of 0.25 or lower for at least one product in a listed product line. If the windows are made from an environmentally attractive material (e.g., high recycled content or superb durability), the energy standard is less stringent: U-factor of 0.30 or lower. If the frame material is nongreen, such as PVC (vinyl), the energy standard is more stringent: U-factor of 0.20 or lower. There are a few exceptions to these standards, such as high-recycled-content windows made for unheated buildings.

4b. Equipment that conserves energy and manages loads — With energy-consuming equipment, such as water heaters and refrigerators, we have good data on energy consumption and can set clear standards accordingly. In most product categories—e.g., refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers—we set higher thresholds than Energy Star^®: for example, exceeding those standards by 10% or 20%. With lighting and lighting control equipment, certain generic products qualify, such as compact fluorescent lamps and occupancy/daylighting controls, while in other categories only a subset of products qualify. (See table for GreenSpec standards for certain types of equipment.) In some cases, products that meet the energy efficiency requirements are excluded, because of evidence of poor performance or durability. Microturbines are included here because of the potential for cogeneration (combined heat and power) that they offer. Ice- or chilled-water thermal energy storage (TES) equipment is also included because it helps reduce peak loads, which in turn can reduce energy costs and lower the impact of electricity generation.

4c. Renewable energy and fuel cell equipment — Equipment and products that enable us to use renewable energy instead of fossil fuels and conventional electricity are highly beneficial from an environmental standpoint. Examples include solar water heaters, photovoltaic systems, and wind turbines. Fuel cells are also included here, even though fuel cells today nearly always use natural gas or another fossil fuel as the hydrogen source—they are considered green because emissions are lower than combustion-based equipment and because the use of fuel cells will help us eventually move beyond fossil fuel dependence.

4d. Fixtures and equipment that conserve water — All toilets and most showerheads today meet the federal water efficiency standards, but not all of these products perform satisfactorily. With toilets and showerheads we include products that meet the federal standards and have dependably good performance. We include in GreenSpec only toilets that offer at least 20% water savings, compared with the federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), and we have adopted the Maximum Performance (MaP) standard for the performance of most toilets—requiring a minimum rating of 65 grams of test media removal per liter of flush volume. Some other products, such as rainwater catchment systems, are also included.

5. Products That Contribute to a Safe, Healthy Built Environment

Buildings should be healthy to live or work in and around, and product selection is a significant determinant of indoor environment quality. Green building products that help to ensure a healthy built environment can be separated into several categories:

5a. Products that do not release significant pollutants into the building — Included here are zero- and low-VOC paints, caulks, and adhesives, as well as products with very low emissions, such as nonformaldehyde manufactured wood products. Just how low the VOC level needs to be for a given product to qualify for inclusion in GreenSpec depends on the product category. Ideally those standards should be based not on simple VOC content, but on resultant VOC concentrations in the space after a given period of time—EPA is working on such data for paints (including a way to factor in higher impacts for more toxic VOCs), but this information is not yet available.

5b. Products that block the introduction, development, or spread of indoor contaminants — Certain materials and products are green because they prevent the generation or introduction of pollutants—especially biological contaminants—into occupied space. Duct mastic, for example, can block the entry of mold-laden air or insulation fibers into a duct system. “Track-off” systems for entryways help to remove pollutants from the shoes of people entering. Coated ductboard—compared with standard rigid fiberglass ductboard—prevents fiber shedding and helps control mold growth. And linoleum helps to control microbial growth because of the ongoing process of linoleic acid oxidation.

5c. Products that remove indoor pollutants — Qualifying for inclusion here are certain ventilation products, filters, radon mitigation equipment, and other equipment and devices that help to remove pollutants or introduce fresh air. Because ventilation equipment is now fairly standard, only products that are particularly efficient or quiet, or that have other environmental benefits are included.

5d. Products that warn occupants of health hazards in the building — Included here are carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, lead paint test kits, and other IAQ test kits. Because CO detectors are so common, other features are needed to qualify such products for GreenSpec, such as evidence of superb performance.

5e. Products that improve light quality — There is a growing body of evidence that natural daylight is beneficial to our health and productivity (see EBN Vol. 8, No. 9). Products that enable us to bring daylight into a building, including tubular skylights, specialized commercial skylights, and fiber-optic daylighting systems, are included in GreenSpec. Some other products, such as full-spectrum lighting systems and highly reflective ceiling panels, could also be included in GreenSpec under this criterion.

5f. Products that help control noise — Noise, both from indoor and outside sources, adds to stress and discomfort. A wide range of products are available to help absorb noise, prevent it from spreading, masking it, and even reducing it with sound-cancellation technologies.

5g. Products that enhance community well-being — Looking beyond the walls of a building, many products can contribute to safer neighborhoods, increasing walkability and making high-density communities appealing.

Final Thoughts

The primary intent with any green building products directory is to simplify the product selection process. Such directories, including GreenSpec, are designed to save you time. For a directory to properly serve your needs, you must be able to
trust it—you must have confidence that the process used to select products for inclusion is logical and based on good information and careful analysis. In this article, we have attempted to lay out our process for selecting products for the GreenSpec directory.

Sidebar:
Summary of Product Standards for GreenSpec
1a. Salvaged products
1b. Products with post-consumer recycled content
1c. Products with pre-consumer recycled content
1d. Products made with agricultural waste material
2. Products That Conserve Natural Resources
2a. Products that reduce ma...
Read More...

We are also providing this information so that you can critique it. We print updated copies of GreenSpec periodically, and we update the online version every week. That means not just ensuring that we have up-to-date contact information and product descriptions, but also regularly reexamining our standards for what should (and should not) be included. In the next edition of GreenSpec certain products will be kicked out—not because they have gotten worse from an environmental standpoint, but because we have reevaluated our standards for inclusion. As more low-VOC paints reach the market, we will likely tighten our standards because we want to include only the very best products. As we consider modifying our standards, we’d like to hear from users of this information. Are our standards too tight in a given area? Are they too lax? What other criteria should we consider adding to our product-evaluation process? We welcome your suggestions and comments by e-mail at: greenspec@BuildingGreen.com.

Finally, we have laid out our standards for GreenSpec to advance the development of new, greener products. We want to make it as easy as possible for manufacturers to understand what we consider to be green—so that they can strive to meet those criteria. Doing so will make more green building products available to us all and help to reduce the overall impacts of construction.

– Alex Wilson