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Green -
News
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Written by Pat Guth
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While the remodeling of existing older buildings to make
them more energy efficient is certainly a necessity, it doesn't come without
its hazards. Remember, older homes and commercial buildings probably contain
all sorts of toxins, most notably asbestos. The miracle of the 20th
century building industry, touted for its amazing heat- and fire-resistant
properties, this hazardous mineral can be found in attics, wrapped around pipes
and furnaces, and even in walls, floors, and ceilings, especially in buildings
constructed prior to 1980. Rare forms of cancer may result from exposure,
including peritoneal
mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma so a safe transition is vital.
Once the asbestos is addressed and then removed by a
licensed professional and disposed of properly, green insulation options should
be given serious consideration. The Department of Energy says heating and
cooling accounts for 50-70 percent of the energy used in the average American
home so finding sound and healthy insulation options are a necessity. Today,
these options can save natural resources as well. Eco-friendly insulations are
often made of recycled materials and include cellulose (old shredded newspapers
treated for fire resistance), cotton fiber (usually made of recycled batted
denim), and spray polyurethane foam.
Statistics show that the foam, for example, can cut energy
costs by about 35 percent annually, according to studies done by manufacturers.
The other projects claim similar figures. And because these are recycled
materials, less waste is going to the nation's already crowded landfills.
Savings of Green
Construction
Thankfully the idea of "building green" is gradually
becoming much more than a trend. Builders and investors are recognizing that
eco-friendly construction provides not only long-term positive environmental
benefits but also immediate financial payoffs as well.
Cities throughout the U.S. and the world are also slowly
recognizing the necessity of green construction practices in the remodeling and
renovating of older residential and commercial facilities, taking advantage of
loans offered to them by various foundations, designated for the purpose of
upgrading lighting and heating and cooling systems in aging buildings, where
the most energy is consumed.
Such initiatives also prompt the need for healthier and more
cost-efficient options in the world of building materials. Indeed, the United
Nations Environmental Program says that the use of recycled building materials,
like cotton fiber insulation, in addition to the installation of energy saving
appliances and the maximization of natural lighting in a building, can reduce
energy use energy use by 25 to 35 percent. In some best-case scenarios, they say,
results have been as high as 80 percent.
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), in a study
conducted in 2003, estimated a savings of $50-$65 per square foot for
well-constructed green buildings in the U.S. (see table below) during that
year. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become
available, and those kinds of figures have finally begun to attract those who
thought eco-friendly construction was just a bunch of hogwash.
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Type of Benefit
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20-year Net Present Value / sq. feet
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Energy Savings
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$5.80
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Emissions Savings
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$1.20
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Water Savings
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$0.50
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Operations and Maintenance Savings
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$8.50
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Productivity and Health Benefits
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$36.90 - $55.30
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Subtotal
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$52.90 - $71.30
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Initial Investment in Green
Building Practices
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$3.00 - $5.00
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Total 20-year Net Benefit
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$50 - $65
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Source: USGBC Capital E
Analysis, 2003.
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Health -
News
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Written by Administrator
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The Ohio Supreme Court recently ruled that a 2004 law, which enforces
stricter rules on persons suing for asbestos-related injuries, can now be
applicable to suits pending before the 2004 law was passed. The 5-2 vote could
lead to the dismissal of many of the 40,000 cases filed in Ohio before the law
was put into place.
The state Supreme Court claims the 2004 law is in accordance with Ohio's
state constitution because the changes were considered "remedial and
procedural," thus not in violation of the Ohio Constitution, which bans
retroactive laws that change the nature or substance of legislation.
The 2004 legislation mandates that a medical expert must treat the
plaintiff, not just review the claimant's files. Additionally, plaintiffs must
present medical evidence that exposure to asbestos, which is known to cause
terminal diseases such as mesothelioma
and asbestosis, caused their disease or medical impairment.
The ruling could have implications in states such as Georgia, Kansas,
Florida, and others that have tried to enact laws that effectively diminish the
amount of asbestos-related litigation. The Georgia Supreme Court ruled out the
retroactivity of the state's asbestos litigation law, which prompted state
lawmakers to pass another piece of legislation that has yet to be challenged in
court. In Florida, a similar law has been challenged in the courts and a ruling
is slated for next year. Another similar law in Kansas has not been challenged
in the courts.
Many asbestos-related lawsuits are brought on behalf of those suffering with
pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of the rare cancer. These persons
are seeking compensation (and mesothelioma surgery is costly) to help pay for their medical bills from mesothelioma
treatments and the costs incurred from being diagnosed with the terminal
disease. Mesothelioma settlements can range but some cases reach the millions.
Mesothelioma lawyers and human rights activists claim the Ohio Supreme Court
ruling clearly favors big business and asbestos corporations over injured Ohio
citizens who are undoubtedly suffering from asbestos-induced medical
conditions.
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Politics -
News
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Written by I A.M
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What’s up people? I'm writing a blog on
myspace for the 1st time ever because today is a day that merits me taking time
off to do so. We have come so far as a country, and have come closer to
embracing the ideals that "all men are created equal" . Today we have
uplifted The United States of America as a democracy where every citizen
has a voice and a say about their future. The American people have spoken and
Obama has won by a landslide. I A.M not
writing to give some superficial explanation of how now, we are going to
live in a perfect country, and all of our lives are going to change as a result
of our new government and president. I want to be clear, I did not vote for
Obama because he is to be the 1st black president, or because he was the
popular choice, or because his slogan was change.
I voted for a Harvard law
graduate who was 1st in his class. A man who's dedicated his life towards
public service, and a man who will bring about change simply because he's got
the God given brains to do so (man it’s about time we have some brains in
the white house!). I voted for a man that will make my future, and the future
of my family better. I A.M not one who makes
$250,000 a yr. I A.M in the 95% category
that would love for the wealth to be spread around a little bit, because
sometimes its DAMN HARD. I A.M however,
writing to those friends and family that have embraced the idea that Mccain is
for God and Obama is not. Those who have the silly misconception that Obama
might be a terrorist, communist, or worst , the Anti-Christ. I have the fortune
to be surrounded by friends and family that don’t always share the same
political and religious views as me. I A.M
indebted to these people because they force me daily, to study both sides of
any story. I A.M learned and educated because I
refuse to come across as ignorant over daily lunch and dinner conversations. So
it is my responsibility to deal with this!
Firstly, to
those who have said that Barack Hussein Obama is a terrorist I say "prove
it"! General Colin Powel, one of the brightest minds in U.S politics
endorsed Obama because he's a terrorist, right? The REPUBLICAN General who
under Bush was in charge of armed forces in desert storm endorsed Obama;. What
was the reason for the endorsement? Mr.
Powell told reporters after the taping of “Meet the Press” that he
had been disturbed in recent weeks by the negative tone of Mr. McCain’s
campaign, …The McCain campaign has sought to promote the idea that Mr.
Obama is “palling around with terrorists,” in the words of Mr. McCain’s
running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, because of Mr. Obama’s weak links to Mr.
-Ayers.- So the once Republican secretary of state shunned the notion that
he was a terrorist despite Palin suggesting he was. How about the comments that
I’ve heard about Obama not being Christian. The notion that A Muslim
president would be the end of the world even though it couldn’t be
farther from the truth. How can we be so quick to defend our Christian faith
that teaches humility, patience, tolerance and yet be so far removed from Islam
which has the same roots. Why didn’t a single Christian stand up against
George W. when he decapitated Hussein on the Muslims high holiday of Eid al-Adha? Sure
Hussein was a dictator and tyrant but couldn’t it have waited another day?
Maybe Bush could’ve executed him two days earlier. That was
a huge slap to the face to Muslims everywhere and yet none of it was ever
mentioned on American television. If we can agree that the very foundations of
this country revolve around religious freedoms we must also agree that the
disrespect shown to Muslims was a breakdown of this precious freedom.
Secondly, to those that believe that all socialism is synonymous with
communism are entertaining the idea that our closest allies are communist. Most
if not all countries in Europe will embrace a certain small degree of
socialism. As a result they enjoy tremendous benefits, phenomenal health care,
and look forward to a relaxing retirement. If you don’t believe that
health care needs socialization you probably haven’t lived with the fear
that if your daughter gets sick you might lose everything you have. Families
have lost homes and have had to declare bankruptcy due to a healthcare that
falls 37th in the world because of greedy private companies. We can look at a
social security system that might not have enough funds after the baby boomers
retire. 401 k's that have plummeted as a result of a stock market crash.
Americans work harder than any other country and also vacation less than any
other country. By the way, we are also very unhealthy, more heart attacks than
any other country as a result of overwork and stress. At some point the
government would need to step in the same way others have so
that we too may enjoy these benefits.
Last,
and Most certainly not least, this theory from Christians that believe
that every man in power that has a different political agenda is the anti
Christ is plain ridiculous and absurd!!! Read your bibles people and stop
listening to a man that learned from a man that learned from another man.
Sunday after sunday we follow ridiculous theories from pastors that would be
dumbfounded if they were to actually read the bible instead of an outline for
next Sundays sermon. These "canned sermons" are not geared to get you
closer to God but to do, say and pay the way they and their teachers
want you too. WAKE UP and become a leader and not a follower! So I will end
with this Anti Christ 101. The 1st time the anti Christ comes up in the bible
is in Daniel 7. In that Chapter Daniel has a vision. He sees 4 beasts and the
fourth being more powerful and stronger than the first 3. It mentions that the
fourth beast had 10 horns and that a "little horn" came up from the
ten and destroyed 3 horns. The beast very simply are world kingdoms (verse
23)so the horn is simply a king. There have been 4 world empires, Babylon, Medo
Persia, Greece and Rome. The Anti- Christ will destroy 3 horns or kings (verse
24) and most importantly will change times and laws. The most prevalent and
strongest warning about the antichrist comes in Revelation
13:15-18 “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast,
that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would
not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,
to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of
the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast:
for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and
six”.(666). Ok, so the anti- Christ is A Religious-Political figure that
rises from a World Kingdom, Changed Times and Laws, and makes people
worship, and his name adds up to 666. The United States is not a (whole) world
empire, Obama did not subdue 3 kings from 3 different countries to gain power.
Obama has not changed a single law and has not changed time. Obama does not
make people worship and his name does not add up to 666. So therefore he is not
and can’t be the anti- Christ. In fact the Anti - Christ is more like a
religious zealot that wants to enforce biblical or religious laws, blend Church
and State and forces people to worship. If you really want to be a little
closer or at least sound like you know what you’re talking about try a
man that calls himself “equal to the son of God” and wears the
title Vicarious
Filii Dei . Add that name up in roman numerals and see what number
you come up with people (now you’re getting hotter).
In conclusion, I don’t agree with abortion, and
I’m not far left either, but I would much rather have free will to choose
what is wrong and what is right than to have somebody force it upon me. After
all isn’t that the way God made us? Now more than ever it is time to
accept who our President is and stand up as Americans. For the 1st time in a
long time I feel like making a difference. I feel like I can make a change. I
feel proud of who I am and of my direction. For the 1st time in a long time I
can say I’m proud to be an American.
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Green -
News
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Written by Patricia Guth
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For much of the country, fall is in the air and the nights
and early mornings are starting to dip below freezing. For some, it's a welcome
change from hot summer days and sticky summer nights. Other folks aren't so
fond of the cold weather, counting the days until spring peeks its head through
the chilly frost, producing colorful flowers and warm days once again.
Unfortunately, there are those of us who have to live with
the cold and many who live in older, drafty houses that sometimes chill to the
bone. I have a friend who lives in a beautiful Victorian home in suburban
Philadelphia that's simply stunning but fails to keep its residents warm and
toasty during sometimes bitter cold months like January and February. This
long-time friend recently decided to do something more about the poor
insulation in her 100+-year-old home, noting that her aging bones and muscles
weren't dealing with the chill the way they once did.
Being more of a money-saver than a green proponent, she
began to research the "cheapest' way to upgrade the insulation in her huge
home, which has three stories, five bedrooms, and lots of high ceilings. Before
she made any definite decisions, a few eco-conscious friends encouraged her to
investigate some alternatives to the classic pink fiberglass stuff that has
been wreaking havoc with people's health for decades. Fiberglass is destined -
according to many experts - to someday be "the new asbestos". These experts
expect to soon see an onslaught of lawsuits connected to the use of fiberglass,
not unlike the lawsuits for asbestos-caused mesothelioma lawyer
cases that clog the court dockets today, with individuals like shipbuilders and
construction workers seeking mesothelioma
settlements for the severe health problems they now face.
My friend was pleasantly surprised at her options and soon
decided that going green wasn't all that expensive and may be the right
direction for her, especially since she suffers from severe allergies at
particular seasons of the year. She investigated three options;
- Cellulose
- Some people chuckle when they learn that this insulation product is simply
finely-shredded newsprint treated with a chemical to reduce mold and strengthen
fire and heat resistance. They don't laugh, however, when they learn that
statistics show it reduces energy bills as much as 20-25 percent per year. It's
become one of the most popular green insulating materials on the market.
- Cotton fiber -
Not unlike cellulose, cotton fiber insulation has been known to also reduce
annual energy costs. It's generally crafted from a batted cotton material like
denim then treated with borate - a natural fire-retardant - which obviously
increases its fire resistance. Some people jokingly call it "Blue Jean
Insulation." But the best reason to use it is that it's TOTALLY non-toxic,
releasing no off-gasses. One popular brand, Ultra Touch by Bonded Logic, was
recently touted in Newsweek magazine.
- Spray Polyurethane Foams - My friend wasn't
so impressed with some of these because, after some research, she discovered
that many of them release PBDEs (polybrominated diethyl ethers), which -
studies show - can cause some mental health problems. One variety, icynene,
does not contain PBDEs, but its installation turned out to be rather expensive.
If you're willing to foot the bill, however, icynene works well and reduces
energy bills by up to 35 percent, manufacturers say.
Ultimately, my friend went with
the "Blue Jean Insulation." I think she somehow liked to imagine recycled Levis
lining the attic in her grand Victorian home. Though winter hasn't fully set in
yet, she says she notices the difference and already feels like the air in her
home is more pure. She's probably right.
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Green -
News
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Written by Patricia Guth
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Internal Environmental Quality
What fills your lungs inside your home may be worse that what you’re breathing outside!
For decades, the word “pollution” has been on the docket of every politician campaigning for one office or another. Cleaning up our air, our water, and our overall outdoor environment has been a huge priority since the 1960s, when the word “air pollution” first came into vogue. We’ve fought for emission laws, battled against companies that empty hazardous chemicals into our streams, and have made numerous other attempts to reduce the carbon footprint stamped on our outside world.
But what about the world inside our homes and offices? Surely, aside from a few germs and bacteria spread by family members and co-workers, our interior domains – for the most part – keep us safe and healthy, don’t they?
Not really. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "known health effects of indoor pollutants include asthma; cancer; developmental defects and delays, including effects on vision, hearing, growth, intelligence, and learning; and effects on the cardiovascular system.” (Source: Healthy Buildings, Healthy People: A Vision for the 21st Century) And when you consider that the average American spends 90 percent of his/her time indoors, it’s easy to understand why cancer rates and the number of people affected by other environmental diseases are through the roof!I know a florida probate lawyer who sees consumer ignorance all of the time, as people remodel homes they inherit without first checking out all safety provisions.
Hazards of Old Homes and Workplaces
Indoor environmental contaminants weren’t much of an issue when America was involved in the post-World War II building frenzy. The biggest concern was providing homes for all those growing baby boomer families, so houses went up quickly. Builders like William Levitt – famous for his many “Levittown” developments – constructed thousands upon thousands of homes in just a few years time, enticing homebuyers to the suburbs of America’s great cities where they could buy mass-produced homes cheaply.
Of course, not ever quickly-built, inexpensively-priced home of yesteryear was toxic, but many probably contained one of the biggest hazards of the 20th century – asbestos. Little or no thought was given to the use of this naturally-mined mineral; everyone was impressed by its heat- and fire-resistant qualities, and because it was readily available, it was cheap and easy to obtain.
However, during the last 30 years, asbestos has emerged as the poster child for indoor environmental toxins, sickening not only those who worked in the construction industry of that era but also homeowners and do-it-yourselfers who came in contact with toxic forms of the mineral.
While bundled, intact asbestos generally causes no release of toxins and may merely require containment, damaged or old asbestos in both homes and commercial buildings can be a real stinker. “Friable” asbestos – the old stuff that crumbles and flakes off – is easily inhaled and absorbed into the lungs, where it wreaks havoc with pulmonary function. While not everyone who inhales asbestos develops asbestos-related diseases, the risk is very real, especially when asbestos is disturbed during renovation or demolition projects. Asbestos was used in various sorts of insulation and could also be found in floor tiles, “popcorn” ceilings, drywall glue, and myriad other building products. It’s often encountered during remodeling, much to the surprise of many homeowners.
And because most asbestos diseases, such as the cancer peritoneal mesothelioma, remain latent for 30-40 years, many individuals who were unaware of the dangers of working with asbestos – including both homeowners and construction workers – are just learning that they’re battling this dreaded disease. By the time it is recognized, it is too late and no mesothelioma surgery or any other treatment options result in a cure.
New Homes?
Of course, the building boom continues in America, despite economic woes, and we no longer have to worry about asbestos and other similar toxins, do we?
Ever walk through a poshly-decorated sample home and take a deep whiff of that “new home” smell? Aah…doesn’t it smell marvelous? Fresh paint, new carpets…all those things you’d want in your brand new abode. Nothing to worry about here. No asbestos, no lead paint. Just a safe and clean place to live, free from all the contaminants found in old homes that were built before toxins were a concern, right?
Wrong! Various scientific studies have shown that our tightly sealed homes of the 21st century are full of toxins. Remember that “new home” smell? That’s just a plethora of cancer-causing vapors drifting through your home, cleverly disguised as those “fresh and clean” smells that are expected in new construction. These petro-chemical concoctions from products such as synthetic carpets, toxic paints, particle board, and OSB (a.k.a. wafer board) are slowly sickening the inhabitants of newer homes and offices and most Americans simply don’t realize this is the case.
So, what’s the answer? Green building experts will tell you it all has to do with reducing what they like to call VOCs – volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde – at the source. These compounds cause cancer, skin ailments, and any number of other diseases, like asthma, which is at an all-time high among the nation’s children.
Asbestos may be a thing of the past, but today’s widely-used inexpensive building materials are destined to be the new asbestos. Formaldehyde, for example, is everywhere. You’ll find it in pressed wood cabinets and furniture, paints, glues, draperies, and in fuel-burning appliances. Eliminating formaldehyde at the source by choosing eco-friendly building products significantly reduces exposure to toxins and increases the internal environmental quality of a home or office.
Building green has never made so much sense and more and more green builders are emerging. Buyers of new homes and renovators of old ones, however, must be willing to go the extra mile and spend the extra dollar on building products that make sense. The quality of our indoor spaces – in a time when Americans spend way too much time indoors – is an issue which must be addressed with ongoing fervor – a fervor necessary in order to avoid another asbestos-like environmental catastrophe.
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Green -
News
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Written by Lloyds Apple
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Hurricane Ike has swept through the Gulf Coast and as expected, many businesses and homes were destroyed. This was foreseen in the days leading up to Ike’s landfall but the true cost in terms of loss of natural resources, wildlife and human life is hard to measure.
As the Atlantic Ocean continues to warm up hurricanes are becoming more frequent and powerful. While the threat of terrorism is resulting in billions of dollars spent towards a variety of wars, it is becoming increasingly evident that American citizens need to wake up to natural disasters on our homeland and step up to help those in need, regardless of what actions the government does or does not take.
Action is crucial in times like these but it’s vital to do things the safest way possible because sometimes people can make a situation worse. Here are some ways to best clean up Texas in the aftermath of hurricane Ike and what dangers to look out for.
- Check your home’s exterior and hose down debris and mud left by floodwater. Beware of interior doors that stick because it could indicate a ceiling ready to fall.
- Use fans, dehumidifiers and products such as calcium chloride pellets and cat litter to get rid of excess moisture.
- Remove wet wallpaper - damp wallpaper paste is a prime location for mold to grow.
- Ask a contractor or building inspector to check for mold damage after a flood.
- Scrub all interior surfaces that were in contact with floodwaters with bleach or a household disinfectant containing bleach
- If a house is destroyed, partially torn down or will need to be torn down, make sure your home is properly inspected for asbestos. Once old asbestos is exposed, it can lead to breathing problems and even a deadly cancer known as mesothelioma.(read more)

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