http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:51:19 -0700 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:02:00 -0700 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d19-Energy-Star-office-buildings-increase-sick-days?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner A UC San Diego study of “green” office buildings found that a number of tenants reported increased sick days after moving into Energy Star office buildings. Sick days did not increase when tenants moved into LEED certified office build... formaldehyde Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:02:00 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d19-Energy-Star-office-buildings-increase-sick-days?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d17-Familys-illness-due-to-formaldehyde-from-WilliamsSonoma-furniture?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Tara Lucas learned that her headaches and her children’s respiratory illnesses were due to formaldehyde from MDF doors and trim in her Los Altos home. Tara removed the doors that emitted formaldehyde, and she installed mechanical ventilation... formaldehyde Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:17:59 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d17-Familys-illness-due-to-formaldehyde-from-WilliamsSonoma-furniture?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d17-Scientists-and-OSHA-investigate-radioactive-granite?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Radioactive granite was a hot topic at a recent scientific symposium. A number of scientists presented data on gamma radiation and radon gas emitted from countertop granite. Silicon Valley industrial hygienist Linda Kincaid presented a case st... Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:32:15 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d17-Scientists-and-OSHA-investigate-radioactive-granite?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d9-Familys-illness-due-to-formaldehyde-from-Pottery-Barn-furniture?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Stan and Andrea Bassett were ill for months after they insulated and installed double pane windows in their 1940s Burlingame home. They had thousands of dollars in medical tests and medications. Eventually their doctors told them their problems were ... formaldehyde Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:03:22 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d9-Familys-illness-due-to-formaldehyde-from-Pottery-Barn-furniture?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d6-Free-formaldehyde-testing-for-new-homes-in-Los-Altos?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner New homes in Los Altos tend to have elevated formaldehyde. Exposure to formaldehyde causes asthma, bronchitis, sinus infections, headaches, and sleep disorders.Late 2007, the City of Los Altos passed an ordinance requiring new homes to be GreenPoint ... formaldehyde Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:24:55 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m10d6-Free-formaldehyde-testing-for-new-homes-in-Los-Altos?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Formaldehyde-in-GreenPoint-Rated-homes--Built-It-Green-is-befuddled-by-testing-protocols?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Since February, we have cautioned Built It Green about poor indoor air quality in GreenPoint Rated homes. We shared data showing elevated formaldehyde in the majority of GreenPoint Rated homes we have tested.Build It Green is the private agency ... formaldehyde Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:33:10 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Formaldehyde-in-GreenPoint-Rated-homes--Built-It-Green-is-befuddled-by-testing-protocols?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Formaldehyde-in-GreenPoint-Rated-homes--Build-It-Green-shoots-the-messenger?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner City after city is requiring new homes to be GreenPoint Rated. Unfortunately, many GreenPoint Rated homes have enough formaldehyde in room air to make the occupants ill.Since last February, Silicon Valley industrial hygienist Linda Kincaid has repeat... formaldehyde Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:11:33 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Formaldehyde-in-GreenPoint-Rated-homes--Build-It-Green-shoots-the-messenger?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Radioactive-granite--Symposium-panel-addressed-the-state-of-the-debate?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Hundreds of scientists met in muggy St. Louis last week for the annual American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists Symposium. A hot item on the agenda was a panel discussion of radioactive granite.Silicon Valley industrial hygienist Li... Granite Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:54:47 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Radioactive-granite--Symposium-panel-addressed-the-state-of-the-debate?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d28-Formaldehyde-in-GreenPoint-Rated-Homes--Build-It-Green-provides-misinformation-on-California-Sectio?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner GreenPoint Rated homes are more likely to have elevated concentrations of formaldehyde, a toxic gas that causes respiratory irritation and asthma. Testing data show that GreenPoint Rated homes have unhealthy levels of formaldehyde.Build It Green is h... formaldehyde Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:11:52 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d28-Formaldehyde-in-GreenPoint-Rated-Homes--Build-It-Green-provides-misinformation-on-California-Sectio?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d21-Acrolein--formaldehyde--Toxic-chemicals-from-selfcleaning-ovens?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Substantial amounts of acrolein and formaldehyde can be emitted from self-cleaning ovens on the first cleaning cycle. The gases are released from the insulation around the oven when it gets hot.Acrolein is another name for acrylic aldehyde. It is a c... formaldehyde Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:51:27 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d21-Acrolein--formaldehyde--Toxic-chemicals-from-selfcleaning-ovens?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d13-Formaldehyde--Toxic-chemical-in-furniture?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Stan and Andrea Bassett were convinced that something in their home was making them ill. Both have missed work due to illness. They have had thousands of dollars in medical costs.Stan and Andrea feel fine when they stay with Stan’s parents. The... formaldehyde Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:13:56 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d13-Formaldehyde--Toxic-chemical-in-furniture?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d13-Radioactive-granite--Industry-study-ignores-the-problem?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner The granite industry funded a study of radioactive granite. Their goal was to establish that gamma radiation and radon emitted from granite do not pose a health risk. Unfortunately, the industry neglected to test granites that could be a problem.The ... Granite Sun, 13 Sep 2009 11:21:39 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d13-Radioactive-granite--Industry-study-ignores-the-problem?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d8-Elevated-formaldehyde-in-new-Los-Altos-homes?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner New homes in Los Altos tend to have higher formaldehyde than new homes in surrounding cities. Many new homes in Los Altos have more formaldehyde than the Katrina FEMA trailers.We measured formaldehyde in new unoccupied homes around Santa Clara County... formaldehyde Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:04:18 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d8-Elevated-formaldehyde-in-new-Los-Altos-homes?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d8-Formaldehyde--Toxic-chemical-in-velvet-hangars?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner A Burlingame couple has been ill for months due to formaldehyde exposure. Hangars and closet organizer boxes were the largest source of formaldehyde in their bedroom.These popular “velvet” hangars are sold on-line and through major brick ... formaldehyde Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:09:04 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d8-Formaldehyde--Toxic-chemical-in-velvet-hangars?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d4-Avoiding-palm-oil-is-good-for-health-and-good-for-orangutans?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner This month’s Animail from the San Francisco Zoo explains that tropical rain forests are being clear cut for palm oil plantations. Many forests in Indonesia and Malaysia have been burned and cut.Wildlife that depends on the complex tropical ecos... Food Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:12:45 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d4-Avoiding-palm-oil-is-good-for-health-and-good-for-orangutans?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Radioactive-granite--Occupational-dust-exposure?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Radioactive granite countertops are a concern for homeowners. However, the greater health concern is radioactive granite dust inhaled by fabricators. Granite fabricators can be exposed to considerably more radiation than nuclear power plant workers.I... Granite Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:21:57 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Radioactive-granite--Occupational-dust-exposure?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d1-Formaldehyde--Bake-out-is-not-adequate?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner A consultant for the Formaldehyde Council (FCI) recently recommended “bake out” of new homes to reduce formaldehyde in indoor air. Data from a 1963 home demonstrates that bake out is not adequate.Our 1963 Saratoga home had particleboard u... formaldehyde Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:56:46 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m9d1-Formaldehyde--Bake-out-is-not-adequate?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d28-Research-finds-elevated-formaldehyde-in-California-homes?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner Research in 2006-2007 found that modern California homes can have more formaldehyde than the average (77 ppb) in the Katrina FEMA trailers. The study found that air exchange rates are low, often as low as 0.2 air exchanges per hour (ACH). Some of tho... formaldehyde Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:46:11 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d28-Research-finds-elevated-formaldehyde-in-California-homes?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d20-Formaldehyde-in-GreenPoint-Rated-homes--Letter-to-Build-It-Green?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner We have repeatedly contacted Build It Green with our concerns about formaldehyde in GreenPoint Rated homes. These concerns have not been well received by Build It Green staff. However, the health of families is at stake.Yesterday, we sent the fo... formaldehyde Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:20:27 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d20-Formaldehyde-in-GreenPoint-Rated-homes--Letter-to-Build-It-Green?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d20-Radioactive-granite--Saratoga-man-tests-before-buying?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner The following comments are from a Saratoga man, testing granite for radiation. We have not confirmed the events described below, but his experiences are consistent with our own. Homeowners wishing to confirm these statements should contact the v... Radiation Granite Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:19:49 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5101-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d20-Radioactive-granite--Saratoga-man-tests-before-buying?cid=exrss-San-Jose-Environmental-Health-Examiner