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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A study released today in California has far reaching effect and probably all the way into metro homes.  The state is known for its strict chemical reporting laws and it’s identified 30 more chemicals that could cause cancer or reproductive and developmental health problems according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.  The Council led a coalition of labor and environmental groups seeking greater protection from suspect chemicals.

The list includes chemicals you might be using this time of year as they can be found in household weed killers and insecticides and gasoline additives.  Other chemicals could be found in industrial chemicals used to manufacture plastics, and adhesives.

Read your products carefully using the list below which includes how each chemical is used and the health issue California researchers link to it.  Researchers say 12 compounds may harm the male reproductive system and 11 may cause cancer while 8 may interfere with the normal development of fetuses, babies and children.  Two of the chemicals may harm the female reproductive system. 

Male Reproductive Toxicants

1.     n-Butyl glycidyl ether, a chemical used to make epoxy resins with a number of uses in common products

2.     Carbaryl, a household pesticide used to kill a range of insects, and sold as Sevin by GardenTech and Bayer (also a developmental toxicant)

3.     2-Chloropropionic acid, a chemical used to make herbicides

4.     Dichloroacetic acid, which forms in drinking water as a byproduct of disinfection using chlorine

5.     Diglycidyl ether, a chemical used to make epoxy resins

6.     Ethylene oxide, a chemical mainly used in the manufacturing of chemicals like antifreeze and polyester (also a developmental toxicant)

7.     Ethyl-tert-butyl ether, a common gasoline additive

8.     Methyl chloride, a chemical used primarily to make silicone polymers, but also used in other processes, including the oil refining

9.     Methyl n-butyl ketone, an industrial solvent

10.   Phenyl glycidyl ether, an industrial chemical

11.   1,3,5-Triglycidyl-s-triazinetrione, a constituent of some paints

12.   4-Vinyl-cyclohexene, a chemical used in the production of epoxy resins (also a female reproductive toxicant)

Carcinogens

1.     Amsacrine, a chemotherapy drug

2.     Bleomycins, antibiotics used in chemotherapy treatments

3.     Chlorophenoxy herbicides, including 2,4-D, are common weedkillers sold for lawn and garden use

4.     Marine diesel fuel

5.     Progestins, synthetic hormones found in some birth controls

6.     Styrene, an ingredient in many plastic and foam products

7.     Toxins derived from Fusarium moniliforme (Fusarium verticillioides), a fungus

8.     Vinyl acetate, a compound used to make polymers used in plastics, films, lacquers, adhesives, inks, water-based emulsion paints, floor tiling, safety glasses, cosmetics and personal care products and other goods

9.     Wood dust

10.   Zalcitabine, an HIV drug sold as Hivid

11.   Zidovudine (AZT), an HIV drug

Developmental Toxicants

1.     Tert-Amyl methyl ether, a common fuel additive

2.     Carbaryl, a household pesticide used to kill a range of insects, and sold as Sevin by GardenTech and Bayer (also a male reproductive toxicant)

3.     Chloroform, which is used in the manufacturing of other chemicals, and which can form in drinking water as a byproduct of disinfection using chlorine

4.     N,N-dimethylacetamide, a solvent used in industries ranging from fibers and adhesives to pharmaceuticals and plasticizers

5.     Ethylene oxide, a chemical mainly used in the manufacturing of chemicals like antifreeze and polyester (also a male reproductive toxicant)

6.     2-Ethylhexanoic acid, a chemical associated with phthalates and PVC plastics

7.     p,p’-Oxybis (benzenesulfonyl hydrazide), an industrial chemical

8.     Phenylphosphine, an industrial chemical

Female Reproductive Toxicants

1.     Toluene, a constituent of oil, is found in gasoline and is used to make paints, paint thinners, fingernail polish, lacquers, adhesives and rubber

2.     4-Vinyl-cyclohexene, a chemical used in the production of epoxy resins (also a male reproductive toxicant)

If you're an environmentalist, you'll appreciate perhaps the efforts of the Great Wolf Lodge which announced it is the first and only national hotel chain to be Green Seal certified.(www.greenseal.org)

To receive the Green Seal distinction the lodge implemented a plan that called Project Green Wolf.

To some, it may be amazing to think that a chain of indoor waterparks can be green, but over the last year, Great Wolf Resorts managers examined nearly every facet of their operations and made changes.

·         Water Reclamation: We have the best sanitation and filtration system technology in the world, making it possible to recycle most of the water in the waterpark every day.

·         Waste Minimization: Co-mingled recycling bins are stationed in all public areas, guest rooms, and employee areas.

• Energy Efficiency: Our lighting uses only energy-efficient bulbs.
• Environmentally & Socially Sensitive Purchasing: We only work with suppliers who help us be environmentally sensitive in our purchasing.
• Guest Education: We have developed children’s environmental entertainment and enlightenment programs with our partners at National Geographic Kids, including activity and learning areas, a Green Wolf TV channel, and interactive web content.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to save energy and keep cool this summer.  Here are some reminders.

• Don’t be a blow hard (it’s a waste of energy!) Running your AC all night or when you’re out wastes energy. Set your thermostat to cool just when you really need it, and to a reasonable temperature—72-75° F is sufficient for most people.
• Nuke it. Use your microwave to cook. Turning on the stove for small meals wastes energy and heats up your home.
• Decorate! Hang light colored window coverings. They reflect heat and light.
• Cover up. Keep window coverings closed on south- and west-facing windows during the day to keep temperatures from rising inside.
• Mind your ‘fridge. Clean coils help a refrigerator run more efficiently. The smoother it runs, the less heat it will release into your home.  
• Turn over a new leaf and grow house plants. According to NASA, they clean the air by converting pollutants into plant food. Clean air will make your home feel fresher.
• Don’t be a dim bulb! Use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) where appropriate. Regular lamps release about 90% of their energy as heat. CFLs use more of their energy to create light, not to heat your home.
• Ok - be a blow hard! Install an EnergyStar ceiling fan. Air movement makes people feel cooler  
• Give your house new clothes (so you shed less.) Insulate your walls and attic to keep hot air outside where it belongs!

Additional ideas can be found at:

http://www.sustainlane.com/reviews/putting-the-freeze-on-your-energy-bills-this-summer/4Y29S12CCPPB3NZTL2TXPLQN4VYD

A non-profit organization focused on energy efficiency, security and protection says Americans won't have to give up high tech lifestyle in an energy starved future.  The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy reports huge net energy efficiencies have already been achieved and more is expected over the next 20 years resulting in major savings for consumers along with hundreds of thousands of jobs.

That's the word out of Washington, DC and Silicon Valley, Ca.   Below is their latest news release about a study coming out Wednesday that talks about "the high tech energy paradox".  

While the emergence and widespread adoption of advanced microchip devices and related technology systems have been identified as principal drivers of the growth in economic productivity, their energy efficiency benefits have received much less attention.   This lack of recognition is likely due to what ACEEE refers to as “the high tech energy paradox” whereby analysts and consumers tend to pay more attention to the energy-consuming characteristics of specific semiconductor-supported devices than to the broader, economy-wide, energy-saving aspects of microchips and other technology advances.

The ACEEE study will show how much of the United States’ significant “energy intensity” achievements have resulted in large part from the explosive growth in technologies.   The study shows that semiconductor enabled technologies already have eliminated the need for more than 100 coal-fired power plants and are poised to transform how Americans generate, transmit, and use energy from 2010-2030, generating huge pocket book savings for consumers and businesses.

Pricechopper is among major retailers offering incentives to shop organic on Earth Day! It's part of a national campaign called Go Organic! for Earth Day  organized by Music Matters, The Earth Day Network and the Organic Trade Association (a 2009 Heart of Green Award nominee in the food category), and sponsored by many big organic food companies. The hope is to get buying buying and eating organic food by giving consumers $12 in coupons, and a chance to win a year's worth of organic groceries. Major retailers like Price Chopper and Shop Rite are participating (you can input your zip code at Go Organic! for Earth Day or download an iPhone app to find nearby participating stores) and you'll see promotions on Facebook and elsewhere.

Organic foods are grown without using manmade chemical pesticides or chemical fertizlers or synthetic growth hormones or genetically engineered organisms and antibiotics.  Environmentalists believe eating organic food is better for people and the earth.

Tonganoxie USD 464 sent out a release about a "green initiative" involving sixth grade students called BTU Crew.

The project is being made possible through a partnership with Trane, a leading global provider of facility solutions.  

The “green” curriculum program comes at an optimal time. The District has committed to modernize district facilities and implement sustainable, high performance learning environment improvements by utilizing the Kansas statutory fiscal tool K.S.A. 75-37,125 and Facility Conservation Improvement Program.  The “Green” high performance school improvements, which will be implemented by Trane, are documented to improve indoor air quality and increase ventilation, raise classroom thermal comfort, improve lighting, increase security surveillance to enhance student safety, automate the bus routing to optimize effective and efficient student transportation, while upgrading and replacing aging, inefficient, and/or ineffective infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life. 

The goal of the BTU Crew in the District is three-fold.  The basic premise of the curriculum is to teach middle school students about energy – what energy is, how to measure and conserve it, “green” collar careers, and ways that they can take action.  Students even conduct their own “energy audit” using the same real-time software that Trane energy experts use in the field, and conclude the program by writing letters to State Legislators.  In addition to general education, the BTU Crew hopes to encourage students to pursue STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and math) by introducing them to “green” careers and educating them on the career alternatives that are available to them at an early stage in their career development.  Finally, the BTU Crew helps students and the community to understand exactly what the District’s commitment to energy efficiency means and how it directly affects them.  Students will then be able to follow the project on an intimate level throughout its lifecycle.

Erin Rau, an Engineer with Trane, will be leading the sixth grade classes one day per week for six weeks.  Classes will begin in Tonganoxie on April 9th. 

For more information on the Trane BTU Crew, please contact Stephanie Leslie, sleslie@trane.com, (913) 599-4664.

A team of researchers from universities across the nation have been surveying green jobs literature and have determined that special interest groups are promoting the idea of green jobs and have embedded what researchers call dubious assumptions and techniques within their analyses.

The push for a green economy is supposed to improve environmjental quality, reduce unemployment and spur economic growth all at the same time. Researchers looked into the promises and came up with seven myths related to green jobs.

Everyone understands what a “green job is”                                

• Creating green jobs will boost productive employment
• Green jobs forecasts are reliable
• Green jobs promote employment growth
• The world economy can be remade by reducing trade and relying on local production and reduced consumption without dramatically decreasing our standard of living
• Government mandates are a substitute for free markets
• Wishing for technological progress is sufficient

SEE MORE ON THE STUDY HERE: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1357440 & http://ssrn.com/abstract=1358423