It’s Not As Easy As Just Turning Off The Lights
Carolyn Anthon, a student graduate of JHU’s Environmental Sciences and Policy Program, has learned just how challenging it is to implement a sustainability program. As a part of Will O’Brien’s sustainability class, Carolyn’s (and her partner’s) task was to create a sustainability plan specific to a current business which met their specific needs. Taking the [...]
Pushing the Envelope of Green Building
As energy efficiency products become more mainstream and many localities adopt enhanced green building standards (for example, California), green building rating systems must adapt to a changing landscape and continue raising the bar on building performance.
CFL Bulbs and Mercury: What You Need to Know
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) contain an average of 4 milligrams of mercury, about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. This is much less than the amount contained in those old mercury thermometers, or even the amount deemed safe to consume in our diet from fish. But make no mistake, mercury is a neurological toxin. The EPA uses 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day as the accepted exposure level for oral consumption without recognized adverse effects. Inhaling mercury vapor in significant amounts (greater than 0.025 mg/m3) can cause deficits in cognitive functioning, tremors, kidney damage and even death in cases of high exposure. If mercury is so toxic, why is it in a common household item such as a lightbulb?
Weekly Environmental News – March 10, 2013
Game Changer: Whole Foods Market to require GMO labels Despite the blessings of FDA and WHO that food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is safe, consumer are exercising their “right to know” and have made great strides in the fight to see labeling on grocery store shelves.Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada [...]
Recent Comments