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Site Map : http://www.thedailygreen.com Index -> GREEN HOMES -> Safe Home Watch
Safe Home Watch Home FDA Won't Tell Parents to Avoid BPA Baby Bottles The FDA has disappointed public health advocates by refusing to counsel against use of polycarbonate plastics in baby bottles and more. The agency has failed to point out risk of harm from bisphenol a, bpa, in the plastics. How Much Extra Will Consumers Pay for Green Products? A study tries to assess how much more consumers are willing to pay for green and socially responsible products. The results have some surprises, and important lessons for companies. New Center for Recycled Building Materials in LA California-based Reuse People of America has opened a new demolition salvage store in Los Angeles, where people can get used building supplies. The nonprofit has a decontruction team to recover building materials for recycling. Solar Thermal Plants Could Supply U.S. Energy Needs: Report A new report from Environment America points out that solar thermal energy plants could supply the U.S.'s energy needs, free from greenhouse gases. Poll Reveals Concern, Misconceptions on Toxic Cleaning Products In order to asses the level of awareness about the dangers of toxic cleaning products and indoor air quality, green cleaning company Shaklee commissioned a poll, with interesting results. Study Highlights Benefit of Healthy Buildings Good interior design can promote healthy people, and a new study shows how hospitals can improve their indoor environments. Cribs and Baby Products Found to Emit High Levels of Carcinogenic Formaldehyde Environment California has released a report documenting high off-gassing of formaldehyde, a carcinogen, from popular composite wood cribs and changing tables. LCD TV Association Announces GreenTV Label the LCD TV Association is working on a GreenTV label for LCD TVs to rate their energy use. Container Gardening Growing in Popularity Container gardening is growing in popularity, spurred by a number of factors. It also has numerous benefits, including some for the environment. Swap Out Your Lawn's Grass for Moss Planting moss instead of grass can be great for some lawns. It saves water and reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Dr. Bronner's Files Lawsuit Against Major Organic Body Care Brands The long-simmering controversy over natural and organic personal care products heats up as Dr. Bronner's files a lawsuit against other major brands. 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America NextStudent has just published a list of some of the greenest colleges and universities in America. Schools are leading the way in sustainability, green design, energy efficiency and more. Big Recycling Bins Win Praise and Criticism Large recycling bins are showing up across the country for single-stream recycling. Recovery rates are higher, but criticisms remain. Scotts Miracle-Gro Recalls Pesticides After Rogue Employee Discovered Some of Scotts Miracle-Gro lawn pesticides have been recalled, after a rogue employee was discovered, and the items were not properly labeled or registered by the EPA. North Americas Toughest Lawn Pesticide Law Introduced The battle over lawn pesticides and public health heats up as Ontario, Canada introduces a tough new law restricting lawn chemicals. DOE Launches Home Energy Conservation Site The Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a new Internet feature to help consumers and homeowners ramp up energy conservation, saving money as well as energy. Harrison Ford's Creepy Environment Ad Harrison Ford and the Ad Council teamed up to raise awareness and support for Earth Share. Check out their intense video. Bisphenol-A in Plastic Baby Bottles, Wal-Mart, Canada, Nalgene Take Action The debate over the safety of Bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate plastics continues to heat up, with Nalgene, Wal-Mart and the Canadian Government all taking steps to ban Bisphenol A in baby bottles. Office Politics Now Include Going Green A new Xerox and Harris poll shows that office politics are going green; co-workers are stressing the importance of recycling, energy conservation, saving paper and more. Wind Energy with Plug and Play Home Turbines More and more homeowners are generating their own wind energy, thanks to better technology and plug and play wind turbines. Risk in a Baby Bottle A federal agency has for the first time raised concerns about the safety of Bisphenol A, an ingredient in many plastics that may mimic hormones. To Spur Economy, Senate Votes to Extend Renewable Energy Tax Credit Homeowners and businesses could benefit from a Senate-passed extension to the federal renewable energy tax credits, as well as economic stimulus for energy efficiency. 3 Scary Plastics to Avoid in Baby Bottles, Water Bottles, More Plastic bottles, from water bottles to baby bottles, can leach bisphenol A and other hormone disruptors into foods and liquids. Learn to use recycling codes to choose plastics that are more safe. New Energy Star Standards Set for Water Heaters New Energy Star labels will help consumers choose energy efficient water heaters, including tankless and solar powered water heaters. Who Has More Rights, Cats or Birds? Long Island's beaches are the site of a battle between conservationists and animal rights activists, over the rights of feral cats versus endangered piping plovers. It is a battle that is echoed across the world. Former "Condo Commando" Highlights Challenges of Dense Living Denser living arrangements, from condos to planned communities, offer hope of saving resources and reducing our environmental footprints. But New Urbanism means we have to learn to get along better. Conduct a 5-Point DIY Home Inspection Spring is a good time to get a jump on home improvement by conducting a DIY home inspection. Look for these simple things, and follow good home maintenance. Bay Area Moves Toward Banning Home Fireplaces California's Bay Area is taking steps to restrict home fireplaces, as regulators hope to reduce the smog and air pollution that is a hazard to public health. Protecting Children from the Dangers of Lead Paint The EPA has announced a new rule requiring contractors to take special precautions to handle lead paint abatement -- when doing renovations on older homes built before 1978. The law is being targeted to protect children's health. New Study Further Links Parkinson's Disease and Pesticides New research suggests a stronger link between the neurological disorder Parkinson's disease and exposure to toxic pesticides. Affordable Green Building Coming to Harlem New York's historic Harlem is getting a brand new green building, and the project is exciting because it will be affordable housing. Energy efficiency and good indoor air quality are featured, as well as a green roof and more. Raleigh's Garbage Disposal Ban Spurs Composting Raleigh North Carolina's ban on garbage disposals is a good impetus to start composting, says one writer. Composting protects water quality and eases pressure on landfills. Washington State Gets Tough on Toy Safety Washington State gets tough on toy safety, as the legislature sends strict standards on lead, cadmium and phthalates in toys to the governor. The toy industry is vigorously opposed to the law. Shelter Population Surges after Closure of Horse Slaughterhouses Horse slaughter has long been controversial in the U.S., and now animal advocates are reporting a surplus of horses in the shelter system, after the country's final three processing plants have been closed. Crate and Barrel's New CEO Charts Green Course Home goods retailer Crate and Barrel is going green, according to the company's new CEO, Barbara Turf. Sustainable initiatives include using more bamboo, recycled glass, soy-based foam and more. Senate Debates Possible Ban on Phthalates in Toys California's Senator Dianne Feinstein is leading the charge to ban phthalates in toys at the national level. The chemical has been called a carcinogen, and many parents seek safer toys as alternatives. San Francisco Close to Passing Tough Green Building Codes San Francisco is close to passing tough new green building codes, which would mandate energy efficiency, water conservation and more. Some of the standards require USGBC LEED certification, while others mandate Greenpoint Rated. Being Inactive as Little as 2 Weeks Affects Health: Study Surprising results of a new study suggest that risk factors for diabetes and other diseases increase after just two weeks of lessened exercise and physical activity. DNC Host Arena to Go Carbon Neutral Denver's Pepsi Arena, future home of the 2008 DNC (Democratic National Convention) is going green, by buying renewable energy certificates to offset its carbon emissions, installing solar panels and encouraging green transportation. Philadelphia Proposes Record-Breaking New Green Skyscraper Philadelphia's proposed American Commerce Center is slated to become the second tallest building in the world. It will also be an LEED certified gold green building, with high energy efficiency. Green Building Best Weapon Against Global Warming: Report A new report, announced in Canada, concluded that the most effective, cheapest way to slash greenhouse gas emissions and stave off global warming is to foster green building. Beet Juice Catching On As Eco-Friendly Deicer Beet juice holds high promise as an eco-friendly pavement deicer. Mixing the material with rock salt helps protect water quality and plants, and makes the salt work more efficiently. School Defies Court, Blocks Boy's Service Dog A teenager from Long Island continues his fight to attend school with his service dog, and the district is blocking him in defiance of a court ruling. Got Your Ticket for the Foreclosed Homes Tour? In this tough housing market, real estate agents in Florida have launched a program to get more people looking at foreclosed homes for sale -- a free bus tour. Daylight Savings Time Raises Energy Use: Study Daylight savings time is controversial, especially among greens, because it has both benefits, including reducing lighting needs, and problems, including increasing needs for heating and cooling. It definitely has an effect on energy and gas consumpt Home Solar Panels Reviewed Home solar panels are coming down in cost and up in efficiency. Check out these reviews of some of the best buys. Will High Platinum Prices Hurt Air Quality? Platinum is the key catalyst in catalytic converters and other air pollution control equipment, and record high prices may impact our ability to reduce particulates and other pollutants. Will these effect our ability to clean diesel exhaust? First Labeled 'Carbon Subtracting' Products Announced Guayaki's organic, fair trade yerba mate is now becoming the first product marketed as officially carbon subtracting. Despite Booming Sales, CFL Adoption Rate Slow CFLs, compact fluorescent light bulbs, are facing a slow adoption rate, despite relatively brisk sales and the benefits in terms of money savings and energy efficiency. Sharp Developing Home Solar Power Batteries Sharp, Daiwa House and Dai Nippon Printing are working to develop home solar power lithium ion batteries. They hope to make alternative energy more feasible for the home market. |
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