Searchable database- chemical hazard, exposure and toxicity data

EPA Opens Access to Chemical Information

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making it easier to find chemical information online. EPA is releasing a database, called ToxRefDB, which allows scientists and the interested public to search and download thousands of toxicity testing results on hundreds of chemicals. ToxRefDB captures 30 years and $2 billion of testing results.

“Tens of thousands of chemicals are in commerce and current chemical testing is expensive and time consuming. Results from chemical testing are scattered throughout different sources,” said Dr. Robert Kavlock, director of EPA’s National Center for Computational Toxicology. “ToxRefDB allows the public to search, find and compare available studies about chemical toxicity and potential health effects.”

ToxRefDB provides detailed chemical toxicity data in an accessible format. It is a part of ACToR (Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource), an online data warehouse that collects data from about 500 public sources on tens of thousands of environmentally relevant chemicals, including several hundred in ToxRefDB. Those interested in chemical toxicity can query a specific chemical and find all available public hazard, exposure, and risk-assessment data, as well as previously unpublished studies related to cancer, reproductive, and developmental toxicity.

ToxRefDB connects to an EPA chemical screening tool called ToxCast. ToxCast is a multi-year, multi-million dollar effort that uses advanced science tools to help understand biological processes impacted by chemicals that may lead to adverse health effects. ToxCast currently includes 500 fast, automated chemical screening tests that have assessed over 300 environmental chemicals. ToxRefDB, along with ACToR, allows users to take advantage of this linkage to find and download these results.

ToxRefDB contains toxicity information that forms the basis for pesticide risk assessments when combined with other sources of information, such as those on exposure and metabolism.

More information on the database: http://actor.epa.gov/toxrefdb
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Green Building Products and News

Green Building Products and News April 30, 2010

Brought to you by: Scotty, Scott’s Contracting

St Louis “Renewable Energy” Missouri

Akeena Solar. Andalay solar panels feature built-in racking and built-in wiring for a smooth, flush appearance that resembles skylights. With 70% fewer parts and 25% fewer attachment points, the panels for a small house can be installed in less than an hour, the company says. Fewer attachment points also means fewer penetrations in the roof, so less opportunity for leaks and failure

http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com/ for addition Akeena Solar, Andalay Solar Panel Information
contact: scotty@stlouisrenwableenergy.com for your Custom Andalay Solar Panel Info Guide

 Fiber Optic Skylight

A new way to bring natural light into interior spaces, Huvco’s Parans Fiber Optic Skylight system collects sunlight through lenses on outdoor panels (shown), then funnels the light through optical cables to luminaires. The system’s daylight collectors mount on roofs or façades. The thin, flexible optical cables, which are routed through walls and ceilings, have high light transmission that lets sunlight efficiently reach far into buildings; the luminaires are designed to recreate the feeling of sunlight. Hybrid luminaires that combine natural light and electric light are available contact: scotty@stlouisrenwableenergy.com for pricing and additional info

Quad-Lock Building Systems

The R-etro insulation system lets remodelers attach expanded polystyrene insulation to an existing building. The system, which has an R-value of 18, adapts to the shape of a building and around protrusions and openings, the company says, and it can be attached to any wall structure. After installation, the product serves as a fastening point for finish materials. contact: scotty@stlouisrenwableenergy.com for pricing, additional information and your Green Building Needs.

Retrofit reduces energy use by 60 percent

Pilot Project Super Insulation for Older Homes at Massachusetts home

You could call it an "Extreme Makeover: Energy-Efficient Edition."

In Arlington, Mass., Alex Cheimets and Cynthia Page live in a duplex that used to consume about 1,400 gallons of heating oil a year. Now their building will soon be one of the most energy-efficient in its New England neighborhood, thanks to a pilot project that retrofitted the structure with almost $100,000 worth of insulation and other products to increase energy efficiency and decrease utility costs.

The so-called Massachusetts Super Insulation Project seeks to determine the benefits and cost effectiveness of retrofitting old energy-wasting houses with insulation upgrades in key areas. Though the cost for the upgrades in the home were substantial, some of the techniques used—such as proper air-sealing and adequate moisture barriers—could easily be applied to new construction and for not much more money.

Massachusetts officials are keenly interested in the results of the project, which dovetails with the state’s efforts to become more energy-efficient. “Our governor, the state House and Senate, and the executive branch are aware that the nation’s energy strategy is not acceptable, and a big part of it is the existing housing stock,” says Philip Giudice, commissioner of the state's Department of Energy Resources.

“Nationally, buildings account for 40 percent of all energy consumption and one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions,” says Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, who chairs Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick’s Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force. “This super-insulation project in Arlington promises to be a model for the type of innovation in the building industry that the Patrick administration hopes will soon be widespread across Massachusetts.”

The public/private effort includes the state Department of Energy Resources, the local utility NStar Electric & Gas, and a number of building product sponsors.

Bowles is right, of course. As green building practices spread through the new construction market, America’s existing housing stock remains an energy-use problem. Millions of these old structures lose large amounts of energy through leaky windows, inefficient heating and cooling units, and poorly insulated walls, all of which contribute to higher-than-necessary utility bills. The 3,200-square-foot Cheimets/Page building—divided into one condo for Cheimets and his family and one for Page—was one of these structures.

At one point when home heating oil in the Massachusetts area hit $4.69 a gallon, Cheimets says, the homeowners were paying a combined total of almost $6,500 a year for heating and hot water. “We needed to replace our siding and our roof soon anyway,” Cheimets says. “As a duplex, we could simply do the minimum or we could invest now to save later. Super-insulation was the better financial investment.”


The parties in the pilot wanted to demonstrate that it’s possible to bring an existing building up to the highest standards of energy performance. In addition to reducing energy use by between 65 percent and 70 percent, the group was also interested in exploring super-insulation as part of an overall program of energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Finally, it hoped to use the Arlington, Mass., pilot project to determine cost-effective retrofit recommendations for homeowner renovations; develop experience with and collect performance results for existing structures; and establish criteria for future state programs supporting residential super-insulation projects.


Before the work commenced, the project team consulted with Somerville, Mass.-based Building Science Corp., which performed energy parametric simulations, analysis, and economic payback comparisons of various energy retrofits options.

As a result, the extensive retrofit focused on tightening the building envelope, which included new doors and the replacement of the single pane windows. The team installed double-pane Pella fiberglass windows with low-E glazing, Tyvek stucco wrap, two layers of 2-inch Dow closed-cell foam board, furring strips, and NuCedar cellular PVC siding. They ripped off the old roof and installed two layers of 3-inch foam board on the roof deck, followed by plywood sheathing, and light-colored asphalt shingles. They also sprayed Icynene open-cell foam in the attic roof and in the basement rim joists and ceiling. Finally, the team installed a heat recovery ventilator and an on-demand water heater.

Cheimets says the upgrade have made a big difference in the comfort level of the units and in the performance of the building. “I felt the difference immediately,” he says. “There are fewer drafts and no cold spots; that’s all gone away, and we have seen about a 60 percent reduction in energy use.”

As part of the pilot project, DER and NStar have installed sensors to monitor real-time oil usage as well as temperature and humidity levels inside and outside the house. “We were using about nine gallons a day before, but now we’re using three on average,” Cheimets says.

The reduction in the building’s ongoing energy use has come at a steep one-time price tag. Overall, the retrofit cost more than $90,000, and like most renovation projects, ended up being more expensive than expected in different areas.

For example, the cost for the roof replacement was first estimated at $10,000, but the price tag nearly doubled by an additional $9,000 with the addition of super-insulation. Replacing the siding was projected to run $30,000, but it increased by $41,000 with super-insulation and re-flashing the windows. An additional $6,000 went toward the installation of expanding foam in the basement ceiling; $4,000 paid for heat recovery ventilators.

“If you look at the additional cost of super insulating (compared with just doing the required work in ‘standard’ fashion) doing this work is an additional cost of $50,000, or $25,000 per family” in the two-unit duplex, according to program documents.

While the costs are high, Cheimets says they should be taken in context of retrofitting an 80-year-old house that featured 50 windows and suffered from bad insulation from the start. Doing such upgrades in new construction would be cheaper. “If you’re building a new house, you would be taking certain things into consideration like facing the roof south, using fewer windows, and decreasing the amount of angles in the roof,” he says.

John Dennis Murphey agrees that using such strategies would absolutely make such a remodel cheaper. “That’s what we’re doing now on one house,” says the principal of Chevy Chase, Md.-based Meditch Murphey Architects.

There are also other ways to save money on such a project. Murphey, for example, has eliminated conventional sheathing from his houses all together. Instead, he uses 2 x 6 studs, spray foam insulation, and metal bracing to make the studs rigid. “The studs are energy highways,” he says. He then wraps his houses in 1.5 inches of foam board, which creates a thermal break.

Instead of simply balking at the added costs, though, Murphey says builders and consumers should look at the overall project and the long-term benefits. “Energy prices have come down, but who knows where the price of oil will go,” he continues. “My bet is that they will go up. I’ll take that bet every time.”

Members of the Super Insulation Project would probably agree. It is estimated that the annual savings to the homeowners will be $2,350 to $4,000 per year. “At the current heating oil cost of approximately $2.35 a gallon, it's a 20-year payback,” program documents say. “But a few short weeks ago the price was closer to $4 a gallon, and the price of oil is likely to rise again in the coming years, dramatically shortening the payback period.”


By:Nigel F. Maynard, Senior Editor, products, at BUILDER magazine.
Contact scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com or scottscontracting@gmail.com for your Green Building Needs.  Addition Green Building information can be found at http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com/

ENERGY STAR E-Update:Quadruple Energy Savings,DOE to Create $130M Research Center,Retailers Can Save When They Go Green,Study: White Roofs Can Cool Urban Temperatures,Tips for Foodservice Operators,more

 from Scotty's mail box

EPA Ranks U.S. Cities with the Most ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings

EPA maintains a list of all buildings that have earned EPA's ENERGY STAR and, for the second year, has created a list of the U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest number of ENERGY STAR labeled buildings. Continuing the impressive growth of the past several years, in 2009 nearly 3,900 commercial buildings earned the ENERGY STAR, representing annual savings of more than $900 million in utility bills and more than 4.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Lakeland, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and New York head the list of cities. Details are available in the EPA Press Release. Houses of Worship will be added to this list in 2010 since these facilities can be rated using Portfolio Manager and can earn the ENERGY STAR. Learn moreabout the Houses of Worship rating. Link

ENERGY STAR Leaders Quadruple Energy Savings in One Year

In 2009, EPA's ENERGY STAR leaders prevented the equivalent of more than 220,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and saved more than $48 million across their commercial building portfolios. These savings have quadrupled since 2008 and represent the single greatest year of savings since EPA recognized the first ENERGY STAR leaders in 2004. For details on the awards see the EPA Press Release. This year EPA released a new report profiling leading organizations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. The report: "Profiles in Leadership, 2010 ENERGY STAR Award Winners," highlights over 100 organizations across many sectors of the U.S. economy. The report offers insights into this diverse set of winners and their energy-efficient approaches and practices. For more information see the EPA Press Releaseor view the full report.

DOE to Create $130M Research Center for Building Efficiency

The Obama administration has announced that the U.S. Departments of Energy, Commerce and Labor and four other federal agencies are joining together to establish a nearly $130 million regional research center to develop and implement new technology for building efficiency. Buildings account for almost 40 percent of U.S. energy consumption and carbon emissions. The new center is part of the effort to reduce energy use and utility bills while stimulating the economy and creating jobs. Greener Buildings has the report. Link

Retailers Can Save When They Go Green

Retailers can save big bucks by thinking of green and energy-saving alternatives. From keeping the freezer door closed to examining tax incentives there are plenty of options to save money through green practices. See the article in Globe Streetwith more information.

Study: White Roofs Can Cool Urban Temperatures

White roofs can cool urban temperatures, according to Keith Oleson, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Such roofs are being used in cities across the country -- including Washington, D.C., and Seattle -- and have caught the attention of Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Review the entire article on MSNBC.

Scott's Contracting, St Louis, Missouri: Installs Eco Friendly Roofing Choices for all Applications
Contact Scotty for Pricing & Installation

Tips for Foodservice Operators

Restaurants & Institutions offers tips for food service operations and restaurants that want to adopt more environmentally sustainable measures. "There is a huge misconception," said Chris Moyer, manager of the National Restaurant Association's Conserve initiative. "A lot of people think, 'If I'm not doing it all, then I'm not doing anything.'" Start with small steps, experts advise, such as separating your trash and investing in green cleaning products. Then you can focus on larger commitments, such as replacing incandescent bulbs and getting LEED certification. See the full article in Restaurants & Institutions.

ENERGY STAR Product of the Month:

Commercial LED Lighting

LED stands for light-emitting diode. LEDs are small light sources that become illuminated by the movement of electrons through semiconductor material. Qualified commercial products use at least 75% less energy and last 35 times longer than incandescent lighting. Plus, qualified LED lighting produces virtually no heat and provides optimal light color for any environment from parking lots to high-end show rooms. For more information, visit the ENERGY STAR product page which includes an overview, specifications, buying guidance and FAQs. LED technology is moving at a fast pace and you should check every few months for new types of LED lighting products.

3 Story House Painting Pictures

Scott's Contracting 3 Story House Painting Pictures

see more Crown Square Building Restoration Photos and Information at: http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/Home/32212

Scott's Contracting, Stump Removal

Scott's Contracting Project Pictures

Tree Stump Removal

Tree Stump Removal, Clare Baxter Properties

Selecting Photovoltaic Modules and Inverters

Considerations for Selecting Photovoltaic Modules and Inverters


With so many different types of products on the market today for the solar electric (PV) industry, selecting the right module or inverter can be the difference between a successful system and a failed one. With the fast growth of the US market and other parts of the world, it seems that almost overnight the PV market has hundreds of companies to choose from when selecting product. Being that longevity is one goal in providing an extended return of investment (ROI) for projects, it is important to select the products from companies that you can trust will be around into the distant future.

Research can be a daunting task in regards to finding the balance of quality, longevity, and price — your distributor can be a great source of information when considering products for a PV systems. Your representative should be able to provide you with information about product warranty, quality of the product, price (often reflected in dollars per watt), and any technology implemented into the product.

As it relates to solar modules, the most expensive side to the system, a low priced module can get very tempting. While important, price should be weighed in conjunction to a manufacturer’s longevity; after all how good is a 20-25 year warranty when the company no longer exists? Additionally, there is a common miss-conception that module efficiency should be the deciding factor — efficiency generally only affects a systems size not performance. Efficiency reflects a modules ability to convert the sun’s energy into electrical power. For example a 200 Watt 16% efficient module vs. a 200 Watt 20% efficient module reflects a reduction in the system physical size by 20% but this will also most likely increase the cost of the module and therefore the length of ROI on the same 200 Watts of power. Until just recently, module technology was mostly based only on efficiency and material type, but now some electronic technology is implemented into the modules themselves increasing the modules energy yields, and power output.

Inverters are also a key function to the PV system and also typically the second most costly item of the system. Inverters contain many electronic components and over the years can be stressed to their limits, so selecting a manufacturer that has proven technology and a solid warranty can help save the installer a problem down the road. In the past the PV market has seen typically a 10 year inverter warranty and a fail period on the inverters in the first 15 years, however with today’s leading manufacturers these numbers are progressively getting better with 15+ year warranties and a fail period after the first 20+ years.

Product selection can take a significant amount of time, but with a good distributor relationship, on-going training, and a focus on longevity you can become a better installer with better projects and happier customers.

04/02/10,Michael Harvey- Able Energy Co.

Contact: Scotty, Scott's Contracting Green Builder "St Louis Renewable Energy" for all your Green Building and Renewable Energy Needs