Glossary
Its a jungle out there!
ESD is full of acronyms, a jungle of TLAs (three letter acronyms)! It's also an area where terminology ranges from the mundane to the medical with every combination in between...hence the need for a glossary.
Have you come across a strange sounding chemical? An unfamiliar phrase or expression? Whilst far from comprehensive, the ecospecifier glossary aims to provide some guidance to the plethora of words and phrases used in sustainable design talk.
Have you got a new one?
If you have come across a piece or jargon or a term you are not familiar with, contact us at info@ecospecifier.org. If we don't know the answer we may be able to find out, and can then add the new word to the glossary - so hopefully the next person will find the answer they seek.
Acetone
Solvent, Cellulose glues and a wide range of products e.g. paint thinners. Weak nervous toxin.
Acrylonitrile
Synthetic rubber, carcinogenic.
Alumina (aluminium oxide, or Al2O3) is a white powder produced from bauxite ores (iron alumino silicate), using a chemical treatment known as the Bayer Process. In this process, bauxite is dissolved in a solution of caustic soda at high temperatures which dissolves the alumina, leaving iron oxide and silicates as waste products (red mud). The solution of alumina and caustic soda is cooled, concentrated and stirred until crystals form. The alumina trihydrate crystals are recovered from the caustic solution, washed and processed in a kiln at temperatures greater than 1,100°C to produce dry white anhydrous aluminium oxide used for the production of aluminium. Aluminium has an embodied energy of 170 GJ/tonne and embodied water of 88,000 L/tonne.
Aniline (Phenylamine) or Aminobenzene
An organic chemical compound which is a primary aromatic amine consisting of a benzene and an amino group. It is toxic by inhalation of the vapour, absorption through the skin or swallowing. It causes headache, drowsiness, cyanosis, mental confusion and in severe cases can cause convulsions. Prolonged exposure to the vapour or slight skin exposure over a period of time affects the nervous system and the blood, causing tiredness, loss of appetite, headache and dizziness. Some authorities class aniline as a carcinogen although the IARC lists it in Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans) due to the limited and contradictary data available (ref. Muir, GD (ed.) 1971).
A metalloid with a toxicity dependent upon its chemical form and oxidation state, with +III compounds exerting greater toxicity than +V compounds. Toxic properties of Antimony are similar to those of arsenic. Exposure to high levels of antimony through inhaling or digetion can result in heart and lung problems, stomach pain, skin irritation, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach ulcers among other potential health problems.
Antimony & compounds was ranked as 84 out of 400 on the NPI reporting list (see National Pollutants Inventory below). The total hazard score taking into account both human health and environmental criteria is 2.3. On a health hazard rating of 0 - 3 antimony & compounds registers 1.0. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to health, 2 represents a medium hazard and 1 is harmful to health. On an environmental rating of 0 - 3 antimony & compounds registers 1.3. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to the environment and 0 a negligible hazard.
In the context of the imminent emergency in climate change due to greenhouse emissions, there is a need to reconsider the widely held notion that ‘durability delivers sustainability’. While some durability is important in critical areas such as load bearing elements where the success of the whole structure depends on durability, in areas such as external shading devices and other elements that are in effect non-essential , accessible and maintainable, there is a need to consider the ‘durability payback’ of materials selection. The important question here is whether it is appropriate to invest in durability that generates high greenhouse emissions now – when we have a critical need to minimise emissions – when lower durability materials that have a low/no greenhouse emitting maintenance regimes will suffice. In this sense, we should not necessarily or automatically aim to maximise durability, but rather to optimise ‘durability payback’, taking into account the greenhouse appropriateness of durability (with the financial costs) and whether alternative materials can be used to minimise climate change in the short term, because now is the critical period for change.
APVMA (Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority)
The APVMA is a government body that assesses and registers agricultural and veterinary chemical products. All new agricultural and veterinary chemical products must be registered before they can be supplied, distributed or sold anywhere in Australia. In addition, the active constituents- substance/s in the chemical product primary responsible for its biological or other effects- must also be approved by the APVMA either before, or at the same time as the product is registered.
Arsenic (refer also Heavy Metals)
Wood preservative, poison. Lethal dose can be as low as 70mg. Chromium is one of a group of chemicals that cannot be added during manufacture if furniture is to be awarded a Good Environmental Choice Australia Ecolabel. IARC caterories it as a Group 1 Carcinogen, i.e. carcinogenic to humans.
Bamboo is a high-yield renewable resource, with a harvest time of 3-5 years, as opposed to 10-20 years for most softwoods. It is exceptionally strong, with a tensile strength rivalling steel. It's light, durable and tough formation makes it useful for many purposes, such as a structural building product for houses, fences and bridges and furniture. For flooring, bamboo is steamed, flattened, treated against insects then glued under high pressure, finished and cut. It can be nail or glue fixed, but can be brittle so careful nailing is needed and if glued low VOC glues need to be used. It can become infested with wood-boring insects if untreated or used in wet areas. Bamboo is predominantley source from China and other parts of Asia.
Benzene (refer also Toluene and Xylene)
Aromatic readily absorbed through the skin, eliminated very slowly. Low-level chronic exposure (e.g. by painters) can lead to liver damage and possibly cancer (Thurtell L. ed., 2003). Mineral turps can contain up to 20% benzene in Australia.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Refers to the amount of oxygen required by micro-organisms to oxidise the organic material (BOC = bio-degradable organic compounds) in wastewater. Measurement of BOD generally provides a more accurate indication of pollution quantities of wastewater in regards to bio-degradable matter than COD.
Bisphenol-A
Plastic hardner, suspected endocrine disruptor, environmentally persistent, may affect fertility.
Indicators of the concentration of organic compounds in wastewater. See also Suspended Solids.
Borax
Fungicide and insecticide. Fire retardent in fabrics and cellulose fibre insulation. Moderately toxic if swallowed. Considered low-level environmental toxin; preferred alternative to other toxins, e.g. CCA treatment.
Bromine and Derivative Compounds
Fire retardants, e.g. in cellulose insulation; toxic in event of fire. May be bio- accumulative. May be endocrine disruptors.
Butadiene
In styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), probably carcinogenic (Berge, 2000).
Used in paints with red, yellow pigments. Stabiliser in PVC. Fungicide. Highly toxic, greatest risk from inhalation of fumes or dust. Persistent in the body. Cadmium is one of a group of chemicals that cannot be added during manufacture if furniture is to be awarded a Good Environmental Choice Australia Ecolabel.
Carbon Black
Pigment, possible carcinogen.
Refers to the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation of organic material (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) in wastewater.
Chloroprene
Synthetic rubber & glue, carcinogenic, damages liver.
A heavy metal that is used in many building products including tapware, stainless steel, leather tanning and timber CCA preservatives. IARC lists it in Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans). Chromium VI (hexavalent) is an Australian National Pollutants Index (NPI) listed chemical. In its insoluble trivalent hydroxide form (as opposed to the NPI listed hexavalent form) it is a common by-product of leather tanning and has been linked to vitro teratogenic and bioaccumulative effects, primarily via inhalation and skin exposure. Chromium is one of a group of chemicals that cannot be added during manufacture if furniture is to be awarded a Good Environmental Choice Australia Ecolabel.
Ecopoints are a single score environmental assessment. They were developed by the UK based organisation BRE as a standardised means of comparing the environmental impacts of individual products. This enables products of varied nature to be comparatively assessed using a simple single score rating. Ecopoints are calculated by 'normalising' the data of a products whole of life environmental impacts, using a weighting system developed on a range of sustainability issues. Ecopoint scores also class products with an A, B or C rating - the 'A' rating being the most environmentally preferable. See ecopsecifier's Internet Resources for more information regarding the BRE organisation.
Epoxy Resin
Varnishes, adhesives, paints and caulking, highly allergenic and sensitising. A suspected carcinogen. Inert once fully cured.
Ethylene Glycol, Glycol Esters
Synthetic solvents used in paints, laquers, resins.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
Responsibility of producers for their products is extended to the post-consumer stage, eg: a company must be concerned not only with making the product and how it functions, but also with what will become of the product at the end of its useful life. As a strategy intended to reduce the amount of materials going to landfills, it is also aimed "upstream"-- at product design and material selection. Its underlying theory is that if producers must pay for waste, they will have an incentive to make products that are less wasteful. EPR provides the missing link between product design and recycling: a link that is key for making recycling efficient and economic. The movement toward designing for disassembly, developing reverse logistical systems, and demanufacturing are strategies industry has used in response to the new incentives posed by EPR. (Fishbein, 1996)
Heavy Metals
Arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury, selenium, zinc. Pigments in paints, inclusions in many, many products. Toxic to highly-toxic. Some pigments, e.g. strontium yellow, emerald green, manganese blue, are known carcinogens (Thurtell L. ed., 2003).
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC):
An internationally recognised non-profit organisation supporting sustainable, economically viable and socially beneficial management of forestry. Founded in 1993 it is composed of a number of stakeholders and professionals in the field of forestry. Certification by FSC means the timber has Chain of Custody – verification the extraction source of the timber was an FSC certified forest that meets the Principles and Criteria of Forest Stewardship. (for more information on ecolabels please click here), FSC website or for Australian context see WWF Australia's FSC and Australian Forest Trade Products (AFTN) web pages.
Formaldehyde
In urea; phenol and melamine formaldehyde glues use in chipboard and plys; disinfectants and preservatives; finish for carpets, textiles and paper; IARC categorised as a Group 1 carcinogen, i.e. a human carcinogen. Respiratory and mucous membrane irritant at low levels. The most common domestic air pollutant (Thurtell L. ed., 2003).
G- Value
Total energy that passes through a glazing system. Includes the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window, both directly transmitted, and absorbed and then subsequently released. A lower G-Value transmits less solar heat, and provides better shading.
Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA):
Developed by the Australian Environmental Labelling Association (AELA) the GECA is a Type 1 Ecolabel (for more information on ecolabels please click here). The award compares similar products within specified categories and awards the products that are at the top 20% of their category on cradle to grave assessment of their efficiency and overall environmental impact. AELA created the Australian Environmental Labelling Standards as scientifically based criteria by which to assess products. For more information, see the GECA website.
Isocyanate, Polyurethane
Glues, strongly allergenic and irritant for mucous membranes.
Leather and Leather Processing
Leather is a renewable resource and meat industry byproduct so is potentially an environmentally preferred resource. However depending on how it is processed and tanned it also has the potential to be a high environmental impact material. Potential environmental impacts of production include emissions of the heavy metal chromium, toxic dyestuffs and other polluting byproducts. Issues to be considered in regards to leather and its processing include:
- Is the leather processed fresh or is a preservative used?
- What is done with the waste animal scrapings (landfill, incineration, biodigestion, etc.)?
- What are the BOD and COD content, chromium, salt or toxics content of the effluent waters?
- What percentage of wastes are sent to landfill and resources (energy water, gas etc), consumables, waste streams recycled?
Conventional chrome tanned leather and leather products generally contain about 2-3% of dry weight chromium (FAO, 2002) – the average weight for an individual hide is approximately 5kg. Environmentally the ideal aim should be to reduce chromium content to zero due to its high potential environmental impacts, e.g. under the GECA Furniture and Fittings standard, products which contain chromium are prohibited from listing as eco-labeled furniture.
(Source: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, The environmental impact of the animal product processing industries, April, 2002)
Leather Types
There are a number of different types of upholstery leathers:
i) Full/Pure Aniline - leather that has been drum dyed without pigment applied to surface. A light protective coating is sometimes added. It will exhibit all natural features such as scars, growth marks, fat wrinkles etc. Only the best raw hides are selected for this leather type. Requires regular care.There are two forms of aniline leather: full grain and nubuck, which is formed through further buffing which produces a nap
ii) Semi-Aniline - drum dyed leather incorporating a small amount of pigment and protective finish however this finish does not conceal all the natural characteristics of the hide. Requires regular care.
iii) Corrected Grain - pigmented and pigmented top coated are normally finished with a water-based pigment and a clear urethane top coat. They are the most common upholstery leathers. Requires only periodic care.
Limonene, D-limonene
Solvent used in many ‘natural’ paints, slightly allergenic, slight irritant of mucous membranes.
MBDC Cradle to Cradle™ Certification Program
The McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) Cradle to Cradle™ Certification Program provides a thorough asessment of a products environmental and health characteristics, encompassing whole-of-life sustainability. The certification scheme has a three-tiered rating approach: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Products are asessed under the following five broad categories: Materials, Nutrient (Re)utilization, Energy, Water, and Social Responsibility. Please see the bewlo link for further information:
Remelted blast furnace slag spun into fibre. Used in wall and ceiling insulation, air conditioning ducts, pipe lagging and acoustic insulation. Recyclable but not currently recycled in Australia. Mid range embodied energy.
The range of chemicals in use in the built environment is staggering and highly complex. Identifying whether a chemical is a problem or not can be very difficult. This comprehensive and powerful resource maintained by the Federal Government provides valuable assistance. As well as a list of common and less common problematic chemicals for each chemical the following characteristics are given:
- Physical and chemical properties
- Chemical properties
- Common uses
- Sources of emissions
- Health effects including exposure routes
- Health guidelines
- Environmental effects
- Environmental guidelines
- Overall ranking within range of problematic chemicals and agents
Click here to link through to the NPI Homepage
In 1997 a report was published by the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) to the National Pollutant Inventory, to recommend substances for inclusion on the NPI. A copy of this report, including a list of the chemicals placed in the top 400 polluting substances in Australia, can be found here.
PCP - Pentachlorophenol
Is a man-made (i.e. it does not otherwise occur in nature) fungicide which is an organochloride. It is toxic to humans. It has been used as a pesticide and preservative on timber and leather.
Phenol
Ingredient in glues, disinfectants, highly toxic. Depressant to central nervous system. Can cause liver damage.
Plasticisers in a range of plastics, up to 50% content, pseudo-oestrogens, endocrine disruption, moderately persistent environmental poisons. Higher risk to children. Have been shown to have pseudo-eostrogenic effects in humans and other mammals. They are VOCs emitted by common materials sources such as vinyl fabric, floors, toys, etc. as they evaporate slowly at room temperatures. Pthalates have been linked to female breast-tissue growth in men, dropping male sperm counts and may contribute to the excess oestrogen that is suspected as having causal links to increasing breast cancer rates.
Polyamide
Polyamides are naturally and synthetically occuring polymers. Naturally occuring polyamides include proteins such as wool. Synthetic polyamides can be used in the manufacturing of products including textiles, geo-textiles and carpets.
Polyvinyl chloride. In its plasticised form PVC contains a range of softeners including a range of chemicals known as Pthalates (see above). There are upstream OH&S and environmental issues and downstream disposal issues as very few recycling opportunities exist. Issues mostly surround problematic and persistent chlorinated organic compounds. See also UPVC, Vinyl Chloride below.
A study released by the European Union in 2006 assessed the safety of the most commonly used plasticisers in PVC. This study found that DIDP and DINP are non-hazardous and considered safe for use.
The media release is available on the following address: http://www.plasticisers.org/pressrelease/details/index.asp?id=9
The Full Report, published by the European Commission's European Chemicals Bureau (ECB), can be downloaded on the following address: http://www.dinp-facts.com/RA
For more information on PVC refer to our links under Internet Resources.
Pyrethroids (synthetic version of naturally occurring pyrethrum)
Insecticide, e.g. anti-termicide, different generation products have different toxicities. Third generation products, e.g. permethrin 25/75 not considered highly toxic to humans or mammals, toxic to fish. Fourth generation products, e.g. bifenthrin considered more toxic. More stable, can be used in lower doses than previous forms (Thurtell L. ed., 2003).
Silicones
Caulking compounds, plastics, rubbers., very stable and inert, low toxicity. Potential toxicity comes from additives.
Styrene, Polystyrene, Styrene Butadiene (SBR) Rubbers
Mucous membrane irritant, damages reproductive organs.
The concentration of suspended solids represents the amount of insoluble organic and inorganic particles in the wastewater, which increase water turbidity and demand for oxygen through the slow hydrolysis rate of the organic fraction of the material.
Termite Management Systems
To be listed on ecospecifier, a termite management system must meet ecospecifier's chemical toxicity requirements, ie. no significant terrestrial, aquatic or human health impacts, and also meet the following requirements:
Chemical-based system- Must be registered by the APVMA (see above Glossary listing).
Physical (non-chemical) based system- Must be in accordance with AS 3660.1: Termite Management- new building work.
Hybrid (chemical and physical barrier)- must meet both the APVMA registration and AS 3660.1 standard.
Titanium Dioxide (Ti02)
A major constituent in paint, sunscreen, cements, windows, tiles, or other products due to its sterilising, deodorising and anti-fouling properties and is also used as a hydrolysis catalyst. It can also oxidise oxygen or organic materials directly. Causes major ecological impacts as it is sourced primarily from sand mining, an extremely ecologically damaging process affecting sensitve coastal dune systems. The GECA Architectural Coating Standards states that the TiO2 levels of paints should not exceed 40g/m2 of dry finished film thickness of overall recommended number of coats.
Transport Energy
The embodied energy of transport. Depending on the form of transport used different modes of transport consume different amounts of fuel. There is a widespread misconception that if a product is manufactured overseas, it has high embodied transport energy. Whereas in fact, because sea transport is between 3300 (general cargo ship) to 4100 (large container ship) times more fuel efficient than the most efficient form of bulk road transport - the diesel semi-trailer (0.53MJ/tonne.km). If the product travels only short distances by road overseas, the imported product will contain less embodied transport energy than say one that is manufactured interstate, regionally or even in outer urban areas. If it is transported on smaller less efficient trucks it may be the case if the a product has to travel even comparatively small distances of say 30-50km.
Trichloroethylene
Chlorinated solvent, refer ‘Benzene’ above.
U-Value
The U-Value represents the rate of air-to-air heat transfer, in watts, through a 1m2 area of the building element, when there is a temperature difference of 1 degrees celsius between the air on either side of the particular building element.
Unplasticised PVC that does not contain pthalates. Lifecycle phase issues not significant from eco-impacts viewpoint. Manufacture and disposal concerns similar to PVC. For more information on PVC refer to our links under Internet Resources.
Vegetable turpentine
Solvent, slightly irritant and allergenic.
Vinyl chloride
Monomer of PVC, known & persistent carcinogen. Traces left in PVC can slowly diffuse out, although unlikely they would form harmful air concentrations (Thurtell L. ed., 2003).
Vinyl flooring is plasticised PVC. Plasticised PVC is a controversial material from an eco and health preferable stance. However its durability, long performance life, resilience to moisture and ease of maintenance make it a commonly used product with some preferable benefits. Ecospecifier uses the Life Cycle Analysis based environmental assessment, Ecopoint, as the basis for determining the more eco and health preferable vinyl flooring products in comparison to generic products and less eco preferred.
For a vinyl flooring to be considered for listing on ecospecifier it must obtain a BRE Ecopoint score and the score must be less than 1.06 (Note - score is based on 1 square metre of vinyl flooring on hardboard sheeting over a 60 year life).
This benchmark score has been established by accepting Ecopoint scores that fall in the top 25% of the rating system. See Ecopoint Glossary entry.
VOCs - Volatile Organic Compounds
Organic compounds with a boiling point between 50°C and 260°C or a vapour pressure more than 0.1mm Hg 25 C. The term encompasses a very large and diverse group of carbon-containing compounds, including aliphatic, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons; aldehydes; ethers; esters; acids; alcohols and ketones. Examples of VOCs include benzene, toluene, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride and some pesticides. Benzene is a Group 1 carcinogen (IARC), as is formaldehyde. VOCs are found in many products including paints, adhesives, building board and composite timber, fabric dressing, lacquers, some foams, some carpets and vinyl/plasticised PVC.
Potential health effects from contact with VOC’s at even low concentrations include irritation to the throat, eyes and nose, nausea, headaches, loss of coordination, damage to the kidney, central nervous system and lungs. Symptoms vary in severity depending on the composition, concentration and length of exposure to the VOC’s present. Contact with some VOC’s has been known to cause, and some suspected of causing cancer in humans.
VOC’s are damaging to the environment predominately due to the production of photochemical smog from various VOC’s. Photochemical smog can also have detrimental health effects to humans. VOC’s have been found to cause cancer in other animals and also to have serious effects on plants.
VOC categories
'Low VOC'- complies with current industry/standard or Green building Rating Scheme minimum criteria or where no criteria are available is so determined by review of VOC test data or material characteristics based on composition review.
'Very Low VOC' - less than approximately 1/10 the current industry/standards or Green building Rating Scheme minimum criteria or where no criteria are available is so determined by review of VOC test data.
'Ultra Low VOC'- less than approximately 1/100 the current industry/standards or Green building Rating Scheme minimum criteria or where no criteria are available is so determined by review of VOC test data.
'Zero VOC'- No measurable VOC emissions with current technology relating to current industry/standards or Green building Rating Scheme minimum criteria or where no criteria are available is so determined by review of VOC test data
VOC Standards: Paints
Several Australian organisations have standards for paints including the Australian Ecolabelling Association (GECA) and the Australian Paint Approval Scheme (APAS D181).
APAS Standards for Paint VOCs are as follows:
Av Max
- Exterior gloss 75 100
- Low odour/low environmental impact 5 5
Note: these levels are for untinted paints and most tint systems contain high VOC content - so when tinting mid-dark colours check with manufacturers for actual VOC levels.
GECA Standards for Paint VOCs are as follows:
Av Max
- Exterior gloss 75 75
- Interior flat ceiling 14 14
- Interior Gloss 75 75
- Interior flat washable 16 16
Note: these levels are inclusive of maximum tint levels for tinted paints and most tint systems contain high VOC content - so when tinting mid-dark colours check with manufacturers for actual VOC levels.
Wool - [environmental effects of wool production]
Wool is a keratin based fibre. Environmental effects of wool production in Australia and New Zealand include soil compaction by cloven hooves and habitat loss due to demand for fertiliser dependant, specialised pasture plant species and land clearing. Sheep also produce methane which is a potent greenhouse gas.
Sources
Berge, B. (2000). Ecology of Building Materials. Oxford, Butterworth Heinemann.
Dept Env & Heritage, (2001) State of Knowledge Report: Air Toxics and Indoor Air Quality in Australia.
Dept Env & Heritage, (2005) Total Volatile Organic Compounds fact sheet, National Pollutants Inventory, accessed August, 2006.
Environmental Bamboo Foundation (2006), accessed August 2006.
Fishbein, (1996) Rutgers University Demanufacturing Partnership Program Newsletter, Vol. 1 No. 2
IARC (1987). VINYL CHLORIDE, IARC,. 2003.
IARC (1999). Re-Evaluation of Some Organic Chemicals, Hydrazine and Hydrogen Peroxide, IARC,. 2003.
IARC (2002). Styrene (Group 2B), IARC,. 2003.
Muir, G.D. ed. 1971, Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory, The Royal Institute of Chemistry, London.
Thurtell L. ed. (2003). A-Z Chemicals in the Home. Sydney, Choice Books
Wikipedia (2006) Bamboo Flooring, accessed August 2006.
