Building Evolution – A Look at Materials, Part 1: Risk‎

Building Evolution – A Look at Materials, Part 1: Risk‎ Over the past several decades, the materials used to construct and build commercial and multi-unit residential structures have changed significantly. In particular, the construction and interior furnishings industries increasingly use plastics instead of natural materials such as wood, metal, glass and natural fibers. A recent […]

Piping Systems – Designing for Human Health and Safety

Piping Systems – Designing for Human Health and Safety Webinar with Architectural Record presented 9/22/2021 by Paul Hagar  Summary Millions of piping systems across North America bring clean water to families, schoolchildren, doctors/patients, and workers. They also carry away sewage and other waste, among other essential functions. Water and drain/waste/vent piping infrastructure must safeguard human […]

Louisiana Residents Fight Massive Plastic Facility and Associated Pollution

Environmentalists and residents recently forced Formosa Plastics, a plastics supplier described by judges as a “serial offender” against the environment, to suspend the construction of a proposed 2,400 acre petrochemical complex in St. James Parish, Louisiana.

NRDC: A Growing Concern: Microplastic Pollution on Farm Fields

Scientists are showing that we are sending tons of tiny plastic particles into our soils each year, potentially affecting crops and our health.

New Study Confirms Plastic Pipe Thermal Degradation as Source of Water Contamination in Fire Events

The study concludes that thermally damaged drinking water pipes can be sources of VOC leaching.

One in Three Children Have Unacceptably High Lead Levels

Lead contamination has long been recognized as a health hazard, particularly for the young. But a new study asserts that the extent of the problem is far bigger than previously thought, with one in three children worldwide – about 800 million in all – threatened by unacceptably high lead levels in their body.

Chemical Leaching from Plastic Pipes

Andrew Whelton’s latest study confirms that plastic drinking water pipes release benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the water supply when exposed to extreme heat.

How Does Plastic Cause Air Pollution?

There are many factors that contribute to air pollution: the burning of fossil fuels, the release of chemical pesticides, and now plastic pollution. But how does plastic cause air pollution?

WILDFIRES: After the blazes: poisoned water and a ‘flood on steroids’

Historic wildfires raging from California to Colorado are weakening watersheds and setting the stage for deadly mudslides and flooding and, in some places, threatening to poison critical water supplies

AWWA Study: Wildfire caused widespread drinking water distribution network contamination

This work outlines factors that influence wildfire-induced drinking water quality threats based on the findings from the Tubbs Fire (2017) and Camp Fire (2018) and explores scientific and policy issues.