Synergist - June/July 2009

products and services. This practice is known as “greenwashing.” Consumers can question, evaluate and rate green claims made in advertising and commercials at www.greenwashingindex.com.

Even in the absence of intentional misrepresentation, validating the green, sustainable or environmentally friendly characteristics of a product, chemical, process or building can be complex. Additional complications include the need to verify the accuracy of validation tools, formulas or equations and determine the “green-ness” of building methodologies. Like consumers, industrial hygienists need resources, references and tools to help streamline the process of evaluating green alternatives. The sidebar on page 47 lists some helpful online resources.

To illustrate the difficulties of validating green claims, consider the example of selecting a kitchen countertop for a home remodeling project. Standard countertops are made of granite or composite solid surface materials derived from synthetic resins (for example, Corian and Staron) or quartz (Silestone and CaesarStone). A homeowner who wants a new countertop must therefore choose either fossil fuel-derived materials or nonrenewable minerals.

The websites for these products display a variety of logos, including NSF International, USGBC and GreenGuard. NSF is a global third party certification organization that covers many categories, standards and products; the NSF logo, therefore, could indicate that a countertop is certified for food equipment standards, not for environmental performance. The USGBC logo simply indicates membership in the organization, with no pre-qualifications other than paying dues. GreenGuard Certification is a third-party testing program for low-emitting products and materials. The materials have to meet certain criteria for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, total aldehydes and 4- phenylcyclohexene. The state of Washington, the EPA, the World Health Organization and LEED are referenced for test methods and maximum allowable emission levels.

The countertop manufacturers do not make it easy for consumers to find information on the composition of the products or to locate material safety data

sheets. Dupont’s Corian MSDS lists “Corian solid surface material” as the only ingredient, but the exposure limit section includes methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate and polymethyl methacrylate. Staron lists acrylic polymer as an ingredient. The quartz countertops include six to nine percent polymer resins in the ingredients. A granite countertop is 100 percent stone but requires use of adhesives and sealants, both of which may contain VOCs.

Additional research reveals that granite production, transportation, and fabrication is energy-intensive, generates a lot of non-recyclable waste, and can be environmentally destructive. Depending on location, the work can be dangerous, too. Some product websites provide general information about sustainability efforts and environmental practices. CaesarStone’s website mentions its ISO 14001 certification and showcases its air quality control systems, wastewater recycling practices, and quarry restoration programs. Weighing the alternatives, homeowners might start to wonder whether they can afford their principles.