Take an inside look into emerging markets and trends. Gain valuable new perspectives from HBN experts and our partners. Be inspired to know better.
Gina Ciganik | October 2018 Newsletter
We’re proud to announce that Bruce Green has joined HBN’s leadership team as Chief Operations Officer (COO). With 33 years experience in business operations, change management, and software development, Bruce will advance our organizational systems and lead our technology and data platforms into their next chapter. Prior to joining HBN, Bruce was COO of Navitaire (within Accenture LLP), an airline SaaS business he helped grow into a global industry leader. There, he led day- to-day business operations, helped increase product quality, and drove customer satisfaction to over 95% of target. He also led the 20-month, $830M carve out sale of the Navitaire business from Accenture into Amadeus. Bruce holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of North Dakota.
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Rebecca Stamm | October 2018 Newsletter
Proper techniques and protection are necessary during the installation of insulation to achieve optimal product performance, but also to protect the health of workers and residents. Because incorrect installation can lead to compromised performance and safety, it’s critical to carefully follow installation protocols for any product. Most product literature suggests the use of some level of personal protective equipment (PPE) when installing insulation products, but the level of protection required varies widely among different types of insulation. Because the most effective way to avoid hazardous exposure is to eliminate hazardous chemicals altogether, the controls currently recommended by the SPF industry provide the lowest tiers of protection. In this article, you’ll find background on installation considerations for fiber glass, cellulose, and spray foam insulation.
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Bill Walsh | October 2018 Newsletter
HBN Board Member Brad Grant will lead an expert panel on environmental health and justice at NOMA Unbounded, the annual convention of the National Association of Minority Architects to be held in Chicago, October 17-20. Grant, a professor of architecture at Howard University, will be joined by award winning architects Roberta Washington and Tony Crusor, HBN Founder Bill Walsh, and Cecil Corbin Mark, Deputy Director of the West Harlem Environmental Action Group (WEACT). They’ll discuss Materials Composition, The Design Process and Human Health, Welfare, and Environmental Justice.
Learn more about the conference and schedule
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Gina Ciganik | October 2018 Newsletter
Lower-income communities are disproportionately affected by pollution and chemical hazards. Now, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is working to raise awareness of its effects and demand change. New York Times author Kendra Pierre-Louis chronicles his efforts in Greensboro, North Carolina, where coal ash is threatening the groundwater, and potentially the drinking water of residents.
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Teresa Skaar | October 2018 Newsletter
Parsons Healthy Materials Lab has created a new, four-course online certificate program specifically designed for professionals like you, who are dedicated to making the built environment the best (and healthiest) it can be.
This innovative program is the first of its kind and brings together a group of 60 interdisciplinary experts at the top of their fields (including several HBN staff) to cover every aspect of healthier materials and sustainable buildings. Each course runs for a full semester and is completely self-paced to accommodate busy schedules. Completing the entire Healthy Materials & Sustainable Buildings certificate enables you to obtain 18 AIA HSW Continuing Education Credits.
Visit healthymaterialslab.org for more details about each course and registration information.
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Gina Ciganik | September 2018 Newsletter
Please join us in welcoming Teresa McGrath, our new Chief Research Officer, who will lead Research and Education strategies at HBN. Teresa brings holistic knowledge and multi-sector experience to our organization, having worked in government, NGO, and industry. Before joining HBN, she led the Chemical Management Program for Sherwin-Williams, the largest paints and coatings company in the world. Her work focused on hazards reduction and transparency, and assisting business units in meeting their specific sustainability and green chemistry goals. She also spent nine years as the Senior Managing Toxicologist at NSF International’s Green Chemistry Programs, and two years at the Environmental Protection Agency in the Design for the Environment (DfE) Branch of the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT).
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Bill Walsh | September 2018 Newsletter
Healthier, more sustainable alternatives have a hard time competing with a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic industry that is not held accountable for the costs of its environmental and human health impacts. These costs are paid by people like Delma and Christine Bennet, of Mossville, LA.
Learn more about the implications of chlorine as a feedstock in plastics in our Chlorine and Building Materials report.
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Tom Lent | September 2018 Newsletter
Confused by conflicting red lists? Unsure where to focus your limited project time while trying to choose healthier building materials or products? Help is on the way. This fall, HBN will be rolling out “Transformation Targets” to help you prioritize your efforts and make the greatest impact on your project and in the industry.
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Rebecca Stamm | September 2018 Newsletter
Addressing concerns that some insulation products contain and emit unhealthy chemicals, HBN is proud to release “Making Affordable Multifamily Housing More Energy Efficient: A Guide to Healthier Upgrade Materials.” Developed as part of our collaborative effort with the Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) initiative and other partners working to improve energy efficiency in affordable, multifamily housing, the new report contains recommendations that provide actionable value across building sectors.
The report features HBN’s materials research and provides important recommendations anyone can use to improve energy efficiency while reducing toxic chemical exposures to workers, residents, and the environment. Our research highlights chemicals of concern commonly found in insulation and sealants, suggests healthier material options for weatherization programs, and provides information and inspiration for anyone interested in healthier product options.
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Gina Ciganik | September 2018 Newsletter
If you’ll be at the 2018 Living Product Expo, please join us for two thought-provoking sessions:
Healthy & Affordable Building Materials: Strategic Transformation Opportunities
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to leverage transparency data to enable product research, evaluation, and collaboration opportunities that scale affordable product innovation.
Thursday, September 13 at 3 pm
(Track: Social Equity + Supply Chain)
Can PVC be a "Green" Product?: The Evolving Story of Polyvinyl Chloride
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most common materials in the building products industry, and also one of the most hotly debated topics in green building. While the industry has made progress in addressing health issues with the manufacturer and use of vinyl, concerns remain around the supply chain and end of life for the material. Join this session with four leading experts across the industry including a toxicologist, manufacturer, material researcher, and specifier to understand and uncover the lingering issues with the material and engage in an open, honest conversation about the best way to move the industry forward towards more sustainable PVC.
Wednesday, September 12 at 10:45 am
(Track: Biomimicry + Biophilic Design)
About the Expo
This year, the Living Product Expo is focusing on achieving healthy products and spaces. You’ll gain access to some of the most innovative products available today and meet the industry leaders who are bringing them to market. LP18 keynotes will include leaders from Mohawk Group, Phylagen, Humanscale, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), LightArt, and more.
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