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Es gibt 6 Arten länglicher Mineralpartikel (EMP), die bestimmten dimensionalen und morphologischen Kriterien entsprechen und als Asbest bekannt sind. Da Asbest für Gesundheitsprobleme wie die Asbestose und das maligne Mesotheliom verantwortlich ist, wurde er gut erforscht. Trotzdem kommt es weltweit weiterhin zu einer erheblichen Exposition, die möglicherweise 125 Millionen Menschen am Arbeitsplatz betrifft und jährlich Tausende von Todesfällen durch Exposition in Haushalten verursacht. Es gibt jedoch andere EMP, wie z.B. faserigen/asbestiformen Erionit, die als Karzinogene eingestuft sind und in Gebieten, in denen sie in lokale Baumaterialien eingebaut oder durch Erdbewegungen in die Umwelt freigesetzt wurden, mit Krebs in Verbindung gebracht wurden. Erionit ist ein stärkeres Karzinogen als Asbest, da es aber selten für kommerzielle Zwecke verwendet wird, wurden die Expositionswege weniger gut untersucht. Trotz der offensichtlichen Ähnlichkeiten zwischen Asbest und faserigem Erionit unterscheiden sich ihre Gesundheitsrisiken und Expositionspfade erheblich. Dieser Artikel untersucht die Gefahren, die von EMP ausgehen, mit besonderem Schwerpunkt auf Erionitfasern. Er umfasst eine Diskussion der globalen Standorte von Erionit und ähnlichen gefährlichen Mineralien, einen Vergleich der vielfältigen Expositionspfade für Asbest und faserigen Erionit, eine kurze Diskussion der verwirrenden Nomenklatur im Zusammenhang mit EMP und Überlegungen zur Zunahme globaler Mesotheliomfälle.

PurposeNew Zealand’s historical housing stock comprises largely single-storey detached houses, characterised by poor winter comfort with high air infiltration. Challenges with affordability and land use are shifting New Zealand’s housing stock towards double-storey, conjoined medium-density housing (MDH). Reduced external surfaces in this typology should reduce winter heat loss and infiltration, improving winter comfort and health. New concerns arise, however, regarding summertime overheating and poor indoor air quality.Design/methodology/approachA field study was undertaken where temperature, humidity, airtightness, particulate matter (PM) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) were measured in two unoccupied, newly built double-storey, conjoined houses, for several weeks over summer.FindingsThe reduced surface area of this typology did not reduce infiltration and demonstrated significant periods of overheating. Internal PM concentrations generally exceeded outdoor concentrations but did not exceed annual average outdoor PM10 guidelines of 20 µg m-3. Infiltration factors (Finf) were closer to more traditional houses. TVOC readings varied widely, but frequently exceeded international guidelines.Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample limits the applications of conclusions more widely. Recommendations to investigate a wider sample in different locations with more detailed VOC analysis over all seasons are made.Practical implicationsImprovements to internal environments cannot be guaranteed by housing typology changes alone and must still involve thoughtful environmental design.Social implicationsHousing typology changes may not improve internal living environments.Originality/valueA move to the new MDH typology may not achieve expectations of airtightness and thermal improvement. New challenges arise from significant overheating and high TVOC levels, which may lead to new negative health effects.

Each year, construction and demolition (C&D) waste contributes at least 25,000 tonnes to the total amount of plastic landfilled in Auckland, New Zealand. The growing use of plastic in the packaging of building materials, use of polystyrene and products, such as building wrap, are contributing to this. Unlike countries such as the UK, most construction waste in New Zealand is not sorted on-site, and C&D waste is often co-mingled; therefore, minimal analysis on the recoverability of plastics has been attempted. This study identified and quantified the plastic waste stream produced from four construction sites, generated from various stages of construction in Auckland, New Zealand. Plastic waste was taken over three construction stages including demolition, exterior and weatherproofing and services and cladding, amounting to 112 kg (or 11.2 m3). The main types of plastic analysed were polyethylene, contributing 77% (by mass), and polyvinyl chloride, representing 31% (by mass). The main reason for the generation of plastic waste across the four sites was highly variable and dependent on construction stage. However, it was apparent that plastic packaging of materials was not the single area of concern, and plastic building componentry and protection materials should also be investigated for their contribution. This study supports the requirement for improved understanding and awareness around the composition and fate of plastic C&D waste. Long-term benefits to the construction industry are from raising awareness of the potential to make profits from valuable waste products and to improve environmental performance and reputation, for a competitive advantage in New Zealand.

There are six elongate mineral particles (EMPs) corresponding to specific dimensional and morphological criteria, known as asbestos. Responsible for health issues including asbestosis, and malignant mesothelioma, asbestos has been well researched. Despite this, significant exposure continues to occur throughout the world, potentially affecting 125 million people in the workplace and causing thousands of deaths annually from exposure in homes. However, there are other EMPS, such as fibrous/asbestiform erionite, that are classified as carcinogens and have been linked to cancers in areas where it has been incorporated into local building materials or released into the environment through earthmoving activities. Erionite is a more potent carcinogen than asbestos but as it is seldom used for commercial purposes, exposure pathways have been less well studied. Despite the apparent similarities between asbestos and fibrous erionite, their health risks and exposure pathways are quite different. This article examines the hazards presented by EMPs with a particular focus on fibrous erionite. It includes a discussion of the global locations of erionite and similar hazardous minerals, a comparison of the multiple exposure pathways for asbestos and fibrous erionite, a brief discussion of the confusing nomenclature associated with EMPs, and considerations of increasing global mesothelioma cases.

As our global population increases, the resulting waste mountain continues to rise. It has been identified that the Construction Industry contributes to a large proportion of the waste to landfill (and cleanfill) sites. Whilst there have been a multitude of commercial ventures and research-based activities targeted to challenge waste volumes, the ambitions of a truly circular economy for this industry remain far from realised. This article will discuss industry examples of waste minimisation initiatives which have been implemented successfully to support a less linear approach and encourage sustainable waste management for industrialised nations. We also identify limitations of this decentralised approach to resource management and suggest how the creation of resource markets, on both national and international scales, could connect the waste management loop for a vastly improved environmental outcome.

As the 21st century uncovers ever-increasing volumes of asbestos and asbestos-contaminated waste, we need a new way to stop 'grandfather's problem' from becoming that of our future generations. The production of inexpensive, mechanically strong, heat resistant building materials containing asbestos has inevitably led to its use in many public and residential buildings globally. It is therefore not surprising that since the asbestos boom in the 1970s, some 30 years later, the true extent of this hidden danger was exposed. Yet, this severely toxic material continues to be produced and used in some countries, and in others the disposal options for historic uses - generally landfill - are at best unwieldy and at worst insecure. We illustrate the global scale of the asbestos problem via three case studies which describe various removal and/or end disposal issues. These case studies from both industrialised and island nations demonstrate the potential for the generation of massive amounts of asbestos contaminated soil. In each case, the final outcome of the project was influenced by factors such as cost and land availability, both increasing issues, worldwide. The reduction in the generation of asbestos containing materials will not absolve us from the necessity of handling and disposal of contaminated land. Waste treatment which relies on physico-chemical processes is expensive and does not contribute to a circular model economy ideal. Although asbestos is a mineral substance, there are naturally occurring biological-mediated processes capable of degradation (such as bioweathering). Therefore, low energy options, such as bioremediation, for the treatment for asbestos contaminated soils are worth exploring. We outline evidence pointing to the ability of microbe and plant communities to remove from asbestos the iron that contributes to its carcinogenicity. Finally, we describe the potential for a novel concept of creating ecosystems over asbestos landfills ('activated landfills') that utilize nature's chelating ability to degrade this toxic product effectively.

Air pollution measured as particulate matter (PM) has been shown to be detrimental to human health and can lead to increased mortality rates. There are four main indoor sources of episodic PM emissions: smoking, cooking, cleaning and resuspension. This study has eliminated all human activity and provides data on the variability of the contribution from external sources via mechanical ventilation. The transportation of PM from an external to internal environment by mechanical ventilation is investigated in the same room in two, similar timber-framed houses, constructed identically apart from details affecting their airtightness.There was significant variation in the transportation of PM from an external to internal environment in two similar houses ([PM] Control > [PM] Test (ρ = 0.001)) despite both houses operating the same mechanical ventilation system. Mean internal PM10 concentrations = 2.4 μg m−3 (Control) and 1.3 μg m−3 (Test) with corresponding mean external PM10 concentrations of 5.4 μg m−3 and 5.2 μg m−3 respectively. Particle removal efficiency between the two houses varied by approximately 20%. These findings indicate that there is considerable variation in filtration efficiencies even when the same mechanical ventilation system is in use in similar homes in the same location.The infiltration factor (Finf) was calculated and demonstrated considerable variability both between houses (Control-Test PM10 0.40–0.23) and over time (Control PM10 0.40–0.18) which indicates that relationship between external and internal concentrations of PM is not linear and should therefore be used with caution. This questions simplifying Finf into one factor as there are likely to be multiple contributing factors. For example, the effect of air flow on particle adsorption to internal surfaces, natural variations in filter efficiency and variations in particle loss.Over the duration of this study, PM concentrations decreased in both bedrooms by 52% (Control) and 37% (Test), which may be due to a number of factors including changes in internal environmental conditions, filter age and the cumulative effect of the use of mechanical ventilation over time reducing the transportation of PM into the houses. Keywords: Particulate matter, Indoor air quality, Mechanical ventilation, Infiltration factor, I/O ratios, New Zealand

It can be difficult to tease apart the sources of the many chemical substances that can adversely affect indoor air quality (IAQ). These can be generated from primary sources, e.g. cleaning products, fragrances and wall decorations, and created in-situ (secondary emissions). Inputs due to human activities (heating, smoking, etc.) add to the catalogue of chemical possibilities. This study examines the effect of airtightness and ventilation on volatile organic compounds (VOC) concentration in newly-furnished unoccupied residential houses. Further objectives included investigating the effects of airtightness and mechanical ventilation on internal VOC concentrations in two rooms with controlled simulated occupancy. Chemicals that appear to have been generated directly from or supplemented by furnishings were acetone, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate and tert-butyl alcohol. In the absence of mechanical ventilation, total VOC (TVOC) concentrations were over three times greater in the more airtight room. The appearance of concentration maxima after furnishing and/or decoration was delayed in the airtight room and the subsequent decay rate was slower. With the exception of benzene, none of the individual compounds exceeded national guidelines for outdoor air (in the absence of IAQ guidelines). Mechanical ventilation reduced TVOC concentrations by 300 μg m−3 (more airtight room) and > 340 μg m−3 (less airtight room) to below European threshold recommendations; although the reduction took approximately five days. The time lag indicates that simply providing adequate ventilation during chemical use indoors may not be sufficient to protect inhabitants from prolonged exposure following use.

This two-part study considers the impact of airtightness based on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) only. Two identical buildings (test and control) were constructed in Auckland, New Zealand. The test building contained an Intello vapour check membrane to reduce air-flow and subsequent heat loss. Air change rates (air changes per hour, or ACH) were calculated from air-leakage rates in each of the buildings. Data analysis demonstrated that the VOC levels in the test house were consistently higher than those established in the control house.