| 1. What’s in the mix? When selecting a concrete mix, your construction team will factor in strength and performance specifications for the cured material. They may also consider sustainability factors,... |
| When not used in concrete, fly ash is disposed of either in landfills or in wet ash ponds, where it can leach into surface water and groundwater. Recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came... |
| Yet there are fly ash skeptics in the green building community, too. For one, the carbon footprint of coal fly ash may in fact be higher than that of Portland cement, when calculations include the carbon... |
| There are a few steps you can take to reduce your exposure to heavy metals, should you decide to use fly ash in your concrete mix. You can be aware that future renovations and demolition of the concrete... |
| 2. What’s in the sealant or colorant? Once you decide on a concrete mix that meets your environmental goals, it is important to research waterproofing coatings and colorants. I recommend selecting a sealant... |
| By selecting a low-VOC coating, you will avoid many of the heavy, carcinogenic solvents that can be found in high-VOC coatings. What constitutes low VOC? The industry standard that the U.S. Green Building... |
| If you want to rule out hazardous chemicals that are not covered by VOC regulations, consider products designed for chemically sensitive individuals and those that meet the stringent chemical Red List... |
