Mercury Reduction in Buildings
Green building managers can greatly improve the sustainability of their facilities by reducing the amount of toxic elements brought into their properties. Michael Arny of the Leonardo Academy explains how to reduce one toxic element commonly found in high efficiency lighting.
New Column: Expert Insights
We are pleased to introduce this new column in which we present an in depth interview with one of a variety of green cleaning experts. First up -- GEORGE DENISE -- the general manager of facilities for Cushman & Wakefield at the award-winning properties owned by Adobe Systems Incorporated for Northern California.We promise, this regular column is one you won't want to miss!
Green Cleaning Improves Air Quality
Despite the many efforts to reduce toxic VOCs emitted by plywood, PVC plastics and other items, many building managers are unaware of the VOC content of cleaning products. Stephen Ashkin of The Ashkin Group explains the risks and how a Green Cleaning program can help.
How is LEED Doing?
The best-known rating system for green buildings in the United States, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), struggles with its own rapid rise in popularity.
Being Kind to Nature and Profits
Green is in fashion — the new black, the must-have, this decade's version of business imperatives like "total quality management" or "management by objective."
Hitch Your Building to A Star - An Energy Star 
Superior energy management is good business, including cost and performance factors. The EPA's ENERGY STAR program offers a proven strategy for superior energy management.
Eco Friendly Bags
A 34-year old national retailer in Canada recently decided to stop adding non-degradable plastic bags to landfills by swithing over to "natural," bio-degradable, plastic bags made from non-genetically modified corn.
Smog Eating Cement
A new cement-based compound absorbs air pollutants. It is reported to have vast potential for significantly reducing city smog and the respiratory ailments it causes.
UK Deaths Rise from "Dirty Hospital Bug"
The hospital bug Clostridium difficile (C.Difficile) is causing more than twice as many deaths as it did five years ago, the first official figures from Great Britain show.
Cleaning Products May Cause Health Problems
Researchers in Spain report some cleaning products can worsen breathing problems in cleaning workers who have existing asthma or bronchitis.
Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth
Whatever your political views, you should take note of Al Gore’s new book and film, “Inconvenient Truth,” about the growing crisis of climate change. This is NOT a political statement or endorsement of Al Gore by the Leonardo Academy or The Ashkin Group. There are links between climate change and green products and practices. Therefore, we believe it is important to bring “An Inconvenient Truth” to your attention.
