Green Glossary

S SARA: see Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act Sick Building Syndrome: Instances in which building occupants experience acute health and discomfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. In contrast, the term "building related illness" (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants. www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/sbs solid waste: Non-liquid, non-soluble materials from sources ranging from municipal garbage to industrial wastes that may contain complex and hazardous substances. Solid wastes also include sewage sludge, agricultural refuse, demolition wastes and mining residues. Technically, solid waste also refers to liquids and gases in containers. source reduction: any practice: (a) reducing the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treatment or disposal; and (b) reducing the hazards to the public health and the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants or contaminants. www.ofee.gov/eo/greening.pdf (pages 14-15) Superfund: The U.S. government's federal program to clean up the nation's uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The EPA administers the Superfund program in cooperation with individual states and tribal governments. The federal office that oversees management of the program is the EPA Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR). Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA): Federal statute (of 1986) that increased the size of the Superfund trust fund for cleanup activities and increased the authority of the EPA in enforcement and cleanup activities. Title III of SARA is known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (see EPCRA). sustainability: The characteristic of a product, material or process to be sustainable. sustainable: Of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged. sustainable development: That which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (The United Nations Brundtland Commission, 1987). sustainable manufacturing: Manufacturing processes that have no negative impact on natural ecosystems or resources. sustainable practice: A practice (such as manufacturing) that maintains a given condition without destroying or depleting natural resources. sustainable product: A product that has no negative impact on natural ecosystems or resources.