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Cost-Benefit Analysis of Smog-Eating Tiles

Ben BahlenhorstZheng FuJoe Hill

Ian LairdLong Nguyen

Binh Phan

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IntroductionSmog-Eating Tiles: Compostable tiles

created by Boral that absorb smog in areas that harbor large quantities of inhabitants

Purpose: inform the reader about the costs and benefits of smog-eating tiles in areas that have high levels of smog

Benefits the environment, and human health in densely populated metropolises

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How They WorkTiles are coated with titanium dioxide

In sunlight, the titanium dioxide reacts with the nitrogen oxides, which breaks them down into calcium nitrate:

TiO2 + NOx + Sunlight = Ca(NO3)2

Calcium nitrates do not harm human health. These substance are left on tiles, and washed off when it rains

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How They Work

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CostsInitial costs average about 25%

more than traditional tilesInstallation costs do not differ from

traditional tilesRemoval costs are also the same,

but transportation to a recycling facility add additional costs

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SubsidizeLocal government should provide tax cuts

to those who purchase smog eating roofs

A tax on traditional roof tiles and maintenance will pay for the tax incentive

This makes smog eating tiles the cheaper option

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BenefitsReduced smog pollution in densely

populated areasNitrates: great for surrounding plant

lifeKeeps homes warm in the winter and

cool in the summerHuman health will increase

considerably

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Lifespan Compostable materials are durable

Tiles last for an average of 25 years before they need to be replaced

Half as long as traditional tile life

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DisposalNeed to be replaced just as wood or asphaltHowever, concrete tiles are

replaced less oftenThey will not clog landfills like

other roofing materialsTiles can be recycled and made into

new tiles, or infrastructureThey benefit the environment

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ConclusionBenefits outweigh the costsSmog level reduction creates a

healthier environment and inhabitants

Tiles reduce home heating and cooling costs

Recyclable tiles mitigate the amount of landfill waste

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Questions?

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Works Cited Benefits of concrete roofing tile recycling. (2008, October 20). Retrieved from http://www.boralna.com/rooftiles/concrete-recycling-

benefits.asp

Emission Standards Reference Guide. Retrieved fromhttp://www.epa.gov/otaq/standards/light-duty/ld-cff.htm

Levinson, R. (2007). Cooler tile-roofed buildings with near-infrared-reflective non-white coatings. Building and Environment, 42(7), doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.06.005

  Palmer, J. (2011, November 12). 'smog-eating' material breaking into the big time. Retrieved from

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15694973  Peters, J. (2011, February 1). Los angeles homes going green with smog-eating roof tiles. Retrieved from

http://www.homejane.com/los-angeles-homes-going-green-with-smog-eating-roof-tiles.html  Renowden, J. (2012, July 19). Smog-eating tile: A real-world product for reducing the harmful health effects of contaminated air.

Retrieved from http://www.rci-online.org/interface/2012-01-renowden.pdf  Renowden, J. (2011, July 12). Smog eating tile with boralpure™ technology. Retrieved from http://www.boralna.com/rooftiles/smog-

eating-tile.asp  Titanium dioxide used to reduce no levels in. (2011, April 1). Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?

sid=c3a3e876-00b6-4abf-a84f-bb2444cfe6a4@sessionmgr10&vid=2&hid=5  Verwymeren, A. (2011, September 12). Smog-eating tiles may make pollution a thing of the past. Retrieved from

http://www.networx.com/article/smog-eating-tiles-may-make-pollution-a-t  What is photocatalyst. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.photocoat.com/What_is_Photocatalyst.html