Avoiding Toxic Chemicals
There are tens of thousands of unregulated chemicals used in our building products, so how do you know which ones are hazardous?
These articles look at some of the most-toxic chemicals, why they are hazardous, which product groups contain them, and alternatives to using them.
You’ll learn about:
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the burgeoning green chemistry movement
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tools like Health Product Declarations that tell us what’s in products
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formaldehyde
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polyvinyl chloride
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bisphenol-A
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flame retardants
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perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)
We also offer guidance on design decisions that can reduce or eliminate the need for many of these problematic compounds.
Avoiding Toxic Chemicals
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Finding Furniture Without Toxic Flame Retardants
Feature Article
Flame retardants in upholstered furniture are easier to avoid under new rules, but they’re not gone. Here’s how to navigate the changing landscape.
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Take Control of Your Materials: Four Empowering Lessons from Teams That Beat the Red List
Feature Article
Need to streamline your product vetting process? These LBC project teams have it down to a science, and anyone can apply their methods.
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Behind the Logos: Understanding Green Product Certifications
Feature Article
The number of environmental product standards and certifications is growing rapidly, putting numerous different "green" logos on products. This article reviews the key programs and evaluates their rigor, and offers guidance in using them to accomplish project goals.
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The PVC Debate: A Fresh Look
Feature Article
PVC is banned by some green building programs and simply reviled by some groups. How did we get here, and has anything changed since vinyl became the enemy?
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Is Particleboard Deadly? Formaldehyde Emissions Explained
Primer
Formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products will soon be strictly regulated in the U.S., but questions remain.
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Chemical Footprinting: Companies Take Stock of Their Toxic Impact
Primer
Harmful chemicals are more difficult to quantify than carbon emissions but are equally destructive. Now you can track manufacturers’ chemical footprints.
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The Five Hazard Warnings You Can Usually Ignore
Primer
Can you identify which toxic chemicals listed on an HPD probably can’t hurt you?
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The Problem with Red Lists
Primer
Having a short list of toxic chemicals to avoid is convenient, but nasty “alternatives” can sneak in the back door. Hazard screenings help solve this problem.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Mineral-Based Interior Paints Go Mainstream
Product Review
Mineral-based paint from Romabio contains no synthetic resins, and can be used in place of standard interior acrylic latex paint on drywall.
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Interior Paints: LEED v4 and Beyond
Product Review
LEED v4 overhauled its low-emitting materials credit, with a new emphasis on VOC content and emissions. But be sure to look for durability as well.
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A New Halogen-Free Polyiso Insulation from GAF
Product Review
GAF now offers a full line of polyisocyanurate foam insulation that is free of toxic halogenated flame retardants.
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Mineral Wool Batts Now Formaldehyde-Free
Product Review
Thermafiber and Roxul have introduced the first formaldehyde-free mineral wool batt insulations, following the example set by the fiberglass insulation industry.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Plastic Production Releases Mercury, Asbestos, PFAS
News Brief
Producing chlorine for PVC and other plastics has toxic impacts.
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San Francisco Sets High Bar for Carpet
News Brief
San Francisco now requires carpet installed in public projects to be Cradle to Cradle certified and meet other criteria for health and sustainability.
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California Eyes Regulation of Stain-Resistant Carpet
News Brief
California may make carpets with PFAS stain-resistance treatments a priority product.
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California Law Closes Carpet Recycling Loophole, But Problems Remain
News Brief
The new law no longer allows incineration, but health advocates say the carpet industry needs radical change before recycling can work.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Chemicals Are Safe
Op-Ed
The American Chemistry Council responds to our feature article on chemicals in green building products.
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Polystyrene's Track Record
Op-Ed
Steve Russell, of the American Chemistry Council, suggests that the hazards associated with polystyrene are being overblown.
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Watch for Other Toxics
Op-Ed
Two architects argue that some of the alternatives to polystyrene, such as polyurethane, come with their own hazards.
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HBCD Isn't the Only Problem
Op-Ed
Tom Lent argues that we should be looking beyond HBCD when thinking about toxic chemicals.
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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What Makes the Building Envelope Green? BuildingGreen’s Guide to Thermal & Moisture Protection Products
Feature Article
From insulation to flashing tape to cladding, we look at the attributes of the greenest building envelope products.
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Finding Furniture Without Toxic Flame Retardants
Feature Article
Flame retardants in upholstered furniture are easier to avoid under new rules, but they’re not gone. Here’s how to navigate the changing landscape.
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Take Control of Your Materials: Four Empowering Lessons from Teams That Beat the Red List
Feature Article
Need to streamline your product vetting process? These LBC project teams have it down to a science, and anyone can apply their methods.
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Behind the Logos: Understanding Green Product Certifications
Feature Article
The number of environmental product standards and certifications is growing rapidly, putting numerous different "green" logos on products. This article reviews the key programs and evaluates their rigor, and offers guidance in using them to accomplish project goals.
