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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The Chemicals on Our Carpets and Textiles
Feature Article
The array of water-, dirt-, and mold-repellent chemicals added to carpeting and fabrics is dizzying. Which are causes for concern, and how can we minimize exposure?
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What's New in Multi-Attribute Environmental Certifications
Feature Article
The industry is increasingly recognizing the need for a more comprehensive review of green products. We don't have perfect programs yet, but we scrutinize the most prominent programs out there and highlight how they're useful.
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Reducing Environmental Impacts of Cement and Concrete
Feature Article
This article explores the environmental footprint of portland cement production and future emissions regulations and looks at the issues surrounding its most common replacement, fly ash.
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Chemistry for Designers: Understanding Hazards in Building Products
Feature Article
What's in our building materials? Are there chemicals we should be afraid of? Trying to get answers to these questions can be frustrating, but there are a number of good tools available.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Building Products and Health: A Look at Risk vs. Hazard
Primer
Use of "hazard avoidance" versus "risk assessment" for understanding toxicity of building materials is hotly debated. Why, and is there a common-sense answer?
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Obesogens-A Fatty Issue
Primer
A number of common chemicals are being found to influence the development of fat cells and contribute to obesity.
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Nanomaterials: How Big a Concern?
Primer
Anytime the "nano" label is applied to a product or technology, it's worth getting clear about what it means.
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Why's That on the Red List?
Primer
Ever wonder why copper and Neoprene are flagged in some green building red lists and rating systems? Although they aren't the worst offenders, they're flagged for a good reason.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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LVT: Like Vinyl Today? It’s Making a Comeback
Product Review
The popularity of luxury vinyl tile represents a resurgence for PVC, but there are alternatives that look as good or better.
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A PEX-Like Pipe Without the Cross-Linking Chemicals
Product Review
HyperPure PE-RT drinking water piping is a new take on flexible polyethylene tubing.
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Non-Hazardous Deep-Cycle Batteries for On or Off the Grid
Product Review
Aquion offers high-performance “saltwater” energy storage without lead, sulfuric acid, or flammable lithium salts.
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Three Ways to Find Sustainable Textiles, and Seven of the Best Brands
Product Review
A complex supply chain makes finding sustainable textiles for furnishings, draperies, panel fabrics, and other applications a challenge, but there are shortcuts.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Behind Humanscale’s Living Product Challenge Certification
News Analysis
Going big, committing early, and removing unneeded chemistry were key ingredients in certifying the Diffrient chair and Float table under LPC.
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HPD User Guide Helps with LEED, WELL Product Selection
News Brief
Just in time for LEED v4, a guide for using Health Product Declarations is being released.
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“Product Lens” Focuses on Whether Chemicals Can Harm Us
News Analysis
UL’s new take on ingredient transparency uses the Cradle to Cradle screening method while adding notes on exposure risks.
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Chemical Risk Assessments Come to LEED v4
News Analysis
A controversial pilot credit developed with the American Chemistry Council looks into toxic exposure risk from building materials for installers and occupants.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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The PVC Debate
Webcast
If, like a lot of people, your head has been spinning over the last decade as PVC has been debated to point where clarity is hard to find, we'll review the key context that underlies this whole debate—and where facts and opinions diverge.
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Toxic Chemicals in Buildings: How to Find & Avoid the Worst Offenders
Webcast
As a building professional, your clients look to you to help them make solid, science-based decisions about even more complex products and materials. Decisions about a school, a multifamily building, or a commercial office space can affect a lot of people. Do you have enough information to answer the questions of concerned clients? There are no easy answers to any of these questions, but we do know how to identify and eliminate some of the worst hazards from our buildings. In the webcast, we'll take a look at some successful strategies.
