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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Treated Wood in Transition: Less Toxic Options in Preserved and Protected Wood
Feature Article
Following the recent phaseout of CCA, the dominant wood preservative of the last 30 years, the treated wood industry is in major transition. Some current wood treatment technologies present familiar environmental problems, while less-toxic alternatives are just entering the market.
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Polished Concrete Outshines Other Flooring Options
Feature Article
Stone-polishing techniques and mineralizing treatments are turning concrete into one of the most functional, most cost-effective, and greenest flooring options around. In this feature article, Alex Wilson explores the ups and downs of polished, densified concrete.
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How Six Affordable Housing Projects Got to Green
Feature Short
Stories of designers and developers who overcame the challenges of building affordable housing that is also green, sustainable, and healthy.
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The Questionable Science Behind VOC Emissions Testing
Feature Short
We need the protection that product VOC testing provides, but it’s far from the last word on human health in buildings.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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For New Alkyd Paints, Oil and Water Do Mix
Product Review
Waterborne alkyd paints offer the durability, cleanability, and scratch resistance of conventional alkyd paints without toxic solvents and cleaners, high VOC levels, or disposal problems.
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PVC-Free Resilient Flooring for Heavy Traffic
Product Review
LifeLine CS is a low-VOC commercial resilient sheet flooring that uses a tough outer layer to minimize maintenance and improve durability.
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Beyond Green Flooring: What's in Flooring Adhesives?
Product Review
How to find a safe floor adhesive that also performs well? Some initial rules of thumb in a world of imperfect adhesives.
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Knoll, Steelcase in Lead with Level 3 Certified Products
Product Review
Two years after the "level" furniture certification program was developed by BIFMA, six products and products lines meet the most rigorous of the certifications-level 3.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Vinyl Group Launches Reporting Label for Toxic Chemicals
News Analysis
Flooring manufacturers and their Product Transparency Declaration (PTD) will compete with the Health Product Declaration (HPD) format for industry acceptance.
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CalStar Suspends Fly Ash Brick Production
News Brief
CalStar Products, Inc. stopped production of its fly ash brick products on October 1 due to financial difficulties.
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Air Pollution Near Kids’ Homes Linked to Lower Grades at School
News Analysis
Academic performance of minority students shows disproportionate effects from air pollution, according to a study in El Paso.
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Styrofoam’s Chemistry Becoming Less Hazardous, Gradually
News Analysis
The world’s leading manufacturer of extruded polystyrene will phase out a toxic flame retardant around 2017 and problematic blowing agents by 2020.
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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