Material Health
Pursuing material health in the building industry involves avoiding or eliminating toxic chemicals from building products. Toxic chemicals are those that can bring harm to factory workers, installers, or building occupants. There are tens of thousands of unregulated chemicals used in our building products, and they can increase the risk of everything from asthma to obesity to cancer.
Materials containing these toxic chemicals include carpet, insulation, wet-applied products like adhesives and sealants, and many others. It’s possible to improve material health through better design decisions and product selections.
Material Health
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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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?
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Innovative Products and Technology from the Greenbuild Expo
Feature Article
Our product editors pick some winners from the expo floor at Greenbuild 2013 while raising questions about some materials.
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Can We Replace Foam Insulation?
Feature Article
There are a lot of reasons to avoid foam, but its high performance can make it a hard habit to kick, as designers are finding out.
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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Composite Wood: EPA, California, and LEED v4 Requirements
Product Review
EPA criteria are similar to CARB’s and create a federal formaldehyde standard for composite wood. We explain the LEED ramifications of these emission standards.
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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.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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10,000 Cancers in Canada: Building Hazards a Major Job Risk
News Brief
Many carcinogens associated with buildings and construction are to blame for a variety of cancer cases. -
Home Depot Discontinues PFAS-Laden Carpets and Rugs
News Brief
Home Depot will no longer sell floor coverings with PFAS stain and dirt repellents—part of a larger campaign to rid its products of toxics.
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Do Flame Retardants Work? Putting Foam Insulation to the Test
News Analysis
A deeper look at California’s decision to allow flame-retardant-free foam under concrete slabs
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Chlorine and Plastic: Part Two
News Brief
The Healthy Building Network has released an extensive study detailing Asia’s chlorine production used to make PVC and other plastics.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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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.
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Polystyrene Chemicals Widespread
Op-Ed
Polystyrene chemicals may be more widespread than most people think.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
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