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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Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Dow Styrofoam Cradle to Cradle Certified, Despite Chemistry
News Analysis
Dow Chemical's Styrofoam extruded polystyrene has been awarded Cradle-to-Cradle Silver certification by MBDC, despite some questionable environmental characteristics.
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Industry Agrees to Phase Out DecaBDE Flame Retardant
News Analysis
Through an agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and three chemical manufacturers, the brominated flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) will be phased out by the end of 2013.
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High Lead Airborne Lead Levels Persist from Metal Processing
News Brief
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Scientists Speak Out Against Halogenated Flame Retardants
News Brief
The San Antonio Statement, signed by 145 scientists worldwide, calls for increased transparency about human health and environmental impacts of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, and demands further testing of alternative chemicals to ensure safety.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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