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
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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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Build More or Build Green? Affordable Housing’s False Choice
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The housing crisis is also a climate crisis and a social equity crisis. If we change our ways, we can address them all at once.
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For the Trees
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Mass timber is a billion-dollar industry poised to reduce embodied carbon. Its trajectory may surprise us all.
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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Nexterra NSF-140-Certified Commercial Carpet Tiles
Product Review
Bolyu and Cambridge carpet tiles with Nexterra backing were the first carpets certified to NSF 140-2007e, achieving the platinum level.
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CertainTeed Introduces a Formaldehyde-Free Batt Insulation
Product Review
CertainTeed's Sustainable Insulation fiberglass batt uses a formaldehyde-free, bio-based binder and retains the same performance characteristics as the company's standard fiberglass insulation.
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Armstrong Takes Formaldehyde-Free Cabinets Mainstream
Product Review
Armstrong's Origins line of formaldehyde-free cabinets ends a long wait for a mainstream, affordable cabinet meeting both LEED and CARB indoor air quality standards.
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Air Renew Wallboard Absorbs Formaldehyde from Indoor Air
Product Review
Using a common building product to clean indoor air? AirRenew drywall claims to improve indoor air quality by absorbing formaldehyde and trapping it chemically in the gypsum core.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Phthalate-Free Vinyl Flooring One Step Closer to Mainstream
News Analysis
Tarkett manufacturing in North America will transition to a phthalate-free formulation for virgin vinyl flooring. Used to provide flexibility to PVC, phthalates are endocrine disruptors that may also affect IQ and cause respiratory illness.
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Making Sense of LEED's Formaldehyde Ruling
News Analysis
Does LEED's new ruling allowing added urea formaldehyde in some circumstances conflict with its Low-Emitting Materials credit?
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Breathing Easy in LEED Housing
News Analysis
A new study finds that asthma symptoms recede for residents of a LEED-certified building with indoor air quality measures.
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California Pioneers New Limits on Toxic Chemicals in Consumer Products
News Analysis
Trendsetting regulations in California will have manufacturers disclosing ingredients and reformulating their products.
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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