Choosing Healthy Materials on Your Next Building Project: A How-To Guide
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Transcript of Choosing Healthy Materials on Your Next Building Project: A How-To Guide
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CHOOSING HEALTHY MATERIALS ON YOUR NEXT PROJECT: A HOW-TO GUIDEWEBINAR FOR BUILD IT GREEN
Friday, February 13, 2015
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Melanie Loftus
• Healthy Materials• Green Building
Consultant• LEED AP BD+C• Living Building
Challenge Volunteer Ambassador
• Contributor• Yale School of Forestry
and Environmental Studies
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ACOG/ASRM Committee Opinion “Environmental exposures can have a profound and lasting impact on the health of our patients and future generations”
Courtesy of Tracey Woodruff, UCSF School of Medicine
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U.S. Regulatory Environment
• The U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (1976)
• 62,000 chemicals in commerce “grandfathered”
• 20,000 new chemicals have been introducedo 85% have no health datao 67% have no data at all
• 700 new chemicals added each year
Michael Wilson, Green Chemistry in California: http://coeh.berkeley.edu/news/06_wilson_policy.htm
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HEALTH AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Terminology and Toxicology
• VOC – volatile organic compounds
• SVOC – semi-volatile organic compound
• POP – persistent organic pollutants
• PBT – persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic chemical
• Endocrine disruptor
• Mutagen
• Reproductive toxicant / Neurotoxicant
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Marketing Terminology• Safe
“Safe is not a scientific word, it is a political word.”
• Non-toxic
• Low VOC
May only mean it is compliant with SCAQMD rules, but PVC glue limits are 510 g/L and architectural coatings’ limits are 250 g/L.
• Recycled Content
Consider the waste stream. Often hazardous waste from industrial processes is resold as recycled content.
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Marketing Terminology, continued• Zero VOC
Still can contain significant amounts of non ozone-forming or “exempt” volatile organic compounds.
• Biodegradable
Without meeting ASTM D6400, this may only mean that the product breaks down into infinitely smaller particles without actually degrading.
• Bio-based (i.e. soy-based)
For some product categories, products can be marketed as bio-based with a minimum of 7% bio-based ingredients per USDA guidelines.
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USDA Biobased Products
• Look for label:
• Consider the source
Source: USDA BioPreferred Program
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Identifying Health Hazards in the Built Environment
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs)• Halogenated Flame Retardants• Phthalates and plasticizers• Fluorochemicals• Bisphenol A
• Other hazards• Polyurethanes (Isocyanates)• Nanomaterials• Antimicrobials• EMF
Photo: Topos Architecten
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Volatile Organic Compounds
• Easy to quantify and measure (g/L andEPA Method 24)
• Overall, a lot of progress
• By creating smog rules, we “backed into” improving Indoor Air Quality
Photo: Michael Cory
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Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
• Large, heavy molecules attach to particles in the air and settle into household dust
• No regulations to measure SVOC content in materials
• SVOCs behave less predictably than VOCs and do not decrease off gassing over time
• PBTs, endocrine disruptors
• Avoidance is best policyPhoto: Interface FLOR
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Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
• Halogenated Flame Retardants
• Phthalates and plasticizers
• Fluorochemicals
• Bisphenol A
Photo: Interface FLOR
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Other Issues of Concern• Nanomaterials
These materials are so small that they bridge cell walls. Current science finds behavior is similar to endocrine disruptors.
• AntimicrobialsTriclosan levels already found in the urine of Americans are high enough to potentially cause health effects, including allergies, hypothyroidism. Endocrine disruptors, thyroid-blocking. Not bioaccumulative, but persistent.
• IsocyanatesIncludes MDI, Severe respiratory irritants.
• EMFAC Magnetic Fields and Radio Frequency Radiation (2012 Bioinitiative Report). Radio Frequency Radiation is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
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Health Product Declaration
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HEALTHY MATERIALS BY PRODUCT CATEGORY
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Concrete
• Form Release
• Concrete Stains
• Concrete Sealers
Photo: Sam Javanrouh
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Concrete: Form Release
• High VOC form release agents
• Inability to reuse formwork for interior applications
• Use:• Low and zero VOC form
release• Biobased form release
Photo: Chris McSorley
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Concrete: Stains and Sealers
• High VOC stains and sealers
• Polyurethane finishes • Epoxy sealers• Maintenance
• Use:• Low and no-VOC stains and
finishes• Biobased finishes• Can you finish concrete
without epoxy or polyurethane?
Photo: Sam Javanrouh
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Concrete: ManufacturersForm Release Manufacturers
WR Meadows SoyCleanReal Milk Paint Company: Linseed Oil
• Low VOC • Low VOC • Zero VOC
• Biobased • 100% Biobased
Stain and Sealant Manufacturers
WR Meadows EcoProcote Ecos Paint Company
• Low VOC • Zero VOC • Zero VOC
• Biobased (Soy based)
• Health Product Declarations
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Stone and Grout
• Grouts
• Grout Sealers
• Stone sealers
Photo: floorsmk
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Grout, Stone and Grout Sealants
• Antimicrobials in grouts and admixtures
• High VOC grout and stone sealants
• Fluorochemical grout and stone sealants
• Nanoparticle coatings
• Polyurethane grouts do not require sealant but contain isocyanates, antimicrobials
Photo: floorsmk
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Stone and Grout: ManufacturersGrout Manufacturers
Laticrete and TEC Accucolor Bostik
• Sanded and Unsanded grout without admixtures contain no antimicrobials but require sealing
• Quartzlock polyurethane grout does not require sealant but contains antimicrobial
Stone and Grout Sealant Manufacturers
Miracle Sealants (511)
Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice AFM Safecoat EcoProcote
• High VOC penetrating sealer
• Low VOC • Low VOC • Zero VOC
• No fluoro-chemicals or nano
• Contains fluoro-chemicals
• No fluoro-chemicals or nano
• No fluoro-chemicals or nano
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Structural Framing
• Plywood
• OSB
• Engineered Lumber
• Construction Adhesives
Photo: nfg25
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Structural Framing: Plywood, OSB, and Engineered Lumber
• Formaldehyde
• Use:• Lower-emitting sheet
goods• Consider encapsulation
for sensitive owners• Consider 2x decking,
open web trusses, laminated timber, and other design changes to avoid formaldehyde
Photo: nfg25
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Formaldehyde In Composite WoodStructural (Softwood) Architectural (Hardwood)
Uses Subfloor, sheathing, roof deck Cabinetry, vanities, trim and woodwork
Formats Plywood: flat strips of wood glued together in a stack to make a board
Plywood: flat strips of wood glued together in a stack to make a board
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) contains scraps of wood glued together.
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) contains tiny pieces of wood glued together.
Highest CH2O- Emitting Glues
Urea formaldehyde Urea formaldehyde
Lower CH2O-Emitting Glues
No Added Urea Formaldehyde (NAUF), or CARB Phase II “exempt”
No Added Urea Formaldehyde (NAUF), or CARB Phase II “exempt”
Non CH2O-Emitting Glues
N/A No Added Formaldehyde (NAF), also CARB Phase II exempt
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Formaldehyde in Composite WoodHighest Formaldehyde Emissions
Lower Formaldehyde Emissions
Lowest Formaldehyde Emissions
Urea formaldehyde No Added Urea Formaldehyde (NAUF)
No Added Formaldehyde (NAF)
Phenol formaldehyde Soy-based binder or Isocyanate binder
Highest Potential Emissions
Lower Potential Emissions
Lowest Potential Emissions
Medium density fiberboard (MDF)
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
Plywood
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Structural Framing: Adhesives
• Formaldehyde
• Isocyanates
• Use:• Polyether adhesives
Photo: nfg25
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Structural Adhesives: Manufacturers
Polyether Construction Adhesive Manufacturers
AFM Safecoat Chemlink Ecobond
• Low VOC • Low VOC • Zero VOC
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Waterproofing
• Hot asphalt• Isocyanates• Chlorinated plastic
membranes• Contractor familiarity and
liability
• Use:• Non-chlorinated
membranes• Elastomeric sealants• Tadelakt
Photo: Marlene Manto
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Waterproofing: Manufacturers
Waterproofing Manufacturers
QuickdrainCustom Building Broducts
Tadelakt
• Proline waterproofing membrane
• RedGuard, 5 g/L • Plaster
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Insulation
• Rigid Insulation• Flat roof• Sub slab• Exterior
• Cavity Insulation• Walls• Ceilings
Photo: Knauf Insulation
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Insulation
• Halogenated Flame Retardants (rigid foam and spray foam)
• Isocyanates (spray foam)• Formaldehyde
(fiberglass, mineral wool)• Use:
• Biobased insulation• Rapidly renewable
insulation• Insulation that promotes
good indoor air qualityPhoto: Knauf Insulation
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Insulation: ManufacturersRigid Insulation Manufacturers
Cork Mineral WoolRigid Fiberglass
Cellular Glass
• Amorim Thermacork
• Roxul • Knauf (NAF) • Foamglas
• Johns Manville
Cavity Fill Insulation Manufacturers
Cellulose Blown-In Fiberglass Fiberglass Batt
• GreenFiber • JM Spider • Knauf
• Johns Manville
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Carpet
• Phthalates and plasticizers• Recycled content from
tires• Fluorochemicals• Carpet adding contains
halogenated flame retardants
• Use:• Wool• Hard surface flooring• Area rugs
Photo: Matthew Benton
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Carpet: Manufacturers
Carpet Manufacturers
Earth Weave Carpet Mills
Nature’s Carpet Peace Industry
• 100% wool • 100% wool • Wool felt area rugs
• Untreated all natural backing
• Range of backings from synthetic to all natural
• Traditional felting process
Carpet Padding Manufacturers
Earth Weave Carpet Mills
• 100% wool padding
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Paints and Primers
• VOCs• Mildewcides• Ethylene glycol• Heavy solvents (Oil-based
primers)
• Use:• Plaster• Natural and bio-based paints• Zero VOC interior paints• Low VOC exterior paints• Low VOC acrylic primers
Photo: Lance
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Paints: ManufacturersPaint Manufacturers
Bioshield Auro Ecos Paint
• 100% solvent free • All natural paints made in Germany
• Contains mildewcides
• Clay paints • Health Product Declarations
Plaster Manufacturers
American Clay Plaster
EcoStucco TransMineral USA
• Natural earth plaster
• Natural earth plaster
• St. Astier natural hydraulic limes (NHL)
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Hardwood Floor Finish
• Isocyanates• High VOC stains and finishes
• Prop 65 chemicals
• Use:• Non-polyurethane, all
natural finishes• Zero VOC polyurethanes• Zero VOC stains
Photo: Aaron van Dorn
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Hardwood Floor Finishes: Manufacturers
Floor Finish and Stain Manufacturers
Rubio Monocoat
Auro Bioshield Ecos Paint Co
• Zero VOC polyurethane
• All natural floor finishes made in Germany
• All natural floor finishes
• Non-polyurethane wood varnish
• Non-polyurethane
• Non-polyurethane
• HPDs
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Plumbing
• High VOC plastic glues• Glue contaminants in drinking water
• Pipe leaching
• Use:• Copper• Polypropylene• PEX
Photo: Nik Stanbridge
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Plumbing: Manufacturers
Plumbing Manufacturers
Worthington Cylinder Corporation Aquatherm Pipe
• Copper soldering accessories • Polypropylene
• Lead free solder and water soluble soldering flux
• Heat fusion avoids high VOC plastic glues
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RESOURCES
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Additional Resources
• SixClasses.org 30-minute lectures on hazardous chemical classes in consumer products
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Additional Resources
• BuildingGreen whitepaper, “Avoiding Toxic Chemicals in Commercial Building Projects”
• Prescriptions for a Healthy House by Paula Baker-Laporte