Choosing Healthy Materials on Your Next Building Project: A How-To Guide
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This document is a guide to selecting healthy materials for building projects, emphasizing the importance of understanding toxic substances and their health impacts. It outlines various hazardous materials and offers recommendations for safer alternatives in categories such as insulation, concrete, and paints. The guide also highlights marketing terminology related to health claims and encourages responsible sourcing of materials.
Choosing Healthy Materials on Your Next Building Project: A How-To Guide
- 1. CHOOSING HEALTHY MATERIALS ON YOUR NEXT PROJECT: A HOW-TO GUIDE WEBINAR FOR BUILD IT GREEN Friday, February 13, 2015
- 2. Melanie Loftus • Healthy Materials • Green Building Consultant • LEED AP BD+C • Living Building Challenge Volunteer Ambassador • Contributor • Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
- 3. Why Is This Important? Photo: Allen Bellew
- 4. 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
- 5. U.S. Regulatory Environment • The U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (1976) • 62,000 chemicals in commerce “grandfathered” • 20,000 new chemicals have been introduced o 85% have no health data o 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
- 6. HEALTH AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
- 7. 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
- 8. 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.
- 9. 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.
- 10. USDA Biobased Products • Look for label: • Consider the source Source: USDA BioPreferred Program
- 11. 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
- 12. Volatile Organic Compounds • Easy to quantify and measure (g/L and EPA Method 24) • Overall, a lot of progress • By creating smog rules, we “backed into” improving Indoor Air Quality Photo: Michael Cory
- 13. 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 policy Photo: Interface FLOR
- 14. Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds • Halogenated Flame Retardants • Phthalates and plasticizers • Fluorochemicals • Bisphenol A Photo: Interface FLOR
- 15. Other Issues of Concern • Nanomaterials These materials are so small that they bridge cell walls. Current science finds behavior is similar to endocrine disruptors. • Antimicrobials Triclosan 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. • Isocyanates Includes MDI, Severe respiratory irritants. • EMF AC 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.
- 17. HEALTHY MATERIALS BY PRODUCT CATEGORY
- 18. Concrete • Form Release • Concrete Stains • Concrete Sealers Photo: Sam Javanrouh
- 19. 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
- 20. 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
- 21. Concrete: Manufacturers Form Release Manufacturers WR Meadows SoyClean Real 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
- 22. Stone and Grout • Grouts • Grout Sealers • Stone sealers Photo: floorsmk
- 23. 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
- 24. Stone and Grout: Manufacturers Grout 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
- 25. Structural Framing • Plywood • OSB • Engineered Lumber • Construction Adhesives Photo: nfg25
- 26. 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
- 27. Formaldehyde In Composite Wood Structural (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
- 28. Formaldehyde in Composite Wood Highest 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
- 29. Structural Framing: Adhesives • Formaldehyde • Isocyanates • Use: • Polyether adhesives Photo: nfg25
- 30. Structural Adhesives: Manufacturers Polyether Construction Adhesive Manufacturers AFM Safecoat Chemlink Ecobond • Low VOC • Low VOC • Zero VOC
- 31. Waterproofing • Hot asphalt • Isocyanates • Chlorinated plastic membranes • Contractor familiarity and liability • Use: • Non-chlorinated membranes • Elastomeric sealants • Tadelakt Photo: Marlene Manto
- 32. Waterproofing: Manufacturers Waterproofing Manufacturers Quickdrain Custom Building Broducts Tadelakt • Proline waterproofing membrane • RedGuard, 5 g/L • Plaster
- 33. Insulation • Rigid Insulation • Flat roof • Sub slab • Exterior • Cavity Insulation • Walls • Ceilings Photo: Knauf Insulation
- 34. 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 quality Photo: Knauf Insulation
- 35. Insulation: Manufacturers Rigid Insulation Manufacturers Cork Mineral Wool Rigid 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
- 36. 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
- 37. 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
- 38. 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
- 39. Paints: Manufacturers Paint 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)
- 40. 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
- 41. 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
- 42. Plumbing • High VOC plastic glues • Glue contaminants in drinking water • Pipe leaching • Use: • Copper • Polypropylene • PEX Photo: Nik Stanbridge
- 43. 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
- 44. RESOURCES
- 45. Additional Resources • SixClasses.org 30-minute lectures on hazardous chemical classes in consumer products
- 46. Additional Resources • BuildingGreen whitepaper, “Avoiding Toxic Chemicals in Commercial Building Projects” • Prescriptions for a Healthy House by Paula Baker- Laporte
Editor's Notes
- #3: I first became interested in green building while I was in graduate school. I also had an interest in environmental pollution, waste issues, toxicity issues, and it took a number of years before those two interests were brought together in a formal sense. With increasing demand in the marketplace for transparency and healthier materials, I’ve been able to merge my passion for green building with my interest in lifecycle environmental impacts. I have worked in green building and the materials marketplace since 2008. I am a LEED AP in BD+C. I am also a volunteer ambassador for the Living Building Challenge. Last year, had the opportunity to contribute to Houzz.
- #4: Old paradigm: we are either “upstream” or “downstream” of another person/community. In today’s world, we see again and again that those flows are multi-directional. Our pollutants are being found in the arctic, PBTs are found in Polar Bears. We also cannot draw lines between each other anymore: saying that is primarily an occupant exposure, a contractor exposure, a factory worker, a community in the vicinity of a plant, or a fireman. We have to look at these lifecycle impacts as a whole, because we are all being connected to these waste streams on some level. Tom Lent said “We Eat Out Buildings.” Chemicals found in our dust children crawl around and hand-to-mouth, adults also had to mouth more than we realize what we put in our buildings ends up in our bodies.
- #5: So today, I will spend some time delving into the toxicology, but ultimately, this webinar assumes that you have an understanding of the need for healthy materials in your buildings, and you would just like to understand where to start.
- #6: 3000 chemicals manufactured/imported > 1 million pounds
- #8: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Because of this, they have been observed to persist in the environment, to be capable of long-range transport, bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue, bioaccumulate in food chains, and to have potential significant impacts on human health and the environment. No known degradation pathway, continue to build up in environment and our body. Endocrine disruptor: Endocrine effects include not only direct effects on traditional endocrine glands, their hormones and receptors, but also all other hormones and signaling cascades that affect the body’s systems and processes. These include reproductive function and fetal development, the nervous system and behavior, the immune and metabolic systems, gene expression, the liver, bones, and many other organs, glands and tissues. Signals at parts per trillion create cascading effects that trigger organ formation, sexual maturation, mood and bonding behaviors, appetite and thirst, blood sugar, fat storage, and more. Mutagens cause mutations in our DNA. Reproductive toxicant and neurotoxicants cause effects to the reproductive system and nervous system, respectively.
- #10: Carpet minimum: 7%, but for non-carpet minimum is 91%. http://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/pages/ProductCategories.xhtml News ink and printer ink and sheetfed ink minimum biobased content: 20-67%. Membrane concrete sealers Minimum Biobased Content: 11%. Penetrating liquid sealers Minimum Biobased Content: 79%.
- #12: There are certain chemical classes that come up time and again when looking at health hazards in our buildings. I will walk through the health affects associated with these different chemical classes. I will share some high-level health impact research, but my intent is not to make you a toxicologist. It is to provide somewhat of a background on why in the next section, I have tried to find products with as few of the hazards I’ve listed in this slide as possible. If you feel overwhelmed, consider starting with VOCs, then on your next project, bite off a few SVOCs, then jump into other hazards after that.
- #14: Halogenated Flame Retardants: mutagens, carcinogens, neurodevelopmental effects including decreased memory, learning disabilities, hyperactivity; reproductive toxicants, delayed conception, reduced sperm count; immune suppression; lower birth weight. More than 4,000 scientific studies documenting PBDE’s persistence, bioaccumulative properties, and toxicity to human and animal subjects. Direct relationship between PBDE concentration ad lower IQ. Children’s HFR concentrations are 3 times that of their mothers. Phthalates: make plastics softer and more flexible; damages sexual development in prenatally exposed boys; increased abdominal obesity, reduced sperm viability, earlier breast development, and asthma Fluorocarbons: phasing out longer chain C-8 chemicals; shorter chain less persistent but almost no information on health effects. Semi-volatile forms migrate out from products into indoor and outdoor air. Cord blood disproportionately transfers shorter chain fluorocarbons to fetuses. Stain repellants have been found in Polar Bears. Cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility in women and early menopause. Reduced testosterone levels in men. Bisphenol A, Bisphenol S: endocrine disruptor, reduced sperm quality, diabetes, obesity; effects at 5000 times lower than government “safe” exposure levels.
- #15: Halogenated Flame Retardants: mutagens, carcinogens, neurodevelopmental effects including decreased memory, learning disabilities, hyperactivity; reproductive toxicants, delayed conception, reduced sperm count; immune suppression; lower birth weight. More than 4,000 scientific studies documenting PBDE’s persistence, bioaccumulative properties, and toxicity to human and animal subjects. Direct relationship between PBDE concentration ad lower IQ. Children’s HFR concentrations are 3 times that of their mothers. The flame retardant HBCD (HBCDD) is found in EPS and XPS, it has been banned by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, but is currently under a grace period of 5 years. Phthalates: make plastics softer and more flexible; damages sexual development in prenatally exposed boys; increased abdominal obesity, reduced sperm viability, earlier breast development, and asthma. Fluorocarbons: Phased out longer chain C-8 chemicals PFOA and PFOS; shorter chain less persistent but almost no information on health effects, but cord blood disproportionately transfers shorter chain fluorocarbons to fetuses. Stain repellants have been found in Polar Bears. Cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility in women and early menopause. Reduced testosterone levels in men. Semi-volatile forms migrate out from products into indoor and outdoor air. Bisphenol A, Bisphenol S: endocrine disruptor, reduced sperm quality, diabetes, obesity; effects at 5000 times lower than government “safe” exposure levels.
- #16: Nanomaterials: Standard toxicological analysis for non-nano versions of a chemical are not sufficient to model the behavior of a nanomaterial in the body. These materials are so small that they bridge cell walls. Current science finds behavior is similar to endocrine disruptors. Antimicrobials: Triclosan 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. Feminizing effects, estrogen enhancing and testosterone blocking. Isocyanates: Includes MDI, Severe respiratory irritants. Asthma triggers and asthmagens. NOT just during application, though that is primary. Concern also as the finish wears down and ends up in dust. Can cause some of the same respiratory problems, asthma attacks that curing isocyanates cause. EMF: EMF is a term encompassing AC 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. The United States is not taking these issues seriously, but if you would like to learn more, I highly recommend reading the 2012 BioInitiative Report. There are a host of non-carcinogen, non-lethal developmental effects being documented in the literature, and are simply not being addressed by our regulatory environment or our green building industry.
- #17: HPD: creation of a standard format to report building product content and associated health information. The objective is to establish a standard format to (1) support consumers’ informed decisions about the products they purchase and their impacts on human health, and (2) to reduce the burden on product manufacturers juggling multiple types of information requests and reporting formats. Some practitioners are favoring manufacturers that publish HPDs? Some smaller manufacturers don’t have staff or budget to do HPD, so I tend to favor those that provide greater disclosure of ingredients through their website or MSDS.
- #18: Now we will talk about specific health hazards and material choices by product category. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is a place to start. Remember that with ANY product or manufacturer I list on a slide, before putting them into your specifications, test the products for performance and appropriateness for a given application. Also call manufacturers and talk to them about what products they would recommend for your project. If you are dealing with a chemically sensitive individual, if you yourself are chemically sensitive, not all of these are appropriate. Test before applying anything in your home.
- #19: Finishes: avoid fluorochemicals and nanosealants. When picking thermal mass/flooring, ask, what will the sealant be?
- #21: Polyurethanes: problem during cure and break down over time releasing asthmagens Epoxies: contain carcinogens and BPA, maintenance schedule for re-applying finishes n-methyl pyrrolidone
- #23: Plan ahead when choosing stone, because as with concrete, the sealant can effect maintenance and the overall health of your home.
- #33: Quickdrain: polyethylene
- #37: Phthalates: make plastics softer and more flexible; damages sexual development in prenatally exposed boys; increased abdominal obesity, reduced sperm viability, earlier breast development, and asthma Fluorocarbons: phasing out longer chain C-8 chemicals; shorter chain less persistent but almost no information on health effects. Semi-volatile forms migrate out from products into indoor and outdoor air. Cord blood disproportionately transfers shorter chain fluorocarbons to fetuses. Stain repellants have been found in Polar Bears. Cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility in women and early menopause. Reduced testosterone levels in men.