Greener Building Materials  

Photo courtesy of Behr Paint Company

The quality of indoor environments in buildings of all types is directly impacted by the choice of products used in those spaces, including paints and coatings.

The green building movement in the U.S. has brought attention to the quality of indoor environments, focusing on factors like lighting, thermal comfort, acoustics, access to daylight and views, and air quality. A key aspect of indoor environmental quality is the choice of building materials, especially those that can release harmful chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.” In response, manufacturers have developed products with reduced or no VOCs while maintaining performance. As a result, green building standards like LEED™, WELL™, and the Living Building Challenge™ aim to minimize or eliminate VOCs in buildings and materials, including paints and coatings. Some states, such as California, have also set specific codes and testing standards to limit VOC exposure in materials. This course covers these VOC-related aspects in buildings, particularly in paints and coatings, to help architects and design professionals meet current standards and understand available product options.

UNDERSTANDING VOCS

The term volatile organic compounds (VOCs), refers to the chemical makeup of compounds that have high vapor pressure and low water solubility. This means that they easily evaporate at room temperature. The term “volatile” refers to this tendency to vaporize, while “organic” indicates that they contain carbon.

While VOCs also occur naturally in the environment (example: they are emitted by trees and vegetation) these natural sources pose little health risk due to the compound’s nature or their low concentrations. However, synthetic VOCs can be more harmful, especially if they accumulate indoors, because of their specific chemical nature and higher concentrations.

According to the U.S. EPA, “Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacturing of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. Gaseous VOCs are emitted (also called ‘off-gassing’) by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands.” Common examples of such VOCs include formaldehyde, d-limonene, toluene, acetone, and ethanol. The EPA points out that “VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may cause short and long-term adverse health effects.” Because the evaporated chemicals remain in the air and can be inhaled, exposure to VOCs is a health concern.

Specific to our purposes here, VOCs are present in a wide variety of finishing products such as paints, varnishes, stains, paint strippers, adhesives, furnishings, and other building materials. These products can release VOCs during use and also while stored indoors, leading to higher indoor concentrations - sometimes up to ten times higher than outdoor levels.

Limiting VOCs

VOCs have been studied extensively with generally accepted knowledge developed related to which ones are a concern and under what circumstances. For example, certain VOCs in the outdoor air, particularly those emitted from automobile exhaust, are a concern because they can cause the creation of excess ozone and lead to smog. Accordingly, the U.S. EPA has developed regulations to define outdoor air quality and help control smog.

In the same way, the indoor use and regulation of VOCs have been developed by the U.S. EPA and others. The application of those regulations depends on what is, or is not, classified as a VOC under those regulations. At the federal level, a VOC is not subject to scrutiny if the EPA designates it as “Exempt”, which it may do if testing determines it is not a significant concern. However, at the state and local level, a VOC can be exempt in one jurisdiction, but not another. Conversely, a VOC may be exempt for one purpose, but not for another purpose in the same jurisdiction.

A chemical can have a low vapor pressure and still be volatile in a coatings application, meaning it evaporates over time, even if slowly. However, it may not be classified as a VOC if it does not significantly contribute to ozone formation or air pollution under regulatory guidelines. This distinction is especially important for coatings manufacturers, as it influences compliance with environmental regulations while achieving desired coating performance.

Source: Tucker, W.G. (2001) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Chapter 31. Spengler, J.D., McCarthy, J.F. and Samet, J.M., Eds., Indoor Air Quality Handbook, McGraw-Hill Companies, New York, 31.1-31.20.

Commonly encountered VOCs and their sources are well documented and known in the building industry through government agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or private not-for-profit organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building Council and the WELL Building Institute.

VOCs in Paints and Coatings

VOCs are commonly used in paints and coatings, primarily as solvents or thinners that are part of the product. These solvents work with components of paint products such as the binder to create desirable properties in paint. Because VOCs evaporate quickly and easily at room temperature, paint usually dries more quickly than without them. However, this isn’t always true since some VOCs have a lower boiling point than water and evaporate before water. Other VOCs have a higher boiling point than water and evaporate after water does.

The VOC solvents and thinners help keep the paint in liquid form until application. Once a container is opened and paint is applied, it is exposed to the air and the evaporating compounds move quickly throughout a room or space. The first evidence of that is the odor of fresh paint often associated with the process—people can smell the evaporated VOCs in the air. Removing the VOCs means removing some of the evaporative process and may increase the drying time. To help with that, controlling the indoor environment by keeping the room well-ventilated to reduce humidity and maintaining the temperature in the range of 70-90 degrees are usually recommended. Of course, different surface types may require different environmental conditions.

Another reason VOCs are used in paints and coatings is to improve adhesion and durability once the product is dry. The solvents work with the resin or binder to aid in film formation, which helps with performance and durability. Of course, different buildings and locations have different needs for durability. Residential painted walls are different than commercial painted floors for example. Therefore, different paints can be formulated for these different needs and conditions.

Photos courtesy of Behr Paint Company

Paint is typically made from solids such as pigment and binder plus solvents or thinners which may contain VOCs. Compliance with regulations and standards limits the amount of VOCs present in paints and coatings. Note that some solvents, such as water, are not VOCs and are not relevant to the regulations.

VOCs are also commonly used in paints because they can help focus the experience of paint application with improved flow and leveling of the paint. Similarly, they control the open time (i.e., workability time) and help control the drying time. In addition, coalescent compounds, which may contain VOCs, can allow the use of a harder resin based on a higher glass transition temperature (Tg)—the property of a resin that describes the temperature at which it changes from a hard, glassy state to a softer, rubbery state. This is useful to control in order to make a harder paint film that is more durable and resistant to scuffs, marks, and chemical interactions. Typically, lower VOC coatings are softer and not able to achieve the same hardness as high VOC coatings.

The paint and coatings industry has responded to the need for lowering the amount of VOCs in their products with many manufacturers offering choices that use a smaller amount of VOCs than typical products. Regulations have been developed that define “low-VOC” products which still contain some amount but reduce the exposure to people who are using them. The standard level used by LEED and others is a threshold of content that is less than 50 grams of VOC per liter. While low-VOC paint lines are widely available and used, they still may contain the chemicals mentioned previously. However, there are also “zero-VOC” paint products that are produced without adding any VOC chemicals to the paint mixtures resulting in a product that might only have trace amounts, if any, usually related to impurities in the raw material ingredients. Relatedly, depending on the colorant system used, additional VOCs may be added to the formulation during tinting.

“Zero-VOC” label products should have no intentionally added VOCs and contain no more than 5 grams of VOC per volume of solids present. The common product emission information found on “zero-VOC” paint labels typically indicates that they emit very low amounts of VOCs with most emissions occurring during painting and for 48 hours after. Some emissions may continue for two weeks or longer.

The architectural coatings industry continues to investigate ways to reduce if not eliminate any residual VOCs from existing low-VOC technologies. Additionally, the majority of research is focused on developing high-performance, water-based, low-VOC solutions for applications where oil-based coatings are typically specified.

VOC CONTENT, EMISSION TESTING AND STANDARDS

When a manufacturer, a design professional, a building owner, or even a consumer wants to know the VOC content in a paint or coating product, the information is typically available on the product label, technical data sheets, and often in the safety data sheets. For more detailed VOC content information and for third-party verification of that data, it is most effective to review the results of an analytical test. The standard way to do this is to identify the VOCs used, and then determine the weight of the VOC solvents (usually measured in grams) that exist in a specific volume (a liter) of product solids. Note that water and exempt compounds are not included, rather it is the grams of VOC divided by the volume of formulation solids measured in liters. The result is shown in grams per liter (g/L).

There are several well-established and widely accepted methods for testing the presence of VOCs in materials and products.

• EPA Test Method 24 “Determination of Volatile Matter Content, Water Content, Density, Volume Solids, and Weight Solids of Surface Coatings.” This method is applicable for the determination of volatile matter content, water content, density, volume solids, and weight solids of paint, varnish, lacquer, or other related surface coatings. It relies on a number of ASTM standards to be used and the testing process to be carried out as prescribed. They establish a “non-detect” level based on the testing, but it has been considered by some in the industry as unreliable for coatings with VOC content of below 100 g/L.
• ASTM D 6886 “Standard Test Method for Determination of the Weight Percent Individual Volatile Organic Compounds in Waterborne Air-Dry Coatings by Gas Chromatography.” This testing procedure is considered to be more accurate than EPA Test Method 24 since it relies on a different type of testing apparatus and process. It is the most favorable and widely used test for VOC content determination.

Photo courtesy of Behr Paint Company

The testing of paints and coatings for VOC content and emissions can be done following a variety of test methods and standards, although they differ in their techniques, applicability, and requirements for achieving “low-VOC” or “zero-VOC” status.

Once testing is complete on products, the test results can be applied to relevant standards that determine the appropriate levels of VOCs based on the category of usage. While EPA standards are national, other states have enacted or adopted their own rules and regulations concerning different types of VOCs and other pollutants. Some of the commonly referenced standards include the following:

• South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113 California’s South Coast AQMD’s Governing Board adopts policies and regulations that promote clean air within its four-county area of Southern California (the District), the smoggiest in the nation. Rule 1113 is the rule for VOC levels by category which references test methods such as ASTM 6886, Method 24, and others. It is based on federal and state law which requires that South Coast AQMD achieve clean air standards to protect public health. As stated, “This rule is applicable to any person who supplies, sells, markets, offers for sale, or manufactures any architectural coating that is intended to be field applied within the District to stationary structures or their appurtenances, and to fields and lawns; as well as any person who applies, stores at a worksite, or solicits the application of any architectural coating within the District. The purpose of this rule is to limit the VOC content of architectural coatings used in the District.” This comprehensive program requires an Annual Quantity and Emissions report with fees as established in SCAQMD Rule 314. The report must indicate testing following a number of ASTM standards and show compliance with the maximum levels of VOCs in the products used or sold in the District. This rule also sets levels for low- and zero-VOC products including coloring (pigment) agents.
• The Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO) This multi-state consortium was established in 1990 and currently includes the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Their main purpose is “to provide technical assessments for and assistance to its member states on problems of air quality, and to provide a forum for its member states to discuss air quality issues. LADCO’s major pollutants of concern are ozone, fine particles, regional haze and their precursors.” The program includes recommended rules for paints and coatings.
• The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) This group was created under the Clean Air Act as a multi-state organization. They are “responsible for advising the EPA on developing and implementing regional solutions to the ground-level ozone problem in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The OTC brings together the states from Virginia to Maine to coordinate reductions in air pollution that benefit the whole region.” They provide “air pollution assessment, technical support and a forum through which states can work together to harmonize their pollution reduction strategies.” Their voluntary rules include rules for paints and coatings.
• UL GREENGUARD The UL GREENGUARD Certification program has established standards and emission limits for a variety of product groups, including building materials such as paints and coatings. Note that VOC testing is different than emissions testing; they are related but not identical. Some components within a product formulation can show up as a VOC in the product testing but not show up in the emission testing because they react with the coating film during drying. The EPA and the state of Washington initially used UL GREENGUARD Certification emissions limits as purchasing specifications for furniture and commercial building products. The UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification Standard includes health-based criteria for additional chemicals and requires lower total VOC emissions levels to ensure that products are acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities. In addition to limiting emissions of more than 360 VOCs and total chemical emissions, UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified products must also comply with the requirements of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers, also known as California Section 01350. All certified products are subject to a review of the manufacturing process and routine testing to demonstrate minimal impact on the indoor environment in the long period.

Image Source: UL Solutions

The UL GREENGUARD Gold label is awarded to products that have been independently tested and verified to meet specific requirements for VOC content and other criteria. GREENGUARD is a registered trademark of UL LLC. For more information, visit ul.com/gg.

Regardless of the test methods or standards used, the intent is to independently verify both the VOC content of paints and coatings as well as the potential for emissions once the products are applied inside a building. Once the levels are determined, then the appropriate designation of low-VOC or zero-VOC can be considered. If the products meet other criteria, then they can be certified under the UL GREENGUARD program.

DESIGNING FOR HEALTH: STRATEGIES TO MINIMIZE VOC EXPOSURE IN BUILDINGS

In the interest of designing healthier indoor environments, there are a number of things to take into consideration related to VOCs and other potentially harmful building materials and ingredients. The first step is to recognize the importance of the issue and then take steps during the design process to seek out ways to reduce or eliminate these potentially harmful materials and ingredients. This includes reviewing available data on products and consideration of following green building standards that promote health and wellness. All of these points are reviewed next.

Impacts of Poor Indoor Environmental Quality

According to the EPA, “The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed.” That is all fair and true, but there are some common health symptoms that have been experienced soon after exposure to some VOCs according to the EPA. These include eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, visual disorders, and memory impairment. Long-term health effects can include damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system, and even cancer in some cases.

As individuals experience any of the above symptoms, the broader impacts on a school, company, organization, etc. have been investigated by numerous sources often cited by the U.S. Green Building Council and others. Among the common findings based on EPA reports are lower productivity, higher absenteeism, lower testing scores, and higher rates of disease and illness. Clearly, these all can significantly change the success of any of the groups of people affected by poor indoor environmental quality, particularly from VOCs. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid these issues if design and construction professionals pay attention to them.

Image Source: UL Solutions

Environmental Product Declarations are available on a wide range of products and can be used to enable the comparison of environmental impacts of like products, providing increased transparency.

Environmental Product Declarations: Transparency in Products

The International EPD System is a global program for Environmental Declarations run by EPD International AB headquartered in Sweden with branches around the world, including North America. Most U.S. organizations use this system based on the international ISO 14025 standard, although it may be carried out by an organization such as UL Solutions. An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) uses this standard to transparently report the lifecycle assessment of a product in a single, comprehensive report, which is independently verified. The EPD provides information about a product’s impact on the environment, such as global warming potential, smog creation, ozone depletion, and water pollution. Architects, designers, building owners, and others can use this information to determine the make-up of building products, such as paints and coatings, and select those that meet their criteria for a new construction or renovation project.

While the EPD is presented as a final report, the foundation of any EPD is a life cycle assessment (LCA). The LCA allows readers to evaluate a product’s environmental performance over its entire life cycle. It typically considers the full value chain, from material extraction to manufactured product, its usage stage, and end of life. The LCA is developed according to Product Category Rules (PCRs) which are product-specific calculation requirements and methodologies that help ensure consistent data collection and analysis during LCA creation. Because of this, EPDs enable the comparison of environmental impacts of like products, providing increased transparency.

An EPD is a so-called type III environmental declaration that is created and registered in the framework of a program, such as UL Solutions. Such registered EPDs are publicly available and free to download through the UL Spot Product Database, accessible online. The EPD differs in many aspects from ISO type I third-party (independent eco-labels) and type II self-declared eco-labels. As such, the EPD’s relevance is steadily growing in voluntary and mandatory engagements.

Image Source: Health Product Declaration Collaborative

Health Product Declarations (HPDs) provide transparency into additional material and product ingredients related to human health.

Health Product Declarations: A Higher Bar

Health Product Declarations (HPDs) are similar documents to EPDs but require additional criteria for transparency and disclosure related to human health. The HPD Open Standard is created and managed by the non-profit HPD Collaborative (HPDC) and is currently the most widely recognized and adopted standard for transparent reporting of building product contents and associated health information. By using the HPD Open Standard, manufacturers have a means to provide verified, clear, consistent, and reliable information about their products’ health impacts. Then, building design and construction professionals can use the HPD Open Standard to make informed decisions about the products they specify and use in their projects.

Among the many items addressed, VOCs are addressed specifically. Among the information required is the amount of VOC material present in the products (expressed in grams/liter) compared to the regulatory limit (also in grams/liter). If EPA-exempt VOCs are part of the product, they still must be identified, and their quantity noted. If colorants are available that do not increase the VOC content of the base paint when tinted, that must be indicated as well.

The standard notes that for any product, interior or exterior, that is wet/liquid-applied on site, i.e., paints, adhesives, and other coatings, the following applies: “A.) If the product has received a certification that addresses VOC content levels, or a third-party laboratory certificate for VOC content testing, the name of that certification or test method is indicated. B.) If the product is compliant with one or more of the regulatory standards applicable to the product category that limit VOC content, such as SCAQMD Rule 1168, SCAQMD Rule 1113 or the CARB 2007 Suggested Control Measure for Architectural Coatings, the name of each applicable standard with which the product complies is indicated. C.) Otherwise, reference the standard that was used to determine Actual and Regulatory VOC content values.” This makes it clear that the appropriate testing needs to be done and reported based on the relevant test. The HPD standard goes on to indicate that “for product categories that are not wet/liquid-applied, VOC Content is not applicable.”

Beyond VOCs, other ingredients and materials must be identified in terms of percentage and descending order of quantity. Of particular relevance, pigments, inks, dyes, and other colorants that are present at or above the selected Threshold(s) in the Content Inventory are required to be reported on an HPD. The maximum percentage of any colorant substance possible in any of the product variations covered by an HPD must be considered and reported in the Content Inventory if it is at or above the selected Threshold(s).

The standard notes that “For products, such as paint, that are formulated and produced as a base product, it may not be feasible to report the full range of possible colorant substances, particularly when they are added by different suppliers in the product distribution process. Manufacturers in this situation may take the following approaches: 1.) Complete an HPD for the base, untinted product, and/or 2.) Complete one or more HPDs for tinted product(s). For either approach, the following steps are required: 1.) In Product Name, include an appropriate term to indicate the scope of colorants, such as “Base,” “Untinted,” “Red Color Family,” “Barn Red,” etc. 2.) In Product Description, include an additional brief description of how colorants were or were not reported in the HPD, and 3.) In Accessories, the colorant system should be included as an accessory.”

Image Source: U.S. Green Building Certification Institute

LEED version 5 is under development and still includes specific criteria for VOC content and emissions for a variety of building products including paints, coatings, and related materials.

LEED and Low-VOC Paints & Coatings

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program is probably the best-known and most-used green building rating system. The current version, LEED v. 4.1 is in effect, although LEED v. 5 is in the development and public comment period. LEED v. 4.1 addresses Low Emitting Materials as part of Indoor Environmental Quality while LEED v. 5 has moved it to the Material and Resources category. However, the fundamental assessment is unchanged between the two versions for reviewing both VOC emissions and VOC content.

• VOC Emissions Evaluation. As described in the LEED BD+C manuals, there are two options to choose from for evaluating VOC emissions. The first is for the product to be tested according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2–2017 showing that it complies with the VOC limits in Table 4-1 of the method. Additionally, the evaluation must show the range of total VOCs after 14 days (336 hours) to be measured as specified in the CDPH Standard Method v1.2 and reported. The second option for emissions is to have the product tested according to the European Standard, EN 16516:2017, and comply with the LCI values from Table 1 of the German AgBB Testing and Evaluation Scheme (2015). The results must show a formaldehyde limit of 10 micrograms per cubic meter and the range of total VOCs after 28 days to be measured as specified in EN 16516 and reported. Laboratories that conduct these tests must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for the test methods they use.

Under either option, the statement of product compliance must include the exposure scenario(s) used, the amount of wet-applied product applied in mass per surface area (if applicable), the range of total VOCs, and follow the relevant guidelines. Organizations that certify manufacturers’ claims must be accredited under ISO Guide 17065.

• VOC Content Evaluation. Products being used in a building that is seeking LEED credits and certification must meet the VOC content limits outlined in one of the LEED-identified standards. For projects in North America, methylene chloride and perchloroethylene are indicated to be specifically excluded. Part of the submission for credit includes a statement of product compliance made by the manufacturer or a USGBC-approved third party. That statement must include the results of testing which must follow the test method specified in the applicable regulation. Note that if the applicable regulation requires the subtraction of exempt compounds, then it must be disclosed if there is any content of intentionally added exempt compounds larger than 1% weight by mass (total exempt compounds). Specifically for paints and coatings, the LEED-identified standards include the California Air Resource Board (CARB) 2007 Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Architectural Coatings or South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113 amended February 5, 2016, effective date most current at the time of the project’s LEED registration date.

In all, LEED continues to keep a focus on VOCs as a significant part of defining good indoor environmental quality.

WELL Building Standards

The International WELL Building Institute™is the organization that has developed the WELL Building Standard version 2 (WELL v2). They describe this standard as “a vehicle for buildings and organizations to deliver more thoughtful and intentional spaces that enhance human health and well-being. WELL v2 includes a set of strategies—backed by the latest scientific research—that aims to advance human health through design interventions and operational protocols and policies and foster a culture of health and well-being. Built upon the pioneering foundation of the first version of the WELL Building Standard (WELL v1), WELL v2 draws expertise from a diverse community of WELL users, practitioners, public health professionals, and building scientists around the world.” The standard is recognized by LEED but focuses on the health and well-being of occupants in more categories and in greater detail.

Among the ten different concepts in WELL v2, the Air concept “aims to achieve high levels of indoor air quality across a building’s lifetime through diverse strategies that include source elimination or reduction, active and passive building design and operation strategies, and human behavior interventions.” Specifically, Section A05, which focuses on enhanced air quality, includes Part 2 - Meet Enhanced Thresholds for Organic Gases (i.e., VOCs). The requirements here apply to all spaces and must be verified by performance testing. The requirements are focused on specific VOCs with specific thresholds for emissions to be met in occupiable spaces. These include Acetaldehyde: 140 µg/m³ or lower plus any one of the following: Acrylonitrile: 5 µg/m³ or lower; Caprolactam: 2.2 µg/m³ or lower; Benzene: 3 µg/m³ or lower; Formaldehyde: 9 µg/m³ or lower; Naphthalene: 9 µg/m³ or lower; and Toluene: 300 µg/m³ or lower. Note that not all of these are applicable to paints and coatings but are found in other materials including furniture. The goal is for the interior spaces to be within these limits, regardless of the source.

Image Source: International WELL Building Institute

The WELL Building Standard includes some very specific requirements for VOC emissions that need to be met in order for an interior space to be considered appropriately healthy.

Living Building Challenge

The International Futures Living Institute™(ILFI) has developed the Living Building Challenge (LBC) as “a philosophy, advocacy tool, and certification program defining today’s most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment. It addresses all buildings at all scales and is an inclusive tool for transformative design. Whether the project is a single building, a renovation, an infrastructure project, or a park, the Living Building Challenge provides a framework for designing, constructing, and improving the symbiotic relationships between people and all aspects of the built and natural environments.” The Living Building Challenge Standard is the core document that project teams use to guide them on a path toward certification. It is based on a “regenerative design framework to create spaces that, like a flower, give more than they take.” They are described as regenerative buildings that connect occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community.

The Living Building Challenge version 4.1 (released in April of 2024) goes beyond “doing no harm” to being truly regenerative and contributing to a positive built environment in multiple respects. It includes 20 imperatives organized into seven “petals,” all of which must be achieved to receive full LBC Certification. Under the Health and Happiness Petal, the Healthy Indoor Environment Plan (HIEP) imperative requires an instructional, updatable, document that includes multiple indoor air quality improvement strategies such as toxin prevention policies.

Image Source: International Living Futures Institute

The Declare Label is a component of the Living Building Challenge that identifies the presence or absence of harmful materials that should be avoided from the “Red List.”

As one strategy toward healthier indoor environments, ILFI has also developed the “Declare Label” program. They describe it as “a platform to share and find healthy building products. Manufacturers voluntarily disclose product information on easy-to-read Declare Labels, which are accessible on a free database.” The information needs to be third-party verified. Part of the process is to review the LBC Red List which is “a list of chemicals representing the “worst in class” substances prevalent in the building industry that pose serious risks to human health and the environment. The Red List is organized by chemical class and lists individual chemicals by Chemical Abstract Registry Number (CASRN).” A product’s compliance with the LBC Red List is represented on the Declare Label by one of three Declaration Statuses for products:

• LBC Red List Free products disclose 100% of ingredients present at or above 100 ppm (0.01%) in the final product and do not contain any Red List chemicals.
• LBC Red List Approved products disclose a minimum of 99% of ingredients present in the final product and meet the LBC Red List Imperative requirements through one or more approved exceptions.
• Declared products disclose 100% of ingredients present in the final product but contain one or more Red List chemicals that are not covered by an approved exception.

In addition to the LBC Red List, the Declare label demonstrates alignment with other requirements within the Living Building Challenge and Core Green Building Certification, as well as LEED and WELL certifications. These requirements include ingredient disclosure thresholds, VOC content and emissions, embodied carbon, and responsible sourcing.

Photo courtesy of Behr Paint Company

The selection of low-VOC or zero-VOC paints and coatings contributes to well-designed, healthier, and more environmentally friendly buildings.

CREATING HEALTHIER INTERIORS: TACKLING VOCS IN NEW & RENOVATED SPACES

It should be clear by now that there are multiple strategies for addressing contaminants, like VOCs, in new and existing buildings to improve indoor environmental quality including, specifically, the indoor air quality (IAQ). In so doing, architects, designers, building owners, and construction professionals can all work collaboratively to help protect the health and well-being of building occupants, users and the general public. With that in mind, here are some things that can be done on every project to meet those objectives.

• Design Process: Healthy indoor environmental quality starts with design, is followed through with proper material selection, and kept up through maintenance. Therefore, it is always helpful to identify the specific goals at the outset of a project, not wait until later when it could be more difficult to incorporate. That includes things like determining what level of indoor air quality is sought and how it will be achieved.
• Design Layout: Some spaces may be identified as having higher levels of VOCs and/or other contaminants due to their use or function. It is prudent, and helpful, to keep any concentration of contaminants away from people in commercial and institutional buildings. That can include providing separate storage rooms or areas for VOC containing products like paints, adhesives, solvents and cleaners. Such spaces should be well-ventilated and appropriately secured and controlled.
• Specifications: ™ The best way to reduce or eliminate VOCs is to specify materials and products that don’t contain them in the first place or at least contain as few as possible. To determine how to select those products, use the free online search service available from EPD International or Sustainable Minds® Transparency Catalog™ to review relevant EPDs for products such as paints and coatings and others. If specific products aren’t found, contact the manufacturer to ask for any available, third party verified EPDs directly from them. Similarly, for more detailed health data information, search online at the HPD Collaborative website or Sustainable Minds Transparency Catalog for copies of the HPDs relevant to a project.
• Voluntary Green Standards: In order to determine the preferred level of indoor air quality, review the standards from LEED, WELL, and The Living Building Challenge. Then, compare the products being considered for specification against these standards to determine which ones are most appealing. This can be done whether certification for the building is being sought under any of these programs or not, especially for things like paints and coatings. In particular, review the “Red List” materials to determine if any of the listed ingredients are in the paints and coatings being considered for a project. If certification is being sought under any of these programs, then follow the identified process to verify and report compliance for credit where appropriate.
• Owner Education Many building owners and facility managers are interested in achieving healthy indoor air quality in the interest of protecting the people who use the building, and enhancing the activities that the building is designed for, whether work, education, recreation, hospitality, or other uses. Architects have an opportunity to share information about the design and specification of the products in the building plus any certifications that can help with the ongoing proper operations and maintenance to keep indoor air quality high and healthy. This might include allowing time for building materials, paints, and coatings in new or remodeled areas to adequately off-gas before occupancy if warranted. Or it could be instructing them on low- and zero-VOC products used that should be replicated to keep indoor air quality high during any future re-painting, remodeling, or renovation work.

CONCLUSION

Indoor environmental quality continues to be a significant design topic since it is directly related to human health and wellness. The presence of VOCs and other contaminants in buildings can have a direct impact on indoor spaces and the people who occupy them. The reduction of VOCs in paints and coatings has been shown to help improve indoor environmental quality and occupant health. These products can also help contribute to LEED, WELL, and Living Building Challenge certifications. By understanding the ways to design with and specify low VOC paints and coatings, architects and specifiers can achieve improved indoor environmental quality goals while creating potentially healthier interior spaces for the building occupants.

Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP s a nationally known architect who has authored nearly 300 continuing education courses focused on advancing building performance through better design. www.pjaarch.com, www.linkedin.com/in/pjaarch