Healthy Buildings

Status: In progress

The problem: For improved energy efficiency, the use of insulation materials such as polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane is increasing in buildings, especially “green” buildings. Building codes specify performance tests for these materials that lead to the inclusion of flame retardant chemicals that are either known to be toxic or lack adequate health information.

The major flame retardants used in building insulation have been associated with neurological and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, and potential carcinogenicity.

Stage 1: Collaboration with Scientists
The Green Science Policy Institute is working with a team of green architects, builders, planners, chemists, and the Healthy Building Network to promote alternatives to flame retardants in building insulation and to include reduction of toxics in assigning LEED points. Additional plans include developing and distributing educational materials, researching chemicals used in building materials, and measuring chemical levels in air and house dust.

Stage 2: Publications, Presentations, and White Papers
Dr. Blum was a Master Speaker at Greenbuild 2010

Master Speaker Video from Greenbuild, November, 2010
(Lecture starts at minute 18, slides to accompany video are below)
Greenbuild Slide Presentation - Blum: On the toxicity of flame retardants in buildings and what to do about it

Stage 3: Communication of Findings to the Public and Decision-Makers
We have prepared the following fact sheets that we have distributed to staff and members of the USGBC and the green building community:

Flame Retardants in Insulation Materials
Alternative Insulation Fact Sheet

Policy Outcomes to Date:
GSP's work to reduce toxics in buildings has contributed to Pilot Credit 11: Chemical Avoidance In Building Materials which will give a LEED credit for not using halogenated flame retardants and phthalates inside buildings.
View interview in Healthy Building News.