Building Materials Overall

Join the Movement!

Founded in 1970, the Ecology Center serves one purpose: protecting healthy people and a healthy planet. We believe that the central question of our time is how human beings are going to thrive in the world without destroying the earth's ability to sustain us. This can only be achieved with your support.

For all building material product categories:

Specify and install products that have inventories that have been publicly disclosed where content is characterized and screened using health hazard lists or restricted substances lists to 1,000 ppm or better. Note that “better than” 1,000 ppm is a number lower than 1,000 ppm (e.g., screening to 100 ppm is better than to 1,000 ppm).
Use building products that feature recycled content and disclosure about that recycled content. The building product must make up 75% (by weight or cost) of a product category for the project and must be composed of at least 25% post-consumer recycled content.
Install products that have third-party verification of optimization to 100 ppm or better.
Require disclosure of PFAS in all products considered for purchase and incorporate broader transparency requirements for all products (see above): Michigan Executive Directive 2021-8, Reducing State Purchases of Products Containing Intentionally Added PFAS

Case studies and resources:

Enterprise Green Communities: Criteria & Certification section on Ingredient Transparency for Material Health is a strong set of criteria to address toxic chemicals in products. Two levels of certification are available: Enterprise Green Communities Certification and Enterprise Green Communities Certification Plus. The group sets standards for green affordable housing and offers case studies to demonstrate adoption of the criteria.
Toxic-Free Future's Healthy Materials Matrix provides guidance for purchasing healthier building materials.
New York City created the Minimum Standards for Construction Products, a set of specifications for building construction and facility maintenance products. It identifies minimum standards for a wide range of building products and requires third-party certifications when readily available.
The Design Requirements and Guidelines developed by Massachusetts’ Bureau of Housing Development and Construction provides requirements for a range of building materials, including low or no VOC paints and formaldehyde-free fiberboard used for cabinetry and countertops.