Which healthy materials have the biggest impact?

  1. Composite Woods: Specify No Added Formaldehyde (NAF), which is more stringent than No Added Urea Formaldehyde (NAUF).
  2. Resilient Flooring: Consider bio-based products such as linoleum or rubber. Alternatively, use polished concrete with a carefully selected finish. Newer bio-based polyurethane resilient flooring has certainly hit Declare — check it out!
  3. Carpet: Nearly 60 Declare labeled carpets and pads are available from a half dozen different manufacturers. Avoid recycled carpet pads (FR) and PVC backing.
  4. Furniture and fabrics: Avoid topically-applied stain treatments, water repellents and flame retardants. Wool, polyester and fiberglass are inherently flame resistant while wood and nylon are naturally stain resistant and water repellant.
  5. Paints: Select zero or low VOC paint and coatings that have been tested to conform with CA Department of Public Health (CDPH) 01350 standard.
  6. Solid Surfaces: Avoid laminated solid surfaces because of formaldehyde, and binding adhesives. Avoid epoxy surfaces unless they can prove that they don’t have BPA that can be absorbed via the skin.
  7. Wall Board: More than a dozen Declare products are available, from three manufacturers.
  8. Ceiling Tiles: – Over 30 Declare labeled acoustic and non-acoustic products from 8 manufacturers.
  9. Small Electrical Components: Specify RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) or post-2014 CE marking certification.
  10. Mechanical fasteners: Avoid chemical adhesion where possible.
  11. Insulation: Some types are straightforward (fiberglass). Foam continues to be a challenge because of the blowing agents and the flame retardants. Better options will come, but for now, where possible reduce/eliminate the need for foam and where required, choose a product that is transparent and trying to improve the chemistry.
    1. Fiberglass: For all types (batt, duct, pipe), choose a no formaldehyde option. If money is tight, concentrate on pipe insulation first as this insulation type contains the most formaldehyde.
    2. Mineral Wool: Choose a formaldehyde free option – Owens Corning’s Thermafiber FF or Roxul AFB EVO for low density applications (2.8 PCF).
    3. Polyisocyanurate: There are two Declare labeled board foams – GAF’s EnergyGaurd NH and Carlisle’s SecurShield NH.
    4. XPS Insulation: Owens Corning’s Foamular XPS has a Health Product Declaration.
    5. Flexible tubes, sheets, and rolls (refrigerant lines): NH Armaflex by Armacell uses a non-halogenated flame retardant.

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