This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
   
  1. Air
  2. Enhanced material safety

Enhanced material safety

Features/Air/Feature 26

Enhanced material safety

Intent: 

To minimize the impact of hazardous building material ingredients on indoor air quality and protect the health of manufacturing and maintenance workers.

26: Enhanced material safety

    BACKGROUND

    Some of the chemicals used in building materials have not been fully evaluated for safety and may carry potential health risks. Off-gassing from such materials can contribute to SBS (sick building syndrome) and associated respiratory, neurotoxic and dermatologic symptoms. A precautionary approach—taking reasonable steps to minimize risks and avoid hazards—suggests substituting potentially dangerous materials with safe ones when possible. Various voluntary programs in the market allow suppliers that have carefully screened the composition of their products and avoided potentially harmful substances to be recognized for their achievements.

    Part 1
    Precautionary Material Selection

    At least 25% of all furnishings, built-in furniture, interior finishes, and finish materials (calculated by cost) meet one or more of the following requirements:
    a.13
    Have a Declare: Living Building Challenge Red List Free, Declare: Living Building Challenge Compliant, or Living Product Challenge label.
    b.1
    Are Cradle to Cradle Certified™ products with a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level in the Material Health category or products with a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level Material Health Certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
    c.1
    Have no GreenScreen® Benchmark 1, List Translator 1 or List Translator Possible 1 substances over 1,000 ppm, as verified by a qualified Ph.D. toxicologist or Certified Industrial Hygienist.