VOC reduction
- 01 Air quality standards
- 02 Smoking ban
- 03 Ventilation effectiveness
- 04 VOC reduction
- 05 Air filtration
- 06 Microbe and mold control
- 07 Construction pollution management
- 08 Healthy entrance
- 09 Cleaning protocol
- 10 Pesticide management
- 11 Fundamental material safety
- 12 Moisture management
- 13 Air flush
- 14 Air infiltration management
- 15 Increased ventilation
- 16 Humidity control
- 17 Direct source ventilation
- 18 Air quality monitoring and feedback
- 19 Operable windows
- 20 Outdoor air systems
- 21 Displacement ventilation
- 22 Pest control
- 23 Advanced air purification
- 24 Combustion minimization
- 25 Toxic material reduction
- 26 Enhanced material safety
- 27 Antimicrobial activity for surfaces
- 28 Cleanable environment
- 29 Cleaning equipment
- P9 Advanced cleaning
04. VOC reduction
To minimize the effect of VOCs in building materials on indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality can be degraded significantly by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas from paints, finishes and other coatings, and also result from the use of cleaning products, air fresheners, personal care products and other materials brought into the building. VOCs include benzene (classified by the EPA as a known human carcinogen), formaldehyde and other chemical compounds, which at high concentrations can lead to irritation of the nose and pharynx, and have been associated with leukemia, childhood asthma and other respiratory disorders. VOC levels can be 5 times higher indoors than outdoors.
The VOC limits of newly applied paints and coatings meet one of the following requirements:
The VOC limits of newly applied adhesives and sealants meet one of the following requirements:
The VOC emissions of all newly installed flooring must meet all limits set by the following, as applicable:
The VOC emissions of all newly installed thermal and acoustic insulation inside the waterproofing membrane must meet all limits set by the following, as applicable:
The VOC emissions of at least 95% (by cost) of all newly purchased furniture and furnishings within the project scope must meet all limits set by the following, as applicable:
Applicability Matrix
Core & Shell | New & Existing Buildings | New & Existing Interiors | |
---|---|---|---|
Part 1: Interior Paints and Coatings | P | P | P |
Part 2: Interior Adhesives and Sealants | P | P | P |
Part 3: Flooring | P | P | P |
Part 4: Insulation | P | P | P |
Part 5: Furniture and Furnishings | P | P | P |
Commercial Kitchen | Education | Multifamily Residential | Restaurant | Retail | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part 1: Interior Paints and Coatings | P | P | P | P | P |
Part 2: Interior Adhesives and Sealants | P | P | P | P | P |
Part 3: Flooring | P | P | P | P | P |
Part 4: Insulation | P | P | P | P | P |
Part 5: Furniture and Furnishings | P | P | - | P | P |
Verification Methods Matrix
Letters of Assurance | Annotated Documents | On-Site Checks | |
---|---|---|---|
PART 1 (Design) Interior Paints and Coatings |
Architect & Contractor | ||
PART 2 (Design) Interior Adhesives and Sealants |
Architect & Contractor | ||
PART 3 (Design) Flooring |
Architect & Contractor | ||
PART 4 (Design) Insulation |
Architect & Contractor | ||
PART 5 (Design) Furniture and Furnishings |
Architect & Owner |
04.1.c |
USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low Emitting Materials suggests projects outside the U.S. meet applicable national VOC control regulations or conduct testing of VOC content in accordance with ASTM D2369-10; ISO 11890, part 1; ASTM D6886-03; or ISO 11890-2. |
04.1.a |
Adherence to CARB SCM for Architectural Coatings or SCAQMD Rule 1113 satisfies the requirements for VOC content but not the emissions requirement of USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials for wet-applied products. |
04.1.b |
USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials requires that 90%, by volume, for emissions of paints and coatings applied to walls, floors and ceilings are tested and determined compliant with CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010. |
04.2.a |
USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials requires that adhesives and sealants wet-applied on site meet the applicable VOC limits of the SCAQMD Rule 1168, in addition to emissions requirements. |
04.2.b |
USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials requires that 90% of interior adhesives and sealants, for emissions, applied on site are tested and determined compliant with CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010. |
04.2.c |
USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low Emitting Materials suggests projects outside the U.S. meet applicable national VOC control regulations or conduct testing of VOC content in accordance with ASTM D2369-10; ISO 11890, part 1; ASTM D6886-03; or ISO 11890-2. |
04.3.a |
USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials requires flooring ofollow the test method and meet the emissions criteria of CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010. |
04.4.a |
USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials requires insulation follow the test method and meet the emissions criteria of CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010. |
04.5.a |
USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials requires furniture and furnishings to comply with ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Furniture Sustainability Standard sections 7.6.1 and 7.6.2, and be tested in accordance with ANSI/BIFMA Standard Method M7.1-2011. |