-
It’s all or nothing
Like most of the other low-emitting materials credits, this credit is all-or-nothing. Composite products and laminating adhesives can have no added urea-formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest...
Step-by-step credit help
Got the gist of the LEED credit but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Members get:
- Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
- Hot tips to give you shortcuts and avoid pitfalls.
- Cost tips to assess what a credit will actually cost, and how to make it affordable.
- Ideas for going beyond LEED with best practices.
- All checklists organized by project phase.
- On-the-fly suggestions on useful items from the Documentation Toolkit, Resources, and Credit Language.
-
Credit language straight from USGBC
Need to check up on the exact LEED credit language from the LEED Rating System on the fly? LEEDuser includes the verbatim language. Members get:
- Easy access to the official LEED credit language with just a couple of clicks.
- On the jobsite without your bulky LEED Reference Guide? Check up on the credit language details here.
- Credit language content is used by permission of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Your credit-by-credit reference library
Why waste time chasing down referenced standards and supporting resources when LEEDuser links you directly to the ones you need? LEEDuser has gathered all the best tools out there and organized them by credit for easy reference. Members get links to:
- Organizations that can give information or help on a credit.
- Standards or studies that are key reference points for credits and prerequisites.
- Articles that help explain important topics.
- Key documents or references for credit inputs.
- Software tools you can use to run calculations or simulations.
Documentation Toolkit
In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
21 Comments
Division 12 included
I don't have my LEED Reference Guide with me. I am working on a Lab. There is millwork included in Division 12 for the Casework. Since Division 12 doesn't fall in Recycled Content and Regional Materials, is it necessary to include it here in the Low-emitting credits? Since GBCI cross-references credits, I want to make sure everything is accurate and that I have included everything necessary without including things I don't need that may cause confusion. Thanks!
Plastic Laminates
Do we have to list Plastic laminate products (like Wilsonart) for this credit?
FFE and UF
I am working on a project where we are trying to get this credit and one sentence on the credit requirements is causing us a bit of trouble. The ref guide states that "materials considered fixtures, furniture and equipment (FF&E) are not considered base building elements and are not included", i.e. the no-UF requirement doesn't apply. On our project, most of the composite woodComposite wood consists of wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard. is used for casework, desks, cupboards, etc, which are assembled by a specialist contractor on site. All of these items are technically furniture, so according to the statement above, the no-UF requirement does not apply. Is this correct? It seems a bit odd to me that a very large part of the interior fit-out would simply not be relevant to this credit. Also, if we don't have any other composite wood in the project, does that mean we are not eligible for this credit or would we need to include FFE after all?
Eszter,
In your comment you say "most" - to me that means that you have some composite woodComposite wood consists of wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard. in the project that is being used in the base building. If that is correct, then that composite wood that is being used in the base building would need to comply with the credit and not have any added UF. This would get you the point.
Now if you truly want to provide a healthy indoor environment for those that are going to occupy your project following completion, I would suggest that you try and source this type of composite wood for all uses - whether you get the points or not. Also, if the furniture and fixtures that are being built on-site are going in prior to occupancy, using no added UF boards would also help a little if you were going after the IAQIndoor air quality: The quality and attributes of indoor air affecting the health and comfort building occupants. IAQ encompasses available fresh air, contaminant levels, acoustics and noise levels, lighting quality, and other factors. Building Clearance credit (EQc3.2).
EPP particle board
The local lumberyard has particle board with this stamp on it: EPPEnvironmentall preferable products (EPP) are those identified as having a lesser or reduced effect on health and the environment when compared with competing products that serve the same purpose.-CPA 3-08.
Here is a bit about it, on PDF: http://www.pbmdf.com/CPA30/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000001428/EP...
In it it says:
Unfinished Particleboard. Formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings. emissions from unfinished particleboard must be less than or equal to 0.18 ppmParts per million. using the Large Chamber Test Method (ASTMVoluntary standards development organization which creates source technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services E1333). Particleboard products will be evaluated at the typical loading rate for particleboard of 0.13 ft2/ft3. Particleboard that uses a bonding system other than Urea FormaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature., may qualify for “Exempted” status under section 6.3 of the EPP Grademark Manual. One exception to this requirement is for Grade LD of ANSI A208.1-1999 (Door Core) products. Grade LD is allowed a loading ratio of 0.04 ft2/ft3 as per section 3.4 of ANSI A208.1-1999.
I'm thinking this doesn't qualify, it just has limits for the UF,..anyone have anymore info on this?
Because the requirement for the credit states that there is no added urea-formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings., the emission of formaldehyde from the particleboard doesn't really matter. The problem with the stamp is that the way that I read the standard, it does not preclude products from having added urea-formaldehyde. Therefore I do not believe that the stamp would help qualify the product for this credit - now if the supplier or manufacturer of the particleboard has a letter stating that none was added, that is normally enough for proof of compliance.
Thankfully in the proposed update to EQc4 they focus on actual product emissions - even in particle board - not just product content.
European Compliance Issues
Has anybody had any experience working with european product information provided on formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings.? I have been provided with some test results that show 0.1mg/m2 of formaldehyde of a wood based material, which complies well within the limits of the 'German Prohibition for Chemical Products' - of <3.5mg/m2. I was hoping this would compare favourably to a particular US equivalent regulation.
Would a 0.1mg/m2 formaldehyde be sufficient for LEED certification with this documentation?
The LEED requirement is for "no added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature.." Since there is naturally occuring formaldehyde in wood, even compliant wood may easily have a low level like the German threshold. However, for LEED purposes they are not equivalent. You need products that have no added UF.
Documentation from manufacturers for EQ 4.4
My understanding is that the credit requires documentation that a product does not contain any added formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings. and that the team highlights the portion of the document that substantiates the claim (this is directly out of the reference guide). Therefore, just a statement that it doesn't contain any added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. from the manufacturer wouldn't be enough, would it? What if it was a Chinese manufacturer? Given the problems with wallboard, dog food, infant formula, and pharmaceuticals, some of my clients wouldn't be comfortable accepting a letter from a company in China or some other countries that have less stringent regulations on products. Please advise as to what is acceptable documentation.
If a product has documentation from CARBThe California Air Resources Board, part of the state government, is charged with maintaining clean air. This agency is unique at the state level: California was the only state that had such an agency before the passage of the federal Clean Air Act, and was allowed to keep it. to meet California's formaldehyde-free resin regulation (or very low formaldehyde for products sold in CA but not eligible for this credit), is that accepted as documentation for the credit?
Thanks!
Yes, a cut sheet or manufacturer letter acting as self-declaration is sufficient for credit documentation.
As far as LEED is concerned, that's sufficient for manufacturers from any location. I can understand the desire for better assurance, in which case third-party testing or certification of manufacturing processes could be requested.
E1 E0 wood
do you know whether E1 and E0 wood applies to IEQc4.4? Thanks
My understandings is that E1 and E0 are European emissions standards.
IEQc4.4 does not use any emissions standards. It relies on one simple criterion—no added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. (NAUF).
I would guess that a lot of E0 and maybe E1 products would comply with IEQc4.4, but I would not rely on these standards to qualify products. The manufacturers must meet a spec of NAUF.
Delamination problems?
Has anyone had delamination issues (or any other performance related issues) with composite woodComposite wood consists of wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard. and agrifiber productsAgrifiber products are made from agricultural fiber. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard. with no added urea-formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings.?
Hi Michelle. There shouldn't be any delamination problems based on the binders. Phenol is as strong as UF and is moisture resistant, hence it's use in exterior sheathing. I spoke with Environ Biocomposites, makers of most wheatcore in the U.S. They use an MDIMethyl Diisocyanate non-formaldehyde binder used in some medium-density fiberboard and particleboard products, including straw-based particleboard. resin with no formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings. (they recommend a polyurethane adhesive for laminates). Lynden Doors uses these cores with either PVA or cassein laminate adhesives and has found no difference in adhesion between composites. Like all composite woods, avoid moisture and NAF and NAUF products should be just as good, or better, than UF, and without the formaldehyde emissions.
As a LEED consultant for Woodworkers, I have heard from a couple of my clients that MEDEX seems to be the best core for preventing the delamination problems.
Wooden raised floor
Hi, do you know whether a raised wooden floor applies to IEQc4.4?
If it's a wood-composite material, then yes, it would be subject to both IEQc4.3 and IEQc4.4 (assuming you want to earn both credits—they have quite different requirements relative to wood floor).
formaldehyde in interiors
Thanks for your input Tristan and Nadav,
I hope that LEED 2012 will incorporate at least the more comprehensive requirements in LEED for Schools. It helps to have more leverage in this issue and in shifting the market.
added urea formaldehyde
As this credit applies only to composite woodComposite wood consists of wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard., agrifber and adhesives, is there agreement that materials such as ceiling tiles, the actual laminate (as opposed to the adhesive used to apply the laminate) and insulation are not required to meet this requirement. This seems odd to me as they often contain added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. as well.
Hi Mary,
You're correct. As long as the ceiling tiles are not made from wood fiber or agrifibers, this credit does not apply to them. I agree that there are lots of other potential sources of formaldehyde1. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring VOC found in small amounts in animals and plants but is carcinogenic and an irritant to most people when present in high concentrations, causing headaches, dizziness, mental impairment, and other symptoms. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm, it can cause watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; nausea; coughing; chest tightness; wheezing; skin rashes; and asthmatic and allergic reactions. 2. A known carcinogen with no known safe exposure level. Formaldehyde occurs naturally, but appears in unnaturally high concentrations in many buildings because it is an ingredient in binders used in many building materials and furnishings. emissions in buildings that are not covered by this credit. LEED has, so far, chosen to try to affect only the primary offenders--hence its focus on urea-formaldehyde, while allowing phenol formaldehydePhenol formaldehyde, which off-gasses only at high temperature, is used for exterior products, although many of these products are suitable for interior applications. and other formaldehyde-based resins, even in composite woodComposite wood consists of wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard. products.
In terms of ceiling tiles, insulation and wall systems, you may want to check out IEQc4.6 and how teams are going about achieving that. Seems like some of the materials you're concerned about are covered there. (It's just a Schools credit, though.)
Please register to use the forum.