CS 2009 IEQc4.4: Low-Emitting Materials—Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products

  • 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...

  • Tenant guidelines

    To get the full benefits of this credit, consider requiring 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 concentra­...

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5 Comments

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Guillermo Hernandez Espinoza Civil Engineer, LEED Green Associate SEICA
Nov 24 2011
Guest

Requirements

This may seem to be a silly question, but is causing me lots of issues, is there any kind of requirement to achieve this credit other than just an all or nothing? I mean, like some relation between the size of the office and the amount of 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. been used on it, or a minimum amount of composite wood per building? or just by installing some permanent cabinets with no UF I'll be filling the requirements for this credit?

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Tristan Roberts Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Nov 25 2011 Moderator

Guillermo, I think you understand it correctl. It's all or nothing—all 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. on the project must be no-added-UF. If there is no composite wood, you're not eligible. There is no minimu amount based on the project size.

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Guillermo Hernandez Espinoza Civil Engineer, LEED Green Associate, SEICA Nov 25 2011 Guest

Thank you a lot Tristan, I appreaciate your advice!

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Carmelito Tatlonghari
Jun 20 2011
Member
114 Thumbs Up

Documentation

What kind of documentation must be submitted to prove that a 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. meets the credit requirements? Since UF is naturally occurring, what quantity of UF (in ppmParts per million.) is acceptable to earn this credit?

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Tristan Roberts Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Nov 06 2011 Moderator

Carmelito, the 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.. So typical documentation might be a manufacturer letter or spec sheet verifying that UF was not added.

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