NC v2.2 EQc4.4: Low-Emitting Materials—Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products

If the doors are being put in prior to occupancy and are not part of the fit-out process, I would consider them having to meet this criteria if you are trying to get this credit.

Don't forget the FSCIndependent, third-party verification that forest products are produced and sold based on a set of criteria for forest management and chain-of-custody controls developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international nonprofit organization. FSC criteria for certifying forests around the world address forest management, legal issues, indigenous rights, labor rights, multiple benefits, and environmental impacts. certification applies only to new wood, so if the MDFMedium-density fiberboard (MDF): Panel product used in cabinets and furniture; generally made from wood fiber glued together with binder; similar to particleboard, but with finer texture, offering more precise finishing. Most MDF is made with formaldehyde-emitting urea-formaldehyde binder. has recycled wood fibers, then it would not need to qualify. (There is a certification for "FSC-Recycled," which is great, but also keep in mind that this certification does NOT qualify for MR 7, for exactly that reason--not new wood.) It would be eligible for the MR 4 credit, however. In either case, it definitely would need to comply with the NAUF requirement of EQ 4.4. This is detailed in the BD+C Ref Guide, so you may want to check applicability to NC 2.2.

Thanks!

Some veneers are considered "composite veneers" that may be glued up layers of wood. We've heard these are often made with 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. glues. Although the credit language doesn't refer to these specifically, it would appear that the intent of the credit would apply to these veneers as well.

Is your cabinet assembly part of FF&E? FF&Es are not considered base building elements and are exempt on IEQ4.4 requirements. If it is, then get a letter from the provider stating '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..'

From your explanation I would say that the veneer might be included in the credit as part of the assembly of a product that is installed prior to occupancy. If so, then you are going to need to prove that it does not have added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature..

Meloy,

This compliance information is from something called the California Air Resource Board's Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce 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 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. This specifically talks about the amount of formaldehyde emissions, while unfortunately the LEED credit is talking about urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. content. So while this compliance information will help lead to better indoor air quality for the building you are working on, by how the credit is currently defined it will not help you receive the point in LEED.

Josh-Assuming that emissions are a reflection of content, and synergistic effects aside, why won't GBCI accept this standard under 2.2? As you know, emissions data are much more meaningful that content. Just curious as to why the LEED system hasn't acknowledged this except in more recent versions (CA 01350 emissions protocol)?

I can't speak for GBCI or USGBC, but the credit is written to focus 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. content minimization and not emissions. I do know that in the 2nd public comment version of LEED 2012 there is more of a focus on actual product emissions in the product emission credits.

With all of that said, you could certainly make the case that your products meet the intent of a low-emitting product, but I could certainly see GBCI not allowing that as it technically does not prove the credit language.

Any help out there? Same question; I'm reviewing markerboards w/ <.05ppm. Does LEED define a minimum threshold?

Josh & Nick,

From my reading of and history with the credit any (even less than .05ppm) added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. is to much. What you are looking for is no added urea formaldehyde - there are a number of these types of products in the marketplace now, but you do have to do some searching.

Grant, you don't need an MSDS1. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are detailed, written instructions documenting a method to achieve uniformity of performance. 2. A report that manufacturers of most products are required to make available to installers and purchasers, informing them of product information on chemicals, chemical compounds, and chemical mixtures, the existence of potentially hazardous ingredients, and providing instructions for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of products, just some kind of documentation showing no added UF.

My question is probably more simplistic: Must P Lam partitions, because the cores are encapsulated by the P Lam, necessarily need to comply with this credit? My understanding is that encapsulated cores do not pose a threat of significant 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. Also, do they need to comply with MR 7?

Marian,

For the best indoor air quality, not minding the point, specifying 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. that doesn't have added urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. is best, but for the credit are the P Lam partitions being constructed on site or simply shipped to you and you are installing them onsite? I would say that if you are constructing and installing onsite then they would need to comply with this credit and not have any added urea formaldehyde. If they are simply being shipped to you a finished product and you are simply installing, then I believe they would not need to comply.

Thanks Josh. By the way, does GreenGuard test for 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? Also, what do you all think about toilet partitions needing to comply with MR 7? (I will post on MR 7 forum as well.) Thanks.

Yes GREENGUARD Certification Standards for all products in LEED EQc 4s do have levels (that are compliant with LEED credits) for 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.

Assuming both are shop produced, how are plam on 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. toilet partitions any different than plam on composite wood cabinets? Discussions in the 2009 board have a different response. Has anyone been denied or questioned on shop produce plam clad wood products, especially ones specified in Div 12?

Susan - I think the two would be completely analogous. However, I've only been questioned on the toilet partitions and only on one (out of countless projects in our office) recent project. I'd be interested in any responses to your question.

Hi Josh,

Following up on your comment above, for clarification, do all GREEGUARD Certified products meet the requirements for EQc4.4? In other words, can a GREENGUARD Certificate be used as proof of NAUF in our LEED documentation?

Mike - GREENGUARD focuses on product emissions, not on content. So no product emission certification or test should be used to show compliance to LEED EQ 4.4. The credit intent (low-emissions) and criteria (no content) aren't really aligned, so hopefully in LEED 2012 they would adjust this.

Angela, if they are stating "no 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.," that would be okay under IEQc4.4, since urea formaldehydeUrea formaldehyde is a combination of urea and formaldehyde that is used in some glues and may emit formaldehyde at room temperature. is a type of formaldehyde.

If they are saying "formaldehyde free," I would check with them what they mean. Wood products contain some naturally occurring formaldehyde, so it's unlikely that they have tested the wood and found it to be formaldehyde free. If they mean to say "no added formaldehyde," which is likely the case, then it would be fine.

Angela, the LEED requirement states "...must contain 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. resins." The word "no added" is the key. For your documentation, I suggest you request from a Manufacturer/Supplier such verbiage on their product conformance, on their letterhead and not a brochure/cutsheet you download from the website. You'll surely save some clarification in your construction review phase.