About
|
Resources
Before acting, we need to think. To consider. To learn.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) VOCs refers to a wide variety of chemicals that are emitted as gases and are found indoors in high concentrations due to their presence in such common products as paints, cleaners, glues, markers, building materials, and office equipment. Some of these chemicals are known to cause health problems ranging from irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat to nausea, liver damage, and even cancer. Environmental impacts of VOCs vary by compound. Many are ozone (ground level) precursors, meaning that they react with sunlight to form ozone, an air pollutant that leads to respiratory illness and damages vegetation. Some VOCs are also greenhouse gases contributing to global climate change.
Our ecoresin™ has been Indoor Air Quality certified by the GreenGuard Environmental Institute, an independent third party certifier.
Sources:
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Manufacturing PVC results in large amounts of chlorine waste that binds to organic compounds, resulting in organochlorides, such as PCB’s, halons, and CFC’s. PCBs, polychlorinated biphenols, are known to decrease reproductive ability in wildlife and in large doses increase cancer rates in animals. Its’ production was banned by the EPA in 1978. PCB’s do not break down in the environment and are only eliminated from the body very slowly, meaning that they accumulate up the food chain. Halons and CFC’s are well-known for their role in destroying the ozone layer. Vinyl chloride is used in the manufacturing of PVC and is a known carcinogen causing a rare form of liver cancer. Its emissions from the production of PVC have been determined by the EPA to lead to air pollution that may result in increased deaths and serious and incapacitating illness. Plasticizers have also been found to have impacts on human health. Some evaporate readily off the surface as a volatile organic compound (VOC). Others, such as phthalate (pronounced thay-late) plasticizers used to soften PVC can leach out and have been linked to hormone disruption. In 2006 the EU banned six kinds of phthalate plasticizers used in toys. California recently followed suit and eight other states have proposed similar laws. Companies are beginning to respond to the public’s concern about PVC. Kaiser Permanente, Wal-Mart, and Microsoft, among others, announced in 2005 their intention to eliminate PVC from products and packaging. 3form is proud to be PVC-free.
Sources:
What is LEED?
LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:
The United States Green Building Council, which 3form has been a member of since 2004, developed the LEED rating system and continues to refine and expand it into new arenas. Using 3form materials can help earn credits toward LEED certification.
Sources: |