Altro Symphonia™

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have changed and others that were initially included in the Air concept have migrated over to Materials.”

A nother significant change in the way VOCs were viewed in WELL v2 was the shift from Total VOCs (TVOCs), which measured the total amount of VOCs in the air, to the individual VOC testing.

T he impetus behind this change was the realization that not all VOCs pose an equal threat to human health and the ability to more accurately measure the presence of these compounds. “Some are more harmful than others,” Duff writes, “Some are irritants, while some are carcinogenic.” While previous health guidance identified a maximum measurement of the TVOCs in the air, the new trend is to identify limits for single compounds.

As we learn more about both the effects of individual VOCs, as well as how to accurately measure them, health guidance has moved to establishing limits for concentrations of individual compounds. For example, the limit for the allowable concentration of carbon tetrachloride is much smaller, due to its high toxicity and health effects—including disruption of the central nervous system, kidney failure, liver degeneration and even death. This VOC is rarely used but had been found in fire extinguishers and cleaning agents. Conversely, a VOC like isopropyl alcohol—a common antiseptic that is much less harmful—has a far higher allowable limit than that of carbon tetrachloride and other dangerous VOCs.”

According to Duff, “This approach of considering individual compound limits instead of TVOCs, is consistent in both the leading public health advice (Californian District Public Health limits) and other building rating tools that consider VOCs (e.g. Air Testing Credit of LEED v4).”

I n WELL v2, there are several features that seek to minimize the presence of chemicals and VOCs in the flooring.

This feature seeks to minimize the impact of VOCs emitted by products on indoor air quality. It requires the adherence to emission thresholds for materials placed inside the building envelope. Part 2 of this feature specifically identifies thresholds for flooring, furniture, millwork, fixtures, insulation, ceiling, and wall panels.

For flooring, 90% of the cost or surface area must satisfy the emissions threshold for compliance as defined by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2. This is the standard that LEED uses as well, and it is recognized as the key measurement to identify low VOC materials.

When looking to specify a flooring product that will meet the VOC Restrictions feature as it is defined in WELL v2, architects have a couple of options. Some are simpler than others. They could sift through the actual test reports, or they can look for products with a FloorScore or GREENGUARD label. Products with these labels have met the CDPH standard and are compliant with the VOC Restrictions requirement in WELL v2.

F loorScore is the most recognized indoor air quality (IAQ) certification standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments. When a product has earned a FloorScore IAQ Certification, it means that it has been independently certified by SCS to comply with the VOC emissions criteria of the California Section 01350 Program. At this time, hundreds of resilient hard surface flooring materials and their adhesives bear the FloorScore seal.

GREENGUARD Gold Certification evaluates the total VOC emissions levels to ensure that products are acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities. In addition to limiting emission of more than 360 VOCs and total chemical emissions, products that are GREENGUARD Gold Certified also comply with the CDPH standard.

In addition to the flooring, WELL v2 also contains requirements to limit VOCs from newly installed interior wet-applied paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants. Per WELL v2, adhesives should meet the standards set by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1168. This is the go-to standard for adhesives, though there are others.

Adhesives that comply with this standard are usually marketed as such, and some adhesives can also bear the FloorScore logo, making these WELL v2-compliant products easier to identify.

Here’s an interesting note: Solvent-free adhesives are preferred as they have 99% less hazardous emissions than solvent adhesives, even though their emissions last much longer.

SOLUTION

SPECIFY LOW VOC ADHESIVES

Specify flooring products that are installed with low VOC emitting adhesives or products that don’t use adhesives (loose lay, floating floors).

MATERIALS CONCEPT—FEATURE X05 ENHANCED MATERIAL RESTRICTIONS PART 2

There are other features within WELL v2 dedicated to limiting indoor exposure to other harm-causing chemicals. This WELL feature seeks to minimize the exposure to certain chemicals by limiting their presence in products commonly installed in buildings. It requires that at least 50% by cost of newly installed flooring products contain 100 ppm (0.01%) by weight or less of the following: halogenated flame retardants (HFR), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and orthophthalates.

I n order to determine whether or not a flooring product contains the undesirable HFRs, PFAS, or orthophthalates, and in what quantity, ask it’s manufacturer for that product’s Health Product Declaration (HPD). An HPD contains a standardized, accurate and consistent reporting of a product’s contents as well as the associated health information for the product as it is used in the built environment.

TO RECEIVE AIA CREDIT:

• Go to: www.arch-products.com/ceu

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