Green Seal will no longer certify any paints and coatings, floor care products, adhesives, and degreasers containing any per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called “forever chemicals.”
Green Seal has long prohibited products containing one type of PFAS, long-chain PFAS. The ban will now extend to the other category, short-chain PFAS. Green Seal says it is taking this action because short-chain PFAS have “the same harmful health and environmental effects as the legacy PFAS they are replacing.”
PFAS break down slowly in the environment and are found in the blood of people and animals. Studies have linked PFAS to many harmful health impacts such as decreased fertility, development delays in children, increased risk of cancer, diminished immunity to infections, and hormonal interference, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“A recent study found that half of tested paint products contain PFAS, which may be used for glossiness, to reduce peeling, or for stain resistance or water repellency,” according to a Green Seal news release. “Most acrylic and wax floor finishes on the market contain PFAS as leveling and wetting agents, and PFAS are also used to increase wettability in adhesives or the reduce flammability in cleaning and degreasing agents.”
Green Seal certified paints and coatings qualify toward points for both the LEED Low-Emitting Materials credit and the LEED v4.1 Material Ingredient Optimization credit.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Aug 28, 2017
Commercial properties address state carbon-reduction policies
EV charging stations, batteries, and microgrid technology are all part of effort to meet demand for cleaner power.
Codes and Standards | Aug 24, 2017
OSHA silica dust exposure enforcement begins Sept. 23
Vacuum dust collection, water-delivery systems, and respirators will be required.
Codes and Standards | Aug 18, 2017
Cool roofs may increase air pollution
California’s requirement for cool roofs on new non-residential buildings could promote smog.
Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2017
Black market sales of OSHA training certifications plague New York City construction industry
Task force formed to get fake training cards off the streets and workers properly trained.
Codes and Standards | Aug 16, 2017
Big changes coming to Ontario building code
Proposals include solar-ready roofs, more stringent heating/cooling efficiency requirements, and graywater reuse.
Codes and Standards | Aug 15, 2017
ASHRAE certifications recognized by DOE as meeting Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines
Two of six such certifications are ASHRAE programs.
Codes and Standards | Aug 14, 2017
New edition of AISC Steel Construction Manual now available
Includes the 2016 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.
Codes and Standards | Aug 10, 2017
AAMA releases updated Standard Test Method for Water Penetration Using Dynamic Pressure
The update applies to windows, curtain walls, and doors.
Codes and Standards | Aug 9, 2017
UpCodes aims to make researching building codes, regulations easier through searchable app
App currently includes building codes of 40 states and New York City.
Codes and Standards | Aug 8, 2017
3D printing industry working to implement standards for products, processes
Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collective (AMSC) will develop industry-wide additive manufacturing standards and specifications.
