Updated versions of the Precautionary List and Building Materials Transparency web site were released earlier this month.
The Precautionary List, first released in 2008, and the Transparency web site, released in 2011, is intended to foster the movement toward the use of healthier building materials. Both were developed by global design firm Perkins+Will.
The enhanced Precautionary List—a compilation of the most prolific and problematic substances that people encounter in the built environment—is now a user-friendly digital database rather than a static list. The user experience on the Transparency web site is “more refined and the site navigation is more intuitive and mobile-friendly,” according to a news release by the architecture firm.
The tools now include a Watch List and a Sunset List. The Watch List includes substances suspected of being harmful, but where scientific data about their health impacts has only begun to accumulate. The Sunset List includes substances previously on the Precautionary List, but now seldom or no longer in use.
Related Stories
| Jun 28, 2012
Six buildings now recognized under Living Building Challenge
The Living Building Challenge (LBC), a green ratings system for design and construction that judges a building based on its actual performance, not just its projected performance at the design stage, has recognized six buildings to date.
| Jun 28, 2012
Label for building products will have ‘global warming number’
The director of the 2030 Challenge for Products says that the organization is aiming to place a label on building products that will list what’s in it, and how much embodied carbon each product represents.
| Jun 28, 2012
Top building material executive urges building resilience in sustainability standards
A meeting of 1,000 business executives at the recent Rio+20 environmental conference featured a passionate plea to include building resilience in efforts to boost sustainability.
| Jun 28, 2012
Following spate of skyscraper balcony glass panel breakages, Ontario adopts code change
Ontario's housing minister announced new building code rules to help prevent glass panels from breaking off high-rise balconies during hot weather.
| Jun 28, 2012
Factory worker deaths in Italy raise questions on building codes after earthquakes
Italian officials are questioning seismic building standards and inspection procedures in the aftermath of two damaging earthquakes.
| Jun 21, 2012
Brazilian engineering/construction firm Odebrecht sues Florida over ban on companies doing business in Cuba
Odebrecht Construction Inc., a Brazilian engineering and construction company, is suing the State of Florida over a new law that bans governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.
| Jun 21, 2012
String of shattered glass balcony panels prompts call for code reform in Ontario
Since last summer, glass balconies have shattered at 13 different buildings in Toronto.
| Jun 21, 2012
California adds window film to building code
California is the first state to add window film into its building code. Window film, a polymer material, offers cost-effective energy savings.