Get The Facts - Indoor Air Quality & Toxic Building Materials

contain additives to help repel moisture as well as antimicrobial additives.[15] The specific antimicrobial additives used are not typically disclosed, but antimicrobials that have been identified for use in drywall can be carcinogens and mutagens and most are considered toxic to aquatic life. Keep in mind that mold resistant drywall is not “mold-proof.”[16] Use best practices for material handling during construction and implement proper moisture control and ventilation in buildings as primary mold prevention strategies. For applications where mold resistant drywall is needed, ask manufacturers to fully disclose product content, including antimicrobials, and associated hazards through Health Product Declarations. Because of the potentially hazardous antimicrobials, and the fact the mold resistant drywall costs more than standard drywall,[17] avoid using mold resistant drywall when it is not necessary.

GET THE FACTS TOXIC BUILDING MATERIALS

There are approximately 86,000 chemicals registered with the federal government and the stark reality is that only about 200 have ever been tested for safety and only 9 have been completely banned from use. Many of these chemicals end up in our building materials and our indoor air. No small matter when the EPA estimates that we spend over 90% of our days inside, especially with chemicals that are toxic in concentrations as low as parts per billion. “Most people think that chemicals used in building products are strictly regulated or tested for their impacts on human health, but that is not the case. In fact, it is difficult to get clear and reliable information about product ingredients. Even manufacturers are often uninformed about the chemicals in their products, and many chemical companies refuse to disclose details. Healthier options often come at a price premium or are deficient in performance.” As the Healthy Building Network (HBN) points out on their web site:

Here’s a graphic that makes clear the magnitude of this problem: