Living Building Challenge 4.1 Program Manual

Intent + Requirements

INTENT

The intent of this Imperative is to foster a transparent materials economy free of toxins and harmful chemicals.

REQUIREMENTS

All projects must avoid the following Red List chemical classes in 90% of the project’s new materials by cost. In situ materials do not need to be removed or vetted for Red List chemical classes.

Antimicrobials (marketed with a health claim) Monomeric, polymeric, and organophosphate halogenated flame retardants (HFRs)
Alkylphenols and related compounds Organotin Compounds
Asbestos compounds Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) / Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)
Bisphenol A (BPA) and structural analogues Phthalates (orthophthalates)
California-banned solvents Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Chlorinated Polymers, including: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
  • Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)
 Short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins
  • Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC)
 Toxic heavy metals:
  • Chloroprene (neoprene monomer)
  • Arsenic
  • Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE)
  • Cadmium
  • Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)
  • Chromium
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  • Lead (added)
Chlorobenzenes
  • Mercury
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in wet- applied products¹
Formaldehyde (added) Wood Treatments containing creosote or pentachlorophenol

¹ VOC contents are not banned, but are restricted. See Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)s Clarifications in this Imperative for specific reference standards and thresholds. Note that I10 – Healthy Interior Performance also limits VOC emissions of wet-applied products (see Evaluation of Products with the Potential VOC Emissions in I10).
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