380 resources found

Video

Why chemicals matter

February 2024
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The video covers the crucial issues surrounding chemical policies in today's world, the unseen effects of chemicals in everyday life and the global push for policies that foster sustainable practices. The video highlights the challenges and innovative solutions that aim to to protect our environment and health, setting the stage for a greener, safer and sustainable future.

UNEP
Website

Flame retardants

UNEP page on flame retardants, covering common types and their uses in different products, including insulation.

Green Science Policy Institute
Website

Healthier Insulation

Guidance from the Green Science Policy Institute on specifying healthier insulation, including research on flame retardants.

RICS
Article

Built Environment Journal: Why we must limit use of construction plastics

Plastics are used in a vast range of building components, such as seals, windows and doors, roofing, internal and external finishes, paints, panels, varnishes, stains, pipes, guttering, cables, floor coverings, membranes, formwork, supporting structures, building skins and insulation. However, their benefits come at a growing cost to the environment and public health.

The construction industry consumes 20% of all plastics and 70% of all polyvinyl chloride (PVC) produced globally each year. Exponentially greater amounts are being produced and used, with 8.3bn tonnes of virgin plastics produced worldwide between 1950 and 2017 and global output predicted to double by 2050.

The transition to sustainable construction will involve fundamental changes in the way buildings are designed, manufactured, built and operated. As society pushes up against established planetary boundaries, professionals working in the built environment need to identify how to change our practice.

Healthy Building Network
Website

Flooring Product Guidance

Flooring Product Guidance from the Healthy Building Network, to assist with selecting a safer product.

Healthy Building Network
Website

Healthy Building Network: Insulation Guidance

Product guidance on insulation from the Healthy Building Network, to support finding safer products.

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