Library

USEtox is a scientific consensus model endorsed by UNEP's Life Cycle Initiative for characterizing human and ecotoxicological impacts of chemicals. The main output is a database of characterization factors including fate, exposure, and effect parameters.

ECOproduct is a database for choosing environmentally friendly building materials and chemicals based on information in an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) or a safety data sheet. Each product gets an environmental profile based on for Indoor Environment, Health and Environmental Hazardous Substances, Global Warming Potential and Resource Consumption. The specific environmental data can also be viewed, in addition to the actual EPD/Safety Data Sheet for every product. Requires a paid licence.

The PRIO tool helps you to find and replace hazardous substances in your articles or chemical products. By replacing hazardous substances, you will take care of your employees, your customers, and the environment. It also allows your products to be recycled and reused providing the basis for the development towards a non-toxic circular economy.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of thousands of synthetic chemicals that are used throughout society. However, they are increasingly detected as environmental pollutants and some are linked to negative effects on human health.

This page from the European Chemicals Agency provides background on PFAS chemicals and their use in a number of products, including construction materials, paints and chrome plating.

On 13th January 2023, the European Commission issued a proposal that would ban the manufacture and use of PFAS chemicals, including those used in building materials. 

The details of the proposed restriction of around 10,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are now available on ECHA’s website. ECHA’s scientific committees have begun to evaluate the proposal in terms of the risks to people and the environment, and the impacts on society, in accordance with the below timeline.  A six-month consultation began in March 2023 and will close on 25 September 2023.

Document: Consultation on a proposed restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

The Green Science Policy Institute's page on building materials, linking to background information on issues with PFAS, and halogenated flame retardants in insulation.

This article reports on the outcome of an African regional workshop on generating support for phasing out lead in paint. The workshop recommended a lead limit of 90 ppm. In Nigeria, the 90 ppm lead standard has been in place since 2016 and a roadmap on lead paint elimination and management has been adopted.

Product screening tool to proactively identify potential issues and find safer alternatives. Requires a paid licence.