748 resources found

Report

Replacing Phthalates

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticisers in plastics and can be found in everything from wall coverings and furniture to electronic devices and toys. Phthalates make up two-thirds of the plasticisers market but are proven to be hazardous for human health. This report gives an overview of what phthalates are, their use, and current legislation. It includes a three-step guide to substituting phthalates and analyses the alternatives. 

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
Website

Byggvarubedömningen

Byggvarubedömningen, or BVB, is a building materials assessment tool for the Swedish construction market. BVB provides an evaluation standard based on seven factors: Chemical content; Input materials; the construction phase; the management phase; Demolition; Residual and waste products; Indoor environment. These are weighted to come up with a final score: either "recommended", "accepted" or "to be avoided".

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
ISC3
Report

Sustainable Building and Living, Focus on Plastics. Workstream report: Summary and highlights

This report summarises the workstream of the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) into the use of plastics in the built environment and the impacts on human health.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
Report

Chlorine and Building Materials. A Global Inventory of Production Technologies, Markets, and Pollution

This report from the Healthy Building Network looks at the environmental health impacts of chlorine, a key ingredient in the PVC supply chain. The report lists the 86 largest chlor-alkali plants and 56 largest PVC plants in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and Europe. It analyzes chlorine markets with an emphasis on the PVC supply chain, chlorine production technologies, and pollution associated with the production of chlorine and chlorine-based products.

Case studies

Case study: CHARM virtually plastic free homes

CHARM virtually plastic free homes is an affordable housing development of 12 homes, built using plastic-free materials to reduce environmental and health impacts. The homes are constructed from timber panels and make extensive use of alternative and recycled products, such as aluminium window frames and mineral insulation.

Country: United Kingdom
Academic article

Alternatives to Methylene Chloride in Paint and Varnish Strippers: Availability of Safer Alternatives & Requirements for Meeting Stage 1 of the California Safer Consumer Products Regulations

This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to identify less hazardous alternatives to methylene chloride in formulated paint stripper products, and to align alternatives with the California Safer Consumer Products regulations.

OECD
Academic article

Phthalate-free Plasticizers in PVC

This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to compare the health and environmental impacts of  plasticizer alternatives to phthalates now in use in PVC building products. The report recommends the most effective phthalate alternatives.

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