Strategies for Improving IAQ
There are a few ways to reduce the level of VOCs in your facility, and they work best when used together.
1. Invest in low- or no-VOC products. It’s much easier to simply start with fewer VOCs in the first place. Many manufacturers offer low- or no-VOC versions of paints, coatings, wood treatments and more. If you’re pursuing a green building certification, you’re probably already familiar with the available selection.
2. Remove the sources of VOCs you already have. Move new furnishings or other VOC sources into a well-ventilated area until they’re done offgassing.
3. Remove remaining VOCs from the air. Make sure your spaces are adequately ventilated with fresh air. Consider adding plants that are good at absorbing VOCs from the air—Vadoud Niri’s 2016 research at the State University of New York at Oswego ranked the bromeliad near the top.
“The best thing to do in any space is a constant supply of fresh air and selection of materials that don’t have toxins that are harmful to human health,” Burt said. “These considerations are very important in terms of specifying paint or other finishes.”
Materials Matter
The furnishings and materials you specify can have a direct impact on the wellbeing of people within the space, so it’s important to specify wisely. Some of Burt’s go-to sources include:
Health Product Declaration: Products that have earned HPDs must report product contents and the associated health information.
mindful MATERIALS: This free product library aggregates information on health and environmental impacts for submitted products.
Declare: A project by the International Living Future Institute, Declare is a “nutrition label” and transparency platform for building products. Declare-labeled products disclose their ingredients and VOC content.
LEED and other green building certifications: Many certifications require products with low health impacts and may give project teams specific parameters to consider. These can be a good source of information on products that promote good IAQ.
“We always encourage folks to judiciously read labels on products and seek the materials safety data, just like you read food labels,” Burt said. “More people need to start reading the labels of the product they’re specifying. There are a lot of marketing claims people can be tricked with, so it might be a good idea to bring a professional on board to consult with you.”
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