X08: Hazardous Material Reduction

(1 point)

INTENT

Reduce or eliminate exposure to hazardous heavy metals and phthalates found in building materials.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires the restriction of heavy metals in various building materials and products, including furniture and furnishings and electrical components. 

ISSUE

Heavy metals (e.g. lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium IV and antimony) have a host of negative health outcomes. Exposure to lead is associated with increased blood pressure. Additionally, exposure to lead in the young or during early development, even at low levels, is associated with negative impacts on intelligence quotient (IQ), learning, memory and behavior. Exposure to mercury is also linked to increased blood pressure and/or heart rate, as well as disorders of the central nervous system.  Cadmium and chromium IV are classified as human carcinogens. Cadmium principally targets and disrupts kidney function, and other impacts include compromise of lung and respiratory function, while chromium IV is most strongly linked to lung cancer.  Antimony negatively impacts the respiratory tract, with the lungs as the primary target of toxicity and is suspected to negatively impact cardiovascular health. Antimony trioxide is categorized as “possibly carcinogenic to humans."

SOLUTIONS

Restricting the use of heavy metals across various building materials is a step toward mitigating risk of exposure. 

IMPACT

The restriction of heavy metals across key building materials and products, both indoor and outdoor, not only mitigates risk of exposure but also helps push the market toward safer alternatives.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Limit Hazardous Materials (1 point)

Verified by Architect

For All Spaces

Projects meet one of the following requirements and develop a purchasing plan for continued procurement:

1. For all newly installed building materials, at minimum 20% by cost of the following building products and material types contain less than 100 ppm added lead:

   1. Doors and door hardware.
   2. Ductwork.
   3. Conduits.
   4. Metal studs.
   5. Mirrors/glass.
   6. Roofing or flashing.
   7. Brass cooler drains, pumps, motors and valves.
   8. Vinyl blinds or wallcovering.

2. For all newly installed furnishings and furniture (including textiles, finishes and dyes), all components that constitute at least 5%, by weight, furniture or furnishing assembly meet the following thresholds for material content:

   1. Mercury less than 100 ppm.
   2. Cadmium less than 100 ppm.
   3. Antimony less than 100 ppm.
   4. Hexavalent chromium in plated finishes less than 1000 ppm.

3. All newly installed electrical components: fire alarms, meters, sensors, thermostats and load break switches, meet the following maximum concentration value per listed substance:

   1. Lead (Pb): less than 1000 ppm.
   2. Mercury (Hg): less than 1000 ppm.
   3. Cadmium (Cd): less than 100 ppm.
   4. Hexavalent Chromium: (Cr VI) less than 1000 ppm.

 

Note: For the lead requirements in Part 1: Limit Hazardous Materials, other product categories can also be suggested for inclusion in the cost calculation, provided evidence/documentation for added lead content is presented.

 Wherever procurement of a product or a material type is not possible, the project is permitted to submit documentation demonstrating an attempt has been made: for each listed product or material type applicable to project, a petition or formal request is filed with at minimum three manufacturers who were unable to meet their needs.

Projects can disclose or report ingredients listed here using labels approved for use in Part 1: Promote Ingredient Disclosure in Feature X14: Material Transparency to earn points toward that feature.

ADDITIONAL POINT OPPORTUNITY

To earn an additional point, Commercial Core projects should achieve the requirements in leased spaces.

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