Sustainability Resource Page
What's a "green" home? What makes a home sustainable? What's the difference? And, what exactly is a healthy home? These labels all have wildly differing definitions, and some claims are just downright misleading. These resources will help you sort through the marketing hype and acquaint you with the reputable resources working to advance a more sustainable and healthy built environment.
01.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Indoor air quality is the air quality within and around buildings and structures. IAQ is known to affect the health, comfort, and well-being of building occupants. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to sick building syndrome, reduced productivity, and impaired learning in schools. The EPA created the airPLUS label to combat poor indoor air quality. airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps new home builders and buyers improve the Indoor Air Quality by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants. For a deep dive, check out How to Find Indoor airPlus Compliant Low-Emission Products.
The Low-Emission Materials requirements contained in Section 6 of the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications address composite wood products, interior paints and finishes, and carpets and carpet adhesives used in the construction of Indoor airPLUS qualified homes. Products meeting the referenced standards are generally widely available in the market. This document is intended to help builders, designers, and Raters identify and locate compliant products.
Basic Information:
1. Your product supplier and/or product manufacturers are likely to be the best source of information about low emission products.
2. Many of the certifications and labels identified below meet multiple and/or overlapping standards. A single listed label or certification for a specific product is sufficient to comply with Indoor airPLUS requirements.
3. The certification marks displayed in the table below are EXAMPLES only. Other certifications that meet the underlying referenced standards may also be compliant with the Indoor airPLUS requirements. In addition, the listed programs and standards may have different or additional labels, and other certification marks may be used by the programs listed below. For more background on these standards and labels, see “Additional Information on Referenced Standards and Programs” on pages 7-10.
4. Use caution in selecting “green” product labels. Other labels may claim to be healthier or more eco-friendly, but they may not comply with the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications. To request that other compliant certifications or programs be added to this resource or for