Toxic Chemicals in Building Materials
A person’s indoor environment has a profound impact on their health—and the materials used to construct our homes, schools, and workplaces make up a big part of that.
Many chemicals used in building materials have not been properly screened for safety and, in many cases, they are associated with serious health conditions. This includes flame retardants used in insulation, PFAS used in stain protectors on carpets, and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) used in paint and other building materials. PVC (vinyl) plastic building materials, such as luxury vinyl tile, are hazardous from production to use to disposal and, if they burn, pose an even greater risk for firefighters, for whom cancer is the #1 line-of-duty cause of death.
Low-income communities and people of color experience disproportionately high exposure and harm. For example, one study found that levels of phthalates and flame retardants in multi-unit, affordable housing were two to 18 times higher than in single-family homes.
We can build healthier and more resilient communities by moving to safer materials and processes. Safer substitutes may be as simple as changing the weave of carpet to make it stain-resistant rather than applying a toxic treatment.
What we’re doing
Toxic-Free Future’s science and research, along with our advocacy in corporate boardrooms, Washington, DC, Washington state, and other states have led to governments and major retailers taking action on toxic chemicals in building materials.
We continue to work to convince EPA to stop the sale of methylene chloride-based paint removers for commercial use on the job. We work to protect low-income residents through restrictions on toxic chemicals like phthalates, hormone-disrupting alkylphenol ethoxylates, and PFAS in materials used to build affordable housing. We are partnering with Healthy Building Network to target the most dangerous chemicals used in building products such as PFAS, toxic flame retardants, phthalates, and APEs and getting Washington state and top home improvement retailers to evaluate safer alternatives and adopt bans. Partnering with advocates for using healthy materials in affordable housing, we are providing resources on how to make healthier materials choices.
Our Impact
- The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Floor and Decor, and others committed to stop selling vinyl flooring containing hormone-disrupting phthalates—stopping the use of tens of millions of pounds of phthalates.
- The Home Depot and Lowe’s committed to ban PFAS stain resistance treatments in the carpets and rugs they sell.
- TFF helped a key affordable housing organization create a resource for affordable housing developers to transition to safer building products.
- Washington state is implementing regulatory restrictions on PFAS in carpet, rugs, home textiles and treatments and phthalates in vinyl flooring.
HEALTHIER BUILDING MATERIALS
Our Priorities
Healthy Housing
Healthier homes are built with healthier materials. From flooring to insulation, caulks to paints, healthier options are available that can reduce the load of toxic chemicals in indoor spaces.
EPA, ban these dangerous chemicals!
Since the EPA plays a pivotal role in protecting public health from dangerous chemicals by using the tools in the reformed 2016 TSCA, Toxic-Free Future makes it a priority to urge EPA to take important actions under this law. Toxic-Free Future watchdogs and advocates for strong implementation of TSCA to extract as much benefit for public health and the environment as possible.
