Being green friendly vs. VOC Emissions in Interiors Products

Prior to COVID-19 in the architectural world, product transparency was of the upmost importance. An architect, who is trying to earn LEED points for the building being constructed, would especially be learning more and more on product transparency prior to placing it into their development. Often times, these LEED projects, entail so much paperwork that I have ran into many firms that have LEED specialists working for them. These specialists work at the firm, in order to organize and have the certifications and knowledge base to gain all LEED points necessary for that ultimate PLATINUM status goal.

Placing LEED aside, an architect has a lot of weight placed on their shoulders in terms of the products that they choose in order to sleep at night with how their emissions are effecting the Earth. It is of the utmost importance that architect’s care about the environment and how the products that they choose are green friendly. There is big business for third party certification agencies that charge product manufacturer’s to test their product lines to gain different certifications, so architects can trust the products that are going into their buildings. The only problem is, these third party certification agencies cost so much, they are not small business friendly. They are a great option for worldwide companies with 25 manufacturing plants, but what about those with 1? The cost to do a test like this would be great for them to gain compliance for a project, but instead, they are left in the dust in terms of third party certifications. Often, an architect would be able to override this certificate, if possible, by asking for more pertanant information regarding VOC Emissions in a space. For example, Landquist & Son, has tested our particleboard doors for VOC’s interiors. The test is shown broken down below.

There are 3 different arenas that VOC Emmisions are tested, all according to interiors product testing. They are seperated into three areas of testing: Private Office vs. School Classroom vs. Single Family Residence. The number on the VOC Emmissions test you should follow, of course being the area that you will be placing the product. School Classroom of course being the largest, followed by private office, and the smallest being single family residence. There are also 3 VOC’s that are commonly tested: Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, and Toluene.

Each in their own, can have terrible side effects on the human body and need to be transparent for architects to make the right decisions on what products they want going into their buildings. I will take a closer look at a private office, for our particular concentrations in our Magiglide closet doors. We had testing done, for a piece of mind. I will take a look at these three VOC’s, what the limits for interiors are for them, as well as what they can do to the human body.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde poisoning in terms of inhalation, can be varied. There may be breathing issues, eye and skin irritation, and headaches. Prevention is key. Please check with a building manufacturer to determine the VOC total in a space, if they have that information. If not, then have the manufacturer get you the VOC numbers from the product that they have manufactured theirs from. For example, a window manufacturer, if they did not have VOC emissions testing done, then get the window glass manufacturer’s information. It will hold true for Emissions testing in the space.

Acetaldehyde

This gas is more commonly known as ethanal. It can expose people by touching it, and breathing. Both of which can become an issue if it is an interior product in an apartment. Breathing this vapor can hurt your lungs, heart, blood vessels, skin and eyes. Exposure is known to cause amnesia, as the brain is most affected by this VOC.

Toluene

Similar to the other two VOC’s, toluene can get into the human body by breathing, touching or swallowing. The list of symptoms caused are a mile long including but not limited to: numbness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, muscle fatigue, insomnia, confusion, liver and kidney damage, loss of consciousness . . . and so on. It can be commonly found in paints and adhesives.

Above is the PASS/FAIL limit for interiors products in regards to these three emissions gases. As a manufacturer, we receive a PASS is we are underneath these VOC limits for each. For example, if we score a 0.003"% on Formeldahyde, we receive a PASS. If our competitor scored a 8.9% on Formeldahyde, they also receive a PASS. This is the same for Acetaldehyde and Toluene. PASS/FAIL according to those limits. At Landquist and Son, we had these three VOC’s tested, and the graph below showcases our results.

The above graph represents our results on a private office scenario, so the middle sized room scenario. As you can see, VOC emissions are not only an important topic for the Earth’s health, but for your health as well. Pay attention to information given, ask questions, remember those products that prove they are environmentally friendly.