SUSTAINABILITY CORNER: More CDPH V1.2, 2017 tested products available

Sustainability data now easier to find under NEWLY ADDED SUSTAINABILITY TAB added under Products!

W. R. MEADOWS has a tradition of environmental awareness starting in the 1990’s and were the first to launch the GREEN LINE product portfolio showcasing products featuring lower VOC content using water-based formulations.  Continuing this trend of Lower VOC materials, you can now find the following products with California Department of Health (CDPH) VOC Emissions Certificates V1.2, 2017 not only under the GREEN BUILDING Tab on our website, but on the newly created SUSTAINABILITY Tab under each products’ data page.  This tab will also include Sustainability Letters covering LEEDv4/4.1 criteria and newly added Health Product Declarations (HPDs) as they are available.

CDPH VOC Emissions Certificates

California Department of Health (CDPH) VOC Emissions Certificates V1.2, 2017

 
What does a product with a CDPH certificate mean?

It means the product has been through an Indoor Air Quality test, which provides data insuring the reduction of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from construction materials in newly constructed or remodeled buildings.

It’s officially called The Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions From Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers.

You may have seen it referenced in the past as California Specification 01350 or CAL 01350.  It is one of the most widely used and accepted standards to evaluate building and interior products for low chemical emissions. Since its inception by California, many other states, specifiers, and building owners have adopted this standard.  As this standard expands into more states and projects, W. R. MEADOWS will continue to lead the industry in its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship by offering Green, low VOC products.

What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?

VOCs are carbon containing chemicals that evaporate into the atmosphere.   They are used as ingredients commonly found in paints, cleaning products, adhesives and other liquid products.

Concentrations of VOCs are typically higher indoors due to the building containment versus the open air outdoors and that’s why this emissions testing is important as it shows the product has VOC levels below the CDPH test criteria.

What types of products are tested?

It includes emission rates for a product and predicted indoor concentrations in various environments, such as in the office, classroom and residential scenarios and therefore only interior products are tested.

What does it test?

It looks at predicted concentrations for 35 VOCs compared to the maximum allowable levels.

These levels are derived from the Chronic Reference Exposure Levels (CRELs) published by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).  Some compounds that are tested include a number of aldehydes – one being formaldehyde, as well as benzene, toluene, hexane, and methylene chloride.

Specifiers have been asking for more interior products that meet this indoor air quality requirement, and now they’re easier to find in multiple locations!

If you have questions or would like to learn more about GREEN LINE, contact your local sales office at (800) 342-5976.