Did You Know?
Occupants with VOC exposure often report disagreeable odors, exacerbation of asthma, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, headaches and drowsiness
Health symptoms associated with VOC exposure can be minimized by choosing low VOC emitting products
Source: "Maintaining Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) during Construction and Renovation" article by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Process Solutions
- Ventilate workspaces – open windows and circulate air with fans or forced air heating/cooling system
- Keep workspace temperature and humidity low whenever possible, since some VOCs will become more volatile when it’s warm or damp
PPE Solutions
- Select VOC PPE based on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) handling instructions found in section 8
- Find where to buy VOC protection that fits you through a Google search, home center stores, hardware stores and online industrial supply stores
Product Solutions
- Find low and no VOC LATICRETE® products that have achieved GREENGUARD Certification. These products are scientifically proven to meet some of the word's most rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards, helping to reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure.
Resources
To find compliant VOC building products visit:
- Green Seal® develops life cycle-based sustainability standards for products, services and companies and offers third-party certification for those that meet the criteria in the standards
- International Code Council® (ICC) - “Section 806” published by the International Code Council® (ICC), is also a detailed resource for compliant maximum VOC emissions
- USBGC LEED IEQc4.1 and LEED IEQc4.3 - Products used inside the building that meet the VOC limits outlined as requirements for LEED (IEQc4.1 Information on Adhesives and Sealants) and (IEQc4.3 Information on Flooring)
- ANSI A138.1 Green Squared Certification - Certification for ceramic tile, glass time and tile installation materials that conform to a performance standard that includes particulate emissions