Product manufacturers, policymakers, and professionals in the building industry are paying more attention to the potential health and environmental impacts of building products during installation and use, but there has been less consideration of the important chemical impacts, including contributions to environmental injustice or environmental racism, that may occur during other life cycle stages. Health Building Network (HBN) teamed up with Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) to expand understanding of products’ life cycle health and environmental justice impacts—that is, the embodied chemical impacts of materials. We developed a framework based on the principles of green chemistry and the principles of environmental justice, and applied this framework to two widely-used insulation materials: fiberglass and spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation. Our prior research focused on use-phase chemical impacts, where we identified fiberglass as among the best in class materials and spray foam as the worst. The goal of this new work was to add to our understanding of chemical impacts over the products’ life cycles. The resources below were researched and written by HBN and EEFA member, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Click on the document titles below to download these resources.
Resources
Book Chapter
This chapter in ILFI’s book The Regenerative Materials Economy explores the often overlooked life cycle chemical and environmental justice impacts of building materials, focusing on insulation materials like fiberglass and spray polyurethane foam (SPF). Through a framework rooted in green chemistry and environmental justice principles, authors Rebecca Stamm of HBN and Veena Singla of NRDC analyze manufacturing realities, environmental justice concerns, and environmental health impacts, providing recommendations to improve the industry's sustainability and reduce the negative effects on marginalized communities."
Report Brief
This brief introduces our framework for considering chemical and environmental justice impacts in a product’s life cycle, highlights findings from the case studies on fiberglass and spray foam insulation, and outlines recommended actions for building industry professionals, policymakers, manufacturers, and alternatives assessors.
Case Study on Isocyanates in Spray Polyurethane Foam
In this case study, we applied our framework for considering life cycle chemical and environmental justice impacts to the primary component of spray polyurethane foam insulation: isocyanates. We explore the chemical hazards associated with the manufacture of isocyanates and the localized impacts that facilities have on communities and workers. We include an example of chemical movements within the supply chain and highlight end of life scenarios for SPF. Our overall findings are coupled with specific recommendations for policymakers and for manufacturers throughout the supply chain.
Case Study on Glass Fibers in Fiberglass Insulation
In this case study, we applied our framework for considering life cycle chemical and environmental justice impacts to the primary component of fiberglass insulation: glass fibers. We explore the chemical hazards associated with the manufacture of glass fibers and the localized impacts that facilities have on communities and workers. We include an example of chemical movements within the supply chain and highlight end of life scenarios for fiberglass insulation. Our overall findings are coupled with specific recommendations for policymakers and for manufacturers throughout the supply chain.
Embodied Injustices: Building Material Pollution Harms BIPOC, Low-Income Communities
This blog post introduces this project, providing additional context as it relates to energy efficiency programs and climate solutions.
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