Specification of Low Emitting Materials
Using low emitting products can significantly reduce VOC concentrations indoors
Some examples include:
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water or vegetable oil based paints and stains stating a low VOC content.
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building materials and furnishings which are certified to emit low levels of VOCs such as linoleum, seagrass and wool carpets.
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biodegradable detergent-based cleaners. Favour those that are not fragranced and rubbed rather than sprayed.
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furnishings made from solid wood instead of pressed or reconstituted wood. Pressed wood is often bound with chemicals such as formaldehyde. In the case that pressed wood cannot be avoided, a viable solution is to seal pressed wood with formaldehyde sealing coatings.
For more information refer to the Materials module.
Aerosols and other fragranced products which add additional VOCs into the air should be minimised and chemicals such as opened pesticides and paints should never be stored indoors or in air handling rooms of commercial buildings.