Avoid hazardous phthalates. Prefer caulk-type sealants to spray foam sealants. If foam sealing products are needed, prefer those that are not reacted on site. Absent full disclosure, look for acrylic-based sealants with very low VOCs. Avoid products that are marketed as antimicrobial and claiming or implying a health benefit. Prefer products with full disclosure of content through Health Product Declarations (HPDs).
Proposed procurement goals:
- Minimize the need for adhesives when possible. For instance, finger-joints and mechanical fasteners do not contain chemicals of concern.
- At least 80% of sealants purchased by the municipality or used by contractors meet the HomeFree Green or Yellow level for VOC content and ortho phthalate content
- If polyurethane products are purchased, verify that specified sealants are phthalate-free
- Require suppliers to disclose the presence of PFAS and prefer sealants and adhesives purchased by the municipality or used by contractors that do not contain any PFAS
- Preference given to products with publicly available information to encourage the use of building products that are working to minimize their environmental and health impacts
- Material ingredients documentation demonstrating the chemical inventory of the product to at least 0.1% (1,000 ppm) with all content characterized and screened
Resources:
- HomeFree sealants hazard and rating system
- HomeFree Sealants Specifications
- Enterprise Green Communities Criteria & Certification section on Ingredient Transparency for Material Health