USGBC (LEED) BD + C v3 & v4

VOC Limit Guideline

Prepared By:

USGBC Faculty, International Green Expert

LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP EB O+M, LEED AP ID+C, LEED AP HOMES, LEED AP ND
Managing Director: 360 Total Solution Limited

Submitted By:
Preface
Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes.
Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer. In addition, they can react with other
gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air. Concentrations of most volatile organic
compounds are higher in indoor air than outdoor air.

Where do VOCs come from?

Formaldehyde, one of the most common VOCs, is a colourless gas with an acrid (sharp and bitter) smell.
It is common in many building materials such as plywood, particleboard and glues. Formaldehyde can also
be found in some drapes and fabrics and in certain types of foam insulation.

Breathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, can cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and can
damage the central nervous system as well as other organs. Some VOCs can cause cancer. Not all VOCs
have all these health effects, though many have several.

Other sources of VOCs include the burning of fuels such as gas, wood and kerosene and tobacco products.
VOCs can also come from personal care products such as perfume and hair spray, cleaning agents, dry
cleaning fluid, paints, lacquers, varnishes, hobby supplies and from copying and printing machines.
VOCs can be released from products during use and even in storage. However, the amount of VOCs
emitted from products tends to decrease as the product ages.

What are some health concerns caused by VOCs?

VOCs include a variety of chemicals that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath,
headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and skin problems. Higher concentrations may cause irritation of
the lungs, as well as damage to the liver, kidney, or central nervous system. Long-term exposure may also
cause damage to the liver, kidneys or central nervous system.

Some VOCs are suspected of causing cancer and some have been shown to cause cancer in humans. The
health effects caused by VOCs depend on the concentration and length of exposure to the chemicals.
Most people are not affected by short-term exposure to the low levels of VOCs found in homes. Some
people may be more sensitive, such as people with asthma. For long-term exposure to low levels of VOCs,
research is ongoing to better understand any health effects from these exposures.

How can I avoid exposure to VOCs?

You can best avoid exposure to VOCs by controlling their source. Use materials and products that do not
give off VOCs. Examples are listed below.
• Some building products give off fewer VOCs than others. Select paints and varnishes that are
labelled as containing low VOCs
• Do not allow smoking in or near your home. Second-hand smoke contains many pollutants,
including VOCs
• Minimize use of scented products such as plug-in or aerosol deodorizers, candles and incense
• Consider storing furnishings and building materials for at least a few weeks. This will allow gases
to be given off before you bring them into your home. If this is not possible, increase the
ventilation by opening windows and doors in your home for a few weeks
• Buy only enough paints, cleaners and solvents for immediate use so you don’t have to store them
in your home. Follow instructions on the product label. Keep lids on tightly. Store products in a
separate room like an outdoor shed or in areas with proper ventilation

The Art of Solutions, 360 Total Solution Ltd. H # 3/1, Rd # 8, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Mob: 01747910939
 • Remove old or unnecessary tins or bottles that contain products with VOCs from the home. Do
not throw unused products away with your household garbage. Ensure you safely and properly
dispose of them.
• Avoid bringing recently dry-cleaned clothing into your home if it still has a strong smell. Leave the
clothing at the shop, or take it out of the plastic wrapping and hang it in a ventilated area until it
is dry

New carpets:
• If glues are necessary, select those suitable for indoor use
• Leave the area during carpet installation
• Ventilate the area as much as possible during the installation using fans and opening windows
and doors. Continue to ventilate for several days after installation

Ventilation:
• Make sure you get enough fresh, clean air into your home by opening windows
• Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors after you bring new VOC sources into your
house, such as new carpets, furniture, or drapes
• Follow manufacturers’ labels when using household chemicals. If the label says “use in a well-
ventilated area” go outside or to an area where an exhaust fan or open window provides extra
ventilation

LEED Credit Intent:

To reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that is odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort
and well-being of installers and occupants.

Paints and Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants

Cleanability and durability are again the names of the game when it comes to coating and sealing surfaces
within a facility. However, coatings and sealants can have a high environmental impact depending on the
formulation. Achieving sustainability requires selecting products that have low levels of VOCs.

Low-Emitting Materials -Adhesives and Sealants (1 Point)

Specify low-VOC materials in construction documents. Ensure that VOC limits are clearly stated in each
section of the specifications where adhesives and sealants are addressed. Common products to evaluate
include general construction adhesives, flooring adhesives, fire-stopping sealants, caulking, duct sealants,
plumbing adhesives and cove base adhesives. Review product cut sheets, material safety data (MSD)
sheets, signed attestations or other official literature from the manufacturer clearly identifying the VOC
contents or compliance with referenced standards.

The Art of Solutions, 360 Total Solution Ltd. H # 3/1, Rd # 8, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Mob: 01747910939
Adhesives VOC Limits

VOC Limit
VOC Limit [g/L
Architectural Applications [g/L less Specialty Applications
less water]
water]
Indoor carpet adhesives 50 PVC welding 510
Carpet pad adhesives 50 CPVC welding 490
Wood flooring Adhesives 100 ABS welding 325
Rubber floor adhesives 60 Plastic cement welding 250
Subfloor adhesives 50 Adhesive primer for plastic 550
Ceramic tile adhesives 65 Contact adhesive 80
Special purpose contact
VCT and asphalt adhesives 50 250
adhesive
Structural wood member
Drywall and panel adhesives 50 140
adhesive
Sheet applied rubber lining
Cove base adhesives 50 850
operations
Multipurpose construction
70 Top and trim adhesive 250
adhesives
Single Ply Roof Membrane
250 Adhesive for traffic marking tape 150
Adhesives
Structural glazing adhesives 100

Sealants VOC Limit:

VOC Limit VOC Limit

Substrate Specific
[g/L less Sealants [g/L less
Applications
water] water]
Metal-to-metal 30 Architectural nonporous 250
Plastic foams 50 Architectural, porous 775
Porous materials (except
50 Non-membrane roof 300
wood)
Wood 30 Roadway 250
Fiberglass 80 Single-ply roof membrane 450
Porous architectural sealant
775
primer
Non-Porous architectural sealant
250
primer
Other 420

The Art of Solutions, 360 Total Solution Ltd. H # 3/1, Rd # 8, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Mob: 01747910939
Low-Emitting Materials – Paints and Coatings (1 Point)

Specify low-VOC paints and coatings in construction documents. Ensure that VOC limits are clearly stated
in each section of the specifications where paints and coatings are addressed. Track the VOC content of
all interior paints and coatings during construction.

Paint and Coating VOC Limit:

VOC Limit VOC Limit

Coatings
Paints [g/L less (Clear wood finishes) [g/L less water]
water]
Non-flat 150 Varnish 350
Flat (Mat) 50 Sanding Sealers 350
Anti-corrosive/ anti rust 250 Lacquer 550
Exterior non-flat 200 Floor coatings 100
Fiberglass 80 Stains 250
Exterior flat 100 Mastic coating 300
Floor paint 100 Rust preservative coatings 400
Other Coatings
Flat topcoat 50 Anti-corrosive coating 250
Non-flat topcoat 100 Reflective wall coating 50
Primer or undercoat 100 Reflective roof coating 100

Low-Emitting Materials—Flooring Systems (1 Point)

Clearly specify requirements for product testing and/or certification in the construction documents. Select
products that are either certified under the green label plus program or for which testing has been done
by qualified independent laboratories in accordance with the appropriate requirements.

Sealers VOC Limit:

Sealers VOC Limit [g/L less water]

Waterproofing sealer 250
Sanding sealer 275
Other sealers 200

Low-Emitting Materials - Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products (1 Point)

Specify wood and Agrifiber products that contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins. Specify laminating
adhesives for field and shop-applied assemblies that contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins. Review
product cut sheets, Material Safety Data (MSD) sheets, signed attestations or other official literature from
the manufacturer.

The Art of Solutions, 360 Total Solution Ltd. H # 3/1, Rd # 8, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Mob: 01747910939
Requirements:
Composite wood and Agrifiber products used on the interior of the building (i.e., inside the
weatherproofing system) must contain no added Urea-Formaldehyde Resins.

Laminating adhesives used to fabricate on-site and shop-applied composite wood and Agrifiber
assemblies must not contain added Urea-Formaldehyde Resins.

Composite wood and Agrifiber products are defined as particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF),
plywood, wheat board, strawboard, panel substrates and door cores. Materials considered fixtures;
furniture and equipment (FF&E) are not considered base building elements and are not included.

Documents needed for LEED Certification:

Letter from the Manufacturer indicating the VOC limits

Material datasheet
Including in BOQ with cost
Sample purchase invoice of products
List of each critical product used
Relevant Test Certificate (Dated within 2 years) from a third party in English if apply.

Project Tips

Avoid or limit use of products with high VOCs

• Use products that are low in VOCs, including some sources like paints and building supplies. Look
for "Low VOCs" information on the label.
• Use a different approach that reduces the need for products that contain VOCs. For example,
integrated pest management can help eliminate or greatly reduce the use of pesticides.
• Buy only as much as you need for the project. Dispose of any leftover or unused products safely.
• Always follow manufacturers' directions when using these products.
• Don't smoke and keep all buildings smoke free. Tobacco smoke contains VOCs among other
carcinogens.

Add ventilation when you use products with VOCs indoors

• Open windows and add a fan to pull the indoor air outside while you're using products with high
VOCs. Increasing the amount of fresh air in your home will help reduce the concentration of VOCs
indoors.
• Let new carpet or new building products air outside to release VOCs before installing them.
• Don't store products with VOCs indoors, including in garages connected to the building.
• Make sure your office or school ventilation systems are working effectively to reduce VOCs
produced by printers or copiers.

The Art of Solutions, 360 Total Solution Ltd. H # 3/1, Rd # 8, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Mob: 01747910939