i+D - September/October 2018 - 46

Talking to Your Clients
about Chemistry
The word "chemical" has been known to strike fear into
many people's minds. It is understandable-opportunistic
marketers often tout that a variety of products are somehow
"chemical-free."

Milliken carpet tiles and luxury vinyl
tiles are among the flooring materials
that can contribute to WELL certification.
(Image: Milliken & Company)

The Milliken team navigated the WELL certification process
by focusing on how materials contribute to the current
standard-using chemistry expertise to source materials with
high ingredient transparency, low toxicity, and low volatile
organic compound (VOC) emissions.
According to Ivey, Milliken carpet tiles and luxury vinyl tiles
are both flooring materials that can help contribute to features
in the WELL certification through low VOC-certified materials;
public transparency of ingredients; and other product attributes,
such as polyurethane-cushion carpet tile's acoustic advantages,
as well as incorporating biophilic design principles. Ivey
notes exciting changes for those interested in using WELL
for material considerations. Materials now are broken out into
their own "Concept" in the newly released WELL version
2 pilot standard.
"Interior designers are enthusiastic about the WELL Building
Standard and its focus on people," says Ivey. "We often lose
sight of the fact that we spend 90 percent of our time indoors
and that the largest expenditures over time for workspaces are
employee salaries and benefits. Productivity matters for the
long-term cost effectiveness of a building; it's about finding
creative ways to enhance people's lives. For us, the certification
of our Chicago showroom is a way to show our commitment
to that using our knowledge of the science."
At its core, for these companies and more, the business
of chemistry is all about science-science aimed at driving
innovations in products and technologies that help make
our lives healthier, safer, and more sustainable.

EMILEIGH CLARE
is a communications manager at the American
Chemistry Council (ACC), where she focuses
on sharing information on chemistry and
chemical safety. Currently, she is a candidate
for a Masters of Public Health at George
Washington University, where she researches
health and science literacy.

46

TODD SIMS
is director of sustainability and market
outreach at ACC, where he manages
partnerships and outreach to support safe,
sustainable, and resilient buildings and
building materials. He works with key
stakeholders throughout the supply chain to
develop and promote innovative approaches.

i+D - September/October 2018

Chemical-free is not possible. Everything is made of chemicals,
even water and air. Many people who ask about chemicals are
actually concerned about whether there is a health risk from
a particular chemical (as in, can a material or product harm
them?). The level of risk posed by a chemical ingredient is not
just determined by the physical properties of the chemical
itself, but depends on a range of factors, including how a
person is exposed to the chemical, at what concentration,
and for how long. Even coffee and water can be harmful to
a person at high enough doses, becoming potential concerns
in certain circumstances.
As an example, the mineral titanium dioxide in dust form is
classified as an inhalation hazard, but when titanium dioxide
is in wet form, as in paint, there is little to no risk of inhalation.
Scientists classify hazards based upon test results that address
exposure to a chemical in its pure form. Generally, most
chemical manufacturers are required to use the World Health
Organization's Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), which provides a global
framework for hazard testing, classification, and labeling. In
compliance with GHS, manufacturers provide a Safety Data
Sheet on the chemicals they produce or distribute that identifies
each chemical's properties and information on safe use
and handling.

What about VOCs?
Some carpet may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
during installation. However, these emissions can largely
dissipate within 24 to 48 hours, or even faster with fresh air
ventilation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
advises ventilating for at least 72 hours. Once installed, carpet
may actually improve indoor air quality by keeping allergens
out of the air. The EPA states that if it is "kept very clean from
the time it is installed, carpet can trap a significant amount
of particles, which can be removed through regular and
effective vacuuming."
Chemistry Questions?
You don't have to take college-level chemistry to get up to
speed on the latest material science. For interior designers
and architects, the American Chemistry Council has developed
BuildingwithChemistry.org as a resource for material safety
information, along with a series of educational courses for
credit from the Interior Design Continuing Education
Council (IDCEC).
http://www.BuildingwithChemistry.org
i+D - September/October 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i+D - September/October 2018
