Low-Emitting Materials

Reduce quantity of indoor air contaminants.
Rating Systems and Code Applicable Products/Systems
LEED NC LEED S LEED CS LEED H LEED R LEED ND CHPS CALGreen
IEQc4.1
1 Pt.

IEQc4.2
1 Pt.
IEQc4.1
1 Pt.

IEQc4.2
1 Pt.
IEQc4.1
1 Pt.

IEQc4.2
1 Pt.
IEQc4
up to 4 Pts.

Group 1
1 Pt.

Group 2
1 Pt.
IEQc4.1
up to 5 Pts.

Option A
1 Pt.

Option B
1 Pt.
EQ2.2.1
1 Pt.

EQ2.2.2
1 Pt.
4.504.2

5.504.4

A5.504.8
Supportive of strategy goals.

The technical structure of these criteria are specific to stated materials — adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings — and do not explicitly account for the absence of their use. Concrete masonry can provide indoor surfaces that do not necessarily need painting, thus no VOCs are introduced.

Glazed and burnished units manufactured by Trenwyth Industries and distributed by Angelus Block are popular choices for indoor masonry surfaces. Glazed units are, of course, factory finshed and are VOC-free. Trenwyth burnished units (TrendstoneĀ®, Trendstone PlusĀ®) have a factory applied sealant with low or no VOCs.

Other precision and burnished units in high-traffic areas may benefit from a surface sealer to minimize soiling. Many water-based, low VOC products are available.

Green Credits & Strategies - Low-Emitting Materials