02/12/2018 Integrative Analysis of Building Materials - Guidance

Table of Contents

Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 1

1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1
i. Integrative Analysis of Building Materials – Intent ........................................................................... 1
ii. Data requirements ............................................................................................................................ 2
iii. Reporting Matrix ............................................................................................................................... 3
2. Potential Environmental Impacts.......................................................................................................... 4
i. Sourcing data .................................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Data scope......................................................................................................................................... 4
iii. Examples ........................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Potential Safety Impacts ....................................................................................................................... 5
4. Potential Human Health Impacts .......................................................................................................... 6
i. Sourcing data .................................................................................................................................... 6
ii. Reporting data .................................................................................................................................. 7
iii. Examples ........................................................................................................................................... 7
5. Additional Reporting Requirements ..................................................................................................... 8
i. Supplementary documentation ........................................................................................................ 8
ii. Incorporating other standards into the matrix ................................................................................. 8
iii. Products that require additional installation materials .................................................................... 8
iv. Product comparisons ........................................................................................................................ 8

1. Introduction

i. Integrative Analysis of Building Materials – Intent

The Integrative Analysis of Building Materials Pilot Credit (Pilot Credit) encourages project teams to use
products and materials for which life cycle information is available and that have environmentally,
economically, and socially preferable life-cycle impacts. The pilot credit is intended to help project teams
to preferentially select products produced by organizations who proactively share qualitative and
quantitative life-cycle related health safety and environmental information on their products.

The pilot credit data reporting requirements communicate this information in an easily understandable
matrix that allows teams to identify project-relevant information and understand tradeoffs between
similar products using this information towards making more informed decisions about what kind of
products to use.

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ii. Data requirements

The Pilot Credit requires project teams to use at least three different permanently installed products that
have disclosed health, safety, and environmental impact data in these five lifecycle stages: 1) assembly /
manufacturing; 2) installation; 3) use; 4) maintenance; and 5) end of life / reuse. The health and
environmental impact data must address a minimum set of endpoints for each lifecycle stage, even if only
to say that the data has not been collected or is otherwise unavailable.

Table 1: Potential Environmental and Human Health Impacts

Potential Human Health Impacts: Potential Environmental Impacts:

 Carcinogenicity
 Mutagenicity/Genotoxicity  Air pollution abatement
 Reproductive & Developmental Toxicity  Bioaccumulation
 Acute Toxicity  Persistence
 Eye and Skin Irritation  Acute and chronic aquatic toxicity
 Aspiration hazard  Water use
 Chronic toxicity  Energy use
 Skin & Respiratory Sensitization  GHG emissions
 Systemic Toxicity and Organ effects  Solid waste generation/closed loop process
 Air purification/filtration or positive impacts  Biodiversity, habitat and ecosystem
to indoor air quality affecting human health

The reporting matrix itself differs from other labels in that it allows for both qualitative and quantitative
statements to describe the product at hand. For instance, a product may reduce energy use during the
maintenance lifecycle phase, although the exact reduction may vary upon the application. In this
circumstance, a manufacture can simply fill in the appropriate cell stating that the maintenance phase has
“reduced energy use.” Alternatively, if the exact amount of reduced energy is known, a manufacturer can
enter that as well.

In addition to reporting the health and environmental impacts, the matrix allows product manufacturers
to highlight product level safety contributions that the product offers. Safety related information in these
cells should contain benefits that the product, as a whole, confers in the respective lifecycle stage. Fire
sprinklers, for example, allow egress during fire emergencies, and a sprinkler manufacturer could list this
benefit in the safety impact category of the use phase. Likewise, if the sprinkler does not need to be
installed with a heat source, this could be listed in the installation lifecycle phase as it confers a product
level safety benefit—reduced fire hazard—at the product level.

As mentioned previously, the pilot credit’s intent is to provide project teams a way to identify relevant
lifecycle, environmental, and health data to inform product selection in a quick, easy to use manner. That
notwithstanding, some project teams may want to provide additional, more detailed information on these
impacts. The Pilot Credit requires this information to be accessible by Project Teams and offers footnote

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space to reference these sources. As an example, links to environmental product declarations or ecolabel
certifications would be appropriate to place within the footnotes if data from either source is include in
the matrix.

iii. Reporting Matrix

The pilot credit matrix conveys health, environmental, and safety data over the five specified lifecycle
phases in a grid with lifecycle phases running horizontally and the impacts vertically. Product
manufacturers will use this standardized template to communicate information by placing product data
in the appropriate lifecycle cell. As a reminder, product data within the grid can consist of qualitative or
quantitative statements.

Figure 1: Standardized Matrix Template.

LIFE CYCLE
INTEGRATIVE ANALYSIS Product Assembly / Building Product
Product Use
Product
End of Life / Reuse
Manufacturing Installation Maintenance

Potential Human Health

(Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity/Genotoxicity,
Reproductive & Developmental Toxicity, Acute
Toxicity, Eye and Skin Irritation, Aspiration hazard,
Chronic toxicity Skin & Respiratory Sensitization,
Systemic Toxicity and Organ effects, Air
purification/filtration or positive impacts to indoor air
quality affecting human health)
IMPACTS

Potential Environmental Impacts

(Air pollution abatement, Bioaccumulation,
Persistence, Acute and chronic aquatic toxicity,
Water use, Energy use, GHG emissions, Solid waste
generation/closed loop process, Biodiversity,
habitat and ecosystem)

Potential Safety Impacts

(Passive survivability during natural disasters,
Functionality, including access/egress, during
emergencies)

Functional Unit:
Lifecycle Scope:
Supplemental Information:

In addition to the impact data, the matrix also includes an area for additional contextual information
comprising: 1) the functional unit definition; 2) lifecycle scope; and 3) supplemental information
referenced within the matrix and sources. Each of these items affords project teams information on the
matrix scope, enabling them to weigh data appropriately between materials.

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2. Potential Environmental Impacts

The Pilot Credit requires manufacturers to gather data on environmental impacts and place this
information in the appropriate section of the matrix with simple statements that project teams can use
to quickly assess products. For each product the following endpoints must be assessed with qualitative
or quantitative data,: 1) air pollution abatement; 2) bioaccumulation; 3) persistence; 4) acute and chronic
aquatic toxicity; 5) water use; 6) energy use; 7) greenhouse gas emissions; 8) solid waste generation; and
9) biodiversity, habitat and ecosystem impacts.

i. Sourcing data

Lifecycle assessments are a natural source for environmental information given the overlap in data
requirements for system boundaries and the matrix categories. Typically, LCAs report inputs, such as
water and energy, in addition to outputs, like greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste. These numbers
can be imported directly into the matrix and conveyed in the appropriate lifecycle stage.

It’s worth noting that many product classes in the building and construction category have generic
lifecycle assessments that represent a combination or estimate of impacts based on similar processes.
These industry average LCAs may be used to satisfy the matrix’s requirements – the footnote should
indicate the source for the data and specify that the data is generic.

ii. Data scope

Data for the matrix can also be sourced from ecolabels and environmental impact standards. Ecolabels,
in particular, track information related to persistency and aquatic toxicity, and, similar to LCA data, can
included directly within the matrix with a qualitative or quantitative statement. Likewise, products may
conform to standards that have information relevant to the Pilot Credit. NSF, for example, hosts a suite
of sustainable building product and furnishing standards that have information concerning recyclability,
water use, and emissions, among others.

A lifecycle analysis will contain a description of the unit considered for analysis that relates to the products
function. An LCA on paint, for instance, may define a functional unit as enough paint to cover a square
meter of surface, and provide lifecycle impacts (e.g. water use, energy use, waste generation) created and
used to make that quantity of paint. The functional unit concept is integral to an LCA because it defines
the measurement boundaries for the studied system, affording a reference that relates the inputs and
outputs. In the previous example, a functional unit for a project indicated the product quantity, but they
may also consider performance characteristics. Paint to cover one square meter of an exterior surface for
10 years is a functional unit of this type.

Aside from the functional unit, the matrix must also note the LCA’s scope. Often, LCA studies will include
several processes, such as material extraction, manufacturing, and end of life. These “system boundaries”
define the information contained within the LCA, and thus are important for project teams to consider
when assessing a product’s environmental impacts. Products that contain “cradle to grave” information

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are naturally more expansive than “gate to gate” LCAs, and therefore impacts need to be considered
differently.

iii. Examples

In the example above, the product assembly stage features information taken directly from the lifecycle
assessment and includes information that covers each of the required environmental impact categories.
The remaining lifecycle stages provide supplemental information, but because most environmental
impacts occur at the manufacturing stage, there is less text for this section of the matrix. Note that in the
product maintenance phase, the matrix indicates there are no environmental impacts – statements like
these that address several endpoints generally are acceptable to include within the matrix.

3. Potential Safety Impacts

The Potential Safety Impact section gives product manufacturers space to describe product level safety
features. For this credit, “product level safety impacts” refers to the safety benefits conferred by product
as a whole, rather than benefits of individual constituent chemicals. These considerations are important
because designers evaluate a product’s function when selecting materials and an analysis of their impacts
should be included when applicable – particularly for life-saving or emergency systems. Examples of these
products include fire sprinkler systems that allow egress during fire emergencies and manufacturers can
list this benefit within the matrix in the Potential Safety Impacts section. Other products may feature
additional product level safety benefits at different lifecycle stages, such as a product that does not
require heat or open flame for installation.

This section does not have a required number of endpoints that need to be addressed, nor does it have a
list of safety impacts that a product manufacturer must choose from. We encourage manufacturers to be
creative in this area and use this section as an opportunity to highlight safety advantages that their
product affords. Some examples of safety impacts are acceptable include, but are not limited to:

1. Provides egress during emergencies

2. Increases wind load capacity / high wind resistance
3. Moisture barrier
4. Increases structural strength
5. Low flame spread

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6. Reduces summer interior temperatures in non-air conditioned spaces

7. Installation does not require an open flame
8. Prevents contact with debris
9. Microbe resistant

4. Potential Human Health Impacts

Similar to the Environmental Impact Section, this section requires manufacturers to gather data on human
health impacts and include this information in the pilot matrix section alongside simple statements that
project teams can use to quickly assess products. The Human Health Impact section requires qualitative
or quantitative statements on the following endpoints for all raw materials used by the building product
manufacturer to make the product, as identified on the supplier SDSs: 1) carcinogenicity; 2) mutagenicity
/ genotoxicity; 3) reproductive and developmental toxicity; 4) acute toxicity; 5) eye and skin irritation; 6)
aspiration hazard; 7) chronic toxicity; 8) skin and respiratory sensitization; 9) systemic toxicity and organ
effects; and 10) positive impacts on indoor air quality, such as air purification and filtration.

i. Sourcing data

Health impact information—such as hazard, exposure, and risk data—can be found in many sources, with
the most common being safety data sheets, or SDSs. Each SDS contains extensive information for a single
chemical, including physical chemical data, potential hazards, and safety precautions, to name a few. The
“Hazards Identification” section within an SDS contains GHS hazard classifications that can be included
within the matrix directly. Below, find the hazard identification section from the benzaldehyde SDS:

As the SDS indicates, benzaldehyde has several hazards as classified within GHS – flammability (cat. 4),
acute toxicity (oral, cat. 4; dermal cat. 4), skin irritation (cat. 2), respiratory and skin sensitizer (cat 1), and
acute aquatic toxicity (cat. 2). Of these listed hazards, the matrix would require reporting of the acute
toxicity, skin irritation, and respiratory and skin sensitization because these endpoints are mandatory, as
stated in the credit language.

SDSs, however, are not the only ways to source health impacts. Other LEED credits may have information
relevant to the matrix, like the Building product disclosure and optimization - material ingredients credit.
Additional sources include ecolabels, like Cradle to Cradle, GreenScreen and HPDs, or product-specific
testing information, like chamber testing data.

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Moreover, companies that have completed full or screening-level risk assessments may include this data
in the matrix. Risk metrics are particularly relevant for project teams because they incorporate
anticipated exposure levels for manufacturers, installers, and users. Chemical registration in Europe
under the REACh regulatory system may require exposure modeling data that can be reported within the
matrix. Chemical management systems, like Responsible Care, embody additional health impact
information that is applicable to the matrix as well. Further, air sampling results from industrial hygiene
surveys during building product manufacture and building product installation can be useful in assessing
potential exposures to workers, while building product emissions testing (chamber testing) can be useful
in assessing potential exposures to consumers.

Lastly, it’s important to note that hazards present in one lifecycle stage do not necessarily apply in other
lifecycle stages. The manufacturing process for a given product may involve chemical transformations,
resulting in new chemical species within the product with a different hazard profile. This change is also
true for some products in the installation phase as well. Paints, adhesives, and sealants each have a curing
process where some chemical exposure may be present that is mitigated once the curing process
completes. Each lifecycle stage involves changes in chemical composition, and these changes impact the
hazard, environmental, and safety profiles. These changes should be reflected within a product matrix.

ii. Reporting data

After a product manufacturer collects all relevant health impact data for a product, there are several
options forhow to characterize the data within the matrix. The first and most straightforward approach
requires manufacturers to list out endpoints that apply to the constituent ingredients. For example, “the
product contains a known reproductive toxicant and skin sensitizer.” Alternatively, a manufacturer may
want to provide additional information, such as which chemical corresponds to a specific endpoint, the
GHS classification, and may also include information on exposure. A more detailed example is “the
product contains benzaldehyde, which is a GHS cat. 2 skin irritant, but is shown to be low risk in this
product based on a risk characterization ratio less than 1.”

iii. Examples

The example above describes a plastic fire sprinkler system with no consequential health impacts in any
lifecycle phase. The manufacturer highlights the absence of GHS category 1 or 2 classifications and also
points to standards that detail acceptable impurity concentrations in the use phase, and worker safety
standards in the manufacturing phase.

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5. Additional Reporting Requirements

The following sections delineate technical requirements applicable to all lifecycle stages and all impact
categories.

i. Supplementary documentation

The matrix provides easily accessible, top level information on environmental, health, and safety
considerations for building and construction products. Understandably, some project teams need
detailed information, and it’s important that the matrix provide a bridge to that information. To help
guide these teams, each affirmative statement made within the matrix must have a citation to a publicly
available supporting document listed in the matrix footnotes. Public accessibility may be provided
through 3rd party data aggregation websites (e.g. UL SPOT) or upon request from the manufacturer
directly. Consequently, each matrix should identify how to obtain the supporting documents by providing
contact information or an appropriate URL.

ii. Incorporating other standards into the matrix

Standards, as discussed previously, are important data sources for the matrix. That notwithstanding, the
standards themselves can be nuanced and inaccessible for project teams quickly trying to discern
important impact information. Thus, standards should not be cited in the matrix, but the underlying data
should be included if relevant. For example, if a product complies with NSF-140 Platinum, the required
bio-based content levels and reclamation programs can be mentioned directly within the matrix. Further
information could be optionally submitted in the supplemental information.

iii. Products that require additional installation materials

If a product requires additional materials for installation, the matrix should list the material type and
indicate that it has separate health, environmental, and safety impacts to be considered. Often a product
can be installed with several different materials and requiring them all within the matrix could create
confusion. Adhesive manufacturers—and other manufacturers of products that facilitate installation—
should be encouraged to complete a matrix for their products separately.

iv. Product comparisons

The matrix, at first glance, provides an opportunity to contrast features between competing products that
fill the same role. The credit’s goal, however, is to provide project teams with objective information on
product impacts. Therefore, the matrix should only contain statements related to the product that is
receiving credit certification. Said differently, the product data should speak for itself – any
disparagements of direct comparisons should not occur within the matrix. This requirement helps ensure
that the credit remains an objective resource for project teams, rather than an advertisement.