"Healthier" laboratory countertop

Hi Teresa, I might be able to help.  It depends on the answer to these two questions: 1. What do you mean by "healthier"? Are you looking for no VOCs? red list free? declare or cradle to cradle certification?  etc. 2. What do you mean by "laboratory"?  "Lab" is a term that covers a huge range of functional needs, everything from highschool chemistry to quantum physics research (and lots and lots of other things).   SEFA 3 governs laboratory work surface specifications.  SEFA has a list of Manufacturers who comply at this link.  That might help you. https://www.sefalabs.com/sefa-3---work-surfaces--chemical-resistance-   While I was at Perkins & Will, we did a study on laboratory embodied carbon called "Low Carbon Labs". Although that may not be exactly what you mean by "healthy", the report may help you think about some of the issues related to laboratory material selection. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/low-carbon-labs-jacob-werner/   Another resource that I've found helpful, if a bit basic, is the GSA sustainable facilities tool: https://sftool.gov/explore/green-workspace/89/laboratory   I would love to collaborate with you (and others) on a study of these issues in labs.  I've been meaning to start a research project like this for a long time. If anyone else is interested, email me. Jacob werner@ellenzweig.com

Hi Teresa, Jacob provides a lot of good resources and thoughts. I will add that lately we've seen the adoption of phenolic resin (usually FunderMax) as a more common lab casework top standard; for many labs it meets cleaning and functional performance criteria. We've been trying to limit the use of epoxy resin to only locations where it is needed to meet functional performance requirements. Like most materials conversations, this one is evolving -- I have an interior designer on my team that I suspect would be happy to have a deeper conversation with you and Jacob, sustainable materials are her happy place. Please reach out if you'd like to discuss further.