Any chemists out there know where Bishpenol A, a known endocrine disruptor, fits into the chemical avoidance picture? I've been told it's not a PBT but it doesn't seem to fit into this category, either. The majority of epoxy resins in adhesives, grouts, etc., on the market are BPA-based. Many also contain Tris. I've been told by one epoxy manufacturer that because there is no "free" BPA in their product the exposure concern was not an issue. At least that was the implication. Theirs is a mixture of Bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin. Thoughts?
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Tom Lent
Policy DirectorHealthy Building Network
152 thumbs up
November 13, 2010 - 10:12 am
Good points, Marian. Bisphenol A is the chemical behind the consumer revolt last year that led to massive change in the chemistry of sport water bottles and sippy cups. The National Institutes of Health cites evidence of reproductive and developmental toxicant effects. EPA has targeted BPA in an Action Plan for potential regulation citing particular concern for pregnant women, and children and potential for long-term adverse effects on growth, reproduction and development in aquatic species at concentrations similar to those found in the environment.
Biomonitoring has found BPA widespread in humans. Where is it coming from? Most of the attention to date has been focused on BPA use in water bottles, sippy cups, food can linings and register receipts, but BPA is used fairly extensively in buildings caulks, adhesives, grouts, high performance paints and floor sealers as well as various polycarbonate plastics such as glazings and wall protections.
No free BPA in epoxy? Maybe. But studies of workers applying BPA based epoxies have shown evidence that the epoxy metabolizes back into BPA and alters sex hormones.
All in all, there are plenty of reasons for a precautionary avoidance of BPA and HBN's Pharos Project identifies building products that are known to contain BPA based compounds.
For more information on BPA see “Bisphenol A in Building Materials: High Performance Paint Coatings” http://www.healthybuilding.net/healthcare/2009-07-17_BPA_memo_FINAL.pdf
Abena Darden
Senior AssociateThornton Tomasetti
273 thumbs up
November 15, 2010 - 3:17 pm
Hi Tom--
Thanks for sharing all this info! Which pilot credit in LEED does BPA avoidance fit in? I've been told it is not a PBT.
Second aside: It would be great to know if the epoxy resin mfrs. are going to address this somehow. For concrete tunnels, airports, etc., this mixture of BPA and epichlorohydrin, a hazardous substance and organochlorine, apparently is the only way to create high performance adhesives and grouts.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
November 29, 2010 - 10:58 pm
BPA currently doesn't fit under a LEED pilot credit. I'm not familiar with how this was decided or whether it's being considered as an addition.
Howard Williams
VP/General ManagerConstruction Specialties, Inc
14 thumbs up
April 29, 2011 - 8:55 am
In addition to the really good information and dialog on Healthy Building Network's site (great context & relevance) check www.chemsec.org Their SIN list (Substitute It Now) is a fast and reliable look into various chemicals. When the site opens look to the upper right side and click "Go to SIN list database". There you can enter the name of the chemical in question, such as "bisphenol a", and learn lots in just a few minutes. Perkins+Will shares their Radical Transparency list; readily available on their website. The Living Building Challenge also has a list of materials/chemicals to avoid.