Red List Free Building Materials and Indoor Air Quality

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The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Green Building Technology (GBT) group has been sought out to collaborate with Woodpecker European Timber Framing to conduct an applied research project to explore how a Red List free home can be integrated into a commercial custom build. This has never been done before. Developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Red List is a list of over 800 'worst in class' materials that should be excluded from sustainable homes. These toxins pollute air, bio-accumulate in the food chain, harm construction and factory workers and those who live in the homes upon completion. The Red List is the tool builders want to use to move toward the goal of sustainable building. There are limitations that prohibit builders from complying with Red List and this project is aimed to address some of those challenges - what is in and what is out, who can supply the replacement? Is it possible to take a holistic approach to sustainable building, looking at the entire supply chain? What impact does Red List free have on the health of the home? Is the indoor air quality (IAQ) impacted during the construction process and post build? A noticeable IAQ improvement is something all builders can use to encourage Canadians building homes to consider as part of their home specifications. Canadian builders will be able to be more transparent when consumers ask them about the products being used to build their homes. By identifying materials necessary to build a Red List free home, Woodpecker will construct a new home using only Red List free materials. The project outcomes will push the building industry to choose products that have a positive impact on the environment, health and wellness, improve workplace and living space safety, and foster a mindset that will impact product selection for builders and innovation in product development for manufacturers.