Sustainability and Toxicity of Building Materials

Manufacture, Use and Disposal Stages

1st Edition - February 10, 2024
Editors: Emina K. Petrović, Morten Gjerde, Fabricio Chicca, Guy Marriage
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 8 3 3 6 - 5
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 8 3 5 6 - 3

Sustainability and Toxicity of Building Materials: Manufacture, Use and Disposal Stages provides a review of toxicity impacts from building materials, including the consid… Read more

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Sustainability and Toxicity of Building Materials: Manufacture, Use and Disposal Stages provides a review of toxicity impacts from building materials, including the consideration of the toxicity in the extraction and manufacture of the materials and eventual dismantling and disposal. This book also offers the potential to stimulate future developments in this area, both in terms of knowledge-building and methods for future research. With the increasing emphasis on sustainable construction, it has become important to better understand the impacts of common materials. Civil and structural engineers, postgraduates, researchers as well as architects will find this book to be useful in selecting sustainable building materials.

While many building and furnishing materials are safe to use, in recent decades, some have had to be redesigned due to recognition that they contained problem chemicals like formaldehyde. Unfortunately, there is still limited understanding of the toxic impacts of many synthetic chemicals which means that the risks in this area are not well recognized. With increasing interest in using limited resources more sustainably, definitions of what is sustainable should be expanded to move from the focus on energy and carbon impacts to also include more explicit consideration of toxicity impacts.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
Introduction
Section 1: Contextualising the importance of evaluating toxic impacts
1. The importance of recognising the toxicity of building materials in manufacture, use and disposal stages for planetary sustainability and restoration
Abstract
1.1 We should use less of everything
1.2 We should know more about toxicity
1.3 Improving definitions of toxicity
1.4 Expanding understanding of what should be protected
1.5 Conclusion
References
2. The role of regulation in shifting to sustainable and nontoxic building materials
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Government approaches to regulation of sustainability and toxicity of building materials
2.3 Voluntary schemes
2.4 The role of education in regulating green buildings
2.5 The international context
2.6 Case study: New Zealand
2.7 Conclusion
References
3. The role of environmental certifications in fostering changes
Abstract
3.1 Introduction: the need for green building and environmental certification
3.2 Defining green building: understanding the concepts and terms and the rise of environmental certification: voluntary systems and major providers
3.3 Understanding the real estate market: key decision-making factors for all players
3.4 Factors driving the demand for environmentally certified buildings
3.5 Financial implications of environmentally certified buildings
3.6 Discussion
3.7 Conclusion
References
4. Evaluation of global research on greenwashing by scientometric indicators
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Understanding the concept of greenwashing
4.3 Research methodology
4.4 Results and discussion
4.5 Conclusion and recommendations
References
5. Springboard to sustainable behaviour: a study of environmental attitudes toward material usage
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Environmental attitudes and behaviours
5.3 Case study: attitudes toward sustainable use of building materials
5.4 Chapter summary
References
6. An evolution of sustainable house construction technologies
Abstract
6.1 Chapter summary
6.2 Introduction to the case studies
6.3 Phase 1: Millenium Mews 1999–2001
6.4 Phase 2: White Rock Court
6.5 Phase 3: Wave Homes
6.6 Reflections in the current context
References
Section 2: Sustainability and toxicity issues with natural and conventional construction materials
7. Timber: trees and wood in construction
Abstract
7.1 Trees
7.2 Timber toxicity
7.3 Summary
References
8. Timber: industrial processes, treatments and adhesives
Abstract
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Timber treatment: non-chemical methods
8.3 Timber treatment methods with chemical solutions
8.4 Timber adhesives
8.5 Conclusion
References
9. Bricks: a review of sustainability and toxicity issues
Abstract
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Clay bricks
9.3 Concrete bricks
9.4 Calcium silicate (sand-lime or flint-lime) bricks
9.5 Other alternatives to traditional baked clay bricks
9.6 Circular approaches to reducing environmental impacts
9.7 Concluding remarks
References
10. The use of concrete in construction: how does it stack up?
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 What is concrete?
10.3 Concrete formats and circularity
10.4 Toxic fallout from concrete
10.5 New developments
10.6 Conclusion
References
11. Metals: issues with everyday use and toxicity within standard construction metals
Abstract
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Commonly used metals in construction
11.3 Important metals for construction
11.4 Exposure to metals toxicity – size matters
11.5 Conclusion
References
12. Ecological and health impacts of nonmetallic minerals
Abstract
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Causes of overextraction of nonmetallic minerals
12.3 Consumption of nonmetallic minerals
12.4 Definitions
12.5 Extraction processes of nonmetallic minerals
12.6 Ecological and environmental effects of nonmetallic mineral consumption
12.7 Products of nonmetallic minerals
12.8 Ecological impacts of products
12.9 Health impacts and toxicity issues
12.10 Waste management practices
12.11 Conclusion
References
13. Agricultural by-products as construction materials
Abstract
13.1 Introduction: agricultural residues as healthy building material resource alternatives
13.2 Introducing new alternative
13.3 Characteristics of agro-wastes
13.4 Conclusions and further outlook
References
14. Life-cycle assessment of the environmental impact of earthen buildings versus conventional buildings on human health
Abstract
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Earth constructions
14.3 Life-cycle impact assessment
14.4 Brazilian studies
14.5 Final considerations
References
Section 3: Sustainability and toxicity issues with synthetic and composite materials
15. Sustainability and toxicity of polymers, plastics, and coatings in buildings
Abstract
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Issues with current practices with plastics
15.3 Introducing polymer chemistry and use patterns
15.4 Acrylic casts, sheets and paint emulsions
15.5 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in buildings
15.6 Plastics in recycling, circular economy and other end of life considerations
15.7 Conclusion
References
16. Recycling and reutilisation opportunities and techniques of the insulation material EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) after the lifetime of EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing System)
Abstract
16.1 Introduction
16.2 EPS and EIFS
16.3 Dismantling
16.4 Recycling and reutilisation opportunities and techniques
16.5 Discussion
16.6 Conclusion
References
17. Implications of persistent environmental toxins prevalent in interior building materials and furnishings
Abstract
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Polychlorinated biphenyls
17.3 Polybrominated diphenyl ethers
17.4 Phthalates
17.5 Conclusion
References
18. Sustainability and toxicity of formaldehyde-based resins for composite wood products like plywood, particleboard and medium density fibreboard
Abstract
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Early history of formaldehyde-based resins and early products
18.3 Contemporary formaldehyde applications
18.4 Introducing formaldehyde, where is it in nature, and what are its biological impacts on humans and the environment
18.5 Industrial manufacture of formaldehyde
18.6 Sustainability and toxicity of other common core components of formaldehyde-based resins
18.7 Manufacture of formaldehyde-based composite wood products
18.8 Conclusion
References
Section 4: Sustainability and toxicity issues with systems and built examples
19. Circular tiny house CTH project – 11/2020–02/22
Abstract
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Building materials exchange ‘The Second Life’
19.3 Tiny houses in urban context
19.4 CTH* 1 – tiny house size and design
19.5 Self-sufficiency – energy, water/wastewater, air
19.6 Building materials, building services, insulation
19.7 Deconstruction and reuse – application of the cradle-to-cradle principle
19.8 Implementation
19.9 Circular construction – the construction in detail
19.10 Discussions and conclusions
References
20. Kitchen joinery – past, present and future
Abstract
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Evolution of kitchen joinery
20.3 How could kitchen sustainability be assessed?
20.4 Example LCA case study of three kitchen unit options
20.5 Conclusion
References
21. Case study of a nonrecyclable glued façade system and the development of a façade system with a reclosable fastener fixation for the recycle and reuse of single façade components
Abstract
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Case study of a nonrecyclable glued façade system
21.3 Whole of life carbon emissions
21.4 Development of a façade system with a reclosable fastener fixation
21.5 Toxicity of materials
21.6 Results: comparison recycle and reuse
21.7 Conclusion
21.8 Discussion
References
22. Eco cottages: using local indigenous nontoxic renewable cypress resources for sustainable construction and production
Abstract
22.1 Sustainability and sustainable construction
22.2 Modern methods of construction
22.3 Future directions – from sustainability to a circular economy
22.4 Conclusion
Endnotes
References
23. Design with air, towards nontoxic sustainable microclimates using earthen materials
Abstract
23.1 Sustainable, nontoxic microclimates
23.2 Earthen material for sustainable and nontoxic surfaces
23.3 Hybrid thermodynamic ceramic system as microclimatic modifiers
23.4 Surface geometry and air movement
23.5 Surface materiality and air movement
23.6 Future perspectives for design of nontoxic microclimates
23.7 Discussion and conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
24. Unearthing sustainable material futures
Abstract
24.1 Introduction
24.2 The hyperlocal of wattle-and-daub
24.3 Building nontoxic living walls with compressed coir blocks
24.4 Do-it-yourself ethos of mycelium
24.5 Making porous, energy-absorbing and strong composites from spent coffee grounds
24.6 Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Section 5: Emerging considerations
25. Mycelium-based materials for the built environment: a case study on simulation, fabrication and repurposing myco-materials
Abstract
25.1 Introduction
25.2 Circular economy and user-informed mycelium
25.3 Myco-materials: a taxonomy
25.4 Case studies
25.5 Discussion
25.6 Conclusion and future work
References
26. Hazardous building materials threaten circular economy and sustainable outcomes
Abstract
26.1 Introduction
26.2 Building material reuse
26.3 Green building rating tools for building material reuse and recycling
26.4 The living building challenge
26.5 Case study: McMullin building
26.6 Method
26.7 Results: assessment of value
26.8 Discussion
26.9 Conclusion
Endnote
References
27. Composite building materials and construction and demolition waste (C&DW): ecotoxicological perspectives
Abstract
27.1 Introduction: the construction industry – environment nexus
27.2 Composite building materials, C&DWs, and environmental issues
27.3 Ecotoxicological studies in environmental protection
27.4 Ecotoxicity of building materials: an overview of recent studies
27.5 Ecotoxicological impacts of C&DWs
27.6 Conclusion and recommendations
References
28. Digital systems supporting improvements to material information dissemination
Abstract
28.1 Introduction
28.2 Background: the challenge with information and models for design and construction
28.3 Part 1: Accessing and using information
28.4 Part 2: Gathering and managing information
28.5 Discussion
28.6 Conclusions
References
Index

Emina K. Petrović

Dr Emina Kristina Petrović is recognised for her expertise on toxicity, sustainability, and healthiness of building materials. Petrović emphasises the importance of informed building material selection for both the built and natural environment, calling for a more detailed consideration of building materials for the totality of their impacts, from ecosystem health to ethics of production. By asserting the relevance of the interrelatedness of these issues, Petrović is providing a critical leadership in a transition to less impactful construction. Because knowledge itself is not enough for the needed change, Petrović has also contributed a new sustainable transition framework, and examines aspects of behaviour change in building industry.

Affiliations and expertise

Senior Lecturer in Sustainability in Design, Wellington School of Architecture, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

Morten Gjerde

Associate Professor Morten Gjerde has a strong interest in the different ways materials can be used to support design intentions, to enhance energy efficiencies and comfort of occupants, and to minimize impacts on climate and resources. As the son of a cabinetmaker, he gained an appreciation for craft and making early on, which he has continued to develop throughout his architectural and academic careers. He invites his students to exploit the sensory qualities of materials in their design work and to consider the way they age and change during the life of the building.

Affiliations and expertise

Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture & Planning at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology. Registered Architect

Fabricio Chicca

Dr Fabricio Chicca is a senior lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. He is recognized for his expertise as a critical thinker and researcher in the field of sustainability in architecture, with a background spanning over 20 years as an architect and urban designer. Fabricio's focus is to examine whether the prevailing conventional approach to sustainable architecture effectively addresses the current environmental challenges. He is studying the potential of a paradigm shift towards sustainable architecture, as well as the role of the environmental impact of materials in the construction industry. His diverse research covers sustainability, life cycle assessment, urban agriculture, city impacts, and critical analysis of environmental certification and architectural practices and critical analysis of environmental certification and sustainable architectural practices.

Affiliations and expertise

Senior Lecturer, Wellington School of Architecture, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

Guy Marriage

Guy Marriage is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture with a specialist interest in Construction. Having worked full time in commercial practice for over 20 years, he has now been teaching construction for the next 20 years. His research is primarily focused on improving the construction of buildings, and spans topics such as structural prefabrication, tall building construction, innovative engineered timber technology, and ways to design better medium density housing.

Affiliations and expertise

Registered Architect at First Light Studio, Wellington Senior Lecturer, Wellington School of Architecture, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

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Sustainability and Toxicity of Building Materials

Manufacture, Use and Disposal Stages

Purchase options

Save 50% on book bundles

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Emina K. Petrović

Morten Gjerde

Fabricio Chicca

Guy Marriage