lesson 5
Final Lesson: Summary and Useful Materials
Lesson 3
Choosing Non-Toxic and Sustainable Materials
Choosing Non-Toxic and Sustainable Materials
Lesson 4
Sustainable Living: Clean Air and Post-Renovation Care
Sustainable Living: Clean Air and Post-Renovation Care
Lesson 5
Final Lesson: Summary and Useful Materials
Final Lesson: Summary and Useful Materials
Lesson 0
Kick-off Lesson
Kick-off Lesson
Lesson 1
Sustainable Renovation: Need-to-Know Basis
Sustainable Renovation: Need-to-Know Basis
Lesson 2
Planning Your Sustainable Renovation
Planning Your Sustainable Renovation
Hello!
Congratulations — you’ve made it to the final lesson of the Sustainable Renovation Course!
Over the past lessons, you've explored a lot of things that probably changed your ideas about what renovation can be like.
Now you know not just how to repair, but how to do it with purpose — in a way that reduces waste, saves resources, protects your health and supports a more sustainable future.
In this lesson, we will summarize what you have learned throughout this course and also share all the useful materials and links that you have encountered during your studies, so that you do not miss anything important.
Now you know not just how to repair, but how to do it with purpose — in a way that reduces waste, saves resources, protects your health and supports a more sustainable future.
In this lesson, we will summarize what you have learned throughout this course and also share all the useful materials and links that you have encountered during your studies, so that you do not miss anything important.
After this course you will know exactly how renovation (especially some chemicals that you may use during the renovation process) affects your health and environment. And now you definitely have no illusions about why sustainable renovation matters.
We discussed all these questions in Lesson 1 of the course, which you can freely look through again if needed — for example, to remember arguments for a conversation with friends or family members about the importance of sustainable renovation.
Useful links and materials from this lesson are collected here 👇
We discussed all these questions in Lesson 1 of the course, which you can freely look through again if needed — for example, to remember arguments for a conversation with friends or family members about the importance of sustainable renovation.
Useful links and materials from this lesson are collected here 👇
Useful materials:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)? https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs
- National Library of Medicine. Pulmonary Health Effects of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds — A Meta-Analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7914726/
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
- National Library of Medicine. Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds from 1980 to 2017: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35622720/
- National Cancer Institute. Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-fact-sheet
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Facts About Formaldehyde. https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/facts-about-formaldehyde
- National Library of Medicine. Controlled Experiments with Airborne Formaldehyde. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK217652/
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). What Are Flame Retardants? https://www.unep.org/flame-retardants
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Flame Retardants. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/flame_retardants
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Lead Exposure Symptoms and Complications. https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/symptoms-complications
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk Factors and Pregnancy. https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/risk-factors/pregnancy.html
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers. https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-safe-renovations-diyers
- National Library of Medicine. Air Phthalate Emitted from Flooring Building Material by the Micro-Chamber Method: Two-Stage Emission Evaluation and Comparison. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8473253/
- No Burn, Inc. Testing Carpet for Toxins. https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-Testing-Carpet-for-Toxics.pdf
- Toxic-Free Future. What are Phthalates? https://toxicfreefuture.org/toxic-chemicals/phthalates
- ING Think. The Construction Sector’s Sinking Circular Foundations (2023). https://think.ing.com/articles/sinking-circular-foundations-in-construction-industry
- European Environment Agency (EEA). Mineral Waste from Construction and Demolition, Waste Treatment (2020). https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/mineral-waste-from-construction-and#tab-googlechartid_chart_13
- Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction. https://globalabc.org/our-work/tracking-progress-global-status-report
- ScienceDirect. The Impact of Renovation Measures on Building Environmental Performance: An Emergy Approach. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652617312246
When the idea that “if the renovation, then only sustainable” was strengthened, we discussed what, in general, is worth considering when starting a sustainable repair. And no — as you already know, we were not talking about buying materials or performing repair work.
We’ve observed what factors are better to think about before starting renovation, how to create a sustainable renovation plan and what precautions should be taken during repairs. At the end, we talked about the role of circularity, waste management and recycling in renovation.
If you feel the need to review these questions, go to the Lesson 2 and use the additional materials 👇
We’ve observed what factors are better to think about before starting renovation, how to create a sustainable renovation plan and what precautions should be taken during repairs. At the end, we talked about the role of circularity, waste management and recycling in renovation.
If you feel the need to review these questions, go to the Lesson 2 and use the additional materials 👇
Useful materials:
- Waste Not, Want Not: Case Studies of Building Material Reuse https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/waste-not-want-not-case-studies-building-material-reuse
- Sustainable building material selection: An integrated multi-criteria large group decision making framework https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1568494621008255
- Construction Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/construction_ppe.pdf
- Construction general Personal Protective Equipment https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/faq-ppe.htm
- Use of circular economy practices during the renovation of old buildings in developing countries https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266618882300031X
- Circularity Outlines in the Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Literature Review https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/8/5/69
- D4.1 Blueprints for replicating lighthouse districts: Applying Circular Approaches in Renovation https://shape-affordablehousing.eu/files/2024/05/energy-efficiency.pdf
- A guide to material selection in sustainable product design https://www.shapesbyhydro.com/en/material-properties/a-guide-to-material-selection-in-sustainable-product-design/
- Build More or Build Green? Affordable Housing’s False Choice https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/build-more-or-build-green-affordable-housing-s-false-choice
- Six Myths about Building Green https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Learning-Center/Green-Greenwashing-Chemical-Sensitivities-LC/Six-Myths-about-Building-Green#Myth-1-Building-green-is-more-expensive
- Development of sustainable assessment criteria for building materials selection https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09699981211277568/full/html
- A comprehensive guide to sustainable material selection on green building projects https://www.planradar.com/au/guide-sustainable-material-selection-green-building-projects/
- Checklist: What makes a product green? https://www.greenbuilt.org/161-checklist-what-makes-a-product-green/#:~:text=Green%20products%20are%20available%20for,more%20durable%3B%20and%20they%20are
- What Makes a Product "Greener?" https://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts/what-makes-product-greener
- The Common Materials Framework https://www.buildinggreen.com/mindful-materials
- A Common Language for Impact https://www.mindfulmaterials.com/cmf-reference-guide
- Circle House: develops, propagates and anchors new knowledge about circular construction in the building industry. https://www.buildingsocialecology.org/projects/circle-house-lisbjerg/
- Circle House: Denmark’s first circular social housing units https://www.creativedenmark.com/cases/circle-house-denmarks-first-circular-social-housing-units
Next, we explored the criteria that should be followed when choosing materials for sustainable renovation and what is definitely worth paying attention to.
There was a lot of information, so don't be upset if you forgot something. Instead, go to Lesson 3, use all additional materials, and make an informed choice of materials when starting your repair.
There was a lot of information, so don't be upset if you forgot something. Instead, go to Lesson 3, use all additional materials, and make an informed choice of materials when starting your repair.
Useful materials:
- Informed, Habitable Future. Selecting the Wrong Drywall Could Introduce Mercury into the Environment. https://informed.habitablefuture.org/resources/news/88-selecting-the-wrong-drywall-could-introduce-mercury-into-the-environment
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing Occupational Respiratory Disease from Exposures Caused by Dampness in Office Buildings, Schools, and Other Nonindustrial Buildings. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-102/pdfs/2013-102.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2013102
- Habitable Future. Understanding Antimicrobial Ingredients in Building Materials. https://habitablefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/83-Antimicrobial_WhitePaper_PerkinsWill.pdf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Pulmonary Health Effects of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds — A Meta-Analysis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7914726/
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The future of forests is in our hands. https://fsc.org/en
- American Chemical Society (ACS). Formaldehyde in the Indoor Environment. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cr800399g
- California Air Resources Board (CARB). Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/barcu/regact/2007/compwood07/fro-final.pdf
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nonylphenol (NP) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs). https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/nonylphenol-np-and-nonylphenol-ethoxylates-npes
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). ECHA proposes restrictions on chromium(VI) substances to protect health. https://echa.europa.eu/-/echa-proposes-restrictions-on-chromium-vi-substances-to-protect-health
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8157593/
- Habitable Future. Low VOC? Don’t Stop There. https://informed.habitablefuture.org/resources/news/129-low-voc-dont-stop-there
- ScienceDirect. Carbon footprint and embodied energy of PVC, PE, and PP piping: Perspective on environmental performance. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352484720315985
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC-certified wood. https://fsc.org/en/businesses/construction
- ScienceDirect. Secondary VOC emissions from flooring material surfaces exposed to ozone or UV irradiation. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132308002199
- ResearchGate. VOCs Emission Simulation of Common Flooring Materials. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347270442_VOCs_Emission_Simulation_of_Common_Flooring_Materials
- BuildingGreen. Hardwood & Bamboo Flooring Product Guide. https://www.buildinggreen.com/product-guide/hardwood-bamboo-flooring
- BuildingGreen. Resilient Flooring Product Guide. https://www.buildinggreen.com/product-guide/resilient-flooring
- BuildingGreen. Engineered Wood Product Guide. https://www.buildinggreen.com/product-guide/engineered-wood
- ResearchGate. Post-Consumer Polyvinyl Chloride in Building Products: Evaluation for Healthy Building Network and Recycling Collaboration 2015. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326579698_Post-Consumer_Polyvinyl_Chloride_in_Building_Products_A_Healthy_Building_Network_Evaluation_for_StopWaste_and_the_Optimizing_Recycling_Collaboration_2015
- BuildingGreen. Interior Paints Overview and Selection Tips. https://www.buildinggreen.com/product-guide/interior-paints
- No Burn. Testing carpets for toxics. https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-Testing-Carpet-for-Toxics.pdf
- BuildingGreen. Finding Furniture Without Toxic Flame Retardants. https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/finding-furniture-without-toxic-flame-retardants
- BuildingGreen. Textiles. https://www.buildinggreen.com/product-guide/textiles
- BuildingGreen. A Guide to Selecting Sustainable Textiles. https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/guide-selecting-sustainable-textiles
- American Chemical Society (ACS). Formaldehyde in the Indoor Environment. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cr800399g
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Mothers’ Milk: Toxic Fire Retardants (PBDEs) in Human Breast Milk. https://www.ewg.org/research/mothers-milk
- Center for Environmental Health (CEH). Kicking Toxic Chemicals Out of the Office: An Easy Guide to Going Flame Retardant-Free. https://ceh.org/office-furniture-guide/
- Green Science Policy. Flame Retardants in Furniture. https://greensciencepolicy.org/our-work/furniture/
- MDPI Journals. Impact of Carpets on Indoor Air Quality. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/24/12989
- ScienceDirect. Evaluation of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from memory foam mattresses and potential implications for consumer health risk. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653522014382
- Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark, Environmental Protection Agency. Survey and risk assessment of VOCs in PU foam products. https://www2.mst.dk/Udgiv/publications/2020/09/978-87-7038-230-4.pdf
- IOP Publishing. The Environmental Impact Assessment of Furniture Production Process Using the Life Cycle Assessment. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/598/1/012078/pdf
- Habitable Future. Optimizing Recycling: Post-Consumer Flexible Polyurethane Foam Scrap Used In Building Products. https://habitablefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/85-optimize-recycling-fpf-report.pdf
- IPEN. A Survey of PBDEs in Recycled Carpet Padding. https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/A-survey-of-PBDEs-in-recylcled-carpet-padding.pdf
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Mattress chemicals you could be sleeping on. https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2023/08/mattress-chemicals-you-could-be-sleeping
- Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark, Environmental Protection Agency. Survey and risk assessment of VOCs in PU foam products. https://www2.mst.dk/Udgiv/publications/2020/09/978-87-7038-230-4.pdf
- ResearchGate. Quantitative Assessment of Potential Health Effects From the Use of Fire Retardant (FR) Chemicals in Mattresses. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279061568_Quantitative_Assessment_of_Potential_Health_Effects_From_the_Use_of_Fire_Retardant_FR_Chemicals_in_Mattresses
- BuildingGreen. Seal, Tape, Gasket: A Sticky Search for Better Materials. https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/seal-tape-gasket-sticky-search-better-materials
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Questions and Answers for the Safe Management of PCBs in Caulking, 2008. https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/P10060VA.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=2006+Thru+2010&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C06thru10%5CTxt%5C00000013%5CP10060VA.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=hpfr&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=1&SeekPage=x&ZyPURL
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PFAS Explained. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing and Installation. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3768.pdf
- California Air Resources Board (CARB). Reducing Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/classic/toxics/compwood/consumer_faq.pdf
- Green Buildings Supply. Eco-friendly Countertop Buyers Guide. https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/blogs/learn/eco-friendly-countertops-guide?srsltid=AfmBOoq6tb_pfXmQyNiQjBsDIiZLI3wYdjPKjm-Cy0dtkyFTlP86DT40
And finally, we discussed the topics that are undeservedly forgotten during the renovation process:
The knowledge is still fresh in your memory, but if you need to refresh it, welcome to Lesson 4 of the course and to the useful materials and links.
- How to improve indoor air quality after renovation,
- How to choose safe cleaners and home care products,
- How to clean up after renovation.
The knowledge is still fresh in your memory, but if you need to refresh it, welcome to Lesson 4 of the course and to the useful materials and links.
Useful materials:
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality#reference-guide
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Air Cleaners and Air Filters in the Home. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home
- Green Buildings Supply. Air Purifiers : An Introduction. https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/blogs/learn/air-purifiers-guide
- BuildingGreen. Clean, Fresh Air: Getting What We Need. https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/clean-fresh-air-getting-what-we-need
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-11/2024-buying-a-new-home-how-to-protect-your-family-from-radon_0.pdf
- Green Buildings Supply. All About Mold — How it Grows, How to Get Rid of It. https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/blogs/learn/all-about-mold
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Guide to Healthy Cleaning. https://www.ewg.org/cleaners/
- Environmental Working Group (EWG). Healthy Home Tip: Green Cleaning This Spring. https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/healthy-home-tip-green-cleaning-spring
- National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH). Healthy Homes Guide to Cleaning and Disinfection — Green Cleaning. https://nchh.org/information-and-evidence/learn-about-healthy-housing/safe-cleaning-and-disinfection/healthy-homes-guide/green-cleaning/
- Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). Commercial (204) and Residential (205) Carpet Maintenance and Cleaning Standards. https://carpet-rug.org/resources/cleaning-standards/
- National Institutes of Health (NIH). Household Dust as a Repository of Chemical Accumulation: New Insights from a Comprehensive High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7239036/
- Milken Institute School of Public Health. Potentially Harmful Chemicals Widespread in Household Dust. https://publichealth.gwu.edu/potentially-harmful-chemicals-widespread-household-dust
- National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Use of Household Cleaning Sprays and Adult Asthma: An International Longitudinal Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17585104/
- National Institutes of Health (NIH). Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants Cause Subfertility in Mice by Targeting Both Male and Female Reproductive Processes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26582257/
- National Library of Medicine (NIH). Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29451393/
Great to hear.
And if you still have the strength and desire to learn even more about repairs, we are sharing additional sources that we haven’t covered yet, which you can also study on your own.
And if you still have the strength and desire to learn even more about repairs, we are sharing additional sources that we haven’t covered yet, which you can also study on your own.
Resource Name
What is this about
The project focuses on reducing hazardous substances in urban environments, particularly in construction and renovation. It supports sustainable renovation by promoting the use of safer materials, raising awareness, and providing tools for municipalities and professionals to make healthier, low-toxicity choices in building practices.
This catalogue showcases innovative, sustainable construction materials that are free from hazardous substances. It supports sustainable renovation by helping stakeholders choose safer, non-toxic alternatives that reduce environmental and health risks, particularly in urban settings.
The page offers guidance on avoiding hazardous chemicals in construction and renovation materials. It promotes sustainable renovation by helping users make informed choices that protect human health and the environment through safer product selection and better material awareness.
This website provides transparent information on the health, environmental, and ethical impacts of building materials. It helps users choose safer, more sustainable products for renovation by highlighting low-toxicity, low-impact options with clear ingredient disclosure. This makes it a valuable tool for guiding healthier, eco-conscious renovation decisions.
This guide offers practical tips and product recommendations to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals in the home. It supports sustainable renovation by helping users select safer materials, cleaners, and furnishings that protect both human health and the environment.
It is a trusted resource offering in-depth research, product reviews, and best practices for sustainable building and renovation. It supports professionals and homeowners in making environmentally responsible choices by highlighting energy-efficient, healthy, and low-impact materials and strategies.
It’s all for now.
Thank you for joining us on this journey toward building a more sustainable future. Now you have tools that will help you create spaces that are not only built to last, but built to care — for people and the planet.
Build wisely, renovate responsibly, and inspire change.
Good luck!
Thank you for joining us on this journey toward building a more sustainable future. Now you have tools that will help you create spaces that are not only built to last, but built to care — for people and the planet.
Build wisely, renovate responsibly, and inspire change.
Good luck!
P.S.
We’d really appreciate it if you could take a couple of minutes to fill out a quick feedback survey — it won’t take long, promise!
Your thoughts mean a lot and help us make the course even better.
Thanks a ton!
Your thoughts mean a lot and help us make the course even better.
Thanks a ton!
