GreenPoint Rated homes have more formaldehyde than FEMA trailers

We found formaldehyde concentrations in GreenPoint Rated homes to be higher, on average, than in conventional homes. The three GreenPoint Rated developments we tested had indoor formaldehyde above 77 ppb, the average for the Katrina FEMA trailers that are in the news for making families ill. A salesperson at one of the developments told us she gets headaches in the sales office.

A development that is in review for GreenPoint Rating had nearly 300 ppb in one area of the home. A Built It Green representative told us that 300 ppb would not prevent those homes from receiving GreenPoint Rating.

Project Manager Amy Dryden explained, “there are many ways to achieve a GreenPoint Rating”. The GreenPoint Rated checklist requires only 5 points in the IAQ/Health category. Air testing is not required at any stage of the process.

We explained to Ms. Dryden that tightly sealed homes, like GreenPoint Rated homes, do not have enough ventilation. Unless occupants open windows often, chemicals can build up to harmful concentrations. 

Ms. Dryden assured us that after August 2009, all new homes will have mechanical ventilation. We explained that most of the homes we tested had mechanical ventilation running at the time we visited. The required 0.35 air changes per hour (ACH) are not adequate.

Ms. Dryden then assured us that many “green” builders use materials that are California Air Resources Board CARB 01350 certified as emitting little or no formaldehyde. We explained that the home with the highest formaldehyde we have seen (1,841 ppb inside a master bathroom vanity) was in a cabinet made from CARB 01350 certified material. A marketing brochure for that cabinet material proclaims “0 ppm” formaldehyde emissions. 

The conversation became rather uncomfortable at that point. Ms. Dryden pointed out that we “are not following established testing protocols” when we measure room air or the air inside cabinets. She added, “We don’t want to create new standards”. Ms. Dryden suggested we contact CARB about our concerns.

New homes built in the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County are required to achieve GreenPoint Rating or LEED for Homes certification. We prepared this slideshow for a group of real estate brokers. Some of those brokers now recommend their clients test homes for formaldehyde prior to closing a transaction.

Photo by Linda Kincaid.