The U.S. Green Building Council has issued its draft report for public comment on the use of PVC and vinyl in buildings and how this should be treated in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System.
PVC is used in many common products such as piping, drainage products, floor coverings, siding, window frames, and is a component of some carpets, wall coverings and other products.
At present, the USGBC's position is that it neither supports nor opposes the use of PVC and vinyl products in buildings. The USGBC has been under pressure from some environmental groups to include credits within the LEED rating system for excluding the use of PVC and vinyl products. The vinyl industry has argued that the available science does not support such a credit.
In such instances, the council refers such contentious technical issues to its Technical Scientific Advisory Committee. The group's findings are the subject of the report posted for public comment.
The report is posted online at www.usgbc.org and is also available by calling 202/848-7422. All comments to the report must be submitted by 11:59 EST on Feb. 15, 2005.
