News Analysis

Making Sense of LEED's Formaldehyde Ruling

LEED Interpretation #10250 allows for the use of urea in combination with melamine formaldehyde (MF) as long as products meet California's ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) resin standards.

by Brent Ehrlich

By Brent Ehrlich

Composite wood products made with added urea formaldehyde (UF) are one of the few products that LEED has consistently banned under its longstanding IEQc4.4: Low-Emitting Materials credit. However, LEED Interpretation #10250, issued January 1, 2013 (revised April 1, 2013), and applicable to all LEED projects, now allows for the use of urea in combination with melamine formaldehyde (MF) in certain circumstances. 

Published March 1, 2013

Ehrlich, B. (2013, March 1). Making Sense of LEED's Formaldehyde Ruling. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/news-analysis/making-sense-leeds-formaldehyde-ruling

Volume 22, Issue 3

Also on BuildingGreen