Pharos Framework Scoring Criteria

IAQ & other Toxic User Exposure (UseTox)

Making Eating & Breathing Safer

Description | Indicators | Scoring Criteria | Definitions | Issues

Scoring is calculated by finding VOC based rating from this section, and, if wet applied, finding the TVOC based rating, then subtracting points and adding limits from hazardous content section below.

Level
10		Ideal Product - No detect of VOC emissions AND only green chemical content
9		No VOC emissions greater than 1/10 CREL & 1/500 TLV †
8		Passes California 01350 VOC emission test, plus additional criteria to include more VOCs (e.g., no VOC emissions greater than ½ CREL or 1/100 TLV)
7		Passes California 01350 VOC individual emission test (no VOC concentrations greater than 1/2 CREL) AND if wet applied product, no TVOC content
6		If wet applied product, TVOC content is less than or equal to 1/2 the current best standard (SCAQMD)
5		Passes current basic low bar individual VOC emission test (no VOC concentrations greater than 1/10 TLV) OR if wet applied product, TVOC content meets the current best standard (SCAQMD)
4		Level 5 minus 1 point
3		Passes most basic TVOC emissions test (concentrations less than or equal to 0.5 mg/m3) OR, if a paint or other wet product, TVOC content less than or equal to twice the best standard (SCAQMD)
2		Level 3 minus 1 point
1		No VOC testing yet OR if wet product TVOC (total volatile organic compound) content is greater than 2X the best standard (SCAQMD)
Blank		No Information Reported
Extra		Points deductions (reducing score by one level) - 3 for Black or Red listed content or additive or known emission in use or degradation product or undisclosed content. - 2 for Orange listed content or additive or known emission in use or degradation product or nano engineered - 1 for Yellow listed content or additive or known emission in use or degradation product or antimicrobial content - 1 for black or red listed monomer, catalyst or other possible use exposure

Note: The IAQ/User exposure category scoring above is currently only applicable to interior finish products (CSI Division 09 - such as carpet, wall covering, paint, etc) and furnishings. - where IAQ certification programs provide info on the emissions and for commercial use only. These programs are not health protective for product placed in residential settings.
† This set of levels at 1/5th of the current best practice programmatic levels is an attempt to add a safety factor for synergistic effects of multiple chemical exposures. Other systems that address the synergistic effects of such exposures could be substituted.
** For wet applied products. Note that Pharos TVOC scorings are based upon the most stringent SCAQMD regulations as set to go into effect by Rule 1113 in July 1, 2008 levels for paints and July 1st 2007 levels for all other architectural coatings.

Score received by Certifications for IAQ & User Exposure category

8 GreenGuard Children & Schools

7
California Gold Sustainable Carpet Standard - Gold
California Gold Sustainable Carpet Standard - Platinum
California Section 01350/CHPS independent lab test
CHPS Low Emitting Materials Table
CRI Green Label Plus
RFCI FloorScore
SCS Indoor Advantage Gold

6 California 93120 (CARB) compliant for formaldehyde. Produced with all NAF-based (no added formaldehyde) products

5
GreenGuard IAQ Certified
MBDC Cradle to Cradle Gold
MBDC Cradle to Cradle Platinum
MPI Green Performance GPS-2
SCAQMD Rule 1113 compliant (July 1, 2008 levels)
SCAQMD Rule 1168 compliant (January 1, 2007 levels)

4
Blue Angel
California 93120 (CARB) compliant for formaldehyde. Produced with all ULEF-based (ultra low-emitting formaldehyde) products

3
BIFMA X7.1-2005 Furniture Standard
California 93120 (CARB) compliant for formaldehyde. Phase 2
CRI Green Label
SCS Indoor Advantage (basic)

2
California 93120 (CARB) compliant for formaldehyde. Phase 1
Composite Panel Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) Grademark Program

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Score received by Certifications for IAQ & User Exposure category
8		GreenGuard Children & Schools
7		California Gold Sustainable Carpet Standard - Gold California Gold Sustainable Carpet Standard - Platinum California Section 01350/CHPS independent lab test CHPS Low Emitting Materials Table CRI Green Label Plus RFCI FloorScore SCS Indoor Advantage Gold
6		California 93120 (CARB) compliant for formaldehyde. Produced with all NAF-based (no added formaldehyde) products
5		GreenGuard IAQ Certified MBDC Cradle to Cradle Gold MBDC Cradle to Cradle Platinum MPI Green Performance GPS-2 SCAQMD Rule 1113 compliant (July 1, 2008 levels) SCAQMD Rule 1168 compliant (January 1, 2007 levels)
4		Blue Angel California 93120 (CARB) compliant for formaldehyde. Produced with all ULEF-based (ultra low-emitting formaldehyde) products
3		BIFMA X7.1-2005 Furniture Standard California 93120 (CARB) compliant for formaldehyde. Phase 2 CRI Green Label SCS Indoor Advantage (basic)
2		California 93120 (CARB) compliant for formaldehyde. Phase 1 Composite Panel Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) Grademark Program