Material Collection

Countertops

Health concerns in countertops vary wildly depending on the type of surface. They range from resins used to make engineered quartz products or composite wood substrates used in a laminate surface.

Natural stone is benign unless it is sealed with coatings containing PFAS (per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) or petroleum products. These chemicals are linked to cancer and developmental problems. Given the range of hazardous substances potentially found in countertops, it is best to look for products assessed for emissions and product contents.

 https://pfascentral.org/pfas-b...

Below are a few examples of countertops that meet our rigorous evaluation. For further help on your own search, scroll down to "Spec Guidance”.

Countertops

7 products
How to Use This List

About Our Collections

The goal of our collections is to help promote transparency in the material ingredients of building products by fostering knowledge and awareness of products and materials for which life-cycle information is available, and that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life-cycle impacts.

Keep an eye out for the following symbols:
A Healthier Affordable Building Product

Products with the designation of "Healthier & Affordable" were specified and installed in at least one of our Case Studies of healthier affordable housing.

Available at the Donghia healthier Materials Library

The Donghia healthier Materials Library library is open to Parsons student and faculty. Learn more about access and opening hours here.

Low Embodied Carbon

“Embodied Carbon” is the total amount of carbon emitted during the process of making a material. *HML refers to a manufacturer's EPD to determine whether a product's A1-A3 carbon emissions falls within HML's threshold for Low Embodied Carbon.

New Product

This product has been added to the collection within the past six months.

Product in Development

Products with this designation identify they are currently scaling or only available in markets outside of the building industry. they could be experimental or in use in capsule collections.

Available in the EU

Products with this designation are currently available only in the European Union and identified as being an exemplary healthy option in the respective product group.

Ingredient Disclosures

There are several ways of evaluating a material’s health that we include with product information. Disclosures are reports by manufacturers about product ingredients, impacts, or other attributes.

Key Disclosures include:
Health Product Declaration (HPD)

A voluntary technical specification for reporting information on product contents and associated health information, intended to be the health-analogue to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

Declare Label

Declare is a transparency platform and product database that answers three questions:
1. Where does a product come from?
2. What is it made of?
3. Where does it go at the end of its life?

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

A standardized format for communicating the environmental effects associated with a product’s raw materials extraction, energy use, chemical makeup, waste generation, and emissions to air, soil, and water.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

A reporting format that provides basic information about a material’s chemical ingredients, the potential safety hazards to installers, and recommended practices for installation.

USDA Certified Biobased Product Label

Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the goal of the BioPreferred Program is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products.

Other
Learn More
Category Sub-category Manufacturer Product Ingredient Disclosures

Sintered Stone Slabs

Used in Healthier Affordable Housing
Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Lapitec is an alternative to marble made from natural minerals using vacuum vibro-compression, drying, and sintering (joining the mineral grains together through heat and pressure only). Despite smaller amounts of initially hazardous materials (see HPD for further information), the process of sintering effects a physical change in the material that renders these ingredients benign and inert. Lapitec's product life cycle is reversible meaning it could be converted back into raw minerals and reused; production is fueled by mostly renewable energy. It is available in the form of slabs, tiles, and any other cut-to-size product and is suitable for interior or exterior cladding, paving, flooring, curtain walling, and ventilated facades.


Category
Stone, Sintered
Manufacturer
Lapitec
Product Website

Material composition*

Ceramic materials and wares, Frits, Feldspar, Water, Undisclosed (4.80-6%), Kaolin clay, Quartz, Zircon, Undisclosed (1-3%), Undisclosed (.09-3%), Silica, Undisclosed (0-0.18%), Undisclosed Chemical #1 (0-4%), Undisclosed Chemical #2 (0-1%)

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

Variable

COLORS

Variable

Granite Countertop

Used in Healthier Affordable Housing
Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Coldspring Granite Countertops are made from 100% natural granite. Stone is one of the most durable materials that you can use for any application - when specified and detailed correctly, these countertops can last for hundreds of years. Their long life results in granite countertops’ very low embodied energy levels. Coldspring is also committed to sustainable manufacturing practices that maximize the utilization of resources while minimizing energy use.


Category
Dimensional Surface, Solid Stone
Manufacturer
Coldspring
Product Website

Material composition*

Granite 100%

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

Custom Sizes - available in 3/4” thickness

COLORS

Available in a variety of granite types

CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
Declare | Red List Free
NSF/ANSI 51 Certification
Contributes to LEED credits
Last Updated

September 26, 2016

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

Quartz Classic Collection

Used in Healthier Affordable Housing
Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Caesarstone's premium quartz can be used in both commercial and residential projects. Quartz provides a durable, low-maintenance surface for kitchens and bathrooms. This product also is Greenguard Gold Certified.


Category
Dimensional Surface, Engineered Stone
Manufacturer
Caesarstone
Product Website

Material composition*

Crystalline Silica and other natural Stone <85%, Cristobalite <50%, Polymeric Resin 7-15%, Additives 0-8%

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

Custom Sizes - available in 3/4” or 1-1/4” thickness

COLORS

Available in a variety of colors

IceStone

Available At the Donghia Materials Library

IceStone manufactures their countertops in Brooklyn, NY out of just three core ingredients: 100% recycled glass, Portland cement, and non-toxic pigments. Their product is free of petrochemical & plastic resins, and thirteen of their colors carry Cradle to Cradle Silver or Gold Certifications.


Category
Dimensional Surface, Engineered Stone
Manufacturer
IceStone
Product Website

Material composition*

100% recycled glass, Portland cement, and non-toxic pigments

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

IceStone slabs are 52.5" wide by 96.5" long, and 1.25" thick (nominal)

COLORS

Multiple Colors Available

CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD) icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
NSF/ANSI 51 Certification
Cradle to Cradle | Silver icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
Cradle to Cradle Material Health Certification icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
Last Updated

February 27, 2018

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces

Available At the Donghia Materials Library

DalTile's Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces are comprised of silica, quartz, mullite, and feldspar. Raw materials are extracted from quarries with environmental recovery plans according to EU Directive 92/43 / EEC. Due to their production process and material composition, these products require no additional sealants which often contain toxic materials. Their surfaces mimic the appearance of natural stone slabs and concrete and can be used for floors, walls, and countertops.


Category
Tile, Porcelain
Manufacturer
Daltile
Product Website

Material composition*

Silica 75-85%, Quartz 10-15%, Mullite 2.5-5%, Feldspar 0-5%

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

varies across collections

COLORS

varies across collections

Hempwood 3-Layer

Available At the Donghia Materials Library

HempWood is a hardwood alternative composed of hemp hurd and a soy based binder. Three layers of hempwood are cross-laminated as a countertop product. HempWood has a higher Janka rating than oak. It is a durable wood option, making use of carbon-sequestering hemp. All hemp for this product is grown locally in the U.S. and the entire supply chain is within a 100-mile radius of Murray, Kentucky. It contains 96% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program. HempWood products are available either with a factory finish ( the manufacturer uses a Bona Finish) or unfinished. Refer to HML's Healthier Finishes collection for healthier wax or oil finish recommendations.


Category
Dimensional Surface, Engineered Wood
Manufacturer
HempWood
Product Website

Material composition*

hempwood, soy binder

*as reported by the manufacturer

CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Last Updated

November 22, 2023

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

Bio-Glass®

Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Bio-Glass is composed of 100% recycled glass, free from colorants and additives. Its composition is primarily crystalline silica in the form of quartz. Bio-glass is recommended for countertops, walls, and floors, offering versatility in architectural applications. The product is C2C Certified® with an overall rating of gold and contributes to LEED.


Category
Dimensional Surface, Glass
Manufacturer
Coverings Etc.
Product Website

Material composition*

100% Recycled Glass

*as reported by the manufacturer

CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
Cradle to Cradle | Gold icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
Last Updated

December 13, 2023

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

The products in this collection have all been evaluated holistically for their contents and performance. To be considered, a product must disclose at least 75% of its ingredients by weight. It should avoid the biggest health concerns (such as those indicated in the HML Spec guidance for this product category) or be third-party certified.

Spec Guidance

Be cautious about surface sealants as these coatings often contain per-fluorinated chemicals (PFACsS), which have been linked to reproductive disorders and developmental disabilities (HomeFree).

Prefer solid granite countertops. Granite can be a healthy option if it is mechanically polished rather than chemically sealed. Look for solid granite that has low absorption rates (indicated by ASTM C97).

Specify large-format products. There can be concerns with grouts and mortars. Some manufacturers now offer slabs up to 5'x10' that eliminate the majority of grout joints.

Updated March 13, 2018
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