Wallboard is a common building material and can contain hazards. Pre-consumer recycled gypsum (aka synthetic gypsum or flue gas desulfurization ) is marketed as being a recycled, sustainable, and lower embodied carbon option. However, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum relies on fly ash, a byproduct of burning coal that may contain residuals of toxic heavy metals like mercury.

Clay and Magnesium Oxide boards can be healthier alternatives as they do not contain fly ash or virgin gypsum which has an energy-intensive mining process. Biocides can potentially be added to both natural or synthetic wallboards as well as a variety of health-impacting additives used for mold resistance or performance requirements. Asking for ingredient disclosure for these alternatives is very impactful advocacy.

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

Wallboard

9 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

Gold Bond Gypsum Board

Used in Healthier Affordable Housing
Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Gold Bond’s Gypsum Board panels are a lightweight and cost-effective wall material. Their gypsum core (which is naturally fire resistant) is encased in 100% recycled paper on the face and back sides. This product is also Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning it meets strict standards for VOC and Formaldehyde emissions.


Category
Drywall, Gypsum
Manufacturer
National Gypsum Company
Product Website

Material composition*

Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate (Gypsum) 85-95%, Cellulose (Paper Fiber) 5-15%, may contain Mixture-Calcium, Aluminum Silicates, Amorphous Silica <1%

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

4’ x 6’ up to 16’ - available in 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” thickness

COLORS

White and gray paper face

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
GREENGUARD | Gold icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
Contributes to LEED credits
Last Updated

March 20, 2024

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

Gold Bond Fire Shield

Used in Healthier Affordable Housing
Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Gold Bond® BRAND Fire-Shield® Gypsum Board panels consist of a fire-resistant gypsum core encased in 100% recycled paper. The gypsum core acts as a natural "sprinkler system". The material contains about 21 percent water, which is converted to steam under high heats. This loss of water tends to lead to shrinkage, which can cause cracks that let heat and fire through. Gold Bond's Fire-Shield drywall uses non-combustable fibers to help the boards retain their shape.


Category
Drywall, Gypsum
Manufacturer
National Gypsum Company
Product Website

Material composition*

Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate (Gypsum) 85-95%, Cellulose (paper Fiber) 5-15%, may contain Mixture-Calcium, Aluminum Silicates, Amorphous Silica <1%

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

4’ x 6’ up to 16’ - available in 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” thickness

COLORS

White and purple paper face

Gold Bond XP Gypsum Board

Used in Healthier Affordable Housing
Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Gold Bond XP Gypsum Board is the National Gypsum Company’s moisture and mold resistant product. Sporgard™ is added to the gypsum core, which is encased in 100% recycled, mold and mildew resistant paper on either side. This product is also Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning it meets strict standards for VOC and formaldehyde emissions.


Category
Drywall, Gypsum
Manufacturer
National Gypsum Company
Product Website

Material composition*

Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate (Gypsum) >85%, Cellulose (Paper Fiber) <10%

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

4’ x 6’ up to 16’ - available in 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” thickness

COLORS

White and purple paper face

Lemix® Clay Panel

Available At the Donghia Materials Library
Available in the EU

LEMIX® clay building panels are a healthier alternative for any type of drywall construction. Being made of 100% natural materials, clay panels are naturally mold resistant, eliminating the need for harmful biocides. Due to being made from clay, they can regulate humidity and heat while absorbing VOCs, pollutants, and odors. They can be compostable and recyclable.


Category
Drywall, Clay
Manufacturer
Hart Keramik
Product Website

Material composition*

clay, potters clay, wood fiber, starch, hessian mesh (rear side only)

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

49.2" x 24.6" x 1/2" or 3/4" thick

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

April 15, 2024

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

Timber-Straw Panel

Available At the Donghia Materials Library
Available in the EU

Ecococon's Wall Panel is made of straw and timber that is condensed per a special straw pressing technique. The result is a product used for wall sheathing. In combination with the appropriate wall finishes, this wallboard panel is Passivhaus certified.

Note: The plywood binder contains a phenol-formaldehyde-based resin. The plywood is FSC Certified Chain of Custody. 


Category
Wall Panel, Straw
Manufacturer
EcoCocon
Product Website

Material composition*

98% straw and timber

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

Standard thickness 15.7"

MagPanel®

Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Ambient Building Product's MagPanel® MgO board is a healthier alternative to gypsum or cement board. This product is made of magnesium oxide, a naturally occurring mineral that makes the product naturally fire and mold resistant and impervious to insects. The product is commonly used for sheathing walls and ceilings.


Category
Drywall, Magnesium Oxide
Manufacturer
Ambient Building Products
Product Website

Material composition*

Magnesium oxide 51%, magnesium chloride or magnesium sulfate 40%, perlite 3%, wood fiber 5%, fiberglass mesh and non-woven fabric 0.8%, other 0.2%

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

varies

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 icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
Last Updated

March 20, 2024

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

Magnum Board MgO

Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Magnum Board is a mineral-based sheathing board with comparable uses to gypsum panels or cement boards. The ingredient magnesium oxide makes the product naturally fire and mold resistant and impervious to insects. It is free of added formaldehyde. Per Manufacturer, perlite and wood fiber are used to reduce density and strengthen the board. Magnum Board is produced at ambient temperatures which can contribute to a lower embodied carbon footprint.


Category
Drywall, Magnesium Oxide
Manufacturer
Magnum Board Products
Product Website

Material composition*

Magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, cellulose, perlite, fiberglass scrim, proprietary additives ( less than 1% per manufacturer)

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

Lengths: 8' 9' and 10', Width: 4', Thicknesses: 3mm (1/8") to 20mm (3/4")

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 icon-pdf Created with Sketch.
Last Updated

March 20, 2024

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

440 SoundBarrier

Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Homasote's 440 Sound Barrier board is made of 98% recycled paper sourced from old newspapers, books, and papers. In production since 1909, these panels are free of adhesives containing formaldehyde. Paraffin is used to repel water and prevent mold, while the copper additive provides a toxic-free way to repel pests.


Category
Drywall, Cellulose
Manufacturer
Homasote
Product Website

Material composition*

98% Cellulose-based material containing 1 to 2% paraffin wax, and less than 0.1%
copper base pesticide

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

varies

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

October 06, 2023

Download data sheet icon-pdf Created with Sketch.

Tectum Direct-Attach Wall Panels

Available At the Donghia Materials Library

Tectum® Direct Attach ceiling and wall panels provide sustainable and acoustical solutions with an NRC of up to .85. Panels are made from fiber of the Wisconsin Aspen tree, a rapidly renewable resource that is FSC certified and natural minerals. Panels come in a 1" thickness, painted or non-painted. It contains 98% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program.


Category
Drywall, Cellulose
Manufacturer
Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions
Product Website

Material composition*

Aspen Wood Fiber 40-60% ,Magnesium Oxide 20-30%, Sodium Silicate 10-20% ,Magnesium Sulfate 1-10%, Calcium Carbonate 1-10%, Coating 1-5%

*as reported by the manufacturer

AVAILABLE SIZING

23-3/4 x 48 x 1" , 23-3/4 x 96 x 1", or 47-3/4 x 96 x 1"

COLORS

Various

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

Prefer drywall with the highest proportion of natural gypsum and the lowest proportion of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) synthetic gypsum, which has been shown to release large amounts of mercury into the environment during the material's production (HomeFree).

Prefer alternative wallboards such as magnesium oxide or clay boards.

Advocate for ingredient disclosure preferably an HPD.

Separate gypsum debris for proper recycling at the building site (Building Product Ecosystems).

Opt for strawboard alternatives using high heat and pressure to convert lignin in the straw into a natural binder (Building Green).

Avoid Magnesium Oxide Boards containing fiberglass except used as a reinforcing mesh layer providing structural strength.

Prefer products with take-back/recycling programs or other sustainable end-of-life practices.

Ensure good protection during installation even when using non-toxic wallboards to avoid particulate inhalation.

Updated May 17, 2017
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