The idea of red lists is simple: to avoid exposure to chemicals that can be hazardous to your health. But behind that simplicity lies a whole host of complications, not least of which is that what’s hazardous in its pure form may be an ingredient that poses no risk in an end-product.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Vinyl in Design podcast, hosted by Terry Murphy.

Today’s conversation is about health, hazards, and exposure.

Our guest is Jack Armstrong, who developed a continuing education course for the American Chemistry Council on “Understanding Hazard Exposure and Risk in the Built Environment.” Armstrong has served on the boards of the Sustainable Building Industries Council and the Structural Insulated Panel Association, as well as chaired the Building & Construction Materials Issues Team of the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division.

In this podcast, we discuss:

• the difference between hazard and risk
• the problem with the precautionary principle
• how to evaluate exposure

Plus, learn why the best way to evaluate building products is to look at the final product.