Multnomah County is collaborating with other regional governments to address healthy purchasing decisions through a Healthy Purchasing Coalition. The Coalition is exploring an array of tools and methodologies for purchasing safer and less toxic goods while driving positive change in the marketplace. Here is a list of webpages you may visit to learn more about Toxic Reduction Considerations.
- Go to the Living Building Challenge website to learn about building standards that strive for net zero energy, waste, and water, while using non-toxic materials.
- See a priority building materials list that avoids toxic chemicals.
- Read the Multnomah County Healthy Purchasing Guide.
- Visit the Center for Environmental Health webpage for additional information: https://www.ceh.org/
Healthy Purchasing is briefly described as selecting products that do not have adverse impact on the environment or human health. We should refer to the restricted substance list adherence in our Toxic Reduction Strategy (2006) and request chemical ingredient hazard disclosures for goods and materials purchased.
Ask your vendor if their products or product packaging contain any of the following substances. These are known to be harmful to human health as well as our environment. This is not an exhaustive list, but is intended to give you an idea of what to look out for when purchasing items.
Substances to avoid:
- Alkylphenols
- Bisphenol A (BPA) and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Cadmium
- Chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethlene (CSPE)
- Chloroprene, Neoprene, and Chlorobenzene
- Chromium
- Chlorine
- Formaldehyde
- Mercury (HIGHLY TOXIC)
- Perfluorinated compounds (used in water resistant textiles)
- Phthalates
- Polyvinyl chloride and Polyvinylidene chloride (common in water bottles, stuffed animals, and dolls)
- Wood treatments containing creosote, arsenic or pentachlorophenol
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Flame Retardants
- Lead (HIGHLY TOXIC)
Please go to the State of Oregon Green Chemistry Procurement Guidelines.