Ceramic tile is an inert material, manufactured by firing clay at extremely high temperatures, a process that eliminates any volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Therefore, the tile itself has zero VOC emissions. While the installation requires setting materials like mortar and grout, which can be a source of VOCs, low-VOC and zero-VOC formulations are widely available and commonly specified for green building projects. In contrast, epoxy paints and the adhesives required for vinyl wallcoverings are significant sources of VOCs due to their chemical composition and the off-gassing that occurs during the curing and drying processes.

A. epoxy paint: Traditional epoxy paints are solvent-based coatings that release high levels of VOCs during application and the chemical curing process.

C. vinyl wallcovering: The installation requires adhesives that are a primary source of VOCs. The vinyl material itself can also off-gas plasticizers and other chemicals over time.

1. Ballast

D. K. (2018). Interior Design Reference Manual (6th ed.). PPI

a Kaplan Company.

Page 14-6

Section "Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants": This section lists paints

coatings

adhesives

and sealants as major sources of VOCs. It also identifies hard-surface flooring like tile as a good choice for improving indoor air quality due to its non-emitting nature.

2. U.S. Green Building Council. (2020). LEED v4.1 Building Design and Construction.

EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials

"Inherently nonemitting sources": This credit explicitly states that materials such as ceramic tile are considered compliant with VOC emission requirements without any testing because they are inherently non-emitting. In contrast

paints

coatings

and adhesives must meet stringent VOC content and emissions evaluation requirements.

3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). "Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality."

"Sources of VOCs" section: The EPA identifies "paints

paint strippers and other solvents" and "adhesives" as key sources of VOCs found in indoor environments. This directly implicates options A and C as significant emitters.