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Non Toxic Building Materials
Dr. Meg Christensen is the founder of Interior Medicine, a physician-created resource on non-toxic home products and household exposures. Her layer-by-layer analysis of materials and products draws on her background in medicine, biochemistry, epidemiology, and clinical research.
Updated February 2026
Building materials often require meeting code and are beyond the scope of Interior Medicine. Below are the best courses, books, and databases for choosing healthier countertops, insulation, pipes, flooring, and other structural materials— whether you’re a design professional or doing non-toxic DIY home improvement.
a/A Architecture Materials Lists
Free, detailed, and easy-to-use guides from the firm a/A Architecture firm, which is focused on using healthy, conscious, and durable materials. This guide covers better choices for flooring, plaster, roofing, tile, drywall, insulation, and more. This firm is also on my Non-Toxic Design & Build Pros list.
Informed
Free, easy-to-use, lists ranked from healthiest to least healthy for each category of building materials including cabinetry, doors, water pipes, fire protection, acoustical ceilings, window frames, and more. Free when you create an account. Can upgrade to their professional-level database for more specific products with chemical hazard information.
Courses & Databases for DIY Home Improvement
My Chemical Free House Courses
Corinne Segura, founder of My Chemical Free House, is a Building Biologist and expert in specifying healthier building materials, with experience in helping people with mold illness and MCS. She offers a complete Non-Toxic Renovation Home course, or a shorter bathroom and kitchen focused course focused on material specifications for those rooms.
Parsons Healthy Materials Lab
The New School’s Interior Design department offers a list of specific brands of healthier building materials including composite wood products, carpet, mortars, grouts, and sealants. They also have courses and regular events. You can enroll in short courses or opt for their certificate program.
Courses & Databases for Design Pros
International Living Future Insitute (ILFI) Declare Database
The International Living Future Institute’s large database of specific products, generally for professional and commercial use. Declare labels are like nutritional labels for furniture and building materials. There are three levels, graded on level of disclosure (the highest standard is 100% disclosure at 100ppm) and whether or not any of the ingredients are found on the Red List.
Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPD-C)
The Health Product Declaration Collaborative includes a database of products that have disclosed their ingredients and their impact on human health.
International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) WELL AP
The IWBI promotes people-first buildings and offers WELL certification, which is similar to LEED, but with a human health focus rather than an environmental one. I did this a few years ago to round out my knowledge when it was commercially focused, but they now have a residential focused program for healthier homes, too.
Mindful Materials
A large database of specific products, generally for professional and commercial use. While it’s not specific for human health, you can sort with this criterion. Evaluates products based on their ecological health, social health, equity, and impact on humans.
More Healthy Design for You
Non-Toxic Blackout Curtains
Organic Mattress Toppers
Shower Filters That Actually Work
Bed Frames
Learn ➜ Tools & References ➜ Building Materials