Ökologisches Baustoff-Lexikon

Building contaminants such as asbestos, PCP, PAHs, PCBs, lindane, and HBCD, as well as many new hazardous substances, increasingly prompt architects, planners, and builders to consider ecological aspects more seriously when constructing and to select building materials that are as health-safe and environmentally friendly as possible. However, reliable information is often lacking or is scattered across regulations, databases, and informational materials—a situation that has not been made easier by European harmonization. Additionally, the Construction Products Regulation, as an EU legal regulation, has a significant impact on the current state of the building materials industry, with its main goal being to establish uniform product and testing standards for the marketing of construction products across the EU. This regulation is currently undergoing revision. The revised and expanded 5th edition of the lexicon, containing more than 2,400 entries, provides a quick and reliable overview of construction products as well as materials for interior construction and building construction under these conditions. It includes important ecological key data, describes the chemicals, specifies limit and guideline values, and outlines the legal frameworks. Furthermore, it contains data on health and ecological significance, occupational safety measures, and energy aspects. The editors and authors placed great emphasis on conceptually demonstrating sustainability in construction. New terms such as "Urban Mining," "Material Reduction," or "Cradle-to-Cradle," as well as an examination of material flows in construction, have been added.