The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has issued its Draft Report for public comment on the use of PVC in buildings and how this should be treated in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. Public comments will be due by Feb. 15.

In Nov. 2002, USGBC charged its Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee (TSAC) with reviewing the available information to determine whether there was a reasonable case for establishing credits within the LEED Green Building rating System for the exclusion of PVC and vinyl products. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

At present, USGBC's position is that it neither supports nor opposes the use of PVC and vinyl products in buildings. This report examines whether this position should change.

The report is posted online at www.usgbc.org and is available by calling 202-848-7422.