From Carbon to Human Health: Lifecycle of Fossil Fuels, Toxic Polymers and Social Justice in Philadelphia

The ubiquitous use of plastics in architectural design and construction obfuscates the very real human health risks which exist when polymers—derived from petroleum, coal, or natural gas—are used in the building industry. This is obviously problematic for carbon emissions: it is all the more critical in what concerns human health. In response, this paper reports on the results of a funded research project aimed at identifying the sources, risks, and impacts of using such materials in the building industry. The project studies site-specific material flows involved in the lifecycle of a set of polymers manufactured in the Philadelphia region.