Why Municipalities Are Key to Leading the Shift Toward Tox-Free, Sustainable Construction

Buildings influence far more than the skylines of our cities—they shape human health, indoor environments, and the ecosystems that surround them. Although dangerous substances like asbestos have long been banned, many legally permitted chemicals still find their way into construction materials. These substances can degrade indoor air quality, leach into soil and waterways, and create long-term risks for both people and the planet.

This is why municipal leadership is essential.

Across the Baltic Sea region, municipalities are already embracing ambitious climate and circular economy goals. Reducing hazardous substances in construction aligns naturally with these commitments. By choosing safer building materials and requiring higher standards in public projects, municipalities can ensure healthier indoor environments, reduce pollution, and support long-term sustainability—and their impact extends well beyond city borders.

Hazardous chemicals do not remain contained within buildings. Over time, they migrate into surrounding soil and water systems, ultimately reaching rivers and the shared waters of the Baltic Sea. For coastal municipalities, chemical reduction in construction is not only a local responsibility—it is a regional one. Acting locally means protecting a fragile marine environment that connects communities across national boundaries.

Municipalities including Helsinki, Holbæk, Stockholm, Riga, Västerås, and Tallinn have stepped forward as frontrunners. Recognizing the risks presented by legally allowed hazardous substances, they have chosen to lead by example. Their work is motivated by a dual duty: ensuring that public buildings—schools, kindergartens, housing, and cultural spaces—are safe and healthy, and responding to the evolving expectations of residents who increasingly demand sustainable, toxin-free environments.

Municipalities occupy a powerful position in shaping the future of construction. As major owners and managers of public buildings, they influence procurement systems, set expectations for suppliers, and demonstrate best practices for private developers and citizens. By prioritizing tox-free materials, they safeguard vulnerable groups—especially children. By promoting circular construction, they reduce waste and support local reuse economies. And by demanding climate-friendly solutions, they help meet national and EU climate goals.

The cities engaged in the NonHazCity3 project have shown what is possible: from updating procurement guidelines to hosting sustainability-focused architectural competitions, each city has contributed valuable insights and replicable models for others across the region.

The NonHazCity3 (NHC3) project, running from January 2023 to December 2025, aims to address hazardous substances in construction and deliver practical, scalable solutions for the building sector. In collaboration with six Baltic Sea Region municipalities, the project has developed strategic approaches for integrating chemical safety into procurement and planning processes. Full best-practice descriptions and lessons learned are compiled in NHC3 Output 2.2.

Stay tuned for upcoming releases exploring the pilot cases in detail—and for more strategic insights from the NHC3 project as it helps shape safer, healthier, and more sustainable construction for the future.

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