Pharos provides resources to assess human and environmental health hazards of chemicals and building materials, and tools to collaborate to find safer alternatives. Products listed in the Pharos database are evaluated based on a range of criteria, including their potential impacts on human health (e.g., toxicity, emissions), environmental impact (e.g., resource depletion, energy use), and overall sustainability performance. The Pharos Project promotes transparency by providing clear and accessible information about the materials listed in its database. This transparency encourages manufacturers to disclose detailed information about their products' composition and environmental performance. Some products listed in the database may also carry certifications from recognized sustainability standards. These assessments help us understand the full lifecycle impacts of materials from extraction to disposal. This effort also aims to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals and improve the inherent safety of materials and products, leading to a brighter, more sustainable future.
Pharos is a project of Habitable, a non-profit founded in 2000 whose mission is to advance human and environmental health by improving hazardous chemical transparency and inspiring product innovation.