There is no evidence that antimicrobials in products prevent disease in hospital settings, whether you’re dealing with the MERS coronavirus (pictured) or the similar SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. (Image: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH)
Product Review
Antimicrobials in Building Products: the COVID-19 Edition
Cleaning with soap and water is still the best defense against COVID-19 virus and other pathogens. Antimicrobials are not the answer.
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BuildingGreen
PEER NETWORKS
Private communities that facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between sustainability professionals
Learn more »Op-Ed
Let’s Bounce Forward from the COVID-19 Pandemic
What lessons can we learn from the coronavirus pandemic that will help us end up in a better place when the crisis is over?
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Hydroelectric power station, Glem Canyon Dam, Arizona (Photo: Adbar. License: CC BY-SA 3.0)
News Analysis
Another Corona Side Effect: Reduced Peak Electricity Demand
Flattening the COVID curve is also flattening electricity load curves, which may be a lesson for the building industry.
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This line of Interface carpet meets LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 requirements for disclosure, optimization, and low-emitting materials. (Photo: Interface)
Feature Article + CEU Spotlight Report
Finding Products for LEED v4 and v4.1
The process of finding and managing product information for LEED has changed—and v4.1 has added even more to think about.
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Op-Ed
Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary
Fifty years out, the increased awareness of the environment is heartwarming and the accomplishments significant, but our challenges are greater than ever.
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News Brief
COVID-19 and Germicidal UV Light: Myth vs. Fact
The Illuminating Engineering Society’s white paper “Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV)–Frequently Asked Questions” explains GUV and its potential role in fighting COVID-19.
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This map shows the location of the “Toxic 100” named in the report. (Source: United Church of Christ)
News Brief
Reverends Preach Air Pollution Protections
The United Church of Christ says there is a moral urgency to tame toxic emissions from 100 plants located in populated areas.
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News Brief
Canada’s Zero Carbon Standard Requires Embodied Carbon Offsets
Measuring embodied carbon is no longer enough: certified projects now must purchase offsets for embodied carbon and refrigerant leaks.
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News Brief
Transportation a Key Factor in CLT Sustainability
A life-cycle assessment of Katerra cross-laminated timber reveals opportunities for lower carbon impact.
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News Brief
Old Insulation and HVAC Systems Are Still Depleting Ozone
Older buildings are “CFC banks” because of phased-out refrigerants and blowing agents, according to MIT scientists.
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Featured Topic
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SmithGroup uses HPDs in its selection process for projects large and small, including the million-square-foot MGM National Harbor Resort near Washington, D.C. HKS was the design architect. (Image: HKS and SmithGroup)
Material Health
Buildings shouldn’t harm their occupants. Is anything more fundamental than that? Yet many building materials contain toxic substances with the potential to make people sick. Finding and interpreting material health information is an emerging practice among building professionals.
LEARN THE BASICS
- What’s an HPD? Health Product Declaration FAQs
- WELL v2: What’s Changed?
- The High Price of Stain Resistance: Environmental Persistence
- Phthalate Plasticizer Toxicity Explained
GO DEEPER
- LEED and WELL Product Labels: A Guide and Analysis
- Three Hazardous Textile Treatments and How to Avoid Them
- Why “Zero VOC” Was Never Enough
- How to Get from VOC Certifications to Better Products
RELATED TOPICS
Explore our full knowledge base »
Maintain Your Credentials
WELL AP Exam Study Guide
The best and only WELL AP study guide you’ll ever need. Use our guide and you’ll pass the exam on your first try—we guarantee it.
The Urgency of Embodied Carbon and What You Can Do About It
Building materials emit massive amounts of carbon long before the lights go on. In this PDF report, we take an analytical look at the greenhouse gases that are emitted in the process of constructing our buildings in the first place—the embodied carbon. We then offer strategies for reducing embodied carbon, with examples of projects that have succeeded in this regard.
Lighting Design for Health and Sustainability: A Guide for Architects
What do we mean when we say sustainable lighting? In this PDF report, we take a closer look at lighting as an essential element in quality environments that support health and wellness while reducing energy use.
Fundamentals of High-Performance Building Assemblies
This four-part course, designed for architects and builders, provides methodologies for how best to design and manage these details and achieve superior performance—while avoiding expensive pitfalls.
Introduction to Fitwel Certification
Are your clients asking you about wellness? You’re not alone. Employee health and wellbeing has been called the ‘second wave of sustainability.’ In this hour-long webinar, GreenStep Education’s Alex Spilger will walk you through Fitwel certification, including its requirements, lessons learned from Fitwel projects, and how Fitwel compares to other frameworks like WELL and LEED. We’ll also discuss how to earn the Fitwel Ambassador credential.
