Wellness in Buildings
Wellness in buildings requires a focus on occupants’ health and well-being through good design. Material health is one sliver of the pie but not the whole circle: building professionals also need to focus on moisture issues, ample ventilation, water quality and access, active design, and lighting that supports health.
Wellness in Buildings
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Dances with Hazards: How Real Experts Pull Human Health into Design
Feature Short
John and Catherine prove that designers can work successfully with HPDs, especially if they have a toxicology consultant to support their multi-faceted selection process.
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The Questionable Science Behind VOC Emissions Testing
Feature Short
We need the protection that product VOC testing provides, but it’s far from the last word on human health in buildings.
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How Six Affordable Housing Projects Got to Green
Feature Short
Stories of designers and developers who overcame the challenges of building affordable housing that is also green, sustainable, and healthy.
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The Water We Drink: Softeners, Filters, and Other Treatment Options
Feature
Although our nation's tap water is among the best in the world, most Americans are concerned about its quality. This article explores the range of technologies to treat real and perceived water-quality problems.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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The Surprising Connection Between Water Conservation and Deadly Infections
Explainer
Legionella and other pathogens can proliferate in pipes and low-flow fixtures, threatening the health of vulnerable people.
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The Problem with Red Lists
Explainer
Having a short list of toxic chemicals to avoid is convenient, but nasty “alternatives” can sneak in the back door. Hazard screenings help solve this problem.
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Hygge: The Human Element in Architecture
Explainer
A Danish term for “home” is gaining attention as designers look for ways to foster wellness in buildings.
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Understanding GreenScreen and List Translator Benchmarks
Explainer
The Health Product Declaration and some other programs ask for GreenScreen benchmarks. What does that actually mean?
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Faucets That Combat Infection Without Wasting Water
Product Review
New technology from Rada helps prevent life-threatening Legionella and other pathogens from growing in pipes and faucets—a big problem in healthcare.
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Gunlocke Seat Back Goes Red-List Free Using Mushrooms
Product Review
The first furniture manufacturer incorporates Myco Board because the mushroom-based product is a sturdier alternative to plywood.
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At David Edward, Material Transparency Is a Given
Product Review
Tracking materials is standard practice at David Edward, giving the company an edge in a market where transparency is a priority.
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How Low-Flow Can You Go with Plumbing Fixtures?
Product Review
BuildingGreen-Approved toilets, urinals, showerheads, and faucets automatically meet CALGreen and LEED v4 water-efficiency standards.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Looking for the "Teflon Chemical" in Building Materials
News Analysis
PFOA, sometimes called the "Teflon chemical," is under investigation as a health hazard. The chemical is used to produce many building materials.
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Report Links Public Health to the Built Environment
News Analysis
The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) has released a report detailing the connections between a range of public health concerns and the built environment.
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FEMA Investigates Trailer Air Quality
News Analysis
FEMA has suspended the use of travel trailers as emergency housing pending investigation of dangerous levels of formaldehyde.
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Fears Grow with Polycarbonate Chemical Bisphenol-A
News Analysis
Bisphenol-A, a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic for numerous building materials as well as consumer items, is under growing scrutiny in the U.S. and Canada.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Integrate Food Production and Green Building
Op-Ed
Adding local food production to the goals of green building makes sense for the environment and human health.
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Opinion: Chemical Ingredients in Building Products—What Do You Really Need to Know?
Op-Ed
HPDs can’t be used in isolation to make decisions about the safety and environmental performance of a product.
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Finding HPDs: How We Do It At BuildingGreen
Op-Ed
There are several ways you can find Health Product Declarations. Here’s a look at them, including what BuildingGreen offers.
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Opinion: Transparency Is Just the Beginning—How Manufacturers Can Use HPDs
Op-Ed
Ingredient inventories and assessment are important. But ultimately, we need to design for an indefinite future.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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OK COVID, It’s HAMMER Time!
April Fools
COVID has upended our lives, homes, and offices. It’s time to fight back with HAMMER brand biocidal antifungal nonviral germicidal disinfectant antimicrobial therapeutic (BANGDAT) sprays, coatings, and composites.
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New Occupational Hazard Threatens Unshod Office Workers
April Fools
Whistleblowers alert state health agencies to possible foot fungus scourge in laid-back Vermont and Silicon Valley workplaces.
