Not All 'Green' Buildings Are Healthy Buildings, Expert Says

"Not All 'Green' Buildings Are Healthy Buildings, Expert Says"
Daily Commercial News (Canada) (12/10/08) Martin, Brian

At the recent Construction Solutions Conference in Canada, Theodor Sterling Associates President Elia Sterling expressed concerns that people believe green-certified buildings are healthy, when the points-based LEED certification system allows builders and designers to choose which points they wish to achieve. "As a result, it is possible for a building to be LEED certified without actually verifying that air quality objectives have been met. That combined with the fact that no re-certification is required after a building is initially certified as a LEED-accredited building, lends itself to a situation that could result in poor air quality," Sterling told attendees. He noted that buildings with good air quality at the time construction is complete might not have good air quality six months after occupants move in furniture, printers, photocopiers, and other items. Sterling pointed out government energy policies in the 1970s and 1980s tightened the building envelope at a time when synthetic materials containing volatile organic contaminants were developed, leading to Sick Building Syndrome. Sterling said the ventilation and thermal comfort standards embraced in North America to minimize the impact of climate change could eventually lead to problems. "For example, the new standards allow temperatures in some commercial buildings to meet almost 32 degrees [Celsius]," he remarked.
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