Healthy building

Healthy building refers to an emerging area of interest that supports the physical, psychological, and social health and well-being of people in buildings and the built environment.[1] Buildings can be key promoters of health and well-being since most people spend a majority of their time indoors.[2] According to the National Human Activity Pattern Survey, Americans spend "an average of 87% of their time in enclosed buildings and about 6% of their time in enclosed vehicles."[3]

Healthy building can be seen as the next generation of green building that not only includes environmentally responsible and resource-efficient building concepts, but also integrates human well-being and performance.[4] These benefits can include "reducing absenteeism and presenteeism, lowering health care costs, and improving individual and organizational performance."[1]

  1. ^ a b "Buildings and Health". GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  2. ^ Berkowitz, Bonnie; Stanton, Laura (2014-08-06). "Are you in an unhealthy office relationship?". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  3. ^ Klepeis, Neil E.; Nelson, William C.; Ott, Wayne R.; Robinson, John P.; Tsang, Andy M.; Switzer, Paul; Behar, Joseph V.; Hern, Stephen C.; Engelmann, William H. (2001-07-26). "The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS): a resource for assessing exposure to environmental pollutants". Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. 11 (3): 231–252. doi:10.1038/sj.jea.7500165. ISSN 1559-064X. PMID 11477521.
  4. ^ Ramanujam, Mahesh (2014-03-28). "Healthy buildings and healthy people: The next generation of green building". US Green Building Council. Retrieved 2020-12-17.