How do green building materials affect indoor air quality and occupant health?

From my experience, selecting the right building materials is vital for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. At our company, we focus on 100% natural ingredient paints, significantly reducing harmful emissions like VOCs and formaldehyde, which are linked to health issues from minor irritations to serious diseases. By using eco-friendly paints, we improve air quality and enhance occupant health, effectively addressing the rising allergy and asthma cases tied to indoor environments. Our commitment to sustainable materials goes beyond compliance; it's about fostering well-being and ensuring indoor spaces promote health and comfort. This proactive approach is essential for creating safer, healthier indoor environments.

IAQ, is a fundamental concern for HVAC engineers, aimed at achieving thermal comfort within indoor spaces. However, oversized AC systems remain prevalent, leading to issues like damp basements prone to mold growth. Regrettably, this trend persists among engineers (and contractors nowdays) of varying levels of experience, who often oversize equipment with excessive safety factors, resulting in discomfort due to inadequate dehumidification. It's crucial for every HVAC engineer to grasp humidity control principles. Engineers should consult resources like the ASHRAE design guide for hot and humid climates and design without fear. In the world of DX systems, it's crucial to recognize that undersizing AC equipment IS indeed right-sizing.

Green building materials can significantly improve indoor air quality and occupant health by: Reducing VOC Emissions: Using low-emission materials minimizes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to indoor air pollution. Preventing Mold and Moisture: Materials resistant to moisture and mold growth mitigate allergens and respiratory irritants. Enhancing Ventilation: Supporting efficient HVAC systems and natural ventilation strategies maintains fresh indoor air. Temperature Regulation: Insulating materials stabilize indoor temperatures, reducing the risk of discomfort and respiratory stress. Health Certifications: Materials certified for health standards (e.g., Greenguard, Cradle to Cradle) ensure safer indoor environments.

The Green Paradox Problem: Well-intentioned green design can backfire, excessive added capital cost, larger than necessary carbon footprint and resource depletion. Innovative solution leads to rebranded concrete as a "smart multi-functional asset as a result of integration with heating and cooling equipment can become carbon neutral and facilitate Zero Energy building adoption globally. Integration of concrete with HVAC reduces construction costs while adding year round thermal energy storage with elevating comfort and safety. It can be used for various building applications in regular or sustainable architecture in various climate zones. Converging building elements into one "smart" asset is a solution hidden in plain sight.

Effective ventilation complements green building materials, ensuring a constant supply of fresh air. Careful selection of specific green materials is crucial, considering potential inherent challenges. Due to their natural composition, green materials are ideal for those with chemical sensitivities or allergies, minimizing adverse reactions. Proper maintenance is vital for sustained performance and preventing issues that could impact indoor air quality.

* Low VOC Emissions: Green building materials minimize volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, promoting cleaner indoor air quality. so choose carefully : paints, adhesives, and finishes with reduced or no VOC content. * Mold and Allergen Resistance: Resistance to mold and mildew growth in these materials reduces indoor allergens, fostering a healthier living or working environment. Examples include mold-resistant drywall and flooring. * Enhanced Ventilation and Moisture Control: Green building practices prioritize improved ventilation and moisture control, further ensuring a fresh indoor atmosphere. Examples include energy-efficient HVAC systems and moisture-resistant construction materials. Make sure you also avoid infiltration

Green building materials are becoming an essential part of my design and considering the opportunities they provide in design and the sustainable properties. One of these properties is improving indoor air quality as Green materials often have low or no VOC emissions. VOCs can contribute to indoor air pollution, and using materials with minimal emissions enhances air quality. Apart from low VOCs, green materials tend to off-gas fewer harmful substances over time. Off-gassing is the release of chemicals from materials into the indoor air, and minimising this phenomenon improves air quality. Certain green materials, such as mold-resistant paints and finishes, prevent the growth of mold.

Natural Insulation Materials: Reduced Respiratory Irritation: Insulation materials made from natural fibers, such as wool or cellulose, are preferable to synthetic alternatives. They release fewer respiratory irritants and are often less likely to contribute to allergic reactions.

Natural materials that have been processed can still contain pollutants, such as formaldehyde, in glues, for example in cork or bamboo products. It is worth checking with the supplier or manufacturer to find out more.

In modern architecture, it's crucial to use natural and renewable materials such as wood, straw, and bamboo. These materials not only support sustainability but also improve indoor environments. Wood, for instance, naturally regulates indoor moisture, enhancing comfort, while clay plasters, ideal for finishing brick masonry, maintain healthy humidity levels. To fully leverage the benefits of these materials, pairing them with eco-friendly finishes is essential. Using natural paints like LEINOS ensures that the environmental and health advantages of natural building materials are not compromised by chemical finishes, promoting a holistic approach to sustainable and healthy architectural practices.

Clay is a particularly promising material for removing indoor pollutants from the air, and studies have shown that it can reduce ozone and aldehydes. The use of clay in internal plasters can also moderate internal relative humidity and prevent the growth of mould and microbes, due to its hygroscopic properties.

The use of hemp, particularly in the form of hempcrete, improves indoor air quality and helps avoid allergies primarily through its moisture regulation, pollutant absorption, non-toxic nature, resistance to mold and pests, and breathability. These properties work in tandem to create a healthier indoor environment that minimizes allergens and contaminants.

In my practise, I've used and experimented with some really good green building materials. A few of them, which are perhaps also widely used, are: Bamboo Flooring: A sustainable and rapidly renewable resource. Recycled Metal: Using recycled steel and aluminum reduces the demand for new resource extraction. Cork Flooring: Harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the tree. Low VOC Paints: Paints with low or no volatile organic compounds. Reclaimed Wood: Salvaged from old buildings or structures, reducing the need for new timber. Wool Carpeting: A natural and renewable material. Recycled Glass Countertops: Made from recycled glass and other sustainable materials.

Using green building materials can have many benefits, but it also comes with challenges. -Many contractors and designers may not be familiar with green materials and there is a need for more training and awareness in this field. - Some green materials may be less reliable in terms of performance and durability compared to traditional materials, which can cause concerns for operators. - In some cases, the production and transportation of green materials can have significant environmental impacts, especially if they are sourced from distant sources. - The market and consumers may not accept green materials easily, and it takes time and effort to change attitudes and culture.

From my experience, despite the fast demands of using green building materials, three gaps still make this amazing solution a challenge. The first being- "Lack of awareness". In my nation, I believe that many people are not well informed about certain building materials that actually result in certain sickness and worse death. The second being - "Difficulty to accept change" This challenge can be linked to the first where what is used, should be used to the end because it is something we are common with even if the dangers could be glaring. Another challenge, would be the economy and how many have the mindset that only certain people have access to design buildings that are eco-friendly. I believe these challenges can be solved.

One of the main issues with using eco-friendly materials is the perception that they are more expensive than synthetic alternatives. However, this view is often mistaken, as it's important to consider not only initial costs but also operational expenses. For example, while oil-based wood paints might initially cost more than chemical paints, they turn out to be much more cost-effective in the long run. To update or repair surfaces painted with oil-based products, simply wiping with a layer of oil suffices, whereas water-based paints require complete removal of the old layer, sanding, priming, and applying several new coats. This makes oil-based paints a more economical choice in terms of total ownership costs.

Green materials, while they're sustainable and efficient, present a whole series of problem one of which is the that green materials are more expensive upfront, although the long-term benefits may offset the initial investment. Plus, some green materials might not be as readily available as traditional materials, making them harder to source. When working as architect and designer, one of the things we are taught is the standardisation of materials and because of variations in what is considered "green," and the absence of universal standards can make it challenging for consumers to identify truly sustainable options. Lastly, aesthetic choices with green materials might be more limited compared to conventional options.

When I started building wooden homes, I questioned why we should use strong-smelling alkyd paints that masked wood's natural aroma. This led me to explore various options and realize the harm of using chemical paints on wood. For over a decade, we've exclusively used LEINOS eco-friendly paints, which respect wood's natural qualities and ensure healthier indoor environments. My advice is simple: before painting, open the paint can and smell it. If it smells mild or nearly odorless, it's likely a healthy choice that preserves both the wood's integrity and the indoor air quality.

One of the challenges that i experience every day is the reluctance to change of some professionals. Architects familiar with traditional materials are hesitant to adopt new green alternatives due to a lack of knowledge. After spending years, even decades, mastering the use of traditional materials and methods, they view new materials with skepticism. Their expertise is rooted in the familiar, and unfortunately many perceive the need to retrain or relearn aspects of their craft as a potential risk to their efficiency and reliability. Hopefully, as success stories emerge, and the demand for sustainable building grows, the industry's hesitancy will likely evolve into acceptance and, eventually, preference.

Green building materials should be complemented by effective ventilation strategies to ensure a continuous supply of fresh air and careful consideration of the specific green materials used is crucial. Some materials might still have inherent challenges, and their suitability for the intended space must be evaluated. Since, green materials are composed of various natural products, individuals with chemical sensitivities or allergies may benefit significantly from the use of green materials, as they are less likely to trigger adverse reactions. A major consideration is the proper maintenance of green materials which is essential to ensure their continued performance and prevent any issues that could affect indoor air quality.