This report was prepared by Perkins+Will on behalf of the National Institutes of Health, Office of Research Facilities, Division of Environmental Protection, as part of a larger effort to promote health in the built environment. Our research team noted that based on extensive experience, there is a need for more research on the impact that materials and conditions in the built environment have on occupant health. Additionally, existing research data has not been compiled and made available in a form that is readily usable by building professionals for integrating health protective features in the design and construction of buildings. Toward meeting these needs our research team set out to compile data on substances in the built environment that may cause or aggravate asthma, a disease of high and increasing prevalence and major economic importance. This list should be a valuable resource for identifying asthma triggers and asthmagens, minimizing their use in building materials and furnishings, and contributing to our larger goals of fostering healthier built environments.
Click here to read the paper.
