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Executive Summary
Pages 1-6

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From page 1...
... Although the scientific evidence is not yet sufficient to document all of the suspected links between a variety of diseases and health problems to specific building features and practices, one point is clear: Building-related diseases and symptoms are substantially preventable. Prevention strategies include timely intervention to limit or eliminate exposure to causal agents, appropriate building design and construction, and good maintenance, operations, and cleaning practices.
From page 2...
... A subsequent planning meeting was held in April 1998 to discuss the research questions that needed to be answered to quantify the relationships between the built environment and workplace productivity and establish a business case for implementing building features that enhance occupant wellness and productivity. To continue the exploration of these complex issues and discuss ongoing research and possible strategies for implementing change in standards and practices for indoor environmental quality, the FFC convened a workshop, "Implementing Health-Protective Features and Practices in Buildings," in Washington, D.C., on November 17-18, 2003.
From page 3...
... PRACTICAL ACTIONS TO IMPROVE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Based on this evidence and their own experience, the workshop participants identified a range of practical actions that could be implemented immediately by those in the building, health care, education, and other industries to create more healthful indoor environments, as follows: Design and Construction · Keep HVAC systems clean and dry -- first by design and then by operation and maintenance. · Provide adequate outdoor air ventilation and use natural ventilation where feasible.
From page 4...
... Reported complaints should be taken seriously, the concerns investigated, potential corrective actions identified, and the actions taken communicated back to the occupants involved. BARRIERS TO KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION Although there is a good deal of information available linking occupants' health and the quality of indoor environments, there is little evidence that building owners, designers, managers, occupants, or health care providers understand or routinely use this information to improve IEQ.
From page 5...
... or labeling programs similar to EnergyStar; · Developing a "business case" for an IEQ program, including a measure of return on investment; · Developing an evaluation matrix to demonstrate how one health-protective feature in a building might be traded off against other features and the resulting costs and benefits; and · Identifying best-practice case studies and building on these success stories. Longer-term activities include: · Changing the way materials and products are specified and developing coherent guidelines for their application and installation; · Partnering with the insurance and banking industries and building owners to demonstrate financial opportunities in building a certain way or adopting certain innovations; · Working with regulatory organizations to develop guidance designed to protect the health of building occupants; · Improving formal education and training programs for building professionals, operators, owners, maintenance staff, occupants, health care providers, and insurance providers; and · Creating contract language for projects to include IEQ-supportive provisions.
From page 6...
... The summary also points to longer-term solutions that will require interactive dialogue within the broad community of stakeholders for better buildings and health care providers. Finally, there are research questions, yet unanswered, that should be addressed if the journey forward is to be focused and well disciplined.


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