The green building practices of sustainable design have gained tremendous acceptance throughout North America and other areas of the world. Many architects, designers and contractors are eager to promote the projects they develop as “green.” It is a differentiator that can bring top-dollar for building owners who lease the finished space.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle, from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.”1 While tenets of green building such as energy efficiency and concern for the environment are important, does this practice ensure the health and well-being of the building occupants? Not necessarily.