Green Buildings Improve Occupants Health - Essay Example

Green Buildings Improve Occupant’s Health Introduction Green Building is a construction practice that reduces impacts on the environment and occupants inhabiting the buildings. This construction practice has advantages such as energy saving and provision of quality indoor environment. The site for green building is utilized in a sustainable manner, and this ensures conservation of resources and materials. The designs of green buildings ensure efficiency and availability of water for the occupants. Although there are some limitations connected to green building, it is considerably the best construction practice for improving occupant’s health. Construction of a green building is exceptionally costly as opposed to construction of a regular building. Before an individual is able to construct a green building he must consolidate a lot of money (Coussens, Pp 43). Individuals may save money from less energy consumption, but before this, they need to pay handsomely. Construction of green buildings is dreadfully expensive because eco-friendly materials used in building is not available in many regions. These materials have to be imported from other parts, thus increasing construction cost. There is a lot of indoor pollution in green building because these buildings are heavily sealed, hence ventilation is not enough. This worsens if the builder uses materials that emittoxic substances as it may result to health problems to the occupant. Green buildings are built in a manner that ensures maximum utilization of light. This results in construction of the buildings in the opposite direction to the neighborhood buildings, thus causing problems with the neighbors. Green buildings may take a long time before they are completed and this may put the home owners in difficult situations. The home owners are in difficult situations because some of them want the building to be completed at a specific time (Coussens, Pp 54). Green houses may take long before they are completed because materials are scarce and they have to be shipped from other countries. Another cause of delay is unavailable recycled materials that are supposed to be used in construction. It is difficult to install air cooling features that are self regulating like natural environment. These components can not increase or decrease temperature when required. Green roofs have many layers of substance including vegetation, water storage and water proof membrane that makes the roof heavy. The builders need to come up with a better strategy for supporting the roofs. Although green building construction may be accompanied with some limitations, it has ensured improvement of the occupants’ health since they are staying a comfortable life. The health of occupants is increased because there is sufficient ventilation in the building and this prevents the occupants from getting airborne diseases from outside (Elias, Pp 12). Bacteria and microbial organism are unable to penetrate the green buildings because they are well sealed and covered. Green building save a lot of energy as they utilize day light energy efficiently, thus helping occupants to save money. These houses utilize light energy efficiently, thus reducing computer glare and enhancing visual comfort of the occupants. Health of occupants in green buildings is improved because they have a chance to be in contact with the natural environment. There is a lot of open view from outside as plants are placed in the buildings for quality air and enhancing an individual’s psychology. Green buildings are given a lot of concentration during construction to reduce build of microbial agent on building materials because they can infect the occupants. Green buildings are environmental friendly because of the sustainable use of resources. Resources in green building construction are efficiently used, appreciably preventing pollution. This has helped in reduction of accidents to current and future generations (Elias, Pp 20). These buildings are safe, thus reducing cost of insurance that may be associated with risks. There is a lot of open view from outside and plants are placed in the buildings for quality air and enhancing individual’s psychology. Occupants have reduced operation cost in their houses since resources are efficiently used when building these houses. There are many strategic advantages connected to green buildings such as efficiency in utilization of resources. Resources like water and energy are efficiently utilized, lessening the living cost of occupants. The materials used are recycled to reduce cost of renovation and these buildings are commissioned to ensure they serve their rationale. Green buildings improve the health of occupants as they use natural renewable resources. These houses maintain health standards since they prevent pollution and reduce wastes. Green buildings discourage use of chemicals such as fertilizers in landscape maintainers (Defendorf, Pp 17). This protects the health of occupants because some fertilizers are carcinogenic and may affect the health of individuals. Green building construction practice restores and maintains the natural environment of a place. The design used in green building connects with the natural environment, and this beautifies the surroundings. Green buildings are advantageous because they protect the environment and ensure that the resources are efficiently used. This results in sustainable use of resources so that future generation will have a chance to use these resources without stress. These buildings protect air and ensure that quality water is available to occupants, thus improving health of occupants. Green buildings use non toxic material in construction, a consideration that appreciably reduces respiratory risks to children. This prevents children from chronic illness that may affect them in the future. Occupants of green houses are comfortable because they inhale fresh air and they receive a satisfactory amount of day light energy (Defendorf, Pp 27). There is an increase in productivity due to fresh indoor air and sufficient solar energy in green buildings. Occupant’s health is improved in green buildings as opposed to traditional houses. This is palpable because there is less absenteeism and reduced liability a risk. Green buildings have helped in increasing output of workers. Day light penetrates through green buildings and this energizes workers, thus increasing productivity. Brightness in green building also helps occupants to be satisfied, and this make them perform their work satisfactorily (Heerwagen, Pp 15). This is because the workers are well connected to the natural environment and this makes them feel part of the environment. There is sufficient ventilation in green buildings and this makes occupants inhale fresh air. Fresh air keeps occupants alert all the time and they are able to work efficiently, thus increasing productivity. Green buildings improve health of occupants because of high quality air. High quality air reduces sickness associated with buildings and enhances work performance of occupants. It reduces absenteeism from work due to respiratory sickness and allergies. Occupants are comfortable in green houses because of the quality air they inhale (Heerwagen, Pp 25). Plants that are placed in green buildings are imperative because of their connotation in the psychology of occupants. This makes occupants connect connecting with the natural environment and this boost their esteem and morale. These plants assist in ventilating the air as they purify the carbonated air. Bacteria and microbial organism are unable to penetrate the green buildings because they are well sealed and covered. Green buildings are environmental friendly because they ensure sustainable use of materials. Resources in green building construction are well utilized to avoid wastage of materials (Shear, Pp 49). There are many strategic advantages connected to green buildings such as the diminution in pollution and wastage of resources. Green buildings use non toxic material in construction thus reducing respiratory and asthma diseases. This prevents children from chronic illness that may affect them in the future. Green buildings have helped employees to work efficiently as they offer comfortable environment. Day light penetrates through green buildings and this energizes workers, thus increasing productivity. These houses utilize light efficiently, thus reducing computer brightness and enhancing visual comfort of the occupants. Green buildings are very safe and this has helped in reducing the cost of insurance that may be associated with risks (Shear, Pp 79). The materials used are recycled to minimize cost of renovation since these buildings are commissioned for safety purposes. Occupants of green houses are comfortable since there is quality air and they receive a passable amount of day light energy. Fresh air keeps occupants refreshed all the time, and they are able to work efficiently thus increasing productivity. Green buildings are carefully constructed to reduce build of microbial agent on building materials because they can infect the occupants. Occupants have reduced operation cost in their houses and resources are efficiently used when building these houses. These buildings have ventilated air and ensure that quality water is available to occupants, thus improving health of occupants. There is an increase in output due to fresh indoor air and sufficient solar energy in green buildings. Green buildings have helped in increasing productivity of workers. Day light penetrates through green building and these make workers always energetic (Yudelson, Pp 89). There is a lot of open view from outside and plants are placed in the buildings for quality air and enhancing an individual’s psychology. Health of occupants in green buildings is improved because they have a chance to be in contact with the natural environment. Green buildings improve the health of occupants as they utilize natural renewable resources such as wind and solar energy. Green buildings discourage use of chemicals such as fertilizers in landscape maintainers. This protects the health of occupants because some fertilizers are carcinogenic and may affect the health of individuals. Conclusion There are some limitations connected to green building, but it is the best construction practice for improving occupant’s health. There is quality air in green building because of efficient ventilation. Air quality ensures that occupants are alert and this increase the productivity rate. Daylight is available in green houses and this energizes occupants because of solar energy. This kind of construction practice use materials that reduce build of micro organism that may infect occupants. This has helped in reduction of infectious diseases, thus improving the health of individuals. The above reasons have proven that green buildings improve health of individuals than traditional buildings. Works Cited Coussens, Christine. Green Healthcare Institutions: Health, Environment and Economics Workshop Summary. New York: National Academies Press, 2007. Defendorf, Richard. Study: Green Buildings May Boost Occupant’s Health Productivity. 2010 Elias, Helen. Agenda. Are Green Buildings Healthy? 2011. Heerwagen, Judith. Green Buildings, Organizational Success, and Occupant Productivity. 2000. Shear, William. Green Affordable Housing: HUD Has Made Progress in Promoting Green Building, But Expanding Efforts Could Help Reduce Energy Costs And Benefit Tenants. New York: DIANE Publishing, 2009. Yudelson, Jerry. Marketing Green Buildings: Guide ForEngineering, Construction And Architecture. New York: The Fairmont Press, Inc. 2006. Print. Read More