Benefiting Residents with Greener, Healthier Homes

Transcription

1 Benefiting Residents with Greener, Healthier Homes David E. Jacobs, PhD, CIH May, 2011 LISC Webinar National Center for Healthy Housing

2 Session Overview The seven principles of healthy housing How green building programs stack up against healthy housing principles Health benefits for residents of green developments The Evidence Key health dangers found in the home Green measures to improve resident health

3 Florence Nightingale The connection between health and the dwelling of the population is one of the most important that exists. Cited in Lowry, S, BMJ, 1991, 303,

4 Miasma & Housing-Related Disease

5 Health in the Late 19 th Century Challenge of Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Cholera Seemed Insurmountable Lessons for Public Health Officials, Architects and Planners: Light, Fresh Air, Reduce Crowding, Improve Sanitation. With Improved Living Conditions & Medical Interventions, Disease Rates Declined

6 Is Housing a Shared Commons?

7 Cuyahoga River ca. 1960

8 7 Healthy Homes Principles Keep Homes: Dry Clean Pest-Free Ventilated Safe Contaminant-Free Maintained Control Asthma and Respiratory Triggers Make Homes Smoke- Free Test for Radon Control Moisture to Avoid Mold No or Low- VOC Products Carbon Monoxide/ Nitrogen Dioxide

9 Healthy Housing: It Doesn t Stop at the Threshold

10 National Green Program Health Grades Health Principles Enterprise Community Partners Green Communities EPA Indoor Air Package USGBC LEED for Homes ICC-700 National Green Building Standard Dry A A B C Clean D D D D Ventilated A A+ A C Safe D D D D Contaminant-Free A A D D Pest-Free A+ A+ B D Maintained A+ A A+ A Verified/Certified B A+ A+ A+ Overall Grade* B B+ C D * Based on total score across all criteria in comparison to 85 target score. National Center for Healthy Housing

11 Green Homes: Benefiting Residents with Greener, Healthier Homes National Center for Healthy Housing Case Studies National Center for Healthy Housing Green Housing Series: The Advent of a Green Community Viking Terrace Worthington, MN National Center for Healthy Housing Green Housing Series: Rebuilding a Community through Healthy Green Renovation Wheeler Terrace Washington, DC National Center for Healthy Housing Green Housing Series: A New Prescription for Asthma Sufferers: Healthier Homes Breathe-Easy Homes Seattle, WA

12 Each year in the U.S. hazards in the home lead to: 250,000 lead poisoning cases 18,000 injury deaths each year 21,000 lung cancer deaths due to Radon 450 deaths and 15,000 emergency department visits due to carbon monoxide poisoning 2 million asthma-related emergency department visits

13 New Construction Housing and Health: Examples from Seattle s Breathe-Easy Homes Costs: $5-$7000 additional/unit Benefits Health: asthmatic children have more symptom-free days Able to participate in more outdoor activities Economic: Unit cost=approx 1 night hospital cost for severe asthmatic episode Est. Annual cost of U.S. Asthma Care: $18billion

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15 Green Communities Minnesota Case Study

16 Green Process 1. Integrated Design Process 2. Location and Neighborhood Fabric 3. Site 4. Water Conservation 5. Energy Conservation 6. Materials and Resources 7. Healthy Living Environment 8. Operations and Management

17 Green Healthy Housing Rehab Viking Terrace SW Minnesota Preserve affordable housing while reducing operating costs Increase life expectancy and efficiency of affordable housing Reduce maintenance costs and waste Improve residents health and community livability Eliminate hazardous materials, asbestos, radon and molds Minimize water and energy consumption Build recycling and on-site conservation into construction practices

18 Viking Terrace Energy efficient lighting & windows, occupancy sensors, enhanced insulation Improved roofing system and enhanced attic insulation Geo-thermal heating and cooling system Energy star rated appliances Sealed building envelope* Radon Testing* Improved ventilation system* Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans* Integrated Pest Management* Rubber walk-off mats* Low-VOC paints, sealants, adhesives, cabinets, carpet and flooring* Construction, development and maintenance staff * Specific training* Health-Related Elements Resident education*

19 Green Homes: Benefiting Residents with Greener, Healthier Homes Research and Evaluation Building Performance Assessment: Center for Sustainable Building Research Energy use and cost Emissions and environmental impact Materials performance evaluation Water use and cost Cost Benefit Analysis Livability & Health Assessment: National Center for Healthy Housing Resident health pre and post renovation Physical condition of units, buildings and surrounding area Level of physical activity/exercise

20 Green Homes: Benefiting Residents with Greener, Healthier Homes Viking Terrace Long-term benefits exceed upfront costs every time Partnering for assessment and evaluation is key Conduct pre-renovation/construction testing and assessment before, during and after Building commissioning worth extra expense

21 Green Rehab Elements Health

22 Other Green Rehab Elements High efficiency geothermal heating and cooling system. Enhanced insulation of the building envelope. Energy Star appliances. Water conserving appliances and fixtures. Cement fiber siding. Interior finish materials using recycled content. On-site recycling of demolition and construction materials.

23 Demographics Mostly immigrant, minority race and all lowincome (mean household income = $29,000) 43% of adults had been born in the US 82% of the children were born in the US White - 37% African immigrant (not African-American) -35% Hispanic 29% Female 58%

24 Baseline Questionnaire Results Comfort in Apartment Compared to Old Home 17% 10% 73% More Comfortable Less Comfortable About the Same

25 Baseline Questionnaire Results-2 Ease of Cleaning Compared to Old Home 27% 10% 63% Easier Harder About the Same

26 Baseline Questionnaire Results-3 Amount of Time Children in Household Play Outside Compared to Old Home 27% 9% 64% Play Outside More Play Outside Less About the Same

27 Baseline Questionnaire Results-4 Child's Health Compared to When In Old Home 29% 57% 14% Better Now Worse Now About the Same

28 Baseline Questionnaire Results-5 Adult's Health Compared to When in Old Home 52% 37% 11% Better Now Worse Now About the Same

29 Baseline Questionnaire Results-6 Safety of Building Compared to Old Home 52% 41% 7% Safer Less Safe About the Same

30 Minnesota Findings (Adults) General health reported as either very good or excellent increased from 33% to 62% (p=0.052) Chronic bronchitis 10% 0% (p=0.025); Hay fever (12% 4% (p=0.046); Sinusitis (12% 2%; p=0.025); Asthma (12% 4%; p=0.046); Hypertension (10% 4%; p=0.083).

31 Minnesota Findings Children General health reported as either excellent or very good increased from 53% to 65% (p= 0.286) Respiratory allergies decreased from 15% 4% (p=0.083) Ear infections also improved by the same amount (p=0.083). Doctor diagnosis of eczema or other skin allergy decreased from 23% 0% (p=0.083). No change in asthma (n=2)

32 Residents reported that their newly renovated homes were: easier to clean (86%, p<0.001), more comfortable (88%, p<0.001), safer (86%, p=0.008) and that their neighborhood was safer (83%, p=0.021) that their children played outside more often (86%, p=0.059).

33 Moisture Fewer people reported that their newly renovated homes had: moisture problems (29% 4%; p=0.020) evidence of water or dampness due to broken pipes, leaks, heavy rain, or flooding (39% 18%; p=0.083) a need for either a dehumidifier (24% 3%; p=0.014) or a humidifier (17% 7%; p=0.083).

34 Pests Fewer problems with cockroaches (17% 7%; p=0.083). Lower use of insecticides by residents (21% 4%; p=0.059) Lower use of insecticides by exterminators or maintenance personnel (37% 4%; p=0.003) Fewer problems with mice or rats (25% 0%; p=0.046).

35 Smoking Fewer people reported that there was smoke inside their homes due to incense, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, wood fires, or non-tobacco cigarettes (54% 36%; p=0.025)

36 Carbon Dioxide and VOCs Year-long average CO 2 = 982 ppm All VOCs below ATSDR minimum risk levels

37 Energy & Water Consumption 46% reduction in total energy use An estimated 39% reduction in CO 2 emissions from power plants.

38 Conclusions High Costs of Health Care/Health Insurance Mortgage Crisis & Affordable Housing Economic Recovery Healthy Housing, Green Development, Climate Change Problems?? OR An Unprecedented Opportunity!!

39 Contact Information David Jacobs, PhD, CIH Research Director National Center for Healthy Housing Washington DC