[4] These benefits can include "reducing absenteeism and presenteeism, lowering health care costs, and improving individual and organizational performance.
The LEED v4 Handbook posits that indoor air quality is "one of the most pivotal factors in maintaining building occupants' safety, productivity, and well-being.
The San Joaquin ASHRAE chapter recommends assessing the outside air quality and configuration of the facade and building before demonstrating compliance and control of natural ventilation.
In hospitals, for example, healthcare providers cut on costs associated with sterilizing equipment between patient cares by using ready-to-use disposable trays.
[22] While noise is not always controllable, it has a high correlation and causation relationship with mental health, stress, and blood pressure.
[25] Effects of excessive noise pollution include hearing impairment, speech intelligibility, sleep disturbance, physiological functions, mental illness, and performance.
The World Health Organization recommends creating a "National Plan for a Sustainable Noise Indoor Environment" specific to each country.
[29] The bacterial pathogen Legionella may have a higher potential for growth in large buildings due to long water distribution systems and not enough maintenance.
In a study done by Shamsul et al., cool white light and artificial daylight (approximately 450-480 nanometers) was associated with higher levels of alertness.
[32] Blue light positively affects mood, performance, fatigue, concentration, and eye comfort and enabled better sleep at night.
[35] The LEED handbook writes that daylighting can save energy while "increasing the quality of the visual environment" and occupant satisfaction.
[39] Creating a walkable environment that connects people to workplaces, green spaces, public transportation, fitness centers, and other basic needs and services can influence daily physical activity as well as diet and type of commute.
[40] In particular, proximity to green spaces (e.g., parks, walking trails, gardens) or therapeutic landscapes can reduce absenteeism and improve well-being.
Large trees near a building can have extensive root systems that extract moisture from the soil, causing it to shrink and destabilize the foundation.
Poor construction practices, including low-quality materials, inadequate reinforcement, or improper design, can compromise the foundation's structural integrity.
Extreme temperature fluctuations and freeze-thaw cycles can cause soil expansion and contraction, exerting pressure on the foundation and potentially leading to cracks or movement.
[44] Addressing foundation issues promptly is crucial to mitigate these consequences and maintain the safety, value, and integrity of the building.
[45] Protective measures include regular inspections and maintenance, good drainage and moisture control, appropriate ventilation and tending to trees and plants at the site.
Specifically, a designated lactation room can support nursing mothers by providing privacy and helping them return to work more easily.
[46] Biophilic design has been linked to health outcomes such as stress reduction, improved mood, cognitive performance, social engagement, and sleep.
Well-lit and accessible stairwells can provide building occupants the opportunity to increase regular physical activity.
[15] Joseph Allen of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard[52][53][54] suggests 4-6 air changes per hour in classrooms, especially when masks are off.
[citation needed] There are several international and governmental standards, guidelines, and building rating systems that incorporate health and well-being concepts:[60] Founded in 1989, GreenSeal is a leading global ecolabeling organization (that is part of The Global Ecolabelling Network) that has set strict criteria for occupant health, sustainability, and product performance.
[67] The Healthy Green Schools & Colleges initiative assists facility managers in locating low- or no-cost actions that have a significant impact on indoor air quality and health.
The curriculum covers the full spectrum of facilities management methods and was created in collaboration with renowned school facility management professionals:[citation needed] The WELL Building Standard Certification was first launched in 2014 (WELL v1),[68] and it focuses on the well-being and health of occupants in buildings.
[69] Generally speaking, WELL v2 [70] has updated requirements for investigating the relationship between building design and human health, adds more diversity to spaces and applications of the standard, and features a single rating system that resembles USGBC LEED's efforts.