Effects of green buildings on employee health and productivity.
We investigated the effects of improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on perceived health and productivity in occupants who moved from conventional to green (according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ratings) office buildings. In 2 retrospective-prospective case studies we found that improved IEQ contributed to reductions in perceived absenteeism and work hours affected by asthma, respiratory allergies, depression, and stress and to self-reported improvements in productivity. These preliminary findings indicate that green buildings may positively affect public health.
Singh
Amanjeet
A
School of Planning, Design, and Construction, Michigan State University, E Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Syal
Matt
M
Grady
Sue C
SC
Korkmaz
Sinem
S
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018877:Sick Building Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017132:Workplace