The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67301

Tom Lent, Healthy Building Network, 2464 West St., Berkeley, CA 94702-2140, 510 845-5600, tlent@igc.org

Abstract: California hospitals are under statutory requirements to make all healthcare facilities earthquake-safe by 2008. A tremendous amount of design and construction in healthcare is already taking place to meet this mandate.

Because the healthcare industry primary purpose is to promote healing, it is crucial that the hospital or clinic buildings themselves reflect careful consideration of their impact on patient and public health. Many building materials are problematic because they contain toxic components or they are manufactured or disposed of using industrial processes that are harmful from an environmental health perspective.

Growing awareness of green building practices is taking hold within California' healthcare industry. Environmental and public health concerns are ensuring that important design and construction questions are raised early in the planning process.

Learning Objectives:

• Learning objectives:
• At the conclusion of this session, participants will understand primary environmental health concerns which can inform design and construction practices in healthcare. They will learn of existing design tools for healthcare which guide the incorporation of environmental health concerns into the building plan. They will have information on 3 specific building materials which are of particular concern and their alternatives.

Related Web page: www.healthybuilding.net

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.