244127 Impact of LEED-Certified Green Housing on Asthma in New York City

Monday, October 31, 2011

Kevin Chatham-Stephens, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Amelia Breyre , Department of Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Erin Steenburgh-Thanik, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Sadie Sanchez , Department of Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Mary Foley, EdD, CHES , Supportive Children's Advocacy Network, c/o HCAP, Harlem Community & Academic Partnership, New York, NY
Elizabeth J. Garland, MD, MS , Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Background: Few studies have been published investigating the impact of sustainable, or “green,” building practices on human health. The Melrose Commons V (MCV), a 63-unit building in a multi-ethnic, low-income area of the South Bronx, New York City, was the first affordable rental, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum-certified building in New York State.

Purpose: This prospective study assessed the impact of moving into a LEED platinum-certified building on the respiratory health of children and adults.

Methods: Respiratory health and home environments of eligible tenants were evaluated initially in their former residences and after moving into MCV. Assessments included a comprehensive health survey, visual home inspection, and particulate matter sampling (PM2.5) every six months. Spirometry was performed every three months.

Results: Baseline evaluations revealed asthma's potential to impact quality of life, with 35% of respondents limiting their activities due to asthma “a moderate amount” or “a lot” and 35% being frustrated by their asthma “most of the time” or “all of the time.” With 25 six-month assessments analyzed, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of symptom-free days in the preceding two weeks. There were decreases in the number of days with symptoms in the preceding month, the number of wheezing episodes in the preceding three months, and the number of urgent and emergent visits for asthma in the preceding three months, but these did not reach statistical significance. Analysis of additional six-month outcomes, serial spirometry data, particulate matter sampling, and the twelve-month assessments are ongoing.

Conclusion: Preliminary findings support the potential beneficial effect of LEED certified buildings on the health of individuals with asthma symptoms. These design standards may have the most impact in low-income, multi-ethnic, urban communities, which often have high rates of asthma and other chronic diseases.

Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciences

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate the effects of LEED-certified housing on the respiratory health of individuals with asthma

Keywords: Asthma, Healthy Buildings

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an active member of the research team, serving as a co-investigator.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: *Poster Session*: Built environment and healthy places
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