Building Materials and Human Health

Parsons School of Design, The New School

Building Materials and Human Health

This course is part of Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building Specialization

Instructors: Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP

Access provided by ExxonMobil

3,491 already enrolled

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

43 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

43 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Assess the human health impact of toxic chemicals in building materials
Evaluate the health impact of building materials using current methods and resources
Apply strategies for reducing the health and environmental impacts of building materials throughout their life cycles

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

3 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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This course is part of the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 3 modules in this course

This course is an exploration of the impact of building materials on human health, society, and the environment. You learn about toxic exposure and the way toxic chemicals enter the human body. Finally, you consider vulnerabilities in communities and methods for making healthier material choices. This course covers a wide range of toxics and health concerns. It is designed to give you a basic understanding of healthier materials as context within the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization. This course is intended for anyone, but experience in design, architecture, or a similar field will be beneficial.

Welcome to Toxic Materials in the Built Environment. In this module, we'll learn about how toxics get into the human body and the impact they could have. We will explore ways to lower exposure to toxic chemicals. By the end of this week, you will know how systemic injustices and disadvantaged communities are disproportionately impacted by toxic exposure. Let's get started!

What's included

10 videos6 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts

10 videos Total 45 minutes

Introduction to Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building 3 minutes
Introduction to Building Materials and Human Health 2 minutes
Introduction to Toxic Materials in the Built Environment 2 minutes
The Impact of Building Materials on Human Health 7 minutes
No Safe Level of Lead: A Case Study of Toxicity in the Built Environment 5 minutes
How Toxic Chemicals Enter and Impact Our Bodies 5 minutes
Putting Risk into Context 4 minutes
Exposure and Injustice go Hand-in-Hand: Q&A with Ogonnaya Dotson-Newman 11 minutes
Material Health on a Budget: Case Studies of Renovations in Disadvantaged Communities 5 minutes
Toxic Materials in the Built Environment Conclusion 1 minute

6 readings Total 135 minutes

Welcome and Course Methods 10 minutes
Course Presenter Profiles 5 minutes
Key Terminologies and Concepts 30 minutes
The Body Burden of Toxic Materials 30 minutes
Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals 30 minutes
The Power of Local Action 30 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Toxic Materials in the Built Environment: Summative Assessment 30 minutes

4 discussion prompts Total 40 minutes

Introductions 10 minutes
The Human Health Impact of Building Materials 10 minutes
Reducing Exposure at Home 10 minutes
Using Lessons Learned from Working with Vulnerable Populations in Future Projects 10 minutes

Welcome to Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle: Designing for Health and Sustainability. In this module, we'll learn about the life-cycle of materials and their relationship to human health and the environment. We will analyze health impacts that occur during the use phase of materials. You will discover material life cycle innovations that prioritize human health. Let's get started!

What's included

8 videos3 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts

8 videos Total 33 minutes

Introduction to Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle 1 minute
How the Life Cycles of Materials Put People and the Environment at Risk 4 minutes
Impacts of the Journey: Packaging and Transportation 5 minutes
Product Composition and Exposure in the Use Phase 6 minutes
Evaluating and Mitigating Indoor Air Pollutants 5 minutes
Making Holistically Healthier and More Sustainable Products 5 minutes
Designing for Healthier Recycled Content 5 minutes
Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle Conclusion 1 minute

3 readings Total 90 minutes

Healthier Alternatives in Packing and Transport 30 minutes
Tools for Healthier Indoor Air 30 minutes
Case Studies in Healthier Life Cycles 30 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle: Summative Assessment 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 30 minutes

Starting Points for Reducing Shipping Impacts 10 minutes
Breathe Easier: Improving Your Indoor Air Quality 10 minutes
Design for Healthier Life Cycles 10 minutes

Welcome to How to Evaluate Building Materials for Health. This week, we'll learn about tools and methods for evaluating materials including disclosures, certifications, and rating systems. We will examine the planning for and implementation of healthier materials strategies. By the end of this module, you will have discovered some strategies that could be used to move toward healthier environments. Let's get started!

What's included

8 videos5 readings1 assignment1 peer review3 discussion prompts

8 videos Total 32 minutes

Introduction to How to Evaluate Building Materials for Health 2 minutes
Cultivating Your Healthier Materials Mindset 4 minutes
Disclosures, Certifications, and Rating Systems 8 minutes
Evaluating Materials for Health and Transparency 5 minutes
Creating Value-Aligned Health Strategies 5 minutes
Considerations in Practice: Communicating in Teams and Leveraging Certifications 6 minutes
How to Evaluate Building Materials for Health Conclusion 1 minute
Building Materials and Human Health Conclusion 1 minute