Study Architecture 
ProPEL 
Author(s): Dagmar Rittenbacher & Maria Sanchez
The quality of the indoor environment has a significant impact on people’s well-being.4 Studies have shown that the indoor environment has a significant impact on human health.7 Subpar indoor air quality (IAQ) can adversely affect the health of people in several ways. Numerous serious diseases or medical conditions (e.g., asthma, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc.) can be caused by environmental contamination such as long and short-term toxicity from volatile organic compounds (VOCs).4,8 One of the major sources of common indoor air pollutants in healthcare facilities is materials used with high VOCs.7 Building materials and surface finishings need to be carefully chosen to ensure the design of healthy spaces for the occupants in healthcare facilities2, especially for those who are sick and have a weakened immune system. When building a new medical pavilion, the material selection for the interiors should avoid harmful pollution of the IAQ and should ensure the highest standards of environmental performance to benefit the occupants. Therefore, low or non-VOC buildings materials that are sustainable meaning responsibly sourced, include recycled content, have life cycle analysis, and have material transparency should be chosen when renovating or building a new healthcare facility to ensure a good IAQ for human well-being.4
https://doi.org/10.35483/ACSA.AIA.InterMaterialEco.23.11
Volume Editors
Caryn Brause & Chris Flint Chatto
