Development of Guidelines for Healthy Home Construction in the United States and Challenges Faced in the Process

In the past decade the general population in the USA has developed a heightened awareness on indoor air quality (IAQ) issues. As a result there is a significant demand by the public for housing provisions that offer not only a comfortable living environment, but also one that is more conducive to improved health afforded by the quality of the indoor air environment. The American Lung Association (ALA) in the United States is responding to the needs of homeowners by undertaking the development of guidelines for builders, designers, and other members of the construction community, with the end-goal to provide guidance on construction practices for improved IAQ in residences.

The guidelines are intended to address construction practices targeting homes for the general population and include a second tier of criteria for people with severe allergies or asthma. This paper details some ofthe issues and difficulties encountered in the formulation of the guidelines.

Shaughnessy R, , T Brennan, J Lstiburek, H Levin, 2002. Development of guidelines for healthy home construction in the United States and challenges faced in the process. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Indoor Air 2002, Vol. 3, pp. 649-654.