Healthy buildings are critical for resilient communities. With advances in science, policy, and technology, buildings can now promote occupant well-being while enhancing energy performance. This session will examine emerging policy frameworks, standards, and tools designed to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and foster healthier environments across sectors.
Leading experts will present the scientific and economic case for healthy buildings—linking enhanced ventilation and IAQ to reduced disease transmission, improved cognitive function, higher productivity, and better quality of life for vulnerable populations. The session will explore current ventilation standards that integrate disease risk management, as well as practical strategies for implementation by building professionals.
While momentum for energy efficiency is growing, parallel federal support for healthy buildings remains limited. This discussion will outline a forward-looking policy roadmap for advancing IAQ at the state and federal levels—including opportunities through the U.S. Department of Energy, EPA, CDC, and GSA. Participants will learn how low-cost sensors and performance-based IAQ targets can be integrated into existing infrastructure to sustain healthier indoor environments with a case study from the commercial sector.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the impact of improved ventilation and indoor air quality on building occupants, both for health and productivity
- Identify tools and guidelines that building managers and engineers can use to improve the health of building occupants and reduce risk
- Understand state and federal policies that drive healthier buildings, along with policy gaps
- Learn about simple targets for indoor air quality and an implementation framework for building managers, using building performance air quality standards
