Health Benefits of Green Public Housing: AssociationsWith Asthma Morbidity and Building-Related Symptoms

We examined associations of several health outcomes with green and conventional low-income housing, where the prevalence of morbidities and environmental pollutants is elevated. We used questionnaires and a visual inspection to compare sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms and asthma-related morbidi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 2015-12, Vol.105 (12), p.2482
Main Authors: Colton, Meryl D, Laurent, Jose Guillermo Cedeno, MacNaughton, Piers, Kane, John, Bennett-Fripp, Mae, Spengler, John, Adamkiewicz, Gary
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Affordable housing
Allergens
Apartments
Asthma
Building construction
Energy efficiency
Environmental quality
Green buildings
Green development
Health risks
Home environment
Housing developments
Indoor air quality
Low income groups
Morbidity
Nitrogen dioxide
Pollutants
Public health
Public housing
Questionnaires
Sick building syndrome
Smoking
Socioeconomic factors
Ventilation
VOCs
Volatile organic compounds
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Summary:We examined associations of several health outcomes with green and conventional low-income housing, where the prevalence of morbidities and environmental pollutants is elevated. We used questionnaires and a visual inspection to compare sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms and asthma-related morbidity among residents in multifamily units in Boston, Massachusetts, between March 2012 and May 2013. Follow-up was approximately 1 year later. Adults living in green units reported 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66, 2.05) fewer SBS symptoms than those living in conventional (control) homes (P < .001). Furthermore, asthmatic children living in green homes experienced substantially lower risk of asthma symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.12, 1.00), asthma attacks (OR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.11, 0.88), hospital visits (OR = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.88), and asthma-related school absences (OR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.74) than children living in conventional public housing. Participants living in green homes had improved health outcomes, which remained consistent over the study period. Green housing may provide a significant value in resource-poor settings where green construction or renovation could simultaneously reduce harmful indoor exposures, promote resident health, and reduce operational costs.
ISSN:0090-0036