Why Choose Green?
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Better risk management
Financial risk: Fluctuating energy costs represent real threats to financial projections. Risk is reduced by using less energy, or even achieving a measure of independence from the commercial energy providers.
Planning risk: Uncertainty about zoning compliance, plan approval, and permit intervals is usually better controlled as more municipalities recognize the value of green projects and provide relevant incentives.
Health liability risk: Many commercial landlords now know that Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is the single greatest culprit in triggering multiple chemical sensitivity reactions and filings on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Also called, “Sick Building Syndrome”, the World Health Organization estimates that almost 1/3 of all buildings have some kind of problems related to IAQ. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists IAQ as #4 on its list of potential contributing factors to some cancers, contributing to as many as 6,000 deaths per year in the USA. The EPA says that breathing indoor air carries 2-5 times the risk of outdoor air, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states the two largest contributors to IAQ problems are inadequate ventilation and indoor contaminants 4.
That means exposure to potentially harmful substances, whether construction materials like sealants and adhesives, or natural organisms like mold, can contribute to acute health problems or long-term chronic health conditions.
Certified green buildings minimize these elements in your indoor environment and minimize the risk of breathing the air. Improved HVAC systems that exceed code requirements and combat mold growth by design contribute to risk reduction in green buildings.
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