Schools Go Green for Health

NEW YORK — Schools increasingly cite health benefits as reason for going green, according to a new study issued by McGraw-Hill Construction.

In their market survey New and Retrofit Green Schools: The Cost Benefits and Influence of a Green School on its Occupants, McGraw-Hill Construction found that 89 percent of K-12 schools named enhancing the health and well-being of students as a top reason for constructing, renovating and operating greener schools. In 2007, only 61 percent of K-12 schools acknowledged health as a motive for sustainability.

“Like all other sectors, schools are driven by the goal of saving money and energy,” the study said. “However, this sector is unique among all those studied by McGraw-Hill construction in our series of green SmartMarket Reports because the impact of green buildings on the health and well-being of their students is as important as energy in encouraging new green investments.”

Approximately 78 percent of higher education facilities said health was a main component for green efforts. Ninety-one percent of K-12 respondents and 87 percent of higher education schools said green building made a direct impact on student health and well-being. The study also found that 74 percent of K-12 schools say they have witnessed an increase in student productivity and test scores since taking on green elements while 32 percent of K-12 schools reported a decrease in absenteeism.

McGraw-Hill lists several recommendations for school operators, architects and building product manufactures as part of their study. Along with the suggestion to school operators to hire a sustainability staff, McGraw-Hill also recommends that building product manufacturers emphasize the positive health impacts of their merchandise.

Janice Nolen, assistant vice president of national policy and advocacy at the American Lung Association, participated in a Q&A for the study to highlight the need for focus on indoor air quality.

An effective ventilation system has a tremendous affect on the health of students and staff, she said.

“Good ventilation is the most impactful way to protect lung health in a green school, but reducing and preventing the source of indoor air pollutants is another key area,” Nolen said. “Indoor air pollution such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and irritants can originate from various sources indoors such as building equipment, furnishings, flooring and cleaning equipment.”

With this new study, McGraw-Hill hopes to promote effective and positive changes in green school building.

“Because improved health and well-being ranks so highly as a driver for schools, their belief that green buildings have a positive impact on these factors is critical to encourage more green school construction,” the study said.