Building Materials and Human Health
This course is an exploration of the impact of building materials on human health, society, and the environment. You learn about toxic exposure and the way toxic chemicals enter the human body. Finally, you consider vulnerabilities in communities and methods for making healthier material choices. This course covers a wide range of toxics and health concerns. It is designed to give you a basic understanding of healthier materials as context within the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization.
Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT
- Level Professional
- Duration 13 hours
- Course by Parsons School of Design, The New School
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Offered by
About
This course is an exploration of the impact of building materials on human health, society, and the environment. You learn about toxic exposure and the way toxic chemicals enter the human body. Finally, you consider vulnerabilities in communities and methods for making healthier material choices. This course covers a wide range of toxics and health concerns. It is designed to give you a basic understanding of healthier materials as context within the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization. This course is intended for anyone, but experience in design, architecture, or a similar field will be beneficial. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: • Assess the human health impact of toxic chemicals in building materials • Evaluate the health impact of building materials using current methods and resources • Apply strategies for reducing the health and environmental impacts of building materials throughout their life cyclesModules
Welcome
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2
Videos
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3
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Introductions
2
Videos
- Introduction to Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building
- Introduction to Building Materials and Human Health
3
Readings
- Welcome and Course Methods
- Course Presenter Profiles
- Key Terminologies and Concepts
The Significance of Building Materials in Human Health
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- The Human Health Impact of Building Materials
3
Videos
- Introduction to Toxic Materials in the Built Environment
- The Impact of Building Materials on Human Health
- No Safe Level of Lead: A Case Study of Toxicity in the Built Environment
1
Readings
- The Body Burden of Toxic Materials
Toxic Exposure and Environmental Health
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Reducing Exposure at Home
2
Videos
- How Toxic Chemicals Enter and Impact Our Bodies
- Putting Risk into Context
1
Readings
- Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Vulnerable Populations and Working with Communities
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Toxic Materials in the Built Environment: Summative Assessment
1
Discussions
- Using Lessons Learned from Working with Vulnerable Populations in Future Projects
3
Videos
- Exposure and Injustice go Hand-in-Hand: Q&A with Ogonnaya Dotson-Newman
- Material Health on a Budget: Case Studies of Renovations in Disadvantaged Communities
- Toxic Materials in the Built Environment Conclusion
1
Readings
- The Power of Local Action
The Life Cycle of Materials
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Starting Points for Reducing Shipping Impacts
3
Videos
- Introduction to Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle
- How the Life Cycles of Materials Put People and the Environment at Risk
- Impacts of the Journey: Packaging and Transportation
1
Readings
- Healthier Alternatives in Packing and Transport
Health Impacts During the Use Phase of Materials
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Breathe Easier: Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
2
Videos
- Product Composition and Exposure in the Use Phase
- Evaluating and Mitigating Indoor Air Pollutants
1
Readings
- Tools for Healthier Indoor Air
Innovating with Health and Life Cycle as Priorities
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle: Summative Assessment
1
Discussions
- Design for Healthier Life Cycles
3
Videos
- Making Holistically Healthier and More Sustainable Products
- Designing for Healthier Recycled Content
- Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle Conclusion
1
Readings
- Case Studies in Healthier Life Cycles
Tools and Evaluations
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Choosing Healthier Materials
3
Videos
- Introduction to How to Evaluate Building Materials for Health
- Cultivating Your Healthier Materials Mindset
- Disclosures, Certifications, and Rating Systems
1
Readings
- Making Sense of the Tools
Planning and Implementation
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Health Values for Building Materials
2
Videos
- Evaluating Materials for Health and Transparency
- Creating Value-Aligned Health Strategies
1
Readings
- Case Studies of Successful Implementation
Moving toward Healthier Environments
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3
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
PeerReview
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- How to Evaluate Building Materials for Health: Summative Assessment
1
Peer Review
- Create a Healthier Building Project Framework
1
Discussions
- Exercising Your Material Health Curiosity
3
Videos
- Considerations in Practice: Communicating in Teams and Leveraging Certifications
- How to Evaluate Building Materials for Health Conclusion
- Building Materials and Human Health Conclusion
2
Readings
- Guidance from the Experts
- Staying Informed on the Material Health Movement
Auto Summary
Explore the impact of building materials on human health, society, and the environment with this engaging course. Ideal for those in design or architecture, you’ll learn about toxic exposure, community vulnerabilities, and healthier material choices. Gain skills to assess and reduce health impacts using current methods. Offered by Coursera, this professional-level course spans 780 minutes with subscription options available. Perfect for anyone interested in healthier and sustainable building practices.
Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP
Catherine Murphy