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Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP
and
Catherine Murphy
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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 cycles
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/xhb2na/building
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What's inside
Syllabus
Toxic Materials in the Built Environment
Welcome to Toxic Materials in the Built Environment. This week, we'll learn about how toxics get into the human body and the impact they could have. We will explore ways to lower exposure to toxic chemicals. By the end of this week, you will know how systemic injustices and disadvantaged communities are disproportionately impacted by toxic exposure. Let's get started!
Read more
Syllabus
Toxic Materials in the Built Environment
Welcome to Toxic Materials in the Built Environment. This week, we'll learn about how toxics get into the human body and the impact they could have. We will explore ways to lower exposure to toxic chemicals. By the end of this week, you will know how systemic injustices and disadvantaged communities are disproportionately impacted by toxic exposure. Let's get started!
Read more
Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle: Designing for Health and Sustainability
Welcome to Cleaning Up the Material Life Cycle: Designing for Health and Sustainability. This week, we'll learn about the life-cycle of materials and their relationship to human health and the environment. We will analyze health impacts that occur during the use phase of materials. You will discover material life cycle innovations that prioritize human health. Let's get started!
How to Evaluate Building Materials for Health
Welcome to How to Evaluate Building Materials for Health. This week, we'll learn about tools and methods for evaluating materials including disclosures, certifications, and rating systems. We will examine the planning for and implementation of healthier materials strategies. By the end of this week, you will have discovered some strategies that could be used to move toward healthier environments. Let's get started!
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Provides background in toxic exposure and building material impact on health, society, and environment for future study in Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization
Suitable for learners interested in design, architecture, or related fields who seek knowledge in healthier materials
Suitable for individuals seeking foundational knowledge in healthier materials to integrate into their practices
Taught by seasoned instructors Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP and Catherine Murphy
Covers essential information on toxics, health concerns, as well as strategies for mitigating their impact within the construction industry
Save this course
Save Building Materials and Human Health to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Building Materials and Human Health with these
activities:
Review chemistry fundamentals
Show steps
Review the basics of chemistry to ensure a strong foundation before starting this course.
Browse courses on
Chemistry
Show steps
-
Review your notes and textbooks from previous chemistry courses.
-
Take practice problems and quizzes to test your understanding.
-
Attend a refresher workshop or online course.
Review Basic Chemistry Concepts
Show steps
This activity will help you refresh your basic chemistry concepts, which will be helpful for understanding the material in the course.
Browse courses on
General Chemistry
Show steps
-
Review your notes from your previous chemistry courses.
-
Take a practice quiz on basic chemistry concepts.
-
Watch a video tutorial on basic chemistry concepts.
Help Others Learn About Healthier Building Materials
Show steps
This activity will give you an opportunity to share your knowledge about healthier building materials with others and help them make healthier choices.
Show steps
-
Volunteer to give a presentation on healthier building materials to a local community group.
-
Write a blog post or article about healthier building materials.
-
Create a social media campaign to raise awareness about healthier building materials.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Volunteer with a Local Environmental Organization
Show steps
This activity will give you an opportunity to learn more about environmental issues and how to make a difference in your community.
Show steps
-
Volunteer with a local environmental organization.
-
Help the organization with its mission.
-
Learn more about environmental issues and how to make a difference.
Create a Blog Post or Article About Healthier Building Materials
Show steps
This activity will help you learn more about healthier building materials and how to communicate your knowledge to others.
Show steps
-
Choose a topic related to healthier building materials.
-
Research your topic.
-
Write a blog post or article about your topic.
Discuss Healthier Building Materials with Classmates
Show steps
This activity will give you an opportunity to discuss healthier building materials with your classmates and learn from their perspectives.
Show steps
-
Meet with a group of classmates to discuss healthier building materials.
-
Share your knowledge and experiences with each other.
-
Learn from each other's perspectives.
Review chemistry fundamentals
Show steps
Review the basics of chemistry to ensure a strong foundation before starting this course.
Browse courses on
Chemistry
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review your notes and textbooks from previous chemistry courses.
- Take practice problems and quizzes to test your understanding.
- Attend a refresher workshop or online course.
Review Basic Chemistry Concepts
Show steps
This activity will help you refresh your basic chemistry concepts, which will be helpful for understanding the material in the course.
Browse courses on
General Chemistry
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review your notes from your previous chemistry courses.
- Take a practice quiz on basic chemistry concepts.
- Watch a video tutorial on basic chemistry concepts.
Help Others Learn About Healthier Building Materials
Show steps
This activity will give you an opportunity to share your knowledge about healthier building materials with others and help them make healthier choices.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Volunteer to give a presentation on healthier building materials to a local community group.
- Write a blog post or article about healthier building materials.
- Create a social media campaign to raise awareness about healthier building materials.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Volunteer with a Local Environmental Organization
Show steps
This activity will give you an opportunity to learn more about environmental issues and how to make a difference in your community.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Volunteer with a local environmental organization.
- Help the organization with its mission.
- Learn more about environmental issues and how to make a difference.
Create a Blog Post or Article About Healthier Building Materials
Show steps
This activity will help you learn more about healthier building materials and how to communicate your knowledge to others.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a topic related to healthier building materials.
- Research your topic.
- Write a blog post or article about your topic.
Discuss Healthier Building Materials with Classmates
Show steps
This activity will give you an opportunity to discuss healthier building materials with your classmates and learn from their perspectives.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Meet with a group of classmates to discuss healthier building materials.
- Share your knowledge and experiences with each other.
- Learn from each other's perspectives.
Career center
Learners who complete Building Materials and Human Health will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Health Consultant
Health Consultant
A Health Consultant will learn in this course about toxic materials in the built environment, the adverse human health effects that they can have, and strategies to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals. As a result, a Health Consultant will be better equipped to advise their clients on how to create healthier indoor environments.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager can benefit from this course as it provides an understanding of the impact that building materials can have on the environment. Furthermore, this course can assist a Sustainability Manager with evaluating healthier materials and making sustainable building choices by providing them with the most up-to-date tools and methods for evaluating materials.
Building Scientist
Building Scientist
A Building Scientist will learn in this course about toxic materials in the built environment and the adverse human health effects that they can have. Furthermore, this course will equip a Building Scientist with strategies to analyze the health impacts that may occur during the use phase of materials and discover material life cycle innovations that prioritize human health. As a result, a Building Scientist can make informed, healthier decisions for their projects.
Public Health Advocate
Public Health Advocate
A Public Health Advocate will learn in this course how toxic chemicals enter the human body, the impact they could have, and ways to lower exposure to toxic chemicals. Furthermore, this course provides an understanding of systemic injustices and the disproportionate impact of toxic exposure on disadvantaged communities.
Product Designer
Product Designer
A Product Designer will benefit from this course as it will help them make more informed decisions about materials selection. Furthermore, this course can assist a Product Designer with evaluating healthier materials and making sustainable building choices by providing them with the most up-to-date tools and methods for evaluating materials.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologist
An Epidemiologist can benefit from this course as it provides an understanding of the impact that building materials can have on the health of communities. Furthermore, this course can assist an Epidemiologist in understanding the different perspectives and interests of stakeholders in the building industry as well as the challenges and opportunities for promoting healthier building materials.
Construction Manager
Construction Manager
A Construction Manager can benefit from this course as it provides an understanding of the impact that building materials can have on the health of construction workers. Furthermore, this course can assist a Construction Manager with evaluating healthier materials and making sustainable building choices by providing them with the most up-to-date tools and methods for evaluating materials.
Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental Health Scientist
An Environmental Health Scientist can benefit from this course as it dives deep into the impact of building materials on human health. This course will equip an Environmental Scientist with the knowledge of how toxic chemicals enter the human body and the comprehensive strategies for reducing the health and environmental impact of building materials across their entire life cycle.
Architect
Architect
An Architect will benefit from this course as it will help them make more informed decisions about materials selection. Specifically, this course will help an Architect develop strategies for reducing the health and environmental impacts of building materials across their entire life cycle.
Professor
Professor
A Professor teaching a related field may benefit from this course as it will help them stay up-to-date on the latest research on the impact of building materials on human health. Furthermore, this course will provide a Professor with the tools and resources they need to teach their students about this important topic.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyer
An Environmental Lawyer can use this course to build a foundation about the impact that building materials can have on the health of communities. Furthermore, this course can assist an Environmental Lawyer in understanding the legal implications of toxic exposure, as well as the laws and regulations that are in place to protect human health from environmental hazards.
Researcher
Researcher
A Researcher can benefit from this course, as it will help them develop a foundation for conducting research on the impact of building materials on human health. This course will provide a Researcher with the tools and resources they need to design and conduct rigorous research studies.
Interior designer
Interior designer
An Interior Designer will benefit from this course as it will help them make more informed decisions about materials selection. Specifically, this course will help an Interior Designer develop strategies for reducing the health and environmental impacts of building materials across their entire life cycle.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst may benefit from this course, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of building materials on human health. This course can assist a Policy Analyst in understanding the different perspectives and interests of stakeholders in the building industry as well as the challenges and opportunities for promoting healthier building materials.
Industrial Hygienist
Industrial Hygienist
An Industrial Hygienist can benefit from this course as it provides an understanding of how toxic chemicals enter the human body, where exposure to these toxic chemicals is prominent, and what constitutes a toxic chemical. This course can help an Industrial Hygienist make healthier material choices and develop strategies to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/xhb2na/building
Reading list
We've selected six books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Building Materials and Human Health.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the health and safety considerations associated with building materials, including guidelines for their selection and use.
Provides a comprehensive guide to building for health, including principles for selecting and using materials that promote human well-being.
Provides practical guidance on selecting and applying green building materials, with a focus on their health and environmental impacts.
Offers a comprehensive guide to sustainable construction, including principles for selecting and using materials that minimize health and environmental impacts.
Provides a comprehensive overview of indoor air quality and its impact on human health. It valuable resource for health professionals who want to learn more about indoor air quality and its health effects.
Provides a comprehensive overview of green building materials. It covers a wide range of topics, including the environmental and health impacts of building materials, and how to choose and use green building materials.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/xhb2na/building
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Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
Parsons School of Design, The New School
Instructors
Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP
Catherine Murphy
Language
English
This course belongs to a
collection
called
Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building. It's comprised of four courses:
- Sustainable Building: Design and Specification
- Material Chemistry and Sustainable Building
- Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy
- Building Materials and Human Health (viewing)
Good to know
Provides background in toxic exposure and building material impact on health, society, and environment for future study in Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization
Suitable for learners interested in design, architecture, or related fields who seek knowledge in healthier materials
Suitable for individuals seeking foundational knowledge in healthier materials to integrate into their practices
Taught by seasoned instructors Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP and Catherine Murphy
Covers essential information on toxics, health concerns, as well as strategies for mitigating their impact within the construction industry
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