Presented by: Healthy Building Network, Oregon Center for Environmental Health, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Health Care Without Harm 

September 24, 2007 in Portland, OR                         
September 25, 2007 in Seattle, WA 

Goal:  Participants learned how hospitals, health systems, and architecture firms are working together to reduce the use of toxic materials in hospitals, promoting green building and healthier environments.

Issue:  Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) can create or are themselves hazardous substances commonly found in the materials that coat the floors, walls, and ceilings of health care facilities. These materials have a multitude of impacts on the healing environment of the patient, the working environment of the doctor, nurse, and other staff, and the health of the surrounding communities and the environment. They also create a toxic burden through their manufacture, disposal, and maintenance.

Presentations as PDF Documents:

Healthy Building: Interior Flooring and Finishes
Julie Silas, Healthy Building Network

Health and Environmental Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Heavy Metals, Dioxin, Phthalates & Halogenated Flame Retardants (HFRs)
Richard Grady, MD, Interim Chief, Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle; Associated Professor, Urology, University of WA

What Hospitals Can Do: Alternatives for Interior Flooring & Finishes 
Julie Silas, Healthy Building Network

Building Green Hospitals: Healthy Alternatives for Interior Flooring and Finishes Jean Hansen, IIDA, LEED AP, CID, AAHID, Sustainable Interiors Manager, HDR Architecture

Panel:  Interior Flooring & Finishes Experiences in Regional Hospitals

Using Partnerships to Further Sustainability Goals
Kim A. Weller, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, National Facilities Services, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.

Green Flooring Decisions
Tom Badrick, Legacy Health Systems

The Seattle Children’s Hospital Story
Sue Heffernan, Children’s Hospital, Seattle

Designing Healing Environments
Johanna Brickman, Zimmer, Gunsul, Frasca Architects, LLP                                                                          

Sitemap | Contact Us | Privacy Policy