About Healthy building network
Healthy Building Network: Transforming the Market for Sustainable Building Materials
Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a non-profit organization that aims to transform the market for building materials by promoting sustainable and healthy products. The organization was founded in 2000 by Bill Walsh, an environmental activist who saw the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the health and environmental impacts of building materials.
The mission of HBN is to advance the best environmental, health, and social outcomes in the built environment by empowering people to make informed choices about their building materials. The organization achieves this through research, education, and advocacy.
Research
HBN conducts extensive research on building materials to identify potential hazards and promote safer alternatives. The organization's flagship program is called Pharos Project, which provides a comprehensive database of over 100,000 chemicals used in building products. This database allows architects, designers, builders, and consumers to make informed decisions about which products are safe for use in their projects.
In addition to Pharos Project, HBN also conducts research on specific topics such as flame retardants in furniture or lead paint in older buildings. This research helps inform policy decisions at all levels of government and promotes safer practices within the industry.
Education
HBN provides educational resources for professionals working in the built environment as well as consumers looking to make healthier choices when renovating or constructing their homes. The organization offers webinars, workshops, conferences, and online courses on topics such as green chemistry principles or sustainable design practices.
HBN also publishes reports and guides that provide practical advice on how to select healthier building materials. For example, their report "Healthy Environments: A Compilation of Substances Linked To Asthma" identifies common chemicals found in many household products that can trigger asthma symptoms.
Advocacy
Finally,HBN advocates for policies that promote healthier buildings at all levels of government.Having identified potential hazards associated with certain chemicals used commonly within construction industry,HNB has been able advocate against them.Their advocacy efforts have led several states including California,Maryland,and Maine,to pass laws restricting certain toxic substances from being used within construction industry.This has helped create demand among manufacturers who are now producing safer alternatives thereby promoting healthy living environments across America.
Conclusion
In conclusion,HNB has played an important role transforming market towards more sustainable future.Their work has helped raise awareness about potential hazards associated with some commonly used chemicals within construction industry.They have provided valuable information through extensive research conducted under Pharos project.They have educated professionals working within built environment through various workshops ,webinars etc.Finally they have advocated against harmful substances leading several states passing laws restricting use of these substances.This has created demand among manufacturers who are now producing safer alternatives thereby promoting healthy living environments across America.HNB continues its work towards creating more sustainable future where everyone can live safely without worrying about harmful effects caused by toxic substances present around us .
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