Investments in the indoor environment lead to lower health care costs
People who live in homes with a poor indoor environment have demonstrably higher health care costs and rates of absenteeism than people who live in houses with a healthy indoor environment. So investing in sustainable improvements to the indoor environment pays off, according to research conducted by scientists at Maastricht University. It is clear that the more hours people spend in a house with a bad indoor environment, the more often they fall sick and the longer they remain sick.
The research at Maastricht University, where sustainability is one of the policy priorities, is the first to substantiate the financial consequences of an unhealthy indoor environment. It also shows that these consequences are greatest for older women, who proportionally spend the most time indoors. The choice to use environmentally friendly heating systems, cleaning products, building materials and so forth affects the air in the home. Deferred maintenance and poor insulation and ventilation can cause moisture and mould, which contribute to poor air quality. This can result in residents experiencing health issues such as headaches, sleep problems, skin complaints and respiratory issues.
Conference on Green and Healthy Homes
The effect of the indoor environment on homes will be one of the central themes of the ‘Conference on Green and Healthy Homes: Exploring Finance, Investments, and Outcomes’ in Maastricht on Friday, 21 October. During the conference, experts from the business world and scientists will discuss various issues related to financing sustainable real estate and the relationship between sustainable buildings and health. Speakers will include Andrea Chegut from MIT, Peter Göbel from ING Real Estate Finance, Rogier Holtermans from the University of Southern California, Teun de Jong from the European Investment Bank, Luca Bertalot from the European Mortgage Federation and Chris Pyke from GRESB.
For more information and registration, go to: http://www.mysbe.nl/2016/09/conference-on-green-and-healthy-homes-exploring-finance-investments-and-outcomes/
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