The built environment has a direct impact on our health and well-being. We spend more than 90% of our time in our workplaces and homes, and we know that factors such as indoor air quality can affect our health.
According to GBCe and ISGlobal, more than half of the air a person breathes in their lifetime is inhaled within their home (10,000 liters per day). According to indoor air quality analyses, a lot of construction materials emit pollutants such as VOCs, formaldehyde, and CO2.
In the last decade, scientific studies on environmental health have shown a direct link between interior building materials and impacts on the impacts on the well-being of its occupants.
Commonly, construction materials contain chemicals that are harmful to health. These toxic substances have the potencial to cause diseases and negative impact on natural systems.
It is imperative for the construction sector to establish comprehensive health and safety regulations, especially for those that remain in our interiors.
Ensuring Compliance for Health and Safety Global Standards
In Europe, the European Green Deal and the EU Strategy for Chemical Sustainability aims to better protect human health and support an environment free of toxic substances.
Also, the UN has identified chemical usage as a particular global concern, affecting both human health and environmental wellbeing.
Their strategy introduces a new principle, which is to prevent the use of products with these harmful chemical substances from the design phase, rather than regulating them once they are on the market.
Circular construction company Construcía used HONEXT® for suspended clouds and ceilings to improve the acoustics at their offices in Sant Cugat. Look this video.
Ensuring Health through Certifications for Building Materials
Third-party certifications help us determine if a building is healthy or the characteristics of a material or product.
When assessing safety and health within our interiors, the WELL certification sets standards to measure, certify, and monitor those features that impact human health and well-being, and it is internationally recognized.
The materials and products used to create our interiors can also be certified as safe. Such is the case with HONEXT, which holds the Material Health Gold certification, the highest indicator that indicates products with a lower impact on health and the planet.
Achieving Cradle to Cradle Material Health certification at the GOLD level, the latest version 4.0, demonstrates that it is possible to create fully circular materials, made from waste, and exceed environmental safety and health standards.
Honext boards have multiple applications, they are perfect for temporary constructions, such a museums, exhibitions and fairs, acoustic panels or interior cladding and most importantly, they are a responsible and safe choice for those architects or construction companies who want to be part of the change and comply with circular economy standards, thus contributing. to a healthier and more sustainable future.
