How Do We Ensure Safety in Building Materials for a Healthier Environment?

This article covers how building materials can be toxic, their impact on human health and actionable steps designers and developers can take to create safer spaces for all.

Saudi Arabia | 28 November, 2024
Reading Time : 10 minutes

Climate change is intensifying the scale and severity of health risks linked to environmental factors, as it can worsen Indoor Air Quality. People spend more than 90% of their time indoors which is potentially increasing with the more frequent and longer heat waves and extreme weather events.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), climate change could result in an additional 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. Some of the key factors contributing to this increase are:

Air pollution - responsible for 7 million deaths annually worldwide; and
Chemical exposure - responsible for over 750,000 deaths annually (due to asbestos and lead exposure).

The construction industry significantly impacts our environment and well-being. However, a hidden threat lurks within building materials – toxicity. These materials can release harmful chemicals throughout their life cycle, from extraction to disposal, posing risks to human health and ecosystems.

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