If there were an “Acid Test” for a Green building, it would not be LED lights, building materials, or recycling waste. While this sounds nearly heretical, take a moment to understand that “Sustainability” (Blue) is distinctly different from “Health Condition” (Green). I make a basic color difference because these two concepts are complementary, but they are not the same.

“Blue” is the best color for sustainability as a primary color. We need to invest into sustainable processes and products. “Green” is not a primary color. You start with Blue and add Yellow to get Green. So the metaphor works nicely. Green is fundamentally and clearly about “Health”. Health for the world, the community, the building, and the people who live and work in the world, community, and buildings.

Green or Blue Buildings?

Here’s something to consider? If a building is built using sustainable material, LED lights, efficient air system, and good insulation … etc. Is there any lasting assurance that the building with be a healthy place to work? For example, builders recently learned that a building that was so well insulated that the structure “Could not Breathe” and caused mold and stagnant air.

Efficiencies for sustainability purposes may actually worsen a Healthy environment for workers. For example, certain lights may not produce the color that help workers function well. Paperless hand-drying units may be so loud that they harm hearing. Some sustainable floor finishes may not be durable, causing floor stripping and finishing more often. And, floor stripping is always a health concern.

The Acid Test for a Green Building

If you want to develop a Green building, look at the Indoor Air Quality. Do not skip over the important foundations of sustainable products and practices. Energy reduction, waste recycling, and non-toxic building materials are a great starting points; but they are not how the building maintains a healthy status for employees who spend decades in the same building.

To validate a Green building, the MAINTENANCE becomes the major influence. Testing the Indoor Air Quality is like a thermometer to determine a sick and toxic building … or a healthy building.

Other than performing annual testing of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), we know that the maintenance of the building will reduce or worsen the IAQ. It’s pretty simple because we know that a healthy diet promotes health in humans, so maintaining a building with Green (Healthy) products promotes long-term Green & Healthy buildings.

The Green & Healthy Building Partnership (GHBP) is not about building materials, lighting, or sustainable carpet and furniture. The focus is on the maintenance program which falls primarily on the janitorial or building maintenance service. Whether a new or existing building, there is a pathway to a Green, or Greener, status by following some well-established rules.