Building Materials Health and Indoor Air Quality: Volume 2

In Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality: Volume 2 Tom Woolley uses new research to continue to advocate for limiting the use of hazardous materials in construction and raise awareness of the links between pollutants found in building materials, poor indoor air quality and health problems. Chapters in this volume reinforce previous arguments and present new ones covering:

• Further evidence of the health impacts of hazardous emissions from materials
• Hazardous materials to be avoided and why
• Fire and smoke toxicity - the Lakanal House and Grenfell Tower legacy
• Sub-standard retrofits leading to damp and mould in previously sound houses
• A critical review of recent reports from UK Government and others on air quality and health problems including policy changes on flame retardants
• Growing evidence of cancer risks and the failure of cancer research organisations to address these issues
• A critical review of recent climate change and zero carbon policies and a discussion on whether extreme energy efficiency is a good thing

This book asks some important and, for some, uncomfortable questions, but in doing so it brings to light important areas for research and provides much needed guidance for architects, engineers, construction professionals, students and researchers on hazardous materials and how to reduce their use and design and build healthier buildings for all occupants.

Professor Tom Woolley is an Architect with extensive practice experience in Scotland and London, specialising in the renovation of old buildings and working with community groups. Former Professor of Architecture at Queens University, Belfast. Editor of the award-winning Green Building Digest, and former Chairman of the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee and currently a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee. He is the author of numerous books including Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality, Routledge, 2016.