LEED Versus Human Health

US Green Building Council (USGBC) certifies buildings through their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards which are based on the idea that LEED-certification implies “sustainability.” Since there are no universally accepted definitions or measurements for sustainability as it relates to their inhabitants, how do we know if LEED certification produces a healthy building? These buildings are human habitats. It is important to establish criteria for sustainability based on empirical evidence and measures which are public health- related. Human health must be incorporated into these standards and measures to assure that the buildings are not only environmentally sustainable, but protective of public health. This presentation will look at various aspects of LEED certification in terms of the ten essential services; particularly as it pertains to the three core functions of public health and suggest a beginning point for measures and standards.