Funding is on the rise for programs that aim to improve efficiency in residential, particularly affordable housing. However, fully realizing the benefits created through these programs involves looking beyond efficiency to include better health outcomes and economic growth opportunities for residents and communities. Selecting building products that are free from hazardous chemicals that can adversely impact resident and worker health, as well as products that are manufactured in the U.S., are ways to capture these additional benefits. This webinar looks to provide a general understanding of hazardous chemicals in building products, their health impacts, and healthier alternatives, as well as an overview of where these products are manufactured and the tools available to identify them. How certain communities have been disproportionately impacted by a lack of investment in affordable housing and the role product selection plays in improving health and economic outcomes for these communities will also be discussed.

This session is part of GreenHome Institute DEI + Sustainability Series

Continuing Education Units (CEUS) 1 hour in

• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• American Institute of Architects – AIA (HSW) (PENDING)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP)
• AIBD
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable

Lessons Learned

• Review some of the most hazardous chemicals in building products and how they affect our health and environment.
• Understand how to identify less hazardous/healthier product options and the important role ingredient disclosures and third-party certifications have in that process.
• Learn about health disparities in the built environment how product choices can improve health and economic outcomes for people living in marginalized communities.
• Understand which building products are made in the U.S. and how to identify them.

Speakers

Dana Saylor is the National Program Manager for the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation. She brings 20 years in non-profit coalition building and issue advocacy experience to BGAF and has worked in a variety of capacities in the environmental, labor and manufacturing communities. Dana currently works as a part of BGAF’s Building Clean project team where she advocates for the use of healthier, U.S. made energy-efficient building products and works with building owners, contractors, architects and other housing stakeholders to specify these products for their projects. Prior to her current role, Dana was the Program Manager for BGAF’s Clean Economy Manufacturing Center (CEMC) where she worked with wind, solar, advanced transportation and other clean economy manufacturers to help build CEMC’s educational workshop and webinar content, which focused on educating potential suppliers about clean economy markets and supply chains. She helped deliver this content to a national audience made up of manufacturers, economic development professionals, elected leaders and others interested in learning more about the growing clean economy and the economic opportunities it can provide. Dana also spent three years working for the BlueGreen Alliance and Apollo Alliance in Michigan before the two organizations merged in 2011. During that time, she worked with the manufacturing community to support policies that could help grow Michigan’s overall clean energy economy and help make it easier for domestic suppliers to enter clean energy supply chains. Dana holds a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. A Michigan native, she grew up in a family manufacturing business that supplied parts for the auto industry and believes in the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing to lead in the clean economy.

Linnea Morgan serves as the Building Clean Program Associate and lives in Richmond, VA. Linnea works to advance the use of healthy and sustainable building products in housing, and contributes to Building Clean initiatives addressing housing inequities, green building, and contractor education. Prior to her role at BGAF, Linnea spent several years working as a carpenter while gaining hands-on experience in natural building, affordable housing, historic home remodeling, and youth education. What started as a passion to create beautiful spaces turned into a mission to make buildings healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable. Building science, innovative sustainable building materials, and the interdisciplinary nature of housing keeps her curious and excited about this work. She has a deep love for biophilic design and natural materials, and can’t wait to design and build her own healthy and sustainable home in the future.

Linnea received her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Virginia Tech and completed a Certificate of Building Science and Net Zero Design from Yestermorrow Design/Build School.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:

Session Sponsor