EPA Green Building Publications

Provides information and lessons learned from the development of EPA’s green campus in Research Triangle Park,North Carolina. Topics include building and site design, construction features, and operations.

Available here: www.epa.gov/rtp/campus/environmental/our_green_campus.pdf

Buildings have an enormous impact on the environment.Consuming hundreds of tons of building materials,drawing billions of watts of electricity and burning countless barrels of fuel during each their lifetimes,every home,school,hospital, factory,lab or office that we build will gobble up natural resources and effect pollution for many decades.So when the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency started planning the largest facility in its history,environmental impacts were key considerations.The Agency faced a haunting question–how could EPA build more than one million square feet of labs and offices on a wooded,132-acre site without making sustainability a key consideration?

Available at: www.epa.gov/rtp/campus/environmental/thegreeningcurve-new.pdf

This tool was created for office-based organizations ("offices") located in the United States to assist offices in making decisions to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their activities. This tool will allow the user to develop an estimate of their GHG emissions from a variety of sources including company-owned vehicle transportation; purchased electricity; waste disposal; and leased assets, franchises, and outsourced activities. It is not intended to address manufacturing operations or service-oriented businesses that use significant quantities of chemicals (e.g., cleaning services).

Available at: http://www.epa.gov/solidwaste/partnerships/wastewise/carboncalc.htm

Explains why indoor air quality should matter to homeowners and how the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package can help consumers identify homes with improved indoor air quality.

Available at:  http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/bldrs_lenders_raters/downloads/IAPConsm508.pdf

There are so many things to consider when having a new home built - so many choices to make. How many bedrooms should you have? Is the kitchen large enough? Do you need a basement?

You may even be concerned about environmental issues, such as the fumes from new building materials and furnishings. But are you concerned about radon? You should be.

Available at: www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/builder.html

Understanding and controlling some of the common pollutants found in homes, schools, and offices may help improve your indoor air and reduce your family’s risk of health concerns related to indoor air quality (IAQ). Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed in the soil. It can  enter indoors through cracks and openings in floors and walls that are in contact with the ground. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals found in paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, varnishes and waxes, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment, moth repellents, air resheners, and dry-cleaned clothing.



Available at:  www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/careforyourair.pdf

Lists common asthma triggers found in the home and provides steps to remove them.

Available at:  www.epa.gov/asthma/pdfs/asthma_eng.trifold.pdf

Describes how contractors play an important role in protecting public health by reducing exposure to lead dust during construction. Topics include tips for what to do inside and outside a home and federal regulations for minimizing public exposure to lead.

Available at: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/contractor_brochure.pdf

Provides information on ways to keep children safe from lead exposure and possible lead poisoning, including sources of lead and what to do when a child becomes ill.

Available at:  www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/chance.pdf

Outlines many sources of lead people can encounter, the hazardous effects it can have on human health, and ways to check a home for lead to prevent exposure.

Available at:   www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadpdfe.pdf