By Healthcare Facilities Today

A recent report from the Health Building Network on a study links building materials and asthma is helping push an already growing desire for a greater understanding of what building materials are made of, according to a blog on the Healthcare Design magazine website by senior editor Anne DiNardo.

 According to the Centers for Disease Control, the number of people diagnosed with asthma grew by 4.3 million from 2001 to 2009. Of the nearly 26 million people in the U.S. affected by chronic asthma, more than 8 million are children.

Of the key findings, HBN says it identified 20 top-priority asthmagens (chemicals known to cause the onset of asthma) in nine chemical groups that are used in building materials and have a high likelihood of occupant exposure, including acid anhydrides, styrene, formaldehyde, and ethanolamines.

“As asthma affects more people, it becomes increasingly clear that new strategies need to be considered, focusing on the prevention of asthma onset,” the report said.

Among those approaches, the authors suggest, should be increased efforts by building owners, architects, and designers to screen building product contents for asthmagens

"As awareness about the health impacts of the built environment continues to grow, designers, architects, owners, and the healthcare industry at large have the opportunity to ask more questions and demand more information from manufacturers and suppliers about the makeup of their products," DiNardo wrote.

Read the blog.