Image above, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne by Bates Smart with Billiard Leece Partnership is used in the report as an example of a healthy building. Photo by John Gollings.

The Thrive Research Hub at The University of Melbourne has released a report about the need to develop building design and construction practices, and interior materials that promote healthier commercial spaces. In particular, the report Towards Buildings that Thrive, focuses on indoor air quality and how with improvements to this factor, health and living standards can be improved.

Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are often emitted from building materials, can lead to significant health issues for building occupants.

A key finding from the report was targeted at children, elderly and the sick – these groups of people are the most vulnerable and at risk if exposed to poor indoor air quality due to their growing bodies and lowered immune systems. However, indoor air quality thresholds for these sectors are the same as commercial offices and warehouses.

In a response to these findings, Tarkett has released a new range, a purpose-designed flooring product that improves indoor air quality and living standards across healthcare, aged care and education sectors. iQ ONE has earned gold level certification by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Tarkett’s iQ ONE flooring range is non-PVC and phthalate-free, has low VOC emissions and is fully recyclable.

“Unhealthy indoor air quality is one of the biggest threats to Australian’s health and wellbeing in the built environment but is often completely taken for granted. So it is more important now than ever that manufactures take-up strategies that promote healthy indoor environments,” said Ralph Jorissen, Managing Director of Tarkett Australasia.

iqone.com.au