{"id":18338,"feature_order":5,"feature_code":null,"name":"Enhanced Air Quality","type":"O","intent":"

Encourage and recognize buildings with enhanced levels of indoor air quality that promote the health and well-being of people.<\/p>","intervention":"

This WELL feature requires projects to go beyond current guidelines to provide enhanced air quality levels that have been linked to improved human health and performance.1,2<\/sup> 
<\/p>","issue":"The quality of the air people breathe indoors directly impacts their health and well-being and constitutes one of the most important aspects of buildings that can support human health. Researchers have also identified a clear relationship between indoor air quality and human productivity in buildings.3<\/sup> An average of 10% of productivity loss could be attributable to health issues related to poor indoor air quality in office buildings.4<\/sup> There is also an emerging body of evidence that air pollution can disrupt physical and cognitive development in children.5<\/sup> Studies have also shown that air pollution contributes to the large global burden of respiratory and allergic diseases, as well as the premature deaths of adults and children.6<\/sup> The premature mortality rate could be reduced by up to 15%, if PM10<\/sub> is reduced from 70 to 20 \u00b5g\/m3<\/sup>.7<\/sup> As a result, enhanced air quality is positively correlated with improved health, cognitive and physical development, higher incomes and better economic performance.1,2<\/sup>    
","evidence":"

Indoor air quality can be properly managed primarily through source control strategies, passive and active building design and operation strategies and human behavior intervention. High levels of indoor air quality require both professionals and building users to collaborate in the implementation of adequate approaches.<\/p>","implementation":"","impact":"","max_points":4,"concept_id":1734,"slug":"enhanced-air-quality","gbd_exists":null,"review_summary":null,"citations":"

  1. Porta D, Narduzzi S, Badaloni C, et al. Air pollution and cognitive development at age 7 in a prospective Italian birth cohort. Epidemiology. 2016;27(2):228-236. doi:10.1097\/EDE.0000000000000405<\/li>
  2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Highlights from the Clean Air Act 40th Anniversary. https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/clean-air-act-overview\/highlights-clean-air-act-40th-anniversary.<\/li>
  3. Horr, A., Kaushik, A., Mazroei, A., Katafygiotou, A. & Elsarrag E. Occupant productivity and office indoor environment quality\u202f: a review of the literature Occupant Productivity and Office Indoor Environment Quality\u202f: A Review of the Literature. 2016. http:\/\/usir.salford.ac.uk\/39106\/3\/BAE-D-16-00533_final%2520manuscript%5B1%5D.pdf.<\/li>
  4. Dorgan, CE, Dorgan C. Assessment of link between productivity and indoor air quality. In: Creating the Productive Workplace. ; 2005. https:\/\/www.taylorfrancis.com\/books\/e\/9781134265978\/chapters\/10.4324%2F9780203696880-20.<\/li>
  5. Calder\u00f3n-Garcidue\u00f1as L, Torres-Jard\u00f3n R, Kulesza RJ, Park S Bin, D\u2019Angiulli A. Air pollution and detrimental effects on children\u2019s brain. The need for a multidisciplinary approach to the issue complexity and challenges. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8(AUG):1-7. doi:10.3389\/fnhum.2014.00613<\/li>
  6. Laumbach RJ, Kipen HM. Respiratory health effects of air pollution: Update on biomass smoke and traffic pollution. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012;129(1):3-11. doi:10.1016\/j.jaci.2011.11.021<\/li>
  7. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050: The Consequences of Inaction. Paris, France: OECD Publishing; 2012. https:\/\/www.naturvardsverket.se\/upload\/miljoarbete-i-samhallet\/internationellt-miljoarbete\/multilateralt\/oecd\/outolook-2050-oecd.pdf.<\/li>
  8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NAAQS Table. https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/criteria-air-pollutants\/naaqs-table.<\/li>
  9. World Health Organization. Air Quality Guidelines for Particulate Matter, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide. Geneva, Switzerland; 2005. http:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/bitstream\/handle\/10665\/69477\/WHO_SDE_PHE_OEH_06.02_eng.pdf;jsessionid=CD44465FAC0A1628540C4A2BDF0B51CD?sequence=1.<\/li>
  10. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Acute, 8-hour and Chronic Reference Exposure Level (REL) Summary. https:\/\/oehha.ca.gov\/air\/general-info\/oehha-acute-8-hour-and-chronic-reference-exposure-level-rel-summary. Published 2019.<\/li>
  11. World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality \u2013 Selected Pollutants. Geneva, Switzerland; 2010. http:\/\/www.euro.who.int\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0009\/128169\/e94535.pdf.<\/li><\/ol>","deleted_at":null,"equivalency_count":5,"faq_count":0,"resource_count":0,"feature_full_name":"A05 Enhanced Air Quality","feature_faq_name":"A05 Enhanced Air Quality-v2","max_core_points":4,"parts":[{"id":30677,"name":"Meet Enhanced Thresholds for Particulate Matter","part_number":1,"points":2,"possible_points":["1","2"],"core_points":2,"possible_core_points":["1","2"],"min_points":1,"rer_points":0,"wor_points":0,"parent_part_id":null,"feature_id":18338,"note":"

    Refer to the Performance Verification Guidebook for information on sensor\/testing requirements, required testing duration and compliance calculations.<\/p>","slug":"1-meet-enhanced-thresholds-for-particulate-matter-34","note_position_override":"bottom","new_core_shell":null,"existing_core_shell":null,"new_occupied":null,"existing_occupied":null,"education":null,"retail":null,"mfr":null,"others":null,"photographic_verification":0,"gbd_exists":0,"hospitality":null,"assisted_living":null,"cultural_institutions":null,"public_assembly":null,"deleted_at":null,"na_alternative":0,"na_alternative_text":null,"leed_well":0,"part_prefix":"A05.1","feature_name":"Enhanced Air Quality","parent":null,"sub_parts":[{"id":32964,"condition":"AND","part_id":30677,"deleted_at":null,"space_types_included":[{"id":1,"name":"All Spaces","name_plural":"all"}],"space_types_excluded":[],"options":[{"id":41846,"option_order":1,"name":null,"description":"

    The following requirement is met:<\/p>","description_alt":null,"space_property":null,"certification":null,"note":null,"sub_part_id":32964,"deleted_at":null,"note_position_override":"top","verification_note":null,"verification_condition":"AND","requirements":[{"id":120265,"option_id":41846,"requirement_order":1,"description":"

    Projects comply with the thresholds specified in the table below:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
    Tier<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\t\t\tParticulate Matter Thresholds<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\t\t\tPoints<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t
    1<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t

    PM2.5<\/sub>: 12 µg\/m³ or lower.8<\/sup><\/p>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t

    PM10: <\/sub>30 µg\/m³ or lower.9<\/sup><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t

    		1<\/td>\r\n\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t
    2<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t

    PM2.5:<\/sub> 10 µg\/m³ or lower.9<\/sup><\/p>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t

    PM10:<\/sub> 20 µg\/m³ or lower.9<\/sup><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t

    		2<\/td>\r\n\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0}],"verifications":[{"id":27,"name":"Performance Test OR Sensor Data","chinese_name":"\u6027\u80fd\u6d4b\u8bd5 \u6216 \u4f20\u611f\u5668\u6570\u636e","is_auditable":0,"scale_type":"Individual","note":null}],"pvgbs":[{"id":927,"option_id":41846,"name":"PM2.5 and PM10","reporting_compliance":"
    • Compliance is based on the median\r\nvalue collected during the measurement time at each sampling point compared\r\nagainst the requirement in WELL + a tolerance of 20%.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","device_requirements":"
      • Instrument type: light-scattering airborne\r\nparticle counter<\/o:p><\/li>
      • Measurement range: 1-1,000 \u03bcg\/m3<\/sup><\/o:p><\/li>
      • Instrument accuracy (at the size specified by\r\nthe manufacturer): \u2264 15%<\/o:p><\/li>
      • On-screen resolution: 1 \u03bcg\/m3<\/sup><\/o:p><\/li>
      • Lower detectable limit: 1 \u03bcg\/m3<\/sup><\/o:p><\/li>
      • Reporting interval: one minute maximum<\/o:p><\/li>
      • Calibration: instrument must be calibrated\r\nwithin the manufacturer\u2019s specification (maximum interval: one year), and the\r\ncalibration record (i.e., the measurement result obtained during calibration)\r\nmust be traceable in NIST.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","alternative_requirements":null,"alternative_quantity":null,"quantity_override":null,"quantity_core_override":null,"recertification_override":null,"locations_override":null,"quantity_note":null,"location_note":null,"test_method_note":"
        • Measurement method: real-time\r\ndirect reading instrument.<\/o:p><\/li>
        • Duration of measurement: minimum\r\nof one continuous hour (10 minutes of acclimation time followed by 50 minutes\r\nof measurement time), with measurements recorded at least once every minute.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","laboratory_requirement":null}]}]}],"on_sites":[],"annotated_documents":[],"letter_of_assurances":[],"part_guidances":[{"id":33089,"part_id":30677,"category":"WELL Core","sub_category":null,"rating_note":null,"alignment_note":null,"doc_guidance":"Meet these requirements in the whole building. Achievement requires access to at least 10% of leased space for testing as identified by the project.","points":null}],"methods":[]},{"id":30683,"name":"Meet Enhanced Thresholds for Organic Gases","part_number":2,"points":1,"possible_points":null,"core_points":1,"possible_core_points":null,"min_points":1,"rer_points":0,"wor_points":0,"parent_part_id":null,"feature_id":18338,"note":"

          Refer to the Performance Verification Guidebook for information on sensor\/testing requirements, required testing duration and compliance calculations.<\/p>","slug":"2-meet-enhanced-thresholds-for-organic-gases-33","note_position_override":"bottom","new_core_shell":null,"existing_core_shell":null,"new_occupied":null,"existing_occupied":null,"education":null,"retail":null,"mfr":null,"others":null,"photographic_verification":0,"gbd_exists":0,"hospitality":null,"assisted_living":null,"cultural_institutions":null,"public_assembly":null,"deleted_at":null,"na_alternative":0,"na_alternative_text":null,"leed_well":0,"part_prefix":"A05.2","feature_name":"Enhanced Air Quality","parent":null,"sub_parts":[{"id":32972,"condition":"AND","part_id":30683,"deleted_at":null,"space_types_included":[{"id":1,"name":"All Spaces","name_plural":"all"}],"space_types_excluded":[],"options":[{"id":41859,"option_order":1,"name":null,"description":"

          The following thresholds are met in occupiable spaces:<\/p>","description_alt":null,"space_property":null,"certification":null,"note":null,"sub_part_id":32972,"deleted_at":null,"note_position_override":"top","verification_note":null,"verification_condition":"AND","requirements":[{"id":120292,"option_id":41859,"requirement_order":1,"description":"

           <\/p>\r\n\r\n

          Acetaldehyde: 140 µg\/m³ or lower.10<\/sup><\/p>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0},{"id":120293,"option_id":41859,"requirement_order":2,"description":"

          One of the following:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

            \r\n\t
          1. Acrylonitrile: 5 µg\/m³ or lower.10<\/sup><\/li>\r\n\t
          2. Caprolactam: 2.2 µg\/m³ or lower.10<\/sup><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0},{"id":120294,"option_id":41859,"requirement_order":3,"description":"

            Benzene: 3 µg\/m³ or lower.10<\/sup><\/p>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0},{"id":120295,"option_id":41859,"requirement_order":4,"description":"

            Formaldehyde: 9 µg\/m³ or lower.10<\/sup><\/p>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0},{"id":120296,"option_id":41859,"requirement_order":5,"description":"

            Naphthalene: 9 µg\/m³ or lower.10<\/sup><\/p>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0},{"id":120297,"option_id":41859,"requirement_order":6,"description":"

            Toluene: 300 µg\/m³ or lower.10<\/sup><\/p>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0}],"verifications":[{"id":15,"name":"Performance Test","chinese_name":"\u6027\u80fd\u6d4b\u8bd5","is_auditable":0,"scale_type":"Individual","note":null}],"pvgbs":[{"id":930,"option_id":41859,"name":"Formaldehyde","reporting_compliance":"

            • Compliance is based on the measured\r\nconcentration at each location compared against the requirement in WELL +\r\ntolerance of 20%.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","device_requirements":"
              • Laboratory materials and\/or\r\nsamplers must be prepared according to the referenced testing methodology and\r\nmeet the referenced testing methodology requirements.<\/o:p><\/li>
              • Air sampling pumps utilized in\r\nactive collection measurements must be capable of meeting the airflow rates\r\nprescribed by the referenced testing methodology (if applicable).<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","alternative_requirements":null,"alternative_quantity":null,"quantity_override":null,"quantity_core_override":null,"recertification_override":null,"locations_override":null,"quantity_note":null,"location_note":null,"test_method_note":"
                • Samples are taken through an active\r\ncollection in accordance with ISO 16000-3, ASTM D5197, NIOSH 2016, EPA TO-11\r\n(or 11A) or EPA Compendium Method IP-6 (or 6A).<\/o:p><\/li>
                • Minimum of one continuous hour OR\r\nthe duration of sampling volume prescribed by the referenced testing\r\nmethodology.<\/o:p><\/li>
                • A minimum of one exposure field\r\nblank sample must be prepared and analyzed per day of sampling.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","laboratory_requirement":null},{"id":931,"option_id":41859,"name":"VOCs (except Formaldehyde)","reporting_compliance":"
                  • For tests for Features A01 or A05, compliance is based on the measured concentration at each location compared against each VOC\u2019s requirement in WELL + tolerance of 5%.  
                    <\/li>
                  • \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

                    For tests of WELL v1 Feature 01,\r\ncompliance is based on each location either meeting the conditions above or the\r\nmeasured TVOC concentration compared against the requirement in WELL.<\/p>

                    <\/o:p><\/p><\/li><\/ul>","device_requirements":"

                    • Laboratory materials and\/or\r\nsamplers must be prepared according to the referenced testing methodology and\r\nmeet the referenced testing methodology requirements.<\/o:p><\/li>
                    • Air sampling pumps utilized in\r\nactive collection measurements must be capable of meeting the airflow rates\r\nprescribed by the referenced testing methodology (if applicable).<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","alternative_requirements":null,"alternative_quantity":null,"quantity_override":null,"quantity_core_override":null,"recertification_override":null,"locations_override":null,"quantity_note":"
                      • Minimum of one continuous hour OR the duration of sampling volume prescribed by the referenced testing methodology.<\/li><\/ul>","location_note":null,"test_method_note":"
                        • Samples are taken through an active\r\ncollection in accordance with ISO 16000-6, ASTM D5197 or EPA TO-17.<\/o:p><\/li>
                        • A minimum of one exposure field\r\nblank sample per day of sampling must be prepared and analyzed.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","laboratory_requirement":null}]}]}],"on_sites":[],"annotated_documents":[],"letter_of_assurances":[],"part_guidances":[{"id":33095,"part_id":30683,"category":"WELL Core","sub_category":null,"rating_note":null,"alignment_note":null,"doc_guidance":"
                          Meet these requirements in the whole building. Achievement requires access to at least 10% of leased space for testing as identified by the project.  
                          <\/div>","points":null}],"methods":[]},{"id":30688,"name":"Meet Enhanced Thresholds for Inorganic Gases","part_number":3,"points":1,"possible_points":null,"core_points":1,"possible_core_points":null,"min_points":1,"rer_points":0,"wor_points":0,"parent_part_id":null,"feature_id":18338,"note":"

                          Refer to the Performance Verification Guidebook for information on sensor\/testing requirements, required testing duration and compliance calculations.<\/p>","slug":"3-meet-enhanced-thresholds-for-inorganic-gases-33","note_position_override":"bottom","new_core_shell":null,"existing_core_shell":null,"new_occupied":null,"existing_occupied":null,"education":null,"retail":null,"mfr":null,"others":null,"photographic_verification":0,"gbd_exists":0,"hospitality":null,"assisted_living":null,"cultural_institutions":null,"public_assembly":null,"deleted_at":null,"na_alternative":0,"na_alternative_text":null,"leed_well":0,"part_prefix":"A05.3","feature_name":"Enhanced Air Quality","parent":null,"sub_parts":[{"id":32979,"condition":"AND","part_id":30688,"deleted_at":null,"space_types_included":[{"id":1,"name":"All Spaces","name_plural":"all"}],"space_types_excluded":[],"options":[{"id":41870,"option_order":1,"name":null,"description":"

                          The following thresholds are met:<\/p>","description_alt":null,"space_property":null,"certification":null,"note":null,"sub_part_id":32979,"deleted_at":null,"note_position_override":"top","verification_note":null,"verification_condition":"AND","requirements":[{"id":120320,"option_id":41870,"requirement_order":1,"description":"

                          Carbon monoxide: 7 mg\/m³ [6 ppm] or lower.11<\/sup><\/p>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0},{"id":120321,"option_id":41870,"requirement_order":2,"description":"

                          Nitrogen dioxide: 40 µg\/m³ [21 ppb] or lower.11<\/sup><\/p>","description_alt":null,"deleted_at":null,"photographic_verification":0}],"verifications":[{"id":27,"name":"Performance Test OR Sensor Data","chinese_name":"\u6027\u80fd\u6d4b\u8bd5 \u6216 \u4f20\u611f\u5668\u6570\u636e","is_auditable":0,"scale_type":"Individual","note":null}],"pvgbs":[{"id":935,"option_id":41870,"name":"Carbon Monoxide","reporting_compliance":"

                          • Compliance is based on the median\r\nvalue collected during the measurement time at each sampling compared with the\r\nWELL requirements.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","device_requirements":"
                            • Real-time direct reading instrument.<\/o:p><\/li>
                            • Measurement range: 0-25 ppm<\/o:p><\/li>
                            • Instrument resolution: 0.1 ppm<\/o:p><\/li>
                            • On-screen resolution: 1 ppm<\/o:p><\/li>
                            • Lower detectable limit: 0.1 ppm<\/o:p><\/li>
                            • Calibration: instrument must be within the calibration\r\nperiod<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","alternative_requirements":null,"alternative_quantity":null,"quantity_override":null,"quantity_core_override":null,"recertification_override":null,"locations_override":null,"quantity_note":null,"location_note":null,"test_method_note":"
                              • Minimum of one continuous hour (10\r\nminutes of acclimation time followed by 50 minutes of measurement time), with\r\nmeasurements recorded at least once every minute.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","laboratory_requirement":null},{"id":936,"option_id":41870,"name":"Nitrogen Dioxide","reporting_compliance":"
                                • Compliance is based on the median\r\nvalue collected during the measurement time at each sampling point compared\r\nagainst the requirement in WELL + a tolerance of 20%.<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","device_requirements":"
                                  • Measurement range: 0-500 ppb<\/o:p><\/li>
                                  • Lower detectable limit: 5 ppb<\/o:p><\/li>
                                  • Calibration: instrument must be\r\nwithin the calibration period<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","alternative_requirements":null,"alternative_quantity":null,"quantity_override":null,"quantity_core_override":null,"recertification_override":null,"locations_override":null,"quantity_note":null,"location_note":null,"test_method_note":"
                                    • Duration: up to one hour<\/o:p><\/li><\/ul>","laboratory_requirement":null}]}]}],"on_sites":[],"annotated_documents":[],"letter_of_assurances":[],"part_guidances":[{"id":33102,"part_id":30688,"category":"WELL Core","sub_category":null,"rating_note":null,"alignment_note":null,"doc_guidance":"
                                      Meet these requirements in the whole building. Achievement requires access to at least 10% of leased space for testing as identified by the project.  
                                      <\/div>","points":null}],"methods":[]}],"ihmes":[],"sdgs":[{"id":3,"name":"3: Good Health and Well-being","max_points":0}]}