GREENGUARD offering new continuing education courses

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, Atlanta, announced the addition of two new fully-accredited Continuing Education Courses to its Continuing Education Program. “Clearing the Air on Sustainability: Why Good Indoor Air Quality Matters” explores the fundamentals of sustainability and how sustainable design can achieve societal, economic, and environmental goals. The course examines the relationship between sustainable design and improved health, lower energy consumption, increased productivity, and decreased building maintenance costs while emphasizing good indoor air quality (IAQ). The course also addresses second and third-party certifications, green building premiums, and long-term cost benefits. “Making the Grade: Healthy Schools Nurturing Healthy Kids” is an intermediate level educational program that will help designers and building maintenance teams create and maintain K-12 schools with good indoor environmental quality. Participants will learn the health risks and sources of indoor air pollution in K-12 facilities, discover strategies for creating healthier educational environments, and explore the financial benefits associated with improved indoor air quality. The course will also identify helpful resources that aid in the design and maintenance of such educational facilities. “Both of these new courses demonstrate GREENGUARD’s commitment to protecting public health and improving indoor air quality,” says Henning Bloech, executive director of GEI. “The more we can educate the movers and shakers of the architecture, design, and building industries about indoor air quality, the healthier and more comfortable our built spaces will be—and that’s a triumph for us all.” Both Continuing Education Units are accredited by the American Institute of Architects, the Green Building Certification Institute, and the Interior Design Continuing Education Council for one hour of continuing education credit each. Accreditation by the GBCI enables LEED Accredited Professionals and LEED Green Associates to attend the courses as a way to fulfill their Credential Maintenance Program requirements. The courses are also designated as Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) and Sustainable Design (SD) by the AIA. Additional accredited courses available through GEI include “Healthy Indoor Air Quality by Design,” “Indoor Air Quality and Healing Environments,” and “Design to Prevent the Damaging Effects of Mold.” Organizations interested in scheduling a CEU Program may send an e-mail to: education@greenguard.org. For more information and a complete listing of certified products, visit www.greenguard.org.