Energy upgrades for healthy public housing

摘要

Can energy and water efficiency investments improve the health of residents living in Boston's public housing? Recent work at the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) indicates that public health concerns are a major consideration for energy-related building upgrades in public housing. Current energy-related health and safety concerns in BHA's family developments include asthma, allergies, scalding, chronic headaches and colds, and poor thermal comfort. Poten- tial causes for these health concerns include apartment overheating, condensation on exterior walls and windows, water and steam leaks, gas stove emissions, exposed radiators, inadequate ventilation, and inad- equate insulation.