The Green Impact Report Quick take: How can we leverage research in toxicology and chemical safety to protect people as our buildings face hotter climates and evolving chemical risks?
Dr. Christa Wright from UL Research Institute’s Chemical Insights shares how predictive science, empathy in research, and bio-based solutions are shaping the future of healthier indoor environments.
Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion
Dr. Christa Wright is the Senior Research Director of the Center for Toxicology and Human Health at the Chemical Insights Research Institute, part of UL Research Institutes.
A trained environmental toxicologist and strategist, she leads a team to study how chemicals in products and materials affect people — and how data and partnerships can create safer, healthier spaces.
Breaking Ground on Better Building
In this episode, Dr. Wright transforms how we think about healthy spaces — connecting human health, materials, and predictive modeling for a new era of safety science.
Key Insight #1: Heat Affects Chemical Emissions Indoors
The Challenge: Building materials were not designed with today’s rising temperatures in mind.
The Solution: Research from Chemical Insights shows even a 2°F temperature rise can release higher levels of formaldehyde from certain building materials like paints, flooring, and drywall — prompting a call for research on the potential health impacts of these chemical emissions.
ROI: Healthier air, longer material lifespan, and proactive protection from climate-related indoor pollution..
Key Insight #2: Partnerships are key to leveraging our research to make an impact.
The Challenge: To make a real difference, research needs to be translated to action.
The Solution: Chemical Insights works with partners to ensure our research is translated to meaningful action. For example, we partner with GBES to deliver educational resources, and our researchers are currently working with a nonprofit in New York to explore how hydroponic systems may improve indoor air quality in classrooms.
ROI: Research can be better translated into action to promote sustainability and wellness.
Key Insight #3: Forecasting the Next Risk
The Challenge: Most safety research is reactive — waiting for harm before changing standards.
The Solution: Wright’s team uses predictive modeling, AI, and machine learning to forecast future chemical and environmental risks.
ROI: Risks can be forecasted before they cause harm.
Sustainable Soundbite
Your Green Building Action Plan
Transform your next project with these steps:
This Week: Learn about how your materials may perform under rising temperatures by reviewing Chemical Insights’ research in this area Identify potential sources of indoor pollutants.
This Quarter: Incorporate biophilic or plant-based filtration strategies into your next renovation or classroom design.
This Year: Build partnerships that integrate research-based findings into sustainability planning and certification.
Connect & Learn More
🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast
💚 Join the Green Building Movement
📄 Read the transcript: HERE
🔗 Connect with Dr. Christa Wright:
Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI)
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