Changed WELL-AP Exam Questions

Environments with poor acoustics may lead to an increase in hypertension, which is high blood pressure. Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and can be caused or worsened by exposure to environmental noise. According to the World Health Organization, environmental noise is the second largest environmental cause of health problems in Western Europe, after air pollution1. Feature S01 aims to reduce the negative impacts of noise on health and well-being by requiring projects to conduct sound mapping and implement noise mitigation strategies.

References: = WELL v2 Feature S01: Sound Mapping and Mitigation, The impact of acoustics on health & wellbeing · PHPD Online

High levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) indoors typically indicate the presence of combustion sources. These gases are common byproducts of combustion processes, such as those from burning fuels in vehicles, stoves, lanterns, and furnaces, or when wood or gas is burned. Effective ventilation, maintenance of combustion appliances, and proper building envelope design are critical to preventing the accumulation of these gases in indoor environments, as outlined in WELL standards for maintaining optimal air quality.

For WELL Core Certification, which focuses on the base building elements of a project, a certain portion of the total building floor area must be designated for performance testing to ensure the building meets WELL's health and wellness criteria. The requirement of a minimum of 2,500 ft² (approximately 232 m²) for performance testing is established to ensure a representative sample of the building's overall environment and operational practices. This area must be readily accessible for testing and capable of demonstrating the building's compliance with WELL's standards. This requirement underscores the WELL Building Standard's commitment to evidence-based outcomes and verifiable performance, ensuring that the building's core and shell support the health and well-being of its future occupants.

Mercury exposure during pregnancy can cause a range of problems in developing babies, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, vision and hearing problems, and microcephaly (a condition in which the baby's head is smaller than expected).

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Mercury is a heavy metal that can be found in the environment in a number of forms, including elemental mercury (liquid mercury), inorganic mercury (e.g., mercury salts), and organic mercury (e.g., methylmercury).
• Pregnant women can be exposed to mercury through a number of ways, including eating contaminated fish, inhaling mercury vapor, or having skin contact with mercury.
• Methylmercury is the form of mercury that is most easily absorbed by the body and can cross the placenta to the developing baby.
• Even low levels of mercury exposure can be harmful to a developing baby's brain and nervous system.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to be aware of the risks of mercury exposure. You can reduce your risk of exposure by:

• Avoiding certain types of fish, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.
• Limiting your consumption of other types of fish to no more than 6 ounces per week.
• Having good ventilation in your home if you are using products that contain mercury, such as thermometers or fluorescent light bulbs.
• Avoiding skin contact with mercury.