|
The approaching millennium is proving to be a great opportunity
for us to become more conscious of what we are doing to help clean
up our manmade toxins for the betterment of this earth, ourselves,
and each other. Overflowing landfills along with unacceptable toxicity
levels in the atmosphere and in our homes and workplaces are two
of the primary reasons we should all make efforts to specify or
buy recycled and toxin-free materials when we build or refurbish
our homes.
The Preventative Health Care Package
Building or renovating your home can be treated as a preventative
health care package for you and your family. Flu-like symptoms and
neurological symptoms including headaches, tremors, seizures, lethargy,
nausea, aching, sneezing, and exhaustion are quite often caused
by the air we breathe and surround ourselves with on a daily basis.
Toxic indoor air is a major cause of poor physical, mental, and
emotional health. The good news is that there really are solutions
to prevent toxic environs from being created in the first place
and to correct problems that already exist in your home.
Use the following check list for creating a preventative health
care package in your home or office:
• Electromagnetic Fields: measure all wiring with a tri-field meter
• Avoid termite treatment and other pest control or use chemical-free
or low toxic methods
• Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and dehumidification: use
mold and chemical free systems that are energy efficient
• Building materials including sheathing, roofing, siding, insulation
and foundations: use only toxin-free, low toxic and recycled content
materials
• Interior finishes such as flooring, paints, adhesives, sealers,
caulking, fabrics, furnishings and bedding: use only toxin-free
and low toxin material
• Water and air filtration systems: research systems suitable to
your specific water and air quality issues.
Electromagnetic Fields: the invisible pollutant
Given the fact that there is governmental controversy about the
link between electromagnetic fields and immune system deficiency,
we should all pay attention to this mysterious pollutant which affects
both our indoor and outdoor air quality. Basically, electromagnetic
fields exist on every electrical pole and potentially in every electrical
wire running into and out of a structure, if it is not wired correctly
to begin with. There are ways to wire a house or building so that
there is a zero reading on a tri-field meter (an instrument which
measures magnetic, electromagnetic and microwave fields), but most
electricians don’t find such a criteria to be important. When wiring
your house, you may choose to find an electrician who will make
the extra effort.
My first-hand experience with electromagnetic fields has confirmed
for me all of the research indicating that they affect human health.
I spent a year working in an interior design office in an older
building with new wiring. I experienced severe fatigue and chronic
infections in my body. In other words, the infections, even though
they were minor, would not go away. Once I removed myself from that
office permanently, within three months, the infections started
healing. I knew it was the electromagnetic fields because I had
tested everything else in the office, and EMFs seemed to be the
only thing that registered at unsafe levels. I have also worked
with other individuals who have had the same problems that I experienced.
In summary, electromagnetic fields are microwaves which slowly cook
your immune system; they are immune system suppressers. [See the
“Electromagnetic Fields” article on page 6 for more information
on this elusive toxin.]
Taking Control of Toxic Pest Control
Most pest control companies require a monthly contract on a yearly
basis. Shelter Ecology has worked with many individuals who have
used a monthly service in their home or building, not knowing the
consequences that the pest control poisons have on the health of
the body and the health of the building that is being sprayed. Many
of the chemicals used in pesticides today are made up of synthetic
estrogens, and one of their main components is horse urine. Breathing
these toxic substances into your body can alter your natural hormonal
balance, causing major side effects for you, your family, and your
pets. Side effects from chronic pesticide exposure can include immune
suppression, cancer, and arthritis, and those chemicals are designed
to last for extended periods in your walls, floors, and carpeting.
A middle aged woman was experiencing arthritis symptoms in her home
after having lived there for only six months. An air sample from
her home was tested and showed pesticides. We removed the carpet,
which had been sprayed on a monthly basis, and put a thick sheet
of plastic over her subfloor. Her symptoms went away. By law, pesticide
companies must let you out of your monthly contract if you tell
them you are experiencing physical reactions and you need to terminate
the contract. There are many alternative, safe solutions available
today for all kinds of pest problem, including termites.
VOC’s and Indoor Air Quality
One of the biggest selling points for manufacturers who are trying
to make products environmentally safe is to use the terminology
“low or no VOC’s.” Truth be known, zero VOC (volatile organic compound)
does not necessarily mean that a product is environmentally safe
for you. The government has been interested in regulating VOC’s
because some (not all) react with nitrous oxides and ultraviolet
rays (sun) to form low levels of ozone or smog. The main motivation
for reducing VOC’s is reduction in outdoor pollution levels. There
are still many chemicals being used in some zero VOC products for
building and interiors which are very toxic, including ethylene
glycol, propylene glycol, ammonia, acetone and crystalline silica
(a carcinogen). Thus, toxicity levels cannot be measured with terminology
set by the government; rather they should be set by people who live
with indoor air pollution and suffer because of it. We are the test
subjects, so we can influence the results. AFM (American Formulating
and Manufacturing) has a very comprehensive line of finishes which
are not only low to no VOC, but they also do not add all the other
toxins mentioned above (which are found in standard low-VOC paint
lines including Benjamen Moore (Pristine), Sherwin Williams (Health
Spec), and Glidden’s “low toxic” line.
Formaldehyde
This is the most common indoor air pollutant. It is found in almost
every standard building and interior material including OSB board,
particle board, fabrics, and carpet (surface treatments). Plywood
also contains formaldehyde, but its cheaper alternatives (OSB and
particle board) are much worse. There are alternative solutions
that either eliminate the formaldehyde from the product or seal
it from off-gassing into the environment. Formaldehyde is a very
common toxin and one of the most reactive for individuals with sensitivities
and allergies.
Carpet
From the standpoints of recyclability and toxicity, carpet is one
of the most challenging components in creating a healthy home or
office. To date, I know of one non-toxic carpet available. It is
not only biodegradable and recyclable, but it contains absolutely
no chemicals and is 100% natural. The other millions of carpet choices
offer either a synthetic or natural fiber which is tufted or woven
using a latex based glue, which is where most of the toxicity lies.
Nine times out of ten, the average carpet also has a surface treatment
applied, which is where the formaldehyde comes in. It is difficult
to find the softness that carpet provides in another floor covering,
but unless you choose to use Nature’s Carpet, the one non-toxic
carpet, you will be faced with some level of toxicity. If you use
any carpet in your home, mold can be a big issue for you unless
you have an efficient HVAC and dehumidification system.
Recycled Content, Low Toxic, and Toxin Free Materials
Building is one of the biggest industries in the world, so it makes
sense to start cleaning up here. Many manufacturers of building
and interior design products are cooperating in a worldwide, governmentally
motivated move towards 100% recyclable, closed loop products. Better
defined, this means the hundreds of materials we are using in the
creation of our buildings today can be reused again and again and
again. Once the life of each product is retired, it should be able
to be recycled into something else. This means that it will not
end up in the landfill.
Just because a building or interior design material is made from
recycled content does not mean it is necessarily toxin-free or even
low-toxic. Choosing to work with materials that encompass the combination
of recycled and low toxic or toxin free provides safe, healthy solutions
for individuals, families, and the earth.
Fortunately, many manufacturers, builders, and interior designers
have become enthusiastic about producing and using such materials,
which will help protect our earth and its inhabitants from further
damage. It is up to consumers to make the conscious choice to make
their homes healthier places for themselves and their families.
Cindy Meehan-Patton owns Shelter Ecology [(828)251-5888, Asheville,
North Carolina], a company that specializes in environmentally focused
consultation, education, interior design, and product sales for
interiors and buildings. Shelter Ecology Catalogs are available
in both paper form and online at www.ioa.com/~shelterecology.
|
