Written by Linda Kincaid, MPH, CIH
Published on December 16th, 2009
Being green means saving energy. However, being green also means staying healthy. A study released today indicates those two goals may be at odds with each other in new homes.
Today the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a study of indoor air quality in new homes. The report found that new homes have too little ventilation and too much formaldehyde.
Ventilation in the majority of homes did not meet code.
The median 24‐hour outdoor air exchange rate was 0.26 air changes per hour; 67 percent of the homes were below the California building code requirement of 0.35 air changes per hour…
Inadequate ventilation causes formaldehyde to concentrate inside homes. All homes in the study had unsafe levels of formaldehyde.
Nearly all homes had formaldehyde concentrations that exceeded guidelines for cancer and chronic irritation, while 59 percent exceeded guidelines for acute irritation.
Formaldehyde causes asthma, bronchitis, sinus infections, and headaches. Formaldehyde is also a carcinogen, and it has been linked to leukemia.
Testing is the only way to know the formaldehyde concentration in a home. Test badges cost as little at $40 each, including laboratory analysis. An industrial hygienist can locate materials that emit formaldehyde.
Written by Jessop Petroski
Published on April 2nd, 2009
As responsible citizens of Earth, we are obligated to nurture and sustain this planet. Eco-living in green, healthy homes is taking precedence these days over traditional building materials.
With a growing amount of education and technology in Eco-sustainable resources, many countries are leading the way towards a paradigm of green building and construction. In the world of home remodeling and landscaping, there are many things that should be taken into consideration.
There are many green, Eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually. The implementation of Eco-construction, energy efficient solutions and energy reduction solutions has continued to play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world.
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Written by Linda Kincaid, MPH, CIH
Published on March 29th, 2009
We recently tested several new homes for formaldehyde in the air. The newest home, advertised as a “green” home, had 300 ppb of formaldehyde. Children in homes with only 30 ppb can have decreased lung function. Between 60 ppb and 120 ppb, children are more likely to have asthma and chronic bronchitis. At 100 ppb, most adults experience eye, nose, and throat irritation.
Of homes that were less than 2 years old, every home we tested had at least 100 ppb of formaldehyde. The newer homes had 200 – 300 ppb.
The 300 ppb concentration we found in the newest home is equal to the 15-minute Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) for occupational exposures. A worker in that home should wear a respirator to remain inside the building for more than 15 minutes. An employer that exposes workers to 300 ppb of formaldehyde should have a Hazard Communication Program to inform workers about chemical hazards and ways to avoid illness.
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Written by Joel Bittle
Published on March 25th, 2009
As if Florida’s housing market hasn’t had enough bad news lately, it now seems that some homes built with imported Chinese drywall have experienced problems ranging from rotten egg odor to appliance failure, and in some cases health problems. The culprit, according to homeowners involved in class action lawsuits in Florida, Louisiana, and Alabama, is high levels of sulfur within the drywall. The corrosive gas has destroyed copper wiring, causing air conditioners and other appliances to fail. Some homeowners claim the drywall has caused health problems, including headaches, sore throats, insomnia, and swollen joints.
During the boom years of 2005 and 2006, when frenzied new home construction combined with post-hurricane reconstruction, home builders found some material, including drywall, in short supply, and looked to cheap imports to fill the need. The gypsum used in the drywall, plaintiffs claim, originated in a Chinese mine with toxic levels of sulfur, though the companies that sell the drywall deny this claim. It is estimated that the number of homes with Chinese dry wall could be as high as 50,000, with Florida accounting for as many as 30,000. Time Magazine asks “Is Drywall the Next Chinese Import Scandal?” Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Linda Kincaid, MPH, CIH
Published on March 23rd, 2009
Spring weather entices us outdoors, and our thoughts turn to delectable fruits that will soon be ripe. Many of the spring fruits that we see in grocery stores are shipped from Central or South America, definitely not a green option! Those same spring fruits grow well in many home gardens. Homegrown fruits are healthier, tastier, and they have a fraction of the carbon footprint.
Bing cherries were once grown throughout the Santa Clara Valley. However, the valley has warmed, and only lower chill cherry varieties now produce fruit in the same locations. Lapins and Stella cherries require less chill, and they rival Bing in flavor. Royal Rainier is a lower chill yellow cherry that is as scrumptious as Royal Ann.
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Written by Linda Kincaid, MPH, CIH
Published on March 22nd, 2009
Edible landscaping is the best way to eat locally. We save the fossil fuels used to transport produce thousands of miles from farmers’ fields to the grocer. When grown organically, produce requires far less energy than conventional agriculture. We also save the chemical inputs needed to maintain a lawn.
Imagine harvesting fresh fruit and vegetables just steps from your door. Harvested at the peak of ripeness, homegrown produce is more flavorful and nutritious. Many of the best fruits are too delicate for transport and storage. They are only available to home gardeners.
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Written by Joel Bittle
Published on March 9th, 2009
One of my favorite web comics is xkcd’s “Duty Calls,” where the stick figure can’t tear himself away from the computer because “Someone is WRONG on the internet.” Unfortunately, too often discussions on environmental topics devolve into “You’re wrong” – “No, you’re wrong” and we lose sight of what we are trying to accomplish, namely, moving towards a healthier, sustainable, more energy efficient lifestyle. If you’re the kind of person who has to be right all the time, you’re not going to convince anyone else of anything – you’ll just be arguing minute points like there’s a debate coach keeping score, and at the end someone’s going to hand you a little trophy. In this type of debate, the goal is to get the other side to see the advantages of going green, even if it’s in a small way. Keeping the conversation going is more important than proving the other side wrong. Here are a few strategies to achieve that goal.
Avoid “Green” – The term is overused and since it means different things to different people, many are confused by it. To me, “Green” means healthy, sustainable, and energy efficient. To someone else, it might conjure images of hippies in communes. Companies use “Green” to sell products that have no business being near that word. So if you’re trying to convince someone to conserve energy and water, use “energy conservation” or tie it into “energy independence.” If you are arguing health aspects, use “chemical free,” “carcinogen free,” “hypoallergenic,” or just plain “healthy.” Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Dawn Killough
Published on March 5th, 2009
According to an article on the Healthy Building Network, science is coming very close to making a direct link between vinyl chloride and cancer. Unfortunately, the knowledge comes at the expense of many lives.
In McCollum Lake Village, Illinois, 14 residents out of the population of 1,000 have brain cancer. This is the largest non-occupational brain cancer cluster ever identified. Because the community is isolated, the common factor that seems to be causing the cancer is a vinyl food wrap factory near the town. It is believed that vinyl chloride found its way from the plant to the wells where the residents get their water.
I won’t bore you with all the legal details, because of course there is a lawsuit. The real news from this article doesn’t have anything to do with the lawsuit. It has to do with what has been learned about the relationship between vinyl chloride and cancer.
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Written by Linda Kincaid, MPH, CIH
Published on March 1st, 2009
I recently had the opportunity to compare a walkable urban city with my own Silicon Valley suburb. I have read about the environmental benefits of the “New Urbanism“. On a recent visit to Washington, D.C., I observed the health benefits of an urban lifestyle. I was surprised that residents of Washington, D.C. appeared more trim and physically fit than my health-conscious California neighbors.
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Written by Jessop Petroski
Published on February 25th, 2009
The Three Culprits of Indoor Air Pollution
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside your home can be as much as five times more polluted than outdoor air!
Ever wonder why you sneeze so much in certain homes? The reason is the air. A lot of families suffer from respiratory problems, allergies, and other health problems due to the qualify of their indoor air at home. Organisms such as dust mites and mold are the main culprits. Other pollutants include natural gases such as radon, which is radioactive, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas which is formed as natural deposits of uranium throughout the earth’s crust decay.
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