Category Archives: Health
09
May
May
Portable water purifiers are great for camping or hiking trips. They are also convenient for everyday life since they can purify tap water at home. The main purpose of these devices is to remove harmful contaminants from drinking water. There are several types of water purifiers out there, each designed for specific purposes. Water purification…
09
Jun
Jun
How much do we really know about the connection between EMFs and health concerns. Should we worry about our LED bulbs and EMFs?
20
Aug
Aug
Having been interested in tiny houses for a while now, I continue to be pleasantly surprised by new developments in the movement. One of the more recent developments in the many uses for tiny houses is making permanent housing the first, most crucial part of a comprehensive strategy to help counteract homelessness. Home ownership is…
03
Aug
Aug
New technology from Bangalore promises clean drinking water by drawing moisture from the air. Rain Tunnel Technology, invented by Dr Rajah Vijay Kumar, Chief Scientific Officer at the De Scalene Research Organization, will soon be available for both commercial and household use. Getting water from the atmosphere is not new. It has been around for more…
06
Apr
Apr
World renowned architect Tye Farrow says architecture and health are vital to all good designs. Building must promote the health of those who use them.
01
Apr
Apr
Using the right materials is one step in ensuring good indoor air quality and a healthy home. It also takes a range of building science-based strategies—from proper ventilation and moisture control to radon mitigation and conscientious construction practices–to make sure a home is healthy. Thanks to Brandon Weiss and Evolutionary Home Builders for sharing this list…
24
Mar
Mar
Spray foam insulation can help save up to 50% in energy costs, protect a building from moisture intrusion, and provide sound insulation. In addition, it provides two to three times more insulation that traditional fiberglass. However, according to Environmental Working Group, most common spray polyurethane foam insulation contains methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, or MDI, a synthetic chemical…
11
Mar
Mar
In a story that gained national attention last week, it was revealed that certain low-cost Chinese-made laminate flooring products sold by Lumber Liquidators contain a high volume of formaldehyde. CBS’ 60 Minutes did an investigation and found that the product “may fail to meet health and safety standards, because it contains high levels of formaldehyde, a…
06
Oct
Oct
This post is part of the Green Materials Report series. GBE is providing information on various building materials and what makes them green. Each post focuses on one material. We will be looking at the ingredients in the material, how it is used, what makes it green, and any green product certifications that it has earned. We…
24
Aug
Aug
This post is part of the Green Materials Report series. GBE is providing information on various building materials and what makes them green. Each post focuses on one material. We will be looking at the ingredients in the material, how it is used, what makes it green, and any green product certifications that it has earned. We…
20
Aug
Aug
This infographic from DirectBuy provides great DIY information for all of us who love cooking in an outdoor kitchen. Source: DirectBuy
19
Aug
Aug
Shipping containers can offer a multitude of uses. One of these uses is a shipping container clinic – a type of architecture that makes use of the containers as medical clinics that can be set up and shipped off to remote regions of the world. Shipping containers are strong, durable, relatively low cost and widely…
07
Apr
Apr
Those who have built retaining walls or raised garden beds over the past few years may have used pressure-treated 4 ‘ to 8″ wood immersed with CCA, or copper chromium arsenate. A growing number of people have charged that this product, containing inorganic arsenic, can be toxic to people, pets, and even food grown in…
13
Aug
Aug
Over the past few years we have a long list of companies, technologies, or products that are worth knowing about. Unfortunately, they sometimes get buried too deeply in our archives so we provide fresh information for readers.
Our current technology of interest is dry ice blasting, a method for removing mold and preventing potential health-related illnesses. Carl Bennett provided this post last February.
08
Feb
Feb
Rather than drive, think about walking more. A number of advocate groups celebrate a newfound urbanism developing throughout popular US cities. The following cities usher in a new-defined sense of urban living, enticing inhabitants to walk about more often.
26
Nov
Nov
In areas of oceans and lakes where aquatic life once thrived, scientists are now finding “dead zones” – low-oxygen areas choked with algal blooms. Most of the world eats fish a dietary staple. As dead zones grow larger, the demand for fish will increase and the supply available to those who need it most will…
12
Nov
Nov
Safety is a topic that can never be covered enough. For all of those people who have stood at the top of an extension ladder, on a roof’s edge, or participated in setting floor joists or roof rafters, there is nothing quite like being armed with the right equipment in case of an accident. This is true whether you’re 6 feet off the ground, or 100 feet. Guest writer Eric Blair provides GBE with me useful information concerning safety harnesses and rigging.
29
Oct
Oct
Taking on a do-it-yourself home renovation can be a rewarding challenge, but it may also present unseen dangers. This is especially true of older homes that were constructed with materials that are considered to be health hazards today. The level of danger will be variable depending on how old the home is, but the homeowner should take every possible precaution to avoid or limit exposure to dangerous chemicals.