Healthy Homes, Outdoor Living and Technology Links

Gas Heat Contributes to Poor Indoor Air Quality and May Cause Environmental Illness~!

2010-12-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

A study on home dust samples showed "significant effects on PAH concentrations in house dust were found for gas heating, outdoor PAH concentrations, and residence age. Polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons can activate cellular responses that increase and lead to chronic inflammation and are implicated in environmental illnesses like chemical sensitivity, asthma and even arthritis. Because these chemicals can act on pathways that involves genetic expression, different populations may be more susceptible to the effects including Native American derivation and those from Canadian Aboriginal populations, older populations, infants with underdeveloped detoxification systems and those with chronic diseases. More research needs to be done to better understand how methods for climate control such as home heating may have a negative effect on health and to further explore how different gene polymorphisms may effect overall health in response to them. Other environmental factors such as the levels of metals that are also present in environmental air pollution may combine to augment inflammatory reactions in different people. Common sources of air pollution include transportation and industry.

For further reading: Greenhouse Gases and Environmental Illness

Whitehead, T. et al. Determinants of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in house dust. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology aop (2009). URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/jes.2to009.68.

10 Ways to Make Your Bedroom a Sanctuary

2010-11-23T16:15:00.000-08:00

"Make the bedroom cozy—not too big or too tall. If you need extra space for reading or exercise, add a bay, an alcove, or an adjacent area, rather than supersizing the room"

Read more: 10 Ways to Make Your Bedroom a Sanctuary:

Guaranteed Green: Top 10 Green Building Products for 2010

2010-11-19T14:52:00.000-08:00

Guaranteed Green: Top 10 Green Building Products for 2010

Formaldehyde and TVOC emission behavior of laminat... [J Hazard Mater. 2010] - PubMed result

2010-10-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

Formaldehyde and TVOC emission behavior of laminat... [J Hazard Mater. 2010] - PubMed result: "Formaldehyde and TVOC emission behavior of laminate flooring by structure of laminate flooring and heating condition."

Recycled homes bring green living to hundreds - Green House - USATODAY.com

2010-09-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Recycled homes bring green living to hundreds - Green House - USATODAY.com: "Lisa Covington grew up in government-subsidized housing, as did her mom and grandmom. But her 6Lisa Covington, 46, bought her first home in March in State Street Village.
CAPTIONBy Wendy Koch-year-old daughter won't. In March, Covington bought her first home"

House-sharing with microbes

2010-09-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

House-sharing with microbes

Drywall Flaws, and Limited Relief for Home Owners - NYTimes.com

2010-09-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

"Linda and Randall Hunter own their dream house in Plant City, Fla., with an oversize master bedroom, granite countertops in the kitchen and a screened-in pool."

Housing Intelligence - Housing is the Caboose

2010-09-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

Housing Intelligence - Housing is the Caboose: "With job figures fresh on our mind from last week’s employment situation release and today’s initial jobless claims report, our data feature of the week focuses on the relationship between jobs and new homes across the country, courtesy of Housing IntelligencePro."

Odor Control: Controlling Odors within Garages - HealthyHouseInstitute.com

2010-08-26T18:08:00.000-07:00

Odor Control: Controlling Odors within Garages - HealthyHouseInstitute.com: "Controlling Odors within Garages"

I am building a screen house with a metal roof -- do I need roof felting, and if so, is there a non-asphalt nontoxic alternative? - Green Home Guide

2010-08-25T04:10:00.000-07:00

I am building a screen house with a metal roof -- do I need roof felting, and if so, is there a non-asphalt nontoxic alternative? - Green Home Guide: "The roof will not need to be insulated. it seems to me I can screw the metal directly onto a simple wooden framework. I have chemical sensitivity and would like to build without asphalt, rubber or plastic in the roof, all of which heat up in the warm weather and cause outgassing. I'd prefer no felting if possible."

Housing interventions and control of health-relate... [J Public Health Manag Pract. 2010 Sep-Oct] - PubMed result

2010-08-25T00:03:00.000-07:00

Housing interventions and control of health-relate... [J Public Health Manag Pract. 2010 Sep-Oct] - PubMed result: "housing improvements are likely to help reduce radon-induced lung cancer, cardiovascular mortality related to secondhand smoke, and neurological effects from exposure to pesticides and lead paint. Investing in housing interventions may yield important savings from reduced disease and injury from avoidable exposures to chemical agents."

Water Filter: Water Filter Basics - HealthyHouseInstitute.com

2010-08-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

Water Filter: Water Filter Basics - HealthyHouseInstitute.com: "ater filters can be useful to improve water quality, but they must be chosen carefully. This is because there are different kinds of filters and they don’t all remove the same types of contaminants. Plus, some aren’t recommended with certain water supplies"

Scientists develop sustainable, environmentally friendly potting medium

2010-08-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

Scientists develop sustainable, environmentally friendly potting medium

Granholm Urges Community Service Through Habitat for Humanity

2010-08-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

Granholm Urges Community Service Through Habitat for Humanity

A new ‘green’ painting option | Moorestown Sun

2010-08-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

A new ‘green’ painting option Moorestown Sun: "Moorestown residents looking to paint their homes now have an environmentally responsible option. The Rainer Painting Company, owned by local resident Joe Rainer, offers organic paint options for indoor painting projects."

UL Certifies Green Claims : Green Building Elements#more-1652#more-1652#more-1652

2010-07-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

"In an attempt to combat the all-too-prevalent practice of “greenwashing” (making green claims about products that are not correct), Underwriters Laboratory offers third-party green product certification on their web site, www.ULenvironment.com."

Buyer’s Guide to Green Insulation

2010-06-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

Buyer’s Guide to Green Insulation

Choosing the Best Insulation Delivers Energy Savings

2010-06-30T16:40:00.001-07:00

Choosing the Best Insulation Delivers Energy Savings

I am looking for real-world performance information on the green countertop options. How well do these actually function in a kitchen?

2010-06-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

I am looking for real-world performance information on the green countertop options. How well do these actually function in a kitchen?

I need to replace insulation. I'm chemically sensitive and need product suggestions.

2010-06-30T16:39:00.001-07:00

I need to replace insulation. I'm chemically sensitive and need product suggestions.

Are olefin and polypropylene nontoxic safe fibers for people with chemical sensitivities?

2010-06-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Are olefin and polypropylene nontoxic safe fibers for people with chemical sensitivities?

Midlatitude Mildew: Indoor Mold Growth Is Influenced More by Location Than Building Type: Scientific American

2010-06-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

"In the first-ever global survey of indoor fungi scientists report that geography rather than building design and function has the greatest effect on the fungal species likely to be found indoors. The study suggests that the types of mold and other fungi most likely to be found in a dwelling may be largely unaffected by features like HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) filters and weather stripping."

Link:Midlatitude Mildew: Indoor Mold Growth Is Influenced More by Location Than Building Type: Scientific American:

Testing warns home buyer of formaldehyde and mold

2010-06-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

"Mold grows when water leaks into a home. So mold testing is a good way to find out if a home you are buying has water intrusion."

New report finds LEED buildings can be unhealthy

2010-06-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

"People assume that green buildings are safe homes. However, a report just released finds many deficiencies in the LEED program. The greatest failings are in the area of protecting the health of occupants."

Link: New report finds LEED buildings can be unhealthy:

New report finds LEED buildings can be unhealthy

2010-06-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

New report finds LEED buildings can be unhealthy