June Newsletter (2 topics)
1) Cell phones
2) The difference between Green and Healthy
Recycled products use up waste, which is good news for the environment. It keeps them out of the landfill sites, or from being burned as waste, but depending on the application it may not be the best for our health. Consumer should ask what the source of the recycled product is, and be aware that because a product is Green, it may not always be Healthy.
Green may be a trend,
but products that truly promote good health,
will outlast any trend.
Likewise, products that use less energy are good news for the environment, but some products are not healthy for humans! Examples are: Recycled gypsum in drywall can contain sulphur and other chemicals and may be radioactive, Recycled rubber flooring off-gassing hazardous materials, recycled foam (furniture or mattresses) unless they are of natural foam or natural latex (i.e. plant based) then they off-gassing formaldehyde, recycled concrete and steel can be radioactive, recycled clothing and furniture and bedding may contain dust mites, bed bugs, and/or lead paint, recycled glass may contain lead, replacement windows are most commonly vinyl windows which off gas and are usually installed with toxic caulking.
May 2010 Newsletter (2 topics)
1. Nanotechnology - is there a risk?
We encounter nanotechnology in our sporting goods (synthetic clothes that have antibacterial and anti-odour properties usually contain nano-silver), antibacterial flush mechanisms, some plastic and metal coatings (creates film that is very thin and pliable -useful in aeronautics, electronics, and even solar panels). Of course there are obviously good applications such as in medical applications (using nanoparticles to attack cancer cells, etc.). On the other hand there are a lot of unknowns.
The scientists agree that because nanoparticles are so small (less than 1 micron) they can act on a body differently than larger particles of the same element or compound. Before approval for use new nanoproducts must pass separate testing requirements than products using larger particles.
A new study just published in Particle and Fibre Toxicology shows that in antibacterial clothing, the silver nanoparticles were released from the fibres and into the sweat. If the silver stayed in the fibres and prevented bacterial growth, and odours that would be good, but if the particles move into the sweat on our bodies then this may illustrate a mechanism for risk to human health.
Another reason to choose natural fibres over synthetic, and get used to our own natural body odours.
Look to nature for solutions!
2.Outside our home - airspaceIt is important to support initiatives to improve outdoor air quality as well. In the Oakville Citizens for Clean Air is working to prevent a new power plant from being built too close to schools and homes.
April 2010 Newsletter (3 topics)
1. Planting a tree in the spring
A tree will save your energy bills, and create a space more linked to nature, as well improving air quality (converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, removing toxins, stabilizing humidity levels). Trees can provide you with food, tea, medicine, and dyes.
2. Materials
Spray foams?
Many clients have asked me about Spray foams so here is my opinion. Although they are all made from a 2 part foam (some closed cell, some open cell) made of Icenyne, they do have real benefits of being able to insulate and more importantly properly air seal (it is the continuous vapour retarder). The possibility of off-gassing into living spaces is very low, because the foam has been tested for over 20 years (no-one wants to use a product like urea formaldehyde foam that was used to insulate a few decades ago), the foam is used behind a finished surface, and, some spray foams are reported to have zero VOCs (from their MSDSs), after 24 hours of curing.
But, all all spray-foams are not equal, nor are the installations.The biological content of the bio-foam (often soy) is very little and should be less of an environmental consideration than the propellant. Study the MSDSs and ensure the installer is reputable. See item #4 of Environmental Health Consulting Newsletter of December 2009 for more... Formaldehyde exposures are more likely to be from carpet under-padding, glue (in chip-board, MSF board, particle board, plywood, etc.), or furniture which contains foam (sofas, couches, stuffed chairs, beds), perfumes, deodorizers, and air fresheners...
Rubber and latex?
It is synthetic latex and synthetic rubber that are of health concerns, because they are petroleum products and can off gas hazardous chemicals including formaldehyde. Natural latex and natural rubber are from a tree.
Foam mattresses?
Memory foam can be made from either synthetic or natural foam (or latex). These mattresses are reported to be good for our backs because they allow for the natural curves of our spine. High density foam on the other hand is difficult to compress making it superior for cushioning (seat padding, shoes, etc.) All foams have their place by their application. For example, memory foam has been used in hospitals for quite some time. Even mattresses made from synthetic foam (as natural latex mattresses are quite expensive) may still be a reasonable option in some settings. For example in a hospital setting there are other issues to consider such as: ease of cleaning (which will dictate how long the mattress will last), whether the mattress will be coated with a cover for cleaning (often PVC which would seal in the off gassing from the mattress, but the PVC off gasses!), other risks to health for the individual patient (hospital beds with electric motors as they have higher electric fields, infection control risks, compromised health if the patient is not sleeping, electric fields from the electronic monitoring equipment, risk of bed sores etc.).
3. Healthy Building intensive 5-day seminar; Indoor climate (air, water, contaminants, bioaerosols, chemicals, cleaners...)
This seminar includes methods on identification, detection and mitigation of toxic materials that are present in our indoor air, water and building materials. Allergies, immune system suppression, fatigue, chronic and autoimmune diseases are triggered, or made worse, by such substances. The seminar includes lectures, labs for instrumentation usage, demonstrations and interactive discussions. This is 1 of the 3 seminars leading towards the Building Biologist and Ecologist Certification (BBEC) of the Institute of Building Biology and Ecology. Taught by Mike Weston and Anne Stewart. The course is also recognized for 40 hours credit of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for IBE, AIA, ACAC (AmIAQ), InterNACHI.
Feb 2010 Newsletter (3 topics)
1. Soap, Drugs, Rock and Roll
2. Cell phones and your health
3. How healthy is your gym?
Healthy spaces include adequate fresh air, the use of non-toxic cleaning products, and not using harmful materials and equipment and furnishings. Synthetic products including exercise mats and equipment often out-gas harmful chemicals. I'd be happy to assess the situation in your fitness space, and work with the club owners, to make the space more healthy.
December 2009 Newsletter (5 topics)
1.Simple livingHere's a family living a more simple life (and in the Christmas spirit)!
Reduce your dependence on the car - find local services, walk when possible, and as as this example illustrates use other modes of transportation!
2. Learning about building failures: figuring stuff out
The Building Science seminar that I attended December 17th 2009 was a great reminder about the water vapour that is carried in our warm moist indoor air, and the havoc it creates when it enters walls spaces. In our heated northern spaces it causes ice damming (see below), degradation of structural members, and possible mould growth. This seminar was presented by Joe Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., of Building Science Corporation. Dr. Lstiburek showed use many case studies and techniques to figure it out!
3. Ice damming
This photo shows the problem in the winter 2008/2009 - see how the ice is thick at the edge of the roof? This means meaning that warm moist air travelled to the roof and then condensed, and then froze once it reached the edge of the roof where is it cooler. Are you ready for this winter? Have you air sealed?
4. Foam air sealing products
During 2009 I researched various products (as many clients had asked for advice and recommendations). Walltite Eco is pictured here in an attic before it is covered with drywall. Walltite Eco off-gasses the lowest amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) of the available 2 part resin products on the market. These resin compounds (Iceneyne) create a closed-cell or open-cell hard foamy substance which creates an air seal (to prevent water vapour being transported into structural membranes) and has good insulative properties.
5. Stucco and other water-trapping materials
Here’s an interesting example of a before and after case of a Victorian wooden clapboard house which had been covered with stucco in the 1990's (Lincoln City, Los Angeles).
October 2009 Newsletter (3 topics):
1. Open your windows
- even when it is cold outside,
- especially at night (our bodies are recharging),
- when it's sunny outside to air out your place (the UV rays are sanitizing!),
- especially if your house is well-sealed,
- especially if your furnace does not have an exterior supply of fresh air.
Let nature in.
Only in highly polluted areas, or on smog days, for persons with weakened respiratory systems should you keep your windows closed.
Photo: Window in Tuscany, 2007 (photo by AS)
2. Green Cleaning Parties:
You can host or attend a party. Gather a few of your friends or neighbours (up to 12 people works well), and find a location (you own home is great!, but you can use a community centre or some other place). The aim is to replace all your cleaning `products` with non-toxic alternatives. You will never have to buy a manufactured product again. A great way to really get the discussions about healthy living going.
Use natural solutions to clean.
Alternatively, you can host a party yourself. See Women`s Voices for the Earth at www.womanenvironment.org.I suggest this organization as they have been doing wonderful research, and have super information on there web-site, and great advocacy. The best Canadian resources for chemical exposures are: Environmental Defence, www.environmentaldefence.ca, and Toxic Nation, www.toxicnation.ca
3. Plan this winter to put in a tree next year
It's worth it! Calculate the costs of air-conditioning (annual bills multiplied by years you plan to be in the home) versus the cost of a suitable tree.
Benefits: - Re-sale values will be improved,
- reduce air-conditioner use!!!
- cleaner air,
- lower electric fields, and
- more stabilized humidity levels!
Use natural solutions!
Photo: single family home using nature (large shade trees) for cooling, 2007, Florida (photo by AS)
Fall (Sept) 2009 Newsletter:
Things I urge all of you to look into (5 items):
-there is no financial affiliation- simply, I think these are good ideas...
1) Solar cooking! Yes, use the free power of the sun. See this great website to get inspired and figure out how you will cook with the sun. Practise this fall during the mid-day and you will be ready for next spring!!!! See:
http://solarovenchef.blogspot.com/ 2) 2) Remove moisture...
Photo: Mould on Walls, Home Assessment, 2009 (AS)
Basements were not designed to be lived in. Most basements are too moist, and when we occupy them, the moisture is increased and a good environment for mould and dust mites.
3) Cell phone and wireless, WiFi, cordless phone usage. See the just released study by the Environmental Working Group at:
http://www.ewg.org/. Look up your phone and your exposure. European communities and some small countries (Liechtenstein, for example) have put much higher restrictions on electric field exposure than we have in Canada. In France there is even a "Zone Blanch" or "White Zone" - a special place people can go to where they won't be exposed. A great book, on the same topic, titled
Radiation Rescue available at:
http://www.radiationrescue.org/
4) Chemical exposure.... Women's Voices for the Earth, a wonderful lobby and educational group based in the USA, distribute Green Cleaning Party kits. See:
http://www.womenandenvironment.org/. Or, you can
ask me to organize a green cleaning party for you and your friends (and ask me all the health questions you ever wanted to know...)! Read
Not just a Pretty Face, exposing the beauty care and personal care industries. See:
http://notjustaprettyface.org/
5) Water usage...
Photo at The Farm, Tennessee, April 2009 (AS)
Reduce your water consumption, while washing your hands! More about the sink see:
www.sinkpositive.com
Allan Haskell with the dual flush mechanism, August ‘09, (AS)
There is no need to buy a new toilet to reduce water - upgrade your old one to reduce water consumption, by installing a dual flush conversion kit. See:
www.enviromeasures.com. Environmeasures also sells a faucet aerator which really works, and it is designed so it doesn't put stress on your faucet connections.
Spring 2009 Newsletter (2 items):
1) A little follow-up about Magnesium Oxide (MgO)
MgO from
http://greeneboard.com/ is made in China, and distributed by a Florida company, so the
embodied energy is high and should be seriously considered. It is distributed through Owl Distribution in Toronto area; others include Dragonboard, and Magna Board. The best resource for MgO is
George Swanson, a Building Biologist devoted to healthier construction; see:
http://www.geoswan.com/html/mgo2424.html.The benefit is that MgO boards provide an alternative to Structural Insulated panels (SIP's), and the concern over the off-gassing of the foam insulative materials, and of the particle board members.
2) Formaldehyde and construction materials
"...most conventional plywood, OSB and MDF are bonded with formaldehyde adhesives that off-gas and negatively affect indoor air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency has
classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen. Long term inhalation of the vapours can cause fatigue, respiratory illness, and allergic skin reactions...The two most widely used
formaldehyde adhesives are urea formaldehyde (UF), and phenol formaldehyde (PF). Most softwood plywoods used for outdoor and structural applications, like sheathing and floors, are bonded with the more expensive resistant PF, which off-gasses at a much slower rate than UF. This means the vapours will persist longer, but at much lower concentrations, so most people consider them safer. Ironically enough, the hardwood plywoods most often used inside the home for cabinetry and panelling are bonded with UF, considered the more harmful of the two.
To avoid this harmful off-gassing altogether, request "formaldehyde free" manufactured wood products. If that is unavailable in your area, look for an "exterior glue" stamp on regular plywood. This indicates PF is the adhesive. If UF-bonded sheet goods can't be avoided, sealing with a low-toxicity sealant will keep the harmful vapours from seeping into your home."
