Shyam Kannan, the author of the study, is vice president and director of research & development at RCLCO. "When you change the argument from one of saving a few bucks on monthly electric bills to one of limiting exposure to carcinogens, there' a market that extends beyond financial issues," says Kannan.
THE STATISTICS:
Here are some eye-opening statistics to support the importance of building a healthy home:
• According to the EPA, indoor air pollution is America's most serious environmental health problem. The agency says that indoor air quality is three to five times worse than outdoor air quality.
• The America College of Allergists reports that half of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by poor indoor air.
• The American Lung Association says that an estimated 34.1 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetime by a health professional. In 2006, over 6.8 million children under age 18 had asthma making it the leading chronic illness of children in the United States. Both asthma and allergies are exacerbated by poor indoor air quality.
According to these statistics, it is probable that your new home buyer, or a member of his or her immediate family, will be dealing with health issues that can be mitigated by improved indoor air quality.
THE EFFECT OF A HEALTHY, GREEN HOME:
To give you a real-world example of the difference a healthy home can make, the June 2008 issue of Builder Magazine included a short article about a 15-year-old girl named Brooke Madden. Brooke's severe allergies to pollen sent the Madden family on weekly trips to the emergency room and caused Brooke to miss countless days of school. Steroid-based breathing treatments kept her from gasping for air, but the medication bloated her body.
While investigating ways to help their daughter, the Maddens learned about the EarthCraft House program (a green building and certification program out of Atlanta, Georgia). They sold their home and moved into an EarthCraft-certified home in Cumming, Georgia.
The Maddens' lives have changed dramatically for the better since moving into their new green home. Brooke no longer needs the breathing treatments, reports Mrs. Madden, nor has she had to visit the emergency room. She hasn't missed school because of her breathing. She hasn't seen an asthma doctor at all. It's a huge, 180-degree change because she was so sick. We love our house, obviously." Mrs. Madden says.
FEATURES OF A HEALTHY, GREEN HOME: Selecting products and features that contribute to indoor air quality (IAQ) is one part of creating a green-certified home. There are several components in this area from which to choose. The builder and/or homeowner can select line items from the certification checklist that make the most sense for the project at hand. For example:
• Using low- or no-VOC paints. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals released into the air as gasses.
• Using certified formaldehyde-reduced or -free plywood and/or pressboard in cabinetry, MICA tops, and adjustable closet systems. Formaldehyde is a VOC that has been classified as a human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Using healthy insulation, such as spray foam with air or water as a blowing agent, or using formaldehyde-free fiberglass products. Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and Johns Manville all offer formaldehyde-reduced or -free fiberglass insulation products.
• Using low-VOC caulks, sealants, and adhesives throughout the house. A typical home contains 185 gallons of adhesives, either as pure adhesives or as port of other products, according to estimates from the European Union. To give you an example of the difference in toxicity levels, traditional flooring adhesives can contain hundreds of g/L (grams per liter) of VOCs, whereas comparable low-VOC products can be under 10 g/L.
• Selecting low-VOC carpeting (All carpet from Shaw ® or Mohawk ® meets this criteria.) If adhesives are used in the installation of the carpet pad, be sure they also are low-VOC. Better yet, when possible, avoid carpet altogether. Some laboratories, estimate there are over 200 VOCs released by new carpets (not to mention the dirt and dander it accumulates in spite of frequent vacuuming).
• Using low-VOC stains and finishes for on-site finished materials.
• Having duct installers cover the duct system boots during the installation process. This step prevents homeowners from having to breathe construction dust that would otherwise accumulate in the system. It also stops spray-on ceiling textures and paint from adhering to the inside of the boots.
• Installing a range hood that exhausts to the outside.
• Installing upgraded filtration products and systems.
• Installing a central vacuum system. Research at the University of California, Davis, showed that a Beam® central vacuum removed allergens and reduced allergy symptoms by 47 percent for nasal, 48 percent for non-nasal, 61 percent for eye, and 44 percent for sleep. The EPA has acknowledged this product as an indoor-air-quality enhancer.
• Reducing the opportunity for fumes to enter the home from an attached garage by sealing the sill plate to the foundation and the top plate to the ceiling on common walls; making sure there is a tight seal around the entry door to the home from the garage; including a self-closing hinge on that door; and placing a carbon monoxide detector near the entry door just inside the conditioned space.
• Merchandising your green model or spec homes with low-VOC case furnishings and natural fiber throw rugs. The regular pressboard used in some case goods will off-gas formaldehyde, and furniture manufactured with polyvinyl chloride-coated upholstery also releases VOCs.
