| Years ago, houses were built from natural | | | | Even though certain carpet manufacturers assert |
| materials like limestone and wood. The homes of | | | | that their products are environmentally safe , it is |
| today are a far cry in many ways. Take the | | | | in the installation process that the chemicals may |
| construction materials we use. Many, in fact most, | | | | still be introduced. . |
| of them simply ooze chemicals that can cause | | | | And no matter how environmentally friendly a |
| serious health problems. | | | | carpet may be initially, it ultimately becomes a |
| You find them in the resins that hold the | | | | warm and cozy home for molds, pollens, dust |
| sheathing in your walls together, the floors, and | | | | mites, and animal dander, so if you can avoid wall |
| the roof. | | | | to wall carpeting it is best to do without it. |
| They are there in the bath room and kitchen | | | | Chemical based cleaners also contribute to the |
| cabinets, the paneling and built in bookcases which | | | | problem so always look out for the |
| have all been created with he help of resins, glues, | | | | environmentally friendly ones. |
| and formaldehyde. | | | | Wood or laminate floorings provide preferable |
| Every room in the house bears traces of glues, | | | | alternatives to carpets. |
| stains, paints, and sealants. | | | | Vinyl flooring sheets contain polyvinyl chloride and |
| So, when you are looking out for a new home | | | | other chemicals that are quite detrimental to the |
| and you naturally want to avoid this as far as | | | | quality of your indoor air. |
| possible your best bet would be to approach a | | | | Ceramic tiles are perhaps the best choice for |
| green builder. But even if you dont, you can still | | | | flooring. They are easy to clean and do not off |
| find out what steps your builder has taken to | | | | gas. |
| reduce the negative effects of the construction | | | | And, finally, a word about furnishing. Furniture, |
| materials used. | | | | drapes and other furnishings do off gas to a |
| If you find that high chemical materials were use | | | | certain extent, particularly those with veneer/cloth |
| in the construction, the only thing you can do is | | | | on the outside and particleboard on the outside. |
| increase the ventilation and allow the material to | | | | The formaldehyde in the cloth and the particle |
| off-gas. This will normally take from about a few | | | | board, the wood finishing agents and the glues can |
| months to a year to happen. | | | | trigger a host of health problems. |
| Besides the materials used for new construction, | | | | You can offset these threats with green |
| carpeting, flooring and flooring finishes may also | | | | alternatives such as those with the GreenGuard |
| contain a whole lot of chemicals. | | | | label. |
| Carpets, with their paddings and adhesives, emit | | | | Second hand furniture is cheap, has already been |
| volatile organic compounds which may seem | | | | off gassed and is waiting to be recycled. So |
| negligible at first consideration but can add up in | | | | consider it. |
| the final count. | | | | |