Tag Archives: healthy home

Green Home, Home Improvements

Seven Principles of a Healthy Home

The National Center for Healthy Housing NCHH is an organization dedicated to establishing healthy, energy efficient and safe homes for families of all income levels. The NCHH also provides educational programs, tools, and resources to help home owners to create and maintain healthy homes. Their website helps you identify and fix the health hazards in your home that could make you and your family sick.healthy home

A study conducted by the group examined 248 older homes in NY and Boston that underwent energy conservation improvements such as installing new insulation, new heat and air systems and improving ventilation. They wanted to see if installing newer systems would have a positive impact on the health of the occupants. After six months, the results showed that after the improvements were made subjects reported reduced sinusitis and other allergies by 20 %, hyper-tension by 14% and obesity by 11%.

The NCHH suggest the following seven principles for maintaining a healthy home. They are:

Dryness: Damp houses provide a nurturing environment for mites, roaches, rodents and molds, all of which are associated with asthma.

Clean: Clean homes help reduce pest infestations and exposure to contaminants.

Pest-Free: Recent studies show a causal relationship between exposure to mice and cockroaches and asthma episodes in children; yet inappropriate treatment for pest infestations can exacerbate health problems, since pesticide residues in homes pose risks for neurological damage and cancer.

Safe: The majority of injuries among children occur in the home. Falls are the most frequent cause of residential injuries to children, followed by injuries from objects in the home, burns, and poisonings.

Contaminant-Free: Chemical exposures include lead, radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and environmental tobacco smoke. Exposures to asbestos particles, radon gas, carbon monoxide, and second-hand tobacco smoke are far higher indoors than outside.

Ventilated: Studies show that increasing the fresh air supply in a home improves respiratory health.

Maintained: Poorly-maintained homes are at risk for moisture and pest problems. Deteriorated lead-based paint in older housing is the primary cause of lead poisoning.

The NCHH conducts key research on aspects of childhood lead poisoning, lead hazard control, reducing exposure to allergens and other residential hazards.  Results from these studies have been used to shape federal and state regulations relating to safer construction and residential housing.

If you or members of your family are suffering from allergies and you live in an older home, check out the website for tips on how to make your house a safe place for adults and children to play. Visit   Healthy Home today!

 

Sources: http://nchh.org

 

 

 

Green Home

What is a Green Product?

What makes a product Green?

Products may be considered green for more than one reason. Products can be made with salvaged, recycled or even agricultural waste content. Often they are products that conserve natural resources. These could be products that reduce materials use such as certified wood products or products that have durability or low maintenance.
A good green product avoids the use of materials that contain toxic fumes emissions by using natural or minimally processed products.  Alternatives to ozone-depleting substances and hazardous products are always preferable when choosing construction or other materials for your home.

Products that save water or energy

Products a that conserve water such as low flow but high pressure shower fixtures on the inside of the home and installation of dry wells or rain gardens to reduce storm water pollution in the yard.

Finding and using  renewable energy and fuel cell equipment components are considered green because they reduce heating and cooling loads.

Products that contribute to a safe, healthy environment.

These are  products that do not release significant pollutants into the building, block the introduction, development or spread of indoor contaminants and remove indoor pollutants. Products that improve light quality, control noise and enhance community well -being such as products that warn occupants or health hazards in the building are also considered to be “green.”

The website www.buildinggreen.com publishes Environmental Building News and Green Specs Directory that lists product descriptions for over 2100 environmentally preferable products.