Archive of posts tagged formaldehyde
How to Choose Healthy Interior Paint
Many state air quality boards have set the VOC (volatile organic compound) content of indoor house paint and stain to be 50 grams/liter or lower as a minimum requirement. VOCs are carcinogenic, can cause headaches, dizziness and respiratory problems, and are linked to pollution and smog. Even after the new paint smell goes away, it […]
Health Tips for Interior House Painting
Spring is just around the corner. If you are thinking to paint the interior of your house, spring and fall are the best time to do it. Everyone is aware of the new paint smell, which is caused by the vapor as the paints/stains dries. The vapor may contain gases, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds), […]
Healthy Building Ingredients – (Not) A Piece of Cake
If people cared as much about their buildings as they did their dinner – organic, gluten-free, and vegan shoppers would be demanding better buildings! There are many similarities between building a house and baking a cake. There’s a basic recipe, ingredients are purchased and sifted through, there’s a rising process, add some pretty finishes – […]
Cabinets
Cabinets can be expensive to replace so it is important to pick the right ones. From the green remodel perpective, two areas deserve attention. The first is the source of the material which is typically some form of wood. Using material from sustainable source is highly desirable. For instance, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies […]
Moisture and Mold
Mold spores are present almost everywhere. Inside a house, mold spores are not a problem if the count is low. When the count becomes high, it may be a cause for respiratory problems such as asthma. Mold requires certain conditions to grow. First is the presence of organic materials that serve as food for mold […]
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals such as formaldehyde. They come into the household in different ways As binders or glues for engineered products such as particleboards As solvent and color pigment in paints, varnish and coating. Depending on the product, the VOC may take a short time to disappear or may take much longer […]
19 Plants That Can Clean Air In Your Home
A research program in the 1980’s by NASA to keep air fresh in space stations helped discover the role of house plants on indoor air quality. It is well known that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through the photosynthesis process. The research showed that many house plants which require low light, also absorb […]
Flooring
The floor covers the entire area of a house. It gets heavily used. Children play on floors. It is important to choose flooring materials that ensure a healthy environment and fit your living style. Here is a table comparing different types of green flooring materials. This forum provides you with resources about home renovation, improvement, […]