The power of nature is greater than any other power. We acknowledge the harm it can do, but we sometimes overlook the good
Over the years, in an effort to improve the housing market by lowering construction costs, building products have become more and more synthetic; unnatural. We’ve become desensitized to the fact. It’s normal to see vinyl siding, and faux stone, even though most of these materials have a low fire rating, and a low R value. Few are eco-friendly. The average home being built today is somewhat energy efficient, conserving power with the use of high grade insulation, but how do these homes affect our health?
Most of us think nothing of our surroundings, and assume we are safe. We leave it up to government organizations put in place just for these purposes. Our food is supposedly protected by the Food and Drug administration. Environmental Protection Agency, and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry are also here to help. A few non profits that supposedly keep us safer, are Earth Justice, Environmental Working Group, Toxic Free Future and Safer States. Still, with all of these organizations working tirelessly for us, we face dangers and health risk everywhere, every day, with cancer at an all time high
Don’t panic. Instead, do your best to keep your world chemical free, and then relax and enjoy life. The medical experts say, worrying causes stress, and stress causes more illness than any of the chemicals we fight in our every day life, but still, it’s important to do everything we can to lessen the threat. Does that mean we should give up our wifi? We used to enjoy internet via cable, but we’ve become a spoiled people, and demand an instant signal wherever we go, and this means filling the air with waves, or non-ionizing radiation, much like a radio frequency of electromagnetic fields. These fields lack the energy to break chemical bonds or damage DNA directly, or so we’re told. We’re also warned not to hold our cell phones up to our heads due to the risk of cancerous tumors. Confusing isn’t it.
Harmful to humans, and harmful to the environment
The list of health risks goes on. For example, the use of LED lighting is not only encouraged by the industry, as they save a great deal of energy. It’s difficult to find incandescent light bulbs these days. Others say LED lighting poses health risks through blue light emission, and harsh glare. Some say they create an invisible flicker that may trigger headaches and cause eye strain, or even disrupt sleep. LEDs can trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, which suppresses the production of melatonin, disrupting the circadian rhythm, which greatly impacts our health.
Experts claim the electric wiring in our walls emits a low frequency (ELF) non-ionizing radiation, an invisible electromagnetic field, or EMFs, posing a health risk. Placing the wiring in PVC channels greatly reduce these emissions, however, most builders won’t go to this added expense without the home owners insistence, and few home owners are aware of the risk
What price do we put on our health?
The fact is, the standard homes being built today are toxic to live in; from floor to ceiling, the interior products used are laced with chemicals that slowly leach poison into the air we breath. Carpet fibers like nylon and polyester, backing adhesives, and synthetic latex binders not only emit gases, but transfer on to the skin of our pets and children. Isn’t it interesting that we stopped adding lead to paint, because it was bad for us. We stopped using asbestos after learning it caused cancer, however many of the products we use today cause the same serious healthy issues.
Are we in denial?
Spray foam insulation releases vapors containing methylene, diphenyl and disocyanate (MDI) during installation, which can trigger asthma or lung irritation. They safe it’s safe after it dries, but where do these fumes end up? Where do they land? Modern fiberglass is non-toxic and often formaldehyde-free. It is safe in your walls, but handling raw batts can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation if you do not wear protective gear. When commonly placed in open attics that are also used for storage, we’re putting our health at risk every time we enter that space. Made from recycled paper products and treated with fire retardants, cellulose is safe inside closed cavities. However, it readily absorbs moisture, leading to mold.
Have we accepted poor health as a fact of life?
Is it possible to build an organic home in this day and age? Yes, however, the cost per square foot is quite a bit higher. It starts by demanding authentic materials; real wood, real brick and stone outside, and real wood, tile or stone flooring inside. Homes designed and built that function with minimal impact on the environment cost more to build, but some new home owners are willing to make the compromise. The same home that is organic, and safe to live in, typically employs methods of collecting rain water and energy as well. Low flow fixtures are utilized. Eco-friendly materials are non toxic, recycled, or locally sourced, or recycled products. There are many things we can do to save our health, and at the same time, save the environment.
Throughout history, man has used moving wind and water to generate power, although, these methods are somewhat uncommon in generating power for homes today. They are mainly used in commercial applications. Solar however, has become adaptable for industry, small commercial and even residential.
A well designed home is placed on the site precisely, utilizing solar orientation to assist in temperature control with less mechanical heating and cooling. Combine orientation with a good passive cooling system, and you have a home that’s filled with fresh air, instead of air that’s been recycled over and over again. Natural cooling pulls air via a solar powered fan from outdoors, and beneath the grade to cool it, before releasing it into the living space. What energy is needed may be supplied by well placed solar panels, and if the home owner is located in a sunny location, the energy savings can be substantial. The map below shows the five solar zones in the US. If you’re located in 1, forget solar. If you’re in zone 5, you could actually collect more energy than you use.
Organic by nature, homes constructed from all natural materials offer an alternative from the standard homes being built today. There are products that are safe for us and the ecosystem; products that do not offend, but there are also products that actually help us feel better. Physical and mental health can be greatly improved by using them. We’ve learned from science that our well being may depend on how much natural sunlight we get, and by breathing fresh air. Colors and materials effect our mood with green being at the top of the list, especially the green born from chlorophyll; from real vegetation. Indoor water features create negative ions, which make us feel happy, and joy brings good mental health, which leads to physical health.
Mother Nature can heal the sick
Copper, and organic metal, has thermal conductivity. It absorbs heat rapidly and redistributes it evenly, keeping water warmer for longer periods of time. This prolonged warmth effectively relieves joint stiffness, calms sore muscles, and lowers blood pressure. Our skin absorbs safe amounts of copper ions while soaking, which helps to restore tissue, and reduce inflammation in joints. It stimulates collagen production and elasticity. Soaking in a copper tub has also proven to relieve stress, and improve quality of sleep.
Living in these types of homes may help us live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Consider a custom house plan
