Are our homes making us sick? Let's take a dive into what materials are commonly used to build and furnish our homes.

Are our homes making us sick?

Can our homes make us sick?

The answer is yes.  Now, or course, different people have different sensitivities to chemicals in the environment, but why would we want to live with something toxic in our environment just because we aren’t aware of it making us sick?  So many people live with chronic, low-level physical issues and just get used to it.  This is not how we should be living!

I just learned, for example, that products that have VOC ratings, where VOC which refers to Volatile organic compounds, is measured in reference to air pollution and that low-VOC products might still contain other hazardous chemicals or pose risks to human health, especially in indoor environments.  So, low VOC paints for example, might and probably do have chemicals that are dangerous to use in an enclosed space and will continue to off-gas in your house.

Let's place a spotlight on the safety of our homes and how it impacts our health, particularly regarding the materials we use to construct them. While creating a safe and cozy haven is every homeowner's dream, it's crucial to be aware of the potential toxins hiding within common building materials. Let's explore these hidden threats and how you can make informed decisions for a healthier home environment.

Common Toxins Found in Building Materials

This is a short and simple list to just introduce this topic.  The actual list of building materials and home based products that have toxins is extensive.  Lets just start from here…

Pressed Wood Products: Includes materials like plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) which is used in kitchen cabinets and most furniture. These often contain formaldehyde-based resins, which can release formaldehyde gas into the air.

Spray Foam Insulation: insulation materials may many chemicles which poses significant health risks when disturbed.

1.      Isocyanates: A key ingredient in spray foam insulation, isocyanates can cause respiratory issues and skin irritation if not handled properly during installation.

2.      Flame Retardants: Some spray foam products contain flame retardants, which can off-gas over time and contribute to indoor air pollution.

3      Blowing Agents: Used to expand the foam, some blowing agents can be harmful to the environment and human health if they off-gas.

4      VOCs: Some formulations may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during and shortly after installation, which could affect indoor air quality.

Paints and Finishes: Many conventional paints, varnishes, and finishes emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can contribute to indoor air pollution.

Carpeting, Vinyl Flooring and Wallpaper: Many products contain phthalates, which are used to make plastics more flexible and can have various health effects.

Drywall: Drywall has been found to emit sulfur compounds as well as off-gas Formaldehyde as well, which can cause respiratory issues and corrode metals.

Carpet and Carpet Padding: Can off-gas VOCs and other chemicals used during manufacturing.

Adhesives and Sealants: Many construction adhesives and sealants contain VOCs that can off-gas over time.

Pressure-Treated Wood: Often treated with chemicals like arsenic and copper, which can leach into the soil and pose environmental and health risks.

Now these chemicals that are off-gassing into our homes are of particular concern because of the building industry and governments support of new standards for airtight homes.  This can mean that the air quality inside your home can become very toxic and make the occupants sick.

What can you do?

You can build homes with awareness of the products being used.  Homes built free of toxic materials.  The term that is becoming common to explain healthful homes is Eco-Friendly homes using natural materials, efficient energy practices and designs that harmonize with local climate and ecosystems.