Most home buyers would like to believe that they are purchasing a home in the hopes of living in a better environment. Those home buyers that are concerned about living in a healthy environment don’t always know where to find the information they need to accomplish this, as it is often difficult to find reliable information about the toxicity of building products. However, much research about this topic has been done and there are several books and organizations available to the wary consumer. These will be discussed at the end of this article. This article will attempt to give the new home buyer something to begin with right away.

The first consideration the prospective home buyer should keep in mind is, that homes should be chosen for their sites, those which have good outdoor air quality , away from heavy traffic, industrial pollution and power lines.

At this point, it is important to consider that, even though non-toxic home decorating and renovation products may be costlier than toxic ones, if your family’s health is a priority, it will be worthwhile to spend the money on non-toxic building products. To be more informed always check the ECOLOGO label on products, to know what is in the product you are building or renovating with.

There are several things that the consumer should be aware of . People don’t realize that many of their families’ illnesses may be caused by exposure to houses that don’t have adequate ventilation or that have excessive humidity, especially in their basements. Often their families’ illness may be caused by exposure to toxic glues, and chemicals from building materials and even the cleaners that they use to keep their environments clean.

This article will first deal with renovating or building with non-toxic materials. For example, in a basement ,as with other household areas, ceramic tiles are preferable to carpeting, which harbours molds and mildew. Non-toxic materials such as wood or ceramic floors are preferable because they are easier to keep clean than carpeting, which accumulates dust and mites. When ceramic tiles are used they should be laid with cement mortar rather than with adhesives. Concrete without admixtures, water reduction oils and curing agents should be used for foundations.

If you must have carpets, use area rugs that are easier to keep dust free, by shaking them outside. Another alternative is a flooring called Marmoleum, that is made from natural ingredients like wood flour and linseed oil. It is important to note that whenever there are basements or crawl spaces, they should be properly drained, insulated and ventilated.

Some consumers are partial to the varnished look of wood but are unaware that there are healthy alternatives to toxic varnish. These include natural substances such as linseed oil, which can be used on wood floors too. At the very least, consumers can avoid formaldehyde based substances and use water based varnishes such as CIL’s Water Varnish 1332, which has no offensive smell.

Alternatives for fibreboard with formaldehyde-based glues with toxic fumes that are often used in kitchen cabinets, are plywood with a wood veneer. When at all possible avoid the use of any treated wood.

Wall and ceiling surfaces that don’t require paints like plaster are preferable. Consumers should be advised that there is less toxic acrylic paint and should realize that paints with more pigments are more toxic.

In terms of insulation, rockwool is a better alternative, as it doesn’t permit the growth of bacteria because it is made of volcanic rock, which is dense and non-toxic.

Heating systems that utilize an electric source are preferable to systems that use a petroleum source. In case you’re thinking of installing a wood stove, consider using a soapstone one, that is hermetically sealed and emits fewer gases, this may alleviate some of your families’ respiratory problems.

Other points to consider are:

• Another common concern for the home consumer, is reducing heating costs and it should be remembered that draft-free building techniques should incorporate the reduction of infiltration of outdoor contaminants.
• Be sure to check your plumbing and repair any leaks, because another culprit that contributes to fostering molds are water pipes that leak slowly in walls.
• Another source of bacteria that can explain children’s repeated respiratory infections can come from air and heating ducts, that harbour both yeast and bacteria
• Clothes closets should be equipped with exhaust fans and located outside of bedrooms.
• Utilize a central vacuum system, exhausting to the outside to remove dust from the home.
• As well, furniture, furnishings and household products should be selected based on minimum emission of volatile chemical contaminants. Remember that leather sofas are even easier to maintain than fabric ones.

Some resources that the informed consumer should refer to are :

The Natural House Book, by David Pearson (Fireside Books, 1989)

The Nontoxic Home: Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Everyday Toxics and Health Hazards, by Debra Lynn Dadd (Jeremy P. Tarcher Inc., 1986)

• La Maison Poluée, by Helga Wingert( Terre Vivante, 19985).

The Canadian Green Consumer Guide, by The Pollution Probe Foundation (McClellland & Stewart, 1989)

For a guide to companies that sell non-toxic home decorating and renovation products refer to the Home section of The Canadian Green Consumer Guide by the Pollution Probe Foundation McClelland & Stewart,1989.