Healthy homes are part of the "green building" movement in this country. We don't want office buildings that make us sick, and we don't want houses that make us uncomfortable or ill. According to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, our concern for the environment is beginning to have an impact on the entire home-building industry.

Lead paint, asbestos, mold and mildew, off-gassing synthetic carpeting, plywood with heavy formaldehyde emissions can cause problems ranging from sneezing and skin rashes to severe breathing problems, cancer, and even death.

Many are building new homes today because the health concerns associated with older homes have been eliminated. A few of the improvements include the fact that lead based house paints have been banned since 1980, and asbestos (used for insulation and as fireproof wall barriers) since 1986. Urea formaldehyde4 based insulation can no longer be used in houses, and formaldehyde emissions from urea formaldehyde bonded hardwood plywood are far lower than it was 10 years ago.

More homebuyers want electronic and non-electronic high-efficiency air cleaners. And where some builders used to give their new house customers a lovely houseplant as a thank you gift, many give a duct-cleaning gift certificate as a thank you instead, since so many people want their ducts cleaned before they move in.

In addition to duct cleaning homeowners wanting healthier houses are opting for hardwood floors in the bedrooms, which can be easier to clean and have no out-gassing like synthetic carpeting, and one-piece fiberglass tub enclosures that eliminate mold and mildew.

Chemically sensitive individuals or others with allergies may opt for cabinets made from solid wood and galvanized steel, stainless steel kitchen countertops with welded and polished seams, central vacuum systems, outdoor exhaust, and copper water lines that are joined with lead-free solder.

The myth that building a green house can cost a great deal more is not true. Some homes don't cost anything more; others can add an additional 25%. But balance that with the money spent on the medical and insurance expenses for problems caused by an unhealthy home and the costs are well justified.

One of the best references on the Web for more information about green building is the Sustainable Building Sourcebook at www.greenbuilder.com.

Talk

It's time to clean up our products! Increasing consumer demand for nontoxic paints and cleaning supplies, building materials, energy-efficient windows, doors, appliance, recycled products and "green" woods (not endangered) is leading manufacturers and retailers to answer with environmentally safe products.

Home Depot stores, for example, have adopted a policy of selling only woods from "managed" forests. Certain types of ebony, mahogany and rosewood still are feature in high-end furniture, but reputable manufacturers these days are quick to point out their sources are controlled plantations. And new exotic woods such as araibo, angico, granadillo and cancharana are being introduced as alternatives.

Smith & Hawken buys its teak furniture only from certified suppliers. Colonial Craft uses only certified wood for its millwork and window parts.

The Forest Stewardship Council is an internationally recognized accreditation agency for certifying wood products. Several watchdog organizations monitor the managing of forests, to protect against overcutting of popular timbers or damaging while harvesting.

Nonprofit SmartWood, a program of the Rainforest Alliance, and the for-profit Scientific Certification System employ certification guidelines. SmartWood also has a Rediscovered Program, which certifies salvaged or recycled wood from buildings being demolished. Contact SmartWood at www.smartwood.org .

Scientific Certification Systems lists accredited forests and sources for wood and wood products at www.scs1.com.

Published: January 15, 2002

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Kathy Lamancusa is a trend strategis, professional speaker and author who tracks the forces that impact our lives. Over 1.6 million copies of Kathy's books are in print, and she has appeared on numerous television and radio shows including Oprah! She is a public speaker who can offer organizations entertaining and enlightening peeks into what is coming and what is shaping change so that they can better reach their own customer bases.