Building Materials

Building materials often emit (out gas) volatile organic chemicals (VOCS) into the air. Chemically injured (or the resulting state of chemically sensitive) people must wisely choose materials which have low or no VOCS. Selecting poplar or oak as hardwood, over pressed wood products which contain formaldehyde in the glue, is an example of a wise choice. Selecting zero VOC paint, preferably one which not only contains no formaldehyde but also is capable of sealing in harmful VOCS emitting from the substrait (sheetrock), is wise. See Formaldehyde: Our Homes and Health for more information. Selecting a tile or hardwood floor over a synthetic carpet would also be preferred. A new or newly renovated home which is made of 'normal' building materials can be very hazardous to the chemically sensitive person. Houses which advertise 'new paint and carpet' are truly scarey! For do-it-yourself tips on various projects, check out the DIY site at http://www.diynet.com, although they are not giving special attention to the needs of the chemically sensitive.

• Advanced Foil Systems, Inc.
  820 S. Rockefeller Ave. Ste. A
  Ontario, CA 91761
  Supplier of Non-Toxic Barriers (Aluma-Foil)
  1(800)421-5947
  http://www.afs-foil.com
  
  
• A.F.M. Enterprises I think that A.F.M. stands for American Formulating and Manufacturing. They make many low-toxic products. You can purchase these products and get your questions answered by contacting a distributor such as N.E.E.D.S catalog, Non-Toxic Environments catalog, (see Catalogs) etc. I really like and can tolerate their water based zero-VOC paints (pastel colors), the "3 in 1 Adhesive", Safety Clean, Hard Seal, etc. The products help seal the area being covered so that formaldehyde and other toxins no longer can off gas into the room from the sheet rock, particle board, etc. I used the adhesive to glue down my solid oak parquet floor. I used Safety Clean (diluted) to clean the mold off the outside of the house prior to painting with A.F.M.'s Exterior Stain. These products seem to be well tolerated by the chemically sensitive.
  
  
• John Bower, The Healthy House Institute
  http://www.hhinst.com/ email: healthy@bloomington.in.us
  430 N. Sewell Road, Bloomington, IN 47408
  Phone/fax 812-332-5073
  
  
• Custom Building: Tile & Stone Installation Products (website address is http://www.custombuildingproducts.com and MSDS are on the website). They appear to make unmodified thinsets -- Premium Plus, Masterblend and Customblend; and an unmodified grout -- White Dry Tile Grout (Non-Sanded). These materials may be easier to get since Home Depot carries them.
  
  
• David Kibbey
  In Memory of David Kibbey
  Alliance for Lung Cancer
  http://www.alcase.org/support/hope/in_memory/david.html
  
  David A. Kibbey
  Environmental Building Consultant
  ADPSR, Environmental Building Consortium
  http://www.adpsr-norcal.org/adpsr/menu/Members/MemberDirectory/PersonalPages/Kibbey.html
  
  
  
• EarthTech paints and finishes. Also text on human health and building materials. EcoTech sells its EarthTech line based upon product safety and performance. Product safety is determined by its ability to be used by the Chemically Sensitive. Most have used them with no complaint. Low/no odor during application. Products do NOT contain ammonia, formaldehyde, masking agents, crystaline silica, etc. Paints are ZERO VOC. Finishes are LOW VOC. EarthTech is a water based line but reportedly safer than other water based coatings. EarthTech is available from McGuckin Hardware, Boulder, Colorado, (303)443-1822, ask for Bob Henneman.
  
  
• ECO Building Resource
  
  136 Wellington St. East #5 * Aurora ON * L4G 1J1 * 905-841-3535
  
  ECO Building Resource is where Builders, Architects, Contractors and Consumers can find Non-Toxic, Environmentally friendly building materials.
  
  We are a Dealer/Distributor of UltraTouch Natural Cotton Insulation, DuraFoam 0-VOC spray foam, Reflectix radiant barrier, Zero & Low VOC stains, sealants & adhesives, LED Lights, Bamboo and Cork floors to name just a few. For those who want to build GREEN go to; WWW.ECO-Building.ca
  
  
• Environmental Construction Outfitter
  1(800)238-5008
  New York, New York
  also does consulting
  
  
• Healing Environments, by Carol Venolia.
  Celestial Arts
  P.O. Box 7327
  Berkeley, CA 94707. (1988)
  
  
• Healthy Habitas (505)988-5522
  
  
• HealthyHome.com is a source for natural and non-toxic building materials. Product line includes paints, stains, sealers, floor coverings, insulation, lighting, air and water purification systems and chlorine free pool and spa systems. HealthyHome.com serves customers nationwide and will ship anywhere, often at no extra charge. Expert consultation in building safe, non-toxic homes and offices is available also.
  HealthyHome.com
  2894 22nd Ave N
  Saint Petersburg, FL 33713
  1-800-583-9523
  Local phone 727-322-1058
  Fax - 727-322-0270
  Website - www.HealthyHome.com
  
  
• Healthful Houses, by C. Good and D. L. Dadd. Emphasis on materials that are safe for I.E. people, the best brands for building or renovating homes.
  Guaranty Press
  4720 Montgomery Lane, #1010
  Bethesda, MD 20814. (1988)
  
  
• Books from The Healthy House Institute:
  • The Healthy House: How to buy one: How to cure a sick one: How to build one, by John Bower. 3rd edition (1997) 672 pages softcover $23.95. This book provides an encyclopedic view of the health consequences of all the materials and techniques used in the construction industry. It covers walls, floors, foundations, roofs, etc., and includes a listing of suppliers of healthy products. Illustrated.
    John Bower, The Healthy House Institute
    http://www.hhinst.com/
    email: healthy@bloomington.in.us
    430 N. Sewell Road, Bloomington, IN 47408
    Phone/fax 812-332-5073
    
  • The Healthy House Answer Book by John and Lynn Marie Bower. 192 pages softcover 1997 $8.95. Easy-to understand answers to the 133 most commonly asked questions. A concise guide to all the important issues relating to building a healthy house. Available from the Healthy House Institute (see address immediately above).
  • Healthy House Building, by John Bower. 2nd edition (1997) 384 pages $21.95, 8-1/2 x 11 softcover. This book is a detailed guide to healthy house construction with thorough step-by-step instructions as well as tips for alternative techniques and remodeling projects. This is an in-depth book on the subject of healthy house construction. Includes a comoplete set of house plans and over 200 illustrations and photos. Available from the Healthy House Institute (see address immediately above).
  • Understanding Ventilation by John Bower. 192 pages hardcover 1995 $31.95. The only book available that's devoted to residential; ventilation. Very complete, easy-to-understand, hundreds of addresses. Available from the Healthy House Institute (see address immediately above).
  • Healthy House Institute video. Listed under Video.
    
    
• Natural Building Network
  P.O. Box 1110
  Sebastopol, CA
  (707)823-2569
  
  
• Nature's Carpet
  
  
• Nirvana Safe Haven, Chemical free and nontoxic environmentally safe beds and mattresses. Also carries air purifiers, dehumidifiers, water purifiers, nontoxic paints, wool carpet, etc.
  
  
• Also see catalog Nontoxic Environments. See also N.E.E.D.S. calalog, Nontoxic Environments catalog, Safer Alternatives calalog for products.
  
  
• Sunnyhill, Bruce and Barbara Small, RR 1, Goodwood, Ontario, Canada LOC IAO. Personal experience with E.I. and building a safe home.
  
  
• Termi-Mesh Florida LLC
  1660 North County Road 427
  Longwood Florida 32750
  ph 407 265 0665
  fax 407 265 0982
  We place a stainless steel T-316 mesh into new construction to keep out all types of termites. Visit them at www.termi-mesh.com
  
  
• The Household Environment and Chronic Illness, Guy Pfeiffer, M.D. and Casimir Nichel. Charles Thomas, Publisher. Guidelines for constructing and maintaining a less polluted house.
  
  
• The Natural House Book, by David Pearson. A Fireside Book. (1989)
  
  
• The Susceptibility Report, by Bruce Small. Dickey Enterprises. Information on choosing safe building materials for your family.
  
  
• Toxic Free Living , one family's experiences building a toxic free home. Their site is http://www.toxicfreeliving.com.
  
  
• Why Your House May Endanger Your Health, Alfred Zamm M.D. with Robert Gannon. Simon and Schuster, NY. Building a healthy house.
  
  
• Your Engineered House, by Rex Roberts
  
  
• Your Home and Your Health and Well Being, by David Rousseau, W. J. Rea M.D. and Jean Enwright. Hartley and Marks Publishers, A Cloudburst Press Book (1989). What you would need to know to build a house for an ecology patient.
  William Rea, M.D.
  Suite 200, 8345 Walnut Hill Lane
  Dallas, TX 75231
  
  

These listings have been gathered from various sources and are presented here with the intent to provide hard won information to anyone whom it may help. If you find that the names, phone numbers, addresses or such are out of date in any way, or you feel there is a significant change or addition which should be made to these resources, please be so kind as to Contact Us.

Disclaimer: We do not endorse people, products or services. We do not give medical advice. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another. Please check with health-care professionals of your own choice. I am not a doctor and I do not give medical advice. The author is a chemically injured person who is extremely chemically sensitive (reactive) and who has just had a lot of personal experience in trying to survive chemical insults and toxic exposures.