answers

For more on our 15-part Q&A series on all aspects of green building, click here for the introductory post.

Question: Have houses always been unhealthy or this something new?

Answer: Over the centuries, many houses have been unhealthy due to mold, wood smoke, gas lighting, kerosene heaters, coal dust, pests, animal dander, lead pipes, lead paint, asbestos, etc. While some of these pollutants are less common today, we now have new pollutants such as formaldehyde with which to contend. So, although unhealthy houses have been around for a while, the specific pollutants are changing.

Question: With all the new environmental laws and regulations, why aren’t houses healthier than ever before?

Answer: In some areas, there definitely has been some progress. For example, we no longer use lead paint or asbestos insulation. But in many instances, we’re creating new building products and developing new construction practices faster than they can be evaluated or regulated. Today’s indoor environmental pollution problems are related to two trends—the use of unhealthy materials and unhealthy techniques.

Question: What are the two trends that are contributing to make today’s houses unhealthy?

I like the convenience of an attached garage, but aren’t detached garages healthier?

Is it all right to use vinyl siding on my new house?

Are electric furnaces and water heaters inherently healthier?

Is wallpaper a healthy product?

Wood floors are always a healthy flooring choice, right?

Antique furniture was made before particleboard and other synthetic materials became popular, so it’s healthy?

How do I deal with mold?

It is more important than ever to create a healthy home for you, your family and the planet. Trying to find answers to your pressing questions and eco-curiosities is often easier said than done - but not anymore. Building Green TV has teamed up with the Healthy House Institute to provide you with valuable, straight-forward insight into all aspects of building and maintaining a sustainable home.

Based in Idaho and featuring an advisory board of nearly 50 professionals, the Healthy House Institute operates with one main goal: "to be the most comprehensive educational resource available for creating healthier homes." HHI has published an indispensable book called The Healthy House Answer Book, which includes answers to 133 green home questions. Instead of a thick, very comprehensive volume, this is a smaller book in both size and depth--sort of a "pocket healthy housing guidebook."

As part of our partnership with the Healthy House Institute, Building Green TV will be featuring excepts from this revolutionary book in the coming weeks. Including topics such as basic house construction, foundations, framing, plumbing, ventilation, air filters, flooring and more, we are delighted to bring you the insight of nearly 15 years of tireless work on the part of HHI.