The prime example of how green doesn’t always mean healthy is that of energy efficiency in building. In the 1970’s, when energy prices spiked, building practices in the United States changed drastically. More insulation was used, and more attention was paid to the thermal envelope so that heating and air conditioning energy was not wasted by allowing air to leak out of the building. While it did save energy, preventing the air from flowing out of the building also prevented airborn toxins, dust and particles from being let out.
The rate at which air was replaced indoors dropped drastically, and as a result indoor air quality got worse, resulting in a rise in asthma and respiratory problems. In order to stay healthy, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems need to fully replace the air after a given period of time. Recommended rates may vary, but for residential buildings, replacing the air once an hour should be sufficient. As replacement rates go up, so does energy usage, so the more efficient systems have heat exchangers allow the hot/cold air to transfer from the outgoing air to the incoming air. To remain healthy and efficient, HVAC systems need to balance air transfer with energy usage.
Other common examples in building are insulation itself, and flooring. Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that can be found in a lot of building materials, including fiberglass insulation, and as a binding agent in wood flooring. Insulation without formaldehyde can be used, and there are wood products with different binding agents. When building green, you just need to be sure that what you are buying is also healthy.
You’re right – we are sealing ourselves in air-tight chambers to save $ on heating and AC but then filling these chambers with cheap furniture and cabinets that fume formaldehyde gasses.
We have found a US supplier that makes their hardwood plywood with soy resin instead of formaldehyde glue, so it’s a smart, natural material that’s also affordable. They now have a lot of shops signed up on a directory to make it easier to find someone to build you cabinets, furniture and the like
check them out at http://www.cfpwood.com
it’s Columbia Forest Products with their PureBond plywood
An industrial hygienist in California has found the formaldehyde levels are higher in GreenPoint homes than in the infamous FEMA trailers. As with the FEMA trailers, lack of ventilation and exchange of air flow can allow this toxic gas to build up to unsafe levels. If you increase air exchange, you lose energy efficiency. So the best thing it to stop using these pressed wood products that emit so much formaldehyde.
We have found formaldehyde to be higher in new homes than the average in FEMA trailers. The highest formaldehyde is often found in GreenPoint Rated homes. These “green” homes focus on energy conservation. They are very well insulated and sealed. However, indoor air quality does not receive equal attention. With little fresh air infitration, formaldehyde concentrates to hazardous levels.
It is true that there is a give and take to tighter building envelopes. As buildings are made tighter there must be other purposeful introductions of fresh air. Of course most of this goes to our desire to increase efficiency. I say there are things we can do right now that have a huge impact on optimizing and don’t neccesarily involve the building envelope itself. HVAC systems must be properly sized and maintained regularly to realize desired efficiency results. For example, according to US Dept of Energy website up to 30% energy savings can result from compressor energy alone if coils are cleaned vs. not. In addition this may help with dust control, promote equipment longevity, and improved indoor air quality and comfort. Most manufacturers and US Dept of Energy suggest that you inspect and clean coils and other components as much as annually. To learn more you can visit:
http://www.nadca.com
http://www.safetyking.com
http://www.ductpro.com
http://www.ductcleanersnetwork.org
http://www.energy.gov
MJ Palazzolo
President
Safety King Inc
An Energy Star Service Partner
as a consequence of you for your report and it helped me in preparing my college assignment.
There is always a trade off. Most people think that something labeled “green” is inherently the “best” option with no downsides. I think as more and more green options are explored, people will discover that there are always negatives that go along with the positives. Hopefully the good will outweigh the bad though…
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yeh right.. great post, Thank You