Safer building materials and building methods

Adhesives

Safer product/ finishes: There are two types of adhesives: synthetic adhesives based on elastomers, thermoplastic, and thermosetting adhesives; and natural adhesives based on vegetable (natural resin), food (animal hide and skin), and mineral sources (inorganic materials). In the synthetic glues PVAC and EVA (water based glues) are considered the least problematic. For synthetic adhesives the HB Fuller Company have a range of adhesives and sealants that are isocynate free, low in VOC's and low in solvents. The range provides an alternative to traditional polyurethane based sealants and includes gap filler and caulking products. Floor Bond XMS is used for bonding timber floors to subfloors and Max Bond Fast Grip Constriction Adhesive is used for installing wall panelling, architraves, skirting boards and timber floors. For an natural alternative, use calcined gypsum and hydrated lime (calcium oxide) for fixing and patching, instead of PVA. Hot Hide Glue has been used for centuries as an adhesive and is used today for musical instruments, furniture restoration and many other applications. Other animal glues are derived from casein (a milk protein used in paint) see http://www.naturalpaint.com.au/ and blood albumen (used in plywood). Vegetable glues are made from starches and dextrin's extracted from corn, potatoes, rice, tapioca or wheat. These glues are used mostly in paper products, primarily because they are inexpensive and have little strength or moisture resistance. Natural Rubber Latex can be used to glue linoleum and cork floors. Instead of PVA adhesives use cellulose and water or sodium silicate. Tropical climates can cause some adhesives to fail and where ever possible use physical methods of bonding, joining and fixing eg. nailing.

Use Advice: The website for HB Fuller: http://hbfuller.com.au/index.html has MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheets) and each product can be researched for its chemical content and safety. Adhesives should be applied wearing safety glasses and chemical resistant gloves. Particular care should be taken when cutting and sanding glues as the fine dust particles can be hazardous and a suitable dust mask should be worn. There is a selection guide on dust masks in an Australian Standard (AS 1715).

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Klymenko, P.,'Indoor Air Quality: Selecting Products for...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Bench tops

Safer product/ finishes: Instead of particleboards/ chipboard and laminates use marble and granite. When the stone slab is polished on top and sealed with a natural seal underneath, exposure to radiation from the mineral content is minimised. Stainless steel is the most allergy free provided all protective sealants have been removed. It does however, consume increased energy in its manufacture and can distort electric fields. See Cupboards.

Use Advice: See Cupboards.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Board - Cement Board - reinforced with moulded glass

Safer product/ finishes: Acceptable for use in a Healthy Building. Used for external and internal wall cladding, roofing, flooring, irrigation, stormwater and sewerage pipes, electrical conduits and various types of columns.

Use Advice: This is a moulded-glass reinforced cement made from up to 60% Portland cement, 30% silica and 10% glass filaments (James Hardie product). Requires careful use when working with it as it can cause upper respiratory tract and skin irritation. Once in place it is benign and breaths well if a porous (natural) finish is applied. Check to make sure that no admixtures have been included in its manufacture. See Concrete.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Board - Cement board - Cement sheeting, Fibre cement

Safer product/ finishes: Acceptable for use in a Healthy Building. Used for external and internal wall cladding, roofing, flooring, irrigation, stormwater and sewerage pipes, electrical conduits and various types of columns. James Hardie Building Products has an exterior cladding called Hardibacker that is made from cellulose fibre, portland cement and finely ground sand and water.

Use Advice: This comprises of calcium silicate (hydrate), silica and cellulose in different proportion for different products. Once in place it is benign and breaths well if a pervious (natural) finish is applied.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Board - Chipboard

Safer product/ finishes: Chipboard should be avoided in a healthy house. Chipboard is particles of wood suspended in glues based on formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is activated as a gas in the presence of moisture and is particularly bad in hot humid climates. See Cupboards.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...

Board - Fibreboard

Safer product/ finishes: Look for those made with phenol formaldehyde rather than urea formaldehyde. Phenol formaldehyde is a more expensive, water-resistant glue, and a much more stable product that off-gasses at a much lesser rate than urea formaldehyde. Of all synthetic glues, Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) water soluble glue is the least offensive. Some PVA wood glues claim that they are non-toxic after initial out-gassing has occurred prior to setting. These glues are not water resistant. Formaldehyde is activated as a gas in the presence of moisture and is particularly bad in hot humid climates. It should be avoided in a healthy house. See Chipboard, Cupboards, Particleboard and Plyboard

Use Advice: Cover all surfaces and edges with laminates, or seal them with low emitting paint or varnish to reduce emissions of formaldehyde. Check before disturbing existing materials. (Asbestos)

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Board - Particleboard

Safer product/ finishes: This is not a material recommended for use in a healthy house. If you must use it, look for those made with phenol formaldehyde rather than urea formaldehyde. Of all synthetic glues, Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) water soluble glue is the least offensive although still very toxic. Some PVA wood glues claim that they are non-toxic after initial out-gassing has occurred prior to setting. These glues are not water resistant. PVA glues based on formaldehyde is activated as a gas in the presence of moisture and is particularly bad in hot humid climates.

Use Advice: This is similar to fibreboards, except that the constituent wood is present as small particles and flakes, and not reduced to fibre. Veneered with hardwood, it is the basis of much wooden furniture. Cover all surfaces and edges with laminates or seal them with low emitting paint or varnish to reduce emissions of formaldehyde. Check before disturbing existing materials to ensure it is not Asbestos.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The NSW Good Wood Guide is an excellent resource on...

Board - Masonite, Hardboard

Safer product/ finishes: Australian Hardboards (http://www.australianhardboards.com.au/html/underlay.htm) supply a Masonite? Underlay as an environmentally friendly product utilising what has been previously regarded as waste material in an ecologically sustainable manner. This waste material, consisting of sawmill residue and forest thinnings, uses only naturally occurring wood glues (lignins) to bond fibres, eliminating the need for synthetic glues and resins. In natural timber, the wood fibres are aligned parallel with the grain of the timber. In Masonite? Underlay, the wood fibres are rearranged and distributed at random producing a high quality hardboard panel.

Use Advice: A manufactured board derived from woodchips reduced to fibres, reconstituted to give a flat, smooth-faced, evenly coloured building board in several grades and thicknesses. Being easily workable, it has many uses.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » The NSW Good Wood Guide is an excellent resource on...

Board - MDF Board

Safer product/ finishes: The use of MDF board (medium density fibreboard) is not recommended in a healthy house. Look for those made with phenol formaldehyde rather than urea formaldehyde. Phenol formaldehyde is a more expensive, water-resistant glue, and a much more stable product that off-gasses at a much lesser rate than urea formaldehyde. It should be noted that some Australian manufacturers are now exporting MDF products with half the emissions levels of domestic product, (the Australian Standard is for 1mg/litre). Japan has recently passed a new standard, JIS A5908, which requires emissions under 0.3mg/litre. To date these products have not been mass-marketed in Australia. Zero-formaldehyde products (using non-formaldehyde binders) are widely available in the EU and US, and at least one company is importing small quantities to Australia, although a 30% cost impost applies. See Particleboard and Cupboards.

Use Advice: MDF, which is more timber like, is available as mouldings as well as sheets. MDF products can also be given a solid wood appearance by wrapping the MDF in a wood veneer. Most MDF is not moisture-resistant and can only be used in dry, interior locations. Cover all surfaces and edges with laminates or seal them with low emitting paint or varnish to reduce emissions of formaldehyde.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The NSW Good Wood Guide is an excellent resource on...

Board - Plyboard, Plywood

Safer product/ finishes: Plywood is made from a number of glued layers of wood veneer. Plywoods used for exterior and structural applications typically use phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin. PF is a more expensive, water-resistant glue, and a much more stable product that off-gasses at a much lesser rate than UF glue. Use whole woods wherever possible. See Particleboard and Cupboards.

Use Advice: The major uses of plywood are wall-panelling, door-skins and concrete formwork. It has also made a name for itself as a furniture building material of enormous strength and which can be moulded to produce interesting and yet functional designs. Formaldehyde emissions from plywood and particleboard are major contributors to airborne toxins in homes, although this off-gassing does diminish with time. Where possible, seal these materials to reduce emissions. The major source of plywood for veneer is the rainforests of Indonesia. Working with Plywood may expose you to pine dust which causes allergies, dermatitis, asthma, and can increase risk of nasal and sinus cancers. A mask and protective clothing is needed. Plyboard is not very permeable and not a good breathing material and not good to use over large areas. The ideal VOC reading is 0.01 ppm and no higher than 0.05 ppm.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Board - Timber

Safer product/ finishes: See Timber.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Built in Furniture/ cupboards

Safer product/ finishes: Use solid timber or plyboard (plywood) from sustainable timber sources finished with plant based paints or varnishes and non-toxic glues. See Chipboard, Particleboard, Plyboard.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Caulking/ Sealants

Safer product/ finishes: Use roll-type soft caulk or permanent moulding instead. Acrylic sealants or MS polymer sealants contain no isocyanates. Better products can be found amongst the HB Fuller range. Good websites for information about caulking and sealants are: http://www.ecospecifier.org/knowledge_base/setting_priorities/adhesives_tapes_fasteners and http://oikos.com/library/airsealing/materials.html

Use Advice: Some liquid caulks may emit solvent fumes when drying, and do-it yourself brands may emit them for months. Care should be taken to ensure that the work area is well ventilated and masks are worn.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » A US based green building website...

Cement

Safer product/ finishes: See Fibre Cement , Concrete

Sources - see information sources for details:

Cornice Cement

Safer product/ finishes: Instead of using PV alcohol, use calcined gypsum, calcium carbonate, mica and talc. For a top coat, instead of using PVA adhesives, use calcium carbonate, water, bentonite (for whitening) talc, mica, clay and sometimes perlite is added.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Concrete - Cement

Safer product/ finishes: Concrete is not the best material for a healthy house but if it must be used natural concrete is preferred. Many chemicals are used in concrete admixtures (additives) and over time concrete can decompose and leach out its components. The most common admixtures are accelerators and retarders. They can be avoided if the concrete use does not require a speedy setting (designed for uses such as suspended slabs) or laying the concrete in high climatic temperatures and by laying the concrete during a cooler time of the year. Any colours, aesthetic finishes or sealants will most likely contain toxic chemicals and should also be avoided. Also see Metal - Steel reinforcing for cement reinforcing issues and sealants.

Use Advice: A myriad of chemicals is used in concrete admixtures. Air entraining agents are chemicals such as alkylbenzene sulfonic acid and sodium hydroxide are added to produce microscopic air bubbles to stop freezing and thawing which may induce cracking. Water reducing chemicals such as propylene and ethylene oxides and dioxane are used to increase the slump in concrete, without using water, by dispersing the cement particles more efficiently and increasing its strength. Water reducing retarders are chemicals such as acetaldehyde, 2-biphenylol, dioxane, ethylene oxide and formaldehyde added to delay the setting of the concrete, particularly in high temperatures. Accelerators use chemicals such as chromium, ammonium calcium nitrate, sodium thiocyanate and salt of naphthalene sulphonate that when decomposing release oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur, ammonium, formaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid. It is used to speed up the setting time and rate of strength gain in concrete. A corrosion-inhibiting admixture for steel reinforced concrete is calcium nitrite. An alkali aggregate reactivity reducer uses lithium nitrate that when decomposing releases oxides of carbon, nitrogen and lithium. Colours additives use carbon black, cadmium, chromium and arsenic. Other chemical additives are for damp proofing, pumping aids, shrinkage reduction, anti wash out, hydration stabilisers and aesthetic enhancers.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Degussa is a company that manufactures cement admixtures...

Cupboards

Safer product/ finishes: See particleboard and fibreboard. Choose joinery that uses traditional construction before the use of synthetic glues. Use stainless steel, fibre cement, brickwork, polished granite and glass. Antique furniture is ideal. If using timber, choose solid timber or hoop pine plywood finished with plant chemistry varnishes. See Paints, Varnishers, Resins and Adhesives.

Use Advice: See particleboard and fibreboard. If sanding back surfaces be careful of lead based paints and take precautions. Check that timbers have not been chemically treated.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Klymenko, P.,'Indoor Air Quality: Selecting Products for...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Doors and Windows

Safer product/ finishes: Second hand doors and windows are the healthiest to use. Choose windows that maximise ventilation and have uncomplicated opening and closing systems. Doors, windows and conservatory frames - made from unplasticised PVC (u-PVC) are heavily promoted by industry as replacement windows and doors. Sustainable timber is a suitable alternative. Despite the claims made for u-PVC windows and doors, wooden window frames have advantages over PVC. U-PVC windows can degrade, they are not maintenance free and worst of all they cannot be repaired where necessary. In Berlin, where PVC restrictions on building are in force, new polyolefin windows were installed by the City Council in May 1996. In Austria leading PVC window manufacturing company, Internorm, have developed a VC/chlorine-free plastic window frame. For high rise buildings, aluminium and wood combination windows should be considered in preference to PVC. 100% recyclable aluminium is available in Australia and New Zealand. See http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/abtcit/ec/ecoinit/ecohsebrochure2.asp#construction. See Paints, Resins and Varnishers.

Use Advice: If new, choose joinery that uses traditional construction before the use of synthetic glues. If second hand doors and windows are being used check that timbers have not been chemically treated and be sure that they are onsite before framing commences. Test for lead in any paint and if it needs to be removed, follow precautions. When installing doors and windows, have a flat surface on architraves for flyscreens. Internal doors that are lightweight with a frame and honeycombe cardboard is normally treated with formaldehyde but do not have as much glue as the heavier chipboard/ composite and veneered doors.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Electrical cables and conduits

Safer product/ finishes: The commonly used material PVC, is not recommended in a healthy house. All the alternative cable types have better properties than PVC in the event of a fire. They generate less smoke, do not release hydrochloric acid or dioxins; and have fire-resistant qualities which match or outstrip PVC. The main alternative power cables use polyethylene as an insulation and sheathing material. Rubber sheathed cables are also available. Polyolefin Plastics are chlorine free Polyethylene/ Polypropylene compounds. Alternatives for electricity cables, telephone and data cables include Envirolex or Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XPLE), Pyrolex, aerial and underground XPLE, Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR), Acrylonitrile Rubber, Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE), Thermal Plastic Rubber (TPR) and Polybutylene.

Use Advice: All PVC-free cables cost more at present but will drop in price as consumers and governments demand safer material use. Electrical cables manufacturers have already developed and marketed several halogen-free alternatives to PVC cable as a result of concern over PVC combustion emissions. When cable is designated halogen-free this means it cannot contain PVC or any other organo-chlorine based chemicals.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Luscombe, Darryl -Greenpeace "Alternatives to PVC - An...
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Electrical Systems

Safer product/ finishes: Get an electrician that is aware of the biological issues of rogue electromagnetic fields and work towards minimising the build-up of the fields inside your home. Rogue electromagnetic fields cause exposure to non-iodising radiation which has been under investigation for its links to chronic illness and cancer. High electromagnetic fields can be produced when a current-carrying wire has been located separately from its earth wire. The change can be made at the switch box by an electrician. Where there is two way switching, opposite wires run along different paths and the electromagnetism builds up because the neutral wire does not follow the same path as the energised wire. Other metals in a house also add to electromagnetic fields (see Metals). The mains supply of electricity is best located underground; and wiring should come up through metal ducting to the meter box which should be placed well away from bedrooms and work areas. Two way switched wiring rings should be avoided and the number of power outlets minimised and strategically located away from beds. Wiring should not be ringed or looped as radial layouts are better.

Use Advice: Earthing of electromagnetic fields should be carefully done and using metallic pipes is no longer known as the best solution. Existing electrical circuits should be retrofitted and new electrical systems fitted with grounded to earth conductors. Earthing should be done using a copper rod permanently connected to a conductor and taken down to relatively constant soil - moisture conditions. In clay and free draining soils this is 1.2M and in free draining soils the hole should be widened and filled with dry clay and charcoal which expands and binds with the surrounding soil when watered. Try to only use battery operated appliances or those with earth metal casings around your beds. The best type of artificial lighting is from incandescent bulbs and not fluorescent or halogen lights. A magnetometer can measure EMF's. For instance, most houses have a reading of 100-200 gamma due to stray magnetic fields. Most electrical equipment should measure no more than 100 gamma from about 50 cm distance from it (try your PC). You should try to keep to about 10 gamma in a bedroom.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for...
    » http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/editorial.asp?pageid=252

Fibre Cement - see Cement Board

Safer product/ finishes: Acceptable for use in a Healthy Building as no chemicals are used in its manufacture. Used for external and internal wall cladding, roofing, flooring, irrigation, stormwater and sewerage pipes, electrical conduits and various types of columns.

Use Advice: This comprises of calcium silicate (hydrate), silica and cellulose in different proportions for different products. Once in place it is benign and breaths well if a pervious (natural) finish is applied.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Floor coverings -Carpet

Safer product/ finishes: Use sisal, coir or jute and maintain with HEPA vacuum cleaner and high pressure steam cleaners. Rubber is the most acceptable underlay although it contains chlorine and the glue needs to be non-toxic with no VOC's. Underfelts that are safe are jute and jute hair. Choose a hard finish floor instead. See Adhesives.

Use Advice: Synthetic or synthetic/wool blends treated with range of chemicals to repel mould, insects and stains and make them anti static. All synthetic or blended wool carpets hold electrostatic fields. Find low emission products. Ventilate area well. Fix mechanically or with low emitting water based adhesives. 'Bake out' small carpets and rugs in the sun until you cannot smell noxious odours.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Luscombe, Darryl -Greenpeace "Alternatives to PVC - An...
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » Klymenko, P.,'Indoor Air Quality: Selecting Products for...
    » HIA Greensmart News Victoria, Issue 5 Summer 2006
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a US based national...

Floor Coverings - Ceramic Tiles/ Stone

Safer product/ finishes: Ceramic tiles. marble, stone and terrazzos are highly durable and also traditional. Ceramic and stone tiles are ideal in a healthy house provided that only natural sealants are used. See Sealants and finishes.

Use Advice: Ceramic tiles should be set in cement. Nay grout that may be used can collect mould and may not withstand harsh scrubbing well. It cab also gas out toxins.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Luscombe, Darryl -Greenpeace "Alternatives to PVC - An...
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...

Floor coverings - Commercial

Safer product/ finishes: Several companies produce rubber floor coverings which have proven to be particularly effective in situations such as airports or sports stadiums where floor coverings have to meet great demands in durability. Rubber flooring which contains chlorine-based ingredients should be avoided. Ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) type rubber is recommended by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency as an alternative. Polyolefin floor coverings (PP and PE) are now offered by leading flooring manufacturers such as the French company Tarkett Sommer and the British company Amtico. The main application for polyolefin flooring is for industrial use but flooring for domestic use is also available. They are non-flammable, sound absorbent and resistant to wear and tear.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...

Floor Coverings - Cork, Linoleum, Vinyl Tiles - See Timber

Safer product/ finishes: Good old fashioned lino or linoleum, which was used before vinyl covered Australian floors is in fact the most environmentaly sound floor covering. Only linoleum is both composed of organic materials, durable and are easy to clean. Linoleum dominated the market for elastic floorings before the 1950's trend for synthetic materials. Linoleum is made of renewable materials and consists mainly of vegetable linseed oil to which a natural resin is added. The mixture is made with sawdust and is spread on hessian fabric. The surface is treated with water-based acrylic 'dispersion' paint. Linoleum has very low flammability, is antistatic, light resistant, sound-absorbent, resistant to fats and oils and has natural antibacterial properties. Hardwood timber floors are preferred as long as not treated with toxic finishes and timbers are from sustainable forests. Cork floor coverings are available with untreated or sealed surfaces although some products can contain Nitrile rubber (synthetic and toxic). Types which are sealed with artificial resins (polyurethane) or PVC should be avoided. Finish with plant chemistry hard oil. See Adhesives, Sealants and Finishes

Use Advice: Vinyl tiles are very toxic and the additives have base materials and fillers containing PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate). Floors should be durable, neutral in odour and not outgas chemicals, efficient thermal insulators, skid proof when wet, of low conductivity and unable to carry an electrostatic charge. Oils and resins that are natural may still cause an allergic reaction even if it is stated on the product 'low allergy'. If you are needing to lay tiles on timber floors, put a bitumous building paper between them and ensure that the tiles are adequately supported by the frame and not springy.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Luscombe, Darryl -Greenpeace "Alternatives to PVC - An...
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » Klymenko, P.,'Indoor Air Quality: Selecting Products for...
    » HIA Greensmart News Victoria, Issue 5 Summer 2006
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a US based national...

Floor Coverings - Underlays

Safer product/ finishes: Synthetic underlays are highly toxic and should be avoided in a healthy house. Rubber is the most acceptable underlay although check that it doesn't contain chlorine and use a non-toxic glue with no VOC's. Underfelts that are safe are jute and jute hair and some recycled textiles. See Adhesives for non-toxic glues.

Use Advice: Underlays both synthetic and latex and joining strips and glues outgas chemicals. Find the MSDS (material safety data sheets) for the underlay and glues being used. Manufacturers have an obligation to provide them. Check before disturbing existing materials and wear a dust mask and protective clothing. See Carpets.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Luscombe, Darryl -Greenpeace "Alternatives to PVC - An...
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » HIA Greensmart News Victoria, Issue 5 Summer 2006
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a US based national...

Gas Pipes and Fittings

Safer product/ finishes: A better alternative to metal is halogen free Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). PE is incompatible with halogens, strong oxidizing agents, benzene, petroleum ether, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons and lubricating oils. Rilsan (Polyamide11) is another alternative and is used in the oil industry for its high strength properties. It is made of Nylon. See Plumbing - Pipes.

Use Advice: Many plastics, for instance soft polyethylene or soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC), do not resist prolonged exposure to hydrocarbons or additives. Suitable materials in many cases are polyurethanes or polyamide 11 (nylon), for example Rilsan. Its mechanical properties do not deteriorate under influence of gases or likely radiation doses and it is at least as fire resistant as PVC. Rilsan tubes exist also as polytubes.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Luscombe, Darryl -Greenpeace "Alternatives to PVC - An...
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » The use of plastics at CERN with respect to fire safety...

Geomembranes

Safer product/ finishes: See Waterproofing - non permeable membranes.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Glazing

Safer product/ finishes: Acceptable for use in a healthy house.

Use Advice: Use toughened or laminated glass for low windows and door panels near stairs and landings.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Glues

Safer product/ finishes: Of all synthetic glues, Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) water soluble glue is the least offensive. Some PVA wood glues claim that they are non-toxic after initial out-gassing has occurred prior to setting. These glues are not water resistant. See Adhesives.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Hardiplank

Safer product/ finishes: This is Weatherboard or Hardboard and is acceptable for use in a healthy house if a timber alternative from sustainable forests can not be used. See Wall cladding - external.

Use Advice: Made from wood fibres that have been rebonded under heat and pressure. Fibre usually comes from mixed Eucalyptus species. The product is generally named Weatherboard or Hardiplank. If working with hardboard need to avoid contact and inhaling sawdust. There is a known risk of sinus cancers amongst workers. Best obtained without a pigmented primer finish and apply your own due to the toxicity and quality of some paints products that may have been used.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Insulation - An overview

Safer product/ finishes: There are traditionally two types of insulation, bulk and reflective. There are newer types of insulation that combines the two traditional types into one product. There are three types of heat affecting buildings, radiation, convection and conduction. Radiated heat is the most dominant. Reflective insulation is used to combat radiated heat. Bulk insualtion is used to combat convected and conducted heat. The newer products that combine reflective and conductive resistance comes in thin sheets. It has an inner part generally made of bubbled air sacks or extruded polyethylene with outer layers of reflective foil. Bulk insulation normally comes in batts or blankets. The batts are made from natural of synthetic fibres. Bulk insulation is generally used between ceiling joists and wall studs to absorb heat, stopping it from moving into and out of a home. It looses its effect if it is compressed or holding moisture. It is better to use an insulation which is cellulose, wool or recycled polyester with a safe fire and fungus protector. Synthetic insulation may contain toxic chemicals and you should check their Material Safety Data Sheets. In the manufacturing process, certain ingredients may not fully polymerise. Over time, the free molecules, softeners and fireproofing chemicals are released into indoor air. Reflective insulation may also be called sarking, sisalation, builders paper or Reflective foil laminates (RFL). They are made of aluminium foil laminates that reflect heat and act as a vapour barrier. It generally comes in large sheets and is laid under roof sheeting or behind external wall cladding. In tropical climates, houses need to reduce heat gain without unduly restricting heat loss. A healthy house needs to incorporate a ventilation system so any heat gain that is in the building may escape. Air conditioners become necessary in hot climates in badly designed homes. If air-conditioning is used, energy consumption efficiencies are improved if bulk insulation is used.

Use Advice: The effectiveness of insulation is measured 'R' values. 'R' values are used to rate a materials resistance to heat transmission. Different insulation materials and products have different 'R' ratings. The materials 'R' value can also be different for the heat it stops flowing down through it and up through it. This is called the DOWN or SUMMER R value and the UP or WINTER R value. The higher the 'R' value, the better it is at stopping heat flow either DOWN or UP. Healthy houses in hot tropical climates need a very high DOWN 'R' value to stop heating coming down through the roof and walls. When the insulation is used in combination with light coloured roofs and good ventilation in the roof, the total system 'R' value is high. In the tropics it needs to be greater than R 2.7 to meet building laws. In a pitched roof space the ventilation and air temperature is an integral part of the heating and cooling process. In the tropics, if any heat has come into the house, we need to stop it from getting trapped in by the insulation. The UP value of the insulation needs to be low. So the insulation material selected needs to have a high DOWN value and a low UP value. If a house in the tropics is hot at night, heat that has come in during the day and it is trapped in the building materials and roof cavity. It may be hotter inside the house than outside it. Concrete masonry blocks may hold heat into the night. It is very important to stop sun from falling on concrete.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » Material Safety Data Sheets - Free registration...
    » Timber Building in Australia. It is being produced by...
    » Sustainable Energy Development Office of Western...
    » Building Codes of Australia Vol 2 Class 1 and 10...

Insulation - Bonded mineral wool, Rock wool, Slag wool, Mineral fibre insulation wool

Safer product/ finishes: The use of this insulation is not recommended in a Healthy House

Use Advice: It is used for thermal and acoustic insulation and fire protection. It is 95% rock and blast furnace slag, less than 5% heat-cured, urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resin and less than 2% refined mineral oil. Rock wool dust can cause skin rashes and eye, nose, throat and lung irritation.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Insulation - Bonded glass wool, Fibreglass insulation, Insulation batts, Insulation wool, Glass wool insulation.

Safer product/ finishes: The use of this insulation is not recommended in a Healthy House

Use Advice: It is used for thermal and acoustic insulation. It is made up of borosilicate glass, heat cured phenol-formaldehyde resin and a solvent refined mineral oil. Glass wool dust can cause skin rashes and eye, nose, throat and lung irritation. Manufactuers and distributors of glass wool batts describe porducts as no being bio-soluable.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Insulation - Cellulose

Safer product/ finishes: Cellulose Insulation is a good choice. It can be made of 100% recycled waste paper. The loose fibres will conform to fill spaces leaving no gaps and this regard is superior to batts that sre subject to misfitting by installers. It is also very cost effective. It needs to be fire and fungus proofed. A good safe treatment is made of one part Borax, one part Waterglass (sodium silicate) plus nine parts water. Calcium and magnesium sulphate can also be added. This can also be used for insulations made of paper, wood shavings, woodchips, bark straw, coconut fibre, reed and sawdust.

Use Advice: The natural fireproofing and anti-fungal treatment is benign. During a fire these mineral salts emit only carbon dioxide and steam with no combustible gases. Depending on the installation method, this material may settle over time with an associated reduction in performance. It is recommended that your contract guarantees the settled depth and R value.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » Sustainable Energy Development Office of Western...

Insulation - Polyester, PVC

Safer product/ finishes: Polyester batts are a better choice. They are moisture resistant making them suitable for a tropical climate. They do promote corrosion of metals. There is also good fire resistance. There are a number of batt types from Austex and Insulco to name some brands. The use of PVC insulation is not recommended in a Healthy House. The use of PVC profiles in cavity closure is increasing. Alternative products made with polyethylene are available. Sound barriers are also made of PVC, although alternatives of EVA extruded sheet are also available.

Use Advice: They are lightweight, soft and have no health risks in handling. The R rating will be reduced if the batts are reduced or compressed or not fitted tightly between the joists. It is imprtant to follow installation instructions carefully.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Insulation - Wool

Safer product/ finishes: Although these are environmentally safe products, fire, pest and fungus proofing causes toxicity and cellulose insulation is better for this reason. Allied Woolmen is a recommended supplier. See www.http://www.woolmen.com.au/. A safe fire and fungus proofing is Di Sodium Octaborate which is safe and to Australian Standards.

Use Advice: Wool is an environmentally safe product but needs fire, pest and fungus proofing. The chemicals used are toxic with outgasssing potential in a hot roof. The quality is also important as cheaper products can contain a greater percentage of non-wool fibre and therefore may not be as fire proof. Wool can hold moisture in a tropical climate and the roof needs to be very well ventilated.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Insulation - Reflective, Sarking, RFL, Sisalation

Safer product/ finishes: The use of sarking is recommended in a healthy house. The composition of reflective foil laminates is usually metallic foils, laminated to paper and reinforced with glass fibres. This is supplied in rolls and often used as both a vapour barrier and insulation. Double sided and single sided foils are available.

Use Advice: To optimise their effect, the shiny metallic surfaces must be adjacent to a still air gap of 25 mm or more. The positioning of the sarking or foil is critical. The reflective foil or sarking needs to be placed over the top of the rafters, held in place by the roof battens with an air gap of 25mm between the sarking and the metal roof sheeting (the width of the batten). This gap reduces condensation.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Timber Building in Australia. It is being produced by...
    » Sustainable Energy Development Office of Western...

Insulation - Lightweight blankets with combined reflective and conductional resistance.

Safer product/ finishes: The most commonly known products emerging with this new technology is Air-Cell®, E-Therm from Thermotec and Protherm. These products generally have reflective foil to the outer layers and polyethylene extruded or closed cell foam structure to the internal layer. The products are recommended for use in a healthy house as they do not have toxic chemical use such as formaldehyde or other VOC's (see chemical database) used in their manufacture. These products are also fibre-free so they do not irritate are non-asthmatic and non-allergenic. They are suitable to be used in high humidity situations and are anti-condensation. The products are also generally rodent, insect, bacteria, fungus and mould resistant. The sheets that have extruded polyethylene can also be used on steel frames to reduce thermal bridging and conductivity.

Use Advice: The products generally come in long thin sheets. Installation instructions generally includes details on the placement of the sheets beneath the roof sheeting and on top of the roof battens. There needs to be a sag between the battens and each product has a specified distance. Product ranges include variations for particular uses. Installation instructions for Retro-fitting houses include placing the sheeting on top of the ceiling battens with some use of batts between the joists. The performance of the products is affected by ventilation and dust.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Metalwork - roofing and steel frames

Safer product/ finishes: Sleeping quarters should be away from any steel frames including metal doors and windows. Where possible choose timber frames or ensure that all metal components are discontinuous and earthed.

Use Advice: Metals interfere with natural magnetic and electrical fields. The Earth's electromagnetic field is normally positive as it is directed from the positively charged ionosphere towards the negatively charged earth. Steel frame houses, metal roofs, metal plumbing and reinforced concrete disrupt this, resulting in a neutral electrostatic field. A high volume of plastics in a house can then cause a home to have a negative electrostatic field. This can create fatigue, irritability and apathy. Metal also conducts microwave, television and radio frequencies, and along with electrical wiring carrying alternating current, creates unhealthy electromagnetic fields (EMF's) throughout a building. If you cannot avoid using metal it should be discontinuous and earthed using a copper rod permantly connected to a conductor and taken down to relatively constant soil - moisture conditions. In clay and free draining soils this is 1.2M and in free draining soils the hole should be widened and filled with dry clay and charcoal which expands and binds with the surrounding soil when watered.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Online Encyclopaedia. http://en.wikipedia.org
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Metalwork - plumbing and electrical wiring.

Safer product/ finishes: The distortion of pulsed electromagnetic fields can be avoided by laying out metal pipes so they are well outside the building. They should be kept away from electrical wiring and earthed. Short pipelines can be run off the main pipeline into the building. Galvanised Iron and Copper Pipes with brass fittings cause electrolysis to occur and unsafe amounts of zinc and copper enter the water supply. To alleviate this problem, a filtration system can be installed, stainless steel piping used (very expensive) or where ever possible pipes should be Polypropylene, Polyethylene HDPE or Polybutylene (definitely not PVC). Do not locate an electrical hot water unit or solar collector closer than 15 M to a bed or other room where you stay for long periods. Have them properly earthed.

Use Advice: Metals interfere with natural magnetic and electrical fields. The Earth's electromagnetic field is normally positive as it is directed from the positively charged ionosphere towards the negatively charged earth. Steel frame houses, metal roofs, metal plumbing and reinforced concrete disrupt this, resulting in a neutral electrostatic field. A high volume of plastics in a house then cause it to have a negative electrostatic field. This can create fatigue, irritability and apathy. Metal also conducts microwave, television and radio frequencies, and along with electrical wiring carrying alternating current, creates unhealthy electromagnetic fields (EMF's) throughout a building. If you cannot avoid using metal it should be discontinuous and earthed using a copper rod permanently connected to a conductor and taken down to relatively constant soil - moisture conditions. In clay and free draining soils this is 1.2M and in free draining soils the hole should be widened and filled with dry clay and charcoal which expands and binds with the surrounding soil when watered.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Online Encyclopaedia. http://en.wikipedia.org
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Metalwork - Steel reinforcing

Safer product/ finishes: Alternatives for metal reinforcing are fibreglass and ceramic reinforcing. Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP), have also become an alternative to rods and as a reinforcing additive. FRP bars, first invented in 1960?s, have high strength to weight ratio, electric and magnetic transparency, are corrosion resistant and fit a wide scale of construction applications. Aramid fibre reinforced polymer (AFRP), carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) rods are commercially available. Problems are that they are neither ductile nor fire resistant. Fibre-reinforcement as an additive is mostly used for on-ground floors and pavements, but can be considered for a wide range of construction parts. The shape, dimension and length of fibre is important. A thin and short fibre, for example short hair-shaped glass fibre, will only be effective the first hours after pouring the concrete (reduces cracking while the concrete is stiffening) but will not increase the concrete tensile strength. A normal size fibre for European shotcrete (1 mm diameter, 45 mm length?steel or plastic) will increase the concrete tensile strength.

Use Advice: Metals interfere with natural magnetic and electrical fields. The Earth's electromagnetic field is normally positive as it is directed from the positively charged ionosphere towards the negatively charged earth. Steel frame houses, metal roofs, metal plumbing and reinforced concrete disrupt this, resulting in a neutral electrostatic field. A high volume of plastics in a house then cause it to have a negative electrostatic field. This can create fatigue, irritability and apathy. Metal also conducts microwave, television and radio frequencies, and along with electrical wiring carrying alternating current, creates unhealthy electromagnetic fields (EMF's) throughout a building. If you cannot avoid using metal it should be discontinuous and earthed using a copper rod permanently connected to a conductor and taken down to relatively constant soil - moisture conditions. In clay and free draining soils this is 1.2M and in free draining soils the hole should be widened and filled with dry clay and charcoal which expands and binds with the surrounding soil when watered.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Online Encyclopaedia. http://en.wikipedia.org
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » Alternative to steel reinforcing -...
    » Alternative to steel reinforcing -...

Paints

Safer product/ finishes: Choose natural paints instead of petrochemical paints and varnishes. GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia) certified paints can be found at http://www.geca.org.au/coatings--paints.html. Better choices of paint brands include Astec, Resene, Bauwerk Colour, BIO, Cooee Timber Treat, Livos, Murobond, Oikos, Porters, Natural Paint and Rockcote.If you must choose a synthetic paint, choose 100% acrylic (no vinyl) low VOC water based paints. An example of a paint is Wattyl I.D. Ultra Premium Satin Acrylic White Low VOC. Chemicals can be found from Wattyl's website http://www.wattyl.com.au/library/Pages/MSDSLibrary.aspx. The chemicals are Acrylic Copolymer latex, Titanium Dioxide, Hydro treated neutral oil, isothiazolinones, filler and ingredients determined not to be hazardous and water. The Acrylic Copolymer is a plastic that has small amounts toxic chemicals. Titanium Dioxide is toxic. Isothiazolinone is a preservative and disinfectant that can cause asthma and dermatitis. The hydro treated neutral oil is a petroleum based oil. This is a white paint and the toxicity of any pigments has not been included. This is classified as a low VOC paint so you can imagine what normal paint is like. A new technology of UV & EB curing is the use of electron beam (EB), ultraviolet (UV) or visible light to reduce VOC's. Look for paint that uses this technology. See the sections on this database under timber and plasterboard for some natural coating solutions including whitewash.

Use Advice: It is highly recommended that you consult an accredited GreenPainter. GreenPainters http://www.greenpainters.org.au, is the national non-profit organisation providing consumer advice, training and accreditation to painters using non-toxic paints. Paints and coatings are cocktails of chemicals. There are over 600 chemicals commonly used in paints and many of them cause serious health problems and are carcinogenic. Normal paint contains about 30% of toxic vinyls that makes it washable. Painters syndrome is a well known medical condition caused by exposure to toxins in paints. Check before disturbing existing materials (Lead). Use quick drying paints. If you need to check on a product you can download its Material Safety Data Sheets from the WWW. For VOC Standards several Australian organisations have standards for paints including the Australian Ecolabelling Association (AELA) and the Australian Paint Approval Scheme (APAS D181).

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » Material Safety Data Sheets - Free registration...
    » EB & UV curing to reduce VOC's....
    » Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), a...
    » GreenPainters

Plasterboard, reinforced

Safer product/ finishes: Plasterboard is acceptable for use in a healthy house as it has a high natural content. Check that it is natural gypsum, liner paper, starch and paper pulp. To reinforce instead of using fibreglass filaments and silicone, add gypsum starch and paraffin wax.

Use Advice: Some plasterboard can be manufactured with calcium sulphate dehydrate, a by-product of nuclear power generation, which makes the board radioactive. Also, sometimes talc and mica is used and it can emit radon and gamma radiation 10 % above background levels. Ensure that the manufacturer has only used natural gypsum.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plasterboard, vinyl lined or water resistant

Safer product/ finishes: Instead of PVC laminates or PVA adhesives use natural gypsum, starch and paper pulp. To water proof instead of using synthetic rubber use bitumen emulsion, water and paraffin wax.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plasterboard, fire proof

Safer product/ finishes: Use vermiculite, clay and starch to fire proof instead of using fibreglass filaments.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plasterboard, fixing, joins and seams

Safer product/ finishes: Instead of PVA adhesives for seams, use plaster; and for joints use calcium carbonate, talc, mica and clay. If fixing plasterboard to metal and timber studs, instead of using PVA and Toluene use Calcium carbonate, water and clay.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plaster - stopping, casting and spraying

Safer product/ finishes: Instead of PV alcohol, use calcined gypsum, gypsum, and keratin retarder.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plaster accelerator

Safer product/ finishes: To accelerate setting of plaster and as a stabiliser use gypsum starch and calcined gypsum.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plaster - Hardwalls

Safer product/ finishes: To trowel on a smooth finish to walls, instead of using cellulose ether, calcium sulphate hemihydrate (calcined calcium sulphate dihydrate or gypsum) use calcium carbonate, keratin retarder and hydrated lime.

Use Advice: This is a pervious coating and will allow the plasterboard to breath.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plaster - interior masonry walls

Safer product/ finishes: Instead of using cellulose ether and detergent, use calcined gypsum, calcium carbonate, hydrated lime, clay, talc, perlite and keratin.

Use Advice: This is a pervious coating and will allow the plasterboard to breath.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plaster, interior texture compound for plasterboard, brick and masonry

Safer product/ finishes: Use calcium carbonate, talc, mica, starch, cellulose. See 'Paint' for coating ideas or use water saturated chalk with added cellulose glues and natural colour pigments.

Use Advice: This is a pervious coating and will allow the plasterboard to breath.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plaster, exterior texture compound for plasterboard, brick and masonry

Safer product/ finishes: Whitewash is a safe exterior surface treatment and also kills bacteria. You can easily make whitewash at home from quicklime and water, colouring with natural pigments. A weather resistant and semi permeable solution is Potash Waterglass. This is a mixture of sodium or potassium silicate, borax and water covered with a silicate paint. White cement (type used for tile grouting) and calcium hydroxide is also a weatherproof coating that breaths well. Putz Technik plaster is non-toxic and environmentally-safe. This is a 'breathable', pigmented two-coat mineral plaster system from Germany which uses local bulk ingredients. It has a fibreglass mesh rather than a metal mesh, as would be the case with a traditional three-coat plaster system.

Use Advice: There are many recipes for the making of whitewash on the internet but it is recommended that it is made a year in advance of use.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Plumbing - Pipe work

Safer product/ finishes: Metal pipes and fittings can cause electrolysis to occur and unsafe amounts of zinc and copper to enter the water supply. See Metals. Polyvinyl Chloride PVC is composed of Dioxins and Phthalates, known cancer causing chemicals. An alternative is Polybutylene, although there is evidence that increased levels of water chlorination can degrade the piping and there has been law suits in the USA. This problem is not evident in European countries as the chlorination levels are lower. A better alternative is halogen free polyethylene. See Polyethylene and Halogens in the 'Chemicals Commonly Used' section. It is finding application in domestic hot and cold water and underfloor heating systems. It can withstand operating temperatures of up to about 90?C, with surges to about 110?C. Since these materials are available in coiled lengths of 100 m or more, joints and hence glues, sealants and leaks can be minimised. Polypropylene is another PVC alternative. It doesn't melt below 160? C. It has a lower impact strength, but its tensile strength is superior to low or high density polyethylene (LDPE & HDPE) and with better UV properties. This is a semi-rigid material, ideal for the transfer of hot liquids or gases. (See Gas Piping and fittings). An alternative for PVC Wastewater/ Sewer Discharge Pipes and Fittings is also Vitrified Clay (VC)

Use Advice: Be wary of glues, sealants, dying pigments and fire protection agents used in pipe joinery as they can be toxic. The weathering of polyethylene products can be lessened if it is UV strengthened. This is done with carbon black which gives the pipes a black colour. See Carbon Black in the 'Chemicals Commonly Used section'. PE is not compatible with halogens and it is important to ensure that the product is halogen free. The different types of polyethylene's (PE) i.e. HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, LLDPE are used for different purposes. HDPE is most commonly used for piping and is rigid. HDPE is also non-toxic and non-staining and meets FDA and USDA certification for food processing. XLPE is a HDPE that has silanes grafted into it to make it more flexible. Polypropylene also has excellent resistance to acids and alkalines, but poor resistance to aromatic, aliphatic and chlorinated solvents making polyethylene a safer product.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Luscombe, Darryl -Greenpeace "Alternatives to PVC - An...
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » Mobbs, Michael. 'Sustainable House' Ed (2004) Sydney,...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Online Encyclopaedia. http://en.wikipedia.org
    » The A-Z of materials website. http://www.azom.com and...
    » Australian manufacturer of polyethylene's and other...

Resins see Varnishes

Safer product/ finishes: Resin is used to make varnish. Look for those made with phenol formaldehyde rather than urea formaldehyde. Natural resins are mostly based on plant extracts. Shellac is made from an insect secretion and is used in the traditional "French polish" method of finishing furniture and fine viols. Shellac refined for industrial purposes either retains its natural wax content or is refined wax-free by filteration. Orange shellac is bleached with sodium hypochlorite solution to form white shellac and also is produced in wax-containing and wax-free form. Because it is compatible with most other finishes, shellac is also used as a barrier or primer coat on wood to prevent the bleeding of resin or pigments into the final finish, or to prevent wood stain from blotching. Lightly tinted shellac preparations are also sold as paint primer. Try varnishes produced by these manufacturers: Dulux Professional EnvirO2 ?, Bauwerk Colour?, Berger BreatheEasy, Bio Products, Cooee Timber Treat, Livos, Murobond, Oikos, Porter's and Rockcote.

Use Advice: A new technology of UV & EB curing is the use of electron beam (EB), ultraviolet (UV) or visible light to reduce VOC's. Look for paint and varnishes that uses this technology.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Online Encyclopaedia. http://en.wikipedia.org
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Rainwater tanks

Safer product/ finishes: Polyethylene is the most popular material for hard wall tanks and best when it is halogen free. Polypropylene is also used for hard wall as well as for geotextile bladders.

Use Advice: Any material containing formaldehyde which may include fibreglass, concrete and PVC is not recommended as it gases out and the gas is highly water soluble particularly in hot climates. Galvanised iron can cause metallic pollution in the water. Concrete tanks may have a radon emission which has not been investigated properly. The Bluescope Steel water tanks can use use Aquaplate which has a PVC coating that may contain formeldehyde and is not suitable for a healthy home. (See Roofs)

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Roofs

Safer product/ finishes: Natural roofing material such as terracotta tiles are pervious and breath. Slate tiles are impervious and need air around them. Corrugated Fibre Cement is acceptable but needs a cement paint that does not contain solvents and toxic chemicals (see Cement Board and Fibre Cement). Shingle roofing of split and sawn timber from durable termite resistant ethically resourced hardwoods is hygroscopic, an excellent insulator and has good wind resistance. Earth covered and sod-roofs are acceptable, provided there is a drainage layer beneath an inert membrane. Acceptable roof surfaces for the collection of rainwater include galvanised iron, colourbond, zincalume, slate and ceramic tiles. Most rainwater water collection systems will flush off the first 8-10 litres. Cement and metal tiles may leach lime and heavy metals. Asbestos roofs can't be used. Paint on roof surfaces can also leach especially if lead or tar based. The quality of rainwater collected from roofs, gutters and downpipes is adversely effected by chemicals such as Dioxins released from PVC products including coatings. PVC materials should not be used in a healthy house. (See Plumbing and Water proofing membranes).

Use Advice: Steel and aluminium roof sheeting is impervious and does not allow a roof to breath. If used, create air gaps and ventilation holes or slits under the eaves or on gable ends. Steel sheeting also encourages the formation of rogue electromagnetic fields and interferes with natural good radiation. Aluminium roofing is non-magnetic but it conducts electricity creating problems with DC fields and natural radiation. Rogue electromagnetic fields require earthing (see Metals). Colourbond, Aquaplate and Zincalume sheeting MSDS (material safety data sheets) are available from Bluescope Steel's website. Colourbond and Aquaplate has a PVC coating and Zincalume sheeting has a chromium based resin coating and anticorrosion oils. The health of workers exposed to toxic dust in the manufacture of the products are at risk. The stable materials meet the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Standards, although these standards are known to not be as high as those set down by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Mobbs, Michael. 'Sustainable House' Ed (2004) Sydney,...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » Australian Government - National Health and Medical...

Roofs - Semi permanent, outdoor, architectural

Safer product/ finishes: Tensile or stressed fabric structures have become common alternatives to conventional roofs and structures in recent years, particularly for buildings used for social gatherings or of a semi-permanent nature. They are generally made of PVC or have PVC coatings. Problems associated with stressed PVC fabric are toxic emissions during welding (joins the large sheets together, forming it for specific uses) and the release of toxic fumes in the case of a fire. Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) can be used although as a fluorocarbon it can be considered a volitile organic compound (see VOC in 'Chemicals Commonly Used' database). Canvas is a natural alternative. Mehler Texnologies have a product called VALMEX? which is made of low wick polyester (PES) yarns and PVDF lacquer top coat which has recently been made available in Australia and is an alternative to PVC. It has been used in Germany for many years.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » The Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a US based national...

Sealants and finishes

Safer product/ finishes: Suppliers names that produce some sealants and are available in Australia are Feast Watson, Peerless Emulsion, Bio Products, Cooee, Livos, Porter's, Natural Paint and Rockcote. Instead of polyurethane floor finishes use plant chemical hard based oils and waxes. Oil coated floors finished with beeswax generally need an annual polish and scratches and stains can be treated with turps and have the spot rewaxed (this cannot be done with polyurethane sealants when they get scratched and sanding is required). Tung Oil based sealers can contain hardeners but no di-isocyanates (see 'Chemicals Commonly Used' database), can be walked on after 48 hours but take several weeks to cure (maybe harbouring dirt). Oil modified urethanes cure faster although have some di-isocyanates. It uses oils such as tung, linseed or safflower heated with glycerides and taken up with solvents as a way of changing the oil into a surface that will dry. The low levels of di-isocyanate it uses is cooked out and little is left to gas out during curing. A maintenance product to protect the sealants from wear and tear can be a water-based acrylic sealer such as Peerless Emulsions 'Gemini'. It is not a known hazardous chemical although still requires cautious use.

Use Advice: The level of di-isocyanates and toluene in polyurethane floor sealers is highly toxic. Others can contain xylene, a benzene derivate, and other solvents that are also highly toxic. The sealers are sold in two packs to be mixed immediately prior to application. The chemical reaction occurs and product cures by evaporation of the di-isocyanates and solvents: high in VOC's and very toxic. Polyurethane timber finishes are also available in a one pack (moisture curing) that is pre-combined and cures by taking oxygen from the air but also gases out some free di-isocyanates. The one pack is less brittle than the two pack and allows more wood movement. Once hardened, most of the di-isocyanate has gassed out during the curing process. Good websites for information about calking and sealants are http://www.ecospecifier.org/knowledge_base/setting_priorities/adhesives_tapes_fasteners and http://oikos.com/library/airsealing/materials.html. Sanding and applying polyurethanes can cause lung damage and all recommended safety advice should be taken very seriously. The strength of polyurethane on floors restricts their movement. Insufficient ventilation and humid climate causes the water content of timber to expand boards. Instead of being able to expand individually, the two pack polyurethane sticks them together in groups and this can damage the floor. http://www.timberqueensland.com.au/application/flooring/finish.asp

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Klymenko, P.,'Indoor Air Quality: Selecting Products for...
    » Mobbs, Michael. 'Sustainable House' Ed (2004) Sydney,...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » A US based green building website...
    » Timber Queensland. http://www.tradac.org.au/

Solar heating systems

Safer product/ finishes: All solar heating systems are good for a healthy house although See Metal - plumbing and electrical wiring

Use Advice: See Metal - plumbing and electrical wiring

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Steel reinforcing

Safer product/ finishes: See Metal Work.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Stormwater Drainage Systems

Safer product/ finishes: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) & Polypropylene (PP), Fibre cement pipes. (See plumbing.)

Use Advice: See Cement Board - fibre cement.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Sewage Pipes

Safer product/ finishes: Fibre cement pipes. (See Plumbing.)

Use Advice: See Cement Board - fibre cement.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Termite Barriers

Safer product/ finishes: The best approach to termite control is the placing of physical barriers. Work with pesticide professionals that provide alternative solutions such as neem-pyrethrum extracts and not synthetic chemicals. They need to be qualified in both entomology and building construction especially to rectify termite infestation in existing buildings. Stainless steel mesh is used successfully but quality control is vital to ensure there is no breaks or holes. It is laid over footings and plumbing and the damp proof coursing is them laid on top of it, then finally the concrete slab. Pipes breaking through the mesh are collared with a stainless steel hose clamp. Concrete or brick piers should have ant caps installed as a precaution. Ensure that the extremities of the mesh are visible so that termite activity is easily detected. Different termite species can be controlled by the use of basalt gravel beds with a particular sizes of gravel. Exposing termites to halogen lights and fan forced ventilation dries out the soil and the termites will move on from this nest. Buildings can be encircled with a shield of mesh or gravel, although some species are known to work to 3 m below the ground. See Timber treatments.

Use Advice: The chemical treatments for subterranean termites should be avoided as they are very toxic. Arsenic trioxide powder is placed in tunnels, or sprayed on nests with organochlorine chemicals like Chlordane, Dieldrin, Heptachlor, etc. They remain an active hazard in the environment for many years. The worst are those that have lifetime guarantees. Insecticides are derived from 'Nerve Gas' developed for warfare. The breakdown and the end of 'gassing off' of poisonous fumes can take decades. For timber flooring systems, ensure that the house is raised with good light, ventilation and easy access. Termites like dry and wet rotting timber. The Standards Association of Australia has information on termite control in existing and new buildings. See this website: http://www.standards.org.au/. There are standards that also have lists of timber species that have a natural resistance to termites (See AS 1604.1?2000 Specification for preservative treatment). A good pest professional should have a copy of these Standards. This website is an excellent resource on termites : http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/good_wood/nat_htrs.htm

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The NSW Good Wood Guide is an excellent resource on...

Timber

Safer product/ finishes: Good wood is verified as coming from a 'well-managed' forest or plantation such as community 'ecotimber' (http://www.paradiseforest.org/reclaiming_paradise/eco_timber.php) or certified by a credible certification system such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which is international, and Australian Forest Certification Scheme (AFCS) which works with Australian standards and chain of custody. We have not been able to find a resource listing AFCS timber suppliers. Greenpeace Australia have a good wood guide to products, species and Australian suppliers (including Bunning's!) of the FSC or recycled timbers. See http://www.greenpeace.org.au/goodwoodguide/index.html. Carter Holt Harvey is on this list. Their timber is kiln-dried, machine graded and chemical-free. It undergoes a special drying process which sterilises and stabilises the timber, killing fungi and insects. Borer are also not attracted to kiln-dried pine. This website details other international certification and chain of custody schemes if timbers are imported . http://www.forestrycertification.info/phpprograms/viewtemplate.php3?viewchoice=matrix. For details on timbers from Australian grown plantations see this website: http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/good_wood/oz_pln.htm. An alternative to internal timber use is Bamboo. There are a number of suppliers in Australia importing it from China. Sealants and adhesives may be toxic.

Use Advice: How can concerned timber buyers be certain that their building or furniture project is not adding to the hardship suffered by displaced forest people or endangered species somewhere in the world? If you are building, you can insist on timber chosen from an ecologically sustainable source by including it in the building specifications. Make this clause part of the legal contract: "Timber species from rainforests or rainforest buffer-zones shall not be used in the Building Works. Preference shall be given to Australian timbers grown in plantations or privately owned forests managed on an ecologically sustainable basis. If not specified, timber species to be used shall be submitted for approval." The difficult part is choosing the right timber. As a consumer, you can only be sure of timbers that are sourced close to home. In many cases, even these should be checked out carefully. Australian species, such as Jarrah, Cypress Pine, River Red Gum and Blackwood may well have been logged from fragile ecosystems. Timber logs sawn radially (like a cake wedge instead of across the diameter) yields 30% more timber from the log. The grain runs across the board and it shrinks more evenly with less distortion. Radially sawn timbers can be cut from tress as young as 20 years rather than 40 years for conventionally sawn timber products. The acceptance of the look and an increase in demand of radially sawn timbers would be very good for the Australian renewable forest industry.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international...
    » Timber Queensland. http://www.tradac.org.au/
    » Australian Forestry Standard....
    » The NSW Good Wood Guide is an excellent resource on...

Timber coatings

Safer product/ finishes: The best option is to leave wood untreated. If it does need sealing there are organically-based products that offer an alternative to chemicals. Companies such as Livos Paints, Organoil, Grimes Paints, Porters Paints and Bio Products market a range of paints, varnishes, lacquers, stains, polishes and wood preservatives made from natural raw materials. These ingredients include earth pigments, herbal fungicides, natural oils, waxes, resins and balsams. The products are made using recipes often dating back hundreds of years. Modern manufacturing methods achieve a high level of quality-control using natural ingredients. Any smell from paints, binding agents and solvents should be pleasant or neutral and not emit obnoxious fumes. The coating should be permeable, allowing the timbers to breath, reducing mould growth. See Paints, Sealants and Varnishes.

Use Advice: Many chemically-based paints and varnishes use solvents or aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, benzene or ketones, esters and glycol-ethers. These substances are linked with brain, liver and kidney damage. Wood preservatives generally contain highly poisonous substances such as PCP and its derivatives, organic compounds such as TBTO and chlorinated carbon compounds such as Chlordane, Dieldrin, Dioxin, Lindane, PCB, as well as phenyl mercuric acetate and copper napthalenate. These can affect the nervous system and break down the immune system. Lead and cadmium, both highly toxic, may be used for pigments. Some monomers used to form synthetic resins such as acrylonitrile (Acrylic) and vinyl chloride (PVC) are also very toxic. Many of these substances are readily absorbed through the skin. Most are not bio-degradable, although some may break down into even more hazardous compounds. This website lists all of the non-toxic coatings for timber. http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/good_wood/ntox_trs.htm

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » HIA Greensmart News Victoria, Issue 5 Summer 2006
    » Principal author - Chris Reardon from the Institute for...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...
    » The Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a US based national...
    » The NSW Good Wood Guide is an excellent resource on...

Timber recycled

Safer product/ finishes: The use of recycled timbers is recommended for a healthy home although paint and surface removals can be toxic. Dipping in caustic soda can leave timber with a faded and 'furry' surface if it is soaked too long. For a safer paint removal products see this website for Peelaway: http://www.dumondchemicals.com/paint_remover.htm.

Use Advice: Nails should always be removed, not sawn off. Oxalic acid can be applied to remove metallic surface stains. Check for lead before disturbing existing materials.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Timber treatments and preservatives

Safer product/ finishes: Use rot-resistant woods, concrete and other construction techniques that may eliminate the need for preservatives. If treatment is essential, Ecowood ? also known as Tanalised E - is a ?new generation? treated wood protected with unique timber preservatives incorporating copperazole. It is ideal for long term protection against decay and termites. It is produced using deep vacuum/pressure impregnation and is available as both softwood and hardwood. It is a non CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate, see Chemicals commonly used database) based product and none of the constituents of Tanalised Ecowood are considered by government regulators to be toxic or harmful at the levels present in the timber. For this reason Ecowood is often used for applications where there is frequent human contact. See http://www.aboutgoodwood.info/index.aspx?id=41&nav=4. An LOSP (light organic solvent particles) formulation is available (?T2?) that uses linseed oil instead of white spirit which eliminates the greenhouse impact of white-spirit and off-gassing. It still contains Tributyltin Oxide, which is often banned in marine preservatives due to aquatic toxicity and is not suitable for in-ground applications. An oil-based primer may be required for painted applications. Another preservative is Sodium Silicate. It is very stable, inert, and has low toxicity. Any potential toxicity comes from additives, so look for these. Another alternative is Borax which can be moderately toxic if swallowed. It is considered a low-level environmental toxin and requires careful use. It is also easily converted to boric acid or borate. You can find details in our 'Chemicals commonly used' section. An exterior weather resistant and semi permeable solution that has some fire protection and is fungus and insect resistant is Potash Waterglass. This is a mixture of sodium or potassium silicate, borax and water covered with a silicate paint.

Use Advice: Chipboard, most cladding and all vaneered timbers and timber used in brick veneer walls requiring waterproofing, pest and fungus treatment can be treated with CCA and Penta. Penta is very toxic and still widely used in Australia (see dioxins on the 'chemicals commonly used' database). Avoid it whenever buying treated wood products. From the 12 March 2006 it is an offence in Australia to sell CCA preservative chemical (to the treatment plant) for treating timber products intended for use as garden furniture, picnic tables, exterior seating, children?s play equipment, patio and domestic decking, and handrails. CCA can still be used for fencing, screens, structural timbers, cladding, fascias, battening, retaining wall timbers, pergola timbers, posts, piles and a host of industrial and commercial applications such as poles, vineyard posts, cross-arms etc. These products will be required to be marked with the words ?Treated with copper chrome arsenate?. Other very toxic chemicals have historically been used in our homes and buildings for timber treatment. The list includes: DDT, Dieldrin, Lindane, Tributyltin oxide and Arsenic.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...
    » The 'Ecospecifier' website is a not-for-profit...
    » Online Encyclopaedia. http://en.wikipedia.org
    » Timber Queensland. http://www.tradac.org.au/

Wall cladding - internal

Safer product/ finishes: See Plasterboards, Cement boards, Fibreboards and Timber.

Use Advice: See moulded glass reinforced cement board and fibre cement board under cement boards. If using wood, the buyer should ensure that the product is from a certified sustainable source (see timber).

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Wall cladding - external

Safer product/ finishes: PVC cladding materials should be avoided. There are many alternatives on the market: solid wood, plywood, strand board, wood-resin composites, stucco, cement sheeting (both moulded glass reinforced and fibre cement board), masonite and aluminium. Timber cladding should be obtained from sustainable forests. Consider cement and wood or fibre composite boards such as Hardibacker (made from cellulose fibre, portland cement and finely ground sand and water), Hardiplank (Weatherboard, Hardboard) or Hebel block and panels (an AAC, aerated autoclaved concrete). Cladding must withstand all types of weather, look attractive and be affordable to buy and install. See Boards.

Use Advice: See moulded glass reinforced cement board and fibre cement board under cement boards. If using wood, the buyer should ensure that the product is from a certified sustainable source (see timber).

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Wall coverings - wall paper

Safer product/ finishes: Wall paper is not recommended in a healthy home as it is normally treated with chlorine and formaldehyde to get its wet strength, waterproofing, mould and insect resistance. The adhesives are also normally very toxic (see adhesives).

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Forster, Janet. 'How to Build a Chemical-Free House',...

Waterproofing - non permeable membranes

Safer product/ finishes: Roofing film made of soft PVC is used on the insides of roofs as shielding and flashing against water. Dioxins and phthalates from soft PVC can be emitted to air and to water. PVC geomembranes are also used as linings in outdoor landscaping, for example in ponds. Several alternative plastics exist. A good alternative is Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). TPOs are typically blends of polypropylene with ethylene-propylene rubber, and retain flexibility at low temperatures without the addition of plasticisers. TPO membranes comfortably comply with the ASTM-specified severe accelerated ageing tests, and white membranes substantially exceed the US Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star performance levels. Being thermoplastic, TPOs are recyclable. Alternative roof membrane materials to PVC include: EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), FPO (Flexible Polyolefin Alloy), MBM (Modified Bitumen) with SBS (Styrene Butadiene Styrene) and APP (Acstatic polypropylene).

Use Advice: TPO membranes for roofing applications are available in widths up to 3.66 m, usually comprising a layer of reinforcing fabric between layers of TPO, having a total thickness of 1-2 mm. The membrane is usually installed using mechanical fasteners and plates along the edge, with adjoining sheets being overlapped and hot air welded. Alternatively, adhesive fixing may be used although the glue may be toxic and this needs to be checked.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Timber Building in Australia. It is being produced by...

Waterproofing - breathable membranes

Safer product/ finishes: The Proctor Group make a product called roofshield and rapshield. These are spun-bonded polypropylene fabrics with breathing and waterproofing properties used as an underlay for pitched roofs. It is a three layer laminate designed to combine water hold out properties with high breathability. It meets the following basic criteria: Waterproof - Wind resistant - U.V. Stabilised -Rot proof - Tear resistant. Proctor opened in Australia in early 2006. (See www.aeromfg.com.au.)

Use Advice: If roofing or cladding materials breath or are vented, membranes must be impermeable to liquid moisture yet still allow the free flow of water vapour from the inner surface of the cladding. Polythene film, foil or other non-permeable material should never be used as sarking immediately behind timber cladding or breathable roofing materials or areas that need to vent. See the information provided under Insulation - Reflective, Sarking.

Sources - see information sources for details:

Windows and doors

Safer product/ finishes: Second hand doors and windows are the healthiest to use. If new, choose joinery that uses traditional construction and no synthetic glues. Choose windows that maximise ventilation and have uncomplicated opening and closing systems. Doors, windows and conservatory frames - made from unplasticised PVC (u-PVC) are heavily promoted by industry as replacement windows and doors. Sustainable timber is still a suitable alternative. Despite the claims made for u-PVC windows and doors, wooden window frames have advantages over PVC. u-PVC windows do degrade, they are not maintenance free and may not be repaired where necessary. For high rise buildings, aluminium and wood combination windows should be considered in preference to PVC. One hundred per cent recyclable aluminium is also available in Australia and New Zealand. See http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/abtcit/ec/ecoinit/ecohsebrochure2.asp#construction. See Paints, Resins and Varnishers

Use Advice: If second hand doors and windows are being used check that timbers have not been chemically treated and be sure that they are onsite before framing commences. Test for lead in any paint and if it needs to be removed, follow precautions. Internal doors are normally treated with formaldehyde and heavier chipboard/ composite and veneered doors require greater amounts of glue. The Berlin City Council enforced restrictions on PVC use in building in May 1996. Now, new polyolefin windows were installed. A leading PVC window manufacturing company in Austria, Internorm, have developed a VC/chlorine-free plastic window frame.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Greenpeace Australia. Ecotips:...
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...

Varnishes see resins

Safer product/ finishes: Try varnishes produced by these manufacturers: Dulux Professional EnvirO2 ?, Bauwerk Colour?, Berger BreatheEasy, Bio Products, Cooee TimberTreat, Livos, Murobond, Oikos, Porter's, Rockcote and Natural Paint. A new technology of UV & EB curing is the use of electron beam (EB), ultraviolet (UV) or visible light to reduce VOC's. Look for products that uses this technology.

Use Advice: Varnishes can take longer to out-gas their dangerous toxins than normal paints. When removing old varnishes, wear a face mask and cover exposed skin.

Sources - see information sources for details:
    » Baggs,Joan.'The Healthy House', 1996, Sydney Harper...