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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
10.09.2008 - 07:00am ET
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BuildClean to Homeowners: "Materials in your home may make you sick"
Homeowners remodeling after hurricanes should be especially wary.
(CSRwire) - Consumer advocacy organization warns of multiple potential
sources of exposure
- Homeowners remodeling after hurricanes should be especially
wary
HOUSTON, TX. - October 9, 2008 - "What we don't know definitely can hurt
us," says BuildClean(TM) President Sara Speer Selber. "The more scientists
learn about the link between environment and health, the longer the list of
illness-causing indoor building materials and substances becomes," she
adds.
BuildClean(TM) is a Houston-based not-for-profit with a mission aimed at
educating consumers and generating research and information about the
health, safety and environmental friendliness of indoor materials.
"We have assembled a list of 'bad guys' that homeowners should be
particularly concerned about, including: bacteria, lead,
radon/radioactivity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and asbestos. Most
of us know these are potentially dangerous to human health; what we may not
know is which materials in our homes contain them and could make us sick,"
added Speer Selber.
According to Speer Selber, BuildClean(TM)'s website, www.buildclean.org, offers a
wealth of information for readers interested in learning more about the
link between health and utilization indoors of products containing a
potentially threatening property or substance.
"Bacteria, for example, which has long been known to cause disease, is
capable of responding to antibiotics by becoming more and more resistant
to drug therapies," she continued. "MRSA, a particularly deadly staph
infection, does not respond to the drugs which completely wipe out other
forms of bacteria. If you install porous materials in warm, humid
environments, such as showers, you may be unknowingly encouraging the
growth of MRSA."
According to BuildClean(TM) Program Vice President and environmental
attorney Ashli Ayer, Gulf Coast home and business owners whose property
was damaged by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike should be especially circumspect
when purchasing replacement building materials. "Older structures may
contain asbestos that should be remediated, and--unless you ask
first--your new cabinets, carpet or paint may be full of VOCs.
Manufacturers today make wallboard that is mold-resistant and ideal for
southern climates. The best course of action is to get educated
first--then buy," she said.
According to Ayer, BuildClean(TM) is about to complete a
first-of-its-kind, six-month-long study of 300 Houston homes to measure
levels of radon and gamma ray emanation from indoor decorative stone, such
as countertops, and other sources.
For more information and links to authoritative sources on asbestos, mold,
lead, radiation, and volatile organic compounds, visit www.buildclean.org.
ABOUT BUILDCLEAN(TM)
Founded in 2007, Houston-based BuildClean(TM) is a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization that educates consumers and the building
industry about safe, healthy and environmentally friendly materials. The
organization supports evidence-based research to determine, identify and
communicate the benefits and/or risks associated with indoor materials.
For more information about BuildClean(TM) or the free in-home study
project, visit www.buildclean.org or contact info@buildclean.org or 713.533.4509.
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