• 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.

Project Management Team, The

Project Management Team, The

The Project Management Team is a national consulting firm whose focus to to help design, develop and implement CSR portfolios.

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