Healthy Living

Remember the smell that assaults your nose as soon as you walk into a new house?

A chemical soup, a blend of gases being released from everything that went into the building of the house is what we perceive as "smells". We are actually breathing in volatile organic compounds (VOC's). Although technically not acutely toxic, VOC's cause significant affects on the human body. Especially indoors, where VOC's accumulate in higher concentrations, this is cause for concern.


Paints, primers, sealers, adhesives, wall boards, ceiling tiles, certain woods, wall coverings, electrical equipment, formaldehyde in building materials all contribute to the "sick building" syndrome. The mucous membranes of the respiratory system become irritated, allergies, autoimmune reactions and asthma are all part and parcel of this. Those most affected are infants, children and people with chronic respiratory disease.

The designers of the NNZP spent time and sensitivity selecting the lowest VOC building and decorating materials available.

Zero-VOC Paints. When the painters were working in the house, spraying the ceilings and then the walls with this new-to-them paint, they were truly shocked that there was no smell at all. They didn't even wear their usual masks while they worked. They were all smiles, very happy to be able to work under such comfortable conditions.


Low-VOC Primers


Low-VOC Tile Sealant


A Double Air Filter was installed into the Heat Recovery Ventilator to further enhance and purify the interior air quality.



Solid Wood Baseboards and Crown Moldings were installed instead of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). MDF is a type of hardboard made from wood fibers glued under heat and pressure. It is a material filled with epoxies and formaldehyde, which release large amounts of VOC's for a long period of time after installation.



Hardwood Flooring is being used throughout the main and second floors of the house, over the option of wall-to-wall carpeting with under padding which again, are one of the biggest sources of VOC's in homes and offices.

A word here about flooring. Although the designers for the NNZP had at first opted for Bamboo Flooring, it was rejected for several reasons, in favor of a different, harder wood.

Bamboo is the new hot item in interior decor and designers are eager to hop on the bandwagon with this latest trend. Suddenly it is in high demand. Although it grows and matures significantly faster than any other trees, the "renewable" aspect of this resource is outweighed by the many drawbacks associated with it. Third world countries, where it grows, are clear-cutting rain forest to reap the harvest and the profits. This is causing soil erosion and loss of indigenous plants and animals due to the changes in habitat. Then there are the issues of chemical fertilizers being used in massive quantities to speed up growth even more. There is not one bamboo company that has credible environmental certification.



This soft, reed-like wood, is really a type of grass. Unlike hardwood trees that are solid, bamboo is hollow and has to be cut into thin bands which are then compressed and laminated one on top of another with epoxy and acrylics to build up to a thickness usable for floors. Are you reading VOC's here? .



One further issue is this: when bamboo floors become scratched, dented and chipped, which they very easily do, they can not be refinished. Bamboo is an inferior floor product, which does not stand up to the wear and tear of usual home living. As it dries, bamboo is notorious for peeling, splitting and cracking. Unlike oak floors that last for 100 years or more, they can not be sanded down, re-stained and re-coated. "Put it in. Tear it out," is what the professional installers say about bamboo.

Over all, every effort is being made to ensure the healthiest interior living environment possible in the NNZP.

What are your feelings about these issues?

Do you or your family suffer respiratory illnesses?

Do VOC gasses cause you concern?

Have you learned anything new about bamboo flooring in this post, or do you feel bamboo is still worth it?