Sick Buildings Cause Serious Illness

Swedish researchers have found that people affected by so called sick-building-syndrome can stay ill for a significant period of time. Sick building syndrome is caused by problems with the building’s environment, like poor ventilation or dampness.

Researchers at Umeå University looked at 189 patients who became ill due to their working conditions and followed them for up to 20 years. They found that almost half of the patients were still seriously ill after seven years, and registered for at least part time incapacity benefit as a result.

The scientists hope that their study will get this syndrome taken more seriously in the future, as seeking help early is crucial to long term chances of recovery.

Dangers Of Going Green

Industrial hygienists found that mold, rot, and corrosion are dangers that must be accounted for when builders construct energy-efficient homes. Recycled materials used in this type of construction are likely to absorb more water than new materials. Air quality can also become an issue because of a heightened focus on insulation which, in addition to reducing heating and cooling costs, can limit the movement of water vapor and potential pollutants.Green building is a growing trend across the country. Eco-friendly homes are being built with recycled wood, solar panels and energy efficient appliances -- but what is healthy for the environment could hide a growing problem in its walls.

Read the Science Daily article and watch the video at http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/1001-dangers_of_going_green.htm

Mould Toxins More Prevalent And Hazardous Than Thought

ScienceDaily (Dec. 9, 2008) — Mould toxins in buildings damaged by moisture are considerably more prevalent than was previously thought, according to new international research. Erica Bloom from the Division of Medical Microbiology at Lund University in Sweden has contributed to research in this field by analyzing dust and materials samples from buildings damaged by mould. Virtually all of the samples contained toxins from mould.

REad the entire article at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081209085622.htm

ETS linked to behavioral problems

ScienceDaily (Dec. 5, 2008) — Boys with asthma who are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke have higher degrees of hyperactivity, aggression, depression and other behavioral problems, according to researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Read the full story here... http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081204133553.htm

GREEN building programs evaluated

The National Center for Healthy Housing issued an analysis of various GREEN building programs in September. Titled, "How Healthy Are National Green Building Programs?" it can be downloaded from http://www.centerforhealthyhousing.org/Green_Analysis_2008.pdf

HUD drafts Strategic Plan for Healthy Homes

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued it's draft version of a Healthy Homes Strategic Plan in September, 2008. You can access it at http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/library/hhi/DraftHHStratPlan_9.10.08.pdf

Healthy Buildings 2009

SyracuseCoE and Syracuse University will host Healthy Buildings 2009, a premier international conference and exhibition, in Syracuse, NY, USA on September 13-17, 2009.

The conference website is now open and is accepting abstracts through an on-line abstract submittal system. You can access their website at www.hb2009.org for more information.

Women's Hands Have Much More Bacteria Than Men

WOW!! Who knew?

Read the blog at...

http://www.scientificblogging.com/news_releases/womens_hands_have_much_more_bacteria_men

Nothing to do with mold, but interesting.

Fungi Geneticist Warns of Sick Building Syndrome

MedPage Today story of a Fungi Geneticist who previously decried SBS, but is a convert now that her home has been affected. I guess a dose of reality can change someone's mind.

Read the story... http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ICAAC-IDSA/11529

New Home Test Kit

The below press release about a new user-friendly self test kit sounds very much like the EPA ERMI. Anyone interested in knowing more about ERMI can contact me via this BLOG and I'll be happy to send you info.

Jeff


National Jewish Health Launches Family Air Care(R) Indoor Allergens and Mold Test Kit DENVER, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Retailer Green Depot, home inspectors, green builders and realtors all on board to market and distribute test

Home owners, buyers and renters can now assure that their indoor environment is healthy and safe with an easy-to-use kit manufactured and serviced by the nation's number one respiratory hospital, National Jewish Health. The Family Air Care(R) Indoor Allergens and Mold Test Kit reports levels of the most common indoor allergens and a relative moldiness index. The product will be especially useful for millions of people with allergies and asthma, who can benefit from lower exposure to allergens and irritants in their environment.

To use, consumers simply attach a small capture device to their vacuum cleaner hose, briefly run the vacuum cleaner in their homes, then mail the collection device to National Jewish Health in a pre-paid envelope provided with the kit. Test results will be posted on a secure Web site, which customers may access with a PIN provided with the kit. In addition to providing specific levels for four allergens (cat, dog, cockroach and dust mite) and a relative moldiness index formulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the results also show how customers' homes compare with homes across the nation. Information will also be provided regarding steps that can be taken to reduce allergen levels within the home.

"The Family Air Care(R) kit is the only commercially available indoor-air testing kit that lets customers compare their results with samples from homes around the nation, and offers specific advice about how to interpret the results and what to do after receiving them," said David Tinkelman, MD, Vice President of Health Initiatives at National Jewish Health.
Green Depot, the #1 supplier of environmentally friendly and sustainable building products, services and solutions, will offer the kit for $349 via its e-commerce site, Greendepot.com, and its 5 retail locations.

National Jewish has also partnered with EcoBroker International, the nation's largest network of environmentally oriented and trained real estate agents, and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors to market and distribute Family Air Care(R).

The kit and additional information are also available at www.familyaircare.com .

SOURCE National Jewish Health