We Made the List of New Carcinogens

Interior Design and the built environment made a huge leap forward in recognition of a couple of huge interior problems. Two items in the built environment were added to the list of carcinogens that exist in our environment. Those of us involved in healthy interior specification have known this for a long time, but here goes the news!
Wrinkle free fabric (fabric treated to have a non wrinkle hand and appearance) is stated to contain harmful amounts of Formaldehyde.
Particle Board (say it isn't so!) is also on this new list of 8 additional products containing harmful levels of Formaldehyde.

When exposed to these particulates cancer can occurr, or extreme trouble breathing.

New construction today is full of "bonded materials" which are combination products that are held together with inexpensive bonding agents for speed of production, and low cost. These bonding agents are typically the culprits in containing Formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds which can cause poor air quality, and when breathed by humans, can lead to many other problems.

Making this list is a dismal, but first step. My predicition is that as this list grows and the public becomes more aware of how toxic our built environment is, that LEED standards for healthy interiors will change. If we catch up with Europe (1/2 of our toxins are allowed), or Japan (1/8 of our toxins are allowed) and head toward a neutral rating of toxicity, we are making forward progress.

Healthy Interior Design - a Division of Christy Collection Inc. lauds the expanded list and begs for our testing facilities to be ever more vigilent in the quest for neutral interior environments.

Non Toxic Materials Worth the Effort

In our continuing quest to creat non toxic and healthy environments, we have hit many brick walls and manufacturers that do not agree with our standards. When a manufacturer boasts about having "green" elements to their product lines, as a designer you must ask for the documentation. Green is in. Green sells. We all know this by buying organic foods and later
finding out that it is not.

Going beyond Green to Healthy gives even more credence to the quest.
We are keeping information organized to share with designers as we develope
training manuals and training courses to help other designers learn about healthy
design. The industry will change slowly if we demand it as professionals. Our clients
need to be educated by us to know that products that will not hurt their familes are out
there.

Doing the research for Healthy Interior Products takes alot of time and determination.
When I am ignored when asking for test data, the manufacturer is put on notice.
Claims of non toxic ingredients are always backed up with certified testing data, and
it must be provided for products to be specified.

The US is behind other countries in demanding non toxic materials. Designers need
to make the difference in this effort. Demand non toxic materials for your clients.
It may not save our world.. but it may save your little corner of it.