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.
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