Health & Safety Materials for Everyone's Health
Created By RISC | 2 years ago
Last modified date : 2 years ago
Did you know that you can make your home safer with the right materials?
Health and well-being at home start with choosing the right materials.
You might expect illness to come from conditions outdoors. But materials in your home could be to blame.
First, let's talk about air quality, because we all need to breathe.
House paint has hidden dangers like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These directly affect your body, especially if you have allergies. But innovative home paint is now safer, odorless, low in VOCs, and capable of removing carcinogens from the air 24 hours a day. It also contains Microban to prevent mold and bacteria. Certification from the National Asthma Council Australia to the international standard "Sensitive Choice" identifies paint that won’t cause allergies, respiratory disease, or skin irritation. Paint should also reduce formaldehyde allergy symptoms and suit buildings that require Green Building Standard certification, including Thai Green Building (TREES) and the United States (LEED).
Decorative tiles can absorb toxins and moisture. A Japanese innovation has created a porous material as small as 1 nanometer. The inside of the tile is made of clay and volcanic ash to help absorb moisture, preventing mold. It can also absorb formaldehyde and VOCs.
Formaldehyde is a risk you might easily overlook. The colorless toxic gas can contaminate the air in your home. It is commonly used in the paint industry, wood furniture, coatings, plywood, and wood preservatives to prevent termites and other insects. It’s often found in low-quality cabinets, tables, furniture, textiles, and mattresses. The simplest way to detect formaldehyde is to look for a new pungent odor in any wooden furniture.
Inhaling large amounts of formaldehyde can result in acute poisoning, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of consciousness, and death. Small quantities can irritate your eyes and nose, as well as having negative effects on body systems and even causing cancer.
So, how can you be sure your furniture’s formaldehyde-free?
Take note of the European symbol for formaldehyde measurement, an E with 4 levels.
E2 level that does not emit harmful substances.
E1 International standard for wooden floors and furniture, contains no more than 0.75 ppm of formaldehyde.
E0 high standard, formaldehyde content does not exceed 0.07 ppm.
Super E0 no formaldehyde contains.
Next, let's look at some "healthy materials" starting with the most popular.
After the pandemic, manufacturers have by incorporated a silver nano substance into tiles to resist a variety of bacteria, which is certified in both Thailand and Japan.
There are also an NSF 51 and food grade certified synthetic stone kitchen counters. These have safe and hygienic material and are free of radon, a risk factor for lung cancer. Some products have additional properties that inhibit mold and bacteria.
Next, consider "safety materials" such as shock-absorbing floors.
This type of flooring is ideal for use in homes with elderly inhabitants. Older adults are at high risk of slips and falls. These accidents can have severe physical and psychological effects.
Flooring materials are currently being developed to absorb and reduce the impact of falling. They can avoid fractures and also counter fatigue. The material is made of flexible EPDM rubber sheet, which is highly durable, moisture resistant, and UV resistant. It can also be used both outside and indoors.
Story by: Tiptaptim Bhumibhanit, Senior Sustainable Designer, RISC