Twelve steps to a healthy house: Cindy Meehan-Patton explains that excellent health—for you and the planet—starts at home

New Life Journal, April-May, 2002 by Cindy Meehan-Patton

Most of you will pay more for organic produce so your bodies don't absorb toxic chemicals used in standard farming. Or you are willing to seek alternative healing so synthetic drugs do not hinder your health and well being. If you are one of those people, then creating a green built eco-conscious or healthy home should be your highest choice in order to maintain this same vitality for your body, mind and soul. A majority of our time is spent in our homes: healing, resting, playing, loving and re-creating. Aren't we willing to pay more to ensure that we can enjoy these important facets of life?

Various studies conclude that allergies and asthma are on the rise because of both OAQ (Outdoor Air Quality) and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality). On average, Americans spend over ninety percent of their time indoors. Stale air in most homes stays trapped for the occupants to breathe. This is one of the main sources for allergies. Unfortunately, many people begin opting to use eco-conscious interior design or healthy building products after they realize their symptoms have resulted from the indoor air quality in their homes or offices. Why not educate yourself, and prevent these problems before they impact your health and that of your family?

Choosing to create a healthy home has nothing to do with money issues and everything to do with choosing health and well being. And if our mission on this planet is to live in health, joy and harmony with all that is, why would we choose to build our sacred surroundings any other way?

Sustainable, Eco, Green or Healthy have different meanings for everyone. It is all about your intention behind the process. For example, one of you may be wanting natural, bio based materials; while another may be more concerned with the overall energy performance of the structure. Either one of these priorities can be achieved along with other "green" desires if you design and build with intention. "Sustainability" simply defined for the building industry is a process that can be continued indefinitely without degrading the environment. In other words, if you are going to build or renovate, every step taken in the process should enhance the longevity of our natural environment.

Some simple, common sense ways to do this follow. The good news is that all of the materials listed below are available locally. As recently as two years ago, this was not the case.

1. Orient your building design for optimal sun and cross ventilation orientation, with the least impact possible on the existing site. Don't cut the trees down! They have been here much longer than we have--therefore we have no right to take their lives. Trees and the entire natural world are an important energy source for keeping universal harmonious balance, and trees are also natural air filters, breathing in the carbon dioxide that our modern living creates and filtering it. Allow the natural process of elimination to guide your sun window. (The beetle killed many pine trees on my site last year, freeing up more of a solar window, naturally. My future plan is to incorporate photovoltaic panels for all my interior lighting and possibly hot water.)

2. Design outdoor rooms to coincide and cooperate with your indoor rooms, so traveling from inside to outside is a natural process in your space plan.

3. Size your home according to your actual needs. This requires creative design strategies that allow for cooperative space planning. For example, a loft space could serve as a guest bedroom and a meditation space. Less is more in sustainable design.

4. When choosing your building materials, your design should utilize the entire piece of material. Design your home or office knowing the dimensions of your chosen building material, so there is minimal to no waste. Construction and demolition waste accounts for over 60% of landfill waste. For many parts of the country, there is no more space for landfills, so once they fill up, where will the waste go?

5. Recycle your construction waste and use recycled building materials where possible. Synthetic (recycled) Gypsum drywall is 100% recycled content and is 100% recyclable. It is now available in stock or by special order at many builders' supply stores for a price comparable to standard drywall. It is a special order item, so leave the appropriate time when ordering it. There are many recycled content building materials available in the standard, mass produced marketplace of building materials. If you have health concerns (allergies), be cautious about some of these--like OSB board. Formaldehyde glues are still the predominant binding source for a lot of these materials. Rule of thumb: just because a building material is recycled, it may not be low or nontoxic.

6. Use reclaimed wood where appropriate. There are several suppliers locally and regionally that offer FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood, sustainably harvested wood, or deconstructed wood.

7. Natural and rapidly renewable building boards for cabinetry and finishes help to make your indoor air healthy and alive with organic inspiration.