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Report Says ‘Green Buildings’ May Be Hazardous to Your Health

Report Says Green Buildings May Be Hazardous to Your HealthLast week, we covered a new study that claims that biodegradable products may actually be damaging to the environment. Now, another interesting bit of research has emerged that questions whether green buildings are hazardous to human health.

Those who don’t buy into the global warming or climate change mantra, though, won‘t find vindication in the report’s fndings. In it, researchers embrace climate change and examine the potential impact that it has on the indoors. According to FOX News:

The report cautions that climate change can negatively and directly affect indoor air quality in several ways. But the scientists behind the study warn that homeowners and businesses could also be making the problem worse by pursuing untested or risky energy-efficiency upgrades.

“Even with the best intentions, indoor environmental quality issues may emerge with interventions that have not been sufficiently well screened for their effects on occupant safety and health,” the report said.

When buildings are made more airtight — a seemingly beneficial undertaking — there may be negative moisture and air problems that result. Additionally, asbestos and other harmful materials may emerge when homes and businesses are made more “green” (though FOX notes that these issues aren’t limited to environmentally-beneficial changes to buildings).

The report doesn’t try to convince the public not to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient. Instead, it calls for organizations to begin tracking the side effects that these green upgrades may have. Then, the public can make more educated decisions on the matter.

Comments (53)

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  • wewantchillywilly
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 11:26pm

    are you telling me i can’t eat my kelp burgers in my communal algae tarp?

    Report Post »  
  • Argyle
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 10:28pm

    Hello….Look at the light bulbs!!! Stupid environ”MENTAL”ists! http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5057.html

    Report Post » Argyle  
  • InversionTheory
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 10:12pm

    Look…The fact is that even if we returned to the carbon emissions levels from the year 100 and maintained that level for 1,000 years… A single major volcanic eruption could put out 10 times more greenhouse gases than we prevented emitting. The hoops we jump through are NO WHERE near enough to get close to that level of prevention. Even *IF* we gave up our standard of living and killed off 90% of humans living today, we could not prevent the natural changes in the climate. At best we might delay them a bit. When I was an undergrad, they showed us how the climate change results and predictions vanished depending on the method used to determine the average temperature. The emails released last year bear that up. I’m open to evidence not based on hysteria, let’s do this thing before we spend another penny toward a conclusion that looks tenuous at best from my chair.

    Report Post »  
  • ReddirtOkie
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 10:09pm

    The comments of BOONECTYBEEK and TENNESSEEVOLUNTEER are correct in terms of indoor air quality. The construction of new buildings has become more and more a science that has been thrust upon us by the “green” movement. Our economy has become gret because we had cheap energy. We will not come out of this recession unless we have cheap energy again. WELOVETHEUSA is more correct in that it is all about CONTROL. Control our energy and you control us. Let us control our energy and the rest of them can kiss my arse.

    Report Post »  
  • Akbarjonnie Shaheed
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 9:49pm

    When they check and see the breakdown of all the compressed garbage used in green homes, they are going to find out the gases given off are toxic. The results of exposure to these gases can now be seen in DNCs Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Many think her early age intake of happy meals from recycled boxes and use of head and sholder shampoo from plastic containers may also be a factor.

    Report Post »  
  • BooneCtyBeek
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 8:49pm

    The report is misleading. I am in the industry. The issues about air quality are hardly untested. Carbon dioxide sensors, air filters, humidity sensors plus a host of other things work together to make the HVAC system efficient (I hate the word Green, too). HVAC building management systems are quite complex and used properly can save a lot of energy. As a Christian, I understand it through the lens of good stewardship.

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 12:56am

      Appreciate your comment, but how often do these HVAC units need to be balanced so they work properly? All the ventilation in the world will not stop the gasses seeping from plastics and the other chemicals from polluting the air in a closed building. On top of that they have their little smelly chemical plug-ins all over most closed in buildings (thinking it deodorizes but adds more chemicals) then people wonder why they feel sick. Guess what? Look at what you’re breathing. Women who think if a little perfume is good, a lot has to be better. NOT. Loaded with bad chemicals. Look!
      Even your friend won’t tell you how bad you smell. I often wonder why husbands keep it a secret.

      Report Post »  
    • BooneCtyBeek
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 4:05am

      A properly set up building will have a positive pressure; always pushing air out which requires pulling fresh air in.

      Report Post »  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 8:23pm

    CFL’s are a hazard. The green airtight buildings could be a health hazard. I’ll bet those GM electric cars will have a bug or two, and that will make getting to that 2035 goal of President Obama’s clean energy a genuine boondoggle.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 12:21am

      Not only that, but they can keep those stupid little light bulbs that will kill us if they break and we aren’t supposed to clean it up before calling haz-mat We’re not supposed to dump them either. Darn, let’s kill one part of society to pretend to save the other part. Sensible thinking? NOT

      Report Post »  
  • USAqh
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:44pm

    don’t forget the color green is (from wikipedia) ….

    Green is considered the traditional color of Islam. Muhammad is reliably quoted in a hadith as saying that “water, greenery, and a beautiful face” were three universally good things.[65] In the Qur’an, sura Al-Insan, believers in God in Paradise wear fine green silk.[3][66] Also, Al-Khidr (“The Green One”), is a Qur’anic figure who met and traveled with Moses.[67]

    any flags of the Islamic world are green, as the color is considered sacred in Islam (see below). The flag of Hamas,[51] as well as the flag of Iran, is green, symbolizing their Islamist ideology.[52] The flag of Libya consists of a simple green field with no other characteristics. It is the only national flag in the world with just one color and no design, insignia, or other details.[53] In the run-up to Iran’s 2009 presidential election, the reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi chose green as his campaign color, and it became pervasive among his supporters during the campaign and the post-election protests.[54] Green is the lowest of the three bands on the flag of India. The green stands for fertility and prosperity. Earlier Indian flags had contained a similar green band representing Islam, the second-most predominant religion in India.[55]

    Report Post » USAqh  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:40pm

    What these ‘envirocrats’ call pollution is critical for plant life to survive.. Plants must have co2 and carbon is the fundamental building block of all known life form..

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • caexpat
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:25pm

    If the greens were to have there way WWWIII, would fallow, that would, REALLY be bad for the planet

    Report Post » caexpat  
  • oh_yeah
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:23pm

    dont forget to get your drywall from china.

    Report Post »  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:05pm

    Green is the way to your money, there is no other reason for this movement……….The climate will change and change and change….as it has for millions of years. Humanity has no effect on this planet whatsoever, forcing people to drive clown cars…unsafe cares, live in homes that will produce even more problems…the whole climate change ideals are to take every dime you have, force you to live the way your told and to be government and UN controlled.

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • Southern Rebel
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:50pm

    Blah blah blah. Guess what y’all….LIFE is gonna kill you one way or another. It’s inevitable! Life afterall, is the leading cause of all deaths in the world today..a killer that doesn’t discriminate and there is no cure. (spiritual life however, is a different matter)
    Raise awareness, send me your money (ha ha) so I can try to find a cure for it. ;)

    Report Post » Southern Rebel  
  • Aerocog
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:45pm

    Protect the envirnoment for the kids by building a “green” building, even if the buidling is killing the children.

    Report Post »  
  • Mr. Oshawott
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:31pm

    Ah, yes…I’ve always understood that “global warming” was a hoax since I found out the truth in high school.

    Report Post » Mr. Oshawott  
  • TennesseeVolunteer
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:31pm

    The tighter you get a building, you need to make sure there are enough Air Changes per hour to keep the air fresh. It is easily calculated and measured by an Energy auditor. Most of our existing buildings are leaky and non efficient so you want to tighten it up based on the size, the pressures, area of the country etc.
    It sounds like this article is referring to Green materials that may off gas fumes. Also, some people store flammable or toxic solvents in their house or may have gas leaks in water heaters, furnaces etc. that also need to be checked. If the house is leady as hell, tese leaks may not be noticed but once the house is weatherized , the fumes now become noticable.

    Report Post »  
  • AmeriCat
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:21pm

    Smart Meters, anyone?
    All in favor of all sorts of radiation: micro, ultra, magnetic, radio, etc.

    By the way, American Eagles are now being killed in record numbers by….
    you got it….wind energy turbines!

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 12:16am

      Hummmmm? I thought killing an eagle or taking one of it’s feathers was a Federal Offense. Maybe we should sue GE for killing the birds and put his cheating arse in jail for making our energy cost so much more. Honestly, where is there really constant wind? Oh!. Obama & GE are in bed together.

      Report Post »  
    • jb.kibs
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 1:03am

      MAYBE? no.. we DEFINATELY should be punishing these owners in accordance with the law. That is pathetic.

      Report Post »  
  • sevencreekssappers
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:18pm

    The planet has a fever!!!! Hold on Greeny Al Gore will be back.

    Report Post »  
  • UpstateNYConservative
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:16pm

    There are three constants to every ‘fix’ liberals come up with:

    1. They cost a fortune
    2. They never solve the problem for which they’re intended
    3. They cause more problems

    Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • integrican
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:32pm

      4. They will keep them going even after being proven to be inefficient or harmful…. out of total false pride.

      I have yet to hear a liberal say these words: “I was wrong….I’m sorry.”

      Report Post » integrican  
    • Amica
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 10:11pm

      5. They are compulsory, you must be forced to “do the right thing.”

      Report Post » Amica  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 11:19pm

      6. The new problems created in #3 will now also cost a fortune to try and fix.
      7. These fixes will never solve the problems for which THEY are intended.
      8. These fixes that don’t work create yet more problems.
      9. The problems created in #8…………you know the rest.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • georgeisn6
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:08pm

    Globel warming was invented as a way for a bunch 0f `thives to access the pockets of the stupid tax payer. Al gore is a case in point.these are the same people who enriched tham selves with the AIDS scam. By the way folks beware they are trying to RESURRECT the old AIDS scam. globel warming is no longer bringing in enough cash fast enough to satisfy those communist SOB,s

    Report Post »  
  • miles from nowhere
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:07pm

    Maybe this is what is really wrong with the leftist, GREEN CONTAMINATION of the brain.

    Report Post »  
  • miles from nowhere
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:03pm

    Did the building test possitive for E-COLI contamination?

    Report Post »  
  • Cleveland
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:35pm

    You have to have more than a few screws loose to believe global warming is caused by man. Do a search on solar flares, the magnetosphere, and Nibiru if you want the truth.

    Report Post »  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:30pm

    There’s always a trade off. Fuel efficient cars are lighter and more vulnerable to crash fatalities. Our obsession with using less energy is causing us to overlook these trade offs or discount them as unimportant compared to “saving the planet”. When one side of the argument is framed in apocolyptic terms rational analysis becomes impossible. This is made obvious in the Pascal’s wager form of arguing for Global energy policies. The negative costs of doing them even if the theories are wrong cannot compare to the negative costs of NOT doing them if the theories are RIGHT because the worst case scenario is always “we die” and no calculas involving probabilities is introduced that would make it clear that a remote chance of absolute catastrophe is not really greater than a certain chance of great harm.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:07pm

      Did you see the story about the Sun’s flareup? Earth’s climate always goes through cycles for which man has no control. Anyway, do you think China will worry about greenhouse gases? Maybe you saw the story of China now being the biggest consumer of energy.
      Our cars are now cleaner than ever. Yes, we have more cars than you can shake a stick at, but since no one has come up with a plan for mass transit we will still be dependent on them for quite a long time.
      If you want to be efficient, ride a motorcycle.

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 12:09am

      I used to own a motorcycle and was more scared of it than my little gas efficient auto. Drive carefully and watch out for the idiots who are texting or tail gating. But, I do believe we people do not damage the planet with our uses. God is in control of this planet and I have faith to believe it heals itself.

      They claim so many things that have never happened. Algore was only trying to get richer off our ignorance of our planet and our God. The little tag-alongs needed a cause. Ha, how’s that working out? These stupid wind machines are only making GE richer and our costs will triple or more. I say drill baby drill and let’s use our own energy and fire the guys making a bundle off our stupidity. That’s our government I speak of and that ilk. Stop believing what a Lib says.

      Report Post »  
  • oldasdirt
    Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:26pm

    Green is hazardous to job growth,economy,and free life styles.

    Report Post » oldasdirt  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:32pm

      Yea but, you’ll feel soooo good about yourself. (sarcasm)

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:33pm

      Green is also a sign of some unripened fruits and veggies. Stay away.

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • SLAPTHELEFT
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:58pm

      Green and liberalism-both are hazardous to your health. But they are so delicious when mixed together. Taste just like communism! Like Walter Williams once said ” it’s watermelon Marxism. Green on the outside, red on the inside.”

      Report Post » SLAPTHELEFT  
    • Eraldo NY Tea Party
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:01pm

      Green is the new red.

      God bless us all.

      Report Post » Eraldo NY Tea Party  
    • Marengo Ohio Patriot
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:11pm

      I always go green at the start of Deer season!

      Report Post »  
    • TexasTBone
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:12pm

      i love how “Green” is the “IT” word… conservatives have always known that if there is a way to make something more efficient, then thats what you do…

      libs are so stupid

      Report Post » TexasTBone  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:22pm

      Greenies…Mental midgets…

      Report Post »  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:05pm

      WHEN are people going to learn about BALANCE.. remember back in our grandparents day there was a little window above EVERY door..?? that was to let FRESH air in during the winter without FREEZING everyone it also let out the BAD AIR.. many things they did back in our grandparents day the did for a REASON.. we just installed a storm door that has a screen at the top.. I open the inside door EVERY day so I can see out and NOT feel closed in in the winter AND for 20 minutes a day I open the screen top for 30 minutes.. I also open my bedrooms window slightly at the same time as well as the kitchen window and put on the fan over the stove for a cross breeze.. we DON’T get colds, HAVE allergic reactions because of excess moisture causing MOLD to grow.. and no fume build up.. as well as other odors like from pets etc.. this same process should be used when using the air conditioners …

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 9:02pm

      Sick building syndrome has been around for a long time.

      A nearby town recently built a new school that replaced a very old building. The new school was supposed to be energy effecient, had A/C and green. Well, so was the color of several of the local Council Members’ faces when they saw the utility bill.

      Previously, schools had multiple floors, but now they have to all be on one floor. One floor = large footprint. The windows no longer open = Air conditioning. No more incadesant lighting = lots and lots of CFLs or other types of low energy bulbs. Low flow toilets = 2 flushes per use.

      Oh yes, and the construction costs were higher than anticipated because of the green technology and materials used. There are moments when it is hard not to laugh in meetings.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • jzs
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 10:22pm

      Not to worry. The post is about some biodegradable producing methane, which is a greenhouse gas. But greenhouse gasses don’t warm the Earth remember?

      The atmosphere, as you recall from grade school, is thinner than the the paper on the globe you have at home on which all the countries names and boundaries are printed. And yes, it’s been know for over a hundred years that were it not for CO2 and other greenhouse gasses, that the atmosphere would hold no heat, and the Earth would be a frozen wasteland, devoid of life. The presence of CO2 keeps the Earth warm and the more CO2, the warmer the Earth will be.

      But according to noted scientists on the AM dial, it doesn’t matter how much CO2 or methane goes into the atmosphere, human beings are incapable of producing any effect on world climate.

      Sure we can have smog and pollution and toxins in the air, water and land but that will never effect human beings, except to help profits for the “job creators.”

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 8, 2011 at 11:48pm

      Green has become an ugly word. They run everything into the ground and now we know they are way off the mark. I’d hate to live or work in a place that has no fresh air, mixed with chemicals that seep out of everything (mostly petroleum products) the carpets, drapes, filled with gassy chemicals we shouldn’t be breathing. Joke: I bought a Prius and everyone thinks a a greenie………I resent it and tell them never, never, I’m cheap and like the gas mileage I get, I do resent being called arrogant (like Rush calls people who drive a hybrid), but I forgive him because he’s wrong about this.

      Report Post »  
    • Dale
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 12:04am

      Green is for plants, not for humans!

      Report Post » Dale  
    • jb.kibs
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 1:01am

      feeling good about yourself is the most selfish thing you can do.
      chew on that a bit.

      What if you made your house so air tight you died from lack of air?
      What if you made it so air tight that the CFL emmisions harmed you even faster than they already do?
      What if you made your house so efficient… you couldnt even get in or out of it… LOL ;D

      Report Post »  
    • EddardinWinter
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 8:30am

      “When buildings are made more airtight — a seemingly beneficial undertaking — there may be negative moisture and air problems that result. Additionally, asbestos and other harmful materials may emerge when homes and businesses are made more “green” ”

      Wow, what an amazing amount of misinformation in two sentences. There are not “negative moisture and air problems that result” from making a building more airtight. This practice always makes a buildings air quality better when outside air is properly balanced (in proportion to relief/exhaust-while maintaining proper ventilation) and the total building pressure is set to +0.03-0.07 inches of water column. If this practice is followed, all outside air entering the building will cross the coil and an air filter, making the ventilated air better quality than the air outside. One of my first year apprentices would know this. When a building is negatively pressurized, the problems noted in this misleading article are present, period, regardless of the building envelope. When the outside air infiltrates the building (as opposed to entering through a HVAC unit) negative air issues always occur.

      As to the “Additionally, asbestos and other harmful materials may emerge when homes and businesses are made more “green” ” point. These harmful materials are a danger whenever unabated asbestos is disturbed. The “green” factor is another red herring.

      At least Fox does issue the disclaimer at the end. But

      Report Post » EddardinWinter  
    • SLAPTHELEFT
      Posted on June 9, 2011 at 10:15pm

      @jzs

      Awesome! Greenhouse gases have no effect. You da man!

      Finally on the same page.

      Report Post » SLAPTHELEFT  
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