Why Children Are More Vulnerable To Toxic Home Builds & Remodels (And What To Do About It!)

Children depend on adults for everything, including protection from environmental threats. While building or remodeling your home is exciting, what if it puts your children's health at risk?  Unfortunately, hidden toxins in paint, flooring, water, air, and elsewhere can pose a serious threat to developing bodies.

This blog explores the unsettling truth regarding children’s increased vulnerability to environmental toxins common in home builds and remodels.  Unlike adults, their organs and immune systems are still under construction, making them less equipped to fight off these harmful substances. 

Here's what you'll learn:

• Why children are anatomically, physiologically, and behaviorally more susceptible to toxins during a home build or renovation.

• Where toxins like lead, mercury, arsenic, formaldehyde, and VOCs may lurk in your home.

• Tips for protecting children during construction: Gain actionable advice on open communication with contractors, lead testing, limiting exposure, ventilation strategies, and choosing safe building materials.

• How to take action and create a safe, healthy home for your little ones. 

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Why are children more vulnerable to environmental toxins? 

Children's bodies are still developing.  Their organs and immune systems are immature and less equipped to detoxify and eliminate harmful substances.  Additionally, their behavior and physiology put them at a higher risk of exposure .

Understanding Anatomy, Organ Immaturity, and Behavior:

• Respiration: Compared to adults, children breathe more air in proportion to their body weight. This means they inhale more dust, chemicals, and other pollutants present in the air.

• Increased Hand-to-Mouth Activity: Young children explore the world through their mouths, putting them at risk of ingesting dust, lead paint chips, or other contaminated objects.

• Skin Absorption: Children's skin is thinner and more permeable, allowing toxins to enter the bloodstream more readily through contact.

• Developing Organs: Organs like the brain, lungs, and immune system are still maturing in children. These organs are less equipped to eliminate toxins and more susceptible to lasting negative effects.

• Higher Water Intake: Children also have a proportionately larger daily water intake. This means they may ingest more contaminants present in drinking water.

• Behavioral Considerations: Children's curiosity and tendency to explore their environment can put them at an additional disadvantage.  They might not understand the dangers of lead paint chips or contaminated dust, increasing their risk of accidental ingestion.

Where Might Toxins Be Found in Your Home Build or Remodel?

• Lead:

  • Primary Concern: Lead paint.

  • Locations: Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint on walls, trim, doors, and even window sills. Lead dust can also be created during renovation projects that disturb lead paint.

• Mercury:

  • Primary Concern: Fluorescent bulbs and certain thermostats.

  • Locations: Older fluorescent bulbs can contain mercury. Consider using LED alternatives during a remodel. Some older thermostats may also contain mercury.

• Arsenic:

  • Primary Concern: Treated wood and contaminated soil.

  • Locations: Arsenic-treated wood can be used for decks, fencing, or even some types of landscaping timbers. Settling dust from contaminated soil can enter your home.

• Formaldehyde (this one is a biggie in construction):

  • Primary Concern: Pressed wood products, adhesives, and some insulation materials.

  • Locations: Particleboard, plywood, and MDF (medium-density fiberboard) are all common building materials that can emit formaldehyde. These are often used in cabinets, furniture, and flooring. Urea-formaldehyde adhesives are used in some plywood and particleboard products. Spray foam insulation can also off-gas formaldehyde. (Check out this blog post on non-toxic insulation.)

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

  • Primary Concern: Paints, stains, varnishes, adhesives, and cleaning products.

  • Locations: During construction or remodeling, VOCs can be emitted from these products as they dry or cure. Opting for low-VOC alternatives can significantly reduce exposure.

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How To Protect Children During Home Construction and Remodeling

• Open Communication with Your Contractor: Discuss your concerns about environmental toxins and safety from the very beginning. Choose a contractor knowledgeable in low-VOC materials and lead-safe practices (if remodeling an older home). 

• Lead Testing: If your home was built before 1978, have it tested for lead paint by a certified professional. If lead is found, don't attempt to remove it yourself. Hire a lead-abatement contractor who can safely remove the lead paint.

• Limit Time Spent in the Construction Zone: Restrict your children's access to the construction area to minimize their exposure to dust and fumes. Avoid site visits during active construction and keep your kids out of the house during a renovation.

• Check out this previous blog “Should You Live In Your Home While Renovating?”

• Ventilation Is Your Friend: Open windows and doors whenever possible during and after construction to promote air circulation and remove lingering odors. This helps remove dust particles and VOCs that may off-gas from new materials. This is also important to consider when selecting a move-in date for a new home as you want to ensure all materials have completed off-gassing.

• Invest in Safe and Healthy Building Materials: Super important! Work with your contractor to choose low-VOC paints, adhesives, and building materials whenever possible. These products emit fewer harmful chemicals and can create a healthier indoor environment for your family.

• Download “10 Non-Toxic Swaps For Your Custome Home”

Building a healthy home is an investment in the health and well-being of your family. By understanding where you and your family are vulnerable, you can create a safe and nurturing environment where even the littlest ones thrive!

P.S. Curious about non-toxic materials to use during your renovation? Download “10 Non-Toxic Swaps For Your Custom Home”

Non-Toxic Home Building: Insulation for Healthy Homes

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Today we are diving DEEP into non-toxic insulation for your healthy home-build. To briefly summarize:

• Spray foam is considered the most effective for air sealing and resisting heat flow in the short term, but is saturated with chemicals/toxins and loses its integrity over time.

• Fiberglass is the cheapest insulation option but has an average performance quality and often contains formaldehyde and fire retardants

• Cellulose is another less expensive option that also contains few chemicals, however, it has a similarly average performance quality

• Mineral and spray wool are considered the most non-toxic, have superior sound-proofing, the spray or blown-in option is highly effective for air sealing, and cost less than spray foam.

• If building a non-toxic home is your goal, download “10 Non-Toxic Swaps For Your Custom Home”!

Read on for all of the details so you can make the best insulation choice for your non-toxic home.

The Concern for Toxins in Insulation

Insulation is one of the most important factors in keeping your home comfortable and the energy bill low. It helps to keep your home cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and can also help to reduce noise levels.

However, traditional insulation has been laden with chemicals in the form of formaldehyde and fire retardants. So how do you make the healthiest decision for your family and your home?

Today we are going to share an overview of the primary forms of insulation along with their respective advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, you will have to choose the insulation that supports your health, climate, AND budget.

Home Insulation Terminology

But first, let’s review some basic terminology:

• R-value: The R-value of an insulation material measures its resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Fire resistance: The fire resistance of an insulation material measures how well it can withstand fire. Insulation materials with a high fire resistance rating can help slow the spread of fire and protect your home in the event of a fire.

• Air sealing: Air sealing measures how well an insulation material can prevent air leaks. Air leaks can reduce the effectiveness of your insulation and increase your energy bills.

• Soundproofing: Soundproofing measures how well an insulation material can reduce noise levels. Insulation materials with a high soundproofing rating can help to create a more peaceful and comfortable home.

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Primary Home Insulation Types

Fiberglass: Fiberglass is the most common type of insulation used in homes. It is made from thin glass fibers that are bonded together with a resin. Fiberglass insulation is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, but it can be irritating to the skin and eyes.

Cellulose: Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper products, such as newspapers and cardboard. It is a good choice for homeowners who are looking for a non-toxic and environmentally friendly insulation option. Cellulose insulation is also relatively inexpensive, but it can be more difficult to install than fiberglass insulation.

Mineral wool: Mineral wool insulation is made from natural materials, such as rock or slag. It is a good choice for homeowners who are looking for a fire-resistant and soundproofing insulation option. Mineral wool insulation is more expensive than fiberglass or cellulose insulation, but it is also more durable and long-lasting.

Spray foam: Spray foam insulation is the most effective type of insulation available. It is made from a mixture of chemicals that are sprayed onto surfaces to form a seamless barrier. Spray foam insulation is very good at sealing air leaks and preventing heat loss. However, it is also the most expensive type of insulation and can be difficult to install.

Rigid foam: Rigid foam insulation is made from a variety of materials, such as polystyrene, polyurethane, and polyisocyanurate. It is a good choice for insulating walls, floors, and roofs. Rigid foam insulation is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, but it is not as effective at sealing air leaks as spray foam insulation.

Spray wool: Spray wool is a type of insulation made from molten rock or wool that is sprayed on surfaces to form a seamless barrier. It has a number of advantages over other types of insulation, including:

• High R-value: Spray wool has an R-value of >4 per inch. This means that it provides excellent thermal insulation, helping to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

• Airtightness: Spray wool forms a continuous seal, preventing air leaks from occurring. This can help to improve energy efficiency and reduce drafts.

• Fire resistance: Spray wool is non-combustible and has a high melting point, making it an excellent choice for fire protection.

• Soundproofing: Spray wool can also help to reduce noise levels, making your home more peaceful and comfortable.

• Wool is naturally mold-resistant

Factors to Consider When Choosing Insulation

There are several factors to consider when choosing insulation for your home, including:

Climate: The type of insulation you choose will depend on the climate you live in. If you live in a cold climate, you will need insulation with a high R-value. The R-value of an insulation material measures its resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

Budget: Insulation costs can vary depending on the type of insulation you choose and the amount of insulation you need. Fiberglass and cellulose insulation are the least expensive types of insulation, while spray foam insulation is the most expensive.

Fire resistance: If you live in an area with a high risk of wildfires, you may want to choose an insulation material with a high fire resistance rating. Spray wool and mineral wool insulation have high fire resistance ratings.

Soundproofing: If you are concerned about noise levels, you may want to choose an insulation material with a high soundproofing rating. Mineral wool and spray wool insulation have high soundproofing ratings.

Comparison Breakdown

The following table provides a comparison breakdown of the primary forms of insulation, including spray wool:

Insulation Type | R-Value per Inch | Fire Resistance | Air Sealing | Soundproofing | Average Cost

Fiberglass | 3.1-4.3 | Good | Good | Fair | $0.50-$0.90

Cellulose | 3.7-3.8 | Good | Good | Good | $0.60-$1.00

Mineral Wool | 3.2-4.3 | Good | Good | Good | $0.70-$1.10

Spray Foam | 6.5-7 | Excellent | Excellent | Fair | $1.20-$2.00 Rigid Foam | 4.1-7 | Excellent | Excellent | Fair | $1.00-$1.50

Spray Wool | 4.3 | Excellent | Excellent | Good | $0.90-$1.50

Non-Toxic Home Insulation Recommendations

If you are looking for non-toxic insulation, mineral wool and spray wool are good options! Both materials are made from natural materials, are renewable and sustainable, and do not contain any added chemicals or flame retardants.

Mineral wool is more budget-friendly while still remaining non-toxic and effective. Spray wool is a good choice for homeowners who are looking for the most effective insulation possible. However, both options are traditionally less expensive than spray foam.

Conclusion

The best type of insulation for your home is a personal decision that depends on your budget, climate, and specific needs. However, if it were up to us, we would choose between the spray-on options for rock wool and sheep’s wool. Some brands to consider are Havelock, American Rockwool, and Oregon Sheppard.

Here’s to having healthier homes!

P.S. Looking for more non-toxic home-building materials? Check out this blog post on plywood and download “10 Non-Toxic Swaps For Your Custom Home”!