Allergy Free
An allergy is a hypersensitivity to what are normally innocuous entities such as certain foodstuffs, cleaning products, dust, plant pollen and so on. Whilst debate over the scale, change in scale and root causes of people suffering from allergies is beyond the scope of this article, consideration of how to minimise the impact of allergens on the inhabitants a healthy house is. So, what steps can we take in the design and construction of our buildings to minimise the risk from allergens?
For a start, we can consider the minimisation of those factors that we have already considered under Air Quality.
Minimise dust. Use timber and tiled flooring, use closed storage rather than open storage.
Be aware of the seasons. Keep the house well ventilated and be aware of the pollen seasons and minimise the exposure of those who suffer with hay fever during them. Pollen levels are at their worst in the early morning and evening during pollen season so try to keep windows closed at these times.
Ventilation. To ensure minimal mould growth, keep the house well ventilated and manage humidity levels. Where mould grows, try to use vinegar or lemon juice based cleaning agents rather than chemical ones. In modern well insulated homes, the ability to ventilate properly is a major design consideration.
Pets. Minimise the potential impact of pets by grooming them regularly outdoors, keeping them and their bedding clean and minimising their contact with soft furnishings and carpets to which hairs and associated allergens may cling.
Through apropriate selection of the materials used in the construction and maintenance of our buildings and informed housekeeping practices we are able to minimise and to some degree manage the allergens within our home environment.
If you enjoyed that post, then read these...
Heating on June 17th, 2007
One end of the heating -- cooling continuum, heating is one of the hottest (sorry about the pun!) topics when it comes to healthy and green building.
Sound on June 27th, 2007
Whilst a superficial consideration of modern house design often may lead to the conclusion that external sound is simply something to be shut out, minimised and in a perfect world eradicated, in reality this is a more complex design consideration.
ElectroPollution on May 30th, 2007
There is a growing body of research that suggests that exposure to electric & electromagnetic fields especially from high voltage sources may be detrimental to health.
Light on June 19th, 2007
At the heart of our lighting design we should place the central concept of the relationship between day and night, light and dark that lies within our most natural rhythms.
Colour on May 30th, 2007
The field of psychology recognises the affect that colour has upon us, not merely as a matter of subjectively favouring certain colours, but in terms of our base characteristics & responses.
Posted in Healthy House |
