[Greenbuilding] Chemical Sensitivities

[Stephen Collette]

Great point Irina, and unfortunately true. I too have seen people with  
MCS reacting to "safe products", which is very frustrating for  
everyone. As I mentioned, echoing Irina, it's client specific.

I bought some Titebond green series caulking and drywall glue from  
Jason (on this list) of Amicus. I like the product for durability.  
(currently buried in snow outside my back door) and I didn't really  
notice a smell. My good friend and carpenter also likes it and the  
drywall glue both. He previously had used their regular wood glue, as  
it's a good product.

I also noticed that OSI now has a "green series spray foam" in a can.  
I haven't used it or seen it, except online
http://www.greenseries.com/product
Jason had made comments about the OSI product and I can't remember  
whether they were testing it or didn't like it. Sorry Jason will have  
to chime in if he gets a chance. And it wasn't about foam, but about  
caulks he and I were discussing.

For Joshua, and others, I typically try to get my hands on a couple of  
choices, and let the client pick what works best for them.

Stephen

Stephen Collette BBEC, LEED AP
Principal
Your Healthy House - Indoor Environmental Testing & Building Consulting
www.yourhealthyhouse.ca
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
705.652.5159



On 20-Mar-08, at 10:57 AM, Irina Golfman Rosenblum wrote:

> Stephen,
>
> I have not had very good results with the AFM caulk and wonder if  
> you can recommend good caulking products for CMS people both for  
> indoor and outdoor use. I am also trying to find a good alternative  
> for phenoseal for sealing the gaps between the wall and baseboard,  
> etc. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Joshua, just an FYI: some chemically sensitive people may react to  
> products that are supposed to be safe for them. For example, my son  
> and I are sensitive to some AFM products that are formulated for  
> people with sensitivities. We do our best to only use safe products,  
> but we need to be prepared to spend time airing out and baking out  
> the space, sometimes for weeks.
>
> Good luck,
> Irina
> On Mar 19, 2008, at 8:23 PM, Stephen Collette wrote:
>
>> Hello Joshua,
>>
>> I do not, unfortunately recommend the book by CMHC on Environmental
>> Hypersensitivity. They took the middle of the road approach and caved
>> to manufacturers, and as such, the book is not as helpful as it could
>> be. They are working on a revision right now (I applied, didn't get
>> it, but had this discussion with tremendously talented Virginia
>> Salares, who is running the IAQ side there) I believe the revision
>> will be more helpful than the current one.
>>
>> It is more important to understand exactly what triggers your client
>> has, and then try to remove those materials from the build. Difficult
>> at best, complex at worst. There are of course some basics, like zero
>> VOC everything, especially caulkings and seals. Finishes are becoming
>> easier to source.
>>
>> Paula Baker-Laporte's Prescription for a Healthy House has just come
>> out with a 3rd edition. She is a brilliant architect who is also
>> chemically sensitive. It's a great place to start.
>>
>> If I can be of more help, please email me off list.
>>
>> Stephen
>>
>> Stephen Collette BBEC, LEED AP
>> Principal
>> Your Healthy House - Indoor Environmental Testing & Building  
>> Consulting
>> www.yourhealthyhouse.ca
>> stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
>> 705.652.5159
>>
>>
>>
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