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This “Asthma-Friendly” Bedroom was designed for
an asthmatic child who won a contest to celebrate
National Asthma Awareness Month.
12 Tips for an “asthma-friendly” sleeping zone
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Stuffed animals are a dust mite’s haven in this
asthmatic’s room The dog, which should not be in the
sleeping area and is a major allergen for
asthmatics. Minimize stuffed toys, keep the dog out
of the bedroom and cover the bed with a dust mite
cover and use washable bedspreads. When clutter and
triggers are gone, the air is breathable!
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Minimize window treatments by using window shades
and blackouts to control the light. Fabric topper
keeps ease of maintenance as well as nowhere for
dust mites to live.
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Personal Care products and air
fresheners are a major source of indoor air
pollution and major trigger for allergic and
asthmatics. Keep activities such as polishing nails,
spraying perfumes and burning candles out of the
bedroom. Fragrances are “chemical perfumes” which
have negative effects on the indoor air quality and
are the number one cause for Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity.
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Hard
surface flooring replaces the wall to wall carpet,
which is a sponge for chemicals and pesticides as
well as home for dust mites. The dry-rub transfer
mural is a non-toxic alternative for a beautiful
mural accent eliminating the need for toxic
faux-paints. The walls were painted using low in VOC
(volatile organic compound) paints, which can be
purchased in most paint stores. Look for the
green-seal label.
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Mold - George Dining Wall Detail
“Control the
moisture, control the mold” according to the EPA.
Over 38% of our homes have mold problems from a
variety of water intrusion sources. Improperly
working ventilation systems, water leaks from
plumbing, window or roof problems, as well as spaces
designed without exhaust fans in bathrooms or
kitchens, all add to the moisture in our spaces.
Relative humidity, or moisture, in our spaces should
be at 55% or lower. This can be measured with a
hygrometer which can be purchased at a hardware
store.
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Ventilation
In order to maintain good indoor air quality, proper
ventilation is key. Most residential homes only
recirculate the air in the home which is 10 to 100
times more polluted than the outside air. Toxins
from furnishings, building products, cleaning
products, personal care products, pesticides and
hobbies or activities all add to the toxic soup we
breath daily. It is important to flush the toxins
out of the space by opening the windows on low
pollen days.
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Non-Toxic Products Hypo-Allergenic
This commercial space was designed to be
green-n-healthy. With the use of cork for the
flooring, the dust mite exposure it greatly reduced.
Cork is a renewable resource, as the cork bark is
peeled from the tree, allowing re-growth. The walls
were painted with no-VOC paints and water-based
stains were used on the wood. Cabinets were
formaldehyde-free and some of the existing
furnishings were re-used in areas. The client
maintains the space with cleaning products which are
green-seal certified. |
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Toxic-Teen Room
Anyone who has a teenager knows how toxic this space
can be. Clutter, personal care products, animals,
food and just too much stuff make this a toxic
dumping ground. It is a dust mites paradise as well
as a chemical waste site with the fragrances
lingering in the air. Teenagers can still have their
own individual space that is healthy as well.
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Left Picture - No animals in the bedroom.
Right Picture
- Personal care product and fragrances add to the
toxic soup |
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Remove the clutter and food to keep pests from
sleeping in your space. |
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