Re: Going Green to help prevent cancer

going green uses non toxic material with no or low VOC Volitile Organic Compounds. Thta helps right there. Also the power to run the homes is from renewable energy so there is no pollution. Compare that to the coal pollution of mercury or radio active nuclear.

  Also green building and living includes what you eat. A very healthy organic vegan diet prevents cancer and many other problems. Just look at Jack LLaLane and many others.

Here is a website with many articles on this subject.

http://www.preventcancernow.ca/proceedings.html

her are more great articles.

How exactly can Green Building principles be expected to improve public health?  The National Center for Healthy Housing worked with Enterprise Community Partners to develop key health-based specifications for its Green Communities initiative. In order for a housing development to meet the Green Communities criteria, builders and property managers comply with the following housing-based health improvements:

1.      All paints, primers, sealants, and adhesives must meet low-volatile organic compound (VOC) levels. VOCs can cause cancer and eye, nose and throat irritation.

2.     All composite wood must not have added urea formaldehyde, which is classified as a substance known to cause cancer by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

3.     All carpets must also meet VOC standards and cannot be installed in areas prone to moisture and mold. This can be expected to reduce asthma, allergies and other mold-induced illnesses.

4.     Proper ventilation is required, which means adding exhaust fans for kitchens, bathrooms and other areas, not only reducing moisture and mold but also removing combustion products such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and other harmful gases. Fresh air supply is also included, instead of the common practice of simply relying on building leakage to provide the needed air quality.

5.     Radon testing and mitigation is required for EPA Zone 1 areas, and highly recommended for EPA Zone 2 areas. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.[15]

6.     Eliminating other sources of moisture and potential mold is accomplished through use of tankless hot water heaters or drains or catch pans under hot water heaters. Cold water pipes are required to be insulated to prevent condensation and use of moisture resistant materials in wet areas also prevents leaks. Ensuring proper drainage from basements, foundation walls and for surface water will also contribute to a healthy living environment.

7.     Carbon monoxide alarms will be installed in or near areas with combustion sources to help warn occupants of unintended buildup of this potentially fatal gas.

8.     Using integrated pest management will not only reduce diseases carried by rats, mice, fleas and other vectors, it will also reduce exposures to pesticides, some of which are potent neurotoxicants.

Beyond the physical improvements in housing summarized above, Green Communities and your green buildings work will also make neighborhoods more walkable and diverse, promoting physical activity, reducing the epidemic of childhood obesity, and increasing social cohesion.[16]   

It is clear that we can expect substantial health gains by building green. Instead of paying for medical care that could have been avoided, occupants in Green Communities will be able to keep more of their income and avoid the suffering and loss associated with poor health. As your important work proceeds, I urge you to incorporate a significant evaluation of health outcomes so that we can learn as much as possible in this new exciting area. Thank you.

Endnotes

[1]Blood Lead Levels- United States, 1999-2002, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 54(20) 513-516, May 27, 2005, reported by D. Brody, M.J. Brown, R.L. Jones, D.E. Jacobs, D. Homa, P.J. Ashley, J.E. Mosby, J.G. Schwemberger and M.J. Doa

[2] D.E. Jacobs, R.L. Clickner, J.Y. Zhou, S.M. Viet, D.A. Marker, J.W. Rogers, D.C. Zeldin, P. Broene and W. Friedman, The Prevalence of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in U.S. Housing, Environ Health Perspect 110:A599-A606, Sept 13, 2002.

[3] Cited in Lowry S. (1991) Housing, British Medical Journal 303 (6806), 838-840.

[4] D.E. Jacobs, Housing and Health: Challenges and Opportunities, Keynote Address, Proceedings of the 2nd WHO International Housing and Health Symposium, WHO European Centre for Environment and Health (Bonn Office), Noise and Housing Unit, Bonn Germany, September 29 - October 1, 2004, Vilnius Lithuania, October 20, 2005, p. 35-50 .

[5]Patrick Breysse,Nick Farr, Warren Galke, Bruce Lanphear, Rebecca Morley, and Linda Bergofsky, The Relationship between Housing and Health: Children at Risk Environ Health Perspect 112:1583-1588 (2004). doi:10.1289/ehp.7157

[6]U.S. EPA. 2002. Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (Interim Report). EPA-600-P-00-002B. Washington, DC:U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, NationalCenter for Environmental Assessment.

[7] Landrigan PJ, Schecter CB, Lipton JM, Fahs MC, Schwartz J. 2002. Environmental pollutants and disease in American children: estimates of morbidity, mortality, and costs for lead poisoning, asthma, cancer, and developmental disabilities. Environ Health Perspect 110:721-728.

[8]Mannino D.M. et al. (2002) Surveillance for Asthma—United States1980-1999, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 51 (SS 01), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 1-13.

[9]NAS (2000) Clearing the air—asthma and indoor air exposures, National Academy of Sciences/Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press, WashingtonDC.

[10] NAS (2004)  Damp indoor spaces and health, Board on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences/Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press, WashingtonDC.

[11] Sandel M. Can  Integrated Pest Management Affect Asthma in Urban Children? BostonUniversity (submitted)

[12] Morgan et al. (2004)  Results of a home-based environmental intervention among urban children with asthma, New England Journal of Medicine 351, 1068-80.

[13] Matte T and DE Jacobs, Housing and Health:  Current Issues and Implications for Research and Programs, Journal of Urban Health:  Bulletin of the New YorkAcademy of Medicine, 77(1):7-25, March 2000

[14] See "Ocular, nasal, dermal, and respiratory symptoms in relation to heating, ventilation, energy conservation, and reconstruction of older multi-family houses." EngvallK, Norrby C, Borback D.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pub med& dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12950582 and "House-dust mite allergen concentrations and mold spores in apartment bedrooms before and after installation of insulated windows and central heating systems." Hirsch T et. al.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db =pubmed &dopt= Abstract&list_uids=10696861

[15] U.S. Surgeon General Health Advisory on Radon, January 13, 2005.  http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/pressreleases/sg01132005.html

[16] Frumkin H., Frank L., Jackson, R., Urban Sprawl and Public Health: Designing Planning and Building for Healthy Communities.

the solar stacks