For the same reasons that we recommend improving ventilation systems, we also strongly encourage occupant awareness of the health affects of many common materials found throughout the building. 

As described on our Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality page, Sick Building Syndrome can drastically impact the health, safety, comfort and productivity of your building's occupants.  Fortunately, addressing SBS from a building materials perspective offers a wide array of solutions.

Building materials that can cause indoor air pollution come in a variety of forms.  Some of the most common products that can affect occupant health are: Paints and adhesives with high amounts of Volitile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Formaldehyde, commonly used as a binder for carpeting and wood products Plastics leaching toxic chemicals Humid environments and moist materials are prime breeding grounds for mold, mildew and bacteria Air fresheners & de-odorizers Cleansers & sanitation products The "new" smell associated with new carpet, newly painted walls, new buildings, and remodeled rooms is actually the off-gassing of the chemical solutions used to treat or produce these products.

The two most common measures to reduce or eliminate the health impacts of toxic building materials, and these are: replacing and sealing.  Ecofutures is dedicated to working with commercial clients to identify a range of solutions from least costly to most expensive, and identify which solutions will improve indoor air quality the most.  In this combination of most cost-effective and most beneficial, commercial clients can feel confident that their money was well spent to improve employee health, productivity and comfort.

Measures to Improve Indoor Air Quality by Addressing Materials May Include:

• Re-painting high-offgassing surfaces with non-toxic alternative
• Sealing harmful gasses like formaldehyde into a product using  a safe sealant
• Providing healthy office supplies and cleaning products
• Replacing carpeting with non-toxic alternative
• Replacing water coolers with healthy, safe alternatives using non-toxic plastic bottles or by filtering city water
• Identifying & eliminate any wet materials or causes of mold
• Introducing "toxin eating" plants to reduce the levels of indoor air pollution
• Replacing lawn care products that can be brought into the building on shoes or clothing with safer alternatives

Inspecting & ensuring that all chemically toxic materials are safely stored

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