Design Your Own Bedroom with Healthy WallsBEDROOM WALLS: The choices you make for your walls as you design your own bedroom will be surrounding you for a long time! First, carefully choose your wall insulation. There are many insulation options available today that are low in toxicity and don’t have the health concerns that older types of insulation have. Fiberglass Insulation The biggest concern with fiberglass insulation is that during the installation process tiny shards of glass are released and circulated in the room. Repeated inhalation causes health concerns that are considered to be similar to asbestos exposure. Also, moisture and pests can get into this type of insulation so it doesn’t provide much allergy protection. While it is less expensive, it unfortunately does not insulate nearly as well as foam-type insulation, and you will possibly end up spending more in the long-run from higher heating costs. Foam Insulation Some foam insulation which is sprayed into the walls is touted as being “green” and easy to install. Some of them are, and seem to be relatively safe once installed. Some of these are polyurethane foams. Once dried and “cured’ they do not outgas according to some manufacturers. After checking on some of these products and the MSD’s (material safety data sheets) they show that many of these products do not outgas, and are not considered hazardous to the environment if discarded later. These reports were based on insulation that had been installed for 3 months or more. Foam insulation does however emit toxic chemicals if a fire occurs. But, according to one report the gases were no more toxic than those occurring with burning wood. Many individuals have experienced health problems after some of the earlier (from the 1970’s and 80’s) types of foam insulation were used in their homes. Most of these were some type of polyurethane or foam urea insulation. It can take several months before symptoms develop or become noticeable if you are sensitive to these materials. Some are bothered right away with adverse symptoms. Some of the symptoms can include feelings of sickness, nausea, unexplained body aches, headaches, memory problems, fatigue, etc.
Next make sure that you carefully choose your paints or other products you want to put on the walls. Bedroom paint that is low in VOC’s (volatile organic compounds, i.e. harmful chemicals and gases) is a healthier choice. Some products even have NO VOC’S which is even better. There are still some chemicals released even with no VOC paints, but very low amounts. For no harmful chemical emissions at all you must use
non-toxic paints.
Additionally, the emissions increase if exposed to direct heat or sunlight. There are many healthier options available now, so take the time to check them out. Many of the healthier options are no more expensive than traditional products. Have fun as you design your own bedroom, and as you rise to the challenge of making it healthy from the inside out!
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