If there is one room that should be designed with an environmentally friendly mind, there is no doubt that this room should be the room we prepare for the arrival of a new born, or for any children.
Why is it so important? Simply because little baby and children are so tiny that even a level of toxicity that wouldn’t harm an adult is likely to harm them.Even if you are not convinced of the necessity to avoid any toxic molecules in your home, make sure that your baby’s room is safe.
Imagine the scene: A new baby is about to arrive, so the parents to be are all excited about this and want to prepare the most beautiful bedroom for the little treasure, and start decorating. If you use a paint containing Volatile Organic Compounds, also called VOCs, the VOCs will be released in the bedroom atmosphere for at least the following two years... meaning that for the first two years of his/her life, the child is going to inhale VOCs... not good!
Along with the VOCs contained in the paint, there can be other toxic molecules contained in the furniture (especially the glues used to make the furniture, the binding component of the MDF board used for the furniture etc.), maybe in the carpet, fabric and so on!
We must remember that, because our houses are airtight, whatever goes into the house is meant to stay there, unless there is a top ventilation system. And studies have shown that indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor!
Whenever you are preparing a bedroom for a new baby, a young child, check that the paint is VOCs free, the furniture doesn’t contained urea-formaldehyde glue or binder, check with what the carpet and fabric have been treated. And of course, there is an easy thing to do, to open the windows regularly and allow the change of air in the house.
And to be fully environmentally responsible, it is important to check where the materials come from (locally sourced, renewable source) and where do they go when discarded (are they bio-degradable...)
Emmanuelle Lemoine
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