lesson 1
Sustainable Renovation: Need-to-Know Basis
Lesson 3
Choosing Non-Toxic and Sustainable Materials
Choosing Non-Toxic and Sustainable Materials
Lesson 4
Sustainable Living: Clean Air and Post-Renovation Care
Sustainable Living: Clean Air and Post-Renovation Care
Lesson 5
Final Lesson: Summary and Useful Materials
Final Lesson: Summary and Useful Materials
Lesson 0
Kick-off Lesson
Kick-off Lesson
Lesson 1
Sustainable Renovation: Need-to-Know Basis
Sustainable Renovation: Need-to-Know Basis
Lesson 2
Planning Your Sustainable Renovation
Planning Your Sustainable Renovation
Hi there!
We are happy to see you in this lesson
Quiz
Before we get started
Try to guess how much time we usually spend indoors:
According to the study, we spend up to 90% of our lives indoors, with most of that time in our homes.
Nope! According to the study, we spend up to 90% of our lives indoors, with most of that time in our homes.
Nope! According to the study, we spend up to 90% of our lives indoors, with most of that time in our homes.
Now you have replenished your knowledge base with an interesting fact.
You are inquisitive.
Naturally, we expect our homes to be well-designed, cozy, and safe.
But have you ever considered the hidden impacts of conventional renovations on your health and the environment?
But have you ever considered the hidden impacts of conventional renovations on your health and the environment?
Well, in this lesson, you will dive a little deeper into this issue and learn:
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How renovation affects your health -
How renovation impacts the environment and why it matters -
What sustainable renovation is and why it is important
First, it is necessary to mention that renovating or building a home can be overwhelming 😩
There are countless decisions to make: from functional design to choosing finishes and keeping track of the budget.
However, one aspect that often goes unnoticed is the health impact of construction.
During renovation and even long after it, materials such as building products, furniture, décor, and textiles can release a mix of chemicals into the air. Some of these substances can pose risks to human health, especially to vulnerable groups such as newborns, children, adolescents, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. These chemicals can enter the body in various ways: by breathing them in, through skin contact, or even by ingestion. In some cases, combined chemicals can intensify their effects on health.
This is why it's crucial to approach construction and renovation with care to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals and reduce potential health risks.
There are countless decisions to make: from functional design to choosing finishes and keeping track of the budget.
However, one aspect that often goes unnoticed is the health impact of construction.
During renovation and even long after it, materials such as building products, furniture, décor, and textiles can release a mix of chemicals into the air. Some of these substances can pose risks to human health, especially to vulnerable groups such as newborns, children, adolescents, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. These chemicals can enter the body in various ways: by breathing them in, through skin contact, or even by ingestion. In some cases, combined chemicals can intensify their effects on health.
This is why it's crucial to approach construction and renovation with care to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals and reduce potential health risks.
Let’s take a closer look at some specific chemicals that may threaten your family's health during the renovation process.
Renovation and Health: Creating a Safe and Sustainable Living Environment
No worries!
If you want to know more information about each chemical, this cheat sheet is just for you 👇
If you want to know more information about each chemical, this cheat sheet is just for you 👇
What is it?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can be emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, building materials and furnishings. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors
How do they get into the body?
These chemicals enter the body mostly by inhalation.
What are the health consequences?
Exposure to VOCs can result in an array of health consequences, such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches and impaired coordination; nausea; as well as potential harm to the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and pulmonary system.
Additionally, certain VOCs are either suspected or confirmed carcinogens.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can be emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, building materials and furnishings. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors
How do they get into the body?
These chemicals enter the body mostly by inhalation.
What are the health consequences?
Exposure to VOCs can result in an array of health consequences, such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches and impaired coordination; nausea; as well as potential harm to the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and pulmonary system.
Additionally, certain VOCs are either suspected or confirmed carcinogens.
What is it?
It is commonly found in many building materials such as composite wood products (plywood, chipboard), paints and coatings, and adhesives. In addition, formaldehyde can be found in certain fabrics and some types of foam insulation.
How do they get into the body?
The main route of exposure to formaldehyde is through inhalation of air containing off-gassed formaldehyde.
What are the health consequences?
While some people are more sensitive to formaldehyde, others may not react at all when exposed to the same level of the compound.
Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat. High levels and prolonged exposure may be linked to certain types of cancer.
It is commonly found in many building materials such as composite wood products (plywood, chipboard), paints and coatings, and adhesives. In addition, formaldehyde can be found in certain fabrics and some types of foam insulation.
How do they get into the body?
The main route of exposure to formaldehyde is through inhalation of air containing off-gassed formaldehyde.
What are the health consequences?
While some people are more sensitive to formaldehyde, others may not react at all when exposed to the same level of the compound.
Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat. High levels and prolonged exposure may be linked to certain types of cancer.
What is it?
Flame retardants are a big group of different types of chemicals added to manufactured materials to inhibit, suppress, or delay the production of flames and prevent the spread of fire.
Commonly, flame retardants are used in building construction materials (electrical wires and cables, thermal insulation foams) furniture, textiles, carpets, and insulation materials.
How do they get into the body?
Inhaling contaminated dust within enclosed indoor environments at home or workplaces, as well as ingesting dust deposited on hands or consuming food tainted with these chemicals.
What are the health consequences?
Flame retardants are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It means that they are highly persistent, have a high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification, as well as for long-range transport.
Adverse reproductive, developmental, behavioural, neurological, endocrine, and immunological health effects have all been linked to flame retardants. And it is important to note that children are more vulnerable to toxic effects due to their ongoing brain and organ development. Numerous studies indicate that children experience higher levels of exposure compared to adults.
Flame retardants are a big group of different types of chemicals added to manufactured materials to inhibit, suppress, or delay the production of flames and prevent the spread of fire.
Commonly, flame retardants are used in building construction materials (electrical wires and cables, thermal insulation foams) furniture, textiles, carpets, and insulation materials.
How do they get into the body?
Inhaling contaminated dust within enclosed indoor environments at home or workplaces, as well as ingesting dust deposited on hands or consuming food tainted with these chemicals.
What are the health consequences?
Flame retardants are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It means that they are highly persistent, have a high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification, as well as for long-range transport.
Adverse reproductive, developmental, behavioural, neurological, endocrine, and immunological health effects have all been linked to flame retardants. And it is important to note that children are more vulnerable to toxic effects due to their ongoing brain and organ development. Numerous studies indicate that children experience higher levels of exposure compared to adults.
What is it?
Includes substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium and some other metals. These metals may be found in paints, coatings, plumbing fixtures, electrical components, and insulation.
How do they get into the body?
Through inhalation of dust, ingestion of contaminated materials, or dermal contact.
What are the health consequences?
Heavy metals, especially lead, can pose serious health risks for children:
Includes substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium and some other metals. These metals may be found in paints, coatings, plumbing fixtures, electrical components, and insulation.
How do they get into the body?
Through inhalation of dust, ingestion of contaminated materials, or dermal contact.
What are the health consequences?
Heavy metals, especially lead, can pose serious health risks for children:
- damage to the brain and nervous system
- slowed growth and development
- learning and behaviour problems
- hearing and speech problems
- increase risk of miscarriage
- cause the baby to be born too early or too small
- harm the baby’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system
What is it?
Phthalates (or plasticizers) are a family of chemical compounds primarily used to make plastics such as polyvinyl chloride or vinyl flexible, pliant and durable.
Phthalates can be used in flexible adhesives and sealants, flooring and wall coverings, building and construction products (for example, roofing materials, waterproofing membranes, and electrical cord insulation) and some decorative materials, like carpets.
How do they get into the body?
Phthalates contaminate indoor dust and air, so our bodies can be exposed by inhalation.
Children with their hand-to-mouth behaviour and more contact with the floor, are more likely to be exposed through ingesting contaminated dust.
What are the health consequences?
Some phthalates are recognized or suspected to act as endocrine disruptors, affecting and modifying the human hormone system. Additionally, phthalates are thought to potentially pose significant reproductive risks, particularly in males.
Phthalates (or plasticizers) are a family of chemical compounds primarily used to make plastics such as polyvinyl chloride or vinyl flexible, pliant and durable.
Phthalates can be used in flexible adhesives and sealants, flooring and wall coverings, building and construction products (for example, roofing materials, waterproofing membranes, and electrical cord insulation) and some decorative materials, like carpets.
How do they get into the body?
Phthalates contaminate indoor dust and air, so our bodies can be exposed by inhalation.
Children with their hand-to-mouth behaviour and more contact with the floor, are more likely to be exposed through ingesting contaminated dust.
What are the health consequences?
Some phthalates are recognized or suspected to act as endocrine disruptors, affecting and modifying the human hormone system. Additionally, phthalates are thought to potentially pose significant reproductive risks, particularly in males.
But that's not all.
There are 2 news for you:
There are 2 news for you:
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Bad newsIn addition to the impact that construction and renovation have on your health, they also play a major role in environmental degradation, contributing to issues such as waste generation, climate change, resource depletion, water overuse, and toxic pollution. -
Good newsAs a homeowner, you can make sustainable choices when building or renovating your space to lessen these impacts. 👌
Before you learn what exactly you can do to reduce the environmental impact during construction and renovation, it's essential to consider sustainability in your renovation plans:
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Waste GenerationRenovation projects generate large amounts of waste, including old building materials, furniture, and fixtures. This waste can contribute to landfill overflow and environmental contamination. In the EU, construction and demolition waste makes up over a third of all waste. -
Climate ChangeThe construction process is a major source of CO2 emissions, from transporting materials to using heavy machinery. The building sector accounts for over 37% of global energy-related emissions. While decarbonizing the sector is a long-term goal, you can help by making sustainable choices now. -
Natural Resources DepletionRenovations consume vast amounts of natural resources, contributing to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. Around 30-40% of the world’s resources are used by the construction industry. -
Water OverconsumptionConstruction projects often require significant amounts of water for tasks like cleaning, mixing materials, and site maintenance. Excessive water consumption strains local resources and can lead to water scarcity. -
Toxic SubstancesToxic chemicals are often present in construction materials, which can harm human health and damage ecosystems. Materials like asbestos, lead paint, VOCs, and phthalates can make recycling difficult and block circular economy practices.
Don’t panic!
In this course, we will focus on how to choose safe, toxic-free building materials.
Considering the environmental impact during renovation is critical, as all features — waste, toxic chemicals, resource consumption, and emissions — are interconnected. The construction industry still has a long way to go toward sustainability, but we, as consumers, are already able to make eco-friendly choices today.
In this course, we will focus on how to choose safe, toxic-free building materials.
Considering the environmental impact during renovation is critical, as all features — waste, toxic chemicals, resource consumption, and emissions — are interconnected. The construction industry still has a long way to go toward sustainability, but we, as consumers, are already able to make eco-friendly choices today.
Sure 💯
In fact, you have quite a few tools at your disposal that can help you reduce the impact on both your health and the environment during renovation.
All of them are a part of the concept of Sustainable Renovation.
Let's figure out what sustainable renovation is and why it is important.
This is how biochemist and ecologist Darya Chumakova answers these questions 👇:
In fact, you have quite a few tools at your disposal that can help you reduce the impact on both your health and the environment during renovation.
All of them are a part of the concept of Sustainable Renovation.
Let's figure out what sustainable renovation is and why it is important.
This is how biochemist and ecologist Darya Chumakova answers these questions 👇:
How to live after this lesson with an understanding of how:
- Renovation and construction impact your health and the environment
- Sustainable renovation decisions can transform your home and the world around you
Don’t worry!
In the next lesson, we'll dive deeper into how to plan sustainable renovation and learn:
In the next lesson, we'll dive deeper into how to plan sustainable renovation and learn:
- What to think about when starting renovation
- How to create a sustainable renovation plan
- What precautions should be taken during renovation
- How to consider aspects of cyclicity, waste management and recycling during renovation
That's all for now.
See you in the next lesson 👋
See you in the next lesson 👋
useful materials:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)? https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs
- National Library of Medicine. Pulmonary Health Effects of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds — A Meta-Analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7914726/
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
- National Library of Medicine. Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds from 1980 to 2017: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35622720/
- National Cancer Institute. Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-fact-sheet
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Facts About Formaldehyde. https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/facts-about-formaldehyde
- National Library of Medicine. Controlled Experiments with Airborne Formaldehyde. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK217652/
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). What Are Flame Retardants? https://www.unep.org/flame-retardants
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Flame Retardants. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/flame_retardants
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Lead Exposure Symptoms and Complications. https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/symptoms-complications
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk Factors and Pregnancy. https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/risk-factors/pregnancy.html
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers. https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-safe-renovations-diyers
- National Library of Medicine. Air Phthalate Emitted from Flooring Building Material by the Micro-Chamber Method: Two-Stage Emission Evaluation and Comparison. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8473253/
- No Burn, Inc. Testing Carpet for Toxins. https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-Testing-Carpet-for-Toxics.pdf
- Toxic-Free Future. What are Phthalates? https://toxicfreefuture.org/toxic-chemicals/phthalates
- ING Think. The Construction Sector’s Sinking Circular Foundations (2023). https://think.ing.com/articles/sinking-circular-foundations-in-construction-industry
- European Environment Agency (EEA). Mineral Waste from Construction and Demolition, Waste Treatment (2020). https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/mineral-waste-from-construction-and#tab-googlechartid_chart_13
- Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction. https://globalabc.org/our-work/tracking-progress-global-status-report
- ScienceDirect. The Impact of Renovation Measures on Building Environmental Performance: An Emergy Approach. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652617312246
