Preferred retailers in Sydney, AustRALIA |
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The
Natural Paint Place
583a King St, Newtown, Sydney
Phone: 02 9519 0433
Eco
at Home
507 Willoughby Road, Willoughby
Phone: 02 9958 0412
Natural Base
143 Pittwater Road, Manly
Phone: 02 9977 8891
Makeshift
This site is designed and built by
sustainable design studio makeshift
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Professional and student design groups |
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The
Society for Responsible Design
Change
Design
The
Eco Design Foundation |
INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS |
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When it comes to health effects
of materials there are four factors to consider: Emissions,
toxicity, quantity, and proximity (Kirsty
Mate and Geoff Milne Indoor Air Quality). Emissions
are gasses like VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), which
affect the indoor air quality (IAQ). Toxicity describes
the potential harm a compound can inflict. The quantity
of a material also has an effect, as high quantities of
low emission materials can result in high total amounts
of chemicals in the air, and proximity to a material must
also be taken into account.
Particleboard, chipboard, MDF and hardboard all contain
formaldehyde glue that emits high amounts of VOC (Environment
Australia 2000 State of Knowledge Report: Air toxics and
indoor air quality). This is one of the reasons we
do not use these materials, even though they are the most
commonly used materials in the kitchen manufacturing industry
in Australia.
European Standards set limits on the amount of
toxic formaldehyde glue in timber products. The European
E1 standard limits formaldehyde emissions from products
to a level that produces a maximum indoor air concentration
of 0.1ppm. The Japanese F**** classification limits emissions
to 0.03ppm, which is close to existing ambient levels.
(Plywood Association of Australia Ltd, Formaldehyde
Emissions from Plywood and Laminated Veneer Lumber,
2004) |
Things we all can do |
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10 easy ways to cool global warming
1. Walk, cycle or use public transport.
2. Use compact fluorescent lights.
3. Purchase the highest energy-efficiency star rating
appliances.
4. Insulate your home and save on heating and cooling
costs. Add insulation to electric hot water units.
5. Cut hot water consumption by washing clothes in cold
water and by fitting a water-efficient showerhead.
6. Replace an electric hot water service with solar
or high-efficiency gas.
7. Support renewable energy.
8. Service your car regularly and, when buying a new
car, choose one that is fuel-efficient.
9. Rate the energy efficiency of your new home design.
10. Plant, protect and conserve existing trees and shrubs.
For more info on reducing energy costs and greenhouse
gases around the home, visit:
the Australian Greenhouse Office
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