Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Sep 17, 2009 06:14am | #1

   Dan,
   My first reaction: be very careful about any health claims you make about anything you build. As you may know, builders are not qualified to make health claims, and any health claims you make could increase your liability. I always advise builders to say something like, "I'm a builder, not a physician. If you have health concerns, you should get advice from your doctor. If your doctor makes recommendations concerning the specifications for a house, I'll do my best to help you follow your doctor's recommendations."

   That said, you may want to read this document:
   http://www.healthyhouseinstitute.com/a_682-Improved_Indoor_Air_Quality_IAQ_in_an_Energy_Efficient_Demonstration_House

   The document notes, in part:
   "The walls of the house were framed out of standard steel studs and channels. Widely used in commercial construction, this material is unfamiliar to many residential builders. However, it is not difficult to work with and, as lumber prices rise, home builders are finding it an attractive alternative. The primary reason for using steel framing in this project was because it is termite resistant. The avoidance of chemical termiticides is often mentioned in construction guides for sensitive individuals. A secondary reason for using steel framing involves the fact that chemically sensitive people often react negatively to the naturally occuring terpenes given off by conventional softwood framing lumber. ... Interior doors and woodwork are solid hardwood [yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)]. Softwoods were not used in order to avoid the smell of terpenes indoors."

   You may also want to read "Safer Construction Tips for the Environmentally Sensitive," available here:
   http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6004987/Safer-Construction-Tips-read-only

2. 
   geTVZyRyKj | Sep 17, 2009 11:59am | #2

   Thanks, Martin. I read much of each document. Steel framing is probably not a practical remedy. My customer is an advocate of "Building Biology" principles which recommends avoiding steel framing because of EMF concerns. Likewise, I tend to agree with Joe Lstiburek that steel framing is problematic when it comes to energy efficiency.

   What did you think about my idea to encapsulate the terpenes in the framing lumber by applying latex paint?

   Anybody out there want to weigh-in on the discussion?

3. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Sep 17, 2009 12:30pm | #3

   Dan,
   Again, my advice is the same as before: you should steer clear of any advice about either terpene levels or health claims. Any advice you give can come back to bite you.

   There is a tremendous amount of uncertainty surrounding this issue. We don't know:
   1. Why some people are extremely sensitive to certain substances;
   2. How much of what substances provide a trigger; or
   3. Whether psychological or emotional factors are involved in such symptoms.

   Will latex paint reduce the terpene level from off-gassing studs? Heck, no one knows. I seriously doubt whether anyone knows the indoor air terpene levels, if any, associated from the use of softwood framing lumber -- with or without latex paint.

   Here's the mantra: "I'm a builder, not a doctor. I can't make any health claims for the houses I build. If your doctor provides recommendations on construction specifications, I'll do my best to build you a house to meet those recommendations."

4. 
   geTVZyRyKj | Sep 17, 2009 12:42pm | #4

   Hi Martin
   I appreciate your concerns on my behalf. I will make no health claims. I've made it clear to my customer that I'm not a doctor. But I intend to help my customer as much as I can. I hope to polish my strategy for doing that through the input I get here.

   Thanks again.