47 — Wednesday, November 15, 1989 - North Shore News Children’s author speaks PAGE SO WEST VAN ARCHITECT WORKS ON GETTING POISONS OUT OF our house could ki FOR MOST people, home is where the heart is. But for an unfortunate few, it is a breeding ground for a host of debilitating diseases and a'lergies. Such was the case of one Van- couver woman, whose home made her life unbearable. “It was a gradual deterioration at first but then it turned - into something quite drastic,’’ explains Sharel Ferguson. ‘‘My whole im- mine system broke down. i went from 120 pounds to 78 pounds. When i travelled I had to go in a wheelchair. Nobody knew what | was coping with.”’ What Ferguson didn't know was that her own home had turned into her greatest enemy: formaldehyde, a common ingredient used in home building materials, was proving hazardous to her health. That’s about the same time that West Vancouver architect Keith Ewing was called in to make the ultimate house call. Instead of coming to the house, Ewing rebuilt ut. Along with a small but growing aumber of architects, Ewing has taken a “whole-house’’ approach to dealing with problems associated with toxic materials commonly used in house building. Major culprits of indoor air pollution are found in the most basic of materials — plywood, syntheiic carpets, paint, unsealed particle board, certain types of in- sulation and furnishings. All of these materials give off small amounts of chemicals used in their manufacture and some absorb tox- ins from other potent substances. Common indoor toxins include cigarette smoke, consumer News Reporter aerosols, house dust, mould and mildew, radon, urea for- maldehyde, asbestus, sulphur diox- ide and carbon monoxide. ‘People live in fairly toxic environments and cope very well, but at some point they O.D. on this stuff and their nervous systems break down,”’ Ewing explains. Some experts believe that over 99 per cent of all homes in the U.S. have dangerous levels of in- door air pollution. They blame two developments for the problem: one is the shift to synthetic building materials during the construction boom since the Second Worid War, introducing potencially toxic substances to the home such as particle board and asbestos; the other is the air- tightening of homes fueled by the oil crunch of the °7Qs, allowing toxins to build within the home. When exposed to these substances, some peaple suffer everything from allergic reactions to respiratory infections to emo- tional disorders. ‘‘it’s something the merical profession can't pin- point,’’ says Ewing. “The only thing they can dc is take people out of their environment and put them into a pure environment.” Studies show that certain groups are more susceptible to indoor air See Ric Page 49 VACUUM SALE ALL MODELS SALE PRICED WHILE STOCK LASTS . $169% 5439" On the North Shore since 1955 | PARTS & SERVICE 1629 GARDEN AVENUE, NORTH VANCOUVER 987-2251 Parts & Service for all makes. Rebuilt vacuums also available. 95:30 Mon. to Fri., Saturday 9-5. NEWS photo Alfie Wakefletd WEST VANCOUVER architect Keith Ewing stands in front of his first toxin-free home in Vancouver. Eving has taken 2 ‘‘whole-house’* approach to dealing with problems associated with indoor toxins. Ea’s Winter WARM UP STARTS LUXURY DOWN QUILTS. BY NORTHERN FEATHER ™ * Prime NEVER BEFORE OFFERED AT THIS PRICE! @ Australian and uality é jown New Zealand wool ° Battle © Warm in winter construct. cool in summer ion © Hospital proven for © 100% cot- comfortable, ton cover resttul sleep * Full 10 ® Luxurious wool pile ALL SIZES TWIN THROUGH KING NOW 339° one time only! EACH WHILE QUANTITIES LAST PINSTRIPE TOWELS COMPARE NOW WHISPERSOFT PILLOWS 50% DOWNISO% FEATHER SAVE EZ STANDARD 86.60 59.88 a eed Bie anor, e ne) Oo QUEEN 409-0 69.88 WASH 40 tay KING 120-66 89.88 “TOTS OF FREE PARKING HOURS: SUN. 12-5 MON., TUES., WED., sat. 10-6 al