Non Toxic Environments Home Health & Wellness

If you've been on the fence about building a new home, this is a MUST LISTEN TO episode, folks. Pete Donovan and Rus Ackner from Healthy Home Builders in New York, talk with Jay and I about their experiences as one of the true pioneers of the industry. For them, building healthy isn't a fad or a trend...its all they do. And they do it quite well. In the market they are in, they typically work on some really high-end projects, but the processes and procedures they've developed are transferable to any sized project. This episode is chock-full of excellent information, so pass it along to your family and friends. Please check them out, and let them know that Jay and Andy sent you!! Healthy Home Builders, Inc. https://healthyhomebuilders.com

Jay and I love all the mail we get from our listeners and clients. So many great questions come our way, that its hard to pick just a few to talk about. This week we tackle some questions that seem to be frequently asked. Please excuse the audio, as Jay was coming to us from a remote location this week. But his words come through crystal clear and compelling as they always do!

Before I started this business almost 30 years ago, I enlisted the help of an organization called SCORE. Of course, my mom and dad were the real mentors, as my business was an offshoot of theirs, but the healthy home 'industry' wasn't an industry yet. So I needed some help. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964. So the episode today is the presentation that I made at their monthly chapter meeting. I hope that if you're listening and you have an idea about starting a business, you reach out to SCORE for some help. It's free, but its absolutely invaluable. Oh...I answer some good questions at the end, so stick around!

Have you ever used one of our AFM Safecoat products in an unusual application and it worked perfectly? Or maybe someone told you about a strange way to do something around the house that you never would have thought of yourself. We call these little educational nuggets a hack. Just as there are life 'hacks' to make you more productive, there are also product hacks, to help you get things done around the home. Today we'll talk about some of these hacks and hopefully you'll try them out yourself!

As a professional myself that deals with home health and wellness, I'm always excited to hear from other professionals about how they can learn more and help their clients. Today, Jay and I take a call from an IAQ tester who wants to know about taking his business to the next level so that he can help his clients with the IAQ problems he has found. Finding the problem is only half the battle. Now what? We've got some answers for all professionals about what the next steps should be.

I speak at many events throughout the year and this one is definitely going to be a favorite for me. Today, Im interviewing Jen Norris, who is the Co-Leader of the Holistic Mom's Network, Milwaukee Chapter. The HMN has around 100 chapters around the US and advocates for healthy living, holistic parenting and a vibrant community. If you are in the Milwaukee area, Im speaking at their meeting on February 19th, 2019. See the show notes for more information.

Last year I did an episode of NTE where I listed off some of the more common materials used for insulation. Since then, Ive received dozens of emails about brands and versions, etc. So I thought since its currently -25F outside my office right now, this would be a proper time to dig a little deeper into insulation. Ie also been doing a lot of investigative research for clients lately, and figured you'd enjoy learning all about how the manufacturers are so very eager to help me. HA! Just kidding. They avoid me like the plague.

A client asked me a while back, "what does a day for you really consist of?" Lots of phone calls, emails and face to face customers, for sure. But most of my involves consulting conversations, then tons of research to back up my recommendations. I also get to discuss my recommendations with the contractors and design team for the project, and here is where it gets...frustrating. These conversations are like being on a playground merry-go-round, where no matter what I say or what I prove, they always want to go back to the way they do things. Enjoy!

Now that the holidays are over and the house is getting quiet again, this a great time to start those home projects that you wished you could have done before Christmas. Today, Andy gives an update on several current projects he's consulting on and offers lots of free tips to help you as you move forward.

After a much needed break to spend time with family and friends this past holiday season, Jay and Andy are back at it to talk about what this new year will mean for NTE. They conduct some real-time FRAT testing to help out a client in Florida, then discuss some upcoming programming. Its going to be a great year here on Non Toxic Environments!

For the final episode of 2018, Jay and I answer a few listener questions and discuss our plans for 2019. New shows, new ideas and plenty of opportunity for educational events.

We've all heard the many suggestions for killing off mold, but honestly, most of them dont work effectively. And the few that do... mold eventually will come back. Caliwel is a revolutionary coating made by combining new technology with a readily available natural mineral....lime. Today, Andy interviews Bryan Glynson, CEO of Alistagen. Bryan's company is the inventor and producer of this amazing product called Caliwel. We'll learn all about this coating, along with how to use it properly in your home and office.

About a year ago, after getting frustrated with my industry for the umpteenth time, I posted a rant on Facebook and used the hashtag LeadnotLEED. Why? Mainly because I wanted to tell professionals in the building industry to become leaders, not just follow the LEED program like lemmings. The LEED program is good for many reasons, but as we've discussed in previous episodes, it doesn't take human health concerns into account enough to make a difference. So today, Jay and I recorded our show prep conversation and it was sounding so good, I decided to roll with it. Its not really edited at all...Just Jay and I speaking freely. Enjoy!

If you are someone who suffers from chemical sensitivity or allergies, you know how difficult it is to try and describe your situation with someone who just doesn't get it. Well, imagine what its like for folks like Jay and Andy, who deal with these consumers on a daily basis. Today's episode is a friendly reminder for sales people all over the world, as well as the customers themselves, to think about the other person when deciding to engage in a transaction. Plus, we discuss some customer questions.

I know its a bit cliche to do a show about giving thanks this time of the year, but Jay and I both feel compelled to do so anyway! Obviously, we wouldn't be here without our spouses, family, co-workers and employees, so that all goes with our saying. This episode is all about giving thanks to the early pioneers of our industry, our customers and listeners, and many others. Thank YOU for allowing us to do this and to invite us into your home every week!

Jay and I decided to step back from our usual programming to discuss the wildfires in California. This episode is dedicated to all those who are dealing with this and especially those who have lost family and friends. Folks, if you are told to evacuate your home...EVACUATE. Don't think for one second that you can "ride this out" and everything will be okay. So please, listen to what is being said in your local community. Beyond that, Jay and I are discussing ways to remediate smoke damage in the home, as well as how to make the indoor air safer if you are only dealing with the effects of lingering smoke.

I think it's clear to everyone, that Jay and I love to answer questions. Really doesn't matter what the subject is or how detailed it may be...we just thrive on helping our listeners out with their projects. And when the questions come in, Jay loves to throw them at Andy without ANY prior notice of what they pertain to, so the answers come back completely off the cuff and from the gut. We know how much you all enjoy these episodes, so, here you go!

3500 minutes of Non Toxic Environments this year to date and this episode is a review of the best we've done so far. If you've wanted to introduce your friends, family and social media followers to Non Toxic Environments, this is the episode to send them. Carpet, contractors, mold and more!

While I really enjoy choosing one topic and running with it for 30 minutes, sometimes its necessary to answer some questions that we've been asked quite often these days. Today we'll go though some of these questions and hopefully it proves to be very helpful to all of our listeners. Topics include: Windows, shower surrounds, dealing with contractors, and more!

This has been an extraordinarily wet year, so before winter sets in, its important to inspect several areas of your home to prevent that moisture from causing big problems down the road. Insulation, windows, caulking and coatings. Even a little bit of discussion about air handling and purification. This week on Non Toxic Environments.

As listeners to this show, you are well aware of the toxins we find in our homes every day. We've made many suggestions on how to locate and remediate these areas to make your home a healthier space. But another area can be just as difficult to deal with, and that is your automobile. This episode, we'll discuss what to look for, how to address the problem areas, and even give you some suggestions of brands to consider, when its time to purchase a new vehicle for yourself.

Changing things up a bit this week, as Jay sits down with Andy to ask about being a healthy home consultant and what that means for folks who are in need of these services. What can Andy do for you? What kind of testing services are available? Will it help my marriage?? Andy get a chance to answer some questions about his experiences and what its like to help folks trying to live in a healthier home.

We're getting such a slew of questions from our listeners these days! Fantastic feedback from everyone. This episode is just taking care of some questions we get regularly about how to handle window and door frames that have been previously painted with lead paint, as well as advice on how to finish a new hardwood floor.

Emelie Kamp and her husband Ben, are on a mission to develop the first vacation property in the US specifically designed for folks with illnesses or those truly looking for wellness. Join me this week, as we hear from Emelie about why they have taken on such a monumental project and how they see this transitioning the vacation industry! This is the first of many episodes we'll be doing about this project, as we want to follow it throughout the entire construction process. Please make sure to follow our website and subscribe to this podcast so that you dont miss any of the details.

I think by now, most people have heard the term 'greenwashing' and know how to recognize it. Greenwashing, simply put, is a method that manufacturers use to make their product sound much more eco-friendly than they really are. They do this so that you feel like you're doing your part for the Earth, even though, you probably aren't. I've decided to now use the old fashioned 'white washing' praise to explain how these same companies are trying to convince us all that their offerings are somehow healthier for the human occupants. When we close our eyes and imagine a clean healthy space, an image of pure white comes to mind. Unadulterated, untouched...completely clean. So in this episode, we discuss the words and terms that are now being used to whitewash the industry.

Starting in the fall of 2018, we will be launching a second program called Degree of Green Weekly, which will contain industry news and weekly reviews of green building products. This weeks episode of NTE is a small preview of the information that we will be sharing, and we are hoping to get your feedback about the content and how it comes across. NTE will continue to produce a weekly show dedicated to healthy home methods, alternatives...even success stories! Degree of Green Weekly will be more of a nuts and bolts, product information show. We feel that offing two separate shows will allow us to broaden our scope and provide the best possible content.

Wood flooring has been used in our homes for centuries. Its durable, provides a feeling of warmth and obviously has an aesthetic most of us appreciate. But is the tried and true sand and finish wood flooring what we really want to use? Solid, pre-finished, floating, laminate, engineered.... terms we hear every day, but may not understand. Jay and Andy discuss all the different types of wood flooring materials available, as well as their installation requirements, so that you can choose the perfect material for your project.

In previous episodes, we've discussed that one of the best things you can do in your home to make it a healthier space is to remove the carpet. But, what if you cant? What if you just don't want to? We all love something soft underfoot when getting out of bed in the morning, so whats the best approach to make sure you get the best product for your home? Jay and Andy break down all the different styles and materials so that you can make the best informed decision for you and your family.

Admittedly, this is the absolute busiest time of the year for anyone in the construction industry. And as you can imagine, folks all over the world are in need of some advice to keep their project healthy and on track. We are here to help! Here are a few more good Q&A segments to address many of the topics on people's minds right now.

Here we are, the dog days of summer. Hot and humid. And while some of us really enjoy this time, your house, the components inside, and most importantly YOU, can be negatively affected by high humidity. Today, Andy discusses the main problems associated with hot and humid days, then gives some ways to combat those issues to keep our homes running at tip top shape.

Many of our listeners and clients....and about 100,000 other people around the world...tuned in to the Toxic Home Transformation last month and heard tip and tricks about healthy home living from over 30 international experts. Our own Andy Pace was one of those experts, so he shares a little bit of his thoughts about this monumental summit and what this could mean for our industry. Plus, we answer a few listener questions and wrap it all up with a teaser about next weeks show.

Today's episode is kind of a grab-bag, mail-bag show, where we tackle some questions from our audience. First off, if you think you have an IAQ problem, where should I start?? Jay Watts has a segment on how to approach a landlord if you need to rent an apartment, but you have chemical sensitivities. Then finally, we discuss my 4 recommendations to ward off mold in a new home or remodeling projects. Thanks for listening!

Andy Pace has been a healthy home materials consultant for many years and has worked with thousands of satisfied clients all over the world. But every project...every client, is different. How much time is needed for the typical consulting appointment? What kind of questions do you need to be prepared to answer? Andy spends this episode getting your ready for working with him or anybody else on his team, so that YOUR time is being spent wisely.

VERY short episode this week, as I am speaking at an online event called the Toxic Home Transformation and Im inviting you to sign up and listen for free! Go to www.degreeofgreen.com/tht to sign up and hear from over 30 healthy living experts about creating a toxin free home. I have the premier slot as the final speaker on Sunday, July 1, so please sign up and enjoy!!

With someone suffering from allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities, formaldehyde release can be extremely dangerous and trigger may reactions. My company is the North American exclusive importer of a test system from Japan that can pinpoint the exact surface in a home that is releasing formaldehyde. The Formaldehyde Release Attenuation Test (FRAT) saves hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars by eliminating the "process of elimination" method of trying to remediate from formaldehyde exposure. Today's episode is a recap of a FRAT test I performed in a clients home this week. While the information was fresh in my mind, I felt it important to share with everyone. I also hope that one of our listeners has the resources to help us get this testing system into the hands of professionals around the country. So, its a mini plea for assistance.

Air pollution kills 2 million people every year, according to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Research Letters. We see one story after another, warning that our cell phones are poisoning us. Those two instances alone are enough to make you want to hole up in a plastic bubble. But what can we really do to get some relief? This is where a healthy home sanctuary comes in. When we say "healthy," we mean free of as many chemicals, environmental pollutants, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as possible. And this desire cuts across generational lines. I've consulted with a lot of consumers who specifically mention their need for a dedicated healthy space in their home, and I can tell you that the interest isn't confined to younger generations. This episode is a quick and easy take on creating your Healthy Home Sanctuary.

With a career that spans almost 30 years…most of which in the healthy home realm…Ive pretty much seen it all. Ive worked with close to 20,000 people around the world who either suffer from severe sensitivities, have allergies and asthma, have kids with Autism or just have a deep desire to live in a healthy home. Without hesitation, I can tell you that the number one question I get is "what can I do in my home to make it a healthier space?" So with all those years of experience under my belt, I've put together my top 7 tips to make your home healthy. Not tomorrow, or next week, or next year…today. Right after reading this. Heck, while you're reading this!

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Episode 104 deals specifically with the difficulties that consumers fade when trying to purchase building and remodeling materials that are healthy, because most retailers dont know how to explain the difference between green and healthy. We also discuss the consumer educational program called Degree of Green and how it helps homeowners decide which materials to look for, based on their own personal preference. Finally, we discuss what a VOC is and why all the fuss...

Today's episode is 100% Q&A from email and our Speakpipe web messaging off our Degeeofgreen.com site. Questions this episode deals with the toxicity of paints, concrete, drywall and more. Please feel free to leave us a question or message at: https://www.speakpipe.com/DegreeOfGreen Listeners questions that get used on the air will receive a $100 gift card from one of our trusted sponsors or partners.

Kitchen and bath projects are pretty much our #1 topic when we open up the mail bag, so this week we dive in and answer some of those questions. Joining us this week is Ryan Sternagel, from the Stern Method...formally, My Kid Cures Cancer. Ryan and his wife Teddy are constructing a model healthy home and are documenting the entire process for their podcast followers. Andy Pace has been selected as the healthy home consultant for this project and this episode, Andy and Ryan discuss options for the kitchen and bath countertops. Very informative.

This episode deals with the nitty gritty details of what a VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) really is and why we even need to care. Of the 88,000 chemicals used in consumer goods, only a fraction are classified as regulated VOC's and many of these are completely harmless. Andy gives his breakdown of this issue and also spends some time answering questions from the mailbag.

When it comes to creating healthy home, choosing materials for everything you see and touch in the home is the most crucial start. Floors, walls, cabinetry, etc. 75% of the off gassing that can occur in the home is attributed to these areas, so Jay and I have a discussion about what products to look at to make the home as healthy as possible.

As an indoor air quality specialist with over 25 years of experience, I get calls regularly from clients worldwide who are trying fix a serious problem in their homes that was caused by bad advice from so called "experts". While the internet is full of information, one must realize that at least half of that information is erroneous at best and possibly severely dangerous for this with depressed immune systems. * ZERO VOC DOES NOT MEAN HUMAN FRIENDLY * NATURAL DOES NOT MEAN SAFE * NOT ALL EXPERTS....ARE ACTUALLY EXPERTS

We know that the only way to effectively eliminate toxic off gassing is to remove the source of the pollutant. In many cases, however, this just isn't possible. So, we have developed a easy to follow program on how to seal the most common materials in the home, using various products from AFM Safecoat.

As an advocate for creating a healthy sanctuary in the home to help detox and restore the body during the night, I find it useful to provide manufactures and materials that one can get right now to build that healthy space. Wall treatments, flooring, mattresses..even an infrared sauna. All of these materials have been properly vetted by some of the most severely chemically sensitive clients we have.

Home builders today have many green building certification programs to choose from when they decide to offer this to their potential clients. Since the 1990's, dozens of programs have been developed to help guide the way, but only a handful have emerged to become the clear leaders. This episode deals with the most well known programs, along with some relatively unknown guidelines and will help to unravel the acronyms and educate you about which programs are the best bet for someone looking to build a healthy home...not just green.

Non Toxic Environments is a weekly podcast dedicated to discussion and education of home health and human wellness. This episode is simply an introduction to the co-host of NTE, Jay Watts, and the path he took in business and life to get to this point.

Non Toxic Environments is a weekly podcast dedicated to discussion and education of home health and human wellness. This quick take episode is a short piece on choosing the best insulation for your home, based on health and effectiveness.

Non Toxic Environments is a weekly podcast dedicated to discussion and education of home health and human wellness. This episode deals with the steps needed to find, retain and educate a contractor, especially if you have chemical sensitivities, specific allergies or special requirements.