We spend 85 to 95% of our time indoors, yet air in new homes may be 10 times more polluted than outdoor air. Our children are particularly vulnerable, and, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, 40% will develop respiratory diseases, in part due to the contaminants in their homes.

The primary causes of poor indoor air quality:

High moisture levels that produce molds, dust mites, and/or microorganisms that can cause or worsen asthma and other health problems.

Furnaces, water heaters, and other combustion appliances that leak toxic gases.

Poor ventilation

New building materials and products that off gas toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during and long after installation (think “new car smell!”).

Eliminating moisture and combustion gases, and providing fresh air are standard practice in the design and construction of new, quality homes. Toxic fumes can be minimized by choosing insulation, cabinetry, floor coverings, and paints that contain low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially urea-formaldehyde. Other properties such as availability, cost, and variety must be considered in selecting these products, and the choices are not always straightforward.

Builders often fall back on interior finishes that they know, with minimal consideration of toxic or environmental properties. CRG has the experience and tools to sort through the plethora of finish options available, helping owners compare their advantages and disadvantages.