Healthier Homes
Healthier Air
Data indicates that 23.2% of the population of Costa Rica suffers
from asthma and is responsible 18% of deaths per 100,000.
Indoor air quality is often something that people don’t think about until it goes bad. Maintaining a healthy and comfortable environment is essential in any indoor space and ICFs provide a wall system that greatly assists in this effort.
BuildBlock ICF walls provide a tight exterior building envelope. Walls that are “tight” (meaning they have low air infiltration) is the first step in controlling the indoor air environment. Due to the dense foam insulation that makes up ICFs, BuildBlock buildings have high R-values and low air infiltration rates. The solid concrete core provides superior thermal mass, meaning a lot of energy is required to change its temperature and eliminates the potential for outside air leakage.
Lasting Results
- ICF walls reduce air infiltration by 75%.
- Eliminate dust mites.
- Prevent dangerous and costly mold.
- The effects of hay fever, asthma, and other airborne allergies can be greatly alleviated as a direct result of the reduced leakage of outside air, which brings dust, pollen, and other pollutants.
- Indoor air pollution is a great health concern today. ICF walls are non-toxic. The measurement of air contents of actual ICF houses shows an almost complete absence of any emissions.
RISK FACTORS FOR ILLNESS FROM BLACK MOLD EXPOSURE
- age (young or old)
- mold allergy
- other illnesses that affect the lungs and respiratory system
Dangers of mold exposure
Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. If you have a mold allergy, you may experience significant respiratory distress when you come in contact with mold.
Some people have ongoing exposure to mold at home or at work. This may cause long-term health issues, particularly in children.
Health and Safety
Fire Resistance | Wind Resistance
ICF concrete structures provide superior resistance to fires, natural disasters, insects, and mold.
The concrete core in ICF walls resists damage from wind, fire, earthquakes, termites, rot, mold and mildew like no other wall system can. Not only does this result in lower maintenance and insurance costs, but risks to life and threats to business continuity are greatly diminished, so ICF-built structures hold their value for generations.
Not only do ICF buildings offer significant up-front and ongoing economic advantages, they are quieter, more comfortable, safer and environmentally considerate. Because sound penetrates ICF walls only 1/8 to 1/4 as much as conventional walls and because an unbroken exterior envelope results in fewer cold spots and drafts, ICF structures provide a more comfortable interior environment. Plus, concrete’s strength and durability helps protect occupants from crime and natural forces, ICF structures have health advantages as well. With ICFs, exposure to manufactured wood products is greatly reduced, thereby minimizing exposure to harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC) and off-gassing, while mold resistance reduces health concerns.
Mold in Homes
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