Homes That Heal (and those that don't) : How Your Home Could be Harming Your Family's Health

Rating:
Summary: inspiring and manageable
Review: Although initially a bit intimidated by the amount of facts, I was quickly drawn in by the writing style, the "stories" of fictional folks who all have various concerns about their homes, and the well-organized format of this book. Athena Thompson brings forth a wealth of information about so many aspects of our home environment. Like most people I made the assumption that my cosy home, my sanctuary from the world, had to be a healthy environment. I learned a great deal about how to make simple changes within my home to make it a healthier environment. I'm grateful that I'm now aware that just because "it's invisible" doesn't mean it's not harmful, like toxic residues from common household cleaners, and electro-magnetic radiation from electrical wiring and appliances. This book is a wake-up call for most of us about how the inside of our homes may be the most toxic environment we find ourselves in during our day, and the effects of that environment on children as well as adults. I have already made many changes, and feel much better being in my home. I'm looking forward to the workbook, so I can get others together to discuss healthy home environments. Cheers to the author for bringing all this information to light in a practical, easy-to-read and non-preachy way.

Rating:
Summary: Not good for design or remodel
Review: I would not recommend this book for anyone that is looking for practical ways to redesign or remodel. I feel the author is not really in touch with the real world of design. I did not find this book helpful on how to really "get things done." I would suggest finding a book written by someone who has more experience in the design world.

Rating:
Summary: YOUR NEW BIBLE FOR CREATING A HEALTHY HOME !!!
Review: This is such a GREAT book !!! Everything you ever wanted to know about everything in your house and how it might affect your and your children's health. The book is easy to read, entertaining and yet shock full of important facts. Did you know that some sandbox playsand contains known human carcinogens like crystalline silica and asbestos? or that microwaving a mother's breast milk will cause it to lose its infection-fighting properties ? Or that some bamboo floors contain nasty adhesives and formaldehyde ? Much research has gone into this book and yet the author uses simple stories to illustrate a variety of situations and provide solutions. The first few chapters cover the basics (Healthy vs Unhealthy Homes, Conventionally Built Home, Remodeled Older Home, and New Healthy Home) then each chapter covers a room and the hazards specific to that room (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, home office, garage) then on to pets, cleaning, home maintenance, yards, plants, etc ... and a comprehensive Healthy Home Quiz. Lots of little known facts about things like bedding, dry cleaning, smoke detectors, diapers, air fresheners, mold, radon, attached garages, even gives simple ways to check for electro-magnetic fields ... This book is VERY comprehensive and far superior to the many others I have read on this topic. It is quickly becoming my bible !