Troublesome News - a Letter to the Editor from 'g' Owner Nicole Goldman

Dear Editor:

It is troublesome to hear for the second time in two months about the fires at homes under renovation in our town.  Although I am only aware of the circumstances alluded to in the local newspaper articles, it appears that in both cases highly flammable materials were the culprits: in the Pearce Road fire it was a toxic floor finish; at the Penzance Road fire this past week a chemical reaction from a petro-chemical-based insulation was cited as the volatile combustible.  In both incidences, the substitution of materials to low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) could have prevented the disaster to these homes.  Thankfully no lives were threatened in either fire, but we may not be so lucky the next time.

We have the technology and materials to avoid these costly accidents.  There are many non-toxic floor finishes, and several insulation materials that would not produce any combustible or chemical reaction after spraying or installation.  There is a clear need to educate our builders and fellow homeowners about the options that are available to prevent these costly and dangerous building materials choices.
 
In the interest of full disclosure, I run a design and supply company whose mission it is to make these alternatives available to the general public. Some of these products like denim insulation derived from jean selvage, milk-based paint products or non-toxic non-offgasing penetrating sealers have long histories, pre-dating modern chemical applications.  Although builders  and architects are used to their favorite products, these are of comparable cost, but the learning curve for a different product often comes with skepticism.  Safety and health are the paramount priority on the jobsite, but product choices like this have a long term impact that can offer a real value.  And THAT is the true cost of these tragedies.

As a member of the Steering Committee of the Falmouth Climate Action Team (FCAT), I am active in making this information known, but we need the Building and Health departments of our town to help in the dissemination of this information by supplying fact sheets and resources and encouraging alternatives to the flammable products that can off gas and become volatile in the paper dry indoor climate of our New England winters.  A safer future begins with educating ourselves as a major step towards prevention of another incendiary incident.


-NG