Vallebona Country House was built following the indications of Clinical Ecology and of the Environmental Medicine. In particular, two books by Dr. William J. Rea, a cardiac surgeon who himself had Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, were used as reference.
Dr. Rea created the first Environmental Controlled Units (ECU) in his clinic at Dallas to welcome patients with MCS.
His book "Optimum environments for optimum health and creativity" explains in detail which materials have to used for the structure of the house, for the finishes and for the furniture in order to reduce the toxic load as much as possible and in order to avoid allergic and sensitivity reactions to chemicals.
The materials used in the Environmental Controlled Units are:
- lime masonry or white cement,
- porcelain stoneware tiles,
- solid wood with a low terpene content (such as poplar, maple, chestnut, walnut, cherry and beech),
- glass,
- metals,
- rigid plastic.
Dr. William J. Rea's second book "Success in the Bedroom" explains how important it is to give top priority to creating at least one room that is completely "clean" and free of materials that can emit even the smallest traces of volatile organic compounds or traces of other allergens.
It is usually suggested that you prioritize cleaning up the bedroom because it is the place where you spend the longest time of the day by far.
The following are the best materials according to Clinical Ecology.
Wood
Solid hard wood is by far the best material because the Human Beings evolved over millions of years in an environment full of trees and in houses built with wood.
Only a few decades ago the phenomenon of hypersensitivity and allergies to some woods raised because of the intensive use of petroleum and petrochemical compounds.
Petroleum is, in fact, the product of the maceration of ancient forests and it is full of substances, such as toluene and benzene, the were present in nature only in minimal quantities. In Petroleum these terpenes are concentrated and they cause sensitizations to humans.
For this reason the most suitable woods for people with allergies and chemical sensitivity are the "harder" types of wood. At Casa Vallebona we have used only small quantities of solid wood and for the painting we have used a white enamel with zero VOC content.
Glass
Glass is an excellent material because it is smooth, compact and easy to clean. Being porous, however, it must be used only in contexts where it can not be contaminated by perfumes, detergents, smoke, etc.
At Casa Vallebona we have chosen a glass table and console with metal legs which, among other things, give light and pleasantness to the rooms.
Metals
Metals, especially steel and pre-painted aluminum, are ideal for healthy homes.
The only exception are custom-made steel furniture because the manufacturing process involves the use of petrochemical greases for the final polishing of the surfaces with a consequent deep cleansing.
If you want to make custom-made steel furniture, it is advisable to agree in advance with the craftsman on the use of organic greases for polishing, which must not be of petrochemical derivation, and also on the use of fragrance-free detergents for final cleaning.
At Casa Vallebona we have used steel shelves and ready-to-use pre-painted aluminum furniture which are very effective for storing dishes, pans, etc.
Masonry furniture
In order to make durable furniture at Vallebona Country House we chose to make as many masonry furniture as possible: kitchenette, closets, the bathroom cabinet, the console for the television.
Rigid plastic
Rigid plastic is also an excellent material for the Environmental Controlled Unit because it does not release odors and particulates, but it is essential to choose types of hard plastic that are phthalate-free.
Phthalates, in fact, serve to soften plastic and they are responsible not only for hypersensitivity reactions, but also for carcinogenic risks.
Rigid odorless plastics are suitable and allow you to store clothes, food, books, with the advantage of protecting them from the risk of humidity.
At Vallebona Country House we have chosen different types of chairs with a metal structure and plastic seat, which is warmer and more comfortable than metal.
@ Casa Vallebona
To find out more, you can read Francesca Romana Orlando's book "The House of Good Health" (Libreria Editrice Fiorentina, 2022) available in online bookstores and to order in any physical bookstore.
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