[GSBN] health (ill) effects of earthen floors

[Bill Steen]

Yes and no I would say.  It's talking about dirt floors that have no treatment whatsoever.  That's quite different than floors that have been sealed with oil or that have lime included.  I would assume there is no data available or studies looking at the tataki floors of Japan that have both lime and salts (magnesium chloride) included in the mix but I seriously doubt that hookworm would have been a factor.  Or the same I would think hold true for floors that have been stabilized with cement and sealed in form or another.  In short, that's my answer.
On a note that is indirectly related to all this, the use of cement, not that I'm against it in all respects,  in the third world countries has produced what amounts to a plague of cold in the winter/hot in the summer houses and buildings that in the overall scheme of things, have had a very negative impact.


Bill Steen
bill at caneloproject.com
www.caneloproject.com
www.caneloproject.com/blog
HC1 Box 324
Elgin, AZ85611






On Jan 5, 2012, at 9:31 AM, Bruce King wrote:

> 
> Happy New Year, baleheads!
> 
> I came across the article linked below about how adding concrete over earthen floors has a measurable positive impact on occupant health--  especially children's.  Many of us think "Yuck!" at the idea of concrete instead of earthen floors, but you can't argue with the science.
> 
> Anyone have a rebuttal or additional relevant information?  At the very least, this seems like something we natural building types should take a cool-headed look at.
> 
> Paving Paradise - by Charles Kenny | Foreign Policy
> http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/01/03/paving_paradise
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Bruce "Cool Head Cold Feet" King
> 
> bruce at bruce-king.com
> (415) 987-7271
> Twitter: @brucekinggreen
> blog: bruceking.posterous.com
> Skype: brucekingokok
> 
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