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<TITLE>Re: [GSBN] research into air quality in straw bale house</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:9pt'>Jakub,<BR>
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Thanks for looking into this. I agree with Derek this is a very important subject, and one that has been virtually ignored to date (as far as I know). <BR>
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I’ve been concerned for some time about whether the “straw odor” one sometimes detects in a straw bale building signifies any unhealthy substances in the air. In my experience there is a wide range, from no straw-associated odor at all, to a hint of the odor of “bright” dry straw, to a musty odor likely signifying higher than desirable moisture content in the straw, to the smell of decomposing straw (and presumably associated mould) from a serious moisture problem.<BR>
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There are many factors here, including all the materials used in the wall system (and all other building components), how tight the building is, the quality of the air barrier(s), the building’s heating and/or cooling system, climate, etc. Not easy to parse it all out.<BR>
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We all need to know the facts of the indoor air quality of straw bale buildings, both apart from and how they compare with the indoor air quality of buildings using other materials and systems.<BR>
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Thank you Jakub, and good luck with your research.<BR>
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Best.<BR>
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Martin<BR>
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On 12/3/14 6:11 AM, "Jakub Wihan" <<a href="kuba@jakubwihan.com">kuba@jakubwihan.com</a>> wrote:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:9pt'>Hi All,<BR>
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I am doing a research about air quality inside straw bale buildings. I am particularly interested in how a "usual" kind of mold in baled straw inside a plastered wall affects air quality within indoor environment and how healthy that environment is. I would like to know if there is any scientific paper written on this subject. <BR>
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I hope you will not mind me asking to give me some further links, or pointers. In any case, I would be grateful to hear your opinion. <BR>
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I have contacted Stephen Collette> <a href="http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca/">http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca/</a> to give his expertise. I thought it might be useful for all of us to hear. Please see excerpt from his e-mail below.<BR>
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Thank you.<BR>
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Have a peaceful Advent time full of warmth and happiness.<BR>
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With warm wishes<BR>
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Kuba<BR>
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On 3 Nov 2014, at 16:26, Stephen Collette wrote:<BR>
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As for your questions Jakub:<BR>
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I do not have any specific research, university type, looking at the moulds in straw bale homes. I have come across some in my professional practice. (To summarize, I used to build, worked on 2 dozen straw bale buildings. Now I am a consultant, building science geek and know a fair bit about natural building sciences, teaching it through the Building Biology Institute in the US.) <BR>
</SPAN></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:9pt'><BR>
...<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:9pt'><B>As for how it impacts the air quality within a house, I would say it is negligible, under normal conditions. Fibreglass, unfortunately common in North America can hold crap loads of mould and water, and that type of wall system is quite "loose" compared to a plastered wall, which are not so common here. Plastered walls reduce air leakage, and therefore pathways of concern. Also the walls are so dense, to slow air movement in and of themselves, irrespective of the plaster. <BR>
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All the best.<BR>
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Cheers<BR>
<BR>
Stephen<BR>
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Stephen Collette BBEC, LEED AP, BSSO<BR>
<B><I>Your Healthy House</I></B> - </SPAN><SPAN STYLE='font-size:7.5pt'>Indoor Environmental Testing & Building Consulting<BR>
</SPAN><SPAN STYLE='font-size:9pt'><a href="http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca">http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca</a> <<a href="http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca/">http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca/</a>> <BR>
<a href="stephen@yourhealthyhouse.ca">stephen@yourhealthyhouse.ca</a><BR>
705.652.5159<BR>
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