Recommended Architectural Features for Multi-Family Housing
To Better Accommodate Residents
with Chemical and Electrical Sensitivities
- No composite, particleboard or other formaldehyde or phenol-emitting "wood product" shelving, kitchen or bathroom cupboards, or for closet doors in unit;
- Hard surface (moppable) low-VOC (volatile organic compound) flooring in unit and path of travel;
- Plumb and wire unit for washer and dryer for installation by resident;
- Wire unit and path of travel for ballast-free light fixtures as an alternative to fluorescent or halogen, provide means of stopping power to stove clock;
- Large cupboard or walk-in closet, equivalent or bigger than other residents' storage in common area, wired for an exhaust fan or with operable window;
- Finish walls and ceiling of unit and paths of travel with no or low-VOC-emitting durable surface or coating; finish exteriors with metal siding, autoclaved aerated concrete, other low-maintenance pre-colored surface;
- Install wiring and outlets adequate for electric cooking, space heaters, air filters, hot water, air conditioning, medical equipment on independent circuits; no gas appliances or gas heat for unit;
- Design landscaping to require no chemical maintenance, use plantings that mitigate airborne mold or pollens upwind or along the paths of travel to the unit and common areas; no combustion-fueled landscape maintenance equipment i.e. leaf-blower, lawn mower, chain saw;
- Install wiring for neighbors’ and complex’ electrical appliances elsewhere than adjacent to the unit (so no common wall, ceiling or floor backing electrical panel, refrigerator, fluorescents, computer, microwave oven, re-chargers, transformers, cell or portable phone equipment of neighbors);
- Placement of unit: protect from cell phone tower, substation, power lines; laundry exhaust, smokers' units or gathering place; barbeque or outdoor cooking area; swimming pool chlorine fumes; landscaping with chemical maintenance, airborne mold or pollen; asphalt, traffic or parking lot fumes, combustion or gas fumes.
Susan Molloy, M.A.,
8657 Hansa Trail, Snowflake, AZ 85937,
(928) 536-4625,
susanm@cybertrails.com
New Horizons Independent Living Center,
8085 E. Manley Dr.,
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314,
(928) 772-1266, 800-406-2377,
nhilc@cableone.net
HEAL of Southern Arizona, c/o Ariel Barfield,
1624 E. Waverly,
Tucson, AZ 85719,
(520) 327-4679,
barfield@dakotacom.net
Phoenix HEAL, c/o Melinda Honn,
46619 N. 12th Lane,
New River, AZ 85087,
(623) 742-0126,
Phxhealchapter@msn.com
