COMPARISON OF HOUSING TYPES

TYPES OF HOUSING	ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
Older House	Gassed out	Possible use of Insecticides or termiticides
	Hardwood floors	Lingering odor of artificial fragrances in closets
	Solid wood cabinetry	Possible use of asbestos or lead paint
	“In the Rough” (without remodeling)	Possible remodeling with toxic materials
	_remodel with nontoxic materials	Mold from: leaky roof or damp basement
	Replace old furnace with new furnace system	_leaky furnace (may transport mold spores)
	_new — more efficient and healthful	Old furnace system
Lustron House	Suitable for MCS	Not energy efficient
	Built of steel	Not energy efficient
	Located in cities with outdoor air pollution	Difficult to hang pictures on walls of steel
		_Magnets can be used
Mobile Home	Older is healthier	Avoid newer
	_25—30 years old	Problems with older
	paneling & plywood has gassed out	_closets — fragrances from clothing
	_asphalt floors have gassed out	_remodel with new materials
		_poorly insulated
Apartments	Older preferred	Newer mass-produced units
	_hardwood floors & plaster walls possible	_least expensive material that contain chemical toxins
	_steam heat	Old or new: odors, smells, fumes from other units
	_upper floors: greater distance from basement & traffic fumes
Temporary Housing	Hotels and motels	Tents and campers
	_similar to information under apartments	_tents treated with waterproofing chemicals
		_new campers constructed w/man-made products that may contain chemical toxins
Remodeling or Building New	Hiring contractor familiar with nontoxic construct	More expensive
	Allow for gas out time
	Require nontoxic materials and techniques

A comparison of housing types matrix that explains the advantages and disadvantages of each type. The matrix uses information from
Bower (1993). Matrix developed by: Linda L. Nussbaumer, Ph.D., ASID, CID; South Dakota State University.