The pandemic situations force us to spend a lot of time at home, but is your home healthy enough to live in?

In the current pandemic era, the PPKM program (Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions) which is aimed by the government as one of the actions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, has made various activities that we normally do it out of home now mostly carried out directly from home. The comfort and safety of healthy housing are now the main points that people are starting to pay attention to. One of which is related to the selection of the right materials as a solution to implement optimal comfort and safety for housing. Materials are often ignored even though they have a significant impact in developing healthy housing that can make home owners feels comfortable and safe doing all their activities inside the house.

Material Selection

Basically, the selection of the right material and in accordance with daily needs can not only be measured from aesthetics and how easy it is to install, but also needs to be assessed from function and safety factors. Ceiling materials is one of the main materials with function to provide comfort as well as aesthetics in a room. Besides being able to affect the aesthetics of the room, the ceiling also acts as an essential and functional material. But before choosing a material for the ceiling, learn more about the selection of material you will have to choose.

Plasterboard is one of the most popular ceiling materials chosen by the public. In addition to its functional factors, plasterboard has been tested in the laboratory as a material that is safe for health and environment. Plasterboard has a low TVOC (total volatile organic compound) content. This is one of the advantages of plasterboard because it can reduce environmental emissions that can affect the environment and health. In addition, plasterboard does not contain asbestos and non-radioactive materials which can be recycled so that it has a relatively high sustainability value and is safe for the environment.

With a relatively affordable cost, plasterboard are also known for their easy installation. To produce a smooth and flawless finishing, plasterboard is still the first top chosen ceiling material. In addition, a variety of unique performance selections that can meet all the needs and requirement of a room is one of beneficial factors in using plasterboard as ceiling material.


Aside from plasterboard, there is other type of ceiling material made of Polyvinyl Chloride (CH2-CHC), this chemical component needs to be carefully considered as a choice of ceiling material. Chlorine and its components are known as volatile elements, especially in a high temperature room or hava a high risk of fire. From time to time, this element of chlorine can be released from this material which can then affect the air quality. If improperly used in the cycle of manufacture, use and disposal waste, it can be detrimental to health, and potentially interfere the respiratory tract.

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice further explained, Polyvinyl Chloride is a material made from toxic additives that are not environmentally friendly, so its use is not recommended especially in certain areas in the house such as the kitchen which has a high room temperature intensity so that it will affect Polyvinyl Chloride as a component in the room especially if it decomposes it can become a carcinogen which can trigger dangerous diseases such as cancer.

In addition for not being environmentally friendly, Polyvinyl Chloride is the biggest threat to children. Children are very susceptible to harmful chemicals. Exposure to chemicals can have serious consequences because they are in the early stages of physical and mental growth, especially if Polyvinyl Chloride is used at home as a ceiling material, in prolonged use this may allow some chlorine content to be mixed into the air. To keep your family from being exposed to hazardous materials, it is better to use materials that are more environmentally friendly, especially at home, which should be the safest place to do all activities in the current condition.

Other countries such as Spain, Germany and Sweden have several projects where Polyvinyl Chloride is removed from the specification. They encourage innovation and fight for the certification of living buildings that are environmentally friendly and safe for health by eliminating the use of Polyvinyl Chloride in building projects.

After knowing some of the facts above, of course, various aspects need to be considered before choosing the right material or healthier alternative for ceiling, careful consideration is needed to anticipate things that are not desirable, especially in terms of health, comfort and safety which are significant factors for a housing. Not only short-term considerations, but also long-term to maintain the sustainability, environmentally friendly buildings, reduce emissions and the quality of life for homeowners.

Sources:

Ron & Lisa Beres . (2012). PVC? OMG. Retrieved from The Healthy Home Dream Team Ron and Lisa: https://ronandlisa.com/2012/04/17/pvc-omg/

California Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. (2006). Health Concerns and Environmental Issues with PVC - Containing Building Materials in Green Buildings. Review of Current Practices and Trends in the Use, Recycling, and Disposal of PVC - Containing Building Materials, 1-77.

D'Alessandro, N. (2014). Why You Should Avoid PVC Products. Retrieved from https://www.ecowatch.com/why-you-should-avoid-pvc-products-1881927242.html

Dwiwanto, D. (2020, January 4). Gipsum, Material untuk Plafon yang Ramah Lingkungan. Retrieved from rumah123.com: https://artikel.rumah123.com/gipsum-material-untuk-plafon-yang-ramah-lingkungan-55107

Healthy Building. (2013). PVC Dangers and Healthy Alternativeshttps. Retrieved from https://healthybuildingscience.com/2013/03/29/pvc-dangers-and-healthy-alternatives/

Selera.id. (2017, December 28). Selera.id. Retrieved from Pilih Mana: Plafon PVC vs Gypsum: https://www.selera.id/pilih-mana-plafon-pvc-vs-gypsum/

Sunday A, A., Dirisu, J., Sunday I.F., O., Abioye, A., P.Okokpujie, I., & Olayinka O, S. (2018). Effects of Emission Characteristics on Elemental Composition of Selected PVC Ceiling Materials. Materials Focus, Volume 7, Number, August, 566-572. Retrieved from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/11/expert-warns-on-dangers-of-pvc-building-materials/