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The
Environment and Housing
1. Canadians spend, on average, 90% of their time indoors.
2. Indoor air quality can be 3 to 4 times more polluted that outdoor air.
3. Common symptoms of poor indoor air quality include headaches, burning
eyes, fatigue and respiratory problems.
4. The incidence of respiratory illness is rising. Twenty percent of all
Canadians have some form of lung disorder.
5. A growing number of Canadians have been identified as being
environmentally hypersensitive - often to a debilitating degree.
6. Up to 24% of the volume of landfills is made up of wastes from
building construction and demolition.
7. Housing is responsible for almost 20% of Canada's energy consumption
and total greenhouse gas emissions.
8. The amount of lumber used in the construction, renovation, and
maintenance of a home over a 50-year period would require the sustained production of 1.5
acres (0.5 hectares) of forest.
9. Canadians are the second largest consumers of water in the world, using
350 litres of water per person per day in their homes.
One of the best list environmental sites relating to housing is GreenClips.
The site is excellent, but the best use is to subscribe to the on-line newsletter.
Its free and provides some great ideas about housing and the environment. |
