From Publishers Weekly
Even a healthy homeowner may feel queasy after dipping into this book. Bower, a designer and builder who has written about the environment, states that some people are highly sensitive to household odors, dust, molds and plastics out-gassing, then goes on to warn that the number of such sufferers is increasing. Perhaps, but since Bower presents no hard data, his authority is called into question. And though he offers a long list of technical and scientific references in support of his arguments, at other points the author undermines his credibility, tossing ecological brickbats at many of today's building products, not always with the accuracy expected of a building professional. For example, Bower faults concrete roof tile for its porosity (which encourages mold) and periodic need of repainting (paint chemicals can adversely affect sensitive people), despite the fact that, as most roofers know, much concrete tile sold is permanently color-glazed and non-porous. In a single sentence, Bower dismisses vinyl, the highest-selling siding nationally, as simply "not recommended," with an imperiousness typical and regrettable.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Bower (Healthy House Building, Healthy House Inst., 1997) is an environmentally aware builder and designer whose search began in the early 1980s, when his wife needed a home that would not make her ill, particularly with respect to respiration. Not finding one, he set out to study the alternatives, finally producing this book in its first edition (Lyle Stuart, 1989). The current edition comprehensively expands and completely revises the earlier edition. Bower nicely details the whys, whats, and hows, even including analysis of three finished healthy homes. Resource material and notes are extensive and nicely organized. The index is well done, but two problems persist throughout: the text is very dense and thus not well suited to browsing, which limits access; and the notes are intrusive. Overall, however, this is a continuing fine effort offering a message that needs to be sent and more widely received.?Alexander Hartmann, INFOPHILE, Williamsport, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
