I am pregnant and wondering what toxins to avoid in a remodel?

You raise a very important question. I am not a health care professional but I know from all the work I have done for people over the years, that certain individuals are more sensitive to toxins and dust then others. With you being pregnant, you know that you need to be especially careful, and that is why you are concerned about this home improvement question.

I always try to give the best home improvement advice I can and here are my suggestions.

When it comes to removing the carpet, dust and toxins can be released and how much really depends on the type of carpet and padding it is. If there is a way for you to use plastic drop clothes to create an enclosed area around the room where you are going to have the work done, then the majority of the toxins would be contained in that area only. Whoever is doing the work could where a filtered mask to project themselves from breathing in the dust.

For more on containing a room from dust and toxins please click on the following link to another questions I answered that has complete details that might be helpful for you.

How To Contain Dust and Toxins

Once everything is removed and all the dust in cleaned up and the sub-floor damp mopped and cleaned up, then you can proceed with take preventative measures for installing the tile and doing your painting.

When it comes to the paints and finishes, make sure you use a no VOC or low VOC paint.

The website EarthEasy explains it best.

"Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins is a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, until recently, were essential to the performance of the paint. New environmental regulations, and consumer demand, have led to the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes. Most paint manufacturers now produce one or more non-VOC variety of paint. These new paints are durable, cost-effective and less harmful to human and environmental health."

So, when you go to your paint supplier or home improvement center, make sure you ask them for the non or zero (no) VOC paint and this will keep not only you and the baby safe but also you entire household.

Be sure to check out our Living Green Category "Paints and Finishes". For more information about paints that are safe for the environment and safe for you

There are two low VOC ceramic floor tile adhesives I have found that would probably work out best for your situation. The first is called, Duoflex 92 Premium Ceramic Wall and Floor Tile Adhesive which is made by Flextile LMT. and the other is made by Titebond and is called Titebond Ceramic Floor Tile Adhesive which is in their Green Choice Adhesives line of products. You can also do some research yourself to find other similar products. Make sure you check with tile suppliers and ask for these types of products if you plan on doing the job yourself. If you are going to hire a pro to do the job for you then make sure you give him the information as to where to buy these products or you purchase them and supply them to him.

Another thing would be to make sure that any cutting of underlayment, which will be installed as a base for the tile floor, and cutting of tile, is done outside or in the garage and that all the dust is completely vacuumed up and the floors and walls wiped clean. You may have to help out a bit with this, since some workers are much better and doing their jobs then cleaning up.

You can find a whole host of envirormentally safe cleaning products in our Living Green Category, Eco Friendly Cleaning and Cleaning Supplies.

If you can do this, then you will be doing the very best you can to help keep the dust and toxins out of your home and provide a safe environment for you and your family.

I hope this helps. Rick

Rick Maselli is Founder and Editor of Showroom411.com