Safe Building Materials Support Family Lifestyle and Health
According to a World Economic Forum survey, public awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles has increased in recent years, with 62% of respondents now placing health as an increasingly important priority following the pandemic.
Healthy living is not merely about diet and physical activity but is significantly influenced by environmental factors. The home, school, and workplace environments can be sources of exposure to various substances that may affect long-term health.
As technology and industry have advanced, many household products, building materials, and everyday equipment use various chemicals to enhance function, durability, and quality. However, understanding the types and potential impacts of these chemicals is important so that the public can use products more wisely and safely.
Adjie Negara, architect and urban designer, explains that the environment where we live or work can greatly affect the wellbeing of its inhabitants. “Buildings we construct must consider many things, from the positioning of openings to allow more sunlight to enter, then ventilation, cross circulation, and the placement of green elements. All of this is not only a source of oxygen but also stress relief that is important for mental health,” Adjie explained.
Building material selection is also important, Adjie adds. He gives an example that outdoor flooring material selection differs from indoor material. “We must also avoid what is called threat hazards, so obstacles or challenges that can be dangerous due to incorrect material selection.”
Building material selection must be considered from roof, walls, to floor. “Choosing material is actually a very important element in architecture, including when we talk about buildings in general, one of the main criteria is material selection. Especially material that will be in direct contact with us as we carry out activities within it, whether through skin or inhaled through respiration, or through water pipes that will affect water quality. For residential homes, if inhabited by people with special needs or sensitivities, such as asma for example, they must certainly avoid certain chemicals,” Adjie explained.
One potential source of chemical exposure comes from building materials containing lead. Lead is a metallic element naturally found in the environment and can be found in various products and materials used in daily life. Lead exposure can come from building materials, for example in water pipes or paint using lead-based pigments.
However, many lay people still do not fully understand that materials considered safe may actually pose health risks. In this context, architects have an important role, not only in designing buildings but also in educating and recommending healthier and safer material choices, whether for roofs, floors, or walls.
Currently, there are many materials with safer ingredients as replacements, according to Adjie. “For paint, we recommend using those with more natural sources, for example water-based, non-toxic paint,” he explained.
Fundamentally, paint is not harmful, but paint containing high levels of lead can increase the risk of long-term exposure. WHO has recommended that lead content in paint be below 90 ppm, a standard widely adopted globally.
In Indonesia, increased awareness of lead hazards is still needed. A World Bank study (2023) showed that 44.8% of the population live in homes with lead-based paint and 57.9% use interior paint containing lead, which is typically found on decorative paints such as metal and wood paint.
Dr Reza Fahlevi, paediatrician specialist, adds that a healthy environment is an important factor that cannot be separated from family health, particularly in efforts to prevent health risks for vulnerable groups such as children. Especially when linked to child development during the First 1000 Days of Life, which is influenced not only by nutrition and stimulation but also by environment.
“Children often explore through play, and this is important during their developmental stage, so the environment where they explore, whether at home, playground, or school must be safe,” Reza explained.
During this exploration phase, children can be exposed to harmful materials that enter the body through the mouth via the hand or are inhaled. For example, on walls, paint layers containing lead can degrade over time and produce dust that may be inhaled or swallowed, particularly by children who have the habit of putting their hands in their mouth.
“The concern is when lead exposure accumulates, increasing the risk of disease later on. With the same level, the concentration of lead entering a child’s body is greater because their body surface area is still small compared to adults. Some health risks when lead accumulates include brain damage affecting children’s intelligence and concentration. In adults it can also cause nerve damage, kidney problems, hypertension, and blood cell damage if exposed in high quantities and for long periods. However, this does not mean parents should ignore it,” Reza explained.
Both Adjie Negara and Reza Fahlevi agreed that the home is a long-term investment. Building a home that is safe for children to grow and develop is strongly recommended. Moreover, according to WHO research, safe building materials are essential to supporting family health and lifestyle.