Architect Reveals What’s Making Our Homes Toxic (and How to Fix It)

The Hidden Pollution Inside Our Walls

Hi Reader,

Yesterday, you lit the stove, turned up the heat, maybe shut the windows to stay cozy.​
And in that moment—without realizing—it got a little harder to breathe.

The air inside your home may look clean, but if you’re cooking with gas, heating with oil or propane, or living in a tightly sealed space without fresh-air exchange—or the wrong kind of insulation—the buildup of pollutants can quietly take a toll.

That’s where Vermont architect, Bill Maclay, comes in.

In this week’s episode of Green Living Now, he breaks down the hidden design choices that make our homes either healing—or harmful.

Watch/Listen here:

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Architect Reveals What’s Mak... Nov 6 · The Green Living Now Pod... 38:42   ​

Listen on your other favorite podcast platform pod.link/1788201394

What you’ll hear:

• The hidden health risks of gas stoves and “tight” homes
• Why real green design starts with air and insulation—not trendy materials
• The clean-energy basics every homeowner should understand
• The surprising reason smaller homes are often healthier and more affordable

Beyond Gas: What’s Lurking Indoors

Even without open flames, most homes still harbor invisible pollutants from everyday materials:

• Insulation and foams that trap more than just heat
• Carpets and upholstery that quietly off-gas for years
• Mattresses and bedding laced with “safety” chemicals
• Paints, flooring, and sealants that release hidden VOCs
• Cleaning, laundry, and personal-care products packed with synthetic fragrance
• Air fresheners and candles that mask odor by polluting the air you breathe

It’s a toxic cocktail we rarely question—until symptoms appear.

The good news:
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You don’t have to rebuild your house to breathe cleaner air.

Like everything, awareness is the first renovation.

A few smart swaps and fresh-air habits can change everything.

For example, in the home my husband and I built (well—mostly hired others to build), we designed it to work with nature instead of against it.

The living room faces southeast, and a generous roofline shades the decks that wrap around three sides of the house.

In winter, that angle pulls in sunlight for steady passive solar gain—so even on a zero-degree day, we can open a window for fresh air.

Our walls and ceilings are packed with thick insulation, though not quite the ideal type that Bill recommends.

Radiant floor heat keeps the temperature even without blowing dust or fumes around.

We chose no-VOC paints and finishes, and most of our furniture is solid wood.

The exception: a beautiful, gifted couch and matching chairs that—like most conventional upholstery—use foam and synthetic fabrics.

I switched entirely to nontoxic household and cleaning products many years ago, though it’s been an evolution and requires continuous research and updating.
One change at a time...And progress not perfection is the goal.

Want to go deeper?

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Join The Elegant Rebellion Circle—a private community for women turning awareness into action.
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We meet monthly live online to simplify clean living, swap trusted resources, and make real change feel doable.

Be well,

Amy