Traditionally, home is considered as haven, where humans are protected and nurtured. However, house is a health hazard when factors such as poor design, environmental contamination and poverty combine to cause or exacerbate disease.
Effects of Housing on Environment
Housing and Health:
Housing is an environmental health issue because of various socio-economic conditions as illustrated below:
i. Lead based paints were used for renovation and painting the homes. They are major causes of childhood lead poisoning.
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ii. Poorly constructed houses lead to stress and children stay inside with increasing exposure to pollutants resulting is childhood asthma.
iii. Substandard housing contributes to asthma incidence.
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Housing and Environment:
The quality of environment is determined by following factors:
(i) Maintenance and arrangement of houses.
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(ii) The presence, quality and accessibility of facilities.
(iii) Security.
(iv) Street cleanliness in the residential area etc.
Strategies for Improvement of Environment:
(i) Reduce the natural resource depletion regarding material use.
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(ii) Reduce global warming via efficient energy and material use.
(iii) Reduce air, noise and water pollution by eco-designing of houses.
(iv) Reduce the environmental impact of housing through innovations in design, like green housing, zero emission housing, etc.