Research & Test

We research and test non-toxic and less toxic building materials and methods. The results of our research can be found in the SaferBuilding™ How-To Guides and Environmental Disclosures. For only $4 per topic (or $10 per disclosure), you get the benefit of our research!
 

America's Test Homes

Our information is unbiased... we don't accept funds from manufacturers, nor do we sell building materials. Our information is unique... we create the methods when using the materials in "America's Test Homes".

Founded by Successful Entrepreneurs

The company was founded by two successful software entrepreneurs who saw a market need for standards for non-toxic building. Although many building materials had toxic (and cancer causing) ingredients, there was no business model to use safer materials since it didn't improve the property value.
 

Creating Standards to Improve Property Values

By creating standards and a certification program, builders and property owners could have financial motivation to select safer building materials and methods. By building an interactive, real-time website, the cost for How-To Guides, Environmental Disclosures and Certifications is extremely low cost to consumers.

Michelle Miller Phd. Cand.
Founder

"Surprisingly, many common materials for household maintenance contain known ingredients which cause cancer and other adverse health effects. Fortunately, safer materials and methods exist!"
 

Yorick Phoenix
CIO

"It makes sense that a property without toxic residue would be worth more than one with toxic residue. Using SaferBuilding™ Materials and Methods can be a great investment"

Matt Lonergan
Plumber

"Even though certain materials are allowed by the local administrative authorities ... it is in the best interests of everyone to find out about what their vapor content is and what effect they have."

Aleksey Golovin
Tiler

"There is nothing more beautiful that a stone or tile floor that has been installed without introducing any chemical toxins into the indoor air space."

Micheal McCloskey
Painter

"It is better to work within terms of odor and smell than the mass produced smells."

Geno Brockhoff
Floor Installer

"I just had a son and started thinking about my health more. I upgraded all of my safety gear including a full mask respirator. I refinished floors for ten years before I knew that wood dust was a carcinogen."

Michael Koontz
Demolition Expert

"Demolition will release toxins into the air unless carefully managed. All toxins uncovered by the demolition need to be removed before you can introduce new materials."

Alex Sebastian
Carpenter

"When using pressure treated wood, the chemicals get absorbed and I get headaches for the rest of the day even if I'm wearing a dust mask. When using solid wood, make sure that moisture doesn't penetrate the wood."

Wayne Crow
Electrician

"For a non-toxic scenario, we'd use a non-toxic mastic ... It's healthier for everybody"

Irvin Collins
Property Maintenance

"My first job was putting in asbestos ceiling tiles... ten years ago, my job was to take them out. People are trained to think they have to use new construction materials even though we don't have scientific studies of long term health effects."

Kathy Emery
Operations

"As someone new to the world of exotic birds, it's comforting to know that we can make, and keep, properties gorgeous and safe for these wonderful animals AND us."
 

Too shy to be photographed:

• Tom Mitchell, Bay Area Building Inspections
   
• Maron Moses, General Contractor