How My Renovation Dream Turned Into a Health Nightmare: My Story

Hello, I'm Maria, the Healthy Building Designer. I am a building and Interior Designer, a mum, a tradie's wife and someone living with a chronic neurological condition. I thought I would share my story with you in the hope to spread the word and demand change from greedy manufacturers of toxic building and household products, and to also understand my passion behind my advocay for healthy, sustainable and neuro-inclusive design.

My story begins with what appeared to be a dream life. I was thriving in my career as an engineering drafter, had a loving partner, and we had just embarked on renovating our first home. As someone who always had a keen eye for design, the prospect of transforming our space was thrilling, especially with my partner's carpentry skills making us a perfect team for the task. Influenced by the latest design trends and constrained by a tight budget, I opted for affordable materials like common paints, particleboard furniture, and standard wood sealers and glues. At that time, my primary concern was to stay on trend and within budget, never suspecting that the materials chosen could compromise my health.

This is young me oblivious at what was about to unfold..

However, as the renovation progressed, my health took a mysterious and devastating turn. I started suffering from severe digestive issues where any food seemed to trigger illness, followed by panic attacks, severe anxiety, dizzy spells, blurry vision, weakness, palpitations, shortness of breath, faint spells, debilitating migraines, and depression. I went from being a perfectly healthy 23-year-old to someone who could hardly drag myself out of bed, marking a dramatic and lasting shift in my health. At home or at work, I felt increasingly unwell. A getaway to Byron Bay turned out to be a real eye-opener; staying in a gorgeous eco-resort surrounded by nature, I began to feel better within a few days. But as soon as I returned home, I was knocked down by all the familiar symptoms once more.

This stark contrast made me seriously question my surroundings for the first time ever: Could my freshly renovated home be the reason I felt so ill? But how could that be possible? There was no mould, and everything was brand new! Little did I know, the beautifully painted walls, new furniture, cabinetry, sealers, and timber were silently off-gassing VOCs—volatile organic compounds that can release toxins for up to 20 years.

Fast forward ten years and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on healthcare professionals, treatments, and supplements, a pivotal moment came during my studies in building design. A module on sustainability and natural materials lifted the veil on the toxic reality of common building materials and their emissions, such as VOCs and heavy metals. This was the wake-up call I desperately needed, prompting me to dive deeper into biophilic design, building biology, and interior design.

Below is a snip from the Balance & Dizziness Disorders Association's Website explaining the effects of VOCs exposure...

Visit https://balanceanddizziness.org/disorders/vestibular-disorders/vestibular-toxicity/ to read the full article.

Below is also a snip from the EPA's Website about the impact of VOCs on indoor air quality...

Visit https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality to read the full article.

As I delved further into understanding this condition, I learnt that it involves a dysfunction of the nervous system, often exacerbated by environmental factors. It became crystal clear that my own home, which I had so lovingly updated, was actually undermining my health. This drove me to shift my professional focus, advocating for healthier, sustainable living environments to protect others from similar ordeals and the reason why I am here today sharing my story with you. I encourage everyone not to wait for symptoms to arise but to proactively assess and improve your homes to ensure they are safe spaces for all.

Now my mission is clear—to help others create living spaces that are safe, nurturing, and conducive to good health, ensuring that no one else has to endure the hardships I faced simply due to a lack of awareness. But I can't achieve this mission alone. I need your support to take a stand and declare that enough is enough. For far too long, the building industry and manufacturers of building materials and household products have prioritised profits over the health of individuals and families. It's time for us, as consumers, to make our voices heard by refusing to buy products that compromise our health and the health of our loved ones and tradespeople, we have seen this time and time again with materials such as asbestos, lead pint, engineered stone and so on..

I am committed to sharing my knowledge and experience to empower others to make informed decisions, and I truly hope you are too. No matter how small the effort, it can create a ripple of change that extends far beyond our own homes. Together, we can send a powerful message by choosing natural, toxin-free materials and furnishings and rejecting toxic products, reaching out directly to manufacturers, builders, architects or designers to demand healthier, more sustainable options and talking to your friends and family about the dangers of such materials. This collective action will decrease the demand for harmful products and should help reduce the cost of safer, natural alternatives.

Let's ignite a healthy revolution together. Are you with me?

Want to learn more on how to create a safer environment for you and your family?

Download my FREE guide, "My Top 10 Quick Home Health Fixes" this guide provides practical steps for detoxifying your home. This free resource is available for download, offering valuable tips and insights to help you make your home a safer, healthier place for you and your family.

Wishing you health and happiness at home!

Maria x