by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Ken and Deirdre’s Coronation Street house has gotten an eco makeover with the help of B&Q and George Clarke, who has been opening the replica house at the Ideal Home Show at London's Earl's Court Exhibition Center on Friday, March 11, 2011.
Sponsored by B&Q and designed by George Clarke, the house is fitted with everything from Forest Friendly timber to under floor heating to help the Barlow’s save energy and money.
One of the features that raised my personal interest are the tiles from Eco Friendly Tiles that, apparently, absorb CO2 and convert it by means of both daylight and artificial light through the process of photocatalysis (difficult word, isn't it) into oxygen. The tiles are made with or coated with titanium dioxide which, when exposed to light reacts and aside from the afore mentioned property of negating CO2 it also kills organisms and bacteria.
It would appear, however, that, and I say that just in order to be fair, there are health concerns in Canada about titanium dioxide and it has been places on the COSH list there as a potential carcinogen. This is currently, so I understand it, under investigation. The question is, as far as I am concerned, in which way could it be a carcinogen and that would be, more than likely, during the manufacturing process.
Having tiles, however, that could absorb CO2 and in fact covert it into oxygen could be of real benefit in two way. Firstly as to removing CO2 in general and secondly in cleaning the air in a home. That is, if titanium dioxide is not a carcinogen and a health hazard. Let's hope it is not.
B&Q, the sponsor of this eco refit as a company that has, in the over the last couple of years, taken the green message very much on board and been creating a great range of environmentally friendly products and products that can save you energy and thus money.
B&Q also stocks Fairtrade cotton bed lines and other green and responsibly sourced products.
© 2011
