Risks of Housing Created for the Chemically Sensitive
Like most people who are mold and chemically sensitive, I started by looking for rentals that advertised being scent-free or where the owner or roommate was chemically sensitive.
These options ended up all being moldy and I now know that is not a coincidence.
Everyone else I know who became highly sensitive to mold had the same experience.
I also went to visit clients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and their places were all substantially moldy as well.
I finally gave up on looking for rentals for people with MCS and now I steer very much clear of those.
Another risk is with HT contamination.
Many people who are chemically and/or mold sensitive are carrying this super toxin and unfortunately, it’s not very well known.
We have not yet scientifically tested it (that is something I will do in the future).
There are of course exceptions.
I have seen a house for sale by someone who was chemically sensitive when they moved in and then recovered there. That is one scenario that can be fine.
A couple places listed below look like they may be fine on the mold front.
As someone who has completely recovered from MCS I can say with great confidence that avoiding mold is crucial.
So in general, I recommend against going with housing that is listed by or for people with MCS. I personally avoid them due to the higher risks of mold and HT.
For more information on the step-by-step actions you need to take to find safe housing for the chemically sensitive see my Substack newsletter, specifically, the post called “How to Find Housing for the Chemically Sensitive” and the post on “Where I Have Lived With a Total Budget of $1000 (While Chemically Sensitive)”.
For good locations where people with environmental sensitivity have healed, see the 4-part Substack series on the locations effect which starts here.
Housing Units for the Chemically Sensitive
These are some of the housing units that are made for chemically sensitive folks.
The Natural Place, Boca Raton, Florida, USA (at least one unit have been reported good on the mold and HT front).
Inn of Regina Cali, Innis, Texas, USA
Regina Caeli Environmental Housing “Earl’s Place”, Dallas, Texas, USA
Ecology House, San Rafael, California, USA
Healthier Stay, Florida
Canary Commons (unofficial housing) in Pahrump, Nevada, USA (this place looks like it is mold-safe though one person said it wasn’t holding up well over time, there is also a risk of a person bringing HT to it).
There is an EMF-safer housing in Hawaii (little cabanas raised up on stilts), that also looks mold-safe to me (though it is at high risk of HT contamination in my opinion due to people with EHS often carrying HT). This comes for rent on Craigslist from time to time.
Whitehaven Farm is another low-EMF place in Hawaii.
BNPHI Environmental units, in an Ottawa suburb, Canada. The waitlist and the application for RGI (rent-geared to income) housing is managed by the Social Housing Registry of Ottawa. The application can be found on-line at: https://housingregistry.ca/
Applicants should note in the bottom section of page 3 of the application that they are applying for an Environmentally Sensitive Unit for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity at Barrhaven Non-Profit Housing, and include documentation from a medical professional confirming they require this type of unit.
Holistic Home Sweetwater is a chemical and fragrance-free assisted living home catering to those with chemical sensitivities. They use only natural cleaning products, air purifiers throughout the home, and require staff and guests to adhere to the fragrance-free policy.
Other Housing Listings For The Chemically Sensitive:
Other housing listings including AirBnbs and homes for sale, can be found in the Facebook group EI Safe Housing, on Environmentally Safe Homes, Sensitive Rentals, and in the email newsletter “Environmental Health Bulletin” (email: phxhealchapter@msn.com to join).
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Jen T
Hey Corrine! I wanted to ask you a quick question about EMF, specifically magnetic fields and I didn’t know where to post it. I have mold illness and MCS (not bedridden but symptomatic) and am getting ready to choose a new space. It came back quite good on ERMI and my cursory inspection. (Good for FL). New build but approx 9 mths old So some time for off gassing. No carpets. There is Very minimal choices for safe housing options here in central FL. For this one EMFs were okay EXCept magnetic fields seemed to be floating around 0.3 – 0.4 baseline, mostly the 0.4. That’s without switching off any fuses. I realized I think it maybe be coming from some power lines approx .25 miles away. From my research they look like low voltage power lines, there are 2 rows of them in one area. They are larger than typical street ones. They have 2-3 prongs/levels on the poles. Do you think this is of much concern if most other issues are checking out okay? I trust your opinion since you’re familiar with the sensitive community. Thank you .
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I think it’s fine. As for ERMI though I don’t put much faith in ERMI, explained here if you are interested https://corinnesegura.substack.com/p/inspecting-a-home-for-mold-part-1
Jen T
Thank you!! I’m def going to read that article & it’s looks like you have a lot of good stuff on your substack! One other question – what are your thoughts regarding proximity to vacant buildings that are likely moldy. I’m in FL and we assume that vacant buildings get moldy after a while. If a building is completely sealed closed off, including windows & is intact on the outside (not visibly deteriorated) is there a distance that you feel is concerning for airborne mycotoxins to travel
Or be in the air ? Thank you!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
it depends how moldy it is. when i was super sensitive i needed 200 ft from a moldy house. now i probably wouldnt worry about it at all unless it was super super bad.
Jen T
Okay thank you! This one is about 140 yards so should be okay. There’s a few retention ditches and some trees in between but building is large and visible from the unit. But still about 140 yards, so should be okay. I think the fact that it’s full sealed up including windows should be helpful . Thank you!
Loren Brennan
Hello. I am interested in a MCS chemical free home.
I am a person with MCS for many years now. I need to move to a new home very soon.
The home that I built chemical free for myself having MCS was contaminated by the fracking well that was opened by my house. Because of this I need to move very soon.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
the site, the substack and the book aim to cover finding or building safe housing – both long term options and temporary ones
alan charney
Hi Corinne,
My name is Alan Charney. My wife Joyce, and I have owned and provided safe housing for many people for 33 years. Many have come for a few weeks and ended up living here for years. I am 80 years old and am finally ready to retire. That is why we are selling The Natural Place. Although it is a mute point, I am curious as to why you would not recommend The Natural Place. I don’t Think you have been here to check out the place in person. Please let me know what you think is wrong with The Natural Place for chemically sensitive people.
Alan Charney
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Thanks for commenting Alan. Your comment spurred me to reach out to get a report from a mold sensitive person and they said at that least that particular suite they looked at at your place was mold safe so I have amended the article with a line about that. Being free from mold is crucial for MCS people to get better in my opinion and most MCS housing units are not mold safe. I hope you find a buyer that can keep up the chemical-safe environment. Thank you for providing it all these years, I know it’s not always easy.
Virginia Hiland
Hello Alan, I am an EI patient and living in Texas. I’m curious about what you have for sale and where it is located. I live in a community of people like us so many of us. I I am happy here, but I do have a neighbor who is considering moving. I sure would appreciate hearing back from you. Sincerely, Virginia Hiland.
Sally voss
Lost 4 homes. Back & forth from MN to AZ now this MN house is . bad. Lost ALL
Investments due to severe anxiety / brain issues from CIRS exposure . Moved/ rented as well 32x in 11 years. Going in for difficult surgery. Fusing entire spine. Recovery is 9-12 months. After 40 days in hospital I have no where to live. Lost everyone because of it. I was wealthy but lost all to several bad Pondsi schemes. Still sick. Treated with 8 good Drs but kept getting exposed. Need to move back to warmth in AZ but don’t know where, how. Much much more. ******** 3 years & still think of it daily. So much education but brain & stress can’t focus anymore. Daughter here & others don’t get it. Talk bad. After I sell this house.. I won’t have much left to live on. Also a chronic lung disease & both hips need replacing, 2 nd time due to surgeon errors. Everything I read requires a person that can lift, spend, & has time. Spent $2.5mil on drs & other losses $6mil. Only have $400k left. Can’t afford anything. There is no way.. meds are too expensive to just live due to too many issues.
Tina Schwartz
Need your help.
Willing to relocate.
Leslie Drda
Hi Corinne,
We spoke on the phone awhile back, regarding my daughter Ashley’s MCS and mold sensitivity. We had to sell the home she bought even after intense remediation due to issues. She is now trying to find an environmentally safe home or apartment in the Raleigh NC area, and we are having great difficulty. If you have any ideas that can help, we appreciate it. Thank you.
Stacey
So when you say, “Another risk is with HT contamination. Many people who are chemically and mold sensitive are carrying this super toxin” what do you mean? In other words what do you mean when you say carrying this super toxin? I have read the HT article but I am still confused by this.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I cannot talk about HT more than what is in the HT article. You can join the HT groups on FB for more about it.
Sue Norcia
I would like to join the facebook HT page. How do I do that?