The Gammon House

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  • Walton
  • Edler
  • Moore
  • Adiguzel-Bekir
  • Gammon
The Gammon House

The Gammon House

"The Baby Safe Renovation"

Parents-to-be Hanna and Jock are renovating their two bedroom Sydney bungalow. Even before birth, their child has been exposed to hundreds of chemical compounds, many of which could harm their child's health and development.

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VideoThe Gammon House

Watch the teaser for the Gammon House episode

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VideoMeet the Family

Meet the Gammon family.

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VideoTheir House

Discover what is wrong with the Gammon House.

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VideoToxin-Free Nursery

Sharon Hamilton explains how to keep toxins out of your nursery.

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VideoLead Paint Remediation

Steve Peck explains the lead paint remediation process.

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Fascinating Fact

  • 'We can now estimate from sampling dust on carpets, upholstery and other surfaces, that each day, the average urban infant will ingest 110 nanograms of benzopyrene (compounds which can cause cancer in animals and is thought to induce cancer in humans)... this is the equivalent to a child smoking three cigarettes a day.'
    SOURCE: Scientific American

  • 'When unflued gas heaters are operating, indoor air generally exhibits substantially higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide than the highest concentrations measured in ambient air in Australia.'
    SOURCE: Department for the Environment and Water Resources

  • It was [Lead Paint] used mainly on exterior surfaces and to a lesser extent on interior doors and architraves, especially in undercoats and primers here concentrations of up to 20% lead were commonly used.
    SOURCE: Master Painters Australia

  • 'Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.'
    SOURCE: US Environment Protection Agency

  • 'If paint is known to be pre-1970, is in poor condition and is accessible to children, it may present a health hazard, and the paint should be tested for the presence of lead.'
    SOURCE: Lead Paint Information (Master Painters Australia)

  • Lead makes things taste sweet. The Romans used lead to sweeten their wines. So children and pets are attracted to the taste of lead paint chips and especially to lead dust.
    SOURCE: Frequently Asked Questions About Lead (US Environment Protection Agency)

  • Paint with more than 1% lead, or paint containing white lead, was prohibited for domestic use after 1970.
    SOURCE: Master Painters Australia

  • 'We can now estimate from sampling dust on carpets, upholstery and other surfaces, that each day, the average urban infant will ingest 110 nanograms of benzopyrene (compounds which can cause cancer in animals and is thought to induce cancer in humans)... this is the equivalent to a child smoking three cigarettes a day.'
    SOURCE: Scientific American