[Cob] more reasons natural building saves lives

[Dirtcheapbuilder-Charmaine Taylor]

This article in Yahoo news showed that pollution from  big old  
construction equipment took the lives of workers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061206/us_nm/ 
construction_california_pollution_dc
  Calif. construction pollution killed 1,100 in '05
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pollution from the construction industry led to  
the deaths of more than 1,100 people in California in 2005, a report  
released on Tuesday by the Union of Concerned Scientists said.
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The report, "Digging up Trouble," uses statistical analysis of state  
data on construction, causes of death, and pollution to link mortality  
with construction activity in the state.

  ++++++++++++++++++
  this  news item did not go into detail, but the results of breathing  
in noxious fumes,  being around large equipment is hazardous to your  
health!!

In an article I wrote about a cob gathering in 1999 I relayed the  
comments by a former carpenter - here is the first part of the artcle:

ALL  COBBER'S DAY  by CHARMAINE R. TAYLOR

Sixteen people talking, planning, and building with earth...that was  
the All  Cobber’s Day event in August, in the blazing hot Sierra  
Foothills of California. This informal meeting of  people interested in  
cob construction was an  extension of an April, 1998  cob building  
event where more than 30 people  gathered to help construct a sweat  
lodge of wattle* and cob at another location.

This group ranged in age from mid 20’s to 50 something and represented   
teachers, activists, therapists, builders, and a few intentional  
transients. Like many Americans who are looking for alternative housing  
options, cob  builders,  generally speaking,  seek a  less consumptive  
lifestyle, and want to  treat the earth in a gentler way, while  
creating   healthy and balanced homes.

Joh, a young woman who is interested in creating a collective or  
intentional   community said “ I see strip malls, and freeways– and I  
don’t want those  things! Building with cob I have empowerment, I can  
create what I want.”

Cloud, a former  traditional carpenter, told how much his hands used to  
hurt,  and  that the noise and clamor of drills and saws on the  
construction site drove  him away from that work entirely five years  
ago. Now he seeks to integrate his  more spiritual side with the  
peaceful, almost contemplative, method of cob  building. Cloud quoted  
Aristotle “When your talents, and the needs of the  world meet, therein  
lies your vocation.”

Charmaine Taylor Publishing
www.dirtcheapbuilder.com
PO BOX 375 CUTTEN CA 95534  USA
Tel:  707-441-1632
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