ALTERNATIVE INSULATION The scarcity of building materials post-disaster or conflict is well documented phenomenon (Chang, Wilkinson & Potangaroa, 2010). Re-purposing natural and untapped resources from the local material stream as alternative insulation has great potential for improving thermal conditions in temporary shelters. The use of natural materials for insulation offers health advantages over conventional insulation. Conventional synthetic insulation is petroleum-based and energy-intensive to manufacture. Research indicates that it can cuse respiratory illness due to off-gasing of VOCs and buildup of toxic mold (Wolley, 2006). Natural materials, on the other hand, are more breathable and can be safer to use when designed in a well-ventilated assembly. Alternative insulation materials are readily available, affordable, and durable enough for short-term lifespan structures. In permanent construction, natural materials frequently fail to meet necessary longevity and durability standards. Due to the relatively short life-span of temporary shelters, repurposed natural materials become feasible. Additionally, plastics and salvaged materials have been investigated by researchers as readily available insulation materials (Gradillas, 2015). It should be noted that health risks and longterm exposure to these plastics has not been evaluated and that these materials could cause harmful VOCs, toxic mold in poorly ventilated assemblies, and increased birth defect and cancer risk due to benzene exposure (American Cancer Society, 2016). The following list of alternative insulation materials was compiled as a platform for retrofitting cavity spaces in temporary shelters. ALTERNATIVE INSULATION MATERIALS Rice Hulls Rice hulls are agricultural waste from the encasings of rice. Rice hulls have insulative values similar to synthetic insulation. It has a thermal conductivity of 0.0359 W/(m°C) (Olivier, 2013). It is a fireproof and vermin proof material. Use of rice hull insulation in bags has been documented by 122
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