Habitat for Humanity builds first home in the U.S. with "asthma healthy" features in Detroit

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Detroit is the first of four cities in the country to build a Habitat for Humanity home with "asthma-healthy" features.

Merck is sponsoring the national "Build Smart, Breathe Easier" campaign in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Four families were selected nationwide to take part in the program.

Betty Dunmore and her three girls from Detroit were the first family.

Dunmore's 12-year-old daughter Androni has asthma.

"Her lips would be purple...and her chest would hurt real bad,"  explained Betty Dunmore.  "At the time I didn't know those were signs [of asthma], but now that I do know, it's even scarier."

Her youngest daughter -- 4-year-old Cameron -- is also showing asthma symptoms.

"The asthma problem [in Detroit] for children is terrible," said Allergist Dr. Jeff Leflein.  "For kids, it's roughly in the neighborhood of 30-percent."

The most significant feature in this new "asthma-healthy" home will be the hard surface flooring.

"That will make a big difference because in a traditional Habitat home we do a mix of carpet and vinyl," said Habitat Detroit's Construction Manager Dan Garan.  "The hard surface flooring will reduce the amount of dust capture and will make it easier to keep clean," he added.

Habitat for Humanity Detroit construction crews are also using a sealant with low VOC -- volatile organic compounds -- and paint with no VOC to reduce gas emissions.

Volunteers from the campaign's sponsor Merck helped other volunteers from around Metro Detroit kick off the Blitz Build on the "asthma-healthy" home Monday, June 13th on Maryland Street on Detroit's east side.

Merck is partnering with Habitat for Humanity and The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of American to build one asthma healthy home in Detroit, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.

The Dunmore family is one of only 4 families across the U.S. to join in this campaign.

"I didn't expect it to be me.  I was very happy," said future Habitat home owner Betty Dunmore.

The Dunmores will also receive allergy relief bedding and appliances from Merck to help them maintain their "asthma-healthy" home.

"This is going to be a great year for Habitat for Humanity Detroit," said Executive Director Vincent Tilford.  "We expect to build ten to 15 homes in the Morningside Commons community."

This particular home is the 73rd to be built in that neighborhood.