Table of ContentsIntroductionWool PropertiesNatural Part of the Carbon CycleInherent PropertiesWool ProcessingWool InteriorsConsiderationsLife Cycle AnalysisFossil FuelsWater ConsumptionClimate ChangeConclusions and RecommendationsIntroduction Building Design and environmentally friendly materials is currently one of the most relevant issues in the design industry. The reasons for environmental design revolve around human health, air, water and soil quality. With common materials, such as cheap synthetics, little or no respect has been made for the environment due to the high energy consumption for extraction, transportation and production. Common materials also add chemicals that are not in the interest of human health to improve aesthetic or technical characteristics. Currently, the demand for increasingly sustainable materials has transferred personal choice from the consumer to industry requirements in order to improve areas such as the environmental behavior of infrastructure and buildings. New approaches to energy-efficient and sustainable building design focus on reducing energy consumption, but also on the use of natural and/or local materials. This not only shows the importance of reducing energy consumption, but, more importantly, being environmentally conscious through intelligent design. The aim of this report is to illuminate how wool industry processes, which have far fewer adverse environmental effects than synthetics, could provide a sustainable answer for commercially engineered materials, such as insulation or sound absorbers. This shows even more possibilities for environmentally friendly measures in the building sector. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay Properties of woolNatural part of the carbon cycle Wool hair comes directly from sheep's skin and is an entirely protein fiber natural. Sheep produce new fleece or hair each year by consuming grass and other grazing plants. This is a natural process that is part of the carbon cycle, making wool a renewable fiber source. Pure organic carbon makes up fifty percent of the weight of wool, so at the end of its use, wool decomposes easily. Wool releases nutrients into the soil unlike most synthetic products. Inherent Properties Wool has physical properties without the use of synthetic additives. Its fibers are hygroscopic, which means they absorb and evacuate water vapor. This makes wool an effective insulator because heat is generated by absorption of water. The material is breathable because it can absorb thirty percent of its weight in water and release it. The same goes for absorbing and wicking away sweat, preventing bacteria from growing and producing odor. This moisture retention prevents a strong build-up of static electricity and attracts airborne lint or dust. The high water content of wool combined with nitrogen also makes it flame retardant and self-extinguishing with a high ignition threshold. This prevents melting and sticking to areas such as the skin and produces less harmful fumes. Wool fibers are strong and can fold over themselves more than 20,000 times. Its curly structure makes itnaturally elastic. It can stretch and return to its natural shape, avoiding most wrinkles and sagging during use. The structure of wool hair is also unique due to its hydrophilic core and hydrophobic outer layer. The water-attracting center dyes abundantly and is unalterable, without synthetic treatment. The water-repellent and waxy coating makes it naturally stain and UV resistant. Wool Processing Four main steps are involved in wool processing. The process begins with shearing, followed by sorting and grading, spinning the yarn and finally weaving the fabric. To remove impurities, such as sand and dust, the wool is washed, dried and then carded. Carding is the step of untangling the wool using metal-toothed rollers and arranging the product into a sheet called a web.Wool ApplicationsWool Interiors Sheep's wool, as a natural material, is traditionally used in the textile industry for the manufacture of conventional wool products, such as carpets, clothing, curtains, blankets and bedding. Recently, the use of natural and renewable materials with similar properties to conventional materials has become more important. Wool is a great example. As mentioned, its natural properties make it adaptable to many uses, particularly for the interior of buildings. The more time we spend indoors, the more our exposure to volatile organic compounds increases. VOCs are vaporous gases from chemical materials that can be easily inhaled. These are common household products, such as solvents, paints and thinners. Other causes of VOC release include cleaners, disinfectants, air fresheners, copiers, printers, building materials and furniture. Conventional thermal insulation and limited ventilation in modern buildings lead to deterioration of indoor air quality. VOC concentrations can be two to five times higher indoors. This can lead to a feeling of unhappiness inside these living spaces, which is classified as sick building syndrome. These VOCs can be absorbed and neutralized by wool. Using wool in the home, such as in furniture, rugs, clothing or insulation, can provide an environmentally friendly solution to the problem of indoor contaminants and improve indoor air quality. Wool can also provide additional protection against toxic gases, smoke and vapors, which are unfortunately all factors in deaths in house fires, with deaths more likely to occur in rooms with upholstered furniture. Wool is more flame resistant than commonly used textiles (e.g. cotton, rayon, polyester, acrylic and nylon). As mentioned earlier, wool does not melt or stick to the skin, unlike polyester and nylon. When it burns, it forms an insulating charcoal, particularly useful for large quantities of wool inside the home, such as blankets and rugs. This can help stop the spread of flames to other materials. It also produces less smoke and fewer fumes than other synthetic alternatives.2. Building MaterialsThe need for environmentally friendly building materials, especially from renewable sources, is growing rapidly. With reference to the current progress and attitudes of science and technology, it can be said that thermal insulators made from organic materials are likely to become a suitable alternative tothose made from different synthetic materials (mineral wool, polystyrene or polyurethane). Although sheep wool insulation is a relatively well-developed market in Western Europe, there are no producers in Canada. Given the natural properties of sheep, including inherent thermal insulation, moisture management and sound absorption, organic fiber insulation can match the functions of common material insulation boards and sound absorbers. synthetics. Wool performs better than other fibers in average weather conditions because of its ability to absorb and desorb moisture from the air. This ability helps the building breathe and stay cool in the summer and create heat through the evaporation of moisture in the winter. The use of natural building materials promotes human health. For example, expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a common building material for insulation. Its use has been associated with significant safety, environmental and health concerns due to its flammability and production of toxic fumes. The demand for more environmental regulations in the construction industry and the launch of green building certifications such as Leading Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), US Green Building Council and Building Environmental Standards (BOMA BESt) have generated a market for durable materials. In view of these attitudes, wool insulation has real potential as a viable substitute for others that are more aggressive for the environment. Considerations Life Cycle Analysis Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a tool that can be used to understand the environmental impact of wool, also known as 'cradle to grave' assessment. Its life cycle begins on the farm, then goes through production, use, reuse and recycling. As an agricultural sector, major concerns revolve around land, energy and water use, as well as emissions of greenhouse gases and other chemicals. The main greenhouse gas emissions from wool production are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. It is important to note that there is no single life cycle analysis for every wool product. For example, as a durable and valuable material, wool is more likely to be resold, donated to charity, or passed down for sentimental purposes. These extend the life cycle of wool without involving the impacts and resource use for reprocessing. Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels, a non-renewable energy source, contribute to climate change and are widely considered one of today's greatest environmental problems. It is also linked to risks to human health and deterioration of air quality. Fuel consumption is quite low for wool production compared to alternative fibers. However, in the case of larger agricultural systems, heavy metals from high fertilizer use on feed crops can contribute to human health, such as cancer. Water Consumption Fresh water use is based on the amount withdrawn and not returned to watersheds and environmental effects vary depending on local availability. The main contributors to water consumption are the use phase (e.g. washing clothes) and the on-farm phase. On the farm, water is used to produce fertilizer and for fresh water consumption from the sheep. Additionally, garment factories can also be large consumers of water. Change.