Monday, September 13, 2010

How Toxic Is Your Home?

How Toxic Is Your Home?

We like to think of our homes as being a safe place to be--a refuge from a dangerous world. Yet some of the exposures that you have day-to-day that are most hazardous to your health and the health of your family happen right at home.

The good news is that for every toxic product you'll find in your home, there is a safer alternative. You just need to know where to look for those toxic exposures and what safe solutions are available.

Here are common toxic exposures most Americans have in their homes, and some simple, inexpensive things everyone can do to reduce household toxics.

Thousands of All-natural, safe products, GREEN products are available at HARBOR GREEN STORE

1. Save yourself from exposure to toxic ammonia by washing your windows with non-ammonia cleaners.  Ammonia can cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and burn your skin.

2. Free yourself from toxic formaldehyde exposure by sleeping on untreated cotton sheets. Formaldehyde exposure can cause insomnia,yes, insomnia, and respiratory problems, among other symptoms. Bypass formaldehyde-coated polyester/cotton sheets and no-iron cotton sheets and choose cozy cotton flannel sheets or untreated organic cotton percale sheets.

3. Replace toxic mothballs with sweet sachets. Mothballs are made from 100 percent paradichlorobenzene, a volatile toxic chemical that can cause headaches and severe irritation to nose, throat and lungs. Over time it can cause liver and kidney damage. Because the balls look like candy, they are a very attractive poison to children. Protect your woolens from moths by making sachets from dried lavender.

4. Use natural soap-based cleaning products instead of poisonous detergent. While detergents seem safe, they are a petrochemical-based product that is responsible for more household poisonings than any other substance. Soap, on the other hand, is made from natural oils and minerals and has been safely used for centuries.

Thousands of All-natural, safe products, GREEN products are available at HARBOR GREEN STORE

5. Refill your own non-plastic water bottle instead of using toxic plastic water bottles. While it's good for your health to carry your own water and drink it throughout the day, if it's in a clear polycarbonate plastic bottle, it is leaching a toxic substance into your water--even if the bottle is sitting on table at room temperature. Bisphenol-A. BPA is a potent hormone disruptor that can impair the reproductive organs and have adverse effects on breast tissue and prostate development. Drink from a glass bottle or carry an aluminum or steel bottle.

6. Wash away petrochemical perfumes and take a botanical bath. Many commercial bath products contain detergents and artificial fragrances that can be irritating to sensitive areas. You can have a luxurious relaxing bath by adding natural substances to warm bathwater, such as fragrant dried or fresh herbs (try lavender, rosemary, or peppermint), natural salts. For bubbles, use a natural or organic soap.

7. Get some color in your life without toxic solvents by choosing colorful water-based pens and markers and paints. Check through your pens and markers and throw away any with "permanent" ink. They contain very toxic volatile solvents such as toluene and xylene.

by: Debra Lynn Dadd and Harbor Green Store staff
Thousands of All-natural, safe products, GREEN products are available at HARBOR GREEN STORE

No comments:

Post a Comment