August 19, 2012
Lisa Carter
Did you know that the inside of your home is more toxic than the outside? We all have been told about the dangers of lead paint but the paints we use now aren’t much better. The same goes for mouthwash. Mouthwash with alcohol not only contains in some cases more alcohol than wine but also contains Phenols which some link to oral cancer. This is a guide to make your home more healthy and green.
Paint gets its toxicity from the pigment which contains formaldehyde, mercury, and solvents. Its odor causing compounds emit toxic VOCs that become airborne and attach to other particles which creates the danger. Eye and throat irritation, breathing problems, kidney, and liver damage are most commonly associated with VOC exposure. Use low VOC paints and solvents. Your local hardware store can help you with more green options and the prices are comparable.
Mouth wash is an easy option instead of brushing. We have all eaten lunch at work and gone into the bathroom and taken a swig to freshen up. If you don’t have the time to brush you can find an alcohol free mouthwash. Read the ingredients. Make sure there is absolutely no alcohol or Phenols. Sometimes a product says free or non but aren’t as advertised. Practice reading the ingredients of everything in the store. It will help you become more aware of what you are putting into your body.
Clean your window or wall air conditioner units yearly. If you let them sit too long they may fill up with water in the bottom tray. Mold spores will develop and every time you put the air on you are blowing mold directly into your home. Clean the interior filters daily with simple water and allow to thoroughly dry. You can also run a hepa filter in conjunction with air conditioning to keep the air fresh. If you can’t clean or are afraid of cleaning the unit call your local handyman like me and I’ll do it for you.
Mold can be the cause of serious health problems. Like all fungus it grows in wet dark places like basements, walls, bathrooms etc. You can purchase mold test kits but you can also prevent mold. Seal your basement walls. Install a sump pump to keep the floor dry. Make sure the leaders from your gutters run far enough away from the outer walls of your home to prevent if you water seepage.
Fix and leaks when they occur. Like in the previous situation call someone if you cannot fix it yourself. Do not wait or you risk mold growing under the floors and in the walls. Wash and dry your floors. Letting the water sit on the floor may allow seepage. If you shampoo your carpet make sure to put fans on it and get it thoroughly dry. The carpet underlay can be a breeding ground for toxic mold.
Air fresheners actually contain Phthalates that have been linked to hormonal problems and birth defects. They also contain those pesky Phenols. The NRDC has a study they funded that lists their findings on the levels of Phthalates in the most common air freshening sprays. If you can’t do without at least use a product with the lowest trace amounts of each toxin. A better alternative is to burn natural smokeless candles.
Granite counter tops are believed to emit Radon. Radon is second to smoking for causing lung cancer. Research shows some not all samples of Granite counter tops emitted Radon. The question is do you want to take that risk? I would not want to take that chance myself. Opt for another type of counter top. They make faux Granite if it is a design must but there are so many options out there. Talk in depth with your local store.
These are just a few ideas of what you need to look for. If you need more ideas for your indoor or outdoor spaces feel free to contact me. I service North Jersey and New York seven days a week.
This article is presented by www.honestlandscapingandinteriors.com, a greener way to do landscaping and interior remodeling. Please contact Lisa with any landscaping questions or for a free estimate at (727) 637-8014 or hlandscapeandinteriors@gmail.com.