Indoor Air Pollution
Eliminate hidden toxins in the home
Contributed by Kristy Erickson
Taste For Life
As summer comes to a close and the cooler weather of autumn settles in, it's important to know what may be polluting the air in your home. You inhale about a pint of atmosphere with every breath, and much of what you see when you look around your home may be harmful to your health. According to research from the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside the average home is two to five times more polluted than the air just outside its walls.
Toxins in the Air
Eating organic foods is one way to avoid the toxins, synthetic chemicals, and pesticides found in our food supply. But you'll also want to look around your home for sources of pollution. It's no secret that the few-foot area under the sink is one of the most toxic places in the house. Cleaning products and pest repellants contain countless carcinogens and harmful synthetic chemicals. But these products are easy enough to avoid, since many natural and safe cleaning products are available. Not all sources of trouble, however, are so easy to identify.
Pesticides, synthetics, fire retardants, and solvents used in fabrics and furnishings are the major offenders when it comes to in-home pollution. One common toxin found in the home is formaldehyde. While known to be a carcinogen, it's found in the particleboard, paneling, and plywood covering your walls. Drapes, upholstery, and carpeting also emit formaldehyde gas. If you notice you're having headaches, watery or irritated eyes, rashes, or chronic respiratory problems, you may be sensitive to this dangerous chemical. Even if you don't experience any of these symptoms, its cancer-causing potential could cause problems in the future.
One easy way to reduce the toxins in the air is to use some plants around the house. Even if you don't have a green thumb, many are low maintenance and easy to grow. Growing plants will help eliminate the most common household pollutants including formaldehyde, benzene (from cigarette smoke), and acetone (from nail polish remover). Any variety of palm plus spider plants, azaleas, peace lilies, and English ivy are among the top pollutant-reducers.
Dangerous Clothing
Another potentially dangerous source of toxins is your wardrobe. Synthetic leather or waterproof clothes, as well as those that are labeled "easy care" or "easy iron," contain many chemicals that can be harmful. Permanent-press clothing is another source of formaldehyde. These fabrics release their toxic fumes throughout their lifetime. A healthier alternative is machine-washable clothing made of natural and organic fibers. The fiber used won't be saturated with pesticides and machine-wash clothing won't have to be dry-cleaned.
The most widely used solvent in dry-cleaning, percholroethylene (commonly called "perc") remains in the cleaned clothing and can contaminate your home and your body. Perc is undeniably bad news-it's known to attack the central nervous system and can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even reproductive problems. The International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) has even classified perc as a "probable human carcinogen," and it's already known to cause cancer in animals.
Take Action
Although it's scary to think of the chemicals that could be harming us, you can do a lot to keep the air in your home as clean as possible. Many natural products retailers offer natural rugs, drapes, bedding, and clothing. Always look for information that reveals if a product has been heavily treated-if it's mothproof or fireproof, you'll know it is full of harmful chemicals. Also consider a safer alternative to dry-cleaning that uses promising new technology-water. This process (aptly named "wet cleaning") uses water and nontoxic soaps. Nearly everything labeled "dry clean only" can be wet cleaned, and a professional will know how to finish the garment in ways that maintain its proper shape and appearance.
If you absolutely must get your clothes dry cleaned, let them air out before you wear them or bring them in the house. Leave clothes hanging outside on a porch or in a back room that's well ventilated for a few days before you hang them in your closet.Selected Sources
The Body Restoration Plan by Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton ($24.95, Penguin Putnam/Avery, 2003)
Cleansing the Body, Mind and Sprit by Carolyn Reuben ($6.99, Berkeley Health, 1988)
Living Downstream by Sandra Steingraber ($14, Vintage, 1998)
"Tips for Sustainable Wear," www.eartheasy.com
"Wet Cleaning-Wave of the Future," Greenpeace USA, www.greenpeaceusa.orgTFL903hhIndoorAir
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