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Major Health Benefits Associated with Having and Maintaining a GREEN Home

By Guest Author on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 | No Comments

“Going green” has typically meant bringing mindfulness to our habits with an eye to their effects on our water, land and air. “Treading lightly on the earth” meant doing what we could to lessen the environmental violence of human beings on the planet. Still, unless they had an asthmatic child, many people have never stopped to think what green household changes should be made to protect themselves and their loved ones. Today, with health care costs skyrocketing and the population living longer, it’s important to take steps to green our homes for the sake of our own and our families’ health.

It’s no wonder more and more people complain of headaches, respiratory ills, allergies and fatigue. Our homes are full of products that compromise our immune systems, leach dangerous chemicals into our water, and emit toxins that interfere with hormones and fertility. What steps can you take to “unpollute” your home? The suggestions that follow stress the health risks of frequently-used products and materials and offer alternatives to the most common offenders.

  1. Wood building materials – just about every wood surface in your home, from subflooring to cabinets contain building materials that release varying levels of formaldehyde. Gas stoves and kerosene space heaters add to the problem. If your home was built before 1985, levels of formaldehyde may be greater than houses built since then, due to controls put in place by HUD. Fortunately, formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products tend to decrease over time. Nevertheless, formaldehyde exposure can vary in its impact from lung, throat, and eye irritation to nausea, asthmatic reactions and cancer. If you’re building a house, ask your builder about low formaldehyde wood products. Keeping your house air-conditioned and humidity down can also reduce the severity of reaction. The EPA, OSHA, and the American Lung Association all have more information on formaldehyde’s effects.
  2. Carpets – people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are usually careful to remove carpeting in favor of other types of flooring, but most people don’t think about the invisible dangers of carpet fibers and installation glues. New carpeting emits “volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, when installed, often up to 40 of these different chemicals, and it can take up to a year for the VOCs to be fully released. VOCs are also emitted from the carpet pad and glue. In experiments, mice exposed to carpet VOCs developed tremors, convulsions, brain hemorrhages and paralysis. And not only mice exhibit symptoms! Carpet installers have complained of headaches, body aches and nausea on the job as well. While anyone can suffer the ill effects of exposure to VOCs, children who spend a lot of time on the floor are especially vulnerable. You can buy low VOC carpets, but consider laminates, reclaimed wood or cork flooring as an alternative. Even low VOC or organic fiber carpets trap allergens.
  3. Paint – a newly painted room can look pretty inviting, but the paint you use can lead to lung problems and dementia.  The EPA lists paint as one of its top five environmental hazards, and the World Health Organization reports that painters have a 40% greater chance of getting lung cancer and a 20% greater risk of getting any kind of cancer. Long term exposure can also lead to dementia in painters, but even in healthy people, effects may include headaches, breathing difficulties, heart stress, and reproductive problems. Again, the risk is in the VOCs emitted, especially as the paint is drying. Fortunately, there are a number of eco-friendly paints available that are no more expensive than the hardware store paint you probably buy now. Just google “eco-friendly paint” to find alternatives in a variety of colors.
  4. Bottled water – many families prefer bottled water to the unknown elements or just odd taste of chemically-treated tap water. The plastic bottles that water comes in, however, leach petro-chemicals into the water, and ultimately, into your body. Install a water filter on your tap or fill glass bottles with spring water at your local whole foods grocery store.
  5. Household cleaning products – any surface in your house you want to clean can be cleaned and disinfected using natural products. Products that contain harsh chemicals typically have poison warnings on them, but can be irritating to your skin and lungs even when used according to directions. Vinegar, orange oil and other natural de-grimers are just as effective as their more toxic equivalents, but save you and your family from handling and breathing poisons, often in confined spaces.
  6. Body products – just as household cleaning products can be bad for you, so can body products that contain a laundry-list of unfamiliar-sounding ingredients and strong fragrances. Remember, anything you rub on your body will be absorbed by your body, and some toxins can build up over time. Choose body products, like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and lotions from health-conscious retailers, order online, or make your own. The internet has lots of sites to help you make a wise, body-conscious choice.
  7. And speaking of laundry-lists, how about your laundry detergent? If you’re using mainstream products, you’re probably washing lung and skin irritants into your clothes. Check out www.greenlivingtips.com for alternatives to stain removers like baking soda, vinegar and borax, and lower-polluting liquid laundry detergents.
  8. The air we breathe – air pollution can actually increase the risk of lung cancer and heart attacks in at-risk adults due to particulates breathed in. Renewable energy sources remove particulates and other pollutants that can affect your long-term health. If possible, use wind, water and solar energy for your home or consider building/living in communities designed to use renewable energy sources.

Some other ideas to make your family healthier include:

  • Growing an organic garden together to promote consumption of fruits and vegetables with no artificial pesticides and fertilizers
  • Eating less meat and fewer pre-packaged foods
  • Walking and biking together to promote family togetherness, exercise and the benefits of fresh air and sunshine
  • Express your love for one another – it’s nonpolluting, doesn’t irritate lungs or skin, but does build up over time!

Kyle Simpson writes for Medical Coding where you can find information on a career in medical billing and coding industry.

An Eco-Friendly Room for Your Child

By Guest Author on Sunday, August 1st, 2010 | No Comments

Your little Prince or Princess deserves the best in life, and if they want a room that’s fit for royalty, you’re going to do everything in your power to give it to them.  But would you still choose the bubble-gum pink paint if you knew it would release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air they breathe for years to come?  Or would you pick a synthetic baseball-themed rug if you were aware that it could trap and hold harmful allergens and bacteria despite a stringent weekly vacuuming?  And what about the curtains, bedding, and mattress in your child’s room?  How can you teach them about sustainability and instill them with an environmental consciousness when the fabrics that fill their rooms are part of an ongoing process that pollutes the planet with harmful pesticides and fertilizers?  Don’t even get started on their toys!  It’s a lot to worry about, but luckily there are a lot of products available for the green parent on the prowl for an eco-friendly kid’s room.

Start with the basics: flooring and walls.  For the floors, there are a lot of alternatives to synthetic-fiber carpeting.  You can contemplate laminates, which often look just as nice as hardwood (some even have texture in addition to faux grain) and come with a warranty.  You may also want to consider sealed cork flooring.  You can add some throw rugs in humane wool or organic cotton, both of which can be cleaned frequently to remove allergens.  If you’re worried about the possibility of injury resulting from common tumbling, at least consider carpeting made with post industrial (recycled) fibers.  They will still hold allergens, but you’ll be stopping non-biodegradable fibers from going into the landfill.  And as for paint, there are several brands that offer low- or no-VOCs through the use of natural compounds.

Next you’ll need a bed.  For the frame, you can find lots of manufacturers that make kid-centric lines of green furniture, such as Oeuf, which makes organic mattresses and furniture built from locally sourced wood with non-toxic finishes.  However, children’s bedroom furniture can get expensive if you buy it new (and Earth-conscious).  So consider going green with a reusable approach by purchasing reclaimed furniture.  You can probably find a place locally that refurbishes furniture, or check out one of the many websites that offers helpful DIY tips to refurbish your yard-sale steals.  And for the mattress, opt for organic cotton.  Just make sure it comes with a wool sheath in order to meet safety standards (for non-flammable materials).  Bedding and other textiles can also be found in a wide array of eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp, and they often utilize low-impact dyes to prevent allergic reactions (and pollution).

Finally, you can even ensure that your child plays in clean, green bliss by purchasing planet-friendly toys.  Sprig has an assortment of toys from trucks to figurines that are made with recycled wood and reclaimed plastic (all kid-safe), run on push-power (kinetic energy means no batteries), and are easy to mix and match.  Planet Happy Kids also makes a variety of toys and activity kits that are natural, organic, and phthalate-free (from big-wheels to bubbles to bead kits).  And if you want something plush, look for some of the many stuffed animals made from organic cotton or soy fibers.  Literally everything in your child’s room can be eco-friendly if you do some research, so teach your little ones to treat the Earth right, starting at home.

Alexis Montgomery writes about womens pregnancy and health for Nurture Center where you can find a Dutailier glider and other accessories for your baby.

Your Home Made Sustainable in Five Easy Steps

By Alison Wood on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 | No Comments

Sustainability is a concept that has been thrown around a lot lately, mainly in regard to the food industry.  With viral videos of the horrors of feedlots flooding the internet and more and more people suffering allergies from harmful pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and even fertilizers that seep into our food and water and contaminate fabrics and home items alike, it’s no surprise that people are looking for ways to protect themselves and the planet from pollution, waste, and the inhumane treatment of animals.  Luckily, there are sustainable alternatives for practically every item in your house, from the floors you tread to the shirt on your back to the food in your fridge.  Here are a few options for those of you who want to make sustainable choices, starting at home.

  1. Think twice before trashing.  Just because your jeans are SO last season doesn’t mean you have to send them to the landfill.  If you can manage, keep your clothing (and other household items) as long as you can.  Once you feel that they no longer suit your needs (or they’re simply ruined), recycle them through donation or try to think of another use for them.  Many items can be turned into something else (fabric can be used to make quilts, pillow shams, or for other craft projects, and old furniture can be reupholstered rather than scrapped).
  2. Eat right.  Whether you’re shopping at the farmer’s market to support local growers, buying organic and humanely treated meats, or becoming a vegetarian, changing your diet to support sustainable foods is as good for you as it is for the planet.  Even though pesticides and fertilizers come to you in small amounts, residual traces can cling to even thoroughly washed produce.  And the hormones and antibiotics found in feedlot animals can wreak havoc on your body’s natural hormone levels and defenses (not to mention the animal cruelty that occurs at those “farms”).
  3. Clean green.  Since sustainability means a policy of non-pollutants, you can clear your cupboards of harmful solvents and opt instead for greener cleaning with products made from all natural elements (like lemon and various oils) that scour, scrub, and disinfect just as well as the chemical-filled options.  And while all of these cleaners are non-toxic (absolutely no chlorine bleach or ammonia), many are also hypoallergenic and non-irritating.
  4. Tune out, turn off, unplug.  If you run your household entirely on eco-friendly energy (such as solar or wind power), then you number among a lucky few who enjoy a useful climate and enough money to install the necessary hardware.  But if a clean-energy overhaul is beyond your means, there are other ways to stay sustainable.  Unplug electrical items that aren’t in use (to avoid phantom drain), use natural lighting whenever possible, and invest in smaller energy- and water-saving devices like compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), energy-star appliances, low-flow toilets, and a tankless water heater.
  5. Consider green housing.  If you’re on the move, look into one of the many eco-friendly planned communities that are popping up throughout the country.  Houses are built green from the ground up, using concrete in place of wood, and outfitted with the environment in mind, using local resources and products that won’t pollute.  While they may be more expensive initially, all of the upgrades will save you tons of money on your monthly utility bills.

Daniel Lawrence is a writer for Yard Sale Search. Check out the site to find garage sales in your neck of the woods.

The Cost of Going Green

By Guest Author on Thursday, July 15th, 2010 | No Comments

Many people have adopted a misconception that acting upon an eco-consciousness is undeniably expensive, when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.  While you can certainly spend a lot of money to go green (if you want to), you will almost undoubtedly save money in some areas, and even see a financial return on your time, effort, and expenditures.  Plus, you don’t have to go all out.  Even the little things can make a big difference.

For example, recycling is absolutely free.  It costs you nothing to throw a bottle, aluminum can, or paper cup in the recycle bin rather than a trash can (where it will only take up space in a landfill).  In fact, recycling small items can actually earn you some money if you save them up and offload them at the recycling center in bulk.  That means you are getting cash back on products that would normally be polluting the planet.  And there are all sorts of things you can recycle that you may not have considered.  By selling your furniture (or giving it away) instead of tossing it, you are not only keeping it out of the trash, you are stopping someone from buying it new (and thereby contributing to an ongoing cycle of production, pollution, and waste).  You can also recycle electronics (including computers), although you may have to pay a small fee to do so.  Another freebie: your time.  Volunteering at a community garden or planting trees will do great things for the Earth and all it takes is a portion of your day.

There are also many ways to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle with very little expense.  One item that many people have recently adopted is the compact fluorescent bulb (CFL).  While they do cost a bit more that your standard incandescent bulb, they last much longer and save you money on your electric bill, virtually paying for themselves over time.  You can also try eating organic, buying environmentally friendly threads, and driving a hybrid automobile (or biking, or taking public transportation).  These may cost you the same as what you are spending on necessities now, or they might be marginally more (although in some cases, such as transportation, you could end up saving a lot).

Now, if you have the money and long to embrace a totally green lifestyle, the sky is the limit.  You can build a 100% eco-friendly home from the ground up (natural lighting, concrete, reclaimed wood, solar power, organic garden…the works).  It will almost certainly cost you more than the average home (especially if you invest in all the latest bells and whistles), but consider this: many home items come with rebates and government incentives (including energy-star appliances, water-saving devices like low-flow toilets and tankless water heaters, and even solar panels) so you can get some money back on your initial investment.  In addition, you will save a lot over time on your utility bills, and if you live in a very sunny (or windy) area, you may even produce excess energy that can be returned to the power company for a profit (not to mention, you’re sharing emission-free energy with others, cutting down on even more waste and pollution).

The truth is, you can definitely put out a lot of greenbacks in the pursuit of keeping our planet clean, but you also stand to make a return on your investment.  And there are plenty of little ways to help a lot (without spending a dime).  Everything you do to make our planet better, no matter how minute it may seem, will have a big impact over time.  And leading by example is always a good way to start others on the right path.

Elise Pollack is a writer for UK Credit Report where you can find information about credit scores and learn how to improve yours.

Choosing Eco-friendly Home Products Wisely

By Guest Author on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 | 1 Comment

As we all know, “going green” is a hot trend now.

Of course, eco-friendly products are important. Many of us are looking for products that do not harm the environment, help conserve energy, minimize emission of greenhouse gases, and do not lead to toxicity or pollution to the environment. We want products that are biodegradable, recyclable, non-toxic, organic, or compostable.

But the problem is, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and claiming their products are eco-friendly and safe to the environment. How do you know if these products really live up to their claims? Do these products really complement your values or are they just jumping in on the latest marketing craze?

The responsibility lies with the consumer to evaluate the product. Although a label says “biocompatible” there are no official standards or organization to certify this claim. It’s up to you to be sure that products live up to their claims.

Here’s a few tips to help you:

  • Look for reputable certifications, like Energy Star, Green Seal, Water Sense, Forest Stewardship Council, and EPEAT.
  • Check labels. Eco friendly products tend to use natural ingredients. For example, eco friendly furniture polish will use ingredients like olive oil and orange oils. Or the best natural ingredients to use on windows include vinegar, ethanol (derived from corn) and natural coconut based soaps. Keep away from products that do not include a complete list of ingredients.
  • Stay away from products with labels such as warning, caution, poison, and danger. Also look out for words like corrosive, chlorine bleach, ammonia, phosphates and petroleum products. These chemicals are harmful to your family as well as the environment.
  • Research. If you see an ingredient you don’t recognize and you’re not sure if it’s toxic, look up the names on the Internet. Or call the company and ask specific questions. If a company won’t answer your questions, perhaps you should shop for another product.
  • Also look for words telling you about ingredients NOT in the product, such as “no phosphates” or “chlorine-free.”
  • Pick products that don’t use artificial colors and strong fragrances.
  • If you want something that will be gentle on the environment, look for the term “plant-based.”
  • Steer away from a supposedly eco-friendly product with huge, wasteful packaging. Manufacturers with such packaging are probably not sincere about their mission to save the environment. Instead go for products with simple and recycled packaging.
  • Consider using household ingredients to make your own cleaning solutions. For example, use baking soda, white vinegar or essential oils. The Internet has plenty of recipes to create your own cleaning products.

These tips will help you reduce the impact you have on the environment, as well as reducing the chemicals in your home. If you look carefully, there are many eco-friendly products that truly live up to their claim.

Post provided by APB Pole Barns. APB offers a large selection of pole building kits and provides designs, plans, and building packages for post frame structures.

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