Air Filters and Flame Retardants

Have you wondered how the chemicals around you are affecting you? There are so many synthetic chemicals in use that it can be dizzying to try sorting through the information.

How can you live a more eco friendly life in the presence of these toxins?

It helps to understand what you're dealing with. One example of these chemicals can be found in our furniture, clothing, bedding, carpet padding and more...

like flame retardants.

There's important information on the effects of common flame retardant chemicals and fertility and according to Scientific American, the use of these chemicals is on the rise.

Here's an excerpt from an article at NaturalNews.com: "for every ten-fold increase in blood levels of four PBDE chemicals tested, there was a 30 percent decrease in the odds a woman would conceive a child during a month." This is a serious concern and illustrates the importance of choosing green products for your family and home.

You can visit the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for the abstract of the study. "Conclusions: We found significant decreases in fecundability associated with PBDE exposure in women. Future studies are needed to replicate and confirm this finding

In the meantime there are more reasons than ever to detoxify your home, your bedroom and your childrens' rooms. We can't eliminate everything, but we can create a healing environment where we sleep.

1. Install a quality air filter. It should be capable of removing volatile organic compounds, as well as mold spores. 
2. Use organic bedding.
3. Use toxin-free flooring.
4. Use low voc paint.
5. Keep computers & tv's out of bedrooms.

The Environmental Working Group offers more excellent information in this article: Reducing Your Exposure to PBDEs in Your Home.

Remember, doing a little is more fulfilling than 
thinking that a little won't matter.

3 Keys To Clean Indoor Air

WHY DON'T I WANT COMMERCIAL CLEANING PRODUCTS?

In a word: VOC's; in 3 words: Volatile Organic Compounds

From Medscape.com
"These chemical compounds vaporize at room temperature into gases from multiple liquid or solid sources. The individual chemical compounds may differ in level present in any one location; however, the combination of multiple VOC's is of serious concern. These gases emanate from a vast number of items in the home and school and are suspected of causing "sick building syndrome." A few of the common sources are pesticides, solvents, cleaning materials, air fresheners, bleach, household cleaners, spray product propellants such as furniture wax or hair spray, and nail polish and remover. These products contain an array of chemicals such as benzene, chloroform, vinylidene chloride, and formaldehyde, many of which are known carcinogens. VOC's will likely be higher in new construction and indoor air. "
(bold italics are mine)

For most of us removing the actual building materials that release harmful gases is unrealistic, but there are three actions we can take today to effectively reduce the amount of poison we and our children are exposed to.

One: DO NOT USE toxic cleaning products.

Two: Install an excellent multi-stage air filter that ionizes without producing any ozone.

Three: Make your own safe cleaning products: How to make a non-toxic cleaning kit - Follow the link to find 8 easy and economical recipes for creating a green housecleaning kit. At the end of the article you'll find an easy to read pdf and shopping list. These recipes will cost significantly less in dollars and in health.

Remember, doing a little is more fulfilling than
thinking that a little won't matter.