Articles
Choosing the Safest Sunscreen
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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Sunscreen is an invaluable outdoor necessity for protecting skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays, but like any other product you want one that actually works and isn’t loaded with potentially dangerous chemicals.
Quick Tips for Sun Safety
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, June 19, 2008
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Some ideas for protecting yourself so you can have care-free fun in the sun!
What Lies Beneath: Toxic Turf Under Our Toes
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
In an effort to recycle the growing waste piles of used tires, manufacturers across the country have begun making artificial turf out of the discarded rubber. They are using scrap tires as crumb rubber in-fill on playing fields, as shredded loose fill around playgrounds, as composite solid playing surfaces, and even as landscaping mulch. While it seems an environmentally-friendly option at face value, there is growing concern over the potential impacts these materials may have on children’s health. Initial research shows potential chemical and heavy metal leaching depending on a wide variety of external factors, like climate, rainwater pH, and usage. Overall, it’s better to be safe than sorry and we should put a moratorium on using recycled tires where our children play until more extensive research has been conducted.
My kids love the first opportunity of the season to kick off their shoes, peel off their socks, and run around outside with bare feet. I admit, my toes appreciate a little dirt in between them now and then, too, but more and more these days, I am wondering about what lies beneath. Not so much in my own yard, but at my neighbors and at the park and the playground. I’ve worried about pesticides for years now, but recently a new concern has arisen. It all started when I noticed a big truck dumping new ground covering around my daughter’s school playground. What the heck was it?
After school I followed her back to the playground and smelled its acrid odor before I saw it (my nose is my initial alarm system for toxic intruders and in this case, the bells were ringing loudly). As we stepped closer I saw that the ground covering was a loose fill of what appeared to be shredded tires. Wait a minute, I thought to myself, aren’t tires considered hazardous waste? Isn’t that why we can’t just toss them in the garbage? Why are we using these where our kids play?
This definitely warranted an eco-mom investigation and what I discovered was confusing to say the least.
Chlorinated Pools and Your Child’s Health
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, June 16, 2008
When I was a child, the smell of a chlorinated pool triggered immediate sensations of joy. It meant that very soon I would be one with water and swimming until my muscles refused to respond anymore. Today, we’ve learned that those telltale fumes could potentially trigger a whole lot more, like asthma.
Buying a Plastic Pool with a Clear Conscience
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Saturday, June 14, 2008
With the dangers of certain plastics making regular headlines, it’s no surprise that we get questions from parents about all sorts of plastic products. Recently we were asked about kiddie pools, since most are made from PVC, also known as the “Poison Plastic.” Our initial searching for a safer plastic pool resulted in only one option. Kids-R-Us has hard plastic pools in a variety of colors and sizes (look for the #2 in the chasing arrows recycling code). Here are some additional thoughts for parents to consider when your options are limited.
Natural Sunshine = A Healthy Child
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Friday, June 13, 2008
For decades we’ve been warned against the dangers of sunshine with only minimal mention of the benefits of these same rays. Indeed, with more than a million people a year being diagnosed with skin cancer in the US alone, we do need to be on our toes. But, an April 2008 Environmental Health Perspectives report shows that avoiding the sun may be just as damaging to our health. In fact, recent research is compelling us to rethink sun exposure policy particularly for vulnerable groups including pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants and children, the elderly, and those who must avoid the sun.
Beyond Pesticides – Ridding the World of Triclosan, One Sock at a Time
Jay Feldman, Executive Director of Beyond Pesticides
Beyond Pesticides
Thursday, June 12, 2008
When people think of pesticides, they typically think of those toxic chemicals that are too often sprayed on lawns and landscapes to get rid of weeds or the poisons that are used to kill roaches and mice. While these are perhaps the most common uses of pesticides at home, another pesticide has quietly found its way into our hand washing and dishwashing soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, countertops, paints, towels, computer keyboards, even socks and sandals.
The Chemical Legacy of the “Perfect” Lawn
Dr. Warren Porter
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
On the tenth of February, 1997, in Madison Wisconsin, where I live, the Wisconsin State Journal was running a series of articles on our schools. We have many schools of national excellence in Madison, and we are very proud of them. But this particular issue was entitled, “Cost of Accommodating: As special education grows, so does the cost of staffing.” There was a chart with statistics that are very chilling. From 1990 to 1995, in the Madison school district, by disability we had an increase of 87 percent in the emotionally disturbed category over a five year period. The learning disabilities category jumped 70 percent and birth defects increased 83 percent in a five year period.
Household Dust Doesn’t Pose a Fire Hazard, So Why Is It Loaded With Flame Retardants?
Janelle Sorensen
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Ever since I cleaned houses for a living when I first started college, I’ve been a bit of a neatnik. Now, my compulsion for cleanliness has medical justification; common house dust is loaded with chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health and development issues.
Prevention Tips and Must Haves for an All-Natural First Aid Kit
Janette Rizk for Whole Body/Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Summer time will come up quickly and our friends from Whole Foods are sharing their great prevention and all-natural first aid tips with us.
Trimester Calendar
Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Forbes
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
A trimester-by-trimester guide to help you prepare your home, and yourself, for the arrival of your new baby.
Ten Steps to Clearing Clutter
Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Forbes
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
There is no better motivation for re-evaluating than becoming a parent. Babies may be small, but they come with a lot of stuff! If your home and life already feels cluttered and full, just think about what it will be like when you add all of your baby's things into the mix. Take ten easy steps to clear clutter for good!
Organic Advantage: Identifying Healthy Baby Food
SustainLane
Monday, April 28, 2008
Babies demand protection. Their systems are smaller and more delicate than those of adults, and their development hinges on quality care.
Four Ways to Promote a Healthy Night’s Sleep
SustainLane
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
No question is more vexing to most new parents than how to get their infant to sleep more, to sleep better, to sleep longer.
Is There a Healthier Plastic Container?
SustainLane
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Plastic. It’s everywhere. It holds our water, our groceries, our microwavable munchies. Not surprisingly, plastic constitutes 9 percent of the 156 million tons of trash Americans generate each year.
Giving Green and Responsibly at a Baby Shower
Janelle Sorensen
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
No matter if the theme for the baby shower is green or not, the best gifts for baby are non-toxic and environmentally-friendly. Welcome a new baby into this world, while doing your best to make that world a healthy, clean place for the baby to grow up in.
Hosting a Green Baby Shower
Janelle Sorensen
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A baby shower is a celebration of life and it should be as clean, safe, and healthy as possible. Make your theme green and natural to help create a healthy world for healthy babies.
The Not-so-little Regulatory System that Couldn’t: How Toys End Up Toxic
Dr. David Wallinga
Thursday, March 13, 2008
How many times have we heard, “If it wasn’t safe, the government wouldn’t let them sell it.”? While true to some degree -- such as the FDA’s pre-market testing of pharmaceuticals -- a lot of things slip through the regulatory cracks.
Polycarbonate: The Plastic that Keeps on Giving…BPA
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Last year major recreational retailers pulled polycarbonate water bottles off the shelves over concern that BPA could leach into the drinking water. Later in the year, the Environmental Working Group examined baby formula from cans and found that the epoxy lining was leaching BPA into the formula. The latest news is that polycarbonate baby bottles leach BPA into warm milk and formula.
The Battle Over the Ban: Getting Gender Bending Chemicals Out of Children’s Products
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The headlines about toxic toys are increasing and so are policy initiatives to protect our children. States across the US are reviewing bills and you can help support them with the click of a button. It really couldn’t be any easier.
Low Cost Ideas for Eating Organic
SustainLane
Thursday, March 06, 2008
The evidence is mounting that organic food is safer and more nutritious than conventional food.
Two Simple Rules for Infant Skin Care
SustainLane
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Keeping your little one clean, dry, and comfortable can feel like a full-time job, and the array of products available can make the whole prospect overwhelming.
How to Make Your Own Organic Baby Food
SustainLane
Monday, January 28, 2008
Making your own baby food is easy and economical. All you need is a blender or food processor (although in many cases a fork will do the trick). Some empty ice cube trays are handy for freezing small portions for future use.
Going Home with Your New Baby
Dr. Alan Greene
www.drgreene.com
Thursday, January 03, 2008
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Shortly after your labor and delivery, the mixed anxiety and joy of this life experience will be in your past, and it will be time to look forward to the future—to the time when your baby will live and grow in the protective environment that you will create in your home.
The Laundry Room
Dr. Alan Greene
Excerpted with permission from Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Baby Care
Friday, December 07, 2007
As the holidays approach there are opportunities for green purchases beyond the usual toys and special gifts. The world surrounding a new baby, in particular, the laundry room, is full of choices for green purchases.
Environmental Safety of Toys
Jonathan Weinkle, MD
UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Nothing says “happy childhood” like a brand-new toy, a playground set, or an afternoon of arts and crafts. Unfortunately, just like bubble baths and pajamas, these items can contain chemical or physical dangers to children of which parents need to be aware.
Baking Without Refined Sugar
SustainLane
Monday, November 26, 2007
A few modifications in your diet can reduce the amount of refined sugar without forcing you to sacrifice sweets.
The Sweet Stuff: The Best and Worst of Sweeteners
SustainLane
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sugar and spice and everything nice--well, almost.
Make Your Own Household Cleaners
SustainLane
Monday, November 12, 2007
Vinegar? Check. Baking soda? Check. Lime, cornstarch, salt? Check, check, and check.
Finding Materials for a Healthier House
SustainLane
Monday, November 05, 2007
Just ask the three little pigs (especially the first two): Choosing the right building materials for your house is an important decision with serious consequences.
Save Money, Live Better: Building Healthier Homes
SustainLane
Monday, October 29, 2007
Building or remodeling a home is a perfect opportunity to use sustainable alternatives in the construction process.
Have A Happy, HEALTHFUL, Fun and Safe Halloween!
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietitian
Friday, October 26, 2007
With Halloween around the corner, here are a few tips for a happy and healthy Halloween for you and your family:
How to find Seafood you can trust
Timothy O'Shea from CleanFish
Monday, October 22, 2007
I am sending this note to every parent who wants a healthier world and desires to have a healthy child as part of that world.
Cleanse Your Home of Health Hazards
SustainLane
Monday, October 22, 2007
On average, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors and approximately 1/3 of their lives sleeping. That’s a lot of indoor time.
Preventing Attention Deficit Disorder in Kids
Randall Neustaedter OMD
SustainLane
Monday, October 01, 2007
The number of children put on drugs for attention problems is staggering, and school authorities pressure parents to use dangerous stimulant medications and antidepressants to keep children behaving in specific desirable patterns in the classroom.
Which Diapers Are Better for the Planet?
Dr. Alan Greene, M.D.
http://www.drgreene.com
Monday, September 24, 2007
As a father and pediatrician, I’ve changed many diapers—enough to teach me that diapers are a daily reminder that as humans we deplete resources as we consume, and we make messes with our waste.
Dissin’ Disposables: Why Cloth Diapers Rule
SustainLane
Monday, September 24, 2007
Today's cloth diapers are almost as convenient as disposables.
Summer BBQ - Food Safety Tips
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietician
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Nothing is more fun than a summer BBQ… but did you know that this is a time when rates of food borne illnesses soar? Yes, it is time to talk about food safety so that all of your parties can go off without a hitch!
Exercise Your Child’s Brain
Molly Watson
SustainLane
Monday, September 10, 2007
When my son first started pre-school the teacher invited all of the new parents to an evening event with a child development expert. We would learn how best to help our children learn.
Is My Child’s Appetite Normal
Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Hungry all the Time? Eats like a bird? These phrases are uttered quite frequently by parents when describing their children’s appetites.
Riding to School Safely with Kids
SustainLane
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
When kids bike to school--instead of being driven by their parents or caretaker--the benefits are numerous. Not only does it ease local traffic and teach the children a lifelong skill, but it helps kids release pent-up energy and arrive at school with a clear head.
Our Assumptions About What Causes Chronic Diseases Could Be Wrong
Laura Wright
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Discoveries about how chemicals and environmental toxins interact with our DNA and make us susceptible to disease could revolutionize our concept of illness.
Winning the War on Chronic Disease, One Label at a Time
Elizabeth Sword
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Within each family, parents must assume the role of public health officer, maintaining a knowledge base sufficient to make fully informed decisions and thereby reduce unnecessary exposures to harmful environmental toxins.
Antioxidant Power
Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD
Monday, August 13, 2007
The buzz word of the decade is antioxidant. It discussed practically everywhere, but it seems that people are still pretty confused about the concept. What exactly are antioxidants, what do they do and how can you maximize your intake?
Traffic Congestion: The Chemicals in Your Car
Bill Baue
Monday, August 06, 2007
Is your car giving you a headache? It could be the fumes from the plastics inside or the fuel and its byproducts.
Rest Easy on a Safe Bed
Aisha Ikramuddin and Pamela Lundquist
Friday, August 03, 2007
There's nothing like a good night's sleep to keep you feeling healthy. But what do you do when your mattress or sheets (or both) are "sick?"
Reigning Cats and Dogs: All-In-The-Family Pet Care and Hygiene
Healthy Child Healthy World
Excerpt from The Household Detective: Protecting Your Children from Toxins at Home
Thursday, August 02, 2007
For pet owners, dogs and cats are beloved members of the family. Not only do pets complement our needs to nurture, but also they contribute to children's awareness of other dependent living things.
Fruit Yogurt Popsicles
Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
A recipe for a cool summer treat.
Polymer Clays are a Handful of Phthalates
Pamela Lundquist
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
There isn't a kid out there that doesn't enjoy molding, sculpting and squishing clay. These days, the clays of choice by kids' standards are man-made polymer modeling clays. Though polymer clays are labeled nontoxic, they may contain ingredients that could harm children.
Shopper’s Guide to Plastics & Food: Microwave Ovens
Allison Sloan and Pamela Lundquist
The Green Guide #88/89
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
A “microwave-safe” label does not guarantee that containers don’t leach chemicals into foods when heated.
The Green Pet: Alternatives to Conventional Pesticides
Sylvie Farrell with reporting by Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #24
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Non-toxic ways to win the war against fleas and other pet pests.
Soil Contaminants
Stephanie Booth
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
When Maureen H. hired a contractor to paint her Leonia, New Jersey home, she had no idea it would put her children’s health at risk.
Plant this Fern to Remove Arsenic from Soil
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Now there's a truly "green" solution to remove highly toxic arsenic from contaminated soil. A plant, Pteris genus, actually pulls significant amounts of arsenic out of soil.
The Cleaning Blues
Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #53
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
In reality, all you need are a few mild cleaners to make for a spotless home. Safer cleaners can even be home-made!
Phthalates in Hair Spray, Perfume, Deodorant?
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Monday, July 30, 2007
Phthalates, a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals used to soften plastics, have been found in many common beauty and personal care products. Pregnant women are the most at-risk, because phthalates can enter the womb and expose the fetus during critical periods of development.
Pesticides in Your Home
William Baue
Friday, July 27, 2007
Look in your cupboards, in your basement, under the bathroom sink. Chances are you’ll find a pesticide of one sort or another – a can of insect repellant, a bottle of weed killer, a box of rat poison, some flea shampoo for the dog.
Which Insect Repellant is Right for Your Kids?
Healthy Child Healthy World
Friday, July 27, 2007
DEET is the longest lasting insect repellent, according to one study, but its safety for children is a concern. Here we list tips on choosing a repellent and how to minimize risks associated with DEET.
Pesticides in Rentals and Condominiums: No More Pesticides at Home
Jonah Paisner
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Even as a renter, you have a right to reject the use of dangerous pesticides in or around your home.
New Life for Old Floors: Alternative Materials Add Character to Home Designs
Orna Izakson
E/The Environmental Magazine, Volume XV, Number 2
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
When updating a home, one of the best things you can do for your health and your property value is to get rid of that dusty, allergen-trapping old carpet. But then what? There’s a dizzying array of flooring options. But thinking ecologically can help you narrow the field to something that’s right for your home, your values, and what’s left of your money.
What are some tips on maintaining a green swimming pool? (E Magazine Q & A)
Fred Durso, Jr.
E the Environmental Magazine
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Burning Clean: Wood Stoves and Fire Places
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Brian Robertshaw of West Brattleboro, Vermont, worries that his children – a three-year-old daughter and a baby girl – might burn themselves on the family’s wood stove, but he admits that he isn’t too concerned about the health effects of the wood smoke in his home’s air.
Breathing Space: Asthma Triggers
Mindy Pennybacker
The Green Guide #21
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
List of Asthma Triggers to avoid being exposed to.
The Kids’ Gym: Play as Exercise
Jen Lemen
SustainLane
Thursday, July 12, 2007
School’s almost out, and soon your kids will be running wild with boundless energy. Why not join them? Playing with your kids and their friends is a great way to bond with them. It’s also a quicker and easier route to keeping in shape than going to the gym.
Trends in Children’s Health
John Wargo, Ph.D., Professor, Yale University and HCHW Board Member and Linda Evenson Wargo, M.E.S.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Statistics calling for awareness education regarding children's health.
What Olmsted Knew
Richard Joseph Jackson, MD, MPH
March 2001 issue of Western City magazine
Friday, July 06, 2007
National Center for Environmental Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tenants Rights
Community Environmental Health Resource Center
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Among the tools that healthy homes advocates have at their service are state and (sometimes) local tenant-landlord laws.
Special Centers for Pediatric Environmental Health
Katherine Kirkland
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
Thursday, July 05, 2007
In 1998, the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) established Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Units (PEHSU) to increase awareness and knowledge of health care providers and health agency officials about children's environmental health.
The state of children’s health needs a turnaround
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Few of the warning flags indicate the necessity for major change in child care.
The Public’s Right to Know
John Wargo, Ph.D., Professor, Yale University and HCHW board member and Linda Evenson Wargo, M.E.S
The State of Children’s Health and Environment 2002: Solutions for Parents and Policymakers, Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The guiding principle behind government and corporate policies should be: The public has a right-to-know about health hazards in air, water, food, consumer products, and land. To recognize hazards, all must be better informed. This understanding is necessary for parents and other caregivers to identify and avoid significant health threats. Democracy and effective participation in governmental affairs is not possible without this knowledge; and individual freedom is placed at risk.
Fragrance in Perfumes and Cosmetics
Pamela Lundquist
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Cosmetics and perfumes make us more attractive. But mixed in with the colors and scents are a wide variety of unattractive chemicals.
Air Purifiers
Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #76
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Many things can dirty your indoor air -- from small dust particles to vapors to animal dander. What does an air purifier remove best?
Detecting and Removing Lead Paint
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Find out how to detect lead paint in your home -- and what to do to contain or remove it.
Formaldehyde Surges
Allison Sloan
The Green Guide # 72
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
There's a gas coming out of some latex paint, nail polish and even permanent press fabrics. It happens to be an eye, nose and throat irritant and probable carcinogen. But it's easy to reduce your family's exposure.
Fragrances in Candles, Incense and Potpourri
Pamela Lundquist
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Aromatherapy practices like burning "flavored" candles or incense release a lot more than scent into the air you breathe. Deep, relaxing breaths needn't come with a lungful of chemicals.
Fragrances in Air Fresheners and Deodorizers
Pamela Lundquist
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Given all the chemicals in most commercial air fresheners, they should be called air polluters. Luckily, there are healthier ways of keeping your home smelling fresh -- like nothing at all, that is.
Managing the Hazards of Insulation
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
When Sylvie bought her home a few years ago, she discovered that, sometimes, not all rooms are created alike: The original part of the charming, 120-year-old farmhouse–a large living room with high ceilings and a large fireplace–had no insulation within its walls. Fortunately, the majority of us don’t have to worry about such chilly prospects. Most houses have some type of insulation, a building material that blocks heat from escaping during the winter and entering during the summer.
Research Tools: Where to Find In-Depth Information on Children’s Environmental Health Issues
Aisha Ikramuddin
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Suggested web pages to find detailed information regarding Children's Environmental Health Issues.
The Family Homestead: A Tale of History and Hazardous Waste
Philip Dickey
Alternatives Volume 19 #4
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
After ten years of giving advice about proper disposal of hazardous household products, I finally have had to take my own advice. In October, my wife, brother, and I helped my parents move out of the house that they have lived in for 42 years and moved them to a retirement community.
The Benefits of Breast Milk Outweigh Any Risks
Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. HCHW Advisory Board Member, Biologist, Author and Mother
Having Faith: An Ecologist’s Journey to Motherhood
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
One of the most important decisions you'll make as a new parent is how you will feed your baby.
Recommended Books
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
The following books are excellent resources on children's environmental health issues and how to make your home and community safer for children and adults alike.
Paints and Finishes
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Whether you paint your own home or have it done by a professional, painting your home should be a pleasurable experience. "When I first began looking at all the color options for my living room, I was so excited," recalls Jenny Hyman, who moved into her new apartment in Astoria, New York, in 2000.
Old Home Renovation Resources
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Websites to help you renovate an old home safely, without harming the environment or yourself.
Old Homes: The Horrors of Vinyl
Mindy Pennybacker
The Green Guide #69
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
On a trip this summer, I stayed in a tall, narrow Victorian house converted into a motel. Arriving late at night, I entered my room, its walls covered in flesh-colored PVC vinyl, its plastic smell off-gassing into the hot stagnant air, and wished I could check right out.
Old Homes: Mold and Mildew Retrofit
Mindy Pennybacker
The Green Guide #69
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Buildings seldom manifest sickness as completely as Poe’s House of Usher, which finally sank into a mire, but the occupants of an unhealthy house can often feel that things are heading that way.
Old Home Renovation
Mindy Pennybacker
The Green Guide #69
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
They go by various names, from fixer-upper to money sink. But if you opt for an old house or apartment rather than something newly-built, you’ll gain two big environmental points right off the bat: You’re not contributing to urban sprawl, and, like a hermit crab, you’re recycling a preexisting "shell."
Fragrances: What Your Nose Needs to Know
Pamela Lundquist
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
The fact that common consumer products that previously didn't have a smell now have scents added to them shows how popular fragrances have become. But are scented tissues or toys worth it when you consider the additional chemicals that create them?
Fragrances in Cleaning Products, Fabric Softeners and Laundry Detergents
Pamela Lundquist
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Household cleaners are often scented so that cleaning seems more effective and enjoyable. But what's in that "clean" smell?
A Sane Home: In A Plywood, Particleboard & Pressure-Treated Wood World
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #58
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Safe, economical alternatives to manufactured woods like plywood, particleboard and pressure-treated wood DO exist. And they won't put your kids at risk.
Managing the Hazards of Insulation: Alternatives and Solutions
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Asbestos exposure represents the greatest risk associated with insulation. Luckily, asbestos sealed within insulation poses no risk until it becomes exposed or damaged. To be on the safe side, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises homeowners to treat all older insulation materials as if they contain asbestos.
Inert Ingredients: Are They Really Benign?
Journal of Pesticide Reform (Vol. 19, No. 2)
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
Monday, July 02, 2007
Inert ingredients are present in virtually all pesticide products. They are substances added to pesticides to make them more potent or easier to use, but their identities are often claimed as confidential and they have only minimal testing requirements.
Independently Certified Wood
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, July 02, 2007
Unsustainable forest management is causing biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and negatively affecting the economies of communities worldwide. Clean air, clean water, and medicinal plants are all at stake.
Humidifiers: Steaming Up for Safety
Aisha Ikramuddin
Monday, July 02, 2007
Come winter in a chilly climate and chances are that you will suffer from a dry throat and itchy skin. As the temperature drops, so does the humidity, and that makes us feel uncomfortable. A humidifier -- a device that boosts moisture levels in your home -- can solve the problem.
Gas Appliances Can Be a Source of Unhealthy Indoor Air
Becky Gillette
Monday, July 02, 2007
Many parents ban cigarette smoke in their homes to protect their children. They may not realize, however, that some household appliances can emit the same pollutants found in cigarette smoke.
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