healingways Household
CLEANSE Banish these Five Chemicals for a Domestic Detox
by Gail Griswold-Elwyn “
environmental chemicals we inhale and ingest, yet most still live with dangerous substances in their homes,” according to Jen Loui. She is a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-accredited professional in St. Louis and an industry expert who writes green curricula for high schools across the country. Guarding against pollution of indoor air is a good place to start; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked poor air quality among the leading environmental dan- gers, reporting links to many common health problems. Here’s how to rid the family home of the top five common household toxins.
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Formaldehyde. Traces of this toxin, the same chemical used to embalm the deceased, pervade almost every room. “My clients are often shocked to learn that they likely ingest this toxic, cancer-causing chemical every day of their lives,” says P. Richelle White, a sustainable lifestyle coach and co-owner of Herb’n Maid, a green cleaning and concierge service in St. Louis. “Because formaldehyde is often an ingredient in everyday things like cosmetics, faux wood furniture and conventional clean- ing products, they get a daily dose of it.”
38 Collier/Lee Counties
swfl.NaturalAwakeningsMag.com
mericans are collectively more aware and educated than just a few years ago about the range of
Even at low levels, formaldehyde
can cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation; at its most malignant levels, it can cause severe allergic asthma, infer- tility and lymphoma, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Healthier choices: Switch to all-
natural beauty products and cosmetics. At minimum, check that compressed wood fibers don’t use a formaldehyde- based chemical as a binding agent; bet- ter yet, choose natural, reclaimed wood for interior surfaces and furnishings.
Polyvinyl chloride. PVC is omni- present and dangerous. Water bottles, nylon backpacks, pipes, insulation and vinyl tiles generally contain PVC, as well as almost anything waterproofed, such as baby changing mats and mat- tress covers. PVC usually contains plasticizers called phthalates, which are released over time; it also can chemically combine with other organic materials to produce toxic dioxin byproducts. According to Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), PVC byproducts and vapors are endocrine disruptors that can mimic or block hormones in the body. In addition, the EPA has linked PVC to serious respiratory problems, immune suppression and cancer. Healthier choices: Look for PVC- free plastics. When shopping for water-
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