Air pollution takes many different forms. The idea that there is “one kind” of air pollution is a dangerous one. For example, air pollution doesn’t just come from outside. In fact air pollution can come from the goods you put inside your home. Most homes contain a range of volatile organic compounds or VOCs that can damage health. Alarmingly, many VOCs are suspected carcinogens and can lead to leukemia with prolonged exposure. In short, air quality couldn’t be any more serious of an issue.

Don’t Let Bad Air Quality Impact Your Health

Sources of indoor air pollution often surprise many people. Indoor air pollution sources range from building materials to paint and even seemingly harmless furniture. A large percentage of modern furniture and even items such as kitchen cabinets are not exactly what they seem. Instead of being solid wood, many modern furniture offerings are in fact little more than sawdust and wood remnants held together with chemicals and glues.

The “cheap” furniture one finds at many big box retailers are actually of such low quality that it starts to fall apart within just a couple of years. The bigger problem, however, is the fact this “MDF” or particleboard furniture also degasses and will do so for years. In the process, harmful chemicals including formaldehyde are released into the air.

The situation with household furniture, such as soft chairs and couches, is no better. The stuffing material in most chairs and couches are derived from petroleum products, chemicals and very dangerous flame-retardants. Such furniture will often degas for years.

The Amazing World of Low VOC Products

All of this is a bit depressing, but there are steps you can take to avoid poor indoor air quality. At the top of the list is to use low VOC products. Paint can release a tremendous amount of VOCs and continue to do so for a long time. Most large paint companies and many smaller companies now offer low VOC paint. Then there are also “green paint options” that have very low VOC. (And no these paints are always the color green.) The bottom line is that low VOC options are now out there and you can find them without too much trouble.

Carpets and Floors

Want to finish your hardwood floors or install carpeting? Flooring finishes are usually little more than chemicals and carpet will degas for years. That “new house” smell you’ve probably noticed is, in fact, VOCs being released into the air from a range of new materials.

Floor finishing can be particularly hazardous when newly applied and should be avoided. It is no accident that many people who smell some floor finishing products compare the smell to paint thinner. The good news is that there are natural low VOC floor finishing options and low VOC carpeting options, such as wool carpet.

NASA Weighs in On Plants

Sometimes you can’t help what is in your home and removal is impractical. Luckily, there are steps you can take. An inexpensive and prudent step is to populate your home with plants. Plants, such as ferns and snake plants, are extremely good at removing a range of contaminants from the air. The best scores in the NASA clean air study went to peace lily and florist’s chrysanthemum’s which both removed benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and ammonia, all of which are some of the most common indoor air pollutants.

In a NASA experiment, it was discovered that very common plants, such as ferns, worked remarkably well for reducing contaminants from the air. Snake plants are a very wise choice for anyone looking to improve the quality of his or her indoor air quality. The reason is that snake plants are very tough. These durable plants need virtually no love to thrive and are often used in many of most toxic indoor environments, such as newly constructed office spaces and shopping malls. Plants also boost one’s mood. It’s a win all the way around.

Finding a Great Air Purifier

In addition to plants, air purifiers can work extremely well for cleaning the air. Of course air purifiers come in all shapes, sizes, performance levels and prices. Finding the right one can be tricky and can also take a lot of research. Air purifiers that use ion technology should be avoided as some researchers worry that the technology might be hazardous to human health.

Low-end air purifiers, for example, those costing under $100 don’t usually perform very well. Consumer Reports has given good scores to Honeywell’s HPA300. While they have not yet reviewed the IQAir, this air filter has impressive capabilities and three layers of different filters including a hyper-HEPA filter. It is important to note that IQAir products are, however, far more expensive than most other air purifiers.

Easy Tricks to Improve Your Air Quality

There are many other steps one can take to improve indoor air quality. One of the best options is to frequently replace the filter in your home’s HVAC system and opt for a high quality filter. Your home’s HVAC filter is your first line of defense when it comes to clean air.

Another prudent move is to use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. These filters are designed to catch small particles and trap them. Periodically cleaning these filters every few months is a must in order to maintain optimal performance.

 
There are plenty of steps you can take to maintain air quality. Achieving great indoor air quality is a process. Don’t attempt to change everything at once. Instead, chip away at the problem of poor indoor air quality one bit at a time. While it make take some effort, great indoor air quality is invaluable for your health and has even been shown to help boost productivity.

You may be addicted to your smartphone. Perhaps you are even reading this article on your smartphone and telling yourself that you couldn’t possibly have a problem. Smartphone addiction is certainly common; after all, smartphones were custom made to be highly addictive! That is, of course, the bad news, but there is good news. There are lot of benefits to be had from putting your smartphone down and walking out of the room. (And, yes, you do have to leave your smartphone behind.)

Smartphone Liberation Benefit #1-See the World

Now by “see the world” we don’t mean that once you turn off your smartphone you will magically be able to travel to exotic locations. Sorry. You will, however, be able to finally see the world around you.

Are you one of those people who take a walk in the woods only to discover that the only time you look away from your smartphone is to take a picture of nature? Any tool used too often or for too long becomes a crutch. Smartphones are amazing tools and most of us are using them far too much. The result is that we are often failing to see the world around us.

Smartphone Liberation Benefit #2-Restored Vision

Smartphones and computer screens are giving your eyes a real beating, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You have the power to just walk away, especially after business hours. What you will discover once you stop using your smartphone, as often is that your smartphone really does take a lot out of your eyes. Most avid smartphone users don’t realize how tired their eyes really are until they’ve had a little time away from their device.

Smartphone Liberation Benefit #3-Better Sleep

Can turning off your smartphone improve your health? No doubt it is hard to exercise looking at one’s smartphone all the time, but the health improvements associated with turning off your smartphone actually go far deeper.

Recent studies have shown that the light emitted from smartphones can actually interfere with quality sleep. It gets worst. Do you sleep with your smartphone near your bed? Well, you may want to stop. Studies have shown that smartphone radiation may interfere with getting enough restful sleep.

Speaking of smartphones and sleep, studies show that excessive use of mobile devices can actually interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Those who look at a phone for more than 4 hours during a day find that it is 49% more likely that it will take them over an hour to fall asleep.

Smartphone Liberation Benefit #4-Protect Your Brain, Maybe

Another health issue with smartphones is that the radiation they produce may be harmful to human health. In the old days, parents worried about children watching too much television. But at least most of the time a television wasn’t strapped to the side of their heads!

Yes, the comparison is apples to oranges but if there are negative health consequences to smartphone and cellphone use, they could be serious due to the way that most people use them. Several countries, including Finland, have conducted their own studies into smartphones and cellphones and have concluded that there are reasons to be concerned.

So what should you do? The World Health Organization has listed smartphones and cellphones as a possible carcinogen. This is a controversial statement and it doesn’t mean that your smartphone will kill you, but it may mean you want to exercise some caution.

A good argument can be made for “playing it safe” until the medical community is speaking with a fairly uniform voice. Right now there are those in the medical community preaching caution and considering that there are other benefits to putting your smartphone down for a while it only makes sense to curb one’s use. Not using a smartphone doesn’t mean you can’t use a computer.

Smartphone Liberation Benefit #5-Actually Talk to People

Yes, it is a bit of a crazy idea but turning off your smartphone could help you spend more time talking to people. Want to make more friends in the real world? Ironically, turning off your phone may do the trick.

Talking to people, attending events or simply looking up from your smartphone might be a good first step. Virtual networking is great, but what about networking in the real world? Networking is one of the best ways to build your career and discover new opportunities. Social media and virtual network has its benefits but so does networking the old fashioned way. Besides talking to people will help you improve your “social game,” and that will certainly come in handy at some point.

Another big benefit is that you can spend more time talking to the people you care about. Your smartphone will evolve in just a few months, but what about your relationships with the people you care about?

Smartphones Are Great Tools Which Need to Be Turned Off Every Once and a While

If you are feeling socially isolated, think about turning off your smartphone and engaging more with the world around you. Technology can both connect and divide, and if you are using your smartphone too much, you may be cutting yourself off from the world around you. That means reducing your possibilities and maybe even your happiness. So the next time you are in the checkout line, the Dog Park or just about anywhere else, keep your smartphone off, your head up and see what happens. Life is happening all around you and not just on a screen.

If you are unsure as to how your actions impact your carbon footprint, you are not alone. Your carbon footprint is calculated as what you do that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gases cause the planet to warm and are produced in a variety of ways. Any event that takes energy can produce them! That means that the manufactured goods you use play a big role in your carbon footprint. The more energy it takes to create a given object, the higher your carbon footprint may become.

Food production and what you do in your home can also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can minimize your personal impact on the planet. Luckily, there are many easy and painless steps you can take to make a difference.

1. Reconsider Meat Consumption

No one is stating that you have to become a vegan or vegetarian; however, it is important to note that eating meat creates far more greenhouse gases than not eating meat.

Vegetarians and vegans, for example, are responsible for producing far less greenhouse gas emissions than meat eaters. Simply skipping meat one or two days a week will help you lower your carbon footprint in an impressive fashion.

2. Buy Local Food and Goods

Locally produced food and goods have a huge edge when it comes to reducing one’s carbon footprint. The fact that locally produced goods does not have to be transported long distances means less energy is consumed in their transport. Produce grown a few miles away has a far lower carbon footprint than produce grown thousands of miles away. Buying local products is one of the simpler ways to lower your carbon footprint.

3. Reuse as Much as Possible

Manufacturing any good causes greenhouse gases to be released and that increases your carbon footprint. Reusing goods when possible, giving things you will not use to other people and recycling are all ways that you can lower your carbon footprint. Keeping a manufactured item in use means that you’ve kept a manufactured good from being purchased and, ultimately, maybe even from being made in the first place. While this is no doubt a simple step, it is also a very effective one in reducing your carbon footprint.

4. Adjusting Your Thermostat Up and Down

Setting your thermostat lower in winter and higher in the summer means that you will use less energy when heating and cooling your home. Reducing the amount of energy you use in your home is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint. Energy production takes a tremendous amount of energy, and any time you can skip using energy, you are lowering your carbon footprint. Wearing an extra layer of clothing in the winter to stay warm and putting reflective material in your windows during the summer are two ways that you can save energy, money and lower your carbon footprint.

5. Public Transportation and Driving Fewer Miles

Another easy way to reduce your carbon footprint is to simply drive fewer hours a year. Using public transportation or carpooling even one day a week can help you lower your carbon footprint substantially. There are other benefits to using public transportation such as having more time to read.

When it comes to driving fewer miles, there is a clever trick that can make a substantial difference in your overall carbon footprint. If you can live closer to your work, then you instantly lower your carbon footprint. Keep this factor in mind when buying a new home or renting a new apartment. The simple selection of where you live can make a massive difference on your carbon footprint.

6. Only Fly When Necessary

If you can take a train, bus or drive your car instead of flying, strongly consider that option. You can’t beat flying when it comes to speed, but that speed comes a price.

Flying produces a lot of greenhouse gases. There are times when flying is literally the only way to go, but consider other options especially for shorter trips.

7. Power Strips and Your Carbon Footprint

There are many household items that use a great deal of energy even when they are not in use or appear to be off. Cable boxes often use as much energy as a refrigerator. Gaming consoles can also use a lot of energy even when they are off.

Try plugging in your cable box, video game consoles and other electronics into a power strip, and then turn that power strip off when those items are not in use. Not only does this tip help you lower your carbon footprint, but it should also help you save on your annual energy bill as well.

8. Steps Around the Home

Those seeking ways to lower one’s carbon footprint will discover that there are ample opportunities right at home. Installing new insulation and replacing old insulation is a perfect place to start as insulation reduces energy costs year round.

Installing solar can be an exceptional way to lower one’s carbon footprint. Soon solar energy will be both very easy and affordable. Adding weather-strips to doors and windows and caulking up leaky areas is another inexpensive way to lower your energy bill and your carbon footprint. Other simple steps, such as reading by a window instead of using a lamp and growing even a small amount of your food, all add up to a big difference.

Thinking about energy consumption and how to use less energy is the first and greatest step. Your carbon footprint isn’t set in stone. There are steps and they will make a difference.

The decision to select a green house cleaning service is a prudent one. There are plenty of cleaning services, but cleaning services are not all created equally.

A great cleaning service can simplify your life by providing you with one less thing to think about and, in the process, helping you to free up your life! However, most cleaning services use industrial strength cleaners. The reason for this is very simple in that industrial strength cleaners are the most widely available. Why? There is a common misconception that super powerful chemicals are what is need for every cleaning job. Yet, in reality, nothing could be further from the truth – ¬odds are that your home only needs natural cleaners to get the job done.

Natural cleaning products may be more expensive, but the benefits are enormous. For example, with natural cleaning products, you don’t have to worry about exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals. The chemicals found in a range of household cleaners have been linked to a shockingly wide array of diseases and conditions, including cancer, organ damage, respiratory issues and more.

Green cleaning is the way to go! But what are some of the key factors in selecting a green cleaning service? Let’s dive in and explore some of the key factors you’ll want to consider.

Green House Cleaning Service Factor One-Look for More Than Lip Service

A lot of cleaning services will claim that they provide green cleaning, but what does that mean? Oftentimes when one explores a house cleaning service in more depth, what is learned is that the cleaning services might not be all that green.

It is important that you pay close attention to exactly what green cleaning services are provided. What does the house cleaning service state that it provides on its website? Are all of its cleaning services green or only one part? A partial commitment to green cleaning should worry you as you’ll never know exactly what is going on behind the scenes. Look for a green house cleaning service that is deeply committed to green cleaning.

Green House Cleaning Service Factor Two-The Philosophy

It’s time to ask questions. What is the philosophy of a prospective green cleaner? Why have they selected to become a green cleaner?

A green home cleaning service should truly believes in the value of green products; this means that they will understand both how green cleaning products can protect the planet and human health. If you want great results, you’ll want to work with a company that has a real green philosophy and stands behind it. In other words, be on the lookout for companies that are just paying lip service to the importance of “going green.”

Green House Cleaning Service Factor Three-What Cleaners Do They Use and Why?

It is prudent to ask a prospective house cleaning service what green cleaners they have selected and why. How a cleaning service answers these questions will tell you a great deal about how committed and knowledgeable a given company is the process of green cleaning. If they don’t have a green cleaning product in mind for every cleaning occasion, you might want to look elsewhere.

Green House Cleaning Service Factor Four-What Green Cleaning Products are Mentioned?

Selecting a house cleaning service means understanding what cleaning products are used. Do they talk about their approach on their website? If not, perhaps they have literature prepared they can give you.  A cleaning service should clearly outline what products it uses and for why.

Green House Cleaning Service Factor Five-Use Yelp! and Search the Internet for Reviews

In selecting a green house cleaning service, it makes sense to research the company online and read Yelp! and Angie List reviews. This is a prudent investment that may very well save you many headaches in the long run. If you’ve received a personal referral from a friend or relative, all the better!

Green House Cleaning Service Factor Six-Carefully Evaluate Results

Upon hiring a green house cleaning service, keep a watchful eye during the first few appointments. Are you smelling chemicals? If you smell chemicals or harsh smells, then the odds are good that your green cleaning service isn’t so clean after all.

Also, be on the lookout against for companies that use the “green cleaning” label as an excuses to not clean. Some companies may attempt to use the excuse that green cleaners “are just not that effective,” to explain a lack of cleaning. Green cleaners are extremely effective for cleaning the average home. Don’t let your green house cleaner pretend otherwise.

When evaluating your green house cleaner, be sure that you are getting your money’s worth. In short, you shouldn’t let your green house cleaner cut corners just because they are going green.

Green House Cleaning Service Factor Seven-Ask for References

Any good business will be able and eager to provide you with references. When you ask for references, they should be provided to you promptly. If your green house cleaner can’t provide you with references in a timely fashion, then how good of a job can you expect them to do on your home? Again, any good business is ready to provide solid references. Just remember to follow up and check those references!

Finding a reliable green house cleaner is worth the time. Most house cleaners use a variety of unnecessarily powerful and harmful chemicals to clean. The last thing you want is to expose you and your family to these chemicals. The bottom line is that green house cleaners can be extremely effective. Do your homework, ask plenty of questions, and you’ll get great results.

There may be a big surprise lurking in your home. Many common household cleaners can be packed with dangerous and harmful chemicals. Sadly, the idea that household cleaners can be dangerous is not a myth, but is in fact quite real and quite true. How these products, which are often clearly labeled as dangerous or even poisonous, have stayed on the market is a mystery. Many of these chemicals have been proven to be toxic for families and yet they still remain on store shelves and are used every day in homes and around children. In this article, we are going to explore five alarming facts regarding chemicals used in homes for cleaning.

Alarming Fact Number One-They are Everywhere

It might sound a little alarmist to state that harmful chemicals are everywhere. But in the world of home cleaning products, it isn’t an overstatement. Unless you are carefully seeking out products that are safe and labeled “organic,” or “nontoxic” or address their safety in some other way, then you are likely dealing with a chemical based product and that product may be dangerous. In fact, many household cleaners contain chemicals, such as formaldehyde.

Alarming Fact Number Two-Air Quality Issues

If you often feel that cleaning products often smell dreadful, you are not alone. The toxic compounds found in household cleaners smell toxic often for the simple reason that they are toxic! Whether it is formaldehyde or ammonia or a range of other products, you can expect your indoor air quality to suffer.

Ammonia is so well known that many people believe that it must be safe. This is an understandable but completely inaccurate understanding of the chemical. Ammonia may cause organ damage, including liver damage. Ammonia is serious stuff, and it is found is a surprisingly diverse array of cleaning products. Yes, it works, but the price tag may be a high one! The best option is to simply avoid chemical cleaning products so as to boost your indoor air quality.

A decrease in air quality has been linked to an increase in diseases and even lower I.Q.’s in children. The right move is to steer clear! Researchers have discovered over 100 different VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, in cleaning products. These compounds make their way into the air where they are not only breathed in, but make their way into our food and drink. Here is a truly shocking fact: you may be eating and drinking whatever you clean with so pick very wisely!

Alarming Fact Number Three-Chemical Fragrances are Not Your Friend

There are thousands of chemicals used in cleaning products for fragrance purposes. Companies work hard to give their products a “distinctive” smell and, sadly, those distinctive smells are often toxic smells as well. Phthalates are a particularly serious problem. Phthalates have become quite ubiquitous in our society, as they are in everything from cleaners to laundry detergents. There are numerous problems with phthalates including lowering sperm counts.

Alarming Fact Number Four-It Gets Worse

As if all of this wasn’t bad enough, it does get worse. How does it get worse? There are some seriously bad chemicals out there, and they have made their way into your home. While chemicals such as formaldehyde are fairly well known and get a lot of attention, there are other lesser known, but widely used chemicals that are downright scary! A great example of this is paradichlorbenzene. Now that might not sound too familiar, but this is a key ingredient in mothballs. If you have mothballs, get rid of them. Paradicholorbenzene has been linked to a range of organ damage.

Like cooking? Hate food sticking to your pans? You may have done what millions of other people have done over the years and opted for polytetrafluoroethylene also known as PTFE. PTFE is what makes Teflon pans non-stick. When heated, PTFE releases toxic gases that have been linked to cancer, organ problems and more.

Alarming Fact Number Five-You May Be Surrounded

It isn’t just floor cleaning products, toilet bowl cleaners, cleaning sprays and other household cleaning products. The facts are that the problem extends outside of your home as well. If you are using weed killers, then you are likely exposing yourself to insecticides and herbicides.

One very problematic example is Round-Up. Round-Up is very popular and has been aggressively marketed; however, it is feared that Round-Up may cause organ damage and other health problems.

Together these five alarming facts might not paint a very cheery picture. However, there is much that you can do to avoid harmful chemicals in and around your home. The first step is to make no assumptions. Unless you know for certain what is in a given product, do not use it. Secondly, if a product has an odd odor, don’t use it. Third, always be on the lookout for a natural cleaning product alternative. The war on germs has gotten a little out of control in the last few decades; antibacterial products have for example led to stronger germs.

The odds are excellent that you don’t need the ultra-powerful “kill them all” type chemical cleaners that populate most store shelves. Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon and other natural cleaners worked very well. Our ancestors, after all, survived long before weed killers and chemical cleaners. There is every reasons to believe that we can keep the germs at bay without having to harm our health.

Organic farming differs considerably from what has become known as “conventional” farming. It is very important to note that organic farming was the only form of farming for thousands of years. “Conventional” farming which relies heavily on chemicals, petroleum products and pesticides couldn’t be much more different from organic farming techniques. Organic farming also refrains from using genetically modified organisms. Growth hormones are not used on animals.

Organic farming uses crop rotations and natural pest control. However, while definitions do vary, organic farming does allow for the use of some biological based herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. That stated, in general organic farming is considered to be much safer than conventional, chemical-based farming. In recent years, the interest in organic farming has skyrocketed and today it represents a massive and quickly growing sector of the food industry.

So let’s explore the five best ways to go organic. Going organic has a range of important benefits as organic food works to protect the soil, introduce less chemicals into the environment, and it is healthier for humans and animals all at the same time. Those looking to make the organic switch will find that they have ample options.

Tip #1 for Going Organic-Make a Commitment to Organic Produce

It may feel impossible to tackle switching to organic overnight, but one of the best places to begin is with your produce. Fruits and vegetables often receive a truly amazing amount of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Opting for organic produce is an easy way to reduce this consumption. If you are looking to make the switch to organic, this is a key place to begin.

Selecting organic produce and then making a commitment to eat more fruits and vegetables is a tasty and easy way to “go organic.”

Tip #2 for Going Organic-Change Where You Shop

Where you shop for groceries often dictates what you ultimately purchase. If your grocery store doesn’t provide you with adequate choices for organic produce and other organic products, then you should switch grocery stores. Not only may you need to switch where you shop for groceries, but you may also want to experiment. By checking out different grocery stores, you may find different organic food options.

While one of the best ways to boost your overall health is to eat more fresh foods and keep processed foods at a minimum or eliminate them altogether it is possible to find some healthy organic packaged foods. Going to different stores that carry organic foods will increase your chances of finding such foods, just remember to read your labels. An organic label doesn’t mean the same thing as healthy; for example, many processed organic foods are still packed with sugar and lots of calories. The organic label isn’t a free pass to eat whatever you like!

Tip #3 for Going Organic-Consider Shopping Online

Quite often people don’t make the switch to organic due to the increased prices. There is, however, one way to take some of the sting out of organic food prices. You can save a considerable amount of money by buying in bulk online. You can also find ample options for organic prepackaged foods on big websites like Amazon.com and Vitacost.com.  You can also place bulk food orders through your local grocery store that sells organic food.

This strategy does, of course, take some planning and strategy, but the payoff could be as much as a ten-percent savings on your bulk items. Additionally, if you are good at managing your money, you might want to consider buying your groceries using a credit card that gives you a percentage of your spending back to further reduce your grocery bill.

Tip #4 for Going Organic-Your Local Co-op

Co-ops can be great ways to get into organic and make the big organic switch. Co-ops not only offer competitive prices, but also often have discount days or incentives for members. By joining a co-op, you can save money on your organic groceries while learning tips from other co-op members.

Tip #5 for Going Organic-Organic Recipes

If you want to go organic and never look back, then dive into your recipe book. Organic food can taste great. Getting the most out of your organic food means creating great tastes. While you can enjoy organic food without taking the time to try out new recipes, it is also true that discovering new recipes will help you stay motivated to make the switch to organic food.

Dealing with the Price Difference

A lot of attention is given to the price difference between organic and food grown using chemicals and artificial ingredients; however, the price between items varies wildly. Items such as bananas, potatoes and green tea are very similar in price. If you have a tight food budget you can still switch to a partially organic diet by being strategic in what you buy.

 
Strategically “Going Organic” to Avoid the Highest Concentrations of Pesticides

It is also important to keep in mind that some conventionally grown items are worse than others in terms of pesticide content. Soft fruits, such as peaches and strawberries, receive many times more pesticides than items such as avocadoes. If you are looking to make the switch to organic in part to cut down your pesticide exposure, then a few minutes of internet research will give you a nice outline of which foods are on the “never buy conventional” list.

Ultimately, switching to organic should be easy. Virtually any product you want is available in organic form. Today there are not only plenty of organic options, but also those options are readily available!