Improve Home Air Quality: Banish these 5 chemicals for good

Gail Griswold-Elwyn, founding president of Rethink Renovations of St. Louis, MO wrote an article for Healthy Living, Healthy Planet’s Natural Awakenings publication in April, 2013.  The article explains why we should avoid five chemicals contained in cleaning products.  The ariticle is entitled: Household Cleanse; Banish these Five Chemicals for a Domestic Detox.

“Americans are collectively more aware and educated than just a few years ago about the range of environmental chemicals we inhale and ingest, yet most still live with dangerous substances in their homes,” according to Jen Loui.  Loui is a Leadership in Energy and 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 ranted poor air quality among the leading environmental dangers, reporting links to many common health problems.  Here’s how to rid the family home of the top five common household toxins.

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 c0-owner of Herb’n Maid, a green cleaning and concierge service in St. Louis.  “Because formaldehyde is often an ingredient in every day things like cosmetics, faux wood furniture and conventional cleaning products, they get a daily dose of it.”

Even at low levels, formaldehyde can cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation and at its most malignant levels, it can cause severe allergic asthma, infertility 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 formaldeyhde-based chemical as a binding agent; better yet, choose natural, reclaimed wood for interior surfaces and furnishings.

Polyvinyl chloride.  PVC is omnipresent and dangerous.  Water bottles, nylon backpacks, pipes, insulation and vinyl tiles generally contain PVC, as well as almost anything waterproof, such as baby changing mats, mattresses covers and shower curtains.  PVC usually contains plasticisers 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.

Heathier choices:  Look for PVC-free plastics.  When shopping for waterproofed items, choose those with coatings made from polyurethane or polyester.  Choose 100 percent cotton shower curtains, which, by the way you can wash in the washing machine over and over instead of throwing it away in the garbage to sit in a landfill, forever.

Phthalates.  A 2007 report by the NRDC notes that 12 out of 14 common brands of household air fresheners and room sprays contain phthalates, which people and pets regularly inhale primarily because these chemicals prolong the time that products maintain their fragrance.  In studies conducted by the World Health Organization, researchers concluded that consistent exposure to phthalates could increase the risks for endocrine, reproductive and developmental problems.  The majority of synthetic air fresheners were found to also emit significant amounts of terpene, a volatile organic compound (VOC) that can react with naturally occurring ozone to create formaldehyde.

Allergies, asthma, lung cancer and heart problems have all been linked to poor indoor air quality says the U.S. EPA.

Healthier choices: Put boxes of baking soda in cabinets to absorb odors and scent interiors with all-natural oils and potpourri.

Chlorine:  According to the American Lung Association, most conventional cleaning products include some chlorine, with large concentrations in bleach.  Inhalation of chlorine can irritate the respiratory system; prolonged exposure can lead to lung disease and asthma.

Healthier choices: Purchase chlorine-free cleaning products, especially chlorine-free bleach.  Or make inexpensive solutions of white, distilled vinegar mixed with a little lemon for a multi-purpose, multi-surface cleaner and try baking soda as a scrubbing powder.  Lemon is a natural antibacterial substance.

Volatile organic compounds. VOCs are emitted as harmful gases by a wide array of products including paints. lacquers and paint strippers; cleaning supplies; pesticides; carpet and furnishings; office copiers and printers; correction fluids and carbonless copy paper; plus graphics and craft materials that include glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions.  The EPA calculates that, “Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher (up to 10 times) indoors that outdoors.”

Healthier choices: Look for VOC-free products and consider using organic clay paint, which has the added benefit of acting as an absorbent of toxic gases.

Most people spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, where the air quality can be two to five times, and even up to 100 times more polluted that the air we breathe outside, according to the EPA.  “A simple solution is to open windows for a portion of the day or night to let in fresh air,” advises Loui.  Making these choices enables us to protect ourselves better at home.

Gail Griswold-Elwyn is founding president of Rethink Renovations, which offers green design/build and construction services, including cabinetry and furniture that minimize environmental impact.  Connect at RethinkRenovations.com.

Recipies for natural cleaning products can be found on this website on the tab, Money Saving Alternative to a Clean and Safe Home.