Spring 2011; Cars
Your car is like your home; an occupied space that influences your health.
I keep my car as long as possible so I'm not exposed to higher levels of off-gassing, I have my cabin air filter changed frequently, I open my windows to get fresh air as often as I can (but close them up in industrial areas or behind smoke producing vehicles!).
Air quality along highway routes has been proved to increase the risk for many diseases as these areas have higher levels of Cadmium, Lead, Manganese, Chromium, Asbestos...to name a few. When on the highway you are also exposed to higher levels of all these hazardous contaminants so air filtration is very important.What about car-washing? As for exterior cleaning, I wash it only a few times a year. "A dirty car, is a greener car" because less water is used, and less detergent, and less waste water...
Inside, I vacuum often, and wipe clean with vinegar and water, with a drop of pure soap . For the vinyl and the leather I used the furniture polish recipe from Women's Voices for the Earth (to remove more of the nasty chemical and metal-laden fine particles): 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil. Perfect!
Algae in our lakes - alarm bells should be going! There are floating, stinking gurgling masses in Lake Ontario. Our lakes are in distress and immediate action is needed to reduce pollution into the lakes (and this includes fertilizers and soaps, even biodegradable ones as all these products provide nutrients for algae). The experience of many small lakes, rivers, and bays has shown that algeal overgrowth virtually kills the water body as it blocks sunlight from getting into the lake and to organisms that depend on sunlight.
See the fascinating research being done by Ohio State University's water research station in western Lake Erie:http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/08/scientists_say_the_toxic_blue-.html
Lots in news lately about cell towers and Wi-Fi headlines read:Without being alarmist, or inciting radical action, there are plenty of small things we can do to reduce our exposures.Often more electric fields and high frequency fields are created by appliances or devices within the home, or home-office. For example, cordless phones are “always on”. They use 5.8 or 2.4 or 1.8 gigahertz Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telephone (DECT) technology (the higher the frequency the more radiation). These phones radiate microwaves as soon as the base station (cradle) is plugged into an electrical outlet. Dr. Magda Havas has concluded that these high frequency radiation devices affect the heart. See her informative video presentation. It's well worth the time: http://www.magdahavas.com/2010/08/16/dect-phones-affect-the-heart/
Summer - the great out-doors
The difference between Green and Healthy...
Products that truly promote good health,
are good for the planet too...
We encounter nanotechnology in our sporting goods (synthetic clothes that have antibacterial and anti-odour properties usually contain nano-silver), antibacterial flush mechanisms, some plastic and metal coatings (creates film that is very thin and pliable -useful in aeronautics, electronics, and even solar panels). Of course there are obviously good applications such as in medical applications (using nanoparticles to attack cancer cells, etc.). On the other hand there are a lot of unknowns.
The scientists agree that because nanoparticles are so small (less than 1 micron) they can act on a body differently than larger particles of the same element or compound (the body doesn't "recognize" it a foreigner). Before approval for use new nanoproducts must pass separate testing requirements than products using larger particles.
A new study just published in Particle and Fibre Toxicology shows that in antibacterial clothing, the silver nanoparticles were released from the fibres and into the sweat. If the silver stayed in the fibres and prevented bacterial growth, and odours that would be good, but if the particles move into the sweat on our bodies then this may illustrate a mechanism for risk to human health.
Another reason to choose natural fibres over synthetic, and get used to our own natural body odours. Look to nature for solutions!
April 2010; Planting a tree - Use natural solutions!
A tree will save your energy bills, as well as improving air quality (converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, removing toxins, stabilizing humidity levels). It's worth putting in a tree to save your energy bills! Calculate the costs of air-conditioning (annual bills multiplied by years you plan to be in the home) versus the cost of a suitable tree.
Other Other Benefits:
(lower electric & magnetic fields)
food, tea, medicine, or dyes
Check your municipality. Another good resource (subsidies, workshops, etc.) is Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests (LEAF); See:www.leaftoronto.org.
Spray Foams
Most conventional plywood, OSB and MDF are bonded with formaldehyde adhesives that off-gas and negatively affect indoor air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen. Long term inhalation of the vapours can cause fatigue, respiratory illness, and allergic skin reactions...The two most widely used formaldehyde adhesives are urea formaldehyde (UF) for hardwood plywoods most often used inside the home for cabinetry and panelling , and phenol formaldehyde (PF) which include most softwood plywoods used for outdoor and structural applications, like sheathing and floors. The more expensive resistant PF, which off-gasses at a much slower rate (vapours will persist longer, but at much lower concentrations) are considered safer. To avoid this harmful off-gassing altogether, request "formaldehyde free" manufactured wood products. If that is unavailable in your area, look for an "exterior glue" stamp (meaning PF) on regular plywood. If UF-bonded sheet goods can't be avoided, sealing with a low-toxicity sealant will keep the harmful vapours from seeping into your home.
Other formaldehyde exposures are likely to be from carpet under-padding, glue (in composite woods such as chip-board, MSF board, particle board, etc.), or furniture which contains composite wood (kitchen cabinetry, shelves), synthetic foam, or glues (sofas, couches, stuffed chairs, beds), perfumes, deodorizers, and air fresheners...
Rubber and latex
Memory foam can be made from either synthetic or natural foam (or latex). These mattresses are reported to be good for our backs because they allow for the natural curves of our spine. High density foam on the other hand is difficult to compress making it superior for cushioning (seat padding, shoes, etc.) All foams have their place by their application. For example, memory foam has been used in hospitals for quite some time. Even mattresses made from synthetic foam (as natural latex mattresses are quite expensive) may still be a reasonable option in some settings. For example in a hospital setting there are other issues to consider such as: ease of cleaning (which will dictate how long the mattress will last), whether the mattress will be coated with a cover for cleaning (often PVC which would seal in the off gassing from the mattress, but the PVC off gasses!), other risks to health for the individual patient (hospital beds with electric motors as they have higher electric fields, infection control risks, compromised health if the patient is not sleeping, electric fields from the electronic monitoring equipment, risk of bed sores etc.).
Healthy spaces include adequate fresh air, the use of non-toxic cleaning products, and not using harmful materials and equipment and furnishings. Synthetic products including exercise mats and equipment often out-gas harmful chemicals. I'd be happy to assess the situation in your fitness space, and work with the club owners, to make the space more healthy.
December 2009; Simple living
This photo shows the problem in the winter 2008/2009 - see how the ice is thick at the edge of the roof? This means meaning that warm moist air travelled to the roof and then condensed, and then froze once it reached the edge of the roof where is it cooler. Are you ready for this winter? Have you air sealed?
October 2009; Open your windows
-at night (our bodies are recharging),
- especially if your house is well-sealed,
Let nature in.
Only in highly polluted areas, or on smog days, for persons with weakened respiratory systems should you keep your windows closed.
Photo: Window in Tuscany, 2007 (photo by AS)
2. Green Cleaning Parties:
Use natural solutions to clean.
Fall 2009; Three things to look into
1) Solar cooking! Yes, use the free power of the sun. See this great website to get inspired and figure out how you will cook with the sun. Practise this fall during the mid-day and you will be ready for next spring!!!! See:
http://solarovenchef.blogspot.com/ 2) Remove moisture...
Basements were not designed to be lived in. Most basements are too moist, and when we occupy them, the moisture is increased and a good environment for mould and dust mites.
Photo: Mould on Walls, Home Assessment, 2009 (AS)
Reduce your water consumption, while washing your hands! More about the sink see:
www.sinkpositive.com Photo at The Farm, Tennessee, April 2009 (AS)
MgO from
http://greeneboard.com/ is made in China, and distributed by a Florida company, so the
embodied energy is high and should be seriously considered. It is distributed through Owl Distribution in Toronto area; others include Dragonboard, and Magna Board. The best resource for MgO is
George Swanson, a Building Biologist devoted to healthier construction; see:
http://www.geoswan.com/html/mgo2424.html.The benefit is that MgO boards provide an alternative to Structural Insulated panels (SIP's), and the concern over the off-gassing of the foam insulative materials, and of the particle board members.
