| Kitchen cabinets, furniture, perfume, even candles and | | | | easy to make. Try these recipes for some common |
| air fresheners - they can all contribute to the air | | | | household cleaning jobs: |
| pollution in our homes. | | | | All Purpose Cleaner: |
| Dr. Bernard Hamel, former Director for the Institute for | | | | -1 qt. warm water |
| Environmental Studies at Drexil University, estimates | | | | -1 tsp. liquid hand soap |
| that the levels of potentially deadly toxins in the | | | | -1/4 tsp. lemon juice |
| average American home may be five times greater | | | | Works well on floors, countertops, rugs and upholstery |
| than the level of toxic pollutants found in the dirtiest city | | | | Oven Cleaner: |
| air. | | | | Cover grime with baking soda. Spray with water until |
| Indoor air pollution poses a far greater risk to our health | | | | wet, keeping dry for 3-4 hours. Let sit overnight. In the |
| than outdoor pollution. Exposure to tobacco smoke, | | | | morning wipe clean with clear water. |
| structural materials, mold, and even simple household | | | | Furniture Polish: |
| dust can make us sick. | | | | -1 pt. mineral oil |
| Biological contaminants such as mold and mildew allow | | | | -1 tsp. lemon juice |
| disease-carrying pollutants to reproduce and spread | | | | Caustic household cleaners and chemicals ma be the |
| their spores throughout the air. Toxic chemicals found | | | | #1 source of acute human exposure to toxic |
| in air fresheners, as well as average cleaning and | | | | substances, according to research done by the |
| grooming supplies can also be hazardous when | | | | American Association of Poison Control Centers. They |
| build-up occurs in poorly ventilated rooms. Even the | | | | make us sick and they damage the environment. |
| glue that holds 90% of today's furniture together | | | | When you have to use a caustic substance around |
| contains formaldehyde, which may cause nausea, | | | | your home, remember two important tips: |
| headaches, lethargy and breathing problems in some | | | | -Know how to use them properly: Always use caustic |
| people. | | | | chemicals and cleaners in a well-ventilated area. Use |
| Another concern is lead paint, asbestos and radon, | | | | an air mask if possible. |
| which were used in most homes, built before the | | | | -Know how to dispose of them properly: Improper |
| 1980's. Odorless, colorless and tasteless, these are all | | | | disposal of household cleaners, paints and other |
| substances that are impossible to detect without | | | | chemicals is the main source of toxic pollution in the |
| proper testing. | | | | United States today. |
| When trying to safeguard your home against indoor | | | | Follow these tips when getting rid of your household |
| pollution, follow these simple tips: | | | | chemicals: |
| -Use pump bottles for cleaning supplies instead of | | | | -Never pour any hazard household substance down |
| spray cans. They spray less fumes and are easier to | | | | the drain. |
| direct. | | | | -Keep original containers for ingredient lists and |
| -Add more ventilation, or simply open your doors and | | | | storage. |
| windows more often to help air out the indoor pollution. | | | | -Take lids off paint and let dry prior to disposing. |
| -Hire environmental testers to check for things like | | | | -Take all chemical containers to your local hazardous |
| radon, lead and asbestos. | | | | waste site for disposal. |
| -Use "green" cleaning products. They're cheaper and | | | | |