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