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