 June 2006 See the article on teens and indoor air below (LA Times) It has been shown that the various polishes and sprays currently in use for household cleaning can be eliminated at no loss to the beauty of your home. In fact, most of the products commercially available are toxic to you and your family. A 1980-1985 study by EPA confirmed that the indoor toxic chemical levels can be higher than those outdoors, even in cities! People like Ann who are chemically sensitive can attest to this. New carpeting, paint, vinyl wallpaper, glues, formaldehyde and more contribute this dangerous and unhealthy atmosphere. Substitutes for household cleansers include lemon juice, vinegar, borax or baking soda, nut oils for detergents-biodegradables that are available at the health food store. Or encourage your local supermarket to carry these products. Chlorine-free bleach products can help too. Some swimming pools have switched to other methods that can keep a pool clean. Ann Fonfa (founder and president) used boric acid all around an ant infestation and it cleared out within moments. Keep this away from children and pets. From Laura W., an environmental activist on Long Island, NY: Seal cracks with caulking material to prevent entry of insects, check for leaks that may attract some insects and remove all food sources that attract them. Her outdoor advice: use horticultural oils to smother bugs, use insecticide soaps that are drying agents, prune out infestations, establish a bird feeder as they eat bugs, use a 'weeder' to remove weeds (not chemicals), solutions of vinegar and lemon can kill weeds or you can use boiling water or weeds that grwo between bricks or tiles. Take dry cleaning out of plastic bags and air before placing in your closet. Do not heat food in plastic containers in the microwave-use glass or ceramic. NOTE: It is a good idea to limit use of microwave anyway. Use wax paper instead of plastic bags and metal tools rather than plastic. The smell we used to identify as clean, is as chemical as could be. We have to retrain ourselves, it is difficult as commercials are constantly driving the "clean with their products' message home to us". Ignore it. Books to read include: "Everyday Cancer Risks" by Mary K. Levenstein. "Living Downstream" by Sandra Steingrabber. Contact: Mothers and Others for information on alternative sources for household products. Some states' environmental protection agencies offer information on integrated pest managment. A good resource is the Cancer Awareness Coalition whose founder, Rose Marie Williams, MA writes a column for the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients on environmental issues. The organization has a video "Health Risks and the Environment" which is useful for any group or individual. "A candid discussion about how environmental risk factors affect health MORE than inherited genes, with suggestions about reducing toxic exposure in and around the home." (our emphasis) $20. (free postage in US) Check or money order accepted. Sales support this organization's mission "raising awareness about health risks associated with pesticides and other pollutants - encouraging use of safer practices - protecting public health." Cancer Awareness Coalition, PB Box 533, New Paltz, NY 12561 |
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