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Environmentally Safe Homes - ProductsWe talked briefly about the hazards of many household products in the section on waste. It's important to understand which of these products can be dangerous and to understand what effect we have on our own environment when we use them. Cleaning Products Many of the household cleaners we use everyday contain dangerous chemicals. If they are not disposed of correctly they can cause environmental damage. If they are not stored correctly, they can directly effect you and your family. Improper use or storage of chemical cleaning agents can cause cancer, birth defects, severe irritation and even death. It is important to store these items in an area where children cannot reach them. Ultimately, it's better to use an alternative. Natural alternatives are available for almost all of the household chemicals we use today, and many of them are even superior. For example, natural scents like boiling cinnamon can replace artificial air fresheners. Non-chlorine bleach can be purchased at most stores today, or white vinegar, baking soda and borax can be used in its place. New detergents are being made without phosphates or other harmful chemicals. You should seek out these natural alternatives before using harmful chemicals around your home. The results will be a more pleasant and safe home for you and your family. Personal Hygiene Its easy to forget that hair spray, deodorant, perfume and even mouthwash can contain harmful chemicals. We don't recommend that you stop bathing of course, but there are some items you need to look out for when shopping. Many antiperspirants contain aluminum chlorohydrate. This can irritate the skin and even cause infection in affected areas. It is also not yet know if this may be absorbed through the skin. Aluminum in the human body has been linked to a number of brain disorders. Lipstick may contain types of plastic and shampoo and mascara may contain formaldehyde. Hairspray can also contain formaldehyde in addition to it's artificial colors and scents. Prolonged use of hairspray has been linked to thesaurosis - an incurable disease that affects the lymph nodes, lungs and blood cells. Even your toothpaste and mouthwash may contain harmful chemicals such as ethanol and formaldehyde. Natural alternatives are available for all of these items in specialized stores. Simply reading the ingredients list allows you to make a more informed decision about which products to use. Arts and Crafts The popularity of arts and crafts has increased dramatically over the last forty years. With this surge in demand have come a variety of products to aid the hobbyist. Unfortunately, some of these products contain harmful chemicals that may damage your body if not properly used. When working with substances like adhesives, paints and lacquer, it's important to read the warning labels these products carry and use them properly. A well ventilated area is a good place to practice arts and crafts, and when necessary, breathing equipment should be used. Paints and Solvents Many of us already know that paint and solvents can be harmful to our bodies. You've probably seen them mentioned in this section of our Web site more than once. The problem is caused by the fact that these items are designed with chemicals that evaporate easily. This is what gives them the ability to dry quickly, but it's also what makes them dangerous. These chemicals can cause severe irritation to the respiratory tract and eyes. In addition, they may be absorbed into the blood stream causing severe problems. In the environment they do not break down easily, and may impact organic systems. For your own safety, respiratory protection should be used whenever paint or solvents are being used. This is especially true if a spray gun or aerosol bottle is being used to deliver the paint since this vaporizes the chemicals almost immediately. For the environment's sake, we should always remember to take these items to the proper disposal centers. |
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