How to Create a Healthier Home
I want to share my knowledge of healthy homes, an interest and practice of mine for about 15 years.
www.ecobasichome.com
www.ecobasichome.com
New Table of Contents
- Mechanized Air Cleaning Devices
- What's in Your Tap Water? Try Home or Office Water Purification
- Water Purification Links
- Simple Steps for Creating a Healthier Home
- Oscar's Book Nook on eBay
- Books on Healthy Housing and Green Living
- Reader Feedback
- Products for Healthy Living
- Products for Holistic Living
- Short List of Some Common Chemicals in Household Products and Furnishings
- New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
- New YouTube vids
- The EPA'S List of Common Sources of Indoor Pollutants
- Mold and Your Health
Mechanized Air Cleaning Devices
Since most Americans spend the majority of their time indoors, good indoor air quality is increasingly more important for overall health. The air in your home or office can be a soup of chemicals, pollens, particles, and microbiological agents.There are three major approaches to improving indoor air quality as enumerated by the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency).
The EPA states:
"Solutions to air quality problems in apartments, as in homes and offices, involve such actions as: eliminating or controlling the sources of pollution, increasing ventilation, and installing air cleaning devices."
One Solution: Mechanized Air Cleaning Devices
Air cleaning devices, come in many forms, but one common type is medium efficiency air filter installed in a special housing on duct systems. These usually have an accordion appearance and are 80-90% efficient.
The other common type is the high efficiency (up to 99.9%) HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Accumulator) systems installed on dust systems or as stand alone units. HEPA systems on ducts usually require additional fans to push the air through them. Stand alone and portable units also generate sufficient air flow to filter the air. These can filter down to 0.3 microns.
There are also often adsorption filters that contain activated carbon to filter pollutants in the form of gases. The gas particles adhere to carbon as the air passes through the carbon filter.
Mechanized Air Cleaning Devices
- AllerAir on Low Price Galaxy
- AllerAir: high-quality mechanized air cleaning devices.
What's in Your Tap Water? Try Home or Office Water Purification
Municipalities across the country remove a majority of water contaminants, but there are still residual contaminants in the water. The disinfection process also adds chloramines and other byproducts. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates allowable levels of contaminants in drinking water. A list of contaminants and their possible adverse health effects is available on the EPA website.The EPA categorizes possible water contaminants into: microorganisms, disinfectants, disinfection byproducts, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, and radionuclides. There can also be turbidity from soil runoff and other nonregulated contaminants. Not mentioned on this list are possible contaminants, such as copper or lead, after municipal processing from local water pipes.
In reviewing the water quality report for my local city, for instance, I found small and permissible amounts of lead, copper, barium, nitrate, atrazine (herbicide), simazine (herbicide), and chloramines, among others. Even if the low levels present are acceptable by EPA standards, it is a personal choice as to whether one would prefer to ingest even lower levels of contaminants and also have better tasting water.
One solution is to add a whole house/office or individual faucet water purification system to remove the residual contaminants. Seagull, for example, offers water purification systems with a "structured matrix technology" that remove trace amounts of chemicals and any microbiological contaminants found in tap water and creates water quality that is as good as or better than bottled water. In fact, the structured matrix is also "certified to meet the EPA standard for microbiological 'purification'."
There is also the added benefit of having purified water for pennies per glass instead of the higher cost for bottled water.
www.ecobasichome.com
Water Purification Links
- EPA Water Contamininants List
- The EPA categorizes and lists water contaminants in drinking water. They also include possible health affects.
- Seagull Water Purification
- Purchase Seagull Water Purification systems and replacement cartridges.
Simple Steps for Creating a Healthier Home
How to live a healthy lifestyle for yourself and the planet
1. Use less-toxic cleaning products. There are many natural and less toxic cleaning products available in health food stores and general stores.2. Avoid pesticides and herbicides.
3. Select low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products for furniture, paints, finishes, and flooring materials. There are many low-VOC paints available, for instance, if you do some research. ICI is one of my favorites.
4. Use air filters to remove allergens--molds, pollens, chemicals, and dust.
5. Select smooth surfaces for easier cleaning and low emission--tile and wood versus carpeting, for example.
6. Make smart choices in gardening--what is on the outside can be tracked indoors or seep indoors. Use organic gardening techniques rather than chemical treatments to lawns and gardens.
Oscar's Book Nook on eBay
Books and gifts from Oscar's Book Nook.
Books on Healthy Housing and Green Living
Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home by Linda Mason Hunter
A great book for cleaning your home.1 point
Clean and Green: The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping by Annie Berthold-Bond
Great book that I use all the time!1 point
Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style by Christie Matheson
This is a very good introduction to green living in more...1 point
Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe & Healthy, Non-Toxic Cleaning by Jeffrey Hollender, Geoff Davis, Meika Hollender
Compelling evidence links the chemicals in household more...1 point
Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck
Want a low-maintenance bathroom that takes 30 seconds more...1 point
Reader Feedback
-
-
ngl Feb 14, 2009 @ 9:40 am | delete
- Nice lens, good info about the air we breathe and the water we drink. And I agree with grassosalvator86 about the water bottles - such a waste of money. Not to mention all the plastic...I will favorite your lens!
-
-
-
familychristianmedia Oct 30, 2008 @ 8:58 pm | delete
- Great lens, 5 stars all the way. We saw you on the Ebay store board. Please rate our lens if you have time. Have a blessed day.
-
-
-
Tiddledeewinks Aug 1, 2008 @ 2:31 am | delete
- I'm all for healthy anything!
-
-
-
TIBETARTS
Jul 9, 2008 @ 2:02 am | delete
- I like your Idea for make healthy home.
thanks good lens
-
-
-
Lakota429
Jun 24, 2008 @ 7:04 am | delete
- Great lens! Saw you on the board! 5 stars. Annie~
-
- Load More
Products for Healthy Living
- Gaiam
- Assortment of products for holistic living--bedding, furniture, cleaning products,yoga, and more.
- Low Price Galaxy
- Offers thousands of products, including some environmental items--Aller Air, Seagull, Body Soul Elements, and Legare Furniture with eco-friendly plywood.
- The American Envionmental Health Foundation
- Environmentally safe products for the home or office. Ideal for people who are environmentally aware or chemically sensitive.
- AFM Safecoat
- The manufacturer of many zero VOC products, from paints to floor finishes.
Products for Holistic Living
- Seagull IV Undersink Water Purifier
- High-quality water purification system with stainless steel housing.
- Soy Candle Jar Apple Pie
- Soy wax is a wonderful wax for candle making. It is made from soy beans grown by American farmers and makes a long burning, beautiful scented candle. Soy candles burn long, and cleaner and give off a great scent. Soy candles are a lead-free alternative to paraffin wax.
- Body and Soul Elements Jojoba Moisturing Lotion
- This wonderful lotion has added jojoba oil for extra silkiness and moisture. This 8 ounce size comes to you with a nice pump top. This lotion is creamy and smooth without being greasy
- AllerAir 4000 Executive Air Purifier
- Filter out allergens and chemicals with this compact and quiet air purifier. This air purifier is portable and perfect for indoor residential or office use. It has a quiet fan and has a low-maintenance cost. The unit purifies up to 1200 square feet.
- Legare Signature Furniture 31" Peninsula
- The Legare SelectTM line includes a complete range of home office and media furniture in beautiful ash and rift-sawn-oak wood veneers, and kid's items in multi-color painted finishes.
Patented tool-free assembly, incredibly strong tab & slot design, and many other forward- thinking user features, are just a few of the innovations you'll find in every piece of Legare SelectTM furniture.
Eco-Friendly Plywood Furniture - Legare Signature Furniture 36" Kids Multi-Pack Desk Hutch
- Our compact 36" Kids Desk fits in the smallest of spaces, yet provides highly functional vertical storage. It comes complete with a 36" Straight Desk and matching 36" Hutch, offering plenty of storage for a kids' room, college dorm room and small home office. Available in our new wheat oak & ebony ash wood veneers or cotton white painted finishes.
Features:
Small 36" x 27" footprint with extremely functional vertical storage
Cable pass-thrus eliminate clutter
Configurations can accommodate desktop or laptop computers
Simple 3 minute tool-free assembly
The Legare SelectTM line includes a complete range of home office and media furniture in beautiful ash and rift-sawn-oak wood veneers, and kid's items in multi-color painted finishes.
Patented tool-free assembly, incredibly strong tab & slot design, and many other forward- thinking user features, are just a few of the innovations you'll find in every piece of Legare SelectTM furniture.
Eco-Friendly Plywood Furniture.
Short List of Some Common Chemicals in Household Products and Furnishings
Found in Adhesives, Paints, Plastics, Cleaning Solutions, Dry Cleaning, Waxes, and Polishes
1. Formaldehyde and other aldehydes2. Ammonia
3. Acetone
4. Toluene
5. Benzene
6. Xylene
7. Ketones
8. Ethers
9. Phenols
New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
New YouTube vids
The EPA'S List of Common Sources of Indoor Pollutants
-
Combustion Sources
Tobacco Products
Building Materials
Mold and Your Health
From personal experience, I believe many people do not often understand the potential health effects of mold. Not only can mold cause allergic reactions in many individuals, but also the mytoxins produced by mold can cause immune system dysfunction and serious neurological problems.
There have been many recent cases of sick buildings with "black mold" as well as other types of mold that thrive on wet drywall and other materials.
Severe mold contamination may require a mold remediation company to clean up the property and remove mold. In some cases, the property may be uninhabitable.
On a daily basis, however, there are some basic steps to avoid mold in your home:
1. Immediately address any leaks, no matter how small, in your roof, bathrooms, kitchens, or any other part of the home. Replace any drywall or wood that shows signs of mold.
2. If you have a central ventilation system, have the vents cleaned periodically (I have them cleaned about every 3 years) to remove any mold-spores as well as dust and particulate build-up.
3. In humid climates, use a dehumidifier, especially in basements.
4. Use vents in bathrooms or other areas where there is regular moisture.
5. Use bathroom squeegees after each shower to remove excess water from the shower stall to prevent mildew.
6. Make sure water drains away from the house at least several feet during rainstorms. A properly installed gutter system will help prevent standing water from accumulating around the foundation.
7. Opt for smooth floor surfaces, such as tile, rather than carpeting that can accumulate mold spores.
8. Use HEPA air filters in your home.
www.ecobasichome.com
There have been many recent cases of sick buildings with "black mold" as well as other types of mold that thrive on wet drywall and other materials.
Severe mold contamination may require a mold remediation company to clean up the property and remove mold. In some cases, the property may be uninhabitable.
On a daily basis, however, there are some basic steps to avoid mold in your home:
1. Immediately address any leaks, no matter how small, in your roof, bathrooms, kitchens, or any other part of the home. Replace any drywall or wood that shows signs of mold.
2. If you have a central ventilation system, have the vents cleaned periodically (I have them cleaned about every 3 years) to remove any mold-spores as well as dust and particulate build-up.
3. In humid climates, use a dehumidifier, especially in basements.
4. Use vents in bathrooms or other areas where there is regular moisture.
5. Use bathroom squeegees after each shower to remove excess water from the shower stall to prevent mildew.
6. Make sure water drains away from the house at least several feet during rainstorms. A properly installed gutter system will help prevent standing water from accumulating around the foundation.
7. Opt for smooth floor surfaces, such as tile, rather than carpeting that can accumulate mold spores.
8. Use HEPA air filters in your home.
www.ecobasichome.com
by ecovicki
I have been practicing healthier living for about 15 years. I would like to share my experiences in creating my healthy home.
www.ecobasichome.com
more »
- 0 featured lenses
- Winner of 2 trophies!
- Top lens »
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- How to Use Leftover Soap Pieces and Scraps How to Use Leftover Soap Pieces and Scraps
- Container Vegetable Gardening Container Vegetable Gardening
- 100% Organic Non-Toxic Pest Control - Earth Safe - Family Safe - Pet Safe 100% Organic Non-Toxic Pest Control - Earth Safe - Family Safe - Pet Safe
- 10 reason why I compost 10 reason why I compost
- Worm Farm Composting - Making Organic Compost Worm Farm Composting - Making Organic Compost
- Aleppo all natural soap Aleppo all natural soap













