How Toxic Is Your Home?

We like to think of our homes as being a safe place to be--a refuge from a dangerous world. Yet some of the exposures that you have day-to-day that are most hazardous to your health and the health of your family happen right at home.

The good news is that for every toxic product you'll find in your home, there is a safer alternative. You just need to know where to look for those toxic exposures and what safe solutions are available.

Here are ten common toxic exposures most Americans have in their homes, and some simple, inexpensive things everyone can do to reduce household toxics.

1. Save yourself from exposure to toxic ammonia by washing your windows with vinegar and water. Ammonia can cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and burn your skin. Instead, mix distilled white or apple cider vinegar half-and-half with water in a spray bottle. Squirt on windows and wipe with recycled newspapers for a streak-free super shine.

2. Free yourself from toxic formaldehyde exposure by sleeping on untreated cotton sheets. Formaldehyde exposure can cause insomnia-yes, insomnia-and respiratory problems, among other symptoms. Bypass formaldehyde-coated polyester/cotton sheets and no-iron cotton sheets and choose cozy cotton flannel sheets or untreated cotton percale sheets, both available at major department stores and online.

3. Put up a detector to protect your family from carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide starves the body and brain of oxygen and can be fatal. First symptoms include sleepiness, headache, dizziness, flushed skin, and disorientation. All homes with gas appliances or heaters should install carbon monoxide detectors, available in most hardware and home improvement stores or on-line.

4. Replace toxic mothballs with sweet sachets. Mothballs are made from 100 percent paradichlorobenzene, a volatile toxic chemical that can cause headaches and severe irritation to nose, throat and lungs. Over time it can cause liver and kidney damage. Because the balls look like candy, they are a very attractive poison to children. Protect your woolens from moths by making sachets from dried lavender, equal parts dried rosemary and mint, or whole peppercorns. Cedar products are also effective moth repellants.

5. Use soap-based cleaning products instead of poisonous detergent. While detergents seem safe, they are a petrochemical-based product that is responsible for more household poisonings than any other substance. Soap, on the other hand, is made from natural oils and minerals and has been safely used for centuries. Natural and organic soap-based products can be found in natural food stores and online.

6. Refill your own non-plastic water bottle instead of using toxic plastic water bottles. While it's good for your health to carry your own water and drink it throughout the day, if it's in a clear polycarbonate plastic bottle, it is leaching a toxic substance into your water--even if the bottle is sitting on table at room temperature. Bisphenol-A. BPA is a potent hormone disruptor that can impair the reproductive organs and have adverse effects on breast tissue and prostate development. Drink from a glass bottle or carry an aluminum or steel bottle, available online.

7. Avoid toxic pesticides by making dinner using fresh, organically-grown produce. Most food sold in supermarkets are sprayed heavily with pesticides, many of which cause cancer. Find out where to buy pesticide-free organically grown food in your community, go there and purchase what looks good and is in season. One taste and you'll go back for more. A great variety of organically-grown food can also be ordered on-line.

8. Wash away petrochemical perfumes and take a botanical bath. Many commercial bath products contain detergents and artificial fragrances that can be irritating to sensitive areas. You can have a luxurious relaxing bath by adding natural substances to warm bathwater, such as fragrant dried or fresh herbs (try lavender, rosemary, or peppermint), a quart of buttermilk, or 1 cup Epsom salts. For bubbles, use a natural or organic soap, available in natural food stores and online.

9. Get some color in your life without toxic solvents by choosing colorful water-based pens and markers. Check through your pens and markers and throw away any with "permanent" ink. They contain very toxic volatile solvents such as toluene and xylene. Every office discount warehouse and art supply store I have been to carries water-based pens and markers in every size and color.

10. Clear the air with a couple of houseplants. In addition to being beautiful to look at, houseplants also freshen the air by absorbing the carbon dioxide we exhale and releasing the oxygen that is vital for us to breathe. Some plants, such as the popular spider plant, also remove some air pollutants.

To learn more about toxic products hidden in your home and safer alternatives, buy and read Home Safe Home: Creating a Healthy Home Environment by Reducing Exposure to Toxic Household Products (http://www.dld123.com/homesafehome.html). To find nontoxic products online, visit Debra's List at http://www.debraslist.com.

Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a leading consumer advocate for products and lifestyle choices that are better for health and the environment since 1982. Visit her website to learn more about her new book Home Safe Home, to sign up for her free email newsletters, and to browse 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural and earthwise products. http://www.dld123.com

---

How Do You Get Hemorrhoids?

A lot of people don't even know they have hemorrhoids.... Read More

Reiki

REIKI is a form of natural healing through direct application... Read More

Spring Cleaning with Nontoxic Cleaners

Spring cleaning goes beyond normal everyday cleaning. It's a major... Read More

Cleansing Your Elimination Organs to Achieve Good Health

Benefits of Cleansing Your Elimination Organs Colon cleansing, kidney cleansing,... Read More

Ive Given Away Control of My Life To Doctors?and Now I Want It Back.

But How Realistic Is It For You To Start Managing... Read More

Oral Chelation ? What Can It Do For You? (Part 2)

Intravenous chelation therapy was more popular than oral chelation initially.... Read More

Constipation Relief With Fruits Part III

Here's another group of fruits that you can use to... Read More

Smoking?Quit with Whispers and Acupuncture

Do you want to stop smoking badly enough to try?... Read More

Some Tips on Stopping Smoking

Are you looking for tips on stopping smoking? And would... Read More

What are the Best Roles for Western and Alternative Medicine?

I think it's very confusing for patients to decide what... Read More

New Age Torture

I'll admit it ... I'm a spiritual tramp. I've spent... Read More

Mercury Detoxification

An interesting area of alternative medicine that is advancing rapidly... Read More

Plantar Warts Treatment - Is There A Natural Medication Which Gets Rid Of Plantar Warts?

Plantar Warts are growths which occur on the bottom of... Read More

Achieve Instant Calm

For instant calm, try one or more of the following... Read More

Jesus Diet - Lifestyle Changes That Will Boost Your Energy

Drawing on the inspiration of loaves, fish, and wine, a... Read More

The Aromatherapy Home Medicine Chest ? Part I: The Essential Oils

Here we will have a brief look at ten essential... Read More

Healing the Body & Mind ? The Karma of Health

Within each one of us resides the divine healer. All... Read More

Taking Control of Your Health & Well-being

Taking Control of Your Health & Well-being ... Read More

ReFidolize: The Majic Missy Mix Includes Medicinal Mushrooms

Autoimmune disorders, lupus, Sjogrens, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia... Read More

Some Alternative Health Strategies

CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies are generally classified into... Read More

Relaxation

We talk a lot about stress in our society, but... Read More

Iridology: A Natural Health 101 Article

What It IsIridology is the art of discovering weaknesses in... Read More

Reduce Asthma And Breathe Free

Asthma can be a serous and often frightening condition that... Read More

Food Combining for Indigestion

I'd like to share with you some basic food combining... Read More

Constipation: the Fast, Easy Answer to Something No One Talks About

Everyone jokes about constipation, but it's no joke if you're... Read More

What are Some Benefits For Quitting Smoking?

There are immediate benefits for quitting smoking. Within eight hours... Read More

When Your Emotions Become Like Ticking Bombs & Cause Disease

So, where does disease come from? How does it get... Read More

Alternative Health Care is Under Attack by a Hidden Standard - The Unfortunate Case of Dr. Shortt

A recent case in the news highlights an alarming trend... Read More

Holistic Health

Holistic Health involves natural treatment options like holistic health nutrition,... Read More

Aromatherapy ? Part III: Esoteric & Spiritual applications

The Way Essential Oils Effect the Etheric Body or Psycho-spiritual... Read More

Foot Reflexology and Detoxification

Do you know why the rich and famous spend thousands... Read More

How to Use Herbal Salves & Ointments to Shrink Your Hemorrhoids

Comfrey Herbal SalveHere is an herbal combination that contains herbs... Read More

Which to Use When: Ice or Heat?

Knee pain after running? Wake up with a backache? Twist... Read More