Nontoxic spring cleanup.
Nontoxic Spring Cleanup Many chemicals used in conventional household products pollute our indoor air. Below, some suggestions for a safer, greener spring. WHERE TOXINS HEALTH THREAT SOLUTIONS FOUND Conventional and Most are made from Ecover, Naturally Yours, antibacterial petroleum, a Seventh Generation dish detergents nonrenewable resource; laundry and dishwashing and hand soaps, fragrances may cause detergent; thorough disinfectant and irritation and trigger hand-washing with plain all-purpose allergic reactions; some soap and warm water; cleaners; laundry detergents contain Earth Power Herbal detergents, alkylphenol ethoxylates Disinfectant; AFM fabric softeners, (APES), suspected SafeChoice Super Clean; stain removers hormone disruptors. Vermont soap works or Antibacterial cleansers BioShield Cleaner. To promote growth of soften fabric, add 1/4 resistant bacteria cup of vinegar or baking soda to wash cycle; for stain removal, try soaking in water mixed with borax, lemon juice, or white vinegar Chlorine bleach Highly caustic in the Ecover or Seventh environment can create Generation organochlorines, fragrance-free suspected carcinogens non-chlorine bleach uses as well as reproductive sodium hypochlorite, toxins also healthier for water supplies (see p. 4). Pesticides such May cause harm to Use least toxic controls as Dursban/ nervous and hormonal such as boric acid (see chlorpyrifos, systems; may trigger p. 4); for specific (now banned), respiratory problems pests, see Product and diazinon and cause serious eye Reports at and skin irritation; thegreenguide.com. possible cancer risk Old paints May cause learning and Use paints with labeled (containing lead) behavioral problems; low or no VOC (volatile or high-VOC brain- and organic compounds) and paints nervous-system damage; natural paints made from respiratory problems. renewable raw materials SAFE DISPOSAL To safely dispose of pesticides or paint, call your local solid-waste agency or 800cleanup (cleanup.org), the National Pesticide Information Center at 800-858-7378, or the National Lead Information Center, 800-424-5323. Never pour unused product down any indoor or outdoor drain or put in your regular trash.
Personal Care
Phthalates
Used widely in fragrances, deodorants, nail polishes, hair produces and lotions.
Various members of this family of chemical plasticizers have been found to produce cancer of the liver and birch defects in lab animals.
Phthalates often "hide" behind the term "fragrance"; choose products labeled "fragrance-free" or that are scented exclusively with pure botanical or essential oils.
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| Title Annotation: | The Best Of The Green Guide |
|---|---|
| Author: | Matei, Andreea |
| Publication: | E |
| Geographic Code: | 1USA |
| Date: | Sep 1, 2003 |
| Words: | 370 |
| Previous Article: | Preventing harm. |
| Next Article: | New studies on children and pesticides. |
| Topics: | |