Greening Your Home
To improve the health of the planet, the best place to start may be at home.
The highest exposure to air pollution and toxins may be in your own house. Much of this exposure can be prevented with a few simple changes.
One of the easiest places to start is with home cleaning products. Make sure the products you use are made with natural ingredients. Or make your own – the combination of white vinegar and baking soda makes a good drain cleaner. Vinegar also can be used to clean windows.
Be careful with the paint you buy and how you use it. Many paints have a high concentration of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Dangerous effects of VOC off-gassing include a variety of health problems and can contribute to ozone formation. To reduce health risk and ozone, use paints that are low in VOCS.
Take care in handling and storing all pool-related chemicals. Keep them outside and in a well ventilated storage space. Better yet, look into a non-chemical based sanitizing system.
And make sure your air conditioning system has an effective air filter to control mold, allergens, and ultra-fine particles in the air. In addition, these air filters work to keep the rest of the air conditioning unit clean. Make sure to use to the proper filter for the unit and inspect the filter for replacement once a month.
These simple changes can go a long way toward a healthier environment
for you and your family, and you’ll be reducing your impact on the
planet.