Healthy Home Tips Healthy Home Tips for Everyone & Every for Everyone & Every SpaceSpace

DeAnna RadajDeAnna Radaj

Bante Design & 3E ProductsBante Design & 3E Products

www.bantedesign.comwww.bantedesign.com

““Our modern world is Our modern world is making us sick. Every day making us sick. Every day we are exposed to we are exposed to thousands of dangerous thousands of dangerous chemicals in the air of our chemicals in the air of our homes, schools and homes, schools and workplaces.”workplaces.” Dr Sherry Rogers from Are Chemicals Making Dr Sherry Rogers from Are Chemicals Making Me Sick?Me Sick?

Is Your Space Making You Is Your Space Making You Sick?Sick? Symptoms: nausea, Symptoms: nausea,

dizziness, migraine, dizziness, migraine, sleeplessness, upper sleeplessness, upper respiratory illness, heart respiratory illness, heart palpitation, memory loss, palpitation, memory loss, depression, aching depression, aching joints/muscles, rashes, joints/muscles, rashes, hives and chronic fatiguehives and chronic fatigue

Sick Building SyndromeSick Building Syndrome

Causes: formaldehyde, Causes: formaldehyde, PVCs, VOCs, PVCs, VOCs, dust,pesticides/fertilizers, dust,pesticides/fertilizers, lack of ventilation, mold, lack of ventilation, mold, household cleaners, dirty household cleaners, dirty air filters, radon, your dry air filters, radon, your dry cleaning and PBDEs.cleaning and PBDEs.

Who does Sick Building Who does Sick Building Syndrome Affect?Syndrome Affect?

Your children-Your children-especially babies!especially babies!

Your petsYour pets The elderlyThe elderly Your guestsYour guests YouYou

Where toxins exist in Where toxins exist in your home…your home…

Your flooring & wall-coveringsYour flooring & wall-coverings Your furniture & cabinetsYour furniture & cabinets Your cosmetics, bath & body productsYour cosmetics, bath & body products Your basementYour basement Your household cleanersYour household cleaners Your lawn & gardenYour lawn & garden Your garageYour garage

Healthy Home FactsHealthy Home Facts You breathe approximately 2 tablespoons of assorted You breathe approximately 2 tablespoons of assorted

chemicals every daychemicals every day You ingest chemicals from your food, water, furniture You ingest chemicals from your food, water, furniture

and environmentand environment Of the 70,000+ chemicals in daily use fewer than 2% Of the 70,000+ chemicals in daily use fewer than 2%

have been thoroughly tested for health effects.have been thoroughly tested for health effects. 600 new chemicals enter the market yearly w/ 5-10% 600 new chemicals enter the market yearly w/ 5-10%

of all chemicals in production being carcinogensof all chemicals in production being carcinogens The new “car”, “carpet”, “paint” smell is actually toxins The new “car”, “carpet”, “paint” smell is actually toxins

off-gassing into the airoff-gassing into the air Indoor air pollution can be up to 5x higher than Indoor air pollution can be up to 5x higher than

outdoors according to EPA.outdoors according to EPA.

Flooring & Wall-coveringsFlooring & Wall-coverings

Can emit (off-gas) Can emit (off-gas) VOC-volatile organic VOC-volatile organic compounds-into the compounds-into the airair

Traps dust/dirt/moldTraps dust/dirt/mold

How to Avoid….How to Avoid…. Choose hard flooring options (tile, hardwood, Choose hard flooring options (tile, hardwood,

marble, ceramic, rubber, cork)marble, ceramic, rubber, cork) Choose WOOL carpeting which is naturally flame Choose WOOL carpeting which is naturally flame

resistantresistant Choose no VOC paintChoose no VOC paint Choose rubber backing and/or padding for carpetChoose rubber backing and/or padding for carpet Choose recycled options for flooring (i.e.. Flooring Choose recycled options for flooring (i.e.. Flooring

made of recycled plastic bottles or recycled made of recycled plastic bottles or recycled carpet)carpet)

Ask manufacturer what their reclamation Ask manufacturer what their reclamation procedures are (i.e.. FLOR recycles ALL of their procedures are (i.e.. FLOR recycles ALL of their returned floor tiles!)returned floor tiles!)

If you MUST have wall-to-If you MUST have wall-to-wall carpeting…wall carpeting…

VACUMN weekly, daily if have pets and/or kidsVACUMN weekly, daily if have pets and/or kids Ventilate your home for at least 48 hours after Ventilate your home for at least 48 hours after

installing carpeting. You can also ask retailer installing carpeting. You can also ask retailer to unroll carpet in warehouse prior to to unroll carpet in warehouse prior to installation.installation.

Ask vendor about their recycling efforts w/used Ask vendor about their recycling efforts w/used carpeting (discarded carpet & padding 2carpeting (discarded carpet & padding 2ndnd only only to diapers in landfills).to diapers in landfills).

Furniture & CabinetryFurniture & Cabinetry Flame-retardant chemicals (PBDEs-Flame-retardant chemicals (PBDEs-

polybrominated diphenylethers) added to polybrominated diphenylethers) added to polyurethane foam released EVERY time you sit polyurethane foam released EVERY time you sit down!down!

PBDEs are found in the air (dust), soil and PBDEs are found in the air (dust), soil and sediment and linger indefinitely. sediment and linger indefinitely.

US has highest levels in the world (10-100x that US has highest levels in the world (10-100x that of Europe). of Europe).

The EU has banned (8/2004) and slowly being The EU has banned (8/2004) and slowly being phased out in US, PENTA, DECA and OCTA.phased out in US, PENTA, DECA and OCTA.

Continued……Continued…… Penta is found in the polyurethane foam in Penta is found in the polyurethane foam in

furniture, carpet padding and mattresses.furniture, carpet padding and mattresses. Octa is found in the plastics for computers, and Octa is found in the plastics for computers, and

small appliances.small appliances. Deca is found in the housings of TVs, stereos Deca is found in the housings of TVs, stereos

and other electronics, and in the backings for and other electronics, and in the backings for upholstery & curtains. upholstery & curtains.

Deca accounts for most of the PBDE market.Deca accounts for most of the PBDE market.

MDFs in CabinetryMDFs in Cabinetry

MDF is manufactured MDF is manufactured high density fiber board high density fiber board used in most used in most construction construction projects/cabinetry. projects/cabinetry.

Formaldehyde is used in Formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing the manufacturing process and off-gasses process and off-gasses into the environment into the environment (Katrina cough)(Katrina cough)

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

It is a carcinogen, meaning It is a carcinogen, meaning “causes cancer,” and an allergen “causes cancer,” and an allergen that can cause a myriad of that can cause a myriad of illnesses.illnesses.

Many doctors misdiagnose these Many doctors misdiagnose these illnesses as illnesses as depression/stress/anxiety.depression/stress/anxiety.

Used in: manufacturing fertilizers, Used in: manufacturing fertilizers, dyes, embalming fluid, dyes, embalming fluid, preservatives, disinfectants.preservatives, disinfectants.

Also goes by name Quaternium-Also goes by name Quaternium-15.15.

1 in 5 people are sensitive.1 in 5 people are sensitive.

More on formaldehyde…More on formaldehyde…

Used in clothing/textile industry to Used in clothing/textile industry to prevent wrinkles, running and prevent wrinkles, running and permanent press.permanent press.

Nail polishes and hardeners use for Nail polishes and hardeners use for gloss and adhesion. Released into air gloss and adhesion. Released into air when drying.when drying.

Also found in: hair spray, cosmetics, Also found in: hair spray, cosmetics, cleaning products, waxes, air cleaning products, waxes, air fresheners, toothpaste, spray starch, fresheners, toothpaste, spray starch, adhesives, glues, paper products, adhesives, glues, paper products, printing/etching materials and printing/etching materials and antiperspirants.antiperspirants.

So do you need to sit on So do you need to sit on tree stumps?tree stumps?

Buy furniture & Buy furniture & electronics from electronics from companies that have companies that have reduced of eliminated reduced of eliminated the use of PBDEs (ex: the use of PBDEs (ex: Apple, Canon, Dell, IBM, Apple, Canon, Dell, IBM, Intel, Panasonic & Volvo Intel, Panasonic & Volvo to name a few).to name a few).

ASK the retailers & ASK the retailers & manufacturers which manufacturers which types of flame retardants types of flame retardants are in their products.are in their products.

When shopping for a When shopping for a mattress, consider wool mattress, consider wool filling, which is naturally filling, which is naturally flame resistant! (ex: ).flame resistant! (ex: ).

Natural latex foamNatural latex foam Buy from: Crate & Buy from: Crate &

Barrel, Bob Timberlake, Barrel, Bob Timberlake, Jonathan Adler, Jonathan Adler, Lexington Upholstery, Lexington Upholstery, Liz Claiborne Home, Liz Claiborne Home, Rowe, Waverly, Woolrich Rowe, Waverly, Woolrich and IKEAand IKEA

Upholstery & TextilesUpholstery & Textiles

Look for organic Look for organic cotton, hemp, cotton, hemp, recycled plastic recycled plastic bottlesbottles

Organic cotton vs. Organic cotton vs. Conventional cottonConventional cotton

Benefits: The yield is high & the Benefits: The yield is high & the quality of the cotton grown is equal quality of the cotton grown is equal to or better than conventional. to or better than conventional.

No pesticides in growing or storage No pesticides in growing or storage (sprayed many times while waiting (sprayed many times while waiting transport).transport).

It gets softer as you wash it.It gets softer as you wash it. Organic growing methods support Organic growing methods support

biodiversity & healthy eco-systems. biodiversity & healthy eco-systems. Improves soil conditions, uses less Improves soil conditions, uses less h2O, no ground water pollution.h2O, no ground water pollution.

Environmental Impact of Environmental Impact of conventional cotton: 25% of conventional cotton: 25% of the WORLD’s insecticides are the WORLD’s insecticides are used on CC-one of the most used on CC-one of the most heavily chemically sprayed heavily chemically sprayed crops in the world!crops in the world!

Is the leading emitter of VOC Is the leading emitter of VOC emissions from pesticides.emissions from pesticides.

No synthetic petroleum-based No synthetic petroleum-based fibers or formaldehyde used fibers or formaldehyde used for preservatives or sizing for preservatives or sizing agents (i.e.. Wrinkle resistant, agents (i.e.. Wrinkle resistant, permanent press or stain permanent press or stain resistant).resistant).

Is NATURAL cotton OK?Is NATURAL cotton OK?

No, natural cotton is unbleached, No, natural cotton is unbleached, untreated, un-dyed and formaldehyde-untreated, un-dyed and formaldehyde-free BUT not grown by certified organic free BUT not grown by certified organic standards. So, natural cotton can still standards. So, natural cotton can still come from a heavily sprayed crop during come from a heavily sprayed crop during cultivation.cultivation.

While this is not the best option, it is While this is not the best option, it is better than conventionally grown cotton.better than conventionally grown cotton.

Available at Bed, Bath & Beyond!Available at Bed, Bath & Beyond!

Why DUST?Why DUST?

Dust is full of chemicals-Dust is full of chemicals-PBDEs, Phthalates PBDEs, Phthalates (plasticizers called found (plasticizers called found in nail polish & hair in nail polish & hair spray), alkylphenols spray), alkylphenols (paint & household (paint & household cleaners), perfluorinated cleaners), perfluorinated surfactants (floor surfactants (floor polishes) and pesticidespolishes) and pesticides

Can cause allergies, Can cause allergies, asthma, harm your asthma, harm your cardiovascular, nervous cardiovascular, nervous & reproductive system, & reproductive system, and lead to some and lead to some cancers in studies.cancers in studies.

From: computers, From: computers, shower curtains and wall shower curtains and wall paper emit chemicals paper emit chemicals that settle into dust.that settle into dust.

How to keep Dust at a How to keep Dust at a minimumminimum

Replace soft flooring (carpet) with Replace soft flooring (carpet) with hard options (bamboo/tile/stone)hard options (bamboo/tile/stone)

Same w/window treatments. Soft: Same w/window treatments. Soft: heavily textured drapes/curtains heavily textured drapes/curtains and blinds. Hard: flat-weave cotton and blinds. Hard: flat-weave cotton and linen fabric.and linen fabric.

Put “collectibles” behind glassPut “collectibles” behind glass Clean air duct system yearlyClean air duct system yearly Use allergy-control covers on Use allergy-control covers on

beddingbedding

Cosmetics, Bath & BodyCosmetics, Bath & Body Most cosmetics are Most cosmetics are

petroleum based. Look for petroleum based. Look for “mineral based” cosmetics.“mineral based” cosmetics.

Many major cosmetic lines Many major cosmetic lines have a “natural” or “mineral” have a “natural” or “mineral” line.line.

Be able to pronounce all Be able to pronounce all ingredients.ingredients.

Your BasementYour Basement Unfinished basements are MORE toxic than finished Unfinished basements are MORE toxic than finished

basements-even if you don’t utilize the space. The basements-even if you don’t utilize the space. The basement is your home’s foundation-keep it safe & basement is your home’s foundation-keep it safe & healthy.healthy.

Control water leaks and water entry. Make sure Control water leaks and water entry. Make sure gutters/drain spouts direct water away from house.gutters/drain spouts direct water away from house.

Control mold-as it can continue to grow due to humidity Control mold-as it can continue to grow due to humidity and condensation found in most basements.and condensation found in most basements.

Make sure pipes and walls are properly insulated to Make sure pipes and walls are properly insulated to reduce condensation, keep warm in winter months to reduce condensation, keep warm in winter months to reduce toxin development, inspect basement yearly and reduce toxin development, inspect basement yearly and address any concerns ASAP. Use moisture resistant address any concerns ASAP. Use moisture resistant gypsum panels-rebuffs moisture/mold, plus offer fire gypsum panels-rebuffs moisture/mold, plus offer fire protection.protection.

Mold & Mildew-yuck….Mold & Mildew-yuck…. Occurs in damp areas Occurs in damp areas

(kitchen, bathroom, (kitchen, bathroom, basement) and enter through basement) and enter through windows, doors or on shoes windows, doors or on shoes or pets!or pets!

Inhaling the spores can Inhaling the spores can cause: allergic reaction cause: allergic reaction (think its hay fever or (think its hay fever or asthma).asthma).

Some SIDS studies show a Some SIDS studies show a link w/mold build-up in crib link w/mold build-up in crib mattress which generates a mattress which generates a toxic gas.toxic gas.

Control moisture, use an Control moisture, use an exhaust fan quickly exhaust fan quickly repair any leaks and repair any leaks and scour sinks & tubs as scour sinks & tubs as fungi thrive on soap film.fungi thrive on soap film.

No carpeting in the No carpeting in the bathroom!bathroom!

Clean garbage pails Clean garbage pails frequently.frequently.

Clean refrigerator door Clean refrigerator door gaskets and drip pans.gaskets and drip pans.

Visit Visit www.aafa.orgwww.aafa.org for for more info.more info.

Household CleanersHousehold Cleaners

Household cleaners are the 3Household cleaners are the 3rdrd biggest indoor polluter. biggest indoor polluter. Aromatic Hydrocarbons are carcinogens and found in Aromatic Hydrocarbons are carcinogens and found in

degreaser, deodorizers and pesticides.degreaser, deodorizers and pesticides. Petrochemicals are derived from petroleum (and rise in Petrochemicals are derived from petroleum (and rise in

price according to gas prices!) and found in floor price according to gas prices!) and found in floor waxes, polishes and all-purpose cleaners. Look for waxes, polishes and all-purpose cleaners. Look for Petroleum Distillate, Naphtha and Naphthalene on Petroleum Distillate, Naphtha and Naphthalene on label.label.

Chlorinated Compounds are derived from chlorine and Chlorinated Compounds are derived from chlorine and highly toxic. Found in dry-cleaning solvents, pesticides highly toxic. Found in dry-cleaning solvents, pesticides and tub & tile cleaners.and tub & tile cleaners.

Your Lawn & GardenYour Lawn & Garden Pesticides include herbicides and weed killers, and use Pesticides include herbicides and weed killers, and use

is estimated at a 1.25 billion pounds/year.is estimated at a 1.25 billion pounds/year. Implicated in various cancers in ppl and pets, Implicated in various cancers in ppl and pets,

reproductive disorders & Parkinson’s disease. Ringing reproductive disorders & Parkinson’s disease. Ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, seizures and cramps are in the ears, nausea, vomiting, seizures and cramps are other illnesses that can occur. (i.e.. Erin Brokovich other illnesses that can occur. (i.e.. Erin Brokovich movie).movie).

Pesticides by their very nature are designed to kill Pesticides by their very nature are designed to kill things. Has origins from WWII chemical warfare to things. Has origins from WWII chemical warfare to attack nerve tissue.attack nerve tissue.

Can degrade soil groundwater, kill good organisms, Can degrade soil groundwater, kill good organisms, poison wildlife, create long-term dioxin residues and poison wildlife, create long-term dioxin residues and leave poisonous breakdown products in your soil.leave poisonous breakdown products in your soil.

Options for a GREEN lawnOptions for a GREEN lawn Give up the obsession for an emerald green lawn.Give up the obsession for an emerald green lawn. Set mower blade to height of 2 ½-3 inches. Mow Set mower blade to height of 2 ½-3 inches. Mow

regularly. If too short it causes stress, discourages regularly. If too short it causes stress, discourages deep root growth and rapid loss of soil moisture.deep root growth and rapid loss of soil moisture.

Don’t rake up clippings, let them decompose in Don’t rake up clippings, let them decompose in place and return nutrients back into soil (grass place and return nutrients back into soil (grass cycling). Grass cycling provides about 2 lbs cycling). Grass cycling provides about 2 lbs ofnitrogen/1000 sq ft of lawn/yr.ofnitrogen/1000 sq ft of lawn/yr.

Diverse landscape contains many wildlife and plant Diverse landscape contains many wildlife and plant species that is less prone to large scale species that is less prone to large scale devastation from pests and disease.devastation from pests and disease.

Your GarageYour Garage

Did you know that Did you know that your car emits odors your car emits odors when it’s cooling when it’s cooling down and starting down and starting up?up?

If your car leaks If your car leaks anything, it’s emitting anything, it’s emitting odors all of the time. odors all of the time. If there is a leak-fix it!If there is a leak-fix it!

If you have an If you have an attached garage, attached garage, make sure door is make sure door is sealed so odors don’t sealed so odors don’t enter your home.enter your home.

Healthy Home Tips for Healthy Home Tips for ALL of your spaces….ALL of your spaces….

Reduce, Reuse, RecycleReduce, Reuse, Recycle Increase ventilation in your Increase ventilation in your

home-open windows and home-open windows and doors as weather permits.doors as weather permits.

Install exhaust fans vented to Install exhaust fans vented to the outside in damp areas. the outside in damp areas. Use a dehumidifier if problem Use a dehumidifier if problem persists.persists.

Change/wash filters in air Change/wash filters in air conditioner, humidifier and conditioner, humidifier and dehumidifiers frequently.dehumidifiers frequently.

More tips….More tips…. Use an exhaust fan Use an exhaust fan

when cooking w/gaswhen cooking w/gas Check the furnace & Check the furnace &

chimney for cracks or chimney for cracks or blockages each fall.blockages each fall.

Allow adequate Allow adequate ventilation around laser ventilation around laser printers and fax printers and fax machines (VOC)machines (VOC)

Use HEPA (high-Use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate efficiency particulate arresting) filtersarresting) filters

Use LIVE plants to help Use LIVE plants to help detox space.detox space.

Eliminate plastics/vinyl-Eliminate plastics/vinyl-which contain PVC, which contain PVC, switch to glass switch to glass (recycled!).(recycled!).

Eliminate paraffin Eliminate paraffin candles as petroleum candles as petroleum based. Use soy, olive oil based. Use soy, olive oil or palm wax w/cotton or palm wax w/cotton wicks. wicks.

Going GREEN in your Going GREEN in your spacespace

Not dangerous to the health of people & Not dangerous to the health of people & animals (cruelty-free)animals (cruelty-free)

Does not cause damage to the environment Does not cause damage to the environment during manufacturing, use or disposalduring manufacturing, use or disposal

Does not cause unnecessary waste due to Does not cause unnecessary waste due to excess packaging or shore life-spanexcess packaging or shore life-span

Does not use material derived from threatened Does not use material derived from threatened or endangered species, plants or or endangered species, plants or environments.environments.