According to the EPA, “Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile (capable of being drawn out or stretched), the ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and most chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings, and friction products such as automobile clutch, brake and transmission parts.” Asbestos has literally been used in hundreds of products.

Asbestos is a Greek word meaning “unquenchable” or “inextinguishable” and dates back to the Roman Empire. Archeologists have found tools and pottery dating back even further. For many years asbestos has been used because it is so readily available, low in cost and does not burn or corrode. Sounds great on paper, however, it also has a dark side.

According to the EPA, “exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects. Disease symptoms may take several years to develop following exposure”. Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. There are three major health concerns associated with asbestos exposure; asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

We are exposed to low levels of naturally occurring asbestos in the air with little concern; however, there are certain occupations and working environments that have a greater concern for exposure. Work environments such as asbestos product manufacturing plants, mining, maritime operations, brake and clutch repair, and oil refineries may subject their workers to higher levels of asbestos, as well as occupations such as demolition workers, building inspectors and electricians to name a few. Today’s workers are less likely to be at risk than workers in the past due to public awareness which has helped to improve working conditions and practices, along with new government regulations.

Related posts:

1. Do Tampons Contain Asbestos and Dioxin?
2. Environmental Toxins Impact Children’s Health
3. Dioxin

So, ladies, this is something to try if you suffer from hot flashes or if you have stomach discomfort after eating wheat. If it doesn’t work for you, it will certainly do no harm and you might enjoy sampling the alternatives to wheat. There are many glucose free products that taste good to the whole family. We eat brown rice/pecan bread, and rice pasta. There are mac and cheese and other convenience mixes. Amy has a great pizza with a rice crust. IKEA does a delicious glucose free almond cake. Going wheat-free will cost more unless, perhaps, you make everything from scratch, but it may be worth it if it saves on physical discomfort.

Related posts:

1. Red Yeast Rice (Monascus purpureus) to Lower Cholesterol

Multiple potentially carcinogenic meat-related compounds related to cooking and processing, including nitrate, nitrite, heterocyclic amines (HCAs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) could all be contributors to the increased rate of bladder cancer.

“Our findings highlight the importance of studying meat-related compounds to better understand the association between meat and cancer risk,” senior author Amanda J. Cross, PhD, also from the National Cancer Institute, said in a news release. “Comprehensive epidemiologic data on meat-related exposures and bladder cancer are lacking; our findings should be followed up in other prospective studies.”

Related posts:

1. Secondhand Smoke Linked to Psychiatric Illness
2. High Fructose Intake Linked to Higher Blood Pressure
3. Organophosphate Pesticides Linked to ADHD

Beginning in January of 2010, the cleaning products industry is voluntarily sharing their ingredients with us. This information will show up on their labels, on their websites, by telephone request, or by written request.

This has been a long time coming and welcomed by many of us who believe we have the right to know what we are using in our homes and whether it is safe. Remember, this is voluntary, so not all companies are on board. But it is a good start!

Related posts:

1. Beauty Product Labels and the Meaning Behind Them
2. Food Labels Can Be Misleading
3. Egg Yolks: Natural Beauty and Craft Products Using Leftover Egg Yolks

University researchers from Harvard and San Francisco reviewed the number of deaths and incidence of pneumonia of the deadly flu 90 years ago.

They determined that the fewest deaths and cases of pneumonia occurred in two southern American cities. These cities’ citizens had high exposure to sunlight and Vitamin D production, as compared to northern cities where the greatest deaths and pneumonia was seen.

Vitamin D is needed for the body’s production of cathelicidin, and antibacterial peptide that has been shown to fight tuberculosis and septicemia. Vitamin D also protects against endotoxins, which are release by bacteria when they are destroyed.

Related posts:

1. Vitamin D: Why You Need the “Sunshine Vitamin”
2. Vitamin D Low in Patients With Headache and Migraine
3. Vitamin D Levels in Postmenopausal Women

One of the most controversial subjects of our time is hazardous waste. Where it goes has been central to many long legal battles. Often, people forget that every household contributes to hazardous waste.

Individually, the waste that is hazardous may seem insignificant, but in the aggregate….Picture, for example, a city of 50,000; if every household contributes an average of five gallons of hazardous material to the solid waste stream each year, there would be over 250,000 gallons of waste each year which would convert to roughly 41 1/3 tons of hazardous waste per year. Whether cleansers, paints, batteries, or motor oil, household hazardous waste should be of grave concern to all citizens.

Each person has options available to them for reducing their dependency on hazardous materials, using less, and careful disposal. This fact sheet will briefly discuss the current “best” means of disposing of household hazardous waste.

Step One: Read the Label
Some hazardous materials indicate proper disposal techniques on their labels. Unfortunately, these are in a minority and some of the containers that do indicate disposal techniques fail to go far enough. If disposal directions are not present on the label of a material known to be hazardous, the label will indicate contents, solubility, or corrosive/reactive potential through the warnings or cautions on the container.

These warnings could include the following:

• “Wear gloves” is a sign of corrosive or dermally toxic substances.
• “Do not store near heat or open flame” suggests ignitability.
• “Do not store near…” indicates reactive qualities of the material.
• “Use only in well ventilated room” is used for toxic fumes and reactive chemicals.

These and similar clues on the label will present a wise consumer with information necessary for proper disposal of the material.

An important note: Even when a container is “empty,” it is rarely “empty” of all chemicals. There is some liquid that the pump won’t spray and there is nearly always chemical residual on the sides and bottom of the container. Careful attention to disposal is imperative.

Step Two: Use and Reuse as Much as Possible

Often, there’s just that “little bit” left over from a job and it does not seem to be enough to bother saving. What to do? Attempt to use all of any hazardous material. If you don’t need it, perhaps a neighbor might.

Some solvents and cleaners (like paint thinner) can be reused–store the cleaner in a covered jar and when the paint has settled, strain and reuse (see below for the disposal of the sludge).

Some hazardous materials are recyclable; motor oil and fuel oils are often collected by service stations for filtering and reuse. Although the complete use of a product is wise, give leftover products to others only if the material is in its original container with the label intact. Any “precautionary” information that may have accompanied the container should also be given to the new user.

Step Three: Select Disposal Approach

• First and foremost, never burn or dump any hazardous wastes on the ground.
• Do not dispose of any hazardous material “down the sink” unless you are sure it can safely be disposed into the sewer system. “Down the sink” includes letting hazardous materials run down the sewer system (draining an auto’s oil into the gutter system or excessive water runoff from a pesticide treated yard) or down the toilet. If you have a septic tank, additional care must be taken.
• Avoid burying any containers or leftover chemicals.
• Do not mix hazardous wastes and do not collect containers and chemicals to dispose of them at one time.
• Solidify any liquid wastes. This involves using an absorbent material (sawdust, kitty litter, paper towels, rags) to soak up a liquid hazardous material. Do not solidify more than one chemical at a time. Using gloves, sweep or dispose of the material into a plastic bag, and then dispose of with other household garbage.
• Use this same process with any “empty” container other than an aerosol container. It is often good to “open” a non- aerosol container with wire cutters or scissors and air-dry; wearing gloves, swab the inside before disposal. Dispose of the rags or paper towels after they have aired outside.
• Latex paint can be solidified by exposing the paint to air. When dried, the paint and container can be disposed with household refuse. Wrap empty containers in several layers of newspaper prior to disposal. This prevents environmental contamination and reactive potential.
• With aerosol cans, turn the container upside down and depress spray button, with nozzle facing paper toweling, rags or any absorbent surface. When the spray has lost pressure, wrap the can in several layers of newspaper and dispose with household refuse.
• Some cleansers can be poured down a drain. If you have a septic tank, drain disposal should nearly always be avoided. If cleansers are designed to be used with water in a home or in sinks, showers, toilet bowls, and tubs, the material is probably drain disposable. Let the water run, rinse the container and slowly pour the water/chemical down the drain. Allow the water to continue running after the chemical is gone. Allow the container to air dry (or swab with paper towels), wrap in newspaper and dispose in household refuse.
• Antifreeze can be flushed down the toilet if connected to a sewer system.
• Pesticides, herbicides, oil paints, paint cleaners, and oil and transmission fluids should never be flushed into a water system or disposed of on ground or put into household refuse.
• Automobile batteries should never be added to a home’s garbage. Some communities have hazardous waste material collection systems for some of these wastes.

In many cases, disposal is difficult at best and the preferred solution is to

1. use an alternative material
2. recycle where possible (oil and batteries) or
3. use the material completely, then solidify residual and dispose of the container as described above.

In our society, hazardous waste is guaranteed. We use many chemicals daily at home, at play, and at work. Wise purchase, use, storage and disposal of necessary chemicals can greatly reduce the negative environmental impact of these chemicals. Finding effective alternatives to their use avoids the creation of hazardous wastes from the home.

Reprinted from Disposal Of Household Hazardous Materials by Joe E. Heimlich

Related posts:

1. Drain Cleaners
2. Clean and Disinfect Against Bacteria & Viruses
3. Disinfecting or Baby Wipes Recipe

Did you know that the air inside your house is 2 – 5 times more contaminated than the air outdoors? And that’s bad. High pollen counts and high humidity are only two reasons that so many people are closing their windows. This makes the air quality even worse.

And with the improvements in air-tight windows, seals, and doors, the levels of fumes from VOCs (volatile organic compounds), dust, second-hand cigarette smoke, and mold can build up to unhealthy levels.

VOCs can not only worsen allergy and asthma symptoms but also cause headaches and fatigue. Additionally, radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, can also build to dangerous levels.

Here are some frugal, easy ways to naturally clean the air in your house. Most cost nothing or very little, so they’re friendly on your budget.

Open the windows: If you don’t suffer from severe allergies, then let the fresh air in. This is one easy way to dilute the stale air in your home. Open the windows for 10-15 minutes a day. Avoid those very high humid days since that can raise your risk of mold in the house.

Vacuum…slowly: I’m guilty of this myself. I’m like a speed demon with the vacuum. Dust absorbs VOCs and radon, and can be a leading source of these pollutants, so it’s important to remove dust. To effectively remove dust, vacuum slowly.

• Vacuum twice weekly.
• Step outside to remove the bag. Bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella can grow inside the bag, and if you change it inside, the cloud of dust can release these bacteria (not to mention the dust) back into your home.

Run the bathroom fan: Bathrooms by nature are moist, mold growing breeding grounds. The fan draws moist air out and reduces mold growth. Breathing mold spores can cause coughing, chest tightening, and itchy eyes. This is especially bad if you’re asthmatic or allergic.

• Also run the fan if you’re using any high vapor product, like fragrances, nails polish, hair spray, or cleaning solution.
• Remove mold by using a simple bleach solution. Mix 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Be sure to run the fan or open a window while you work.

Ficus Tree

Change your AC filter: Get in the habit of changing out your filters once or twice yearly, and check them 4 times annually. Keep your furnace clean.
Stop using your fireplace: Colorado has wood burning restrictions with good reason. Wood smoke can severely pollute the air. Burning wood looks pretty but emits harmful toxins that worsen breathing problems.

• If you burn wood, use a stove that meets EPA standards.
• Gas fireplaces can leak nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, so be sure they’re fully vented to the outside.

Buy a plant: Ficus plants and others are great at absorbing formaldehyde and other potent VOCs from the air. For a complete listing of VOC absorbing plants, read Plants to Clean the Air.

Test your home’s humidity levels: High humidity = high mold. Your humidity levels should be between 30-60%. If it’s more than that, buy a dehumidifier. On the other hand, too low of a humidity can cause breathing problems, so you may need to buy a humidifier. And remember to keep them clean.

Other options that cost more money

1. Clean your air ducts: Hire a company to thoroughly clean your air ducts of accumilated dust and crud.
2. Buy HEPA vacuum filters: HEPA (high efficiency particle accumulator) filters are specially made to capture any particle that are 0.3 micrometers or larger. Or buy a new vacuum that has these filters already built into the machine.
3. Buy low VOC paint: Your paint on your walls continue to release harmful VOCs for up to a year after you paint. Low VOC paint is a bit more expensive but worth it for the health benefits.
4. Air purifiers: There’s little proof that air purifiers help with respiratory symptoms, but even so, Americans spend a whopping $350 million each year on the machines. Save your money and open your windows.

Related posts:

1. Plants to Clean the Air in Your Home
2. Clean and Disinfect Against Bacteria & Viruses
3. Choosing the Right Cutting Board

We’ve all heard the old saying, “You are what you eat.” We all know that certain foods are good for our bodies, and certain foods are not. Yet most of us, me included, still hear the calling of the junk food…”Eat me!” And junk food is so persuasive with its sugar, fat, and salt. Not to mention the chemicals that leave our bodies addicted for more.

It’s a hard habit to break, but one that has great benefits. Besides feeling better and having more energy, it’s been shown to increase our lives. A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that half of the annual deaths were premature and could have been postponed by modifying behaviors including diet.

So the power of clean, healthy foods is huge. Clean foods are direct from nature as possible, with little to know processing. They’re usually free of additives, colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, and hormones. Don’t you love those packages with a one-word ingredient list. “Spinach” You know what’s in there, and what’s not.

You don’t have to become a vegan or raw-foodie to eat clean. It’s all about the choices. Did you know that the closer to nature you eat, the fewer calories it will take for you to feel full? Clean foods have higher fiber than their processed counterparts.

So how do we start? Wipe out our kitchen pantries (and I don’t mean by going on one last binge!)? No. Start simply and take baby steps.

1. Toss: Do you drink soda? Don’t buy it anymore. Do you cook with corn oil? Switch to a heart healthy oil like canola instead. Slowly replace your foods with the good stuff.
2. Assess: Look closely at your diet. If most of your calories come from processed grain, replace with whole grain pasta.
3. Shop: Next time you go grocery shopping, try this. Walk the perimeter of the store first and fill your cart. Why? Because the most natural foods are on the edges of the store…veggies, fruit, dairy, meat. Don’t even think about walking down those processed food aisles.
4. Read: Look at the food label. Does it only have a few ingredients (and ones that you recognize?) or does it have dozens? Try to choose foods with a short list, or at least try to avoid hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors and colors, preservatives, and high fat, sugar and salt.
5. Think: Think about the amount of nutrients per serving rather than price. More bang for your buck. Check the calories, protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamin content against the fat, sodium, sugar, and chemicals.
6. Cook: Not only will this save you money, but all those hidden calories in packaged meals and restaurant food will disappear. Use tricks like a crock pot or cooking extra to save on time.
7. Adjust: Learn to enjoy what you eat. It may take a bit of time, but once you learn to enjoy the taste of natural foods instead of salt, sugar, and fat, you’ll appreciate the bounty that’s available. If you need to do it in stages, that’s ok. Mix white and brown rice, or white pasta with whole grain until you get used to it.
8. Follow: No one’s perfect, and you shouldn’t expect to be either. Try to eat 80% natural foods and 20% other foods, and you’ll be way ahead of the game already.
9. Love: Be mindful. Love the food you eat, the person that cooks it, the taste in your mouth, and the company you’re with. Slow down and simplify.

Related posts:

1. Organic, Natural – Learning About Food Packaging Labels
2. Stevia and Agave Nectar – Two Natural Sweeteners
3. Food Labels Can Be Misleading

I think it is very important for consumers to realize that protecting your family against foodborne illnesses begins not at home, but at the supermarket, grocery store, or any other place where you buy food that you plan to store and serve. According to the CDC, foodborne ailments cause about 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,200 deaths nationwide each year. So, here are some simple things that you can do while you are shopping for food to safeguard you and your family:

1. Check for cleanliness
   Buy from a retailer who follows proper food handling practices. This helps assure that the food is safe. Ask yourself: What is my general impression of this facility? Does it look and smell clean?
   
2. Keep certain foods separated
   Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods in your grocery shopping cart. Place these foods in plastic bags to prevent their juices from dripping on other foods. It is also best to separate these foods from other foods at checkout and in your grocery bags.
   
3. Inspect cans and jars
   Don’t buy food in cans that are bulging or dented. Also, don’t buy food in jars that are cracked or have loose or bulging lids. A bulging can or jar lid may mean the food was under-processed and is contaminated. Don’t buy a food product whose seal seems tampered with or damaged.
   
4. Inspect frozen food packaging
   Don’t buy frozen food if the package is damaged. Packages should not be open, torn or crushed on the edges. Also, avoid packages that are above the frost line in the store’s freezer. If the package cover is transparent, look for signs of frost or ice crystals. This could mean that the food in the package has either been stored for a long time or thawed and refrozen.
   
5. Select frozen foods and perishables last
   And, meat, poultry, fish and eggs should be the last items placed in your shopping cart. Always put these products in separate plastic bags so that drippings don’t contaminate other foods.
   
6. Choose fresh eggs carefully
   Before putting eggs in your cart, open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and none is cracked. Buy only refrigerated eggs and follow the “Safe Handling Instructions” on the carton.
   
7. Be mindful of time and temperature
   It’s important to refrigerate perishable products as soon as possible after grocery shopping. Food safety experts stress the “2-hour rule”—because harmful bacteria can multiply in the “danger zone” (between 40° and 140° F), perishable foods should not be left at room temperature longer than 2 hours. Modify that rule to 1 hour when temperatures are above 90° F, as they often are in cars that have been parked in the sun.

If it will take more than an hour to get your groceries home, use an ice chest to keep frozen and perishable foods cold. Also, when the weather is warm and you are using your car’s air conditioner, keep your groceries in the passenger compartment, not the trunk.Reprinted from FDA; April 26, 2010

Related posts:

1. Organic, Natural – Learning About Food Packaging Labels
2. Food Allergy and Food Intolerance – The Difference Between the Two
3. Natural Foods: You Are What You Eat

After much research related to my Mother’s allergy and health issues surrounding a chemical called formaldehyde, I discovered a book called “How to Grow Fresh Air” by Dr. B.C. Wolverton. It is a very interesting and informative book that discusses how 50 different houseplants can purify the indoor air.

Dr. Wolverton recommends the Boston Fern as the most helpful plant in absorbing chemical vapors (VOCs), such as formaldehydes. The Areca Palm, Lady Palm and the Bamboo Palm all rate high to help absorb chemical vapors in our homes. It is recommended that you have at least two plants per 100 square feet.

Plants will filter out toxins and carbon monoxide as well. The plants’ leaves absorb these organic chemicals and destroy them by a process called “metabolic breakdown”. The chemicals are metabolized and converted into tissue products such as organic acids, sugars, and amino acids.

Below is a list of the 50 more powerful plants that help rid the air of VOCs. (Note: these may/may not be safe for pets. Please check with your local Humane Society for their up-to-date list.

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

Bamboo Palm (Chmaedorea seifrizii)

Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta)

Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis)

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii “Alii”)

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”)

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)

Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”)

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Kimberley Queen (Nephrolepis obliterata)

Florist’s Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Dracaena “Warneckei” (Dracaena deremensis “Warneckei”)

Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

Red Emerald Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens)

Syngonium (Syngonium podophyllum)

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia “Exotica Compacta”)

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla)

Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)

Lacy Tree Philodendron (Philodendron selloum)

Heart-Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia Camilla)

Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum or Philodendron tuxla)

Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

King of Hearts (Homalomena wallisii)

Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura “Kerchoveana”)

Dwarf Banana (Musa cavendishii)

Christmas and Easter Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

Schlumbergera rhipsalidopsis

Oakleaf Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia “Ellen Danika”)

Lily Turf (Liriope spicata)

Dendrobium Orchid (Dendrobium sp.)

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum “Vittatum”)

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema crispum “Silver Queen”)

Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum pictum)

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron simsii “Compacta”)

Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)

Urn Plant (Aechmea fasciata)

Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana)

Moth Orchid (Phalenopsis sp.)

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

Now we have one more reason to fill our homes with these beautiful plants.

Related posts:

1. Keep the Air in Your Home Free of Contaminants
2. Clean and Disinfect Against Bacteria & Viruses
3. Kitchen Odors