It’s not raining in Los Angeles. Every morning, I wake up, excited to see puddles on the sidewalk until I realize it’s just the neighbors, who have once again watered their concrete driveway in addition to the vibrant green lawn that is so definitely not native. In any event, water is scarce, especially clean water. Here’s a few water saving tips to keep in mind for as long as you dwell in Southern California.
There are the obvious, but often overlooked, fundamentals of water saving success: turn off the water while you are washing the dishes, brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your hands.
A few lesser known, but equally important, tips: don’t water your lawn in the afternoon. The sun evaporates a good amount of the water before it has a chance to settle in, and it takes that much more water to get the lawn happy. If you don’t make footsteps on your grass when you walk across it, it probably doesn’t need to be watered, and to grow grass that needs less water, adjust your lawn mower to allow the shoots to grow longer. Longer blades provide shade for the roots, allowing more moisture and requiring less water! (in the winter, you probably only need to water about once every five days). Additionally, layer mulch around your outdoor plants and flowers. This will help reduce evaporation when watering. Take showers instead of baths (and try to limit your shower to 5 minutes—you could save 1000 gallons of water per month!), and when you are running a bath, plug the drain and let the water begin filling while you are waiting for it to get hot. When you are waiting for water to get hot in the kitchen, collect the cold water and use it to water plants. If you have a dishwasher, use it. Dishwashers tend to use less water than hand-washing, especially if you don’t pre-wash the dishes before putting them in. Speaking of appliances, always buy energy efficient models when shopping for new dishwashers or washing machines, and when you do laundry, always do a full load.
There’s no end to the water saving tips I can come up with. This is just a beginning! For more information on how you can make your home healthier, happier and “greener,” visit my website at www.MyHealthyHomeLA.com and request your FREE copy of The Healthy House Answer Book by John and Lynn Bowers.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Ahhhh....Breathe.
This week, my lungs have suffered. It feels like I only just got through the last batch of crazy California wildfires, and now here we are again. Each time the fires start blazing through the dry southern California land, I am reminded not only of all the people who’s lives are turned upside down by the evacuations and losses, but of the sad state of our air quality. The thin layer of yellowish pollution that settles on the horizon after acres of pesticide treated woodlands and VOC laced homes erupt into ash provides a stark visual memento and scares me: this is what we are breathing? And the thing is, it doesn’t stop once the fires stop. Everyday, we are breathing toxic fumes and poisons. They are impossible to get away from. And the worst of it is often indoors.
So let’s talk air purifiers. The most common type of air purification systems is portable (although more expensive whole-house filtration systems can be installed in homes with central heating systems as well). The usefulness of these units is measured in 2 ways: efficiency, and CADR, or clean air delivery rate. Look for a filter with HEPA grade efficiency, meaning that it removes at least 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles from the air, and don’t settle for anything less! CADR measures how much clean air is distributed into the room, and in order to achieve maximum effectiveness, you’ll want to purchase an air purifier that has a CADR rating that is the same as the square footage of the room. So for a room that is 10’ by 10’, you’ll want a purifier with a CADR of 100.
Another important factor is ozone. Certain electric and ionic air purifiers create measurable amounts of ozone, an air pollutant, so make sure yours doesn’t! There are some brands that claim to have a scrubber that removes ozone, but why gamble when there are plenty of brands out there that work just fine without ozone byproducts?
For more information on air purification systems, visit http://www.cadr.org/consumer/certified.html
So let’s talk air purifiers. The most common type of air purification systems is portable (although more expensive whole-house filtration systems can be installed in homes with central heating systems as well). The usefulness of these units is measured in 2 ways: efficiency, and CADR, or clean air delivery rate. Look for a filter with HEPA grade efficiency, meaning that it removes at least 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles from the air, and don’t settle for anything less! CADR measures how much clean air is distributed into the room, and in order to achieve maximum effectiveness, you’ll want to purchase an air purifier that has a CADR rating that is the same as the square footage of the room. So for a room that is 10’ by 10’, you’ll want a purifier with a CADR of 100.
Another important factor is ozone. Certain electric and ionic air purifiers create measurable amounts of ozone, an air pollutant, so make sure yours doesn’t! There are some brands that claim to have a scrubber that removes ozone, but why gamble when there are plenty of brands out there that work just fine without ozone byproducts?
For more information on air purification systems, visit http://www.cadr.org/consumer/certified.html
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Carpet Stinks
Carpet stinks. Did you know that most carpet is treated with over 100 different toxic chemicals before it gets to your house? You may think things like stain resistance, color, and odor eliminators serve you well, but it’s a high price to pay for, oh, I don’t know—your health?! Most carpets are made from synthetic materials, materials that are dangerous from cradle to grave. Their very creation causes an outpouring of toxic gasses. They offgass in your home, emitting fumes that may very well make you and your family ill. They aren’t biodegradable, and end up in a landfill somewhere where they spend hundreds of years, taking up space and resources.
But let’s focus on their lifetime in your living room. I already told you about all the chemicals most carpets are treated with before they arrive at your house, but what about the backing? Carpets are usually lined with a vinyl backing, and if you’re familiar with my articles, you’ll know how much I hate vinyl. It offgasses during its entire life cycle, which is pretty much forever. Not only that, but when vinyl catches fire, it creates fumes so toxic that exposure to one vinyl fire can result in chronic bronchial disease. And we haven’t even gotten to the glue yet. The adhesives commonly used to attach carpet come with their own set of unhealthy chemicals.
So what to do? Opt for hardwood, linoleum or other eco-friendly options instead of carpet. If you need a soft surface, try natural alternatives like Jute or Seagrass. If carpet is the only thing for you, look into 100% wool options, preferably those that are untreated. Look for cotton backing instead of vinyl, and try tacking down the material rather than using adhesives.
But let’s focus on their lifetime in your living room. I already told you about all the chemicals most carpets are treated with before they arrive at your house, but what about the backing? Carpets are usually lined with a vinyl backing, and if you’re familiar with my articles, you’ll know how much I hate vinyl. It offgasses during its entire life cycle, which is pretty much forever. Not only that, but when vinyl catches fire, it creates fumes so toxic that exposure to one vinyl fire can result in chronic bronchial disease. And we haven’t even gotten to the glue yet. The adhesives commonly used to attach carpet come with their own set of unhealthy chemicals.
So what to do? Opt for hardwood, linoleum or other eco-friendly options instead of carpet. If you need a soft surface, try natural alternatives like Jute or Seagrass. If carpet is the only thing for you, look into 100% wool options, preferably those that are untreated. Look for cotton backing instead of vinyl, and try tacking down the material rather than using adhesives.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Just Because You Don't Smoke...
Recently, I heard about two separate people suffering from lung cancer. Neither one of them is, or ever was, a smoker. What neither of them knew is that there is a little known, although dangerously suspect, culprit called radon.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in the soil, exists in varying amounts at different locations. It emerges from the soil and seeps into the air, in such small amounts that it is virtually harmless as long as you are outdoors. However, indoors is a different story.
Radon is colorless, odorless and virtually undetectable except by specific radon tests. It can enter a house through the basement or foundation, especially if there are cracks or dirt floors. Depending on how well sealed your house is, the particles can travel into your living space (rather than being directed outdoors) and minute exposure over time can cause lung cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that close to 10% of European lung cancer diagnoses were radon related. It is considered the second most common form of lung cancer, right after smoking.
The good news is that elevated radon levels can be successfully managed. The first step is to test your home. It’s an easy and inexpensive test and worth doing. There are do-it-yourself kits available on-line, or, if you prefer, you can locate certified radon testers through the Environmental Protection Agency website. If elevated radon levels are found in your home, radon mitigation is usually a simple process consisting of sealing any cracks and installing ventilation.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in the soil, exists in varying amounts at different locations. It emerges from the soil and seeps into the air, in such small amounts that it is virtually harmless as long as you are outdoors. However, indoors is a different story.
Radon is colorless, odorless and virtually undetectable except by specific radon tests. It can enter a house through the basement or foundation, especially if there are cracks or dirt floors. Depending on how well sealed your house is, the particles can travel into your living space (rather than being directed outdoors) and minute exposure over time can cause lung cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that close to 10% of European lung cancer diagnoses were radon related. It is considered the second most common form of lung cancer, right after smoking.
The good news is that elevated radon levels can be successfully managed. The first step is to test your home. It’s an easy and inexpensive test and worth doing. There are do-it-yourself kits available on-line, or, if you prefer, you can locate certified radon testers through the Environmental Protection Agency website. If elevated radon levels are found in your home, radon mitigation is usually a simple process consisting of sealing any cracks and installing ventilation.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Dispose of Disposables
It’s sad to say, but we have become a disposable culture. Envirowise, an environmental advocacy group, estimates that we throw away nearly 80% of the products we use after a single use.
By now we should all have an internal moral compass directing us to reusable grocery bags and coffee cups? But don’t stop there. Think when you shop. Stay away from pre-packaged snack foods and instead opt for bulk items. My daughter loves applesauce, but instead of buying six small cups in plastic containers, I buy one big glass jar, and pack it in reusable containers for her lunch. Those convenient “snack packs” create as much as four or six times as much waste. When you’re doing your shopping, don’t use plastic produce bags unless absolutely necessary—threes no reason you need a bag for two or three potatoes or a head of celery, so opt out. And if you really need a bag, use a recycled one. I keep a stash of plastic produce bags in my grocery totes, for exactly that reason.
It’s great to use your stainless steel reusable coffee cup in the morning, but use it in the afternoon, too. Next time you order water, juice or soda from a carry out restaurant, have them put it in your reusable mug instead of a throw away Styrofoam or plastic cup. Don’t stop with cups—I keep biodegradable knife, fork and spoon handy in my car. And on a side note…just because it is biodegradable, doesn’t mean it should be so easily disposed of. I reuse the same biodegradable utensils for weeks before adopting a new set.
All I’m saying is, THINK. Everyday, you run into a hundred situations where you have a choice to keep something out of a landfill. THINK. Disposability has become second nature to us, and it’s a hard habit to break. But choose glass over plastic, choose permanence over temporary and choose to keep our planet healthy.
By now we should all have an internal moral compass directing us to reusable grocery bags and coffee cups? But don’t stop there. Think when you shop. Stay away from pre-packaged snack foods and instead opt for bulk items. My daughter loves applesauce, but instead of buying six small cups in plastic containers, I buy one big glass jar, and pack it in reusable containers for her lunch. Those convenient “snack packs” create as much as four or six times as much waste. When you’re doing your shopping, don’t use plastic produce bags unless absolutely necessary—threes no reason you need a bag for two or three potatoes or a head of celery, so opt out. And if you really need a bag, use a recycled one. I keep a stash of plastic produce bags in my grocery totes, for exactly that reason.
It’s great to use your stainless steel reusable coffee cup in the morning, but use it in the afternoon, too. Next time you order water, juice or soda from a carry out restaurant, have them put it in your reusable mug instead of a throw away Styrofoam or plastic cup. Don’t stop with cups—I keep biodegradable knife, fork and spoon handy in my car. And on a side note…just because it is biodegradable, doesn’t mean it should be so easily disposed of. I reuse the same biodegradable utensils for weeks before adopting a new set.
All I’m saying is, THINK. Everyday, you run into a hundred situations where you have a choice to keep something out of a landfill. THINK. Disposability has become second nature to us, and it’s a hard habit to break. But choose glass over plastic, choose permanence over temporary and choose to keep our planet healthy.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
10 Tips For A Greener Summer
There’s a thousand ways to make your house greener and cleaner, but here’s a few of my favorites to keep in mind this summer:
1. Stop with the bottled water already. It leeches toxins, the water is not EPA regulated and the plastic is killing our sealife.
2. Turn off the lights. It’ summertime. Unless you live on the side of the world, you shouldn’t need them for most of the day.
3. Throw a dry absorbent towel in the dryer with your wet clothes. Or ,better yet, line dry!
4. Make your own housecleaners. There are thousands of recipes on the internet, free of charge. Or, if you’d like something a little less labor intensive, visit www.eco-me for inexpensive do it yourself household cleaner and bodycare kits.
5. Enough with the disposable grocery bags already! If you don’t have a reusable bag in your car right now, shame on you.
6. And if you must partake in the Ziploc culture, wash them out and reuse them. If you want to live a little on the wild side, visit www.reusablebags.com for all kinds of reusable options.
7. Plants. They’re pretty, and they make your indoor air cleaner. Check out B.C. Wolverton’s book How To Grow Fresh Air for information on the best plants to clean up your air.
8. Take your shoes off before entering your house. You have no idea how many chemicals are dragged into your house on the bottom of your feet, polluting your air and causing everything from allergies to hormone disruptions to cancer.
9. Keep your refrigerator full (of locally grown, organic goods, of course!). A full refrigerator actually uses less energy.
10. Use fans instead of air conditioning as often as possible.
1. Stop with the bottled water already. It leeches toxins, the water is not EPA regulated and the plastic is killing our sealife.
2. Turn off the lights. It’ summertime. Unless you live on the side of the world, you shouldn’t need them for most of the day.
3. Throw a dry absorbent towel in the dryer with your wet clothes. Or ,better yet, line dry!
4. Make your own housecleaners. There are thousands of recipes on the internet, free of charge. Or, if you’d like something a little less labor intensive, visit www.eco-me for inexpensive do it yourself household cleaner and bodycare kits.
5. Enough with the disposable grocery bags already! If you don’t have a reusable bag in your car right now, shame on you.
6. And if you must partake in the Ziploc culture, wash them out and reuse them. If you want to live a little on the wild side, visit www.reusablebags.com for all kinds of reusable options.
7. Plants. They’re pretty, and they make your indoor air cleaner. Check out B.C. Wolverton’s book How To Grow Fresh Air for information on the best plants to clean up your air.
8. Take your shoes off before entering your house. You have no idea how many chemicals are dragged into your house on the bottom of your feet, polluting your air and causing everything from allergies to hormone disruptions to cancer.
9. Keep your refrigerator full (of locally grown, organic goods, of course!). A full refrigerator actually uses less energy.
10. Use fans instead of air conditioning as often as possible.
Monday, June 16, 2008
MORE PROOF THAT VINYL SUCKS
New car smells...new paint smells...new shower curtain smells: despite what you may have been trained to think, "new" smells are usually code for "toxic poisons entering your blood stream." Case in point: The Los Angeles Times published an article recently on vinyl shower curtains in which they discusse a study conducted by The Center For Health, Environment and Justice. The study found vinyl (also known as PVC) shower curtains to posess dangerous levels of chemicals that cause damage to the central nervous, reproductive and respiratory systems as well as the liver.
One of the five curtains tested released at least 108 VOCs, chemicals that infected the indoor air for as long as a month.
According to Marth Dina Argüello, the executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, "PVC is just bad from cradle to cradle...It's just not very good or safe to produce. It's a mess when you create, it's a mess when you get rid of it, and it's off-gassing when you're using it." Argüello went on to say that "in the face of scientific uncertainty you should probably act to protect rather than bring me the dead bodies. We always say: How much evidence do you need to act if there are safer alternatives?" You said it, sister.
Follow this link to read this article in completion
One of the five curtains tested released at least 108 VOCs, chemicals that infected the indoor air for as long as a month.
According to Marth Dina Argüello, the executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, "PVC is just bad from cradle to cradle...It's just not very good or safe to produce. It's a mess when you create, it's a mess when you get rid of it, and it's off-gassing when you're using it." Argüello went on to say that "in the face of scientific uncertainty you should probably act to protect rather than bring me the dead bodies. We always say: How much evidence do you need to act if there are safer alternatives?" You said it, sister.
Follow this link to read this article in completion
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
