One element we all share and could have saved 29 miners – we ALL need it to live

The one element which we all share, we all need to live and is the single most important thing that could have saved 29 mine workers lives – AIR. While we do not know the exact cause of the explosion, we do know that Gov. Joe Mancin stated “there needs to be a focus on better ventilation and on sensors to alert mine personnel when gas levels become dangerous”.

In the “old days”, canaries were used in the mines to signal to the workers of any dangerous levels of gases such as methane or carbon monoxide. Remember the phrase “canaries in the coal mines”? Back then, we did not have the ventilation equipment that is available today. I suspect we will find that this will be another example of a completely preventable tragedy – strict laws and regulations which were not practiced. The result is human life and a many, many families with heavy hearts.                
Our common link in this tragedy is that we all breathe air – and, we all share our air. We can survive one month without food, a week without water, but less than 5 minutes without air. Most of us don’t ever think about breathing – unless we have a job like a miner, or some type of lung disease. I learned about how important our air and its quality is when my son was diagnosed with asthma. Educating myself about sources of indoor air pollution and ways to make his life better led me on a journey of making our home – our interior – a safe-haven. As a licensed Interior Designer, I found that our interiors are environments which would either promote health and wellness or promote the development of disease and possibly life-long chronic illness. Through this research, I found our home actually became healthier for our entire family.                                                                                                
Most of what we are breathing we do not see. Our lungs act as a “filter” to unhealthy toxins and allergens. With every breath we take, we are inhaling these particulates into our lungs. Our lungs then transport whatever is in the air via our bloodstream to all of our body’s systems, including our heart, liver, brain and other organs. It is easy to see how important it is to have the air be healthy. As Winston Churchill said “We shape our buildings, then our buildings shape us.”

 
I learned that our indoor air is 3 to 5 times more polluted than the outside air – and we recirculate it in our air conditioning systems. I found that the average home produces forty pounds of dust per year for every 1,500 square feet of living space – and in each ounce of dust, there are 40,000 dust mites. I learned the average home contains 150 chemicals that are linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities. I had no idea that according to the EPA, indoor air quality is among the top 5 environmental risks to public health and repeated exposures to even “low-levels” of allergens can lead to allergic sensitization. The most surprising thing I learned was that everything we bring into our interior, every activity we perform and all the products we use affect our indoor air quality. To me this was empowering because it meant to a large extent, we could actually control the quality of our indoor air.                                                                                                                 
Some suggestions about how to improve your homes indoor air quality are below. The information is given out of respect and in memory of every miner who lost a life this past week.   It is also for all miners who risk their lives every day and who depend on the company they are working for to protect their air quality. Laws need to be practiced, not just preached …. Otherwise, we need to go back to the days of the canaries.

Be aware: C.A.R.E. about your indoor air:
C. Choose healthy products:
Use NO-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints – Ask for Green Labeled Paint Use cleaning products that are unscented, contain no phosphates or petroleum, and are environmentally safe
Use only pure essential oils for aroma with no-phosphates
A. Air out and ventilate
Open the windows at least once a week to flush out toxins
Change the air conditioning filters monthly
Control the moisture to below 60% by fixing leaks and regular maintenance of air conditioner
Use exhaust fans when bathing and cooking
R. Reduce dust and allergens Remove carpeting and replace with hard flooring
Use air cleaning machine with HEPA filter
Encase bedding with dust mite protectors
Vacuum with HEPA filter and damp wipe surfaces
Do not burn candles or incense
E. Eliminate exposure to toxins                                                                                                                              Do not use chemical perfumes in air fresheners or beauty products
Use integrated pest management principles such as bait, traps and natural deterrents to prevent pest’ access to food, water and shelter
Remove your shoes at the door and place walk-off mats at each door entrance
Do not smoke or perform hobbies which require the use of toxic chemicals inside a closed space

www.healthylivinginteriors.com                www.healthy-n-green.com

Formaldehyde in Victoria Secrets bras?

Now, I have heard it all – formaldehyde in their bras is being blamed for making some women sick. We do live in a toxic world – but our bras?

You may be asking “why” would they put formaldehyd in a bra? It is used in so many building products such as flooring, particleboard, and cabinetry – so what is its purpose in material? (especially in a bra)

It is widely used in the fabric industry, ever heard of permanent press? It also is an anti-wrinkle, anti-shrink and helps resist mildew.  But, formaldehyde is listed as a probable carcinogen. Repeated exposure can exacerbate asthma, wheezing, coughing – and create severe allergeric reactions. Irritation in the eyes, nose and throat as well as headaches and fatigue.

It was well publicized thata people who were in “Katrina” trailers were becoming sick from the high levels of formaldehyde exposure. Heat and humidity will increase the emissions of the resins – so the levels are unpredictible. The regulation in the US is very lax compared to other countries. The acceptable level for the US is 300 ppm, while Japan is only 75 ppm.

There are alternatives when designing for your healthy home. Ask for formaldehyde free cabinetry and building products. Make smart choices for your family’s health.  You need to beware of what you eat, drink, breathe AND wear! 

to read the entire Victoria Secret article:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/12/02/is-there-a-toxic-secret-in-victoria-s-secret-bras.aspx

Wear Green on St.Patrick’s Day -                                                                                “Go Green”  All Year!

March is the month of Green.  Green shamrocks, green clothes, green food and green drinks. We all love to “go green” and be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, some even dye their hair green in celebration!   If you don’t “wear green” you may pay the price with being pinched.  Why not “go green” all year long…..that is Healthy-n-Green!  The benefits to making our indoor environment healthy and green are endless.  It won’t happen overnight, but it can happen over time.  Understanding healthy-n-green principles will make our lives healthier, making sustainable choices while conserving energy and water.   This is good for our health, and good for our planet.   The Irish “go green”, so why not you?

HealthyLiving Fact:

A 1979 Surgeon General report stated “there is virtually no major chronic disease to which environmental factors do not contribute, directly or indirectly.”

Go Green:  Good for our health,  Good for our planet

So…. just what does it mean to be green, and how do we know if products truly are green?    To be green “from the ground up” you can start with the design and of your building.  During the construction phase you can select products which are best for your health and made from materials which will have the least impact to our global environment.  With green building becoming more mainstream, we have seen the manufacturing industry responding with reformulated typical products into new green products.  But, to simply claim that something is green without showing the benefits to human health and wellness, the environment and economics is not enough.

Independent third-party material certifications are now becoming available to help in material selections, construction products and building methods.   This is very important, as we don’t want the “fox watching the henhouse” with manufacturers using their own certifications.   The independent third-party certification companies are helping manufacturers comply with a standard in being environmentally friendly.  Just as the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval and the “UL” symbol from Under-writers Laboratories for lighting products have influenced consumers decisions in product purchasing;  so too, will consumers become educated in just what does make a product “truly green”.

Listed below are a few examples of certification companies.  What is more important is understanding green principles…and some are listed below as well.  Much of “going green” is going back to the basics and using a lot of common sense.  This will make it easier to sift through the green maze and understand if some products are being painted green.

Green Third-Party Certification Companies

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit that manages an international standard for well-managed forests and a process for tracking and certifying products derived from those forests.  It addresses numerous aspects of sustainable forestry:  restoration, native habitat, old-growth forests, ecological functions, indigenous people’s rights and sound management for timber production.  It is considered the gold standard.

Greenguard certifies that a product meets emission thresholds for formaldehyde and other volatile organic compound (VOC’s).  It is managed by the nonprofit Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) which was spun off from Air Quality Sciences (AQS), a testing laboratory for Greenguard certification.

Energy Star is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) and was introduced in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program.   Manufacturers supply EPA and DOE with data supporting their use of the Energy Star logo and their claims are monitored.

Green Seal is a non-profit certifying a wide range of products such as paints, adhesives, lamps, chillers, windows, and cleaners.  Their standards are reviewed every three years and updated as they see a shift in the market.  Their certifications are based on data from accredited laboratories and audits of manufacturing facilities.

These are just a few of some well-known certification companies, as many others being established in trying to gain the public’s trust and money in buying their products.  Until there is more harmony and consistency with certifications, the consumer is left to understand the basics of being green.

You don’t need the luck of the Irish to Go Green

Avoid products which contain PVC or more commonly known as “vinyl”.  Vinyl products such as window treatments, wallcoverings, furniture, carpet backing, flooring, shower curtains, and mattress covers often off-gas harmful chemicals in our spaces.   PVC poses hazards in its manufacture, product life and disposal.   Go green with materials which are natural AND sustainable such as bamboo, cork, organic fabrics, and other natural products.

Avoid products with flame retardants which are found in furniture foam and fabrics.  Go green with emission-free mattresses made with natural fiber bedding and natural latex cores wrapped in natural flame retardants such as wool.

Use products that are water efficient and replace old products.  A toilet is the largest user of water in a home accounting for up to 28% of water use.  If it was installed before 1994 is using at least twice as much water as a water efficient model and your shower is using as much as three times today’s standard.  Go green with low-flow plumbing fixtures.

Use products that are energy efficient, saving the average household up to $ 400.00 per year on utility bills.  The refrigerator is typically the biggest power consumer, so replace yours if it is over 10 years old. The most efficient one has the freezer above or below (not a side by side) and has the least amount of “bells and whistles”.   Go green by purchasing products with the Energy Star logo.

Do not use particleboard and pressed woods in cabinetry, or paints and finishes which release formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) sometimes years after installation.  Go green with products which state “formaldehyde-free”   and “no-VOC” paints and finishes.

Eliminate all fragrances in your products such as cleaning, air fresheners, candles, fabric softeners and personal care products.   These products contain a chemical called “phthalates” which has been proven to be unsafe.   Go green with natural maintenance and personal care products which can be found in health food stores.   100% beeswax candles or 100% essential oils are a better choice for aroma.

May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.                                              Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Be the Change you want to see in the World  – Ghandi

As we start a New Year, we are all reminded to make our resolutions of what we want or NEED to change for the coming year.  What changes are you striving to make?  Change is good – Change gives our life the fuel and desire to grow, while helping us move forward with hope and promise.

Most of us will say we want a New Year that will make us healthier.  Often times this requires many changes in our current lifestyle, behavior and thought process.  Having a “healthy-n-green” indoor environment promotes wellness, saves money in energy and water usage, and lessens our impact on the global environment with sustainable choices.  With the green-maze of choices and the green-washing of information, I hope to educate you in understanding the core principles of living a sustainable lifestyle which is truly healthy-n-green.

HealthyLiving Fact:  The EPA states Indoor Air Quality as one of the top five environmental risks to public health, reporting in 1989 that indoor air pollution consistently causes GREATER health risks than HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES!  It is 2 to 5 time and sometimes 1000 times MORE polluted than the outside air!

YOUR Indoor Environment A Hazardous Waste Site?

If we consider that Everything we bring into our environment, every activity we perform, and all products we use affect indoor air quality, we will start to begin the process of making our spaces healthier.

The average person breathe in about 32,000 pints (18,185 liters) of air PER DAY.  Those 32,000 pints contain about 1,120,000,000 particles of dust.  Most of these particles are  3 microns or smaller.  That is alot of dust!

Consider the cleaning products, pesticides, paints, building products, personal care products, hobbies and interior furnishings as being “some” examples of what we bring into our environment.  Think of how many VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) may be released from just ONE product which then lingers in the air, being re-circulated throughout the ventilation system.  We live in a closed bubble of toxins, rarely considering how are actions impact our short and long term health.

Ventilation Is Key to Having Healthy Air

Healthy-n-Green Tips:

Change the quality of your indoor air by simply opening your windows at least once a week.  Ventilation is very important to flushing out toxins and particulate matter that build up indoors.   Our homes are built to be energy efficient with no outside air exchange.  By opening windows weekly for a few minutes, you reduce the levels of airborne toxins that would otherwise be continually  recycled in your air conditioning system.  Remember..the outside air is LESS polluted!

Change your air conditioning filters once a month.  You have heard it time and time again…..something so simple and inexpensive, yet often forgotten is to change your filters.  Mark your calendar and buy your filters in bulk, saving time and money.  NOT changing your air conditioner filter at regular intervals can decrease equipment operating efficiency by 20% or more!

Today’s best air conditioners use 30% – 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970’s.  Even if your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.  Hire a reputable professional to properly size and install your unit to save you  money and reduce environmental pollution.

What great opportunity to offer you my thoughts on the subject of living in a green-n-healthy indoor environment.  It is my passion to spread the word and educate you about something that directly impacts your well being.   I will try to do my best in simplifying information so you can make informed decisions on your interiors while backing my “thoughts” with facts.  Through my journey of research and investigating, I have been amazed at how a lot of this important information just doesn’t seem to be getting out there.  Yes, it is true that the scientists, environmentalists, indoor air quality experts and environmental physicians understand each of “their” pieces of the puzzle.  But, it seems like there aren’t a lot of sources giving you a “whole picture”.  This is my goal.

When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them “I am a designer……a healthy designer….”  They usually look at me like I have four eyes.  Now that “green” is becoming mainstream,  I can explain in less than 30 minutes how having a healthy environment is so critical to all of our well being.   Some people
“get it” because they have personally suffered from allergies or asthma, while many don’t think it is important.    My goal is to educate you with the facts so it is understood that EVERYONE is affected.  I tend to focus more on “health” aspects to an interior as it directly affects you, the occupants.  I will also be spending a lot of time on “green” interiors and how you can make the lease impact to our global environment.

Fact:   In 1979 Surgeon General Report says “There is virtually no major chronic disease to which environmental factors do not contribute, directly or indirectly”.

Chronic illnesses such as asthma, allergies, cancer, respiratory disease, reproductive disease, and behavioral disorders are developing at epidemic rates.  90% of our time is spent indoors, breathing a toxic soup of chemicals that are having a negative impact on our health.    Becoming environmentally conscious of our indoor environment will in turn make our homes, work spaces and public areas healthier as well.   We are what we breathe

Fact:   Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health.  The diseases we’re beginning to see as the major causes of death in the latter part of this century and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin” states Dick Irwin, toxicologist at Texas A & M Universities.       Today, we, and more importantly, our children, are exposed to chemicals at levels unmatched at any time throughout human history.  We raise our children with health and safety in mind:  “eat your vegetables, put your seatbelt on, look before crossing the road, just say NO”, yet we are living in toxic homes.    We make sure our electrical outlets are covered, yet we expose them to pesticide and cleaning residues that linger in the air for hours.  We make sure our smoke detectors are working, yet we adorn their rooms with toxic paint and furniture that off-gasses formaldehyde.    Our children are the canaries in the coalmine of exposure to these toxins.

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