The environment affects human health, often in more ways than you might think. Your home environment is no exception. The air you breathe, water you drink, things you touch, and types of chemicals in your home affect your health.
You can take action to improve the health of your home by learning to:
Auto and boat equipment: Batteries, gasoline, oil, antifreeze
Cleaners: Disinfectants, household and bathroom cleaners, aerosols, degreasers
Electronics: Fluorescent lightbulbs, computer monitors, and TVs
Explosives: Ammunition, fireworks
Mercury: Mercury thermometers and thermostats
Outdoor equipment: Pool chemicals, glaze, white gas
Paint and solvents: Oil-based paint, paint thinner, paint stripper, solvents
Pesticides and fertilizers: Wood preservatives, herbicides, pesticides
Pharmaceuticals and medications: Prescription, non-prescription, over-the-counter drugs
Unlabeled toxic products at home
There are products in most of our homes that contain toxic chemicals that come with no labels. Why? Because they are unregulated (i.e. there is no oversight to their use).
Part of improving the health of your home involves choosing products that are less-toxic to start with. Here are our recommendations for how to find products that are effective at what they do, but contain less toxic chemicals.
Be just as effective as similar, more toxic products.
Other safer products
Cradle to Cradle is another certification program that lists many products (clothing, building materials, etc.) that are certified as less toxic, responsible, and ethical.
We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.
