photo by Amy Rachlin

In many ways your home is an extension of your body. In order for your home to nurture your physical well-being, you need to be just as mindful of what you put in your home, as what you put in your mouth. Many common household items, including certain types of paint, finishes, carpeting, mattresses, curtains, dry cleaning, pressed wood (particleboard, MDF), and cleaning products, contain toxic chemicals. Many of the chemicals used in these household products, such as formaldehyde, toluene and benzene, are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) that, through a process called “off-gassing,” release fumes into the air, causing indoor air pollution. A study by the Environmental Protection Agency found that pollution inside a home could be two to five times higher than outside the home, even in large, industrialized cities. Fortunately, there are a number of simple solutions to help you create healthier air in your home… (more…)