Healthy Green Living - it starts in the home

Your home should be a safe haven for you and your family but for many people it's a storage site for toxic chemicals - just look under your kitchen sink sometime and read the warning labels. Many of these cleaning products, designed to kill germs and keep us healthy are more likely the cause of our ill health - allergies, asthma, eczema, headaches, tiredness, fertility problems and even obesity.

Did you know that the level of air pollution in your home could be up to 10 times worse than it is on the street? Some likely causes are:

Toxic Cleaning Products - Oven cleaner, glass cleaner, furniture polish, bleach, disinfectant, carpet cleaner and any products containing synthetic fragrances;

Pesticides - not just the stuff used by the commercial companies, but Mortein, Baygon & Aerogard. Stop using these products immediately unless you want to end up with Parkinson's Disease, MS and other neurological disorders. They can also cause cancer, miscarriage and birth defects. Unfortunately, residue from pesticides remains in our bodies and our homes long after the pests have died.

Teflon - anything promoted as nonstick or stain resistant has a fluorochemical coating which accumulates in our bodies, causing cancer and/or hormonal problems. Fluorochemicals are also found in carpet and furniture treatments like Scotchguard, food wrap, leather sprays, wrinkle free clothing, paints designed to resist stains.....it's everywhere it shouldn't be.

If you're renovating or building, do some research. Remember, you have to live with your choices.

Paints - Use plant-based paints. They allow walls to breathe so that moulds and dust do not accumulate and they don't contain solvents or VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Flooring - Avoid carpeting where possible, especially those treated with Scotchguard. Use plant-based, solvent-free floor finishes on timber and concrete.

Insulation - Be wary of insulation material treated with fire retardant and pesticides. These chemicals will gradually leach into the air you breathe, ruining your health and becoming flammable anyway.