Eco-Healthy Homes
Document Actions
Email this page
Print this page
Creating an Eco-Healthy Home
A healthy baby is a curious baby. It is important to allow your babies to explore and learn through their surroundings, but also essential to make sure they do so in a safe and healthy environment. Below are tips on making your home environmentally safe for the newest member of your family. For a quick run down, checkout our quick tips for a toxic-free home.
Fortunately, there are many alternative ways to control insects and weeds without the use of toxic pesticides, including using borax to eliminate ant issues and reducing pest's access to food, water and shelter.
For specific information on controlling pests from dandilions to gophers without pesticides, see the NW Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides website. If you choose to use an exterminator ask them if they use integrated pest management and make sure they use the least toxic alternative, spray the smallest area possible, and keep kids and pets away from the treat area for at least 12-24 hours.
For information on lawn care without pesticides, see the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Healthy Lawns website. Also, check out the Environmental Working Group's guide to pesticides in produce. Much of a child's early life is spent on their crib mattresses. Many mattresses are made of materials that off-gas air toxics or are heavily treated with brominated flame retardants, recently banned in California, Maine, Washington and the European Union, but still exntensively used throughout the country. Two forms of brominated flame retardants were banned in Oregon, but the most common form, deca, is still used. Fortunately, there are alternatives. The following vendors offer crib mattresses made from organic materials, guaranteed not to be treated with flame retardants: Naturepedic Baby Works Organic Mattress Store Green Home Other vendors offer organic cotton or wool options, but this is a good place to start.
Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which can be harmful to developing lungs. In general, the best way to address mold and mildew issues is to reduce moisture and increase ventilation. See the Oregon Department of Health Services website for more information on mold and mold prevention. Indoor air quality is especially important for children with asthma. This checklist, provided by the National Institutes of Health, can help you evaluate how asthma friendly your child care facility is. Scented candles and air fresheners often contain harmful chemicals, including lead, formaldehyde and phthalates. Use natural methods to freshen the air such as diluted essential oil sprays or boiling cinnamon on the stove top. Click here for information about air fresheners.
Household chemicals
Cleaning chemicals can be toxic to children and contribute to poor indoor air quality. Increaingly there are non-toxic, eco-safe alternatives to the potentially harmful brands you may currently be using. Check out this link for help finding safer cleaners and other household chemicals. For practical and easy-to-use recipes for cleaning (that's right, grandma knew what she was doing when she pulled out baking soda, borax and vinegar!) without toxic cleaners, click here. This is a great way to save money while improving the health of your home.
On the question of whether its okay to use bleach, keep in mind that there are effective alternatives to bleach. For example, Seventh Generation makes a set of cleaners with hydrogen peroxide, a safer, yet effective alternative to chlorine bleach. Click here for more information on disinfectants and bleach alternatives. Lead
Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage, lower intelligence and behavior and learning problems. Common sources of lead include flaking or chipping paint, contaminated soil and plumbing. There are extensive resources available to address lead problems. Easy steps you can take immediately, which are especially important if you live in an older home, include painting over chipping or flaking paint and running your tap water first thing in the morning for 15-30 seconds to flush out standing water. If you are concerned about lead hazards (currently 4% of US Children and 36% of inner city, low-income youth have levels above the EPA's recommendation) ask your doctor about having your child's blood lead level tested. The EPA currently recommends monitoring levels above 10 micrograms/deciliter of blood, but lower levels have been shown to impact IQ and learning. These impacts are preventable.
Mercury
Mercury is an element that was used for decades in fever thermometers and is now found in computers, compact flourescent lightbulbs, computer monitors and televisions. Mercury is a known neurotoxin, so the less we use it in our homes, the better. Fortunately, there are plenty of good alternatives to mercury thermometers such as digital thermometers. When disposing of products that have mercury in them seek out a way to recycle them. If you live in Oregon, this can easily be accomplished by contacting Metro. Approximately 95% of mercury in humans is the result of eating contaminated fish. Mercury is a chemical which bioaccumulates in nature (increases in concentration as you move up the food chain) and so predatory fish with long lives, such as sword fish, some tuna, tile fish, and sharks, have particularly high concentrations of mercury. Visit the Blue Ocean Institute to view a guide on choosing fish low in mercury (although I recommend purusing the whole site). If you are pregnant or have young children, talk to your doctor about appropriate amounts of fish to consume. A large amount of mercury is also produced by coal-fired power plants. By choosing the green energy option through your local utility, you can help reduce this pollution source.
Furniture and Carpets
Some foams used in furniture contain toxic flame retardants, so it is important to make sure none of the foam is exposed. Check out this site for more information on how to avoid these toxic flame retardants.
Wall-to-wall carpets usually require toxic glues and adhesives to affix them. Also, more carpet space means more opportunity for allergens to hide and cause problems.
Art Supplies
Some art supplies can contain toxic ingredients or are asthma triggers. Click here for more information on non-toxic art supplies.
Plastics and Plastic Toys
Even when plastic containers say “microwave safe,” using them in the microwave can cause the chemicals in the plastic to leach out into the food. Therefore, when microwaving food or beverages, always use a glass or ceramic container. Plastics labeled #3 (found in some toys and teething products), #6 (styrofoam) and #7 (found in some baby bottles and sippy cups) are increasingly linked to health problems in children. If a product is not labeled, you can contact the manufacturer to find out what kinds of plastics have been used. In general, #3 plastics are soft vinyl and #7 are hard, clear plastics. Choosing toys labeled "phthalate-free" and milky or opaque bottles can help reduce your child's exposure. Click on the links below for more information on Different types of plastics A Smart Guide to Plastics for Parents and Children Plastic water bottles
It takes less than an hour to complete a few simple steps that might reduce your baby's risk of injury. Here's a list of 10 quick steps to baby-proof your home.
Also, check out our 10 Eco-healthy shopping tips to learn how to make your errands and purchases eco-healthy.
Have other concerns?
If you have other concerns or advice to share about how to maintain a safe and healthy home, try exchanging ideas with other parents
Pesticides and Pest Prevention
Pesticides are toxic chemicals designed to kill living organisms. Many are associated with cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption and nervous system problems.Fortunately, there are many alternative ways to control insects and weeds without the use of toxic pesticides, including using borax to eliminate ant issues and reducing pest's access to food, water and shelter.
For specific information on controlling pests from dandilions to gophers without pesticides, see the NW Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides website. If you choose to use an exterminator ask them if they use integrated pest management and make sure they use the least toxic alternative, spray the smallest area possible, and keep kids and pets away from the treat area for at least 12-24 hours.
For information on lawn care without pesticides, see the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Healthy Lawns website. Also, check out the Environmental Working Group's guide to pesticides in produce. Much of a child's early life is spent on their crib mattresses. Many mattresses are made of materials that off-gas air toxics or are heavily treated with brominated flame retardants, recently banned in California, Maine, Washington and the European Union, but still exntensively used throughout the country. Two forms of brominated flame retardants were banned in Oregon, but the most common form, deca, is still used. Fortunately, there are alternatives. The following vendors offer crib mattresses made from organic materials, guaranteed not to be treated with flame retardants: Naturepedic Baby Works Organic Mattress Store Green Home Other vendors offer organic cotton or wool options, but this is a good place to start.
Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which can be harmful to developing lungs. In general, the best way to address mold and mildew issues is to reduce moisture and increase ventilation. See the Oregon Department of Health Services website for more information on mold and mold prevention. Indoor air quality is especially important for children with asthma. This checklist, provided by the National Institutes of Health, can help you evaluate how asthma friendly your child care facility is. Scented candles and air fresheners often contain harmful chemicals, including lead, formaldehyde and phthalates. Use natural methods to freshen the air such as diluted essential oil sprays or boiling cinnamon on the stove top. Click here for information about air fresheners.
Household chemicals
Cleaning chemicals can be toxic to children and contribute to poor indoor air quality. Increaingly there are non-toxic, eco-safe alternatives to the potentially harmful brands you may currently be using. Check out this link for help finding safer cleaners and other household chemicals. For practical and easy-to-use recipes for cleaning (that's right, grandma knew what she was doing when she pulled out baking soda, borax and vinegar!) without toxic cleaners, click here. This is a great way to save money while improving the health of your home.
On the question of whether its okay to use bleach, keep in mind that there are effective alternatives to bleach. For example, Seventh Generation makes a set of cleaners with hydrogen peroxide, a safer, yet effective alternative to chlorine bleach. Click here for more information on disinfectants and bleach alternatives. Lead
Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage, lower intelligence and behavior and learning problems. Common sources of lead include flaking or chipping paint, contaminated soil and plumbing. There are extensive resources available to address lead problems. Easy steps you can take immediately, which are especially important if you live in an older home, include painting over chipping or flaking paint and running your tap water first thing in the morning for 15-30 seconds to flush out standing water. If you are concerned about lead hazards (currently 4% of US Children and 36% of inner city, low-income youth have levels above the EPA's recommendation) ask your doctor about having your child's blood lead level tested. The EPA currently recommends monitoring levels above 10 micrograms/deciliter of blood, but lower levels have been shown to impact IQ and learning. These impacts are preventable.
Mercury
Mercury is an element that was used for decades in fever thermometers and is now found in computers, compact flourescent lightbulbs, computer monitors and televisions. Mercury is a known neurotoxin, so the less we use it in our homes, the better. Fortunately, there are plenty of good alternatives to mercury thermometers such as digital thermometers. When disposing of products that have mercury in them seek out a way to recycle them. If you live in Oregon, this can easily be accomplished by contacting Metro. Approximately 95% of mercury in humans is the result of eating contaminated fish. Mercury is a chemical which bioaccumulates in nature (increases in concentration as you move up the food chain) and so predatory fish with long lives, such as sword fish, some tuna, tile fish, and sharks, have particularly high concentrations of mercury. Visit the Blue Ocean Institute to view a guide on choosing fish low in mercury (although I recommend purusing the whole site). If you are pregnant or have young children, talk to your doctor about appropriate amounts of fish to consume. A large amount of mercury is also produced by coal-fired power plants. By choosing the green energy option through your local utility, you can help reduce this pollution source.
Furniture and Carpets
Some foams used in furniture contain toxic flame retardants, so it is important to make sure none of the foam is exposed. Check out this site for more information on how to avoid these toxic flame retardants.
Wall-to-wall carpets usually require toxic glues and adhesives to affix them. Also, more carpet space means more opportunity for allergens to hide and cause problems.
Art Supplies
Some art supplies can contain toxic ingredients or are asthma triggers. Click here for more information on non-toxic art supplies.
Plastics and Plastic Toys
Even when plastic containers say “microwave safe,” using them in the microwave can cause the chemicals in the plastic to leach out into the food. Therefore, when microwaving food or beverages, always use a glass or ceramic container. Plastics labeled #3 (found in some toys and teething products), #6 (styrofoam) and #7 (found in some baby bottles and sippy cups) are increasingly linked to health problems in children. If a product is not labeled, you can contact the manufacturer to find out what kinds of plastics have been used. In general, #3 plastics are soft vinyl and #7 are hard, clear plastics. Choosing toys labeled "phthalate-free" and milky or opaque bottles can help reduce your child's exposure. Click on the links below for more information on Different types of plastics A Smart Guide to Plastics for Parents and Children Plastic water bottles
Playground Equipment
Arsenic,
a toxic metal, can leach into soil from CCA-treated wood used for play
equipment, where children can be exposed. Simple steps to avoid
exposure include choosing parks and equipment that are not CCA-treated
and washing hands after playing on treated wood. If you own CCA-treated
wood, sealing it every six months also helps to reduce exposure. Click
here to learn more about how to avoid treated wood.
It takes less than an hour to complete a few simple steps that might reduce your baby's risk of injury. Here's a list of 10 quick steps to baby-proof your home.
Also, check out our 10 Eco-healthy shopping tips to learn how to make your errands and purchases eco-healthy.
Have other concerns?
If you have other concerns or advice to share about how to maintain a safe and healthy home, try exchanging ideas with other parents