You might think asbestos was banned. Not so. It was briefly up for a ban in 1991, but that was quickly overturned, and asbestos can still be used in many products today. As long as products contain only 1 percent or less asbestos, they’re perfectly legal.

Asbestos Causes Cancer

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer, says the Mayo Clinic, for which there is no cure for many people. Since the primary risk factor is from asbestos exposure, the most effective way to prevent this disease is to reduce your exposure whenever possible.

Asbestos Pollutes the Planet

Asbestos exposure isn’t just a worry for our health, either. It can work its way back into the environment, contaminating soil, air and water. Mesothelioma.Net points out that asbestos is still widely used in traditional power plants that burn fossil fuels. The asbestos may be found in plant insulation to prevent heat from escaping as well as to prevent fires. Workers may also use fireproof gear containing asbestos.

Asbestos may be used in coal mines, too, and in the gear miners use to stay safe. When not properly contained, asbestos can contaminate the air, soil, and water around mines, refineries, and power plants. “Residents may end up with asbestos in the air they breathe and the water they drink, putting them at risk for mesothelioma and other illnesses,” says Mesothelioma.net.

Asbestos is not only a risk when inhaled, but also when ingested.

The following chart shows the 9 most likely sources of asbestos exposure in your home. As the chart notes, though new asbestos use for home construction ended by 1980, many old homes still contain asbestos-laden insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and other materials.

Review the chart, take note of when your home was built, and get professional help from a contractor certified in safe asbestos abatement if your home was built before 1980 and you undertake home renovations.

Don’t DIY where asbestos is concerned!

What Else Can You Do to Avoid Asbestos Exposure?

In addition to renovating your home safely, you can protect yourself and your family by buying asbestos-free products.

Not only will this keep your family and the environment safe from exposure, but it’ll also show companies still using asbestos that you’ve had enough, says the Alliance.

Here are a few products that may still contain asbestos.

Textiles

Flame resistance is one of asbestos’ most useful qualities. For many years it was considered a miracle material for its ability to quench flames. In fact, the very name comes from the Greek word, asvestos, which means unquenchable or inextinguishable.

Asbestos was used frequently in fabrics designed to be flame resistant, like fire blankets, stunt man suits, and even curtains. Fabric usage was one of the most dangerous, because when these products came into contact with flames, the dangerous fibers would be released into the air.

How to Stay Safe

Using repurposed products like fire blankets and stunt man suits could seriously impact your health. So, if you’re looking for rustic accents to your bedroom or living room, stay away from vintage military or fireman clothes that may contain asbestos fibers.

Also, be careful when handling any family relics like old jackets or work clothes. Buying vintage is a great way to make your wardrobe eco friendly, but avoid old gear that could have been worn by firemen or repair men unsuspectingly working on contaminated sites.

Back to School Supplies

Reports of asbestos in Playskool crayons surfaced early in August, 2018, after the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) analyzed 27 back-to-school products. Playskool is sold primarily at Dollar Tree, but also through Amazon, eBay and DollarDays.com.

Even though the amounts found were very small, PIRG noted that children often chew on crayons or sharpen them, increasing chances that kids could end up swallowing or inhaling tiny but dangerous crayon shavings.

How to Stay Safe

Use colored pencils, beeswax crayons, and water-based markers from non toxic certified suppliers.

Don’t Miss Our Green Back-to-School Shopping Tips That Will Also Save You Money!

Kids Makeup

Earlier this year, a consumer watchdog group found asbestos in the products of Claire’s, a children’s makeup store. Claire’s has since said it’s removed the dangerous items from its stores and the remaining products are asbestos-free. But still…

How to Stay Safe

Skip the kids’ stuff and go with safe, plant-based, organic regular make up. For decorations, use face masks rather than painting right on kids’ skin, or easy peel-off stickers. Avoid face glitter (which kids could inhale or get in their eyes).

We pulled together 6 Non-Toxic Ways to Paint Your Face right here.

IMPORTANT!!

A proposed Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) opens the doors for increased asbestos production. This rule details how companies can present cases for asbestos use to the EPA, which would evaluate these appeals on a case-by-case basis.

That means that companies could resume using asbestos and potentially put consumers’ live at risk.

What you can do:

Share this post widely on your social media and with your friends and family.

 Contact the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance to learn more and find out what you can do to protect you and your loved ones from asbestos.

The post 9 Sneaky Ways You May End Up a Victim of Asbestos Exposure appeared first on Big Green Purse.

If your home needs a new roof, don’t be too quick to automatically assume you should replace the asphalt shingles you probably already have with more of the same. We’ve teamed up with roofing contractor Contractor Quotes to send up a warning flag about asphalt shingles and give you 7 eco-friendly roof options to consider. And of course, always talk to a professional to discuss the best options for you, given your budget, needs, preferences and concerns about the environment.

What’s Wrong With Asphalt?

There are two big problems with asphalt shingles.

One, they are not easy to recycle.

Asphalt shingles may contain asbestos, lead, cadmium and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), among other toxic chemicals.

Even though asbestos is not to have been used in shingle manufacturing since the 1980s, often, one shingle roof is installed directly on top of another. Old shingles that contain asbestos could be found if the old roof is ripped off completely and an entirely new roof installed. Because asphalt shingles contain an amalgam of materials, it can be hard to incorporate them into other products.

The PAHs they contain come from the petroleum products used to manufacture shingles. The PAHs don’t appear to leach out of the shingles themselves. However, PAHs are emitted when the shingles are originally made. Some PAHs are known to cause cancer, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The second problem with asphalt shingles is that they contaminate the water that runs off them. 

Researchers at the University of Michigan College of Engineering found high levels of lead in rainwater that came from the roof. This could be a problem for people who collect rainwater in barrels to water their gardens. It’s also a source of contamination for our groundwater, since so much rain water slides off our roofs, into our gutters, and then into the street and street sewers.

8 Eco-Friendly Roof Options to Consider

Here are 8 eco-friendly roof options that don’t contain asphalt.

White or “Cool” Roof – The aptly-nicknamed “cool roof” consists of a mixture of white gravel and glue. It reflects the sun’s rays, helping your home stay cooler in the summer. Energy Star-qualified cool roofs can lower the roof’s surface temperature by up to 100 degrees F. That could cut your air conditioning use by 10% to 15%.

Wood Shingles – Wood shingles can be made out of reclaimed or recycled wood and last up to 20 years. When it’s time to replace the roof, you can recycle the shingles, lengthening the lifespan of the wood.

Solar Shingles – Shingles made from photovoltaic cells offer an increasingly popular alternative to solar panels mounted on roofs. The shingles, like those pictured above, are cost-competitive with solar panels and can be integrated into the roof so you can barely tell they’re there. Federal and state tax credits offset the cost of the shingles, and you’ll get additional savings – maybe as much as 40% to 60% – because the panels could cut your utility bill so drastically.

Metal Roofs – Metal roofs are very durable and long-lasting. They will reflect the sun’s rays well to help lower your energy bills. The metal can contain a high degree of recycled content and can also be recycled at the end of its life.

Slate Tiles – Slate is so durable, some manufacturers offer a 100 year warranty. You can also use salvaged slate tiles that have been repurposed by the manufacturer.

Clay and Concrete Tiles – Clay tiles are very good at reflecting heat, so will help reduce your utility bills. They are also fully recyclable. One down side of clay tiles is that they can be energy intensive to manufacture. Concrete tiles can look like clay but don’t use quite as much energy to manufacture.

Rubber Roof – A rubber roof is usually made out of reinforced rubber shingles that are manufactured from used steel-belted radial tires. Rubber is very durable and long-lasting. It can be manufactured to look like either slate or shake tiles and can be very beautiful.

Garden/Green Roof – Planting your roof with vegetation can help cool your home, improve insulation, and help clean the air. Green roofs combat the “heat island effect” that raises temperatures in so many cities. And if you opt to plant an actual garden, you can grow food and flowers on your roof, which is terrific if you don’t have any space on your ground-level property.

Questions to Ask When Considering Eco-Friendly Roof Options

Before you buy a roof no matter what kind of roofing materials you’re considering, ask the following questions:

* What is the roofing material made of?

* Is your home’s existing frame strong enough to withstand the roof being proposed?

* How does the roof rate when it comes to Energy Star and LEED, the U.S. Green Building Council standards for eco-friendly building materials?

* How long will the roof last? It should be under a specific warranty for years of performance.

* Will the old roof be recycled?

* What kind of maintenance is required? A “green” roof covered with vegetation will require more maintenance than a roof made of recycled rubber tiles.

* Is the roofing contractor highly experienced and highly rated on sites like Angie’s List, neighborhood listservs, the Better Business Bureau, or other independent sites that verify the quality of the roofer’s work?

If you’ve installed an eco-friendly roof, what did you choose and why?

NOTE: Though we team up with a variety of companies to bring you information and expertise, our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks for any suggestions you have that will help us improve the content we offer you.

The post Why These 8 Eco-Friendly Roof Options Don’t Include Asphalt Shingles appeared first on Big Green Purse.

We spend 90% of our time indoors – where the air is 2x – 5x more polluted than outdoor air. Shouldn’t the air we breathe indoors be as clean as possible? You bet, especially given how sick tainted indoor air can make us. In this previous post, we reviewed the top 16 causes of indoor air pollution. But what’s important is to fix the problem, which is why we’re focusing here on indoor air pollution solutions.

Fortunately, the solutions we’re suggesting are pretty easy actions, many of which you can take yourself and at an affordable price. But the truth is, if you’re suffering from indoor air pollution, you really can’t afford NOT to act. Hopefully this guide will make it a little easier for you.

Indoor Air Pollution Solutions

1) Test for Radon & Mold – It is easy to spot moldy build-up in your bathroom or around a drain. It is black or spotty and is hard to get rid of when it’s dark and damp. But mold can also build up inside an air conditioning system, where it’s difficult to see. Radon, meanwhile, can get into your home through cracks in your foundation or fissures in your walls. As a matter of course, have your home HVAC system inspected annually to maintain top performance. The inspector can test for mold at that time. As for radon, the U.S. EPA recommends starting here to find a qualified inspector who can also recommend mitigation if necessary. Home radon testing kits are also available online and in hardware stores.

2) Fix Water Leaks – You may be able to fix water leaks yourself by replacing a washer in a faucet or taping a pipe. If that doesn’t do the trick, call in a plumber. Many plumbing companies offer monthly service specials that will help you save a few bucks on the visit, but even if they don’t, you’ll end up saving money on your water bill in the long run once you have the drip fixed.

3) Repair Gas Leaks – If you suspect a gas leak from your stove or furnace, call your gas company immediately and they’ll send someone out to check your appliances and keep you safe. At the very least, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to alert you if the gas reaches dangerous levels. Most smoke alarms these days also include a carbon monoxide detector. They’re inexpensive to buy and easy to install.

4) Install Air Filter Systems & Replace Filters Regularly – Air filters trap dust before it has a chance to circulate around your interior living space. But they need to be changed regularly in order to do their job. Get to know how to change the filters on your HVAC system and air exchange vents in your home. The filters are very inexpensive and easy to change out yourself.

5) Ventilate Your Bathrooms – Keep air circulating your bathrooms to prevent moisture and mold build-up. If you have windows, crack them open, especially when someone is taking a shower or bath. Install a ceiling or wall fan to help the space dry out more quickly.

6) Avoid Cleaning Products Filled with Artificial Fragrances – Forget so-called air fresheners and spray cleaners that rely on synthetic fragrances and phthalates, which mask orders rather than get rid of them. Instead, find the source of the bad odor and dispose of it. Simmer a pot of water and some cinnamon sticks, cloves and lemon to freshen up the smell of a room. Or here’s a unique idea: open a window and let in fresh air. Especially during winter months when our houses are all closed up, rooms can start to smell a little stale. Open a window for a few minutes and let a brisk breeze do what no artificial fragrances can – actually freshen the air. And remember, you can clean pretty much everything in your home with baking soda, water, vinegar, fragrance-free liquid detergent, and some lemon juice.

7) Skip Synthetic Perfumes, Deodorants, and Personal Sprays – Like cleaning products, personal care products may be filled with chemicals that hang around in the air and make us feel ill rather than pep us up. If you want a little perfume, dab some plant-based essential oil behind your ears or on your wrists. You can find lavender, jasmine, rose, and any number of other flower-based fragrances to choose from. Look for fragrance-free roll-on deodorants, too.

8) Make Your Home Tobacco Smoke-Free – No one should smoke inside your home. No one. If you and your guests must smoke, do it outdoors, out of consideration for any children or others who should not or don’t want to be subjected to your second-hand smoke.

9) Use No- and Low-VOC Paints – Pretty much any color paint you would want to use is now available from many paint companies in a no- or low-VOC option. Remember, the VOCs are what give you the headaches, nausea and sometimes even flu-like symptoms. Why put yourself through that when a no- or low-VOC option is so easily available?

10) Wash Bedding Frequently – If you or family members are susceptible to dust mites, you may find that you need to wash your bedding every week in hot water. Of course, you may do this as a matter of course, anyway. But it’s highly recommended to control dust mite build-up.

11) Place Floor Mats Outside Your Home Entry Points or Right Inside the Door, and Take Off Shoes Upon Entry – Our shoes track in all manner of pollutants, from basic dirt to pesticides that someone might have sprayed on their lawn. Keep them from contaminating your living space by wiping your shoes before you enter your home, and taking your shoes off once you get inside the door. Keep a pair of slippers near the door so it becomes habit to slip off your shoes as soon as you come in.

12) Clean Up After Your Pet – In addition to cleaning up any accidents your pet might have, make sure you vacuum regularly to pull up fur that’s been shed and dirt your pets might have brought into the home from outside. I keep a cloth by my door to wipe off the pets’ paws when they come in, especially if it’s been raining outside.

13) Leave Asbestos Alone – If you think your shingles or tiles might be made from asbestos, leave them alone if they are in good shape. However, if you are renovating or the tiles are deteriorating and they have to be removed, hire a licensed contractor to do the job. Asbestos if very dangerous and your should not work with it under any circumstances.

14) Hire a Professional to Remove Lead Paint – Because lead paint chips and peels, it is dangerous to have around. Ingesting lead causes birth defects, developmental delays, and many serious health problems that can be easily avoided by getting rid of the offending lead. It is essential to hire a professional who can capture the contaminated paint and dust as they are being removed. This is one of those fixes that does cost some money, but it is crucial to do this job correctly.

15) Reduce Wall-to-Wall Carpeting if Possible – Most carpeting is a trap for dirt, dust, and pollutants we and our pets track in from outdoors. Plus, cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting often involves strong chemicals infused with synthetic fragrances that can give us headaches and otherwise make us feel ill at ease. If it is possible to replace wall-to-wall carpeting with wood flooring and area rugs you can easily clean, go for it! If not, carpeting really needs to be vacuumed at least once a week, and cleaned with water-based, fragrance-free, non-toxic cleansers.

Many thanks to AirFilterBuy.com, our sponsors for this very useful and informative post. For more information, and to see a complete infographic about both the causes of and solutions to indoor air pollution, stop in here.

The post Indoor Air Pollution Solutions: 15 Affordable Actions To Help You Breathe Clean Air appeared first on Big Green Purse.

LEAD

 Renovation and remodeling may result in lead poisoning in children, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The lead primarily comes from old paint.  Power sanding and demolishing walls and ceilings can release toxic dust, which can poison kids and pregnant women in particular. Your contractor can do a test to detect the presence of lead in wall, ceiling, door and window trim paint.

To be safe, if your house was built before 1978, assume the worst so you’ll take the best precautions. Work with a contractor who is certified in safe lead removal practices. Seal off the area that is being renovated with plastic sheeting and make sure the paint is being removed using a wet sand or wet scrape process, which reduces the presence of dust and fumes. Clean up thoroughly every day. And keep pregnant women, babies and children, and even pets far away from harmful dust and debris.

PARTICULATES

Minute particles of dust and fiber seem to come from everything: drywall, plaster, concrete, soil, wood, masonry, flooring, roofing, and insulation. Even if these particles aren’t toxic themselves, because they’re so fine, they can irritate the lungs if they’re inhaled, leading to such health risks as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. Motes of fiberglass and insulation can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Toxic dust containing asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead can cause serious long-term health effects.

What to do? Before construction starts, set a plan to minimize exposure. Separate the area being remodeled from other areas in the home, creating a secure barrier if needed. Exhaust ventilation is critical as well, to remove dust and fibers from demolition as well as the construction process.

MOLD AND MILDEW

Water can get into the house via foundation cracks, leaks in the roof, even a window left unintentionally open during a rainstorm. Before long, mold and mildew can build up, causing a wide variety of respiratory and system ailments.

Foundation cracks will require professional attention, as will most leaks in the roof. What is critical is to get mold under control before it has a chance to spread. You may see it show up on walls and ceilings, but it also may be hidden from sight, maybe inside a dehumidifier, for example, or between floorboards.  If a roof leak or water spot shows up, you ignore it at your own peril.

ASBESTOS

The use of asbestos has been banned in many industrialized countries, but materials containing asbestos can still be found in many buildings, including houses and apartments. That’s because, after World War II, a shortage of bricks led to creation of new composite materials. One of these, known as “fibro,” was actually asbestos cement sheeting.  Experts worry that do-it-yourself home renovation projects can be particularly deadly, since so many people don’t know the proper way to protect themselves around asbestos.

Many professionals recommend not disturbing asbestos unless it absolutely must be disposed of. Wherever it is encountered, it should be treated by professionals who are trained and certified in safe and effective asbestos removal.

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