synthetic fragrances Archives - Big Green Purse

You Don’t Have a Cold. Your Indoor Air Quality Stinks.

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 03:28:45 +0000

Headache? Achy joints? Runny nose? Itchy eyes? You’re probably thinking you’ve got a cold. It might just be that your indoor air quality stinks – literally.

Indoor air quality can be a LOT more polluted than the air outside. That’s bad news for those of us who live inside – which, I think, is everyone reading this post.

⇒ In addition to making us feel like we’ve got a cold, polluted indoor air can zap our energy and turn us into cranky grumps.

⇒ If you have asthma or another respiratory illness, poor indoor air quality will make them worse.

⇒ Lousy indoor air quality can even contribute to cancers caused by exposure to the toxic chemicals that pollute the air we breathe when we’re inside.

Because indoor air quality causes so many health problems, I’ve teamed up with the smart folks at HomeLab to make it easier for you to figure out what’s actually in the air you’re breathing at home and how you can create a Healthy Home.

Indoor Air Pollution Sources

Where does indoor air pollution come from?
• cooking
• cleaning
• fireplaces
• furnaces
• mold and mildew build-up
• paint
• carpeting and furniture
• food waste
• synthetic air fresheners
• furniture polishes

The HomeLab Healthy Home Program to Create a Non-Toxic Home

This is Nate!

HomeLab was started by Nate Bellino.

After working in energy efficiency for over a decade, Nate realized that the air inside our homes was pervasively bad.

His wife battled cancer twice and his daughter has asthma. When trying to create a healthy home for his family, he found trying to remove toxins and pollutants exceedingly difficult.

He started HomeLab so that more people could easily create a healthy home on any budget.

Nate’s ingenious Healthy Home Program is designed to help you make sure that the air you’re breathing is actually worth breathing!

Here’s how it works:

Identify
Monitor
Act
Keep Monitoring!

Step 1 – Identify – First and foremost, you need to know what’s in the air you’re breathing. Once you sign up for HomeLab, you’ll get a monitor that will give you vital readings that show you what invisible toxins and pollutants are lurking in your home’s air. (NOTE: You can sign up for a Healthy Home Program for less than $10/month.)

The Healthy Home app is really easy to use.

Step 2 – Monitor – Once you know what’s in your air, you can use the monitor together with the HomeLab smart phone app to view toxin levels so you’ll know at any given time where problems exist and whether you need to act.

Step 3 – Take Action – HomeLab’s team of “Home Doctors” – experts with deep knowledge and experience working on indoor air quality – will prescribe the most effective ways for you specifically to create a healthy home that is right for you. They always start with no-cost activities that are surprisingly simple, some of which can remove up to 40% of the toxins and pollutants found in your home’s indoor air.

Step 4 – Continue to Monitor – “Our monitoring service places an effective shield against incoming pollution,” reports Nate. “We remotely observe your air quality monitor and notify you of critical spikes or alarming trends, proactively providing solutions and partnering with you until we kick pollution to the curb.”

Doesn’t that sound like a good idea?!

“Air quality is ever fluctuating in a home,” says Nate. “Different seasons, outdoor pollution events, different rooms all contribute to spikes. We start people off with simple activities and continue guiding them in creating a non-toxic home.”

Once you’ve got a handle on your home, you can continue to use the app as a sort of air quality watchdog.

Free eBook!

If you want to learn more about indoor air and how yours might be polluted, at least get a copy of HomeLab’s Free Healthy Home eBook.

Here’s what’s in it:

√ A list of the most common forms of toxins and pollutants
√ A description of how different products we have at home add to indoor air pollution
√ Common products and services to avoid
√ A step-by-step process for creating a healthy, non-toxic home
√ Recommendations for apartments and rentals

Here’s the link to get your free copy.

25% Discount for the Big Green Purse Community

The Healthy Home app shows you exactly how to clean up your air.

As a special bonus for the Big Green Purse community, HomeLab is offering you an 25% discount off either the start-up or the premium package. You can check out the advantages of each one right here.

By the way, now is the perfect time to monitor your indoor air. Most of us have either closed our windows tight against the cold weather or , if you live in the south, buttoned your house up to keep air conditioned in.

Either way, the air could be stagnating a bit, which might actually make indoor air pollution worse.

Why not see what’s in your air, and take steps to fix it?

You’ll feel better and stay healthier, right away and in the long term, too.

DISCLOSURE: We’re partnering with Home Lab because we know how important it is to breathe clean indoor air. We will earn a small commission if you sign up for the Healthy Home Program, but we’d recommend Home Lab regardless because we want you to be well. Thanks!

The post You Don’t Have a Cold. Your Indoor Air Quality Stinks. appeared first on Big Green Purse.

The 10 Most Toxic Items on Drugstore Shelves

admin — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 14:10:13 +0000

Drugstores initially were places where we went to get medicine. While we may still get our prescriptions filled there, today’s drugstores also sell food, cosmetics, toys, office supplies, and home goods—and a surprising number of these items are the opposite of medicine. Many contain chemical compounds that can actually make us pretty sick if we’re exposed to them over time.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most toxic drugstore items that you should probably avoid—or at least cut back on—as well as healthier alternatives.

1 ) Tampons and Feminine Care Products

A disturbing array of toxic chemicals have been found in conventional tampons, menstrual pads, wipes, douches, and other feminine hygiene products. These chemicals, which include pesticide residues, dioxin, unknown fragrance chemicals and adhesives, have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, allergic rash, and reproductive harm. They raise alarms because vaginal tissue is particularly porous, which means that chemicals put into the vagina are easily and effectively distributed throughout the body, says Women’s Voices for the Earth in its comprehensive report “Chem Fatale.”

Safer Alternative: Skip products marketed as “vaginal cleansers.” The vagina is designed to self-clean; douching and excess washing, in fact, can lead to infections, says WomensHealth.gov. Choose unscented tampons, as well as chlorine-free bleached or unbleached cotton tampons and pads. Reusable, washable menstrual pads are also available, as are washable menstrual cups to collect rather than absorb menstrual flow.

2) Mascara

Mercury—a potent neurotoxicant that can cause kidney damage and potentially disrupt fetal brain development if the woman using it is pregnant—is sometimes used in mascara as a preservative and germ killer.

Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the advocacy group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, says there is no reason “a known neurotoxin should be allowed” because safer alternatives exist. Unfortunately, there’s no way you would know whether your mascara contains mercury or not, because companies are not required to list it on their product labels.

Safer Alternative: To be safe, search online for “mercury-free mascara” or shop at natural foods stores. Or, try this recipe for making your own mascara.

3) Air Fresheners

Phthalates help disperse the fragrances in air fresheners into the air, where you may inhale them or absorb them through your skin.

Once these chemicals enter the blood stream, they can alter hormone levels or cause symptoms like headache, runny nose and itchy eyes.

The State of California notes that five types of phthalates are “known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm,” reports the Natural Resources Defense Council. Exposure to phthalates in air fresheners has also been associated with increasing the risk of asthma.

Safer Alternative: First and foremost, root out what is making your home smell bad. Then open the windows and let fresh air circulate.

Keep bathroom floors and the base of the toilet clean, use fans to move moist air out of bathrooms so mildew doesn’t develop, and don’t leave old food on kitchen counters or in an uncovered trash can, where it will smell as it decomposes.

To add a pleasant fragrance to your home naturally, simmer cloves, orange peel, and apple cider or pieces of apple on your stove, and enjoy fragrant cut flowers like roses and lilies.

Don’t Miss: Indoor Air Pollution Solutions: 15 Affordable Actions to Help You Breathe Clean Air

4) Lipstick

An analysis by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that 400 shades of lipstick contained measurable lead levels, with these 10 brands and shades containing the most lead.

The FDA believes that the amount of lead present doesn’t pose a safety risk, but is continuing to study the issue. However, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics takes the position that almost any exposure to lead is unsafe and should be avoided.

Lead exposure has been linked to learning, language and behavioral problems, reduced fertility in both men and women, hormonal changes and menstrual irregularities, and delayed onset of puberty in girls and development of testes in boys.

“Lead builds in the body over time, and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels,” says Mark Mitchell, co-chairman of the Environmental Health Task Force for the National Medical Association.

Safer Alternative: Lead occurs naturally in the mineral additives that give lipstick their color, so it is hard to find any lipstick or lip gloss that doesn’t contain trace amounts of lead. Look for products that derive their colors from fruits rather than minerals, keep lips moisturized with non-petroleum based lip balm, and use less rather than more lipstick overall.

5) Hand Sanitizer

Triclosan is an “anti-microbial agent” that is added to a wide variety of personal care products to fight germs, including hand sanitizer, body soap and toothpaste.

But in addition to having a negative impact on our hormone systems, many public health advocates worry that frequent use of this chemical is actually contributing to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reducing our ability to fight disease.

Triclosan can also wash down the drain then build up in streams, lakes and rivers, where it can wreak havoc on the biological systems of fish, frogs and other aquatic wildlife. Plus, “antibacterial ingredients don’t kill viruses, which cause the vast majority of minor illnesses people experience,” reports WebMD. That includes colds, flu and stomach bugs.

Safer Alternative: Choose products free of triclosan, triclocarbon, and other antibacterial agents. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently; it’s not the type of soap that prevents the spread of bacteria and viruses, it’s how you wash your hands. Lather up and rub hands together vigorously for 20 seconds, rinse well, and dry with a clean towel. Disinfect home surfaces using a solution of hot water, white vinegar, and borax. You can find WebMD’s recipe here.

6) Nail Polish

In their report “Glossed Over,” Women’s Voices for the Earth, a non-profit science-based research group, identified the three top ingredients of concern in many nail products: toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). All have been linked to health problems that range from headache, dizziness and fatigue to dermatitis, cancer and possible developmental problems if babies are exposed in utero.

Safer Alternative: Some national nail polish companies have phased toxic ingredients out of their products; read the label to find “3-free” options (or “5-free” if they’ve also phased out additional undesirable chemicals). Refer to this list of 12 non-toxic nail polish brands. Or, trim, file, and buff your nails with a 4-way buffer block, then dab a little oil on each nail. You’ll be amazed at how shiny and healthy your nails look.

7) Kids’ Toys and Backpacks

When the Washington Toxics Coalition and its partners tested 1,200 toys, they were stunned by the results.

Lead was detected in 35% of items tested, ranging from packs of cards to dolls to kids’ backpacks. Nearly 50% of toys tested were made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, including balls, bath toys, animal figurines, costumes, and lunch boxes.

“PVC is generally considered the most hazardous plastic because it creates hazards in its manufacture and disposal, and contains additives that are dangerous to human health,” say the study’s authors in their report, “Toxic Toys.” Other toys contained heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic and mercury.

Safer Alternative: Choose toys made from wood, cotton, wool, and other real materials that are painted with non-toxic paint. Buy from reputable sustainable toy manufacturers like Plan Toys. Make your own “play dough” out of flour, salt, cream of tarter, a little oil, water and natural food coloring. Here’s the recipe.

8) Bottled Water

You may be buying bottled water because you think it is safer than tap water.

But in fact, much bottled water actually comes from the same sources as tap water, so you’re paying a lot more money for water you think is better for you but actually isn’t.

Plus, the bottles that the water comes in could pose a threat if the plastic contains Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disrupting chemical linked to breast and prostate cancer, infertility, and type-2 diabetes.

Safer Alternative: Get a stainless steel reusable water bottle and a filter for your tap so you can carry your own water with you. Keep filtered water in a pitcher in your refrigerator so it’s easy to fill up. Rely on canned food only in emergencies; otherwise, make extra food when you cook, then pack it into reusable glass or stainless steel containers that you can refreeze and reheat when you need it.

9) Cleaning Products

The dirt in our homes consists mostly of simple grease and grime, dust, food and drink spills.

But most cleaning products contain chemicals so powerful they could clean up a toxic waste site.

Instead, they make our eyes itch and our noses run, trigger asthma, irritate our skin, and come with warnings like “do not inhale” or “use with caution.”

Safer Alternative: Choose plant-based cleansers, or make your own. A paste of baking soda, a little fragrance-free plant-based liquid dish soap, and warm water cleans countertops, walls, tile or linoleum floors and even the toilet bowl and ring around the bathtub.

Use a spray of vinegar and water to wash windows and mirrors, and a stronger vinegar solution to tackle mold or mildew. A dab of olive oil on a cotton towel will bring back the shine to stainless steel appliances. Microfiber cloths work better than furniture sprays to attract dust.

10) Canned Food

Increasingly, it seems that drugstore shelves are being stocked with canned food that people run in and pick up when they don’t have time to get to a grocery store or farmers market and buy fresh food they can cook at home. The problem with most canned food is that the linings of the can are usually embedded with Bisphenol-A, also called BPA (explained above).

A new report from a coalition of health and environmental groups found that 100 percent of bean and tomato food cans tested at discount stores contained BPA.

Safer Alternative: If you have to buy packaged food, choose frozen over canned. Try to plan meals ahead using more fresh ingredients. Make double the amount when you cook a meal, then freeze the leftovers so you’ll have healthy food available when you’re crunched for time.

WOMAN’S DAY – I originally wrote this post for WomansDay.com. You can see the original story here.

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Thumbs Up For Via Nature Natural Deodorant

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 01:32:03 +0000

Most deodorant stinks.

Not because it doesn’t keep YOU from stinking. It stinks because it contains nasty chemicals you just shouldn’t put on your body. That’s why Via Nature Natural Deodorant is such a breath of fresh air – literally. It’s also why we’ve partnered with them to bring you this expert information about the chemicals found in a lot of deodorants, plus the chance to get some of their great products for free. Read on!

Deodorants Are A Drug!

Believe it or not, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies deodorants as a drug, thanks to the various chemicals they contain:

Conventional antiperspirants often use aluminum compounds to create pore plugs that stop the flow of sweat.

Synthetic fragrances – chemical compounds that may be phthalate-based hormone disruptors – are used to mask odors.

Some deodorants and antiperspirants also contain triclosan, a pesticide that studies have shown compromises the immune system.

Why does Via Nature Natural Deodorant get a Thumbs Up?

We love Via Nature deodorants because they contain no:

√ Aluminum compounds

√ Parabens

√ Phthalates

√ Artificial fragrances

√ Sulfates

√ Synthetic dyes

√ Triclosan

√ Petrochemicals

Plus, they’re vegan and not tested on animals, either.

Get it fragrance-free or choose from among the three unisex scents derived from essential oils – Rosemary Sandalwood, Sweet Orange Lemongrass, and Lavender Eucalyptus. And no, Via Nature won’t break the bank. The roll-on version is only $5.99. You can also get a stick version for $6.99, or a spray at $7.49.

Try It for Free!

You’re probably thinking that you should give this a try, and you should. But you can try Via Nature Natural Deodorant for free by entering your email address below (we promise you will not get spammed!). If you’re one of the first 30 Big Green Purse readers to do so, Via Nature will send you a full-size deodorant in the style and scent of your choice. PLUS: You’ll also be entered to win a $250 gift basket of Via Nature products, which include hand and body lotions and various wonderful skin care oils. Once you enter, please share on Facebook and Twitter, too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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5 Steps for Fresh Indoor Air

admin — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:16:31 +0000

Keeping our homes closed up against the heat of the summer tends to rob rooms of fresh indoor air and make the whole house a little stuffy. But no matter what the season, the US EPA says the most energy-efficient, cost -effective, and non-toxic way to deal with stale air is “Source Control” of indoor pollutants. In other words, find out what is stinking up the place, and get rid of it.

Step 1: Plug the bad air intake spots. Your house is going to tend to suck in air because of the negative pressure created by fans, AC, furnaces, wood or corn burners, or other sources. In the winter time this is more noticeable because this inward pressure manifests itself as cold drafts that are easy to identify. In the summer warm drafts are tougher to spot. When you’re not using your fireplace, make sure the damper is closed or you use something like a chimney balloon to plug it up.

Step 2: Open windows and doors for a short time to let out nasty smells. If you are doing an indoor home improvement project that includes painting, sanding, torches, welding, soldering, burning, heat gunning, harsh cleansers like bleach or ammonia, or any other activity that puts something into the air other than your breath…you will be better served to open your home to the outside than to keep it closed up. At a minimum, open up the room you are working in to air it out.

Step 3: Display your nice paraffin or scented candles but don’t burn them. Anything you burn from candles to wood in the fireplace is going to introduce toxins to your air through smoke and carbon. Beeswax and soy-based candles are not nearly as polluting as regular scented candles, but they should be used with a trimmed wick so the flame does not get too long. Obviously, smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes in the house is horrible for everyone in the home, especially when the house is closed.

Step 4: Don’t bother with tabletop air purifiers. The US EPA does not certify or endorse air cleaning filters. And third party testing labs like Consumer Reports do not give glowing reviews of most air filter products. If you have a lot of dust in your home, use filters on your air vents and change them regularly. Room fans will also help maintain fresh indoor air by keeping air moving.

Step 5: Take out the trash regularly. Meat or fish packaging starts to smell very quickly, even if it is in the trash can. I generally rinse off stinky packaging and wrap it in newspaper. Then I put it in my outdoor trash bin, rather than in the trash can in the kitchen.

What steps do you take to enjoy fresh indoor air at your house?

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