Z Brochure Green Clean5

 REDUCE - REUSE - RECYCLE

WHAT NOW? Ideally, we would not even have to bother thinking about such a substance being so readily available in our lives, but unfortunately this is not the case. The best way to avoid this VOC is to use all truly environmentally friendly products, in the construction of our homes, furnishings, and everyday products that fill our cupboards and lives. Don’t be fooled by the “natural” looking marketing schemes that are being used to make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It is sad, but in order to be certain, we must all read beyond the green leaves and labels, since these things are not regulated. There are alternatives available, and for a easier turn-over, it is suggested to switch out each product as needed, when their lives are over, replace them with a new healthier product. This can ensure that it is not too overwhelming to deal with the cost and task of re-doing everything that we normally do. Good luck!

GREEN SOURCES Any questions? Here is a list of resources that provided most of the information. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/ www.epa.gov/iaq/formaldehyde.html Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts111.html Environmental Health Perspectives-Journal www.ehponline.org/ Green Building Resource Guide www.greenguide.com Grist Environmental News and Commentary www.grist.org Environmental Building News www.BuildingGreen.com U.S Green Building Council www.usgbc.org www.greenhomeguide.org Greener World Media, Inc. www.greenbiz.com Mother Earth News www.motherearthnews.com Treehugger www.treehugger.com

May Contain: Wheat, Soy, Peanuts, Dairy, Chlorine, Lead, Asbestos, Formaldehyde, Benzene, Ethylene Glycol, Vinyl Chloride,...

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GREEN CLEAN YOUR HOME

Ever wonder what is looming in the walls, floors, ceilings, and whatnot around your home? What if you found out formaldehyde is not just found in the morgue? This is a guide to help you control your family’s indoor air quality, by providing a list of culprits, health impacts and steps to reduce your exposure.

CLEARING THE AIR WHY BOTHER?

FORMALDEHYDE?

Well, even though our days are pretty much filled to the brim already, the truth of the matter is that we spend up to

Isn’t that something that would only be used in a morgue? Quite surprisingly, it is found in many products that are commonplace in the American home.

90% OF OUR DAY INDOORS.

The materials used to create those walls, that we all hope can’t talk, are full of various substances that we never would have dreamed to be so close to for so much of our lives. Indoor air quality is very important to our health and the health of our children. Children, of very young ages, spend more time on or near the floor, crawling around, breathing in particles of dust, mold, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that reside in the very carpet that keeps them from bonking their heads on the ground, as well as many other common building materials. These various toxins can be found in homes of all ages and ranges. This is a guide on one common VOC that is most likely in all of our homes.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCS) VOCs are organic chemicals that become a breathable vapor or gas at room temperature. This is called “off-gasing,” which is when a chemical leaches into the air from a product. There are many VOCs that are extremely prevalent in our environment and homes. The one that we are going to focus on here is...

At room temperature, formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell. This scent fades away as it breaks down, though it becomes a more “invisible” toxin and persists for days after curing.

WHY SHOULD I CARE? SYMPTOMS THAT CAN OCCUR WHEN EXPOSED TO EVEN SMALL AMOUNTS: Burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rash, headaches, severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, can cause glands to manufacture excess mucus, numb the sense of taste and smell, vomiting, diarrhea. Individuals exposed to formaldehyde can also suffer brain impairment, leading to symptoms such as prolonged reaction time, abnormal balance and clumsiness, short term memory problems, and elevated anger and confusion levels. Varying levels of exposure can offset these symptoms for different people. Exposure to formaldehyde in human studies is linked to a rise in lung cancer and nasopharyngeal cancers, (nose and throat cancers) according to the EPA.

WHAT PRODUCTS CONTAIN FORMALDEHYDE? Indoor and exterior paints, plywood, chip board, gypsum board, particle board, laminated lumber, vinyl (imitation wood) panels, plaster, stucco, wallpaper, and even concrete, as well as the glue, adhesives and the like that are used in the construction process, as well as household cleaners, carpet cleaners, disinfectants, cosmetics, medicines [as a binding agent], fabric softeners, glues, lacquers, antiseptics, air fresheners, nail hardeners, polish and remover, shampoos, latex paints, permanent-pressed fabrics/clothing, car exhaust, cigarette smoke, and unvented gas or kerosene heaters used indoors.

EIGHT STEPS TO REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE 1 Use “exterior-grade” pressed wood products (lower- emitting because they contain phenol-formaldehyde resins, not the more toxic urea-formaldehyde resins). 2 Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to maintain moderate temperature and reduce humidity levels, since higher temperatures and humidity can increase emissions. 3 Increase ventilation, particularly after bringing

new sources of formaldehyde into the home by opening windows, and using fans. 4

Do not smoke indoors.

5 Do not use unvented heaters indoors. 6 Remove formaldehyde sources from the home. 7 Seal unfinished manufactured wood surfaces. 8 Wash new permanent press clothing before wearing (often requires many washes).

This brochure was created by 2008 Green Mountain College graduate Jessica Garrett as a part of her senior project.