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by Angela Cummings, reviewed by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Back in the early 2000’s, the criteria I used when shopping for a home was this: it had to be cute, in a good neighborhood, and in a manageable price range. All the important criteria widely used in a home search!

I had not considered the materials used or toxic building materials that might have been installed.

Unfortunately, that oversight was significant.

After moving into our new home, I developed a medical...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Surprisingly, lead is still found in many consumer products today.

While lead was banned from house paint in the U.S. in 1978, it is still found in the paint of older homes, hand-me-down products, and products made in foreign countries. (1)(2)

In addition, lead may be found in products that fall into an exempt or exclusion category set forth by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. For example, some electronic components have...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Home remodeling can be trickier than building a new home, in the sense that you, the homeowner, are likely still living in the home while it’s being remodeled.

This gives added importance to choosing materials with fewer chemicals that are off-gassing and reducing indoor air quality.

Each stage of the construction process involves choosing materials that can off-gas into the indoor air environment. However, for the...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Let's consider the dyes used in textiles, which are part of our furniture, drapes, carpets, area rugs, bedding, towels, clothes, bags, backpacks, toys, and more.

These dyes can be made of natural and/or synthetic ingredients, but be aware that they can influence indoor air quality and our health.

In this article, we'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of natural and synthetic dyes.

Natural Dyes

Natural dyes...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Do you feel tired or under the weather when you’re at home, and feel better when you leave the house?

New moms spend more time at home with the kids and, along with it, sometimes comes congestion and a scratchy throat.

When you take the kids to the park, you enjoy fresh air and feel much better.

But when you return to your new home, you become dizzy or nauseous.

Why?

Since you’re spending more time in the home, your...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

In today’s fast-paced world, stress is increasing. Along with the amount of time we spend indoors.

On average, people spend 90% of their time indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (1) The need for a low-stress, indoor environment is more important than ever.

Studies show that indoor environments that have wood, plants, and other natural elements improve health. However, there are...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Floral and fruity scents make our homes smell good, but if you knew what they were made of, you might reconsider.  

Synthetic fragrances or scents are made from chemical concoctions that are created in a laboratory. One scent in one product can contain any number of chemicals—sometimes 100 or more for that one scent.  

We would never know, though. Manufacturers are not required to list individual chemicals on labels...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Did you know that a doctor’s note is needed in order to buy a mattress without flame retardants?

It’s federal law.

You might assume, then, that flame retardants added to mattresses and other furniture are critical life-saving additives. After all, laws are meant to keep us safe.

Scientists have found that there is no meaningful difference in having flame retardants in furniture. (1)

And, actually, those flame retardants may...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

It’s sooo tempting to mix household cleaning products to create the most powerful cleaning solutions to fight stubborn stains and grime. However, this may create a “chemical cocktail” that can be dangerous.

Even products that are widely considered “safe” (like vinegar) can be toxic when combined with other chemicals.

The Chemical Cocktail Effect

The chemical cocktail effect...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

When I first learned about chemicals found in everyday products, I looked to make simple, gradual changes.  

Clothing was one of the areas that seemed logical.

As my clothes wore out one by one, I replaced them with cottons instead of polyesters.

Boy, am I glad that I did. Here’s what I found.

Synthetic Fiber vs. Natural Fiber

Synthetic fibers are made from plastics and oil byproducts. Whenever I think of synthetic...