From LOSING IT! With Jillian Michaels
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Clean Up the VOCs Surrounding You
Get this: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home could have 100 times the level of pollutants of the air outside, primarily because of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Essentially, VOCs are chemical compounds that are emitted as gases by paints, vinyls, plastics, cleaning products, solvents, air fresheners, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, wall-to-wall carpeting, deodorants, dry-cleaned clothing, and cosmetics. That smell of fresh paint or new carpet? That's what I'm talking about. You may not be aware of VOCs or know what they are, but these endocrine disruptors surround you daily.
Some short-term adverse health effects that VOCs can cause include nausea, headache, drowsiness, and sore throat. Long-term effects include asthma and other respiratory problems; some even say cancer may be linked to exposure to VOCs.
Here are some steps you can take to help rid your environment of VOCs. The fewer of these compounds in your life, the better!
Don't use artificial room deodorizers. These products only mask whatever foul odors may be lurking. They are little VOC factories just pumping toxins into your room. Instead, clean your air with a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter, which is a mechanical air filter that traps particles such as smoke. One study found that healthy nonsmokers who used HEPA filters for two days drastically improved their cardiovascular function. Get one with a VOC filter.
Use 100 percent natural products to clean. Using truly natural products, such as white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and plain old water, can get you more bang for your buck and cut down on VOCs. If you choose to stick with store-bought cleaners, select products from companies known to be environmentally responsible, such as Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyer's, and Method.
Go "green" when doing home-improvement projects. Because many paints and a lot of carpeting emit VOCs, you should look for products that don't contain the hazardous chemicals — although I know they're not exactly mainstream. Look for online suppliers such as Green Depot, which offers environmentally friendly building and home-improvement materials.