Use Air Fresheners And You Could Die.

Did that title get your attention??
So the actual situation isn't as dire as it sounds. But its still pretty bad. A recent study by Natural Resources Defense Council found that 12 out of 14 popular air freshener products contained a chemical known to be harmful to the health of humans. Phthalates, known to cause reproductive problems and hormone disruption in humans, were found in virtually all air freshener brands, including several Walgreens-branded air fresheners that the popular retailer has now pulled off its shelves.

In a hopeful lapse of judgement, neither the FDA or the EPA test air fresheners for homes, meaning consumers could be exposed to unknown chemicals without warning.

Only two products tested by the NRDC -- Febreze Air Effects and Renuzit Subtle Effects -- contained almost no detectable levels of phthalates, yet the twelve other products tested positive for the chemical even though some were labeled "unscented" and none of them listed phthalates as an ingredient.

This just raises the question as to how many lethal chemicals we are being subjected to each day in our own homes. Maybe its time that the government starts filtering new products? Or maybe we should start using nature's air fresheners instead of ones made in factories?



-

Toxins in your House

When you're working on making your house more green and environmentally safe you also have to think about making your body more safe. There are toxins in your house that can eventually create respiratory problems, cause weight gain and slow your metabolism making you feel tired.
These toxins are found in everyday common house cleaners. Recent EPA reports show that indoor pollutent levels are two to five times higher than outdoor levels, and a lot of that pollution is caused by our household cleaners.

One new chemical enters industrial use every 20 minutes," says Paula Baillie-Hamilton, MD, only to join many hundreds of thousands of synthetic chemicals already in use. "As a result, the average person living in the developed world is now contaminated with up to 500 industrial toxins, few of which have been properly tested for harmful effects."
[Source: www.mindfull.org]

There are a large number of companies that provide organic, toxic free cleaners. I'm sure there are many cleaners in your own grocery store that are organic. Rather than let these household toxins slow you down, get organic and help your body stay healthier.