New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

Morrow — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:03:52 GMT

I am thrilled that environmental toxins are finally being taken seriously here in the US and that the study of environmental toxins is now becoming a reality to protect us all. It is a shame a horrible trdgedy was the catalyst, but that is the way. I was in Switzerland in 2000 when I heard that they were focusing on magnetic fields and other toxic environmental conditions, in Europe. At first I fellt overwhelmed by the idea that the micro waves from and the magnetic fields from, all of the towers could be affecting our energy adversely. Then I realized that we were entering a whole new phase of or fronteir in healing: the energy fronteir. We are now beginning to understand the human as energy and it is because of the toxic effects of technology that we must begin this exciting adventure. I was impressed then, that Europe had begun this new field of science. I knew it would be a while until their expertise would be called upon here in the US, as money is the thing focused on here not the special needs we have as organisms in a living environment. Now it is begining and I am so excited. It will bring about many changes in Healing and in living I think.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

2shiny — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:25:11 GMT

I'm also an interior designer with a focus on eco-friendly living. I became interested in this in the seventies, because I loved all things made from natural materials ~ fabrics, furniture, etc., not because I was necessarily environmentally sensitive. I have only used natural cleaners and so forth since then, however, so when I do get around commercial products, the strong odors really affect me. I consider this a mixed blessing that allows me to 'sense' a toxic issue: Lately I'm finding I am more sensitive that I previously thought ~ I can go into my favorite outlet store and wake up with a headache the next day from what I inhaled off of all the new products ~ shoes being particularly problematic. I know shoes because sometimes I will have a new pair in my room and the rubber soles are too strong to live around, and need to air out on the deck in the sun for several days! So, I post this to alert others that things we bring home new, can often be an issue. Lots of warehouses use insecticides heavily because insects love to hide in corrugated cardboard, for instance, and I often smell it on boxes.

My eldest daughter had a boyfriend ten years ago who had tested allergic to 31 out of 32 items in a medical test, and I asked him if his mom used dryer sheets for fabric softening, something that I found noxious just to be around, and when he said yes, I told him to just try without for a week or so, and he was amazed to find that he immediately felt much better.

When I lived in Europe in the 80's, my mom came to visit and wanted to buy me a microwave oven. I had never wanted one because I felt we didn't know enough about them for me to feel safe, and sure enough, a study leaked out over there that proved that microwaves killed nutrients in food, so I politely declined. Now we have cell phone radiation to contend with, and who knows what all the wireless technology means to our health!

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

groblebe — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:46:16 GMT

I am so grateful for all I have read on cosmetics, some I did know but most I didn't and I am anxious to try of the cosmetics in the articals, I am 77 and am having problems with dry skin and blotches on my face, strange what age can do to you. Thank you all for your advice and helping to get going in a good direction. BJ

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

infinity — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:38:40 GMT

I have long realized that the way we build houses, especially in temperate to cold climate areas, is both inefficient (costing a great deal in controlling heating/cooling not very efficiently) but unhealthy. I'm glad to see the movement to build healthier & more efficient houses (in the long run money saved because of lowered medical bills). I look forward to reading more as Mercola's Newsletter educates us. Thanks!!! gaye Leslie P.S. Just read the commnents re.weird sentence on children. The newsletter I read was perfectly understandable, but the way it has been quoted by another reader is certainly scrambled. Nevertheless< I de still discern the meaning. Children have smaller bodies, so results on them are stronger, because whatever being studied or tested is more concentrated in a smaller mass; they know nothing about so-called scientific methods of studying problems, so the placebo effect doesn't happen, unless somehow their parents or other caretakers say or do something to suggest it.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

healthylivinginteriors — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:14:38 GMT

Thank you for this article.The only good is knowledge, the only evil is ignorance. (Norman Vincent Peale) I am a licensed Interior Designer specializing in "healthy and green" interiors. I got involved in this field about 10 years ago because 2 of my children have asthma. I was shocked by learning our home could be triggering our childrens asthma. So...we built an asthma-friendly home and the asthma got under control...until they went to school. (a more global issue)

Many issues create a healthy interior there's no silver bullet. But, there are many, things we can do to promote wellness that costs nothing but a "lifestyle change". As Dr. Mercola stated, Dr. Doris Rapp (a pioneer in this field) states "Everything we bring into our environment, Every activity we perform and all products you use affect indoor air" Remember that quote, and start taking inventory of the behaviours and choices and begin to make the shift of purchasing healthier products and changing habits which create a toxic environment.

Having a healthy interior is one that has good indoor air quality and promotes wellness. Health studies are directly linking our health to exposures to chemicals, mold, pesticides etc. How many know that 1 in 13 children presently have been "diagnosed" with asthma and it is expected to rise to 1 in 5 by 2020? (John Hopkins University) AND the number one "preventative" for asthmatics is environmental controls. Genetics is the gun, Environment is the trigger.

The average home contains 150 chemicals that are linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities. (Consumer Product Safety Report-Chemicals Found in Homes) Housewives have a 55% higher cancer risk from household cleaners (1990 Toronto IAQ Conf.)

Let's not be fearful, but proactive. You CAN have a healthy indoor environment which is also good for our global environment. Our present and future generations health depends on it.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

coolwhyder — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:48:39 GMT

There is also a great web site with on-line free subscription that has very informative articles on enviromental aspects and green living. I have learned a great deal on lot of these subjects from that web site (e.g. toxins in household products, how to avoid them, green living tips, enviromental health news, choosing a green contractor, paints, glues, product reviews etc etc)

www.greenguide.com

They also have a section called "Just ask" where you users can ask specific questions/concerns for all to review the answers. They don't always answere all the questions though.

After reading most of that info, I did write to them and ask them a few questions but I guess they were too busy to answer as they must get a lot of queries daily.

I have been slowing implementing the changes at home but the ultimate goal is to move to a LEEDS and Bau-Biologic certified house with all natural furniture/upholstery.

I could not find a Bau-Biologic contractors or any houses certified with that designation in the Greater Toronto area (Canada). I guess there are just a few consultants in sporadic areas.

I am will be eager to network with other people in my area interested in the same thing.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

polyglotta — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:46:47 GMT

To Liza 007

I would like to recommend a website from Germany (in German AND English! For "English" see top of the page). I hope it is better English! It is:

www.baubiologie.de/.../english.php

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

greenjena — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:28:36 GMT

Just my two cents' worth--radon gas is a real problem in some areas of the country, and it is the cause of approximately 20,000 deaths a year from radon-induced lung cancer, according to the EPA. That's for smokers and NON smokers alike. Take a look at the stats by typing in "radon gas" to your browser, or go to www.epa.gov/radon for more information. January is also "Radon Awareness Month" and here in NC the state govt. is giving away free charcoal radon kits to test your home. You can go to the EPA site and find your state "radon" address. Keep your indoor air healthy! The only way to know if you have a problem is to test.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

Andree_Shelby — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:13:27 GMT

I'm thrilled to see Mercola.com focusing on this topic because it is so essential to maintaining or restoring health -- which is of course the main reason I subscribe to Dr. Mercola's newsletter. We are entering such challenging and unstable times that the ability to maintain a state of good health becomes more and more crucial . . . otherwise how will we have the stamina and creativity to find solutions to the social, environmental, financial and resource problems we will encounter.

I'd also like to mention that sometimes subjects such as these fall in the category of what might be called "slow knowledge" -- people need time to make a shift in worldview and accept the ideas. In these cases it can work better to introduce a topic more generally and then add specifics as people get more accustomed to the idea. In this manner you don't lose them at the start by overwhelming them with information they're not ready for yet.

I agree that the translation could be better, and so on, but it seems rather inconsequential compared to the message itself. And if you Google Bau-Biologie, you get a lot of sites such as www.buildingbiology.net for more information.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

karol_203 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:25:11 GMT

A lot of sizzle in the article, but no steak???????????

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

Evelyn Vincent — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:34:17 GMT

Several years ago when I was studying classical Feng Shui we touched on Bau-Biologie (my instructors assistant is BBEI certified). One of the things we did in class was making and using a device that could detect EMF's (Electro Magnetic Field's), which are quite damaging. It was amazing to walk around in building's and test various things (computers, dishwashers, ovens microwave ovens while off and on, lamps and so forth) and see how much EMF they were emitting.

My Feng Shui instructors assistant is Janus Welton, she's located in Woodstock NY (she does travel for jobs). She is very talented and knowledgeable in her architectural/Eco design business. Here's a link to her website for those who are interested: www.janusweltondesignworks.com/.../welcome.htm

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

TomRobinson — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:21:03 GMT

So far these videos have contained lots of generalizations, but I haven't yet learned anything I can use. I hope that information comes sooner rather than later.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

upbeat — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:01:32 GMT

It's about time some measures were taken to protect the health and well-being of the masses. We need to hear more about Bau-Biologie. Big business has been riding our backs for too long ruining our health and killing many of us via bad processed foods and killer drugs.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

4Hand Healthy — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:50:48 GMT

As one who has had some training and experience in removing asbestos , I must say things are not always as they seem. Yes , asbestos IS dangerous , but to remove it safely,one needs only to wet it. It's the DUST that poses the threat of inhaling fibers. Water eliminates dust. Asbestosis is serious and I'm not playing it down . BUT once again , greed took over and an industry was born(asbestos removal). Education is paramount to living healthily.

re: New Ideas to Protect Your Home and Health

Sheila C — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:54:51 GMT

Asbestos may have been banned, but it is still there. Recently our local hospital was having some updates done. I remember reading that they had to close that wing down until they were finished. Makes you wonder how many unsuspecting renovators there are out there? As in, anyone wanting to renovate a pre 1950's house.