Be aware that household products and appliances can make you sick. Forget the microscopic spores that lurk everywhere – most of us can cope with these. Take care of the containers in the basement that could contain antifreeze, which is poisonous to breathe as well as to drink. Formaldehyde (found in thousands of buildings and consumer products) and benzene are toxic to the nervous system when breathed or absorbed through the skin. It can also cause asthma, respiratory allergies and skin disease. Benzene, a cause of leukemia, is found in tires, gasoline, paint strippers, and varnishes.

Many household products – including paint, building materials like particle board, carpets, and chemicals applied to them contain volatile organic compounds (like formaldehyde, benzene and toluene, abbreviated as VOCs). Poor ventilation does not allow VOCs or other toxins to be expelled. It’s no coincidence that sick-building syndrome – a condition characterized by fatigue, confusion and respiratory problems – arose at the same time as the architectural fad of sealed buildings that allow no outdoor ventilation. VOCs can be generated in the workplace by heaters, laser printers, photocopying machines, tile, linoleum, carpeting and video display terminals on computers.

Both at work and at home, additional VOCs can include air fresheners, deodorizers, disinfectants, moth repellents, pesticides, dust mites, mildew and mold. Instead of using a chemical air freshener, try placing an open box or jar of baking soda in an enclosed space (like under the sink). To rid your home or workplace of mold and mildew, use a dehumidifier and dispose of pieces of furniture, carpeting or bedding that is harboring mites or mold.

Instead of chemicals, use nature’s own air purifiers, plants. According to retired NASA scientist William Wolverton, Ph.D. many ordinary houseplants remove air pollutants, including:

Aloe vera, Arrowhead plant, Bamboo palm, Banana, Boston fern, Chinese evergreen, Corn Plant, Devil’s ivy, English ivy, Philodendron, Janet Craig, Madagascar dragon tree, Mum, Peace lily, Snake Plant, Spider plant, Umbrella plant, Split-lead philodendron.

These plants are able to remove chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde because they resemble chemicals naturally found in plant leaves and microbes around plants.

Plant species as well as animals (that includes ourselves) will be endangered if we don’t protect the environment. Short-term economic gain for some may cause long-term health loss for all of us.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes. The author, publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

CJM LeBlanc HealthWorks, Centreville Mall, 121-342 Main Street, Shediac, N.B. E4P 2E7, tel: (506)533-8885, fax: 532-8644, e-mail: charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: www.wellness-healthworks.com

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