In the last poll I asked for your opinion on  living green (environmentally friendly). After receiving many comments (and questions regarding the definition of “green” for the purpose of this poll), I’m not surprised that 75% of the respondents try to be “green” most of the time, being concerned about their impact on the environment.

What surprised me is that only 8% of folks answering the questions think that “green” is just a fad and a way of squeezing more money out of people. In my opinion there is a lot of green washing out there, and we should be doing an in-depth research before buying goods that claim to be green, sustainable, recycled, etc. My special concern goes to products with high embodied energy ( which are transported long-distance, e.g. overseas). One of such is bamboo, in which case the benefits from using this rapidly renewable material are outweighed by its embodied energy (transported mostly from Asia).

Only 17% of the poll’s respondents say they would like to be eco-conscious, but they think it is time-consuming and expensive. I guess, nowadays almost everyone realizes that “living green is not even an option” (I’m borrowing from one of the answers). It actually does not matter if you believe in global warming or offsetting your carbon footprint.

In the words taken from another comment: “Hopefully, when today’s very young [reach] our age, they won’t have to answer polls like this because it will be the way they live”. I’m sure it will be so, especially when we’ll be a good example for them.

Old but good: Blue Man Group’s lesson on global warming

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, when not enough outdoor air enters your home, the level of air pollutants increases, causing discomfort and health problems. This is especially true for new homes, which are well insulated. During winter and summer months the condition worsens due to forced air heating/cooling, which promotes excessive indoor air movement.

The indoor air quality is a big concern not only in enclosed commercial and office areas, but also in our safe-haven homes, where we rest and relax.

Chemical pollutants (like volatile organic compounds “VOCs” and formaldehyde) are released from furniture, new materials used to renovate a house, paints, adhesives, and various household products. Biological air pollutants like mold and dust mites are present in damp and ill-ventilated environments. All of them may cause a spectrum of illnesses, from upper-respiratory problems, headaches and allergies, up to organ damage and cancer.

What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harms of polluted indoor air?

1. eliminate dust-gathering, hard-to-clean items (dried flowers, heavy draperies, etc.)
2. choose easily cleanable window treatments and bedding, wash/clean them often
3. use low-or zero-VOC paint & drywall when renovating
   ask for it at the store; there is always a healthy alternative for the product you intend to buy
4. watch out for toxic adhesives in building products, cabinets, upholstery and carpet; always check the labels
5. get rid of the carpet; consider hard floor surfaces like solid wood, reclaimed wood , bamboo, concrete or ceramic tile flooring for low toxicity and greater cleanability
6. if possible, convert your heating system to radiant floor heating – it will minimize dust particle movement throughout your home and make it “stick” to the floor (easier to clean); it will also give your space a more consistent temperature
7. install an air filtering and humidification system in your home; it will greatly improve the indoor air quality and give you more control over the inside environment.

Do you know that harmful VOCs can be present in practically every man-made home product you’re buying? The “new” smell is what’s revealing their presence. Higher temperatures (when exposed to the sun, warming up while working) promote the release of VOCs. Remove those items, especially from bedrooms, or minimize their use.

Interested in more? The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.