OTBKB posted an interview from Center for the Urban Environment (CUE) relating to non-toxic home environments. Alexandra Zissu who will be speaking at Green Brooklyn/Green City on September 18th, had this to say:
“I often give a talk to various groups that covers a “toxic top ten list” — ten home areas where people can make changes that will really make a difference in terms of minimizing their exposure to the bad stuff. Before I launch into the top ten, I always give three beyond simple changes anyone can do tomorrow to immediately reduce indoor air pollution. Once you’re feeling proactive, it’s easier to launch into those ten areas, I have found. These three tips include:
1. Take off your shoes before or just after entering your home. The residues on your soles — gas, pesticide, dog shit and so much more — should not be tracked into your home, especially if you have a crawling baby. One scientist I often interview at the NRDC says removing your shoes should be considered an “everyone-does-it” public health measure along the lines of handwashing. Apparently Brooklyn has the second highest pesticide use in all of New York State (thanks, roaches). Kicking off your heels couldn’t be easier and the results are dramatic and instantaneous.”
Ok, obviously this woman doesn’t have pets! What good is taking off my shoes when the shit is coming from inside the house? My cats track poop from the litterbox (when they decide to use it). My dogs drag their asses on the floor. My cats pee on the counter top. It’s called building resistance. I can lick a subway pole and it won’t get me sick at this point.
2. “This is particularly important among for urban working types: don’t dry clean your clothes. Wet clean or CO2 clean instead. The chemical used in conventional dry cleaning is a probable human carcinogen. For more information: http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/ask/wetclean”
Ok, I can deal with that. Simple. Keep buying crap clothes that don’t require dry cleaning. I’ll even go a step further. Don’t wash after every wearing. Just throw them on the floor and pick them up again when you want to wear them. It saves you the energy of putting them away and it’s less wasteful on the environment.
3. “Switch all of your conventional cleaners to green ones.”
I’m the Queen of Vinegar. Yeah, that’s easy enough. When I actually clean….