Clean and GreenHazardous Materials

The health and safety of our families is a top priority for most people - we install car seats, diligently apply sunscreen and eat pesticide-free produce. Unfortunately, hidden in everything from air fresheners to cleaning supplies are potentially harmful chemicals. However, it's not too late to clean house. Examine the ingredient list of the products in your supply closet and look for healthy alternatives.

Cleansers: go clean and green

Problem: Most utility cupboards contain a number of cleaning products whether in the form of spray, liquid or abrasive cleansers, and some may have toxic additives. Ingredients to be wary of include bromine, which is suspected of causing endocrine - disrupting effects and gastrointestinal or liver toxicity, triclosan, which can cause immunotoxicity, and 2-Propanol, a neurotoxin.

Solution: Making your own cleansers is a quick and simple way to avoid potentially harmful chemicals, and most can be made with common pantry staples. Baking soda naturally neutralizes odours and can be used as an abrasive cleanser, the citric acid in lemon juice can be used to fight bacteria, and vinegar cuts through greasy messes and helps combat mildew. Alternatively, consider purchasing natural, non-toxic or plant-based household cleansers.

Pesticides: smart solutions to banish pests

Problem: Some of the products we use to keep our gardens green and homes pest-free can also contain toxic ingredients. Watch labels for organophosphates (which include ingredients such as chlorthion, dichlorvos and dimethoate) and carbamates, which include the pesticides carbaryl (Carbaryl^®, Prokoz^® or Sevin^®), and thiodicarb (Larvin^®).

Symptoms of pesticide poisoning include headaches, nausea, trouble breathing, irritation of the eyes, throat, nose or skin, twitching muscles and even convulsions, which happen because some pesticides attack the essential organ systems, including the central nervous system. (Many municipalities in Canada, and the entire province in the case of QC, PEI and ON, have pesticide bans and/or strict regulations regarding the use of pesticides; consult your regional provincial government for more details.)

Solution: Combat household pests with chemical-free solutions, such as fly swatters, sticky paper, traps and bait. Use the vacuum to suck up spiders and other insects. In the garden, battle crickets by setting out small containers filled with a mixture of molasses and vanilla extract or lemon juice in water; crickets will be attracted to the solution and drown. Fight ants by spraying the plants in your garden with a solution of soap and water, which kills the ants' food source, aphids. Consider natural, chemical-free pest solutions, like fruit fly traps, moth traps or a slug fence.

Air fresheners: the sweet smell of safety

Problem: From balmy ocean breezes to apple pie, air fresheners smell divine, but some may contain harmful chemicals. If you're concerned, check the ingredient list: formaldehyde and para-dichlorobenzene are carcinogens, naphthalene is a suspected carcinogen, and xylene may be a neurotoxin. All of these ingredients may be found in air fresheners, and all are harmful to human health.

Solution: To keep your home smelling fresh, look for natural alternatives. Keep baking soda in an open container or add a few drops of vanilla extract to water and simmer on the stove to help fight strong odours and add a welcoming fragrance to your home. Essential oil diffusers are another chemical-free way to infuse your home with appealing scents.

Changing the filter on your range's fan will also help minimize cooking odours. And utilize overhead and stationary fans to keep air in the house moving. Install screens on your doors and windows to take advantage of cross breezes and improve air circulation in your home. In the end, effecting healthy change is all about changing the mindset: Clean doesn't come with a scent; clean is the absence of odour.

Take note: Always dispose of potentially toxic chemicals safely-products that go into the landfill or down the drain can end up in local water supplies, increasing the potential for human exposure. Many cities have a toxic chemical deposit depot. Contact your local public works department for more information on safe disposal.