I even talk about cleansing the mind and emotions because I recognize the direct impact that stress, worry, guilt, shame and fear have on the immune system.
However, I was ignorant of an unavoidable source of pollution, even though I felt the effects of it all my life. I have always been very sensitive to chemicals and fumes but didn't think about the very walls around me giving them off. I've had a real education on that one and wanted to share another area of detoxing that might not have occurred to you....detoxing your home.
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Home is where you health is, or isn't. How healthy is your home?
Every breath you take.... Would you knowingly breathe formaldehyde? How about pesticides or toxins like sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, mercury, cadmium, benzene, lead, ammonia or mold? Well, chances are, you are breathing at least some of those chemicals every day, in your own home. For examples, acrylic and enamel paints contain a lot of the chemicals just mentioned. This article is about creating a more toxin-free living environment.
If you are chemically sensitive, you know when you walk in a house if it's got mold. You know if walls have been recently painted, even though others might not smell the paint. You can smell chemicals more intensely than the average individual. That's why the chemically sensitive are at the forefront of green building; because they simply can't stand the toxic materials used by most construction companies.
So, is toxicity in the home simply an issue for those with chemical sensitivities? Oh, no. Outgassing from carpets (carpet toxin reactions are particularly dangerous for infants who crawl on the floor and do not have fully developed lungs), adhesives, varnishes, paints, caulking, and treated wood releases chemicals and fumes that adversely affect every person who breathes them and they can be deadly to small children.
The Canary in the Coal Mine:
I purchased a very old home a few years back and intended to remodel it. Uh huh. Since the original house was built in 1942, the outgassing from existing materials had long completed so there were no chemical reactions from building toxins when I first moved in.
However, as I began to have parts of the house remodeled, I became completely overwhelmed with chemical sensitivity reactions from the materials used in the remodeling process. Everything from the paint to the caulking to the adhesives affected me adversely. Other things were probably also affecting me, like the OSB plywood used as a subflooring in one of the rooms and the old varnish on my hardwood floors.
Luckily, I had already decided I would not put carpet down, anywhere in the house, so I did not ever have to deal with carpet toxin outgassing. I made the carpetless decision because I've had rather intense reactions in the past, just from walking in a place with new carpet. Additionally, carpets create a wonderful environment for dust mites and even the most fastidious housecleaner may not be able to keep them out.
Necessity is the mother of invention they say or, in my case, the mother of exploration into green building. I was delighted to find that there are nontoxic solutions to just about every toxic building counterpart. I'll say right at the get-go, that these green building solutions are more expensive. Just decide if your health is worth it or you probably won't benefit from reading the rest of the article.
Making your existing home less toxic:
Many who come to this page aren't in the position to build a green home from the ground up and are, instead dealing with toxins in their existing home and, like me, wondering how they can be eliminated.
I'll be covering areas I've investigated but if what you are dealing with is not covered here, I encourage you to explore on the internet and find green building solutions that will work in your case because they are out there.
I lived with old, half unfinished hardwood floors for a year and a half because I couldn't stand the thought of sanding the old varnish off (and all the lead and other harmful chemicals this would release) or the thought of reapplying toxic stains or polyurethane sealers and living with that horrible odor for months.
I am tremendously sensitive to chemicals and I was able to test a section of my floor with Ready Strip and remove it without problems. I would not fare nearly so well in the sanding situation with a heavy, industrial sander! I could barely even smell the Ready Strip and didn't smell the varnish at all when scraped up. I did leave the door open and a fan pulling outward, to make sure no fumes lingered.
I can't wait to clean the rest of my floors and get them nontoxic and looking beautiful! (Update.....I decided the task of completing remodeling on my home was just bigger than I wanted to tackle, so I'm selling it but I can take the knowledge I have forward to my next home and won't have as many decisions to make!)
For finishing the floor, I found another nontoxic option from AFM Safecoat. The one I chose was the Natural Oils Wax because it both seals and finishes, with a light buffing after the second coat. I ordered mine from a lady named Cindy who lives in North Carolina and who has built her own nontoxic home. In addition to selling the AFM products, Cindy also gives tours of her eco-friendly home and consults with others who want to build their own homes. If you'd like to know more about Cindy, visit her site at Shelter Ecology.
The silicone caulk I purchased at the local hardware store states that it "may be harmful of swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed thru the skin". That last one got me because I watched a contractor fix one of my windows and the smooth out the caulk all the way around it with his fingers. This same general caulk product is "irritating to skin, eyes and respiratory system and can cause central nervous system depression".
So, what's the alternative to toxic caulk? There are several. Look for a water-based caulk and read all the warnings on the back. Look for the words "low VOC", not only in caulk but in paints and other green building supplies.
I lived with old, half unfinished hardwood floors for a year and a half because I couldn't stand the thought of sanding the old varnish off (and all the lead and other harmful chemicals this would release) or the thought of reapplying toxic stains or polyurethane sealers and living with that horrible odor for months.
Nontoxic floor strippers and sealers:
I finally located some natural alternatives. For stripping old varnish, there is an amazing product called Ready Strip. It is nontoxic and, because it makes a sort of crust over the top of itself, it seems to contain the varnish very well. Then, you just scrape it up with a scraper and it's gone. Quite honestly, it's very labor intensive which is why most people opt for the big, heavy sander that can grind it all away in a day.I am tremendously sensitive to chemicals and I was able to test a section of my floor with Ready Strip and remove it without problems. I would not fare nearly so well in the sanding situation with a heavy, industrial sander! I could barely even smell the Ready Strip and didn't smell the varnish at all when scraped up. I did leave the door open and a fan pulling outward, to make sure no fumes lingered.
I can't wait to clean the rest of my floors and get them nontoxic and looking beautiful! (Update.....I decided the task of completing remodeling on my home was just bigger than I wanted to tackle, so I'm selling it but I can take the knowledge I have forward to my next home and won't have as many decisions to make!)
For finishing the floor, I found another nontoxic option from AFM Safecoat. The one I chose was the Natural Oils Wax because it both seals and finishes, with a light buffing after the second coat. I ordered mine from a lady named Cindy who lives in North Carolina and who has built her own nontoxic home. In addition to selling the AFM products, Cindy also gives tours of her eco-friendly home and consults with others who want to build their own homes. If you'd like to know more about Cindy, visit her site at Shelter Ecology.
What about caulk?
I was just squeezing clear caulk around my windows and baseboards but then read the warnings. It's a bit scary. If you think about it, you could breathe a lot of toxins from caulk around windows and baseboards because they are there to keep air out so air is coming up against it all the time. I shudder to think about this and am so glad that I didn't do the whole house before I read about the toxicity.The silicone caulk I purchased at the local hardware store states that it "may be harmful of swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed thru the skin". That last one got me because I watched a contractor fix one of my windows and the smooth out the caulk all the way around it with his fingers. This same general caulk product is "irritating to skin, eyes and respiratory system and can cause central nervous system depression".
So, what's the alternative to toxic caulk? There are several. Look for a water-based caulk and read all the warnings on the back. Look for the words "low VOC", not only in caulk but in paints and other green building supplies.
Low VOC Paints:
So how toxic are paints? Well, acrylic paints can contain as much as 30 percent solvents. Enamel paints are even higher in voc levels. I don't know about you but I'd just as soon not be breathing that!
I was simply thrilled to learn that there are nontoxic paint options. Some toxin-free paints are actually made of milk! Well, actually from casein, extracted from milk and lime (not the lime you use with tequila but the chalky kind). So, before you go down to the local hardware store and buy a can full of chemicals, explore the internet and look for low VOC paints (or better yet, zero voc, which means they have less than 5 grams per litre) in colors that will not torture you while you apply them.
Cindy, at Ecology Shelter (see link above) can help with that too cause I know AFM makes some low voc paints but I don't think they are milk-based so if that appeals to you, you can even make your own. I read somewhere (sorry, I can't find the site again) that you can even add berries of different kinds to create different colors. I also read that you need to seal it after you paint so it may be more steps than just using a low voc paint but these milk-based paints are apparently the very best for those with chemical sensitivities. If you have severe sensitivities, it might be worth the extra effort. There are also several sites that sell it.
I personally have never liked carpet at all in a home and I don't have any in my home now. It never felt good to me, even before I knew that carpets harbor dust mites and that they can outgas for years.
Have you ever walked in a mobile home or house with brand new carpeting? Did your eyes burn? Did your nose sting?
Those reactions are your body's way of telling you that you have just entered a toxic environment. They occurred because the carpet was outgassing fumes into the air which were irritating to your eyes. If those fumes irritated your eyes and nose, you can bet your lungs don't like them either!
If you are considering buying new carpet, you can do a lot to keep yourself and your family safe by investigating the options for detoxing your home. Ask for low VOC carpets and also inquire about the adhesives used to put the carpet down, as these should be low VOC as well. In addition, AFM Safecoat makes a carpet sealer that prevents outgassing. Ask Cindy about it, and tell her Neva said hi.
Part Two: Additional options for outgassing the carpet and detoxing the body
Related Detox Resource: The 10-Step Detox Program by Dr. Janet Starr Hull
You may also be interested in My discount health supplements bin and Body Detoxification Information
Health Disclaimer: The information contained in this green building article is not intended to take the place of personal medical help you may need, if you have been harmed by toxins in your home. Respiratory concerns should be addressed with your doctor. If you experience chemical sensitivities soon after moving into a new residence, it's very important to take steps to discover the cause and correct it because some sources could be very toxic. Please consult with green building suppliers in your area for the best approach to detoxing your own home.
I was simply thrilled to learn that there are nontoxic paint options. Some toxin-free paints are actually made of milk! Well, actually from casein, extracted from milk and lime (not the lime you use with tequila but the chalky kind). So, before you go down to the local hardware store and buy a can full of chemicals, explore the internet and look for low VOC paints (or better yet, zero voc, which means they have less than 5 grams per litre) in colors that will not torture you while you apply them.
Cindy, at Ecology Shelter (see link above) can help with that too cause I know AFM makes some low voc paints but I don't think they are milk-based so if that appeals to you, you can even make your own. I read somewhere (sorry, I can't find the site again) that you can even add berries of different kinds to create different colors. I also read that you need to seal it after you paint so it may be more steps than just using a low voc paint but these milk-based paints are apparently the very best for those with chemical sensitivities. If you have severe sensitivities, it might be worth the extra effort. There are also several sites that sell it.
More on Carpet Outgassing:
Have you ever walked in a mobile home or house with brand new carpeting? Did your eyes burn? Did your nose sting?
Those reactions are your body's way of telling you that you have just entered a toxic environment. They occurred because the carpet was outgassing fumes into the air which were irritating to your eyes. If those fumes irritated your eyes and nose, you can bet your lungs don't like them either!
Talk to carpet layers about toxicity:
If you don't believe carpets are toxic, ask a seasoned carpet layer. Did you know that insurance companies are often reluctant to even give a policy to a carpet layer? I read, in one report, about a man who had been laying carpet for a number of years. He says he's very concerned about lung cancer because so many of the carpet layers he started out with have died from it.If you are considering buying new carpet, you can do a lot to keep yourself and your family safe by investigating the options for detoxing your home. Ask for low VOC carpets and also inquire about the adhesives used to put the carpet down, as these should be low VOC as well. In addition, AFM Safecoat makes a carpet sealer that prevents outgassing. Ask Cindy about it, and tell her Neva said hi.
Part Two: Additional options for outgassing the carpet and detoxing the body
Related Detox Resource: The 10-Step Detox Program by Dr. Janet Starr Hull
You may also be interested in My discount health supplements bin and Body Detoxification Information
Health Disclaimer: The information contained in this green building article is not intended to take the place of personal medical help you may need, if you have been harmed by toxins in your home. Respiratory concerns should be addressed with your doctor. If you experience chemical sensitivities soon after moving into a new residence, it's very important to take steps to discover the cause and correct it because some sources could be very toxic. Please consult with green building suppliers in your area for the best approach to detoxing your own home.