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Perkins + Will, a large commercial architecture and design firm, recently came out with a list of harmful chemicals commonly found in buildings. The firm hopes that this list will help educate the building industry and promote the development of new, less toxic alternatives. Click here to see the list.
Also,check out this funny video from Method. ....shiny suds, shiny suds!
There's enough bad news. In fact, if you drop by our space at 63 E Main Street in Chattanooga, you will see a crime scene of statistics on hazardous air quality - both indoors and outdoors - and its impact on human health. (If you're not in Chattanooga, contact us through our site and we'll send you some great links).
But this is Good News! Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find out what you can do to improve air quality in your home, office and community.
I am a sucker for a pretty label and scent when it comes to cleaning products. I also don’t like the way most cleaners (especially bathroom/surface) make my hands feel after I am finished cleaning. The chemicals in most cleaning products are very dangerous and harmful to our health. Chemicals like ammonia, bleach, sodium hypochlorite and formaldehyde are all commonly found in the cleaning agents we use in our homes and businesses.
Good news - there are alternatives.
Seventh Generation posted this article on their website that includes a cheesy little video with Dr. Greene (really? Greene? ...I know...) with the basics on how to choose better cleaning agents inside your home.
Concerned about safer products being more expensive? Green Works line, put out by Clorox, is more cost competitive. Since Clorox is such a big company they can keep the price down on their products. Sierra Club is partnering with them on this product.
Want to make your own cleaners?
Grist.org always seems to have a level-headed opinion on things. Here is a product comparison that they did.
I have to say again that I am a sucker for a pretty label, so green|spacers' personal favorite brand is Mrs. Meyers. These products make me want to clean!
Often, the greenest and most affordable furniture you can purchase is antique or pre-owned. However these options aren’t always free of harsh chemicals. The most affordable options for green furnishings and finishes will be at some of the bigger chain stores. Several retailers, including Crate & Barre, IKEA, and Target now carry a line of more responsible furniture.
The Swedish company IKEA is known for modern design at an inexpensive price. The company has corporate environmental initiatives ranging from purchasing wood from sustainably managed forests, to reducing formaldehyde in pressed wood products.
Crate & Barrel's Lockport sofas and chairs have Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwood frames, use a soy-based poly-foam for the seat cushions and recycled post-consumer fibers for the back cushions, have slipcovers, and use water-based stains and fabric treatment.
Target’s "eco-friendly" furniture lines are called Linear and Intown. They have a minimalist, modern look and are made with FSC/Rainforest Alliance Certified SmartWood, formaldehyde-free plywood, and water-based stains and finishes.
Haskell Sears Design is located in Chattanooga and has years of experience restoring antiques and crafting new, unique furniture. HSD uses formaldehyde free pressed wood and water based stains and paint. Not only does it help support your local economy, but minimizing the transportation distance greatly reduces a product’s embodied energy. Websites specializing in green furniture include:
Furnature - they sell sofas, chair, bed frames, and mattresses. Their products are free of harmful chemical.
Vivavi - they offer mostly high-end furniture and furnishings that are more modern.
Learn more about selecting healthy, eco-friendly furniture in GreenHomeGuide’s Green Furniture Know-How section.
Altogether reducing the demand of energy will reduce the demand of burning coal and producing energy, which ultimately causes pollution. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, making your home more energy efficient, and buying energy efficient appliances reduces our dependence on coal.
You can visit the USGBC's website to learn about the programs they have for building green.
The Energy Star website offers guides to products that are certified for efficiency.
Visit us at green|spaces for more information on what you can do to save energy in your home or office.
You can reduce emissions of wood burning pollution into the air that may affect families, neighbors, and the community by conducting these activities: • Consider cleaner heating fuels- Alternative include: gas, oil, propane, or electric heat. This will reduce wood smoke and will heat the home more efficiently. • Heat more efficiently- Replace an old wood stove or fireplace with an EPA-certified wood stove or EPA-certified fireplace insert. These stoves emit 50%-60% less pollution and have an efficiency ratings exceeding 80%• Change operating practices- It is best to burn only clean, dry, and seasoned wood that has been split and dried for at least 6 months. Burning hardwood is also best, since hardwoods embody more heat energy and burn more slowly and evenly, which produces less smoke. • Inspect and maintain- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned on an annual basis. These steps will ensure safe and clean wood burning. Click here for more information.
Trees provide many benefits to a community. They create the oxygen we breathe, reduce air and water pollution, reduce storm water runoff, provide shade, reduce energy costs, reduce the urban heat island effect, and act as wind breaks, sound barriers, and visual screens. A single tree stores 13 pounds of carbon a year. They improve our quality of life in enormous ways. Follow this link for information on how to plant a tree and choosing the proper tree and site. Become an Advocate for cleaner air- tell your elected officials at the national, state, and local level that you care about clean air legislation. Become active in the Chattanooga community. You can visit our website and join our email list for more information and notification of local events and educational programs going on in Chattanooga.
Educate yourself by following this link that provides basic information on the types of air pollution, the Air Quality Index, and the effects of pollution on humans.
Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that are emitted from a liquid or solid and evaporate into the air. Some VOCs have short or long term adverse health effects. VOCs can be found around the house in products like cleaning solvents, paints, and wood preservatives. These compounds may contribute to sick building syndrome and other effects such as allergic sensitization or asthmatic symptoms.
There is good news - there are alternatives to these harsh products.
Paint has a history of being pretty harmful - now we are seeing some non toxic options. the best non toxic paints are Zero VOC but these usually be a little more costly.
Low VOC paints are comparable in cost to regular paint.
Although many carpet & adhesives manufacturers have reduces the toxic chemicals used in their products there are still wise decisions that should be made when buying and installing carpet. Look for wool and natural fibers in carpet, but also look for Green Label Plus logo for carpet and adhesives.
Americans spend about 90% of our time indoors, many of us spend the majority of that percentage in an office. The major contributors to poor office indoor air quality are:
Chemical Pollutants (see VOC, Furniture & Finishes, and Cleaners blog entries)- such as emissions from printers, furniture, wall & floor coverings, and cleaning products.
Biological Contaminants- mold, bacteria, viruses, and allergens; all resulting from a number of sources and reactions.
Good News - there are ways to control the quality of air in your office.
Design, maintenance and operation of building ventilation systems - this includes making sure there is adequate outdoor air supply, air filtrations systems, and maintaining heating and cooling systems.
Laser printers are a big source of indoor air pollutants. It is important to make sure printers are in a room that is ventilated and away from staff.
Treehugger has a clever article on what plants to introduce in your office space to help clarify the air.
Click here to learn more about how to Green Your Office Air Quality
Perkins + Will, a large commercial architecture and design firm, recently came out with a list of harmful chemicals commonly found in buildings. The firm hopes that this list will help educate the building industry and promote the development of new, less toxic alternatives. Click here to see the list.
I am a sucker for a pretty label and scent when it comes to cleaning products. I also don’t like the way most cleaners (especially bathroom/surface) make my hands feel after I am finished cleaning. The chemicals in most cleaning products are very dangerous and harmful to our health. Chemicals like ammonia, bleach, sodium hypochlorite and formaldehyde are all commonly found in the cleaning agents we use in our homes and businesses. 
Altogether reducing the demand of energy will reduce the demand of burning coal and producing energy, which ultimately causes pollution. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, making your home more energy efficient, and buying energy efficient appliances reduces our dependence on coal. 
You can reduce emissions of wood burning pollution into the air that may affect families, neighbors, and the community by conducting these activities: 
Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that are emitted from a liquid or solid and evaporate into the air. Some VOCs have short or long term adverse health effects. VOCs can be found around the house in products like cleaning solvents, paints, and wood preservatives. These compounds may contribute to sick building syndrome and other effects such as allergic sensitization or asthmatic symptoms. 
Americans spend about 90% of our time indoors, many of us spend the majority of that percentage in an office. The major contributors to poor office indoor air quality are:
