Our homes are unhealthy. What can we do about it?

A couple of years ago, green|spaces turned our office into a crime scene to raise awareness about air quality – click this link to see the amazing pictures. But we weren’t talking about outdoor air quality (which isn’t receiving any gold medals in the US) we were talking about the air inside our homes.

We get a lot of questions about better building practices, energy efficiency and water reduction, but indoor air quality is easily missed.

But it’s so important. The average American spends 90% of their time indoors.

Most of us know where problems like pollen and animal dander come from (hint: plants and animals), but what about mold, chemicals, radon and volatile organic compounds?

Many harmful chemicals end up in our homes, carried in by us. Everything from our mattresses and carpet to our cabinets and cleaning products contain chemicals that are hazardous to healthy breathing – fire retardants, stabilizers, binders, sealers and more.

Ironically, many of the chemicals found in these products were created to mimic something found in nature, but be produced at mass scale, faster and cheaper. For example, a polymer is made to mimic rubber or amber. Synthetic cleaning products mimic the good properties of natural cleaning products.

So the good news is that there’s a simple solution. When selecting products for your home, pay attention to what they’re made of. Look for natural products and materials where possible – buying natural products doesn’t make you hip, or a hippie. It just makes you breathe easier.

*photo curtesy of treehugger.com

something smells funny...

If you are in Chattanooga this Saturday, go check out Riverfront Nights. green|spaces is the stage sponsor this year, so we will be there along with Chattanooga's first residential green building program Better Built. Come say hello!

Perkins + Will's Precautionary List

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!

Good news starts here

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.

Believing is seeing.

For high resolution versions of these images or poster design files, contact us through our site.

Cleaning Products

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!

Furnishings & Finishes

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.