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A US campaign group found that most of the children’s bath products they tested were contaminated with two chemicals linked to cancer and skin allergies and they were not listed on the product label because they are byproducts of manufacturing and not ingredients as such.

In a report released on 12 March, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) describe how they commissioned lab tests that found that 61 per cent of the children’s shampoos, lotions, soaps and other personal care products they tested contained the chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.

According to the CSC report, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers these two chemicals to be “probable carcinogens”.

“This report is the first to document the widespread contamination of children’s products with formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane,” said the CSC.

CSC is a coalition of non profit groups concerned about health and environment and its members include public health, religious, women’s and consumer organizations. The CSC wants the personal care products industry to stop using chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health concerns and replace them with safe alternatives.

The CSC and the Environmental Working Group sent samples of popular children’s bath products to an independent laboratory in Petaluma, California, called Analytical Sciences.

The CSC said they chose products containing ingredients that are commonly associated with 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde contamination.

The lab tests found that the products they tested were commonly contaminated with one or the other chemical, and sometimes both.

Of the 48 baby and child personal care products tested for 1,4-dioxane, which ironically is a byproduct of ethoxylation, a chemical process for making petroleum-based ingredients gentler on the skin, 32 (67 per cent) were found to contain the chemical.

28 products were tested for 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde. Of these, 17 (61 per cent) contained both chemicals and 23 (82 per cent) contained formaldehyde. Formaldehyde builds up in product containers as the preservatives break down.

Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are not regulated, said the CSC, who reported that while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety of personal care products in the US it does not have the authority to “ensure they are actually safe”.

“The FDA cannot require companies to test products for safety before they are sold, does not systematically review the safety of ingredients and does not set limits for common, harmful contaminants in products,” said the executive summary.

Manufacturers are also not required by law to list contaminants on product labels, so consumers have no way of knowing if they are buying products containing toxic contaminants, said the CSC.

According to the EPA, 1,4-dioxane is a probable carcinogen, report the authors, who also cite the Consumer Product Safety commission’s view of the chemical’s safety:

“The presence of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern.”

1,4-dioxane is not intended as an ingredient of the care products, it is a byproduct of the ethoxylation process that uses ethylene oxide to make the ingredients.

According to the CSC report:

“Manufacturers can easily remove the toxic byproduct, but are not required by law to do so.”

Although listed as a probable carcinogen by the EPA, the risk of formaldehyde causing cancer by being absorbed through the skin is not well understood, said the CSC report, although it is known to trigger skin reactions in adults and children who are sensitive to the chemical.

Dermatologists recommend that children don’t come into contact with products containing formaldehyde, which contaminates personal care products because certain preservatives, such as Quaternium-15, release it gradually and it accumulates in the product container.

“No More Toxic Tub: Getting Contaminants Out of Children’s Bath and Personal Care Products.”
Heather Sarantis, Stacy Malkan and Lisa Archer, on behalf of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Published online 12 March 2009.

Click here for the full report (PDF).

Sources: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD
Copyright: Medical News Today

Featured Article
Main Category: Pediatrics / Children’s Health
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Dermatology;  Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals

According to a National Academy of Sciences workshop, approximately 15 percent of the American population suffers from chemical sensitivity. Researchers have traced this increased sensitivity to the proliferation of synthetic chemicals in consumer products and furnishings.

According to the EPA, indoor air pollution is one of the nation’s most pressing personal health concerns. Peak concentrations of 20 toxic compounds – some linked with cancer and birth defects – were 200 to 500 times higher inside some homes than outdoors, according to a 5-year EPA study that surveyed 600 homes in six cities.

Residues of more than 400 toxic chemicals – some found in household products and foods – have been identified in human blood and fat tissue. See a list of hazardous ingredients in household products.

Symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, skin rash, and respiratory infections are all common reactions to indoor air pollution. Left untreated, long-term exposure to indoor pollution can result in lung cancer, or damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system. Young children are especially vulnerable to impaired lung function and respiratory infection.

The risk for leukemia increases by four to seven times for children, ages 10 and under, whose parents use home or garden pesticides. The risk of childhood brain cancer is associated with the use of pesticide “bombs” in the home, pesticides to control termites, flea collars on pets, insecticides in the garden or orchard, and herbicides to control weeds in the yard, including exposure to two common pesticides available in garden shops – carbaryl and diazinon.

In 1990, more than 4,000 toddlers under age four were admitted to hospital emergency rooms as a result of household cleaner-related injuries. That same year, 18,000 pesticide-related hospital emergency room admissions were reported with almost three-fourths for children age fourteen and under.

Methylene chloride, the propellant used in many aerosol products, is carcinogenic. Some products containing methylene chloride have been pulled from the market, but the carcinogen continues to be found in many consumer products such as spray paint and stripper.
Not a single cosmetic company warns consumers of the presence of carcinogens in its products – despite the fact that a number of common cosmetic ingredients are carcinogenic or carcinogenic precursors.

Some experts estimate that 20 percent of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases among women are attributable to their use of hair dyes.

Safety Guidelines For Avoiding Carcinogens At home

• Read all labels carefully before using products. Be aware of their uses and dangers.
• Leave products in their original container with the label that clearly identifies the contents.
• Never put household products in food or beverage containers.
• Do not mix products unless the label directs you to do so. This can cause explosive or poisonous chemical reactions. Even different brands of the same product may contain incompatible ingredients.
• Use only what is needed. Twice as much doesn’t mean twice the results. Follow the label.
• If pregnant, avoid toxic chemical exposure as much as possible. Many toxic products have not been fully tested for their effects on the unborn.
• Use products in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling fumes. Open windows and use an exhaust fan, making sure air is exiting outside rather than being recirculated indoors. Take plenty of fresh air breaks. Be sure to use adequate skin, eye, and respirator protection.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using hazardous products. Traces of hazardous chemicals can be carried from hand to mouth. Smoking can start a fire if the products are flammable.
• Clean up after using hazardous products. Carefully seal containers.

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS: Questions and Answers

Q. What role do chemicals play in household products?

A. Production rates for synthetic petrochemicals skyrocketed from 1 billion pounds per year in 1940 to over 400 billion pounds per year in the 1980s. Approximately 70,000 chemicals are now in commercial production, many of which are used in household products. Many of these chemicals accumulate in the human body and cause cancer and other diseases, yet they have been inadequately tested or remain completely untested for their safety. Only about 600 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Many chemicals used in household products are volatile. That means they become gaseous at room temperature or are sprayed from an aerosol can or hand pump and thus take the form of microscopic particles that are easily inhaled. They can cause damage to the lungs or other organs as they are taken into the bloodstream.

Q. Are hazardous chemicals from household products more dangerous than outdoor pollutants?

A. Because indoor pollutants are not as easily dispersed or diluted as outdoor pollutants, concentrations of toxic chemicals may be much greater indoors than outdoors. Peak concentrations of twenty toxic compounds -some linked with cancer and birth defects – were 200 to 500 times higher inside some homes than outdoors, according to an Environmental Protection Agency Study. Not surprisingly, EPA experts say that indoor air pollution is one of the nation’s most pressing personal health concerns.

Q. Have products been pulled from the market because of their chemical hazards?

A. In the last few years consumers have discovered that some of the chemicals in household products whose safety was taken for granted are hazardous. For instance, methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane), the propellant used in many aerosol products, is carcinogenic. Although some products containing methylene chloride have been pulled from the market, this carcinogen continues to be found in many consumer products such as spray paint and stripper. More recently, it was learned that indoor latex paints used widely for decades contained highly neurotoxic mercury-based fungicides. But it was not until 1990 that manufacturers finally removed most of these potent neurotoxins.

Q. What are some of the symptoms caused by chemicals in household products?

A. Symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, skin rash, and respiratory infections are all common reactions to indoor air pollution. Long-term exposure to indoor pollution can result in lung cancer, or damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Young children are especially vulnerable to impaired lung function and respiratory infection.

Q. What types of products have the biggest cancer risks?

A. Certain cleansers and many brands of cat litter contain the carcinogen crystalline silica. Some car cleaning products contain formaldehyde. Fortunately, there are safe alternative household products

More…

Cleaning Products Risks

Recommended Reading:
Steinman, David and Samuel Epstein, MD, Safe Shopper’s Bible, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1995.

Steinman, David, Diet for a Poisoned Planet, Ballantine Books, 1990, $12.50.

Berthold-Bond, Annie, Clean & Green, The Complete Guide to Non-toxic Housekeeping, Ceres Press, 1989, $8.95.

Dadd, Debra Lynn, The Nontoxic Home & Office, Jeremy Tarcher Press, 1992.

Harte, John, Cheryl Holdren, Richard Schneider and Christine Shirley, Toxics A to Z: A Guide to Everyday Pollution Hazards, University of California Press, 1991.

Needleman, Herbert and Philip Landrigan, Raising Children Toxic Free: How to keep Your Child Safe from lead, Asbestos, Pesticides and Other Environmental Hazards, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1994.

Source: Cancer Prevention Society

It has been confusing trying to figure out  what “green” cleaning products in the store are the best ones to use. There is such a wide range of “green” products on the market today with a wide range of pricing that is is hard to know which way to go. So I did a little research and found that I don’t need to run to the store for “green” cleaners because I already have things in my home I can use. You most likely already have “green” products in your home as well and just don’t know it. I have found that a house can be cleaned with just these four ingredients: Baking soda, White Distilled Vinegar, Lemon Juice and Peroxide.  Clean your home without harsh chemicals that pollute air you breathe is very easy to do. Here are just a couple examples of how these products work.

Baking soda – is a natural cleaner that can be used for quite a few things. Fill a large empty plastic bottle (with holes in the lid if possible) with baking soda. Keep one handy in your kitchen and in every bathroom. Use it to make a cleaning paste that’s ideal for counters, sinks, tubs, showers.

Vinegar – Mix a ½ cup white distilled vinegar and a ½ cup water into a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean. You can also clean your refrigerator with ½ water and ½ white distilled vinegar. Use a sponge soaked in diluted white distilled vinegar to wipe out your oven after being cleaned with a heavy duty chemical cleaner. To clean grease on an oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.

Lemon Juice – Cut a whole lemon in ½ and squeeze the juice onto the counter. Using the lemon as a scrubber, work the juice over the stains on your laminate countertop. Leave the juice on until the stains disappear then rinse with water and dry. The citric acid will quickly remove the stains. Bottled lemon juice can be substituted for a fresh lemon. The same procedure works on cutting boards. Rub the lemon onto the stains and let it sit until the stains are gone. The lemon will also disinfect the board at the same time. Put lemon juice on the rust stain that are on clothing and then sprinkle cream of tartar onto the top of the juice. Rub in the solution and let it sit on the stain until the rust is gone. The citric acid will take the rust off. Some stains are tougher than others, but 15 to 30 minutes should work just fine. Then just wash as you normally would.

Peroxide – is a great one to keep handy to sanitize counters, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers with. Spray bottles work great to store peroxide in – have accessible so you have it whenever needed.You can also easily clean toothbrushes, dentures, retainers, all bath and shower tools. Peroxide is great at killing mold – just spray on and let sit a couple minutes before wiping off.

While there are great “green” cleaners on the market for those of us that may feel more comfortable buying them. Hopefully you can utilize some of these options to clean in your home as I have done without all of the harsh chemicals. Good Luck!

One of the first things I did when I decided I wanted to be an eco-mama, is I ecofied my home. The Eco-friendlier your home the lower your children’s exposure to harmful chemicals are, and it only takes a few easy steps. You will feel better, your kids will feel better, and you may even be warding off sickness and future diseases that could affect your family.

1) Clean out your kids toys. Get rid of all plastic toys! If you have seen the news lately there is a huge recall on Thomas the Train and Fischer Price toys, claiming there could be toxic lead leeching from these toys. Rid your home of these plastic toxic toys and possibly save your kids life. To avoid other recalls, make sure to only purchase toys made with wood, metal or cloth.
2) Toss out Chemical Cleaners. It is hard to toss things out, but replacing toxic cleaners with chlorine-free, phosphate free, biodegradable and organic products is imperative.

3)  Get some fresh air flow going through your home. By changing your air filters you can clean the air in your home significantly. Open windows to cut down on energy costs and keep the air you breath clean and healthy. And if you have never had your ducts cleaned, do it. Over time, dust and debris cling to the sides of your air ducts, spreading harm throughout your home every time you turn it on. Another good idea is to think about replacing your filter vacuum with a filter less product like the Dyson.

4) Feed your kids Organic Foods. Did you know that children receive 50% of their lifetime cancer risks in the first two years of life. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency). So save your kids from harm by buying 100% Organic foods including and lots of fruits and vegetables, and Organic Whole-Grain snacks.

5) Go Green Outside. Toss out chemical fertilizers, un-organic insecticides and weed killers, all which could harm your kids while they are out to play. Instead purchase natural products to use on your lawn and gardening, and look in to using the Xeriscape method on your yard, which involves using plants native to your homes environment that need the minimum amount of water, can save on water and maintenance costs by up to 60%!

6) Swap out your homes lights. Kids love to turn the lights on, and forget to turn them off. By simply changing out the light bulbs in your home you can save the MOST money and energy. If you only switch out five of the highest use fixtures in your home, which are typically found in the kitchen, living or family rooms, with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting you can save up to 75% less energy than your standard lighting. And, they last ten times longer. Go to www.energystar.gov to get all the information you might need to ENERGY STAR your home.

Take this information, and get busy moms and dads….this is your life, your kids lives, and you deserve to live long and healthy, and to do that it is necessary to take these steps!

by Rhiannon Hull

http://green.weekendrush.com/eco-family/six-tips-eco-child-friendly-home/

Well, Hello 2012! For some of us, you couldn’t have come soon enough!

It’s a new year with a new chance to make a new beginning… our chance to make a real difference!

If you’ve been “putting off your greening”, I’m going to give you the A to Z list to get the ball rolling. (I think I’ve put together quite the extraordinary list, if I do say so myself!  Be sure to click on the orange links to learn more!)

Hold onto your “green” party hats, and let’s go!…

A – Appliances, Animals – Buy energy efficient appliances when you need to make a replacement.  If you’re looking for a ‘cause’ that needs your assistance, donate to help save an endangered species.
B – Bamboo, Biodegradable, Baking Soda – Buy sustainable bamboo products (everything from towels to furniture).  Think biodegradable for all product choices (detergents, bath products, cleaners, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.).  Use eco-friendly baking soda for everything from health & beauty to cleaning your home.
C – CFLs, Cleaners, Compost, CSAs – Replace your lights with compact fluorescents.  Skip the chemicals in traditional, commercial cleaners and opt for eco-friendly choices. Start composing food scraps and other biodegradable materials.  Consider buying into a CSA for the freshest, organic produce.
D – Donate, Disposable, Dry cleaning – Donate your usable but no longer needed clothing, books, toys, household items and furniture to organizations that support the less fortunate, so they can be reused.  Eliminate anything intentionally disposable from your purchases. Look for an eco-friendly dry cleaner to avoid toxic chemicals.
E – Energy, Environment – Turn off electronics, computers, lights and all household appliances that aren’t in use.  Consider the effect on the environment in everything you do.
F – Food – Make healthy choices of organic and natural foods instead of those filled with preservatives, artificial ingredients and chemicals.  Help your kids learn to make great choices too!
G – Global warming, Glass, Greywater – Accept that global warming is real and we’re the only creature on the planet that can do something about it.  Recycle all glass (it can be recycled indefinitely!). Learn all the ways to put your greywater to work.
H – Heating, Home – Turn down the thermostat.  Excess energy equals an excess of pollution. Make your home safe and clean, and simultaneously non-toxic, by cutting out all chemicals.
I – Ideas – Share what you know and learn with others.  It can have a fabulous snowball effect!  The ideas from our grandparents are excellent principals to follow as well.
J – Journey – Give yourself credit for the things you are doing and accept that going green is truly a journey!
K – Kids – Get your kids involved.  When they learn to respect the environment early in life, that lesson will stay with them forever.
L – Landfills, Local – Remember that everything you toss in the trash winds up in a landfill, polluting the soil and water.  Buy local at every opportunity and, especially for produce, get the most out of your food.
M – Mattresses, Meat, Milk – When you replace a mattress, consider organic.  Traditional mattresses are filled with harsh and harmful chemicals.  Choose organic meat and milk to avoid antibiotics, steroids and growth hormones.
N – Newspapers – When you need to keeps something hot or cold in transport, newspaper is an amazing insulator.  When you’re done, recycle them, always!
O – Organics, Outdoors, Oceans – Buy as many organics as you can… simple as that.  Getting outdoors will remind you of this beautiful world we are trying to preserve, and even if you can’t see an ocean from where you live, never forget how crucial they are.  Remember that allowing them to be polluted (the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and the Gulf Disaster) must be prevented.
P – Plastic, Paper, Palm oil – Avoid the excessive use of plastics or at least make sure the plastics are truly recyclable.  Same goes for paper.  Be conscious not to be wasteful and recycle every unneeded piece of paper that comes your way.  Learn about palm oil and purchase only products that use the sustainable variety.
Q – Quit procrastinating and take the next step!
R – Recycle, Reusable Bags, Rain barrels – NOT recycling is inexcusable.  Recyclables should never be thrown in the trash.  Invest in reusable shopping bags and stop contributing to the ‘one trillion plastic bags used annually, worldwide’ statistic.  Set-up at rain barrel to capture water for use around your yard.
S – Schools, Shopping, “Shoes off“ – Get  involved at your children’s schools and put together programs to help them embrace recycling and the environment. Realize that every purchase you make has a greener option… it’s up to you to know the difference and choose wisely.  Adopt the “shoes off” rule and avoid tracking toxins and chemicals through your home.
T – Trash, Trees, Travel – Make a conscious effort to reduce your weekly trash by not buying over-packaged products or buy only products in recyclable packaging.  Don’t cut down healthy trees… they are more valuable than just their visual beauty (think air quality, soil preservation, wildlife habitat… the list goes on and on). Don’t leave your green principals at home when you travel, take them with you!
U – Un-green, Upcycle – When you see a “wrong”, you can make it “right”.  Speak up, help others and make a change that can make a difference.  Before you throw anything away, consider if it has a secondary use and upcycle.
V – Vinegar, Volunteer – The uses for distilled white vinegar are endless.  Buy some for cleaning, cosmetic uses, deodorizing, and pest and weed control.  Volunteer your time for an environmental cause.
W – Water, Water Bottles, Wildlife – Conserve water… contrary to belief, the supply is not endless.  Buy a stainless steel, reusable water bottle to avoid BPA and stop contributing plastic bottles to landfills. Contribute to causes that protect the habitats of wildlife and consider what you are doing to their “home” in your every action.
X – Xenagogue, Xeriscape – The definition of xenogogue is “guide”, so simply guide others and become a steward of both your home and the earth, and make informed choices.  Xeriscape in your yard by planting only native trees, shrubbery and flowers to prevent the need for excessive watering.
Y – You – (YOU knew that one was coming too, right?) but sincerely, the changes you make in your daily life are all up to you.  Take what you know and put it to good use.
Z – Zoos, Zero-Waste – Support zoos that dedicate themselves to conservation and education.  Buy kits and containers that can be reused for lunchtime (or anytime) so that you don’t contribute to the approximate ‘67 pounds of annual trash created by a child’s lunch’.

There it is: A to Z (and I feel like I only scratched the surface!) But the main mission is to simply get started.  Don’t wait for tomorrow, and don’t expect you have to do it all at once, but do admit that we can all make little changes that amount to one enormous difference!

HaPPy NeW YeaR and cheers to making it (and keeping it) green!

Written By: Doreen http://www.momgoesgreen.com/the-a-to-z-guide-for-a-green-2012/

Living green doesn’t mean you have to wave goodbye to all the niceties and luxuries of modern life. There are plenty of things you can do which will help you to live green without total sacrifice.

Re-use: the bags you get every time you shop are good for more than one trip. Re-use them or, better yet, buy a “bag for life” and use that.

Re-cycle: you probably already have a recycling collection service. If not, look out for recycling places local to you and drop off your newspapers, bottles, cans, etc next time you are passing. Don’t make a special trip though. For larger items, if they’re still usable then look up Freecycle for your local area.

Eat local produce. Especially if it’s bought fresh from a Farmer’s Market. You’ll notice the difference in taste. And if you buy just what you need (rather than the supersize pack your grocery store normally sells) it probably won’t cost much more.

Turn unused appliances off at the socket. Standby mode still uses lots of energy. Cut your fuel bills by turning off televisions and other items when they’re not in use. That includes your computer’s monitor as well.

Wash your clothes at a lower temperature. Modern detergents work fine at lower temperatures. Or throw away the detergent in favor of Eco washing balls.

Turn down the thermostat in the winter (and turn it up in the summer if you use air-conditioning). One or two degrees difference is barely noticeable, except when the fuel bill arrives.

Compost waste if you have a garden, saving on fertilizer cost and giving your plants a treatment they’ll love.

For more easy to follow tips on [http://www.squidoo.com/how-tolivegreen]how to live green check out my guide. There’s plenty of easy to use information that can often save you money as well as help save the planet when you [http://www.squidoo.com/how-tolivegreen]start to live green without wearing a sack cloth and ashes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_White http://EzineArticles.com/?7-Top-Tips-On-How-To-Live-Green&id=934212

The word “Green” is not the omni-term for anything environmental although there is the tendency to substitute the word “Green” for “Environmental.” Environmentalism is to grand topic that has several subdivisions. Under this grand topic of environmentalism, we will find Green, Sustainable, Pollution, and Conservation. Each one of these subdivisions are immense subject on their own.

In the mash-up of words and concepts, we have lost the fundamental meaning of Green. Environmental, Green, or Sustainable now blur into that ugly green color that we made in kindergarten when we slurred all the colors into one big blob. We cannot progress when confusion reigns, and every science starts out with a definition of terms.

The best definition of Green refers to the health impact of what we do on living things. So Green is primarily a health-related issue. This is seen in the fact that cleaning products were the early Green issues. In fact, indoor air quality is a big factor in Green buildings. Sick building syndrome was the result of poor indoor air quality, which is the antithesis of Green.

Sustainability is also badly morphed into many applications, but essentially deals with the management of our resources. This is a complimentary issue to Green, so it a Green and Sustainable business means that the company considers the health of the workplace as well as the material demands of the business.

The health of the workplace can be impacted by cleaning products, building materials, furniture, as well as paint and carpeting. “Outgassing” is a well documented concern. The installation of new carpet, new furniture, new paint, and new wood leave residual fumes as these items continue to dry out. Your senses will betray you because we think that anything new is clean and healthy, but that is a huge mistake. The varnishes and additives to paint, carpet glue, and wood fall under the category of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are not good for you. If your health is comprised, these fumes can worsen your condition and hasten disease. If you are healthy, the long term exposure will wear you down in time.

Think of the dust that is recirculated that contains bacteria, virus, dust mite feces and scales, carbon from the copies, and so much more. It is a wonder that we aren’t sick all the time except that we are generally healthy and able to live in hostile environments for a long time.

The people who are supposed to help clean our facilities and protect our health through sanitizing processes are the janitors, but clean does not mean healthy. The ammonia in the window spray is harmful, the zinc in the floor finish is bad for humans, the numerous chemicals in the cleansers add to a worsening situation.

Mold is a persistent problem for many buildings. The mold spores are never good for the workers, and can become a crisis concern if untreated. Latent issues remain the in the HVAC system as well. It is fair to say that the air of any building is a kind of “Ground Zero” for any office or business. If the employees are negatively impacted, productivity will fall. Afternoon headache, occasional nausea, and lethargy can be signs of an unhealthy indoor air quality. So, while your building may be energy efficient, and you may be conserving water as well as recycling your trash (sustainability issues), the building may be very un-Green because it is unhealthy.

The Green Business League believes that a Green office starts with an understanding of the healthy office and a serious look at the components that compromise indoor air quality. Consider using a Green certified janitorial service that also uses Green cleaning products, microfiber cloths, and HEPA vacuums. Do not let mold go untreated. Be mindful of all paint, carpet, and furniture used in the facility because they introduce a large volume of gases into the air.

Green is a primarily a health-related issue that blends into the other topics of sustainability, pollution control, and conservation. By dividing out the topics properly, the plan of attack seem much more clear. To attack the issue in a methodic manner, businesses should considering “Going Green” first then moving into the sustainable issues. The early disdain for the word Green comes from the anti-business attitudes of ultra-conservationists that needed a target for their vitriol. Green is not an anti-business concept when properly understood. A Green business is one that is a good place for living things in the workplace, in the community, and in the world.

R Michael Richmond is the director of the Green Business League, and trainer for the Certified Sustainability Officer course. If you serve in the capacity of a sustainable officer, certification is invaluable..

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Richmond

Most of the energy sources that nature has provided us with, are exhaustible. Some of these resources include coal, fossil fuels, petroleum and natural gas. Natural gas produces LPG that is used in fueling automobiles and some heating appliances. Heat energy derived from fossil fuels is used in industrial applications and generation of electricity. However, these resources are getting depleted at an alarming rate. It is definitely not a good idea, when people are using these resources as though the energy derived from them is unlimited. To combat any scarcity in fuel (should any arise in future), alternate fuels are sought after. This article will shed light on some favorable alternative forms of energy. So read on!

Alternative Forms of Energy Production

Here are some alternative energy sources that are favorable substitutes for the above stated thermal sources of energy, used as fuel:

Solar Energy
Sun is an abundant and free source of energy and of course, one of the major alternative forms of energy. Ever since the concept of solar energy evolved, renewable energy sources are being researched upon persistently. The energy of the Sun is captured via a solar panel (made of silicon). Pertaining to the properties of silicon, the solar panel absorbs the sunlight and converts it into electrical energy. This benefit, however can be reaped only during the daytime. About 50% of solar energy captured by solar panels is converted to electricity.

Wind
You definitely must have seen huge wind farms containing wind mills, while driving up countryside. Windmills are huge fan like standing structures which are used for generating electricity with wind as a source. The kinetic energy of the wind spins the blades of the mill, which is used for generating electricity. Wind is definitely a renewable source of energy. However, there is a lot of research and development on this subject as the investment costs are high and the pace at which the wind energy is reaped needs to be increased. But considering the long term benefits, wind energy is quite a boon for rural economies. In fact, countries like Norway are working on constructing massive floating wind turbines in the ocean (considering the fact that the intensity of wind in oceans is quite high as compared to land. These turbines can be installed as deep as 700 meters in the ocean and promise a good speed for the mills to rotate.

Water
Nature has gifted a few resources in abundance and one of them is water. About 70% of earth is constituted of water. This resource serves as an indispensable source of energy, which at the same time is renewable too. Many hydro power stations that generate electricity from water, contain a weir or a dam that stores huge amount of water and turbines which are connected to generators. The huge water reservoir serves as the source of potential energy which is converted to kinetic energy through a supply pipe or pen stock, connected to the turbine. This is one of the best examples that states conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy. Hydro power generation has been proved to be about 95% efficient.

Biomass
There is an effective way of reusing wasted cornstalks, wheat, twigs, pine cones and dried up plants for generating fuel. Such sources of fuel are also known as biomass (used for making biofuel). The use of biomass as fuel is based on the fact that anything that decomposes or burns, is a palpable source for generating energy. After all, energy is something that cannot be created or destroyed. It can be only converted from one form to another. Biomass energy is an abundant source of energy as it can be found in various forms around the world. Through biochemical processes, biomass yields useful fuels like alcohols and methane. Even cooking oils which are discarded can be converted to biofuel (eg: biodiesel) through a series of chemical reactions. Although using biomass as an alternate form of energy in terms of concept may not be very new, but the implementation of using biomass as a source of fuel for generating electricity is still under research.

Geothermal Energy
Geothermal, as the name suggests implies “heat within earth”. Some of the natural geothermal sources are natural hot water streams that can be pumped out with the help of high tech drilling equipments. This steam can be used for driving turbines to power electrical generators that produce electricity. However the only issue here is that the sites may run out of such sources. Although the sources of hot water are abundant within earth, tracking such sites is also a tough task.

So these are some of the alternate forms of energy which are suitable substitutes for thermal sources like coal and fossil fuels. To teach alternative forms of energy for kids, first you need to explain them the concept of energy, types of energy (potential energy and kinetic energy) and about the natural sources of energy (like air and water). Energy saving and a pollution free environment is what these alternate sources of energy aim at providing. So go green!!

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/alternative-forms-of-energy.html

Occurring both naturally and in man-made form, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emit harsh chemicals that are harmful to humans. Man-made VOCs are found in solutions such as degreaser and paint stripper, and also in products such as carpet and vinyl flooring. Natural VOCs are considered less harmful than their man-made counterparts, which can enter the water supply, soil, and atmosphere in large quantities via industrial waste.

Unlike natural VOCs, man-made ones are regulated to protect the environment and human health. As with hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which are also found in traditional cleaners, volatile organic compounds can produce chronic health conditions in those who are exposed to them for long periods of time. Companies that use commercial cleaners should avoid exposing their workers to VOCs by choosing VOC-free cleaning solutions.

In the U.S., the environmental protection agency (EPA) regulates volatile organic compounds in the environment, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates them in the workplace. Even so, the burden of VOC avoidance is initially on facilities, as OSHA seldom discovers violations before harm occurs. Below, we list five reasons why companies should be vigilant to avoid cleaning solutions that contain VOCs.

Workers take more sick days

Chronic illnesses from VOC exposure develop slowly, but workers can still have reactions to VOC exposure that result in missed work, such as: respiratory attacks, stomach sickness, dizziness, and skin reactions. In large facilities where traditional cleaners are used widely, the cost of sick days resulting from these and other ailments can reach six figures.

Workers comp cases increase

Research shows that indoor exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause leukemia lymphoma, nervous system damage, kidney damage, and brain damage. For employers, this means a potential increase in workers comp cases as workers succumb to job related illnesses. Medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity are three forms of damage commonly collected by VOC injury victims.

Potential for injury lawsuits

In most states, workplace injury victims can sue their employers for damages not covered by workers comp, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and mental anguish, to name a few. Unlike standard workers comp, which is paid monthly, injury lawsuits lead to lump sum payments that can impact a company’s bottom line.

Rise in workers comp insurance rates

Occasional workers comp cases don’t impact a company’s workers comp insurance rates. But a rash of workers comp cases typically does. Because VOC illnesses occur based on exposure levels, it isn’t uncommon for employees who were hired at the same time to become ill at the same time. Paying injury settlements can be expensive. But paying high workers comp insurance rates is even more expensive in the long run.

Negative media exposure

When workplace injuries caused by VOC exposure result in notable settlements or court trials, a company can seldom avoid negative media exposure. Although cleaners that contain no VOCs can cost more than those that do, nothing is as costly as negative exposure and its affects on customers, potential clients, and ad campaigns.

In my research on VOCs, I’ve studied why companies should avoid VOCs in interior work environments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Mancuso