It’s become so common in our culture to assume we need things – a lot of things. Over-consumption is not only a strain on our bank accounts and environment; it can also be harmful to our health. Whether there’s a warning label or not (usually not), many of the things we buy have associated health risks.
Here are ten toxic products, in no particular order that you don’t need. And, once you read about them, you probably won’t want them either. Be aware that different homes may have different products that are more toxic than these. This is just a basic list of some of the most commonly purchased products that are almost entirely unnecessary, but pose significant risks.
1. Air fresheners: Most air fresheners mask odors with a synthetic fragrance or numb your sense of smell with chemical anesthetics. But, they do nothing to eliminate the source of the odor. Also, aerosol air fresheners spew out tiny droplets of chemicals that are easily inhaled into the lungs. Instead, ventilate well and choose natural deodorizers, such as zeolite or baking soda, which contain minerals that absorb odors. How to Freshen Indoor Air Naturally includes recipes for other homemade remedies. Plants are also helpful for purifying your indoor air. 2. Drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners: Yes, three products instead of one, but they all fit under the category of cleaners – and these are the three nastiest. Corrosive or caustic cleaners, such as the lye and acids found in drain cleaners, oven cleaners and acid-based toilet bowl cleaners, are the most dangerous cleaning products because they burn skin, eyes and internal tissue easily. * To clean extra-greasy ovens, mix together 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of washing soda, then add enough water to make a paste; apply the paste to oven surfaces and let soak overnight. The next morning, lift off soda mixture and grime; and rinse surfaces well. * Prevent clogged drains by using hair and food traps. * To de-grease and sweeten sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; let bubble for 15 minutes; rinse with hot water. You might have to repeat the whole procedure more than once. This same mixture can be used prior to scrubbing your toilet bowl to deodorize and scour away grime.
Green scene: Reduce your carbon footprint in the sand
If you’re booking a longed-for holiday in the sun (having come to terms with the guilt of a long-haul flight by finding ways to offset your emissions, see below), there is probably no description more offputting than the term ‘eco tourism’.
This conjures up visions of all sorts of DIY tasks – macramé-ing your own hammock, for example.
When choosing your washing machine for water saving, frontload machines win hands down over top load. A top loader uses up to 40 gallons of water, which is a hefty amount compared to the lesser 10 gallons a frontload machine uses. Also remember, most of the washing machines power goes to heating the water. A frontload washing machine has less water, so less energy is used to heat it. Of course, cold wash is an even better option. http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/163/1/Green-washing-machines.html
Before buying items, knowing full well you are going to throw them away, rather choose items that you can use again. For example, buy a lunch box, which you can use everyday, instead of putting your lunch in a paper bag. Instead of buying a regular pencil, rather buy a mechanical pencil that you can refill when the lead runs out. http://www.purchase.edu/Departments/HealthAndSafety/Recycle/wastemanagementtips.aspx
If you HAVE to tumble... Clean out the lint filter on your tumble dryer after every drying cycle. Cleaning the filter will reduce the drying time and the energy consumption, and lengthen the dryer's life. Degrees of Washing Set your washing machine to 30 degrees when doing a load. Your machine uses more energy to when the water is hotter.
Stay Warm Despite the Cold Without Using Your Heater
Before you plug in the heater, add layers. Put on another jersey and socks. Keep a blanket on the couch and snuggle up. Put extra blankets on your bed.
Use a hot water bottle. Drink warm drinks (keep hot water in a flask so you don’t have to keep boiling the kettle.)
Open the curtains during the day to let the sun in to warm the room. Close the curtains before it gets dark to keep the warmth in. Put a rug in a room that has tiled floors.
When designing your garden, keep it natural. Do some research into what grew in your area before houses were built and rather promote natural greenery in your back yard. This way you also encourage the natural wildlife to flourish. http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/119/earthday
Pollution
Pool Together
You only have to drive once in peak traffic to see the amount of single-person cars. Each car is releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air. Rather get a group of your co-workers together and create a car pool. You not only save petrol money, but help the environment too. http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/150/1/Car-pooling-for-the-planet.html
Fuel-efficient Driving
Indalo Yethu in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works (GDPTRW) and the three Metropolitan, Joburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane (JET), cities will be implementing an awareness and educational programme on vehicle emissions during this Public Transport Month 2008. The aim is to protect, preserve and utilize natural resources sustainability as well as improve environment and air quality, whilst at the same time deepening the understanding of the impact of motor use on the environment and climate change consciousness among motorists.
Mobile source emissions has become a serious environmental issue and the problem is particularly severe in major provinces like Gauteng, where concentrations of noxious substances already exceed allowable limits and guidelines. These noxious gases also contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change - an inevitable situation when the quantity of the South Africa’s live vehicles has stood at about 9.2 million by July 2008, of which 38 percent are based in Gauteng. This high traffic volumes produce vast quantities of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and other pollutants, which are very harmful to human health and the environment.
Indalo Yethu, GDPTRW and the JET cities has outlined the following concrete actions: • Conduct voluntary vehicle emission testing including diesel smoke emissions; • Improve and build the enforcement capacity of the Cities environmental enforcement units; • Encourage the use of public transport, car pooling and utilization of park and ride facilities in the province; and • Conduct public education and awareness campaigns in order for the Gauteng residents to be aware of environmental protection. Indalo Yethu will be responsible for coordinating relevant public education and awareness campaigns.
As part of the public education and awareness campaign, Gauteng Fleet drivers will be trained on fuel-efficient driving.
Tips for fuel-efficient driving: - Avoid aggressive driving: Jack-rabbit starts and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%. The correct way is to accelerate slowly and smoothly, then get into high gear as quickly as possible;
- Avoid idling your car. Idling wastes fuel, gets you nowhere and produces unnecessary greenhouse gases. If you are going to stop for more than 30 seconds, (except in traffic), turn off the engine;
- Make sure your tyres are properly inflated to prevent increased rolling resistance. Under-inflated tyres can cause fuel consumption to increase by as much as 6%. Check tyre pressure at least once a month, when the tyres are 'cold' (i.e. when the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours or for more than 2 km);
- Select the right gear. Change up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible without accelerating harder than necessary. Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel; so does letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners;
- Use your air conditioner (A/C) sparingly. Using a vehicle’s air conditioner on a hot summer day can increase fuel consumption as much as 10% in city driving. If it’s cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation on your car instead of the air conditioner. At low speeds, opening the window will also reduce fuel consumption by reducing A/C use. At higher speeds however, using the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof;
- Service your vehicle regularly, according to the manufacturer's instructions, a poorly tuned engine can use up to 50% more fuel and produces up to 50% more emissions than one that is running properly;
- Tighten your fuel-tank cap. If you don't tighten the fuel-tank cap to the second click, gas can evaporate;
- Park in shady areas when possible. Besides helping to keep your car cool, which reduces the need for air conditioning, parking in the shade also minimizes the loss of gas due to evaporation;
- Remove unnecessary weight from the vehicle’s boot or cabins as it makes the engine work harder when accelerating; and
- Make a commitment to drive less, by walking to some nearby destinations. It's good for your health and the environment.
Woolworths
1. Calculate your carbon footprint Visit http://www.trees.co.za/. You'll be amazed at the impact your daily life has on our world. Then see the suggestions outlined on the site for hints on how to reduce your carbon footprint.
2. Be ecofriendly with your e-waste. Don't throw out your secondhand computer or iPod if you're getting a new one for Christmas - they contain toxins like lead, mercury and cadmium, and take an enormous amount of energy to produce. Go to http://www.e-waste.org.za/ to f nd out where your e waste can be repaired and recycled.
If you’re booking a longed-for holiday in the sun (having come to terms with the guilt of a long-haul flight by finding ways to offset your emissions, see below), there is probably no description more offputting than the term ‘eco tourism’.
1. Calculate your carbon footprint