“In a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an 800-cubic foot room (10 feet by 10 feet by 8 feet) contained pollution levels of approximately 1,808 micrograms of formaldehyde, 112 micrograms of xylene, and 67 micrograms of benzene. A single Boston fern can remove 1,800 micrograms of formaldehyde from the air (nearly the total amount found in the EPA study) in about an hour. The Foliage for Clean Air Council, a communications clearinghouse for information on the use of foliage to improve indoor air quality, recommends a minimum of two plants per 100 square feet of floor space in an average home with eight- to ten-foot ceilings.”

from http://www.earthwitchery.com/pollution.html

But where are all these poisons coming from? Apparently, formaldehyde is used in many pressed wood furniture products such as those in your shelves, cabinets, drawer fronts and in some paints. Xylene is found in common degreasers, varnishes in your furniture, paints and inks, as well as in many adhesives and pesticides. Benzene is a carcinogen (a chemical that causes cancer) that is in plastics, detergents, pesticides and even in your can of cola. Look around your apartment – see any of the aforementioned items?

But why should you care? Because formaldehyde can cause eye, nose and throat irritation that in serious cases can lead to asthma attacks, nausea and vomiting, severe headaches and nose bleeds. Xylene “can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system.” Poisoning from xylene can create “headache, dizziness, drowsiness, excitement, tremor, heart arrhythmia, edema, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting and coma.” And benzene? Try short-term exposure at high levels can also cause drowsiness, dizziness, even unconsciousness and death! Long-term exposure can lead to leukemia. How’s that for your glass of cola while washing your clothes? (See HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE for my sources.)

The question now is what can be done? Simple things that make a big difference!

Newbie
Cost: about $10
Time: seconds to 10 minutes – an extra minute at the store to purchase items, 5-10 minutes to mix Energy to do this: minimal

Switch to non-toxic cleaners and detergents. This is remarkably simple or you can even go homemade!

For non-toxic cleaners and detergents, if you have a health food store like Trader Joe’s near you they carry some excellent products that are cheap and effective! Laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, dish soap, even glass and all-purpose cleaners that are non-toxic.

Or, if you’re a real DIY-er like I am, then you can make household cleaners at home! You’d be shocked what can be effectively cleaned with baking soda, white vinegar, hot water and some elbow grease. For some great “recipes” for these cleaners, this is the site where I got the ones I use: Care2′s Green Living, EarthEasy and Organized Home.

Amateur Environmentalist
Cost: $30-$200 depending on where you get the plants
Time: 2 hours approx. (including run to the store, planting and placement)
Energy to do this: moderate to start and minimal to maintain

Before I continue, I am assuming you’ve already gone non-toxic in your cleaners. Now you can further your toxin-elimination with plants! Get the Foliage for Clean Air Council’s recommended minimum of 2 plants per 100 square feet of your apartment to eliminate all those toxins in the air. To do this on the cheap, you can head down to your local 99 cent store where they always have plants, pots and soil on sale! If you live in the typical one-bedroom apartment, it should only cost you about $30 total for this improvement at this type of store.

If you have more money to spend, then you might want to look at specific plants like the Boston fern, English ivy, and spider plants. The quoted article above noted that a single Boston fern can eliminate 1,800 micrograms of formaldehyde from your home’s air in about an hour – that’s nearly all the formaldehyde found in the EPA study! According to EarthWitchery the areca palm is the most effective filter of xylene while other plants like Boston ferns, chrysanthemums, and dwarf date palms are better at removing formaldehyde.

In essence, feel free to diversify. Just make sure you get that minimum 2 plants per 100 square feet in your apartment spread out so everyone – plant, human and furry friend – can breathe deeply.

Certified Tree-Hugger
Cost: a little more than you would have spent anyway
Time: a few minutes per shopping trip/web browse to find non-toxic
Energy to do this: minimal to moderate, depending on your tastes

After achieving your plant quota, look into cutting the source of these toxins and find furniture, decor and linens that are environmentally friendly and non-toxic. Local artisans often make beautiful, one-of-a-kind furniture at affordable prices with minimal processing that will bring those resins and varnishes into your home. Spend a little extra time and money to find organic bedding, towels, drapes and clothing though you can often find sales online. Not only are you eliminating the toxins that you are exposing yourself to everyday, you’re giving your immune system a break, your body a chance to detox and exercising your capitalistic right to support the businesses you prefer. Once the market starts demanding a product with their money, it will become more available. Money talks, people!

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