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A Healthy Home

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  • Healthy Energy Conservation
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    Healthy Energy Conservation

    Chances are you heard these lines while growing up: "Who left the TV on?" "Turn out the lights!" "Don't spend all day in the shower!" Truth is, what may have seemed like nagging was probably your first lesson in "green" living. Today, conserving energy is essential.

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  • Photo: ERIC PIASECKI
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    Healthy Appliances and Electronics

    When the subject of air pollution comes up, we're quick to blame gas-guzzling SUVs. In reality, the average home out-pollutes the average car. Household appliances and electronics are no small factor. Although most of us wouldn't want to live without dishwashers and laptops (and espresso makers and TiVo), we can live with them in a more responsible way.

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  • Photo: John Gruen
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    Healthy Candles and Air Fresheners

    We all want our homes to smell good. But it might be wise to forgo commercial air fresheners; the National Resources Defense Council found that 12 of 14 air fresheners it tested, including those labeled "pure" and "natural," contained phthalates. In high doses, phthalates -- used to spread fragrance through the air -- are thought to cause hormonal abnormalities, reproductive problems, and birth defects.

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    Healthy Carpet and Rug Tips

    Carpets and rugs retain heat, muffle sound, and offer an easy way to make a home comfortable. But, as anyone who vacuums knows, they also harbor a lot of dirt, as well as whatever else comes in on your shoes.

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    Healthy Flooring Tips

    If you're looking for new flooring (or considering refinishing your old parquet), it's important to choose nontoxic, durable materials. While popular and inexpensive, petroleum-based polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring, bought rolled or in tiles, and laminates (which may contain wood pulp or wood chips) can pose a host of health and environmental problems. But even "green" options aren't always so healthful.

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    Healthy Heating and Cooling

    Heating accounts for more than a third of the average annual energy bill, so it pays to make your system more efficient.

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    Healthy Lightbulb Tips

    Most consumers know that regular incandescent lightbulbs use a lot more energy than compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). But some have avoided CFLs at home because they are associated with cold, depressing light. Fortunately, newer CFLs give off a warmer glow than their older cousins, and they have the added bonus of lasting up to 10 years.

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    Healthy Mattress Tips

    Nothing is better for your health -- or your outlook -- than a good night's sleep. That's why it's particularly important to make sure you're breathing healthy air during those eight hours. Many mattresses are treated with toxic chemicals, called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), to reduce their flammability. PBDEs are linked with liver, thyroid, and neurodevelopmental toxicity.

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  • Photo: William Abranowicz
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    Mold Tips

    If you've ever dealt with mold in your home, you know the considerable challenges it poses: It's unsightly, it can grow on almost any surface, and it's hard to get rid of. Mold and mildew (a variety of fungus with a particular affinity for fabric and paper) can release particles that may cause headaches and aggravate asthma, allergies, and sinus problems -- and even change your mood.

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  • Photo: Sang An
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    Healthy Upholstery Tips

    Nothing is quite as relaxing as stretching out on the sofa. Unfortunately, the fabrics and polyurethane foam used to make most of our favorite furnishings contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), flame retardants that are believed to contribute to health problems ranging from birth defects to cancer.

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    Healthy Electronics and Gadget Tips

    We live in a high-tech world, in which every electronic device -- even a seemingly low-tech lamp or stereo -- emits an electromagnetic field (EMF). Scientists aren't sure how EMFs affect the body, but some speculate that they may cause cancer. The closer you are to an electronic device, the stronger the EMF exposure.

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