Top 5 Home Toxins and Their Well Living Alternatives

Household products and chemicals can lead to so much indoor toxic build up that scientists have come up with a term for the illnesses these collectively cause: ‘sick building syndrome.’ SBS can manifest itself in the body in various forms, such as allergies, skin problems, breathing difficulties, or even cancer. Caused mainly by poor air quality due to chemical pollution, SBS can usually be easily improved with a few changes to what goes into your home. Here’s our list of what we consider the Top Toxins in Your Home, and how to find alternatives that can transform a ‘sick’ home into a healthier, happier one.

paints and varnishes

The problem: VOCs are the culprits behind the strong smell of some traditional paints, a result of pollutants being released into the atmosphere as the paint dries

The Solution: Minimal or Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Paints and Stains. By select ing low odor finishes that don’t release any nasty fumes you are selecting a product that is safe and comfortable to apply and live with, while also being kinder to the environment.

carpets and area rugs

The problem: Aside from cigarette smoke, carpets are probably amongst the worst toxins in the home, as they contain a host of environmental chemicals, including flame retardants, anti-stain ingredients, and volatile organic compounds, such as p-dichlorobenzene, a known carcinogen. As for the “new carpet smell” that so many homeowners are proud of, this is simply 4-Phenylcyclohexene,  a by-product of a process used in carpet backing, and it has been linked to visual, nasal and respiratory problems.

The Solution: For wall to wall carpeting, select carpets that contain wool, organic cotton, hemp or jute, or choose hardwood floors with natural rugs. One of our favorites, Davis and Davis, is fully customizable and uses 100% New Zealand Wool, a plentiful and sustainable resource.

cheap furniture

The problem: We all love a bargain. But did you know cheap furniture can be toxic? Parents often think that inexpensive particle-board furniture is good enough for the kids’ bedrooms, the issue is that plywood and particle board (pressed board) are typically made with formaldehyde or isocyanate glues. Both of these glues emit toxic chemicals that are then inhaled. What’s more, brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, which are often found in upholstered furniture made with cheap polyurethane foam, have been linked to cancer, neurological impairment and hormone disruption. These chemicals are especially dangerous when used in beds–you spend a third of your life on them!

The solution: Selecting inexpensive or second-hand solid, sustainable wood furniture is a much healthier option, or choose fast growing pine or bamboo. Look for a mattress that contains natural fillings and no carcinogenic fire retardants such as Ghost Beds, or Avocado. These firm but comfy beds are handcrafted for durability and long-life and are CertiPUR-US certified.

air freshners & candles

The problem: Air fresheners are typically a source of indoor air pollution based on the ingredients they emit and the products used to emit their fragrance. Air freshener chemicals can also stick to and be absorbed by furniture, walls and surfaces, carpets, and more. What makes this especially dangerous; they can then be released and re-enter indoor air, even after the air freshener is no longer in use.

The solution: Look for candles that use essential oils, are made of non-petroleum based waxes and have cotton wicks. Make sure to read labels carefully, as some will say “soy blended” which means the candle still has some petroleum wax included in the mix. You can also add essential oils to water in a spray bottle to lightly fragrance your interior living spaces.

vinyl shower curtains

Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell. Researchers have found that shower curtains "contain avoidable toxic chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, organotins and metals." The study found that PVC shower curtains can release up to 108 VOCs, and seven of the compounds detected in the study are on the EPA's list of hazardous air pollutants.

Look for shower curtains made with PEVA, or polyethylene vinyl acetate, a stable vinyl product that is not associated with any health problems and does not contain any hazardous air pollutants. Where can you get it? Many of Ikea's shower curtains are made with PEVA. (Ikea banned PVC in 1991, so it's a great place to shop for shower curtains.)