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Toxics In Your Home

Our homes can be particularly toxic places. CEH makes the following recommendations for reducing toxicity in your home.

Deodorizers and Air Fresheners
Deodorizers and air fresheners contain cresol, phenol, and formaldehyde that desensitize your nose and are associated with numerous health problems. Small dishes of baking soda or white vinegar placed around the house can absorb odors, as can house plants.

Household Cleaners
Household cleaners often contain chemicals that are harmful to our lungs, eyes, and skin and can also cause poisonings in children and pets. Most specialty cleaning products can be safely replaced with various combinations of white distilled vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, liquid soap (castile, vegetable-based, or glycerin), lemon juice, olive oil, and club soda.

Laundry Detergents and Fabric Softeners
Laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain fragrances and other chemicals that can cause genetic damage, breathing problems, and other allergic symptoms. We recommend choosing vegetable-based laundry detergent (made from corn, palm kernel, or coconut oil) that is fragrance-free, dye-free, and does not contain optical brighteners.

Paint
Paint gives off harmful VOC fumes even after the paint has dried. We recommend using safer low-VOC paint. Pregnant women should never paint, and expectant parents should paint the nursery well ahead of time to allow the room air out thoroughly.

Pest Control
Chemical pesticides cause serious health problems without addressing the root cause(s) of pest infestation. Click here for safe and easy suggestions for dealing with pest problems.