| We are exposed daily to hundreds of products that | | | | them and allowing the offending compounds to |
| contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These | | | | vaporize into your air. Your local landfill will have a |
| compounds emit chemicals which vaporize at room | | | | special area designated for chemical disposal. Proper |
| temperature (65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit). Breathing | | | | disposal is critical to avoid contaminating the ground |
| these vapors is a major health risk. Some examples | | | | and water supply. |
| of products that contain these compounds are paint, | | | | - Increase Ventilation |
| varnish, wax, solvents, household cleaning supplies, | | | | When using products known to contain these harmful |
| building materials, copiers, and printers, glues, | | | | substances, use outdoors, or with increased |
| photographic solutions, new wood furniture, | | | | ventilation to reduce your exposure. |
| upholstery, pressed wood furniture, new carpet, | | | | - Use an Air Cleaner |
| second hand cigarette smoke, moth balls, gasoline | | | | Eliminate your daily exposure by using a high |
| and diesel fumes, and the list goes on and on. | | | | efficiency particle arresting air purifier with a filter |
| It is obvious from the list above that is almost | | | | that is designed to remove airborne chemicals to |
| impossible to completely avoid many of these | | | | maintain a constant and permanently high level of |
| products. Here are 5 ways to minimize your exposure | | | | indoor air quality as the United States Environmental |
| and decrease long term health risk. | | | | Protection Agency states that the levels of about a |
| - Choose Green Products | | | | dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times |
| Use chemicals in your home and office that are | | | | higher inside homes than outside, regardless of |
| environmentally responsible and use fewer of the | | | | whether the homes were located in rural or highly |
| offending chemicals that are often responsible for | | | | industrial areas. |
| the problem. Use products that avoid Formaldehyde, | | | | - Climate Control |
| Toluene, Methylene, Chloride, Xylene, Benzene | | | | Control temperature and humidity to decrease the |
| Ethylene glycol. | | | | amount of off gassing that occurs at higher |
| - Properly Dispose of Chemicals | | | | temperature and humidity levels. |
| Throw away unused chemicals rather than storing | | | | |