Give Your Dad a Smile for Father's Day

     

     Everyone knows it's better to smile than to frown, but did you know it can be a holistic approach to better health overall as well?  Not only can it improve your mental health but also your physical body by reducing tension and releasing endorphins.  It even increases blood flow for cardiovascular protection.  Laughing makes you feel better and gets you through those tough times.  Smiling and laughing actually boosts your immune system. So smile and laugh your cares away.

     

Need a reason to smile?

                                     Watch a funny Youtube:

                                              Dentist dad-Wisdom teeth removal
                                              Golfer dad-Fox chasing golfball
                                              Olympic swimmer dad-High diving giraffes

                                              Cat owner dad-Paralyzed cat
                                              Auto repair dad-Changing flat tire

                                         

                                     Download a free animated smiley screensaver or funny wallpaper.

                                     Watch a good comedy together on Father's Day.

                                     Buy your dad a good joke book or joke-of-the-day calendar.

                                     Take your dad to a comedy club.

                                     Try some 'laughing yoga' classes.

     So think of something pleasant while working, driving or relaxing and work those smile muscles. The more you practice, the easier it becomes.  You'll find your mood improving along with your zest for life.  Laughing even helps to reduce pain.  Melt away that tension and soon you'll find yourself 
laughing away life's little stressors and feeling better overall.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! 

Earthing: Grounding Ourselves to Mother Earth to Improve Our Health

    

     So now that you've decided to go with a healthy, organic lawn after reading about the benefits in last week's article, you're ready to learn about the health benefit of grounding oneself.   Stepping on the ground barefoot electrically balances you.   Ever wonder why strolling along a sandy beach seems to energize you.  The same thing happens when you walk barefoot through the grass.  This is also known as 'Earthing'.  So kick off those shoes and let Mother Earth ground you and restore your natural energy and well-being.

     Earthing balances the electrons in your body.  Grounding yourself may also minimize the consequences of disruptive electrical fields known as 'electromagnetic pollution' or 'dirty electricity'.  When you are barefoot, free electrons flow from the surface of the earth throughout your body, extinguishing free radicals along the way.

The earth=a free radical neutralizer=a powerful antioxidant

     Historically, humans went barefoot most of the time.  And when shoes were worn, they were made of natural materials such as animal skins which can conduct electricity.  Shelters and 'homes' were made with dirt floors. It's only in modern times, when synthetic materials were developed, that we are no longer naturally grounded on a regular basis.  Shoes constructed with plastic and rubber soles and synthetic flooring materials such as carpets and linoleums, prevent direct physical contact with the Earth.  This in turn prevents us from reaping the many benefits of nature's electrical balance.  We are not grounded when traveling by airplanes, boats or automobiles either. The only time we are really grounded in these modern times is when we are in the shower or bathtub, and only then, when metal plumbing is used.

     Some studies on the health effects of grounding claim reduced stress, better quality of sleep, reduced inflammation and pain, reduced allergy symptoms, and even improved viscosity of the blood and reduced cortisol levels,  for preventing disease.  You can research these studies for yourself at  Earthing Institute.

     Several variations on grounding oneself during sleep are available.   From a simple, inexpensive anti-static wrist strap to the more expensive conductive grounding sheets and mattress pads. There are also pads to place under your feet during time spent at a computer. All of these are either plugged into a grounded outlet in your home or office or wired to a copper rod placed in the ground.

     Whatever method you might choose, the simplest method is to just go barefoot whenever possible and at no cost to you.  That might be when doing yard work, a fun afternoon at the beach or even exercising while barefoot in the grass.  Grass is  more conductive in the morning because of the dew.  Or just go for a dip in a lake or the ocean to immediately wash away all the negative energy in your body and regain that invigorating sense of balance and harmony with our planet. Even a few minutes to an hour a day is better than never being grounded at all.  Try it for yourself. You might be surprised at how much better you feel.

Turning the Dream of a Perfect Organic Lawn into Reality

     The perfect lawn.  Every homeowner's dream or shall we say obsession.  Obsessing and stressing over every weed that pops through that thick, lush green carpet of grass, the plot thickens.   What to do next.  Who to call.  What's the next attack?  More fertilizer.  More herbicide. More pesticide. How many people have become brainwashed into thinking they have to maintain the perfect lawn no matter the cost.  What will the neighbor's think? Maybe you should stop worrying about the neighbors and start worrying about yourself and your family.  All those chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides you or the lawn service you've hired, are dumping on your lawn year after year, are creating your very own personal toxic waste dump.  And no, they don't just magically disappear after a few days of working their magic on your lawn.   You're not just disrupting the life cycle of a few beneficial bacteria, and earthworms in the soil, and killing off a few more beneficial insects and birds.  As we are now sadly finding out, yourself, your children and your pets are being harmed as well.  And for what?  To out perform the neighbors. Instead of creating a toxic waste dump, why not turn your backyard into your own little paradise.  Stop spraying and start relaxing.

     What's the solution to toxic lawns?  Is there a solution?  Of course there is.  There's enough pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers being used in commercial agriculture already. There's no reason to use them in your yard or gardens.  Don't have the inclination or motivation to pull weeds out yourself?  There's a multitude of organic products on the market for maintaining your lawn, as well as flower gardens and vegetable gardens.  There are even lawn care companies going 'green'.  You just have to actively seek them out.  They may cost slightly more, but is your families health worth it?  Read on to find out.  You'll actually save money over time, because an organic lawn requires less treatments to maintain it.

     Glyphosate, Monsanto's Roundup, is used on their genetically-modified corn, soy, canola, and cotton crops.  It is also sprayed in parks and roadways, as well as used by many home gardeners. Glyphosate has now been linked to birth defects, neurological disorders, fertility issues, cancer, and now even possibly Parkinson's disease.  Pretty nasty for a product once touted as harmless as well as stating it quickly dissipates in the environment.  Many consumers fell for these lies without investigating for themselves.

     Atrazine is commonly used on corn in the Midwest.  It has now found it's way to many rivers and and drinking water sources.  Exposure to atrazine has been linked to an increase of birth defects, infertility, and possibly cancer as it is a known endocrine disrupter.  Manufactured by Syngenta, it is banned in Europe. Even Switzerland, home of the manufacturer, has banned its use. Yet, it is found in many brands of weed killers in the U.S.  Check out this full color, online booklet concerning atrazine.  Pass the butter and salt for my corn on the cob please.

     Chlorpyrifos, developed in the 1960's by Dow Chemical, has been widely used for home gardeners for many years.  Nowadays, it is also applied to almonds, oranges, apples, corn and cotton crops.  Even low-dose exposures of chlorpyrifos can cause headaches, fatigue, nausea, and blurred vision.  Some people have even suffered respiratory paralysis. Children have an increased risk of being born with lower IQ's as well as more potential for developing ADHD.

     Metolachlor is recognized by the EPA as cancer causing.  Side effects include breathing difficulties, nausea, jaundice and convulsions.  Widely used on crops, do we need more chemicals in our backyards?

     Metam sodium is often applied to potatoes in high concentrations as a fumigant and pesticide. The risks include nausea, breathing difficulties, thyroid damage and birth defects.  It's really easy to plant a crop of seed potatoes in your own yard that will last the whole year.  And you don't need any chemicals just an occasional  watering.  Oh, and this time could you please pass the sour cream along with the butter and salt for my baked potato.

     A fully organic lawn is the healthiest lawn both for the lawn itself and the surrounding environment.  When basic requirements are met, organisms work symbiotically to produce a healthy lawn.  Chemicals destroy this symbiotic relationship, requiring more and more chemicals each year to overcome the harmful effects.   Clippings should not be removed after cutting the lawn.  They provide a great source of nitrogen.  Fully organic lawns never need thatching.  Earthworms, beneficial microbes and insects eat the thatch producing healthy fertilizer.  Over-seeding the lawn with slow growing varieties of grass seed helps to crowd out weeds, as well as allowing more time between cuttings.  Grass blades should be left at a height of three inches to shade weeds and prevent growth.  Lawns only need about one inch of water per week.  Morning watering is best to prevent evaporation.  This also allows the lawn to dry out before nightfall when over saturation can cause disease and root rot.  And frequent daily watering causes roots to become lazy.  Occasional, deep watering encourages deep root growth.  You want the roots to grow long and deep into the soil for strength.  They are forced to do this when they have to seek out moisture.  Aeration every other year prevents compaction in the lawn.  A machine is used to pull finger-sized plugs from the lawn allowing water, nutrients, and air to reach the soil and roots.  And remember, a healthy lawn doesn't happen overnight.  It may take more than one season.
     
     You can do your own composting for a small yard for the best fertilizer.  You'll have to use the old fashioned wheelbarrow and pitchfork method to spread it.  Or just buy an organic granulated fertilizer for use with a spreader.  Blood meal makes an excellent non-toxic lawn fertilizer and can be found online for less than one dollar per pound.  Not only will your lawn look great, but blood meal will chase away critters from your flower and vegetable gardens.  Another great 100% organic fertilizer is, don't laugh, Chickity Doo Doo.  It is made from the waste of poultry laying hens and contains 9% calcium, another important ingredient for lawns and other plants.  If you can't find it locally, the best price I've found is on Amazon, at about one dollar per pound including shipping.  It is available in pellet form for flower and vegetable gardens or granulated for lawns.

     Skip the weed-and-feed and just incorporate organic fertilizer into your lawn maintenance program along with some chelated iron organic weed killer for your lawn.  It is safe and natural and kills a broad range of weeds.  If you can't find it locally several different brands are available online at Amazon.com including Whitney Farm's, Scott's organic brand and Ortho Elementals. Garden's Alive sells all organic products for your lawns and gardens.  Iron X is their chelated iron weed killer.

      Many organic pesticides are available for lawns as well.  If your lawn has been neglected, you may need to de-thatch it.  Mosts pests and fungi thrive in this dead layer of materials lying the surface of the soil.  When the layer of thatch exceeds one inch, it is recommended to remove it. Once your lawn is properly maintained, de-thatching becomes unnecessary.  Soil organisms will naturally biodegrade the thatch.  Compost or even a layer of soil spread over the lawn helps to break down the thatch layer as well. Too frequent watering is one of the greatest causes of lawn pests.  Most can't survive under dry conditions, so overwatering and maintaining a moist environment invites them to breed.  Grubs aren't considered a problem unless there are more than ten per square foot.  If you already have an infestation you will have to look into organic pesticides such as beneficial nematodes, milky spore, neem oil, insecticidal soaps, or diatomaceous earth to get them under control.  Japanese beetles can be slowed down with traps.

     Chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are now so widely used they are found in the air we breathe and the water we drink. Complete avoidance is next to impossible, but reducing our exposure reduces our risk of the many damaging health effects being discovered daily. Even after 50 years of studies on various herbicides and pesticides, we are often left with conflicting reports. So why take a chance and add to the problem.  Why not make your yard a place where you and your family can relax and not worry about walking barefoot in the grass or garden. By the way, I'll be discussing the many health benefits of going barefoot in the yard or when gardening in an upcoming article.  So get prepared and stop spreading those toxic chemicals in what should be your own private backyard paradise.

HAPPY BREATHING!!!

Pine Tree Pollen: Friend or Foe?

     Ahhh...springtime at last.  Mother nature's best show of all the seasons.  Days are longer.  Weather is warmer. Trees are blooming.  Flowers are blooming.   Time to shed those coats...and get out the antihistamines.  Yellow dust.  It's landing everywhere.  Everything is covered in it. Outside.  Inside.  On the furniture.  On the car.  In the car. In the air?  Nope.  Unless you're sitting in the middle of a field of daisies,  all that pollen you see is not the culprit of springtime allergies. It's pine tree pollen and really quite harmless if not even helpful.  It just happens that pine tree pollen is dominate in the spring season any time from March through May.

     The pollen from a pine tree is exceptionally large and heavy.  Though wind born, it quickly settles out of the air landing on everything nearby on calm days, and somewhat further away on windy days.  Even though pine trees produce enormous amounts of pollen, covering surfaces with yellow dust, it doesn't generally cause allergic symptoms.  There are two reasons for this.  The pollen doesn't linger in the air for inhalation as a respiratory irritant.  Also, pine tree pollen is not considered an allergen.  Oak, cedar, maples and elm trees as well as grass pollens, are the major allergen triggers in the spring.  People who might rarely be allergic to pine pollen are those with specific allergies to pine or those with severe reactions to bee stings.  The obvious pine pollen that we can see serves us well as an alert to other pollens lingering in the air as well as a reminder to keep windows closed during this time of the season.

     Pine trees have both male and female pine cones known as 'strobili'. Male pine cones, smaller than female cones, are long and thin.  Female pine cones are larger and rounder.  The familiar woody cone is the female cone containing ovules where seeds are produced when fertilized by pollen grains.  This seed or nut is famously known as the 'pine nut'.  Some refer to the caterpillar-like structure of the male cone as a flower or 'catkin'. These catkins contain many pollen sacs.  They only appear in the spring and once they release their pollen, begin to disintegrate.  The female pine cones are generally found in the upper branches in the crown of the tree above the male cones.  On a windy day, this release of pollen can be quite spectacular with dense, yellow smoke-like clouds of pollen rising from the trees and rolling across  a field or meadow.  Click the video below to see the pollen fall from the catkins.

     Pine trees have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.  The needles are used to make tea, while the bark, seeds and pollen are eaten for health benefits as well.  Pine tree pollen contains powerful antioxidants and many vitamins.  It is purportedly used to regulate hormone imbalances, reduce cholesterol, improve metabolism, regulate prostate function, protect the cardiovascular system, strengthen the immune system, and even touted as a preventative for the common cold.

     Pine tree pollen can be purchased in powder, capsule, or tincture form.  Why not collect your own during pollen season.  Don't collect pollen from trees near areas that have been sprayed with chemical fertilizers or herbicides.  Remember to look for the male small, flaky catepillar-like catkins. You won't find any pollen in the female pine cones.  You may want to wear disposable gloves in case there is any sap still around.  Just tap them over a bag or container to collect the pollen on a dry, preferably not windy day.  Be sure not to take it all from one pine  tree, but from several different trees as it does serve as their method of reproduction.  And finally, dry it out on a tray on a hot sunny day or on a low heat in the oven or food dehydrator.  Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or in the freezer and it will last for several months.  Just sprinkle a little on cereal or salad or mix it in a smoothie.  See if you notice any difference in how you feel.  Check with your health care practitioner for concerns about ingesting pine tree pollen.  Remember not to ingest pine tree pollen if you are one of the rare persons allergic to pine or bee stings.

HAPPY BREATHING!!!

Traditional Mothers Day Flower Gifts for the Mom with Allergies

     Flowers always make great gifts for Mothers Day, right?  The traditional roses, carnations, daisies, lilies, azaleas, rhododendrons...and the list goes on and on.  Except when your mother has allergies, specifically pollen allergies.  In that case you might want to stay away from certain varieties of flowers heavily laden with pollen.  Fortunately, this list is fairly short and only includes varieties from a few well known families of flowers. Although, certain heavily scented varieties can trigger an allergic reaction as well.

    A flower is usually insect-pollinated as opposed to a tree, grass, or weed which is usually wind-pollinated. Small, drab, inconspicuous flowers with little color, like those found on weeds, tend to be the culprit of an allergic response. Their pollen is smaller and lightweight making it easily carried by the wind.

     Orchids are an all time favorite of gift recipients.  Their pollen consists of a compacted mass of pollen grains coated in wax forming a pollinia and is not released into the air.  Roses are another favorite.  When giving rosebuds the pollen cannot be released.  When the buds open the pollen found inside is large and heavy preventing it from being released into the air.

     When looking for flowers, search for those with lots of petals and no visible centers.  Hybridized double chrysanthemums, begonias, hydrangeas, azaleas, asters, dahlias, gladiolas, irises, cyclamens, and double peonies all have little to no pollen.  Of course, cacti and succulents are good choices.


     Daisies including the gerbera daisy, single chrysanthemums, lilies, sunflowers, zinnia, jasmine, honeysuckle, and pussy willows are some to stay away from. They all contain lightweight pollen which easily becomes airborne.  Giant sunflowers to be planted outdoors are fine because they have large, heavy pollen that is not easily airborne.  Lilies can be made allergy free simply by removing the brown or yellow pollen-bearing anthers at the tip of each of the six stamens.  Calla lilies and other deep-throated flowers make excellent choices both for their beauty as well as the fact that the pollen producing parts of the flower are deeply embedded within the bloom.




     Some people are even allergic to heavily scented flowers.  This can happen from a sensitivity to the natural chemicals produced by the plant.  It is very rare to be allergic to this, but it does occur.  Climbing roses tend to have a heavier fragrance than other roses.  Another thing to beware of are flowers enhanced with artificial fragrance in grocery stores or even at some florists.  The artificial chemicals used in the fragrance enhancers can trigger allergy attacks.


     It is a myth that goldenrod is an allergy trigger.  Welcomed as a flower by some and a weed by others, it produces a heavy, sticky pollen.  This brightly colored, yellow flowering plant is entomophilous (animal or insect-pollinated) and is not likely to cause allergies.  It got it's bad rap due to the fact that it blooms in the wild at the same time as ragweed.  It serves us well as an alert to ragweed season. 

     Pot mums make great Mothers Day gifts for both indoors and outdoors.  Outdoors they provide beauty and color while indoors they clean the air of formaldehyde.  See the article Breathe Easier: Buy a Houseplant and Clean the Air. For those with allergies, pot mums are also available in double petal varieties which prevents the pollen from becoming airborne.  

     From a single flower rose or carnation, to a giant bouquet, or a grand potted plant, it's good to know their are still plenty of choices to be made even for those with allergies.  This Mother's Day the allergic  mother will be grateful you cared enough to research and seek out the appropriate flower or arrangement for her. Nowadays, some florists even offer sneeze-free bouquets.  All you have to do is ask.

     It's up to you to decide.  The beauty of a particular flower might far outweigh the occasional sneeze or two.

HAPPY BREATHING!!!

Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis, Pollinosis: What is it Really & What Can I do About it?

     I haven't seen any hay growing in my back yard, or any straw either for that matter.  And if it were, I'm sure it wouldn't be feverish.  It's not that hot out yet.  So why is everyone sneezing?  As the story goes, hay got a bad wrap as an allergen from days gone by when farming was a major profession.  Hay very rarely is an allergen and hay fever does not cause a fever.  It was just coincidental that pollens were in the air at the time when farmers were working on the farm in the hay fields and pollen allergies became known as hay fever. Once specific to grasses only, it has now become an umbrella term for other plant pollens as well.  Hay fever is also known as allergic rhinitis or pollinosis.  So the next time someone asks you if your hay fever is bothering you, you can say no, it's just my pollinosis.

     

     Allergies are caused by wind-pollinated plants.  Fortunately, flowers are usually pollinated by insects and normally do not cause allergies. Exceptions to this are the heavy pollen flowers: chrysanthemums, sunflowers, daisies, and jasmine.  These types should not be planted near windows to prevent pollen from blowing indoors on windy days.  Trees, grass, and weeds are the most likely culprits of outdoor allergies. Generally, trees release their pollens in spring, grasses in summer, and weeds in the fall. Precise dates vary every season dependent upon current weather conditions. Fungi and mold spores tend to peak during midsummer to fall, although heavy spring rains and warmer weather can bring on an allergy attack.  The male part of the plant, or stamen, produces the yellow, dust like pollen.  It causes our immune system to mistake a harmless substance for a harmful one. Thrown into overdrive, it produces antibodies and releases histamines as a self defense mechanism. Trees, grasses, and weeds release these pollen particles that are then blown into the air to fertilize other plants.  Even if you were able to remove all pollen allergen triggers in your yard or even your entire neighborhood, it might only be slightly beneficial.  Pollen can travel hundreds of miles in the wind.  

     Cold-like signs and symptoms may include runny or stuffy nose, red, itchy eyes, sneezing, sinus pressure, headache, or coughing. When symptoms persist on and off for months, you more than likely are not catching multiple colds.  Colds usually subside in a week to ten days.  It's probably an allergy.  How long your symptoms persist depends on which pollens or triggers you are allergic to. Eventually, these allergies may progress into asthma.  Spring, summer, and fall, symptoms could be any one of the many pollen or mold allergies.  When symptoms persist throughout winter, it's probably something indoors.  It could be mold growing from dampness in your house somewhere or a dust mite or chemical allergy.  See Dust mites and what you need to know.

     Some allergies can be exasperated by particular foods that we eat.  Springtime tree allergy sufferers should beware of apples, peaches and pears.  These foods that normally wouldn't cause any reaction at other times of the year, can further irritate the sensitive individual during the tree allergy season.  Those with grass allergies should be aware that celery is a grass and shouldn't be eaten during the summertime grass allergy season unless it is cooked. Trigger proteins found in raw foods break down with heat.  Melons can also trigger a response in the grass sensitive individual during this allergy season.    

   
     Ragweed symptoms in the fall may be even more pronounced when eating certain foods.  If you know you are sensitive to ragweed, the following foods should be avoided during ragweed season and even shortly before:  melons, bananas, raw honey with pollen, sunflower seed, zucchini and cucumbers.  They may be fine when cooked.

     Goldenrod blooms at the same time as ragweed.  It is not a significant allergen because it is insect-pollinated as opposed to wind-pollinated.  The bright yellow flowers in bloom are an indicator of the timing of ragweed pollination and serve as an alert to those who suffer from ragweed allergies.

     You may also want to try to avoid foods high in histamines as allergy season approaches.  These include avocados, chocolate, beer and wine, aged cheeses, and fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.

     Some foods can actually be beneficial during the ragweed allergy season.  Burdock root, dandelion, echinacea, nettle leaf, spirulina, green tea and licorice are just a few.  Available in tintures, teas, and capsules, they work by building up your immune system and suppressing histamines.  If you've never taken these before, use caution in the event you are allergic to one of them.  It is best to begin well before the allergy season starts so your body has time to build immunities.  For congestion try chili pepper, horseradish, wasabi or garlic.  These are all foods that act as a decongestant.

     Another thing you can do is try to avoid outdoor morning excursions between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.  This is the time of the day when the highest pollen rates occur.  The later in the day you go outside the better.  So try to plan outdoor activities in late afternoon or early evening whenever possible.

     Sorry to say, but it is a good time to increase the vacuuming and dusting regime.  Always use a vacuum or air filter with hepa filters to trap the very fine pollen and dust particles that might otherwise escape.  Dusting should be done with a slightly damp cloth or natural furniture polish to prevent particles from escaping back into the air.  

     At the beginning of a known pollen allergy season you should close your windows and turn on the air conditioning if needed.  This is also a good time to change the air filters.

     When gardening you can wear a particle mask to prevent inhalation of pollens.  To prevent eye allergies, redness, swelling, watering, you could wear wrap around eye protection like goggles. Your neighbors might laugh at you, but when you are done you'll feel a whole lot better and breathe easier the rest of the day.

     If none of these things provide any relief you might have to resort to over the counter antihistamines and decongestants.  When you've had enough, a trip to the allergist doctor might be useful if your allergies are severe. They will try to find out just what it is that's aggravating you and possibly desensitize you to the offending agent. There's a new experimental form of oral desensitization called Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) thats been being studied in Europe for many years.  Instead of the injections used with Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SKIT) the allergen extract is administered orally under the tongue of the patient.  Although it is commonly used in Europe and Asia, it is not yet FDA approved in the U.S.  Some U.S. doctors do offer this treatment. You will have to investigate further to find out if it is available in your area.

HAPPY BREATHING!!!

Beware of Toxic Chemicals that May be Lurking in Your New Furniture

     Indoor pollution, a leading cause of SBS or Sick Building Syndrome, is often caused by the furnishings used in homes and offices.  Whether cloth or leather, wood or upholstered, contemporary or traditional, eclectic or art deco, you will likely find chemicals in one or more materials used in the composition.  There are a few manufacturers utilizing natural or 'green' materials, but at a very high cost to the consumer.

      Some of the symptoms to watch for if you suspect your new furnishings are making you sick: headache, fatigue, nausea, burning eyes, nose, or throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks and even fainting. You may smell a mild odor coming from the furniture or it may be very strong and noxious. Without an expensive chemical tester, you may never know if it's coming from the upholstery fabric or leather covering, the glues in the wood or the stuffing in the cushions. 

     If you know ahead of time that you have chemical sensitivities, you may want to make a request for the company to remove packaging materials from the furniture and allow it to off-gas for a couple of weeks at their warehouse.  If that's not possible, you should consider setting it up in a vacant room or garage for at least two weeks or more until the smell dissipates.  Barring these options, you might try houseplants with a layer of activated charcoal in the soil as explained in a previous article in a study done by NASA, as well as opening windows and doors.  Ventilating with a fan directed towards the piece of furniture is helpful as well as placing bowls of bicarbonate of soda, (baking soda) and/or activated charcoal or even regular charcoal in the surrounding area.  Extra dusting and vacuuming when furniture is new helps to remove some of the chemical contaminants that settle in the dust.

     If the smell is coming from the wood, it's more than likely formaldehyde used in the gluing process of pressed woods or particle board.  Formaldehyde is one of many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and only in recent years discovered to be a carcinogen.  When composite woods are heated the glue releases gases and is vaporized into the surrounding air.  Some upholstery fabrics also contain formaldehyde.  Low amounts of off-gassing occurs even at normal room temperatures, but increases with higher temperatures.   Composite wood and suspected upholstered furnishings should not be placed near heaters, heat vents, stoves, or direct sunlight.   Producing a cloying smell, formaldehyde is a potent sensitizer.  It can be a catalyst in creating a cascading effect of sensitization to other chemicals where previously there was no sensitivity or allergy.  Although it lessens over time, it never completely outgases.

     Petroleum based stuffing in furniture contains its own concoction of chemicals.  Polyurethane foam, 'polyfoam', requires the use of Toluene (TDI) for the production of these synthetic flexible foams.  A derivative of benzene, it is considered less toxic than benzene itself, but still a potent respiratory irritant and sensitizer. Due to the high flammability of foam inserts, most still contain flame retardants made with chlorinated and brominated chemicals.  Furniture stuffed with cotton padding can contain high amounts of pesticides unless labeled 'organic'.  As much as 25% of the world's pesticides are said to be used for growing cotton.

     Some upholstery fabrics are manufactured with the use of formaldehyde, and may also contain flame retardants, as well as stain and soil resistant coatings such as Teflon.  Manufactured with fluorpolymers that break down into perfluorochemicals (PFCs), these chemicals are now found everywhere in our environment including our bodies, our homes, soil, and water and are virtually indestructible. You could lightly dust the fabric with baking soda, leave it for 15 minutes and then vacuum.  This will help absorb some of the chemical odors as well as lightly clean it.  Other solutions would be steam cleaning, which also kills dust mites, or having it professionally cleaned with a nontoxic product.  

     Leather covered furniture helps to encase the foam as well as prevent the build up of dust mites for those with allergies. It's not without its own drawbacks, however.  Today's leathers are mainly produced with a layer of pigment followed by a coating of urethane to protect it.  It also requires maintenance to keep it clean and from drying and cracking.  If you are sensitive to chemicals you should check the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for leather treatment products before purchasing them. It's very east to do.  Just do a search for the product's name followed by MSDS.

     Proper hydration is essential to leather to prevent it from drying and cracking.  It is important to only use water based products when treating leather.  The first thing you might do to your new leather is to wipe it down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth drying as you go.  Your leather will love you for it, because it loves humidity, and you will wipe off any surface contaminants from the manufacturing process.  Never use any products containing oil, wax or silicone.  These products will clog the pores of the leather preventing it from breathing, as well as destroy the protective topcoat.  One of the most highly recommended leather care products is Leather Master because it is a nontoxic, biodegradable, water based formula.  They carry everything from cleaners and hydrating formulas to protective coating  and repair kits.  Each product will specify what type of leather it is for and which application is needed.  For the average new top grain, pigmented, coated leather piece of furniture, all that is needed is the cleaner and the protector applied 2-4 times per year. Vacuuming once a month is highly recommended to prevent dust particles from building up and clogging the pores of the leather, as well as reduce chemical contaminates.  The sooner you put a layer of protectant on your new leather furniture the better.  Spills will clean up more easily and prevent staining.  And one more tip.  Just because your leather looks clean doesn't mean you don't need to clean it.  Perspiration and oils from your skin that don't show up right away are the biggest destroyers of leather.

HAPPY BREATHING!!!

                  

         

Fabric Softeners Chemical Sensitivity and Health Hazard

     Some of you may still remember the good old days when laundry was hung out on the clothesline to dry on sunny days.  Perhaps you or your mother or grandmother dried their clothes that way.  Others may never have known what truly fresh, clean clothes smelled like when gently blown dry by a crisp, billowing breeze.  Or falling asleep on freshly laundered bedding just pulled from the clothesline.  It seems nowadays we're all about clothes dryers and synthetically scented fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

     Fabric softeners were first invented in the early 1900's by the textile industry after the introduction of synthetic detergents.  Clothes came out cleaner than with regular soap, but were left feeling harsh and stiff.  Then in the late 1960's, Conrad J. Gaiser poured liquid fabric softener onto a piece of flannel cloth to save his wife from running up and down stairs to catch the rinse cycle. He then patented the idea of a dryer sheet and sold the rights to Proctor & Gamble.

     Today, millions of dollars a year are spent by large companies trying to appease our sense of smell with the sales ploys of these fabric softeners.  That fresh outdoor smell as yet escapes them. Perhaps one day they will figure out a way to bottle up all that fresh air, but as yet we are duped by chemical imitations.

     It's not only the fresh clean smell of the outdoors we are missing out on.  For those of you afflicted with allergies and asthma, sunshine kills dust mites immediately.  Yet one more explanation for the surge of allergy and asthma related illnesses over the past several years.  Add to that the toxic chemicals in liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets and the association can be multiplied to a much higher level.  Washing your clothes shouldn't create a health hazard.  Let's look at the facts regarding the ingredients used in some of these products.

• Benzyl Acetate-Possible link to pancreatic cancer. (ScienceDirect, 2013)
• Benzyl Alcohol- Upper respiratory irritant.  May cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness.
• Ethanol- On EPA's list of hazardous waste material. Linked to central nervous system disorders.
• Alpha-terpineol-Irritates mucous membranes.  Linked to central nervous system disorders.
• Alpha-pinene-Neurological disorders, respiratory irritant,  skin sensitivity.
• Ethyl Acetate-Narcotic. On EPA's list of hazardous waste material. Neurological disorders and cancer, as well as liver, kidney and brain damage.
• Camphor- On EPA's list of hazardous waste material. May cause dizziness, confusion, twitching muscles, nausea, convulsions.
• Chloroform-Neuotoxin and carcinogen.
• Linalool-Plant derived extract used for scent.  Possible skin sensitivity or allergen when oxidized. Beneficial in its pure form against cancer as well as relieving stress.  Present in many essential oils.
• Pentane-Endocrine disruptor.  Skin, eye and lung irritant.
• Phthalates-Linked to breast cancer and reproductive disorders.

     These are just a sampling of the many chemicals found in fabric softeners.  Chemical fragrances are added to the products to disguise the unpleasant odor of the softening and antistatic chemicals.  Dryer sheets are particularly noxious, because heat releases the chemicals into the air posing a respiratory health risk.  The chemicals are impregnated into the fibers of the dryer sheets along with fatty acids to give it a wax like coating.  This coating is designed to slowly relaease into your clothes for extended periods of time and is nearly impossible to remove even after repeated washings.  The chemicals are then inhaled by the wearer as well as absorbed by the skin. Manufacturers are not required to label these chemicals on their product ingredient list.

     Fabric softening products should never be used in towels as they become less absorbent.  The wax like products in dryer sheets will also build up on lint screens.  Eventually, they will become clogged and can cause the dryer to overheat and burn out the heating element.  Dryer lint screens should periodically be washed and scrubbed using a brush with soap and water to remove any buildup.

     For a safe and cost effective solution you can add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash water cycle to soften clothes.  Another effective alternative is 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar added to the rinse cycle for softening and eliminating static cling.  Shake up a few drops of your favorite essential oil with the vinegar for a pleasant scent.

     You can find dryer balls made of wool online.  One brand, called 'Woolziesz' are handmade in New Zealand.  All natural and hypo-allergenic they soften laundry without any chemical additives. Lasting up to 1,000 loads they are economical too.  What I like about them is you can sprinkle a few drops of essential oil on them before tossing them in the dryer.  Below are some other options,all natural dryer sheets or natural liquid fabric softeners:                                        

HAPPY BREATHING!!!

Sources:

"Evaluation of promotion of pancreatic carcinogenesis in rats by benzyl acetate". Longnecker DS, Roebuck BD, Curphey TJ, MacMillan DL, Food Chem Toxicol, 1990 Oct; 28(10):665-8. from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0278691590901419

Radon Testing and Mitigation for Residential Homes and Office Buildings

     One of the most inexpensive, yet invaluable air pollution safety tests you can perform at your home or office is the radon test.  Radon gas, another of the 'silent killers', is a form of radiation poisoning that causes respiratory distress and eventually lung cancer. Assessing radon risk is tricky as it is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that seeps from the ground to the air above.  Higher outdoor pressure forces leaks through cracked and porous cement foundations and walls. Today's modern airtight homes, combined with leaky foundations, can have much higher levels of radon than what is deemed to be safe. No level is completely safe other than zero, but that is very unrealistic.  All buildings have some level of radon however minute.

     The best time of year to test for radon is during the winter heating months when the house is sealed up.  Test kits range from simplistic envelopes or canisters to sophisticated machines.  Simple test kits involve the use of a small envelope or canister placed in an area of the home most likely to be emitting the most radon.  In a basement it would be placed in an area free from drafts, high heat or humidity, and away from exterior walls.  If you have no basement it will be placed on the main floor or in a crawlspace.  The envelope or canister is left for a few days undisturbed to collect any radon particles in the air.  It is then sealed up and returned for test results.  

     These inexpensive radon test kits can be purchased at hardware or home supply stores from five to twenty-five dollars.  Just be sure the cost includes laboratory analysis.  Some local health departments supply the kits at a reduced cost or even free. So check with them first.  For more rigid testing, you can hire a company that will come to your home or office and set up a continuous radon monitoring machine that tests the ambient air for radon gas every few minutes and prints out a continuous reading of those measurements.  It is much more accurate because radon levels are constantly fluctuating.  Normal spikes in the readings can be overlooked if they are infrequent enough over the course of several hours or days. When considering a property investment this form of testing is more desirable because it is tamperproof.   Any movement of the machine is detected and recorded, preventing the property owner from placing the machine in another location in an attempt to skew the results. Below is a sample of a printout from one of these machines.  Click on it for a closeup view.

     Test results at 4pCi/L or less are considered to be safe levels by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. So your first results come back at well under the recommended safety level of 4pCi/L.  You're done for now and can get some sleep. You may want to test again in six months or one year just to be sure.  After that every three to five years should suffice.  It is also recommended to retest after major renovations and when replacing heating systems or central air conditioning.

     Levels from 4-10pCi/L warrant further long-term testing.  If your results came back in this range, you need to run a long-term test for accuracy before considering having a mitigation system installed as they can be quite costly.

    

     Anything over 10pCi/L is significantly high and should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further health issues.  An additional short-term test can be performed to verify results. During this testing period you should be contacting radon specialists to get several different estimates on mitigation systems.

     The primary method used to reduce radon is a vent pipe system.  The pipe pulls radon gas from beneath the building and vents it outside through a wall away from doors or windows or through an attic with a fan where the gas is then diluted into the air.  In crawlspaces a heavyweight plastic is used to cover the ground or concrete floor and gas is vented from beneath the plastic.  Porous concrete walls and floors of basements are sometimes sealed but this method is not always reliable due to varying results.  You can find more information on mitigation systems as well as free radon pamphlets at this EPA website. 

HAPPY BREATHING!!! 

Replace Chemical Laden Air Fresheners with Natural Choices

     Most air freshening products on the market today are nothing more than concoctions of toxic chemicals and artificially manufactured scents aimed to tease and tempt our sense of smell.  Once again we are creating the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) environment when it's not even necessary.  Many indoor pollutants are unavoidable, but why add to this cesspool of toxins being thrown our way everyday.  Compelled by the smells of exotic perfumes designed to overpower our common sense by deceiving our sense of smell, we purchase these synthetic scents by the millions per day.  Spray your clothes, spray your linens, spray your draperies, spray your upholstered furniture, spray your carpet and when that doesn't work, plug one into every vacant electrical outlet in your house. And if that isn't enough get a few motion activated air fresheners so every time you walk by one, you can sniff a few more noxious chemicals into your delicate airways. And we wonder why it's recommended to open windows, at least 30 minutes a day, even in the dead of winter.  It's not just to let some fresh air in.  It's to let the toxins out as well. There's a reason we need to circulate the air.  We need to stop poisoning the air we breathe.  Many artificial air freshener's sold today contain carcinogens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other toxins such as phthalates, a known hormone disrupter, that accumulate in our body. There's enough indoor pollution already in our homes and workplaces from the synthetic carpets and furnishings, wood sealants, paints, and laminates that we can't easily remove. So why add more?!?

     What could be fresher than a fresh bowl of citrus fruits?  Oranges...lemons...limes.   A pot of simmering water on the stove filled with citrus peels from your oranges...lemons...limes.  Jazz it up with a little cinnamon, cloves, or allspice.  A simple, inexpensive way to freshen up your entire house  Our sense of smell is very much tied into our memories.  Sometimes the scent of something in your immediate environment will cause a memory flashback whisking you back to another place and time or bringing back memories of someone long forgotten.  So mix up some of your own concoctions or try the ones below below and bring back some of those happy memories.

     There are so many natural remedies to mask those peevish odors you're trying to cover up.  They smell better and are a whole lot better for your respiratory system. Cigarette smoke, urine and fecal odors, cooking smells, molds etc.  Of course, the best option is to eliminate the source of the odor. When that's not possible, why not try making your own air freshener.  Essential oils bind with odor particles and neutralize them. Just take a few drops of your choice of essential oils, 1 tsp. of witch hazel or vodka, and 1/2 cup of water.  Mix it up in a dark glass or PET spray bottle, shake and spray away. Just be sure to use 100% pure essential oils.  Don't spray it on your skin or on wood or plastics.  Most essential oils are not meant to be used undiluted on your skin.  Some citrus essential oils are photosensitive.  Exposure to the sun with citrus oils on your skin can cause redness, blistering and darkened pigmentation. So just to be safe, don't go in the sun for 24 hours if you get the oils on your skin. And don't mix the oils around an open flame as they are flammable. It's best to use dark glass, such as amber or cobalt blue, because the ultraviolet rays in sunlight will break down the oils. These can be found online or at health food stores such as Whole Foods. Also, these air freshening recipes will last a long time because it only takes a few sprays to do the job. Therefore, it is best to use glass or Pet plastic bottles; because essential oils will eventually leach through other plastic bottles.  PET plastic works well for diluted essential oils.  For lavender or eucalyptus use 20-25 drops.  The minty oils like peppermint or spearmint need only about 10-15 drops.  Citrus oils take a lot more, about 60 - 65 drops. You can mix the citrus oils like orange, lemon, and lime and make a wonderful citrus blend.  Try 35 drops of orange, 15 drops of lemon, and 10 drops of lime. Eucalyptus goes well with spearmint or lavender. Lavender is nice with orange. Peppermint is great on its own or mixed with just about any of the others. Just remember to use less of the mints, because they tend to overpower the others.  Start with less and add more as needed. When spraying cloth, it's best to do a test sample first and let it dry overnight to be sure it's safe on the fabric you're spraying.  Have fun experimenting with these and others.

     If you don't want to mix the air fresheners yourself, you can sprinkle a few drops of the pure essential oils on cotton balls or baking soda and place on glass or terra cotta trays around your house.  Be sure to protect the surface beneath it.  For the fresh clean scent of eucalyptus, you can fill a vase with dried eucalyptus branches.

     All of these oils work great in essential oils diffusers or misting bowls for a continuous air freshening as in Humidity Control to Prevent Illness.  You can use eucalyptus globulus or 'blue gum' when you have a cold or flu or any breathing complication.  Lavender is perfect for helping you to relax.  Minty and citrus oils are uplifting oils.  They stimulate your senses and put you in a better mood.  Jasmine and Rose Absolute are in the list below and make wonderful flowery air fresheners, but are more expensive than the others.





     And for those of you who are too lazy, or excuse me, too busy to make your own room freshener sprays, I've done some of the searching for you.  Citrus Magic and Aura Cacia air fresheners are all natural.  Aura Cacia's new lemon raspberry scent smells like raspberry lemonade.







Note:  Even some essential oils can be toxic depending upon the method of disbursement.  If you wish to check for safety click on Safety Guide to Essential Oils. Rarely, some people find themselves allergic to certain essential oils or even citrus peels.  If you find them irritating to your nose or throat you should discontinue their use. 

HAPPY BREATHING!!!