Your toxic footprint … five easy ways to reduce harmful substances in your home …
Many of the products we buy and use in our homes contain substances that can potentially damage our health and the health of the environment. Learn how you can make simple choices in the products you buy, the way you clean your home and take care of the yard that will reduce your family’s exposure.
1. Know what’s in it.
Do your homework before you buy. Read the label. Look for words that indicate the product may contain harmful substances (danger, caution, poison). Choose the least hazardous products you can find. There are many new product lines in the marketplace that are safer for you and the environment.
2. Use natural cleaners.
Many cleaning products contain industrial-strength chemicals. Look for products that have naturally occurring or plant-based materials. There are many ways to clean using plain vinegar, baking soda and borax and these won’t contaminate our water when they go down the drain.
3. Find safer alternatives – they’re out there!
Choose unbleached toilet paper and paper towels. Paper products made from recycled fibres, or a good old-fashioned tea towel or sponge all are kinder to the environment and reduce the amount of toxics going into the environment from processing and bleaching paper.
4. Clear the air.
Many people suffer from poor air quality in the home. Emissions can come from chemicals used to treat carpets and upholstered furniture, from paint and even from commercial air fresheners. Using a stand-alone air filter in your home can help but the best solution is to make sure the products you buy are friendly to you and the environment.
5. Go green in the garden.
Cosmetic-use pesticides are banned for use and sale in Ontario and already lower levels of pesticides are being seen in our waterways. Many garden centres and websites have useful tips on how to go pesticide-free in your yard. Pesticide-free gardening protects our growing children, our pets and our natural eco-systems.
Find out what Ontario is doing to reduce toxics in our air, land and water.
