Worldwide, environmentally friendly living is practiced by individuals to differing degrees. Endeavours, which all signify, can be as simple as using eco-conscious cleaning products to transforming an entire home or workplace into a green space. This encourages the healthiest life possible.

When a person or group of individuals is considering green living, it is something that should not only be taken into account on a global level, but a personal level as well. As the below article suggests, individuals who dwell in the city and are close to environments where green space is devoted are experiencing better health and fewer attacks of depression.

(Article Source the Calgary Herald by AFP)

City dwellers residing near parks and greenery enjoy better health and fewer bouts of depression than those living in enclaves of concrete and asphalt, according to a study released on Thursday.

A dense concentration of trees, shrubs and flowers close to home had the greatest impact, according to the study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the official journal of Britain’s Society for Social Medicine.

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Indoor air and the quality of it is not only an important aspect regarding how people function and live their day-to-day lives, but it is a crucial concern to one’s health and, if not properly handled, can cause problems and risks such as breathing difficulties and allergies. 

Canadians spend nearly 90 per cent of their time indoors—where levels of pollution have the potential to be two to five times higher than outdoor levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency—and can be exposed to a range of indoor air contaminants.

As the following article suggests, poor indoor air quality can cause a number of illnesses, health concerns and dangers to a person’s cardiovascular and respiratory system. In order to avoid respiratory illnesses and other potential health hazards from poor indoor air quality it is essential to improve indoor air quality and be more conscious on what products we buy for our indoor space, as well as how we heat and cool our indoor areas.

(Article Source indystar.com by Angie Hicks)

One of the top five public health risks facing the United States is the air we breathe indoors — in our homes, schools and businesses.

It’s where Americans spend about 90 percent of their time, and where levels of pollution could be two to five times higher than outdoor levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Indoor air pollutants — such as dust mites, volatile organic compounds (known as VOCs), fibrous particulates, radon, mold and other contaminants — can trigger short- and long-term health problems ranging from asthma to allergies.

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It is a well known fact that people are increasingly becoming aware of the impact pollution and toxic wastes have on the environment.  One way everyone can begin in removing noxious burdens is by replacing toxic cleaning products in the home with ecologically sound ones.

The following article examines common toxic cleaning products found within the home, and highlights the benefits of removing the products to ensure fresh, clean air while sustaining the environment.   

Article Source (Care 2 make a Difference – Top 10 Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean the House) - Chosing environmentally friendly cleaning products — and removing toxic ones — goes a long way towards ensuring a home with fresh, clean air. Clean air renews and rejuvenates; it doesn’t pollute our lives or the environment. Living in a less toxic home, removed from neurotoxic chemicals, improves sleep and concentration, makes babies less fussy, and gives a sense of well-being. Your household’s toxic burden on the environment will be significantly reduced by following these steps, and this too can bring peace of mind.

1. LOOK UNDER YOUR KITCHEN SINK: Remove toxic products
WHY: Almost everyone in the world has a cupboard full of poisons under their kitchen sink. Wasp spray, oven cleaner, waxes and polishes—the place is full of chemicals that display the words poison, danger, warning, or caution. Small amounts of the poisons drift from, and leak out of bottles and spray bottles, which then waft around the kitchen. Household poisonings are one of the highest threats to the health of children.

HOW: Place products with signal words in a locked cupboard in storage for your community’s next Household Hazardous Pickup Day (see next tip); replace all hazardous products with safer versions in the future.

HIGHLIGHTS: No chemicals wafting into your household; safer environment for kids.

2. ABOUT HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PICKUPS: Take toxic products
WHY: Hazardous materials shouldn’t be poured down the drain or thrown away in the trash as they can cause serious pollution problems in the waste stream. (more…)

The typical North American home is loaded with toxic chemicals in the walls, solvents, and even electrical devices. How can we restore some of the natural elements in our homes and decrease the amount of toxins? One solution is to take a different direction in the way our homes are built.

The following article shows an extensive amount of problems consuming toxic homes and environments, evoking you to determine possible solutions and alternatives when it comes to living in a safe healthy home.

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We are being made more and more aware of the substances found in building materials that made a negative impact on the air quality inside our homes. In building a structure with materials that do not harbour harmful substances, we can greatly improve the quality of the air that we breathe indoors.

The following article is an in-depth, scientific look at some of the toxic substances found in our homes such as mold and bacteria, that can contribute to a poor air quality and our overall health.

Article Source (Morse Zehnter Associates) Microbiological organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, are important components of our ecosystem. These microorganisms break down dead material into its constituent components and as such are important participants in earth’s continuing life cycle. However, if these microorganisms proliferate in buildings, they can adversely impact indoor air quality (IAQ), create hazardous health conditions for the occupants and contribute to the deterioration of building components.

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