Rachel Maloney (co-host of Everything Green Radio and owner of Natural Built Home) starts the first in a three part series about green building. This week is all about indoor air quality. Did you know that studies done by the EPA show that indoor levels of air pollutants may be 2 to 5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor pollutant levels. Wow! To breathe easier consider the materials that are in your home. Wool carpets are much healthier for you because they are virtually VOC free. With paints you need to look further than VOC content. There may be chemicals hiding in your paint that are not labeled a VOC but are very toxic. Like Ethylene Glycol! Also, make sure you check for Radon and install a mitigation system if your home tests high. Also, it is now law in Minnesota that every home must have a Carbon Monoxide detector They save lives! Tune in next week for the second segment taking about sustainable materials and why saving energy is so critical to green building.
Author of the new book, Made Here Baby, Bruce Wolk talks about his book and why it is important for folks to consider purchasing materials manufactured here in the United States. Made Here, Baby! guides you to safe, quality, American-made products for new moms, preemies, infants, toddlers, preschool, school age and beyond, including toys, games, puzzles, diaper bags, carriers, car seats, baby products, clothing, shoes, bedding, furniture, sporting goods, and much, much more.
To purchase a copy of "Made Here Baby," visit the book's website here: www.madeherebaby.com
Tips, News and Info:
Dark Green Tip #3949 - Mothball Alternatives
In the old days, mothballs were made mainly of naphthalene, which is highly flammable. These days mothballs are made from dichlorobenzene instead. Anything with the word "benzene" in it is cause for alarm as these substances tend to be carcinogenic.
Ditch the traditional mothballs - greener alternatives
- Ensure all your woollens are washed before storing. This is to ensure any eggs have been removed and odd as it may seem, it appears moths are attracted to human scents.
- Wipe out all containers or drawers to be used for storage to remove any existing moth eggs.
- Ensure clothes are thoroughly dry before storing
- Store clothing in well sealed containers
- Try one of the following in a cheesecloth bag; but ensure the bag doesn't touch the clothes: Bay leaves, cedar shavings, cinnamon sticks, cloves, eucalyptus leaves, lavender, peppercorns, rosemary, wormwood.
Cedar balls and blocks are also said to be effective in repelling moths, but need to be sanded occasionally in order to "refresh" them.
Light Green Tip #65 - Green Cleaning Your Computer Keyboard
Step 1. Don't buy compressed air.
Step 2. Turn upside down and shake vigorously - your keyboard that is.
Step 3. Use double sided sticky tape to floss in between your keys... really get in there.
Step 4. Utilize a coffee stirrer straw and use human powered air to blow stuff out from under your keys.
Step 5. Repeat if necessary.
Listener Email - Make my phone books go away!
According to Yellow Pages Goes Green, in the USA alone the 540 million directories represents:
- 19 million trees to provide the paper
- 1.6 billion pounds of paper wastage
- 7.2 million barrels of oil (not including delivery)
- 268,000 cubic yards of landfill
- 3.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity consumption
There is now an opt out number you can call for several of the major phone books:
Rachel Maloney (co-host of Everything Green Radio and owner of 
Author of the new book, Made Here Baby, Bruce Wolk talks about his book and why it is important for folks to consider purchasing materials manufactured here in the United States.