A Safe & Healthy Interior
What makes a “safe and healthy” interior? We are most concerned with reducing the risks of airborne and water-borne illness, and we also consider the impact of choices on the environment. The most important thing as a necessary first step is to figure out whether problems exist. It’s difficult to get beyond marketing claims, and ecobeco has done the research to bring you information from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Environmental Working Group, and other reliable sources. Before you consider energy-saving measures such as air sealing which will reduce the rate of your home’s indoor and outdoor air exchange, we recommend you address these common issues.
Air Quality Concerns Are Driven By Several Factors:
1)
Radon and carbon monoxide are two important invisible and odorless gases that can be dangerous to you and your family. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and can be found in about 1 of every 6 homes. ecobeco encourages precise placement of carbon monoxide detectors. Also, if you have not had a radon test done on your home, we strongly recommend you purchase our inexpensive test kits. The existence of these gases can be controlled once you know there is a problem.
2)
Toxic chemicals are commonly found in cleaning supplies, carpets and paints. When the label gives you warnings not to inhale, that’s a good sign not to use that product at all if you can find an effective alternative. ecobeco’s environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies are just as effective but without the toxicity that can irritate your lungs or eyes or make you sick. We’ve been trained since birth to recognize that “clean” smell of conventional products… now is the time to declare your independence from toxic chemicals and to retrain yourself that eco-friendly disinfectants can smell any way you want or often have no smell at all, and they work just as well as the conventional ones. Carpets and paints are sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene, which are known carcinogens. These compounds are particularly dangerous for children who spend more time in contact with the carpet and have lower body mass overall, which means a much higher exposure intensity compared to an adult. Eco-friendly carpeting, flooring and paints are available to reduce your exposure to VOCs.
3)
Excessive moisture and mold issues. Homes that are too humid create a breeding ground for mold that can create respiratory infections or allergic reactions when ingested. If you constantly battle musty smells or your humidity (especially in the basement) is out of control, ecobeco can help you take action to solve this problem. Large sources of moisture include steam from your shower and moisture coming through the lower level of the home or from external humid air. Your air conditioner dehumidifies air by design, but it’s up to you to make sure the level of humidity is manageable or your air conditioner will work inefficiently and ineffectively. Typically, taking steps to reduce the air exchange rate of your home with the outdoor air can make a big difference.
4)
Too little moisture can cause skin irritation. The opposite problem, which is also caused by too much dry external air pushing moisture out of the house, can be resolved in a similar way. ecobeco can help you understand the steps you need to take to humidify the air (especially in the winter) and to better manage the flow of air from inside your home to the outside.
5)
Air Pollution is a cause of illness, including sore throats and coughing. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter products reduce the amount of dust, bacteria, mold spores, and pathogens in the air. Allergy and asthma sufferers should investigate whole home air filtration systems, while most other consumers will generally enjoy the smell of filtered air in their home. The average consumer spends 65% of his/her time in the home, so shouldn’t you make small investments to ensure the health and safety of the air that you and your family breathe in your home?
Water Use & Quality
We also focus on water quality. We are happy to report to report that over 90% of water systems in the US exceed the EPA’s minimum standards. In fact, tap water in the US is among the safest in the world, but water quality can be improved at very reasonable costs. Our focus is on making sure that consumers are purchasing the correct product to meet their specific needs. ecobeco offers safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to bottled and tap water for general use.
1)
According to the EPA’s Safewater program, bottled water is important for people with severely com promised immune systems who cannot gain access to other filters. But for the average American, bottled water is generally no safer to drink than most treated tap water sources.
2)
Bottled water costs more… a lot more. If you buy an inexpensive brand at the grocery store – let’s say a Poland Spring 12 pack that costs $3.99. Each bottle holds 16.9 ounces, so the case has 202 ounces. That’s 2 cents per ounce. There are 128 ounces in a gallon, so just to compare this, a gallon of lower-end bottled water costs $3.56. Residents of Montgomery County, MD pay between 5 and 10 cents per gallon for tap water and sewer! Water filters can cost about the same!
3)
Bottled water can have a distinctive taste, which is based on how the water is treated. Where taste is a determining factor, consumers are well-served to explore in-home filtration devices which can perform the same filtration techniques used by bottled water bottlers at a much less expensive cost per gallon (up to 85% less for a carbon-based filter).
4)
The plastic bottles are recycled much less frequently that you would think. In 2001, the World Wildlife Fund estimated that 1.5 million tons of plastic reached landfills around the world from water bottles. The Pacific Institute estimated that only 15% of plastic water bottles in the US were recycled, and the manufacturing process used 17 million barrels of oil that could have gone to other important economic uses (such as lowering your gasoline prices!).
5)
ecobeco recommends portable bottles with metallic framing as a great substitute for bottled water. Simply fill up your bottle before you go with tap or filtered water. And your metallic bottle has cool designs that express your personality while sending a clear message that you care about the environment.
