Indoor pollution is nothing to sneeze at
Q:My entire f amily has allergies. We’re renovating a new house and need to use as many nonpolluting products as possible. We know about using low-VOC paints and avoiding carpets that catch dust and stuff . What else should we be looking for? This is a real problem, but we still want our home to be attractive.
A:Lucky for you and your f amily, home furnishings manufacturers now offer products that let you have your clean air and handsome decor, too. It just makes good business sense, considering how many of us have allergy problems.
Americans live mostly indoors. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we spend some 90 percent of our time indoors, where the air we’re breathing can be five times more polluted than the air outside.
You’re off to a good start with low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints. Today, most paint manufacturers offer non-off-gassing products that perform as well as the old, offensive coatings. Plus, there are natural paints made the old-f ashioned way with ingredients like plant oils and dyes, clay, chalk and milk casein.
Eco-expert interior designer Robin Wilson chronicled the eco-healthy remodeling of a home for a Kennedy f amily in her book, “Kennedy Green House.” Among her tips: —Opt for flooring made of hardwood, bamboo, cork, concrete, stone or ceramic tile.
Linoleum is eco-friendly, but avoid vinyl, which offgasses.
—Look for mattresses made of eco-foam, sheets made of organic cotton, silk or bamboo and shower curtains made of cotton with a nylon liner.
—Always use hypoallergenic covers on pillows and mattresses.
The EPA offers two more fresh-air tips:
—Change filters on heaters and air conditioners often. Fresh filters do a better job of collecting impurities in the air.
—Decorate with lots of houseplants. They help purify the indoor atmosphere. Recommended choices include aloe vera, spider plants, Gerber daisies, English ivy and snake plants — also known as mother-in-law’s tongue.