| Home air purification systems are being | | | | when handling ammonia is to avoid skin |
| purchased by the millions. Many adults | | | | contact (we are talking about pure |
| both with and without children are | | | | ammonia here). Wear protective gloves |
| realizing that the one thing they can | | | | and chemical-resistant clothing. The |
| control in their home is the air they | | | | National Institute for Occupational |
| breath. Many have done their diligent | | | | Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends |
| studies or took it on recommendation | | | | wearing gloves made of Butyl, Teflon or |
| that the air outside is harmful, but the | | | | Viton for up to 8 hours of exposure and |
| air inside(up to 70 times more toxic)can | | | | Nitrile gloves for up to 4 hours of |
| be made cleaner by purchasing and | | | | exposure. Keep clothing clean and free |
| installing some sort of unit that will | | | | of oils and grease. Even diluted, does |
| help clean the air. | | | | that give you cause enough to get rid of |
| And a good choice it was. Several units | | | | everything containing ammonia that YOU |
| will filter out the dust, the dander | | | | brought in? |
| from their pets, and some other | | | | In the personal care section, I can tell |
| particulate that is unseen. Some units | | | | you first hand that the products you use |
| can even filter out some of the toxins | | | | on your head, by and large contain |
| that float around us while we are in our | | | | chemicals that render bacteria sterile |
| home. And they work too. | | | | (they used to be able to kill the |
| But did you know that these airborne | | | | bacteria by adding formaldehyde to the |
| toxins, once on the skin, can actually | | | | mixture. This was done for many years |
| cause as much harm to you, your children | | | | but has since been changed). The |
| and your pets, as it does to inhale | | | | ingredients in use today do not "kill" |
| them? Most people know this | | | | any bacteria that may have gotten into |
| subconsciously, but they neglect to do | | | | the mix: they make it so the bacteria |
| anything about it. | | | | cannot reproduce while it is sitting on |
| Most of the products that you bring into | | | | the store shelf. Otherwise, you would |
| your home from the store to use for | | | | be putting a significant amount of |
| whatever purpose contain chemicals that | | | | bacteria onto your scalp everyday and if |
| over time can and will bring harm to | | | | you had a scratch or cut on your head or |
| you. Most of us think that these | | | | neck, you would get a serious infection. |
| products could not be sold to us if this | | | | Unless a company uses a plant extract |
| were true. Unfortunately, there is no | | | | or herb, a chemical like this cannot be |
| requirements for testing these products | | | | healthy. Man made phosphates and man |
| and there is no requirement to even list | | | | made chemicals derived from |
| everything they contain on the label | | | | petrochemicals located in your soaps, |
| (testing is done as we know, with | | | | toothpaste, and deodorant also absorb |
| animals, and many companies have found | | | | through our skin and can cause immediate |
| alternative testing methods. But there | | | | problems and problems over time. |
| are a surprisingly high number of brand | | | | Stop and think about where you spend |
| name companies that still do animal | | | | most of your time. How about your kids? |
| testing. That is a whole other | | | | Chronic conditions are more problematic |
| discussion). I was surprised to learn | | | | in women because women do most of the |
| that, because I live in a country that | | | | cleaning in the home. They are exposed |
| seems to regulate everything else, why | | | | to these chemicals for more time, and |
| not consumer and personal care products | | | | over time. Pregnancies can be |
| as well. | | | | complicated and asthma in children can |
| There are countless examples you can | | | | be traced back to the chemicals and |
| take a look at from the products in your | | | | chemical products we use everyday. |
| home right now. I'm sure you have seen | | | | What should you do? You started out by |
| them already. Look at your oven | | | | purchasing and installing a home air |
| cleaning solution. Does it say anywhere | | | | purifier. That is a start. Now, you |
| on the container "danger", "warning", | | | | really need to either get more education |
| "poison"? Do the instructions indicate | | | | on the various hazards you continue to |
| that you should use gloves when | | | | bring into your home and expose you and |
| applying? How about to have good or | | | | your family to, or, make the decision to |
| adequate ventilation? | | | | change to products that are much safer |
| Look at your floor cleaners, or window | | | | to use. They may be hard to find, but |
| cleaners. Did you know that ammonia, | | | | don't you think that you are taking a |
| which is a good cleaning agent, found in | | | | great risk just to save a couple of |
| window cleaners, can cause an irritated | | | | dollars for a product that is on sale or |
| nose: maybe some slight breathing | | | | that you have used all of your life, |
| problems? And not to mention the injury | | | | therefore it must be good? |
| you could sustain if you get it in your | | | | Make the change. Start today. You are |
| eyes. Long term, or repeated exposure | | | | working hard for everything else in your |
| could have an effect on the lungs, could | | | | life, now you need to make your life |
| cause pneumonia, cataracts, glaucoma, | | | | (your body) stop having to work so hard |
| kidney damage, the list goes on. And | | | | to save you. |
| that's just ammonia. The recommendation | | | | |