Mercury in the home and @ the dentist  ...

Although this topic strays a little from toxins within the home environment I felt this was something worth mentioning ...

I have heard many times that it is not healthy to be exposed to mercury. I had listened and taken note of  mercury found in certain fish products, immunisations and from broken lamps. I have been focused on a healthy lifestyle and what confronts me in my environment and have not given a great deal of thought to my past.

Like many of you, I try not to give too much thought to the past as I am often reminded what has gone before can not be changed. Although, I have recently learnt more about mercury dental fillings. I am not a fan of visiting the dentist but after watching the video below I have been inspired to investigate promptly having my mercury fillings taken out of my teeth, it seems this is one thing done in the past that I can change ...

My mother had no idea that the dentist was implanting toxic fillings into my teeth so many years ago. I am so grateful that this information is now out there so we can take steps to protect ourselves and our children. It seems industry and government has again let us down by not applying the precautionary principle to products that could potentially effect human health. With so much negative press about fluoride bubbling to the surface will fluoride will be the next dental industry health blunder ...

I am thinking I will look into having mine safely removed !

Enviro blog has collated a list of furniture considerations as inspired by the new Q Collection from New York that considers the health of your home and the planet.
Avoid :

• No formaldehyde
  Formaldehyde is used in most furniture adhesives, but the Q Collection uses only water-based adhesives.
• No polyurethane, no dacron
  Polyurethane, a known carcinogen, is used as a topcoat and in the manufacturing of foam and dacron (part of foam padding) contains toluene. This company uses only water-based stains, topcoats and natural latex foam rubber.
• No brominated flame retardants
  Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are banned in Europe but are still being used extensively in US upholstery manufacturing.
• No heavy metals
  Leather tanning is the most harmful of all fabric production processes because it relies on harmful heavy metals like chromium 6.
• No toxic stain resistant chemicals
  Fabrics often contain dioxin (typically as a byproduct of the dyeing and finishing processes), a powerful carcinogen that is also known to damage the human immune system. Dioxins are also on the "dirty dozen" list of persistent environmental pollutants (POPs).
• Sustainably harvested wood, 100% certified
  The source of most wood used to make furniture today is unknown. Unfortunately, it can come from some of the world's most threatened ecosystems, such as old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest or the Amazon rain forest. The U.S. is by far the largest importer of virgin timber from the Amazon.
• Organic or European ecological cotton
  Cotton is the world's most polluting crop because of enormous levels of pesticides and herbicides used in growing it.
• Non-toxic, low-impact fabric dyes
  Fabric dyes often contain toxic chemicals that are suspected to cause cancer, reproductive or developmental damage.

With every breath you take

The recent storms in Brisbane provided an opportunity for schools and Government to give some thought as to the materials replacement eg carpet, furniture etc at local schools. It was interesting and very disappointing to observe that low toxic materials and environmentally responsible materials are not mandatory in the procurement policy for Australia Government schools.

I have been advised that there is a sustainable policy however the relevant purchasing people on projects do not have to select sustainable products or more importantly non/low toxic products for installations in Australian schools. With indoor air quality a known health hazard as documented by large organisations such as the World Health Organisation, The Environmental Protection Agency, the CSIRO, many health scientists and even on the Australian Government website - why is this not a consideration when selecting materials and finishes for our school classrooms ? Children are more vulnerable to chemical exposure than adults. There are Green commercial initiatives to improve indoor air quality of office spaces but this is not mandatory for our schools.

Building materials and finishes and particularly products installed to the interior of a building contribute to indoor air quality and inadvertently the health of the occupants. There are many chemicals found in all types of products that are used within the home, these are found in paints, adhesives, varnishes, soft furnishings, wall linings, some timbers and furniture, to name a few. At room temperature and higher chemical fumes off-gas (release into the air) creating a cocktail of chemicals into the indoor environment. These products can continue off gassing for years depending on their composition. The gas that is produced is often referred to as a VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). There are growing numbers of product on the market that offer low VOC alternatives for materials and finishes.

The Government has initiated environmental studies within school curriculum where issues such as indoor air pollution and sustainability are taught to encourage change. However it appears that contrary to Government social initiatives that the Government does not have existing strict purchasing legislation in relation to these issues for Government spending, with particular concern for our schools and environments that accommodate children.

The National health system is witnessing so many children with allergies, asthma / respiratory complaints and chemical sensitivities. With the Brisbane storm last November, Nth Qld floods, Victorian bush fires and the national educational refurbishment funds pending many construction decisions Nationally will be made that will impact on Australians health for many years to come.

We are all told to think about consuming healthy food, but before we eat we breathe ! I love this photo by tanakawho, for me it represents time indoors.
Healthy carpets, paints, timbers, soft furnishings and furniture are available. Just because you can not smell a chemical in the air does not mean it isn't there.
Looking forward to innovative change ......