DETOX YOUR HOME EASY STEPS YOU CAN TAKE FOR A SAFER AND HEALTHIER HOME
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DETOX
YOUR
HOME
EASY STEPS YOU CAN
TAKE FOR A SAFER
AND HEALTHIER HOME
A HEALTHY HOME Australians now spend Many everyday items Modern day illnesses,
more than 90% of their found around our homes such as asthma, allergies,
IS A PLACE THAT IS time indoors: at home, such as household chemical sensitivity,
SAFE FOR EVERYONE, at school, at work and cleaners, personal care hyperactivity in children
as we travel in cars and products, pesticides, and chronic fatigue
ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, public transport. It makes carpets and furniture can syndrome are increasingly
AND DOESN’T sense then to make our emit chemicals that when being linked to chemicals
indoor spaces as healthy combined together can that we are exposed to in
HURT THE LOCAL
and safe as we can for reduce the quality of the air our homes. It is now widely
ENVIRONMENT our families. inside our home and may recognized that babies
have impacts on our health. and young children are at
greater risk from chemical
WHAT MAKES A HOME SICK? 8SUBFLOORS
Pest treatments applied
exposures, which could
under floors can give off impact on their health and
8CEILING/ ATTIC 8LIVING ROOM fumes that may enter ability to learn.
Lead contaminated dust Carpets, furnishings and coverings and inside and contaminate
which can contribute chemical cleaning products can give off the soil outside.
to lead poisoning can volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
accumulate in walls,
ceilings and under floors.
8BEDROOM
Dry cleaned clothes,
new mattresses and
particleboard furniture can
give off chemical fumes.
SIX STEPS TO A
HEALTHIER HOME
8GARDEN/ 8Open windows and
GARAGE/ POOL doors and air rooms well
Some garden chemicals
and pesticides used 8Shift to natural cleaning
indoors or outdoors are
powerful poisons. 8Replace fume emitting
Car batteries, pool furnishings and coverings
chemicals and motor fuels
contain chemicals that 8Renovate with natural
can burn skin or eyes. 8BATHROOM and low-toxic materials
Air fresheners, disinfectants,
8Banish chemical
8KITCHEN window cleaners and anti-
Unflued gas appliances are mould preparations often pesticides from the home
contain chemicals such as
major emitters of indoor air
solvents, bleach, ammonia
and go organic in the
pollutants (including carbon
monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, air and chlorine. garden
toxics and particulates). Personal care products such
8Use natural personal
Some drain cleaners and oven as deodorants, perfumes,
cleaners contain corrosive aftershave and hairspray care products
chemicals that can burn skin can also contribute to the
and mucous membranes. chemicals indoors.
Read on for more healthy
living tips.
KEEP CHILDREN SAFE
Children may be more vulnerable to chemical exposures
and at greater risk than adults because their bodily
systems and brains are still developing; they eat more,
8Childproof locking devices
drink more and breathe more in proportion to their body are widely available
size; and their behaviour (such as crawling or the hand-
to-mouth activities of babies and toddlers) provides
greater exposure to chemicals in and around the home. 4 Keep cockroach baits and other pesticides well away
from children. Better still, don’t use them!
Child-safe your home 4 Keep any potentially hazardous items such as
medicines in a secured (locked) cupboard and
Common cleaners and chemicals around the home are return any unused medicines (www.returnedmed.
responsible for 95% of all childhood poisoning incidents com.au) to your Chemist.
(Kidsafe NSW).
4 If you can’t use or give away leftover chemicals
Bleach, laundry detergents, disinfectants, oven cleaners, and cleaners make sure that you dispose of
furniture polishes, floor cleaners and medicines can hold them responsibly. Contact your local council, the
a near fatal attraction to children. These often contain Environment Line on 131555 or www.cleanout.com.
colourful liquids – perfect for curious toddlers. au for information on safe and free disposal.
8 Try these child safe TIPS:
4 Buy products which are non toxic and with childproof Keep dust down
seals. House dust often contains lead, toxic chemicals,
4 Keep cleaners, solvents and other chemicals in their allergens, moulds and fibres which irritate the lungs.
original container. Make sure the label is intact.
Reducing dust in your home through regular non-toxic
4 Store in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children. cleaning and airing is one of the best ways to protect
4 Keep lids tightly closed to avoid leaks, spills and fumes. young children.
HOME HEALTH
8Toddlers AND PREGNANCY
For more on reducing are especially
chemicals in your home, susceptible to
8Some chemicals can cause harm
school or childcare the ill effects of to unborn children. It is particularly
centre, read: The Toxic household dust important to avoid exposure to hazardous
Playground by Jo Immig. compounds during pregnancy. Solvents,
You can download an pesticides (including insecticides,
order form from herbicides and fungicides), dry cleaning
www.safersolutions.org.au fluids and anti-mould preparations are
or contact Total some of the chemicals that are best to
Environment Centre avoid. Lead and other harmful chemicals
on 02 9261 3437. can accumulate in the body and be
passed to babies through pregnancy and
breastfeeding and may cause low birth
weight or miscarriage.
LIVING AREAS
8Try these steps to healthier air inside your home are giving you an important message about the air
quality within your home. Reduce undesirable odours by
Ventilate! ventilating and removing the causes of the problem.
The cheapest and easiest way to improve the air inside Plants are nature’s air cleaners and having them inside
is to let more of the outside air in. Air circulation dilutes can help to keep pollutants down. Native Kentia Palm
pollutants and helps to keep mould at bay. Ensure there and Dwarf Queensland Umbrella Tree along with Peace
is good air flow through windows, doors, wall vents and Lily and Devil’s Ivy are some of the plants suitable for
ducts at all times. indoors that can reduce indoor air pollution.
8 For more on indoor air quality:
Choose natural floorings 4 www.safersolutions.org.au;
and furnishings 4 Healthy Homes – A guide
to indoor air quality in the
WHAT’S THAT
Avoid treated materials used in carpets, furniture covers ‘PLASTIC’ SMELL?
and cushions. Where possible, choose natural and home for buyers, builders
untreated materials such as wool carpets, felt underlays, and renovators Some of the worst culprits
hemp, cotton, linen, wool or hessian fabrics and latex or (www.nphp.gov.au) in sick building syndrome
are chemicals called
natural fibre cushions. Volatile Organic Compounds
Floor coverings and furnishings should be aired and or VOCs. These are gases
8Fresh flowers and herbs
which are given off by many
cleaned regularly. are ways to naturally
scent your home. Adding
household items. They are
peppermint or rose oil to invisible, but can often be
Freshen air naturally bicarbonate of soda smelt – the fresh plastic
makes a great, smell of a new car is one
Instead of masking odours with artificial fragrances or fragrant,
example.
low-toxic
air fresheners use your sense of smell to act on problem cleaner VOCs are found in some
areas. Unpleasant odours, plastic smells and dusty smells carpets and furnishings,
cleaning products, polishes
and waxes, paints, plastics,
8Low maintenance, easy to clean
floorings can help prevent the build up
air fresheners, pesticides
of dust and chemicals and aerosol sprays.
VOCs can irritate skin, eyes,
nose and throat. They can
cause dizziness, nausea and
headaches.
Some VOCs, such as
formaldehyde are known
or suspected to cause
cancer. Other toxic VOCs
are released when, for
example, household bleach
mixes with ammonia-based
cleaners.
KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
Switch to natural cleaning
Many cleaning products contain dangerous chemicals.
Disinfectants, oven cleaners, drain cleaners, floor
polishes, anti-mould preparations and window cleaners
can contain a potent mix including solvents, bleach,
ammonia and chlorine.
Replace chemical cleaners with natural alternatives. A
cheap and environmentally friendly green cleaning kit can
make your home a safe place for you and your children.
YOUR GREEN Practice common
CLEANING KIT sense cleaning
Most people just aren’t
8BAKING SODA
A cheap environmentally aware how harmful common
friendly all purpose cleaner household cleaners can be.
and stain remover. Mix a small
Here are a few safety tips to
amount to make a cleaning 8 Be informed
paste and wash off with water remember:
4 If you must buy commercial chemical cleaners,
8VINEGAR 8Don’t place them in the
Use white vinegar in a spray read the labels carefully and follow all safety
garbage
bottle to clean and cut grease. instructions. If you or your family are sensitive to
It’s a great window cleaner 4 Visit www.cleanout.com.au chemicals or suffer from asthma or allergies, take
and glasses sparkle after a or call 131555 for your extra care. To find out more about the chemical
vinegar rinse. Also good for nearest Household Chemical ingredients in cleaning products request a
drains and septic systems Collection or check with your Material Safety Data Sheet from the manufacturer.
8SOAP AND WATER local council.
Cleaning thoroughly with
natural soap and water is 8Buy fewer cleaning products Check your stoves and heaters
effective against bacteria and try natural cleaning
Gas, kerosene and wood heaters and stoves produce
8OLD COTTON CLOTHING instead
gases and small particles that can cause breathing
OR TOWELS make great 4 Purchase only what you
cleaning rags and dusting problems (especially for asthmatics), headaches,
need and buy concentrates dizziness and nausea.
cloths (using natural cloth
means that they can be or refills wherever possible.
composted when they can no Many commercial cleaning Get gas appliances serviced regularly and checked for
longer be used) products contain chemicals leaks. Make sure all combustion cooking and heating
8Try microfibre cloths that that can cause harm to equipment is flued to the outside (ie the toxic fumes
clean with just water you, your family and the and particles are taken outside). Good ventilation will
For more green cleaning tips: environment. go a long way in reducing these hazards.
www.safersolutions.org.au
and www.livingthing.net.au
RENOVATING 8It’s vital to be lead
safe. Kids’ health
depends on it
Choose bio and water-
based paints and finishes
The best choice of all is plant-based bio
paints, oils and finishes. Always choose
low fume paints over oil-based paints
which have high levels of VOCs which
evaporate as they dry. Lighter coloured
paints have less VOCs.
Avoid petroleum-based paint strippers Use natural building materials as much as possible
and solvents such as recycled timber, solid sustainably-grown
timber, bamboo, stone, gypsum plasterboard, cork
Petroleum-based paint strippers and thinners contain flooring, natural fibre insulation materials, underfelts
solvents that dissolve or thin oil-based paint. Benzene, and natural floor coverings.
toluene and xylene are examples of the highly hazardous
solvents found in strippers.
Be lead safe
Choose less toxic alternatives such as citrus-based paint
Lead exposure is a major health risk, especially to
strippers and solvents. Remember water is the universal
young children. Just a small amount ingested can slow
solvent if you are working with water-based products.
children’s learning and development.
Use natural materials Most houses built before 1970 contain lead paint.
Renovating can release large amounts of lead-
Avoid using composite wood products which give off contaminated paint dust.
formaldehyde vapours from the glues they contain
8 For lead safety around the home:
such as some chipboard, MDF (medium density
fibreboard) or particle board products. Look for low VOC/ 4 Call the Environment Line on 131555 or the Global
formaldehyde materials where available. Lead Advice and Support Service on 1800 626 086
for advice and free publications such as Lead Safe: A
guide to keeping your family safe from lead and Lead
Safe: A renovators guide to the dangers of lead.
4 Look up: www.environment.nsw.gov.au and
www.lead.org.au for more lead safety tips.
UNSAFE HOME RENOVATION
AND MAINTENANCE ARE THE
LEADING CAUSE OF ACUTE
LEAD POISONING IN CHILDREN
IN THE GARDEN
Use a common sense approach to pests
Chemicals used to treat common pests, such as
cockroaches, ants, spiders, fleas and termites can be
powerful poisons, not only for pests but also for people
and pets.
Often by using pesticides around the home and garden
we kill the good bugs along with the bad.
There is a safer way to get rid of pests around your home
- apply common sense rather than toxic chemicals and
aim for an integrated approach to managing unwanted
house guests.
Simple and environmentally friendly
ways to manage pests
There are three steps:
8 Step 1 – Physical controls
4 Make your home and garden a less attractive place
AUSTRALIANS ARE AMONG
for pests. THE HIGHEST PESTICIDE
4 Keep it clean! – clean up food scraps that attract USERS IN THE WORLD
insects and remove dark, moist hiding places.
8 Step 2 – Biological controls
4 Keep them out! – block up holes and cracks,
use barriers against garden pests (a ring of 4 Encourage the good insects rather than the bad
crushed eggshell or garden lime around seedlings – ladybirds and lacewings love to eat aphids.
discourages snails and slugs). 4 Plant flowers and herbs such as basil, marigolds,
4 Use simple traps and hand remove caterpillars and rosemary, garlic and lavender around your
snails. vegetables. These discourage insect pests.
8Forget about
expensive artificial 8 Step 3 – Chemical controls – your last resort
fertilizers. Make
compost at home 4 Try organic controls first – for example, a simple
from food and garden homemade spray can be made from garlic.
wastes. It’s cheap
and it works 4 Use natural pyrethrum pesticides.
4 If you must reach for a chemical pesticide, make
sure you read and follow the label directions, only
use it against the target pest, wear protective
clothing and apply only as much as you need.
IN THE GARAGE
In terms of sources of indoor air pollution, the garage Protect yourself
can be a major culprit. Ensure that your garage is not
8 If you do choose to use potentially dangerous
contributing dangerous emissions into your home. Ideally
chemicals ensure you follow all label instructions
it should be separated from the house. If connected by a
door ensure the door is kept closed and the garage well and wear protective clothing such as:
ventilated to release toxic vehicle emissions. 4 Gloves
4 Long-sleeved shirt, trousers and boots
Store chemicals safely 4 Safety glasses or face shield
8 Store chemical items safely and take precautions when 4 Appropriate mask
handling them 8 And remember, prevention is always better than a cure!
4 Never store hazardous items in old food or drink
containers. Practice safe disposal
4 Never throw hazardous wastes down drains, the toilet,
The garage is a common place to store hazardous
into the soil or into the garbage bin.
materials – old paints, thinners, adhesives, car oil,
4 Always keep chemicals in their original labeled solvents such as kerosene and methylated spirits,
containers. pool chlorine and old batteries. Make sure your garage
4 Always store hazardous materials in a safe, secure doesn’t become a health hazard!
place well away from children and pets.
Waste motor oil and
batteries can be recycled.
Contact your local council TIPS ON REDUCING
NEVER PUT DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES or www.oilrecycling.com.au
LEFTOVER PAINT
INTO THE GARBAGE – THERE ARE to find your nearest 8Seal paint tins well after
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS FOR THESE recycling depot. use and store upside down.
This will keep the paint fresh
Unwanted chemicals for the next use
can be disposed through 8Buy just enough for the
Household Chemical job at hand. 4 litres of acrylic
Waste collections. Call (water based) paint will coat
131555 or your local an area of about 60 square
council to find out your metres
next collection day. 8Use leftover paint on other
home improvement projects
For information about
– give the dog kennel or letter
the hazards of particular box a lick of paint
chemicals:
8Give it away to a neighbour
www.safersolutions.org.au
or community group
8Once all the paint is used
up, let the can dry and place it
out for recyclingDETOX YOUR HOME
Published by Total Environment Centre
Level 4, 78 Liverpool Street,
PO Box A176, Sydney South NSW 1235
Ph: (02) 9261 3437 Fax: (02) 9261 3990
Email: safersolutions@tec.org.au
Website: www.safersolutions.org.au
Copyright © Total Environment Centre September 2006
The Safer Solutions project has been funded as part of the $3.5 million grant from
the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust. This initiative brings together a range
of organisations including Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Nature
Conservation Council of NSW (NCC), Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS),
Local Community Services Association (LCSA), Total Environment Centre (TEC), NSW
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Department of Energy,
Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS) to conduct a collaborative education program
promoting sustainable living in NSW.
ISBN 0-947360-24-7
September 2006
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