Paige is a wonderful realtor! She was very patient with me in my buying process - buying your first condo can be a very stressful time but Paige wasn’t pushy & was always quick to point out things I wouldn’t know to look for. Very trustworthy! Thank you for making my first time buying experience a good one!

Nancy Moro

You are here: Going Green » 10 ways to detoxify your life

10 ways to detoxify your life

  1. Clean Your Indoor Air Quality
    Potential Harm: Poor indoor air quality can expose you to a number of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and mould.

    Solution:  Don’t smoke indoors; control humidity; allow ventilation; dust and vacuum regularly; don’t store paints, solvents or varnishes in the home; and keep fuel-burning appliances maintained.
  2. Eat Organic
    Potential Harm: many non-organic fruits and vegetables are grown with organochlorine pesticides (OPs), which are highly toxic and environmentally persistent.

    Possible Health Effects: These pesticides have been shown to cause cancer, and immune system and reproductive damage.

    What’s the alternative? Eat Organic! When it’s not possible to eat organic try to have a variety of foods in your diet. This helps to keep you from being exposed to the same pesticide repeatedly.
  3. Choose Personal Care Products Carefully
    Potential Harm: Exposes you to a wide range of chemicals with various potential health effects: hormone disruption, cancer, damage to reproduction and development.

    Avoid products that contain: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Cocamide DEA (Diethanolamine), Formaldehide, Benzyl Violet, Nonyphenols, Parabens, Phthalates, EDTA, Polyethylene Glycol, Triclosan, Synthetic Dyes and Fragrances.
  4. Avoid Plastics with Bisphenol A
    Potential Harm: Mimics estrogen, and may be linked to breast and prostate cancer.

    How You’re Exposed: Bisphenol A is found in polycarbonate plastic and the lining of some food cans. It can leach into food and beverages.
    Alternative: Avoid hard, clear plastic bottles – including baby bottles and sippy cups, and stay away from canned foods.
  5. Choose Chemical-free Lawn Care
    Potential Harm: Organophosphate insecticides are known neurotoxins, and chronic exposure causes reproductive system damage resulting in reduced fertility.

    Alternatives: Use chemical-free gardening methods such as mulching and planting flowers that attract beneficial insects to feed on pests.
  6. Get Green School Supplies
    Potential Harm: exposes you to a wide range of toxic chemicals e.g. PVC plastics, formaldehyde, toxic solvents.

    Alternatives:
    Back packs: choose organic cotton, hemp or recycled rubber
    Paper: chlorine free, post consumer recycled
    Markers/pens: water-based, non-toxic
    Lunch containers: avoid #3 and #7 plastics; use re-usable utensils
    Desks: avoid wood treated with formaldehyde (particleboard, fibreboard, plywood); choose solid wood with a non-toxic finish, or buy furniture from stores that are committed to formaldehyde-free wood (e.g. IKEA). 
  7. Say NO to Non-stick and Stain Repellents
    Potential Harm: Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is found in stain repellent clothing and carpets.  Studies have shown PFOS to cause cancer and disrupt hormones, as well as being resistant to environmental breakdown. The chemicals that make your pans non-stick are also suspected of causing cancer, disrupting hormones and harming reproduction and development.

    Alternatives: Avoid!
    Good news: PFOA, the chemical in Teflon, will be phased out by 2015
  8. Get Rid of the DEET Insect Repellent
    Potential Harm: Many bug sprays contain DEET, which is a suspected neurotoxin, reproductive toxin, and respiratory toxin

    Alternatives: Soybean oil-based repellents, and avoid scented personal care products that attract bugs
    Health Canada warns: Don’t use personal insect repellents containing DEET on infants.

    Options for Prevention and Avoidance:
    Remove all standing water around your property.
    Wear light coloured clothing that covers the skin (pants and long-sleeved shirts).
    Avoid scented personal care products; bugs are attracted to heavy scents.
    Limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when bugs generally bite.
  9. No Need for Toxic Cleaning Products
    Potential Harm: Benzene, toluene, ethylebenzene, xylene, methanol, bleach/sodium hypochlorite,  fragrances, formaldehyde, naphthalene, phosphoric acid- are associated with a variety of health concerns, including cancer, hormone disruption and immune and organ damage.

    Alternative: Make your own cleaners with vinegar, baking soda, vegetable oil, and lemon juice
  10. Avoid Toxic Flame Retardants (PBDEs)
    Potential Harm: Suspected of disrupting hormones, causing cancer and developmental disorders

    Electronic Alternatives: Dell, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Panasonic, Motorola, NEC, Philips Semiconductors, Sony, Toshiba. All have phased out the use of PBDE flame retardants.

    Furniture Alternative: IKEA (commitment to see products free from hazardous substances)