The sad truth is the carpets that hold up best to traffic are the ones coated with toxins. And we don’t want those in a place where humans dwell.

If you do have a healthy wool carpet in your home, you can still clean it without harsh chemicals like perchloroethylene – which the EPA has linked to kidney and liver damage. Naphthalene, made from coal tar, is also considered a carcinogen that can harm the central nervous system.

Ask cleaning services if they simply steam to lift dirt or …

Tags: baking soda , blotting , cancer , carpet , chemicals , cleaning , EPA , furniture , naphthalene , natural , natural cleaning methods , perchloroethylene , rugs , shoes , sisal , stains , steam cleaning , upholstery , vacuuming , vinegar , water , wool

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A new study by French scientists has found the inert ingredients in Roundup to be toxic to human embryonic, placental and umbilical cells. Expect intense debate.

Roundup is a top-selling weed killer that has been used for years by homeowners and farmers. It’s always been considered a safe product with health studies consistently finding that its most active ingredient, the herbicide glyphosate, acceptable to use near humans.

However,  the new study shows that Roundup’s inert ingredients -  solvents, preservatives and surfactants – …

Tags: chemicals , EPA , roundup , toxins , weed killer

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Move over, melamine; your infamy as a contaminant in Chinese infant formula is being pushed aside by one that’s made in the USA. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has found some samples of American brands of infant formula (although they won’t divulge which) are contaminated with perchlorates – which come from rocket fuel.

How, one has to wonder, are perchlorates getting into the formula many people are feeding to their newborn babies? Improper disposal on military bases, rocket test sites and chemical plants can allow …

Tags: baby , chemicals , child , contamination , potable water , water pollution

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We may be facing unprecedented world hunger caused by environmental degradation.

According to recent report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) prices may increase by 30-50 per cent within decades causing those living in extreme poverty to spend up to 90 per cent of their income on food.

Climate change – its impact on water supply, encouragement of invasive insects and plants and fueling of epidemics diseases – is the key reason that worldwide agricultural yields will fall.

The report talks about the need to change the way crops are …

Tags: agriculture , chemicals , climate change , UNEP , waste , water supply , world hunger

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Serious hikers and those who travel are quite familiar with the many varieties of portable water testers. But who would have imagined that here in the United States we would ever feel the need or desire to test our pet food or baby formula?

With an estimated 50,000 Chinese children sickened and several deaths after drinking melamine contaminated formula, and the reported deaths 8,500 dogs and cats in the United States from contaminated pet food produced in China, the folks at Purdue University were inspired

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Tags: chemicals , contamination , environment , food , hazard , melamine , milk , pets , safety , toxicity

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