With Earth Day coming up this Sunday, here are five safety tips you should know about your home and common household items from expert microbiologist Dr. Myron Wentz, author of “The Healthy Home: Simple Truths to Protect Your Family from Hidden Household Dangers” (Vanguard Press).
1: Take your shoes off before entering your home. We walk around unwittingly in car oil, pesticides, animal waste and toxins.
2: Non-stick pots and pans release potential hazardous fumes and particles into the air such as toxic gases, carcinogens and global pollutants. Try using a well-seasoned cast iron skillet instead.
3: “Wrinkle free” sheets can expose you to the chemical PFC (perfluorochemcials) and is linked to reproductive and development toxicity, as well as cancers of the bladder and liver. Try using natural alternatives like cotton or linen.
4: Fluorescent light bulbs will make you feel drained. They contain a toxic gas known as mercury vapor. Instead try purchasing regular incandescent light bulbs.
5: Electrical appliances create EMFs (electromagnetic fields) which are similar to those found under power lines that were linked to cancer clusters. Make sure you unplug your appliances when they are not being used.