LEDs offer the best energy efficiency of any widely available lighting technology.  And LED lights contain no mercury, as opposed to the compact fluorescent bulbs that have become so common.  But recent reports suggest that LEDs may have their own issues with hazardous substances, so should you steer clear of them?  Not so fast – LEDs are still a great choice for energy efficient, eco-friendly lighting.

Although a recent study from two University of California research teams did find surprising levels of potentially dangerous substances (primarily lead) in some LED lights, the problems are focused primarily on holiday light strands.  LED bulbs may also contain low levels of these substances too, but they are durable and unlikely to break (an important point, since breakage is the only way that the chemicals would be released in a household setting).

LED Light Strands Were The Focus Of The Recent Study

Furthermore, the overall environmental impact of any chemicals contained in LED light bulbs is more than offset by their energy efficiency.  The electricity saved by using LED lighting eliminates far more toxic pollution from power plants than is contained inside a bulb.

So all in all, you should continue to feel good about making the switch to LED lighting.  Just make sure that (as with any electronic products) you dispose of them properly when they reach the end of their life cycles.

via Modern Enviro and USA Today

Update: Recently, the FDA concluded that mercury filling have safety issues, see this news story.

Sweden, Denmark and Norway have banned them. Germany and Austria have discouraged use. Yet, in the United States, dental amalgams, the “silver” fillings that have been commonly used in dental practices for decades, are still used frequently as an inexpensive and popular treatment for cavities. Many consumers are unaware that the metal fillings in their teeth are comprised of 50% mercury, a known, proven neurotoxin.

Turn on the news or pick up a newspaper and you’re likely to see a report on the dangers of eating fish because of the levels of toxic mercury they contain. Many consumers are limiting the amount of fish they eat each week because of the danger the mercury level presents, yet have a mouth full of fillings that are damaging to their health. To make a comparison between fish and mercury fillings, an average amalgam contains 0.5 grams of mercury, according to Britain’s Daily Mail.  One half of a gram doesn’t seem like much, but if that amount of mercury was found in a 10-acre lake, a warning about eating the fish found in it would result. And, according to a World Health Organization study, the absorption of mercury from amalgams is four times higher than the absorption from fish consumption.

Even still, the FDA’s latest ruling, in 2009, found that amalgams were safe. FDA spokesperson Susan Runner, DDS, said, “The best available scientific evidence supports the conclusion that patients with dental amalgam fillings are not at risk for mercury-associated adverse health effects.” The American Dental Association agreed, despite the fact that it is proven that amalgams release mercury continuously from the time they are placed in the mouth. Simply chewing puts enough strain on the filling to cause a release of the mercury as vapor. Incidentally, it has been proven that there is no harmless level of mercury vapor exposure, as it is absorbed at a rate of 80% through the lungs into the arterial blood.

We worry about lead poisoning from our paint and arsenic poisoning from accidental ingestion of pesticides, but mercury is a more toxic substance than either one of those. Mercury from amalgams is stored principally in the kidneys, liver and brain and can cause severe problems from kidney damage to autoimmune diseases to Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, mercury has been linked to depletion of the immune system, a number of severe allergies and impairment of the reproductive system. Ironically, mercury can have negative effects on the mouth, as well. Exposure to the substance may lead to soft and spongy gums, loose teeth and mouth sores.

Infants and Children

As with many toxins, the greatest danger is to children and infants, especially fetuses. During pregnancy, it seems that mercury from amalgams travels to the fetus and is stored there before the mother, according to a study by MJ Vimy, a member of the medical faculty of the University of Calgary. In fact, eight times more mercury is stored in the fetus, and, later on, breast milk, than in the mother’s own tissues. Therefore, both fetuses and infants are at greater risk of side effects from their pregnant mother’s amalgam fillings than she is herself.

What You Can Do

The good news is, it’s fairly easy to remove and replace amalgams by a dental professional that is trained in amalgam removal. If you are already pregnant, however, it’s generally better to wait until after the pregnancy to remove the fillings, as the fetus could get a large, one-time dose of mercury vapor exposure that could be harmful. Today, many dentists have discontinued use of amalgam fillings not only because they are potentially harmful but also because there are other options available. White composite and porcelain filling materials serve the same purpose and, as an added bonus, blend with the teeth, whereas silver amalgams tend to be noticeable. The only drawback? These alternatives are more costly than amalgams, but are generally considered as effective long term without the possible health consequences.

If you’re thinking of replacing your old amalgams, consider this: patients who had amalgams removed have been cured of health problems such as fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease. Multiple Sclerosis patients showed significant improvement in their symptoms.

The bottom line here is that there is no reason to put yourself at risk if you don’t have to.  Talk to your dentist about creating a sensible plan to replace amalgams and, moving forward, look for alternatives to maintain both your smile and your health.

We brush, floss and rinse with mouthwash to keep our teeth healthy, strong and fresh. Unfortunately, some of the very things we are doing to protect ourselves from disease could be making us sick. The ingredients listed on the back of our toothpaste tubes and mouthwash bottles might be things we’ve never given too much consideration, but, as it turns out, maybe we should. There is growing concern among consumers, activists and medical professionals that the most basic parts of our daily routines could be a double-edged sword. While there are many chemicals in dental products that have come under attack in the past several years, one in particular that is on the chopping block is being taken seriously by dentists, consumers and even the FDA. Triclosan, a chemical that you might be familiar with, as it is included in many antibacterial products, is supposed to help prevent plaque formation and treat gingivitis. According to Dental Health Magazine, however, Triclosan is so strong that it has been reported to disrupt the endocrine system and can contribute to the formation of the “superbugs” currently plaguing the American medical system. The European Union and many other countries have already banned the use of Triclosan and, in response to pressure from researchers, the FDA is conducting further studies on the safety of the chemical, due to be completed in spring of 2011.

Another chemical to avoid when looking for dental products (or any products, really) is Sodium Laureth Sulfate. This surfectant is toxic and irritating, according to Dental Health Magazine, and, according to Dr. Harold Katz, the founder of TheraBreath, has been proven to cause damage to oral tissue, lead to canker sore production and cause bad breath.

Saccharin is also commonly found in dental products, as it makes the products taste sweeter without contributing to the tooth decay that can be caused by sugar. If you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, you’ve probably heard about the dangers of saccharin and might be trying to stay away from it in the food and drinks you and your family consume. In addition to causing allergic reactions, headaches, diarrhea, skin eruptions and, ironically, weight gain, this chemical is considered a possible carcinogen even by the FDA.

The good news is, staying away from dangerous chemicals in your toothpaste and mouthwash is a relatively easy task, thanks to a number of companies who have stepped up to make oral care products that are safe and effective. Some may be skeptical of finding natural or organic products that are as effective as their current, chemical-laden ones, but many of these brands contain essential oils, which are nature’s answer to killing viruses and bacteria, eliminating damaged cells and regenerating new ones. Here are a couple of options that we think are winners:

Toothpaste:

For those who are open to trying something that feels a little different than their traditional toothpaste, Tooth Soap is a great option. Made from organic olive oil, organic coconut oil, distilled water, Himalayan Crystal Salt, coral calcium and essential oils,  Tooth Soap was given a score of 0 on the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database, meaning that is considered very low hazard. It is also Kosher certified Star-K and claims to remove oils, residue and contaminants from teeth, creating a healthy oral environment. Reviewers love it and claim it healed a variety of dental problems from sensitivity to gum disease to frequent canker sores, but warn that, as it is a liquid, it feels a little different than average toothpaste. Tooth Soap is available at Amazon.

For those who prefer a product that feels a little more like their old toothpaste, Tom’s of Maine Natural Antiplaque Plus Whitening Gel is another great option. Formulated without artificial ingredients or abrasives, Tom’s uses purified hydrated silica to clean and remove stains and has no chemicals or animal ingredients. In addition, it was given a score of 1 from the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database, meaning it has a low risk of being hazardous to your health. This toothpaste is also available from Amazon.

Mouthwash:

Jason PowerSmile Mouthwash uses peppermint essential oil to freshen breath, Perilla Seed Extract, which is naturally anti-bacterial, to prevent tartar build-up and three natural whiteners to keep teeth bright. It received a score of 1 on the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database, indicating it is low risk. This mouthwash is available at Amazon.

Tom’s of Maine also has a great Baking Soda Mouthwash that is alcohol-free, saccharin-free and has vitamin C, aloe vera, witch hazel and baking soda to nourish the mouth. Peppermint oil lends this mouthwash its refreshing flavor, and it was given a score of 2 by the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database, meaning it has a low risk of being hazardous. Tom’s Mouthwash is available from Amazon.

At Metaefficient, we try to only feature products that are toxin-free. Take interior paint, for example — how can a paint be considered “efficient” if it leaks toxic substances into your home for months or even years? According to the EPA, VOC-laden paint is a primary contributor to unhealthy indoor air, and it can significant impact your health. As anyone who has painted a room in their house can attest, paint gives off fumes as it is applied and, especially, as it dries. And those gases are full of VOCs, which cause a wide variety of health problems, particularly respiratory problems.

Efforts by a slew of environmental and public health groups have succeeded in getting the word out about the health dangers of VOC paints. And in classic capitalistic fashion, the nation’s paint producers have responded by developing low-or-zero-VOC paint products.

According to Green Seal, a nonprofit organization that sets standards for obtaining low-VOC certification for paint, the VOC levels in a flat top coat wall paint should be less than 50 grams per liter to qualify as low-VOC. For higher-sheen paints, like satins or semi-glosses, that figure goes up to 100 g/l. This same standard applies for primers, undercoats and floor paints as well.

Listed below are some of the paint brands most popular with the average consumer (i.e. someone who purchases paint at one of the nation’s home improvement stores). For comparison’s sake, each product selected is a flat interior top coat paint, which, as noted above, qualifies for low-VOC status if the VOC content is 50 grams per liter or below.

Miller Paint Acro Pure Interior Acrylic Latex

Best Low VOC Paints: Miller Paint Acro Pure Interior Acrylic Latex

Miller Paint is a popular paint supplier in the Pacific Northwest. Miller sells its paint through retail stores throughout Oregon and Washington, and reached beyond the Northwest through independent dealers in Arizona, California, Hawaii and New Mexico.

Miller’s Acro Pure paint is an ultra-low-VOC interior acrylic latex finish designed for application to the interior walls in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial environments. The company recommends this paint for new or previously painted interior wallboard, plaster, masonry or previously painted or primed metal or wood substrates. Acro Pure is also enhanced with antimicrobial protection to inhibit the growth of odor-causing mold and mildew bacteria on the dried paint surface.

With less than 6 g/l for its flat interior, Acro Pure easily meets the Green Seal standard. It’s priced at $30.95 per gallon.

BEHR Premium Plus Interior Flat Ultra Pure White

Best Low VOC Paints: BEHR Paint Premium Plus Interior Flat Ultra Pure

BEHR is the in-house favorite at The Home Depot, one of the nation’s most popular home improvement stores. As such, it is one of the most easily accessible paints for typical American do-it-yourselfers. The company’s Premium Plus Interior Flat Ultra Pure White is a common base paint. With a traditional matte sheen, the paint is described as ideal for family rooms, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, hallways and ceilings that require a scrubbable, mildew resistant finish.

With a VOC content of 46 g/l, this paint just barely scrapes under the Green Seal standard of 50 g/l.. It is priced at $20 per gallon.

Valspar Ultra Premium Flat Finish

Best Low VOC Paints: Valspar Ultra Premium Flat Finish

Valspar is the go-to base paint at Lowes, the nation’s other home improvement giant. According to the company, the Ultra Premium Flat Finish will enhance the walls and ceilings throughout the home with just one coat. Guaranteed to last a lifetime, this premium paint is also spatter resistant during application and gives a mildew resistant finish.

While no specific VOC levels are provided for this paint, the company assures consumers that VOC content is less than 50 g/l, making it just worthy of Green Seal certification. It is priced at $20 per gallon.

Sherwin-Williams’ Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex

Best Low VOC Paints: Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Interior Latex

Sherwin-Williams has been around for a long time — long before the big-box stores hit the home improvement scene. In fact, the company got its start way back in 1866. Since then, Sherwin-Williams has not only grown to be the largest producer of paints and coatings in the United States, but is among the largest producers in the world, selling its paint through retail stores and dealer partners on every inhabitable continent. The company’s low-VOC product is its Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex, which the company promises will provide long-lasting durability, ideal for high-activity areas like kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms. Duration Home Interior also carries the Sherwin-Williams’ GreenSure designation, which means that it offers maximum performance and long-term durability, and was designed and manufactured taking steps to reduce environmental impact and to meet or exceed the most stringent regulatory requirements.

This paint’s VOC content weighs in at 15 g/l, far lower than BEHR and Valspar, but not quite as low as Miller. It is priced at $48.99 per gallon.

One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to purify water is to bubble ozone through it. Ozone is a molecule made of three oxygen atoms ( O₃₎. It disinfects water very effectively, through a process called oxidation. Ozone ruptures the cellular structure of organisms, killing them. It also oxides toxic organic chemicals, minerals and metals by reducing them to their insoluble form, so that they can be filtered out. This means it neutralizes most of the compounds that cause odor and off-tastes. Note, however, that ozonation does not remove nitrates, sulfates or heavy metals (see my article on water filters to find how to remove these).

In Europe and Asia, ozone is used in place of chlorine to purify public drinking water. Ozone is able to oxidize organic contaminants more completely and quickly than chlorine. It is healthier to use than chlorine because ozone does not form chlorine disinfection by-products like THMs. Instead any residual ozone dissolves into oxygen.

To produce ozone in your home, you can purchase a device called a ozone generator or ozonator. Ozonators generate ozone by passing air through a high-frequency electric field. These devices are commonly sold to purify the water in hot tubs and spas.

I’ve been testing an A2Z Ozone Generator. This $70 ozonator uses corona discharge to produce ozone, this involves using an electric discharge brought on by the ionization of a fluid . It produces ozone at a rate of 600 mg/h per hour. The ozone is pushed through a tube, and comes out through a bubbler stone. The ozone it produces smells like fresh, metallic oxygen.

Using this generator you can purify 5 gallons of water in 10 minutes, by placing the bubbler in a container of water. You can also use it your bath or hot tub. Ozone also destroys airborne odors caused by wet carpets, cigarette smoke or basement mold. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set safety standards for ozone concentration in the air.

For a comprehensive look at all the uses of ozone, see the books Flood Your Body With Oxygen by Ed McCabe, and the The Oxygen Prescription by Nathaniel Altman.

For more information on using ozone for water purification see The Drinking Water Book by Colin Ingram, and Don’t Drink The Water by Lono Kahuna Kupua A’O.

Washing soda is an efficient substitute for conventional toxic solvents. It cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, removes wax, and neutralizes odors in the same way that baking soda does. Washing soda is sodium carbonate — it is in the same family as baking soda, but it has been processed differently. It is much more caustic/alkaline, with a pH of 11, and while it doesn’t give off harmful fumes, you do need to wear gloves. Don’t use it on fiberglass, aluminum or waxed floors — unless you intend to remove the wax. Washing soda can be found at most supermarkets.

The book Better Basics For the Home has many other non-toxic recipes and suggestions.

Via: Care2

Consumer Reports recently published a guide (subscription required) detailing which fruit and vegetables contain the most pesticides. They recommend always buying organic when purchasing the following fruits and vegetables: Bell Peppers, Celery, Cherries, Grapes (imported), Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Red Raspberries, Spinach and Strawberries. Their report was based on the free Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides created by the EWG (Environmental Working Group).

Also available is a downloadable wallet guide to produce. It lists the 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables that are consistently the most contaminated with pesticides and those 12 fruits and vegetables that have low levels of pesticides.

Food News: A Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides

Author B.C. Wolverton originally began his research to investigate creating a breathable environment for a NASA lunar habitat. What came of that research was the discovery that houseplants are the most efficient filters of common pollutants such as ammonia, formaldehyde and benzene. (See our list of the top plants for cleaning the air).

In this well laid-out book, Wolverton presents 50 plants that are ranked on removal of chemical vapors, ease of maintenance, resistance to insect infestation, and transpiration rate. Each plant gets a two-page spread — one page discusses the plant’s ideal environment, sunlight conditions, care, and general information about the plant along with a full photo of it. The next page has a zoomed-in full-page photo of the leaves and/or flowers so the reader gets a feel for what the plant looks like.

How To Grow Fresh Air is available from Amazon for $12.24.

PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl) is a toxic flame retardant used in many products, including computer cases, carpet pads and foam cushions in chairs and couches.

This recent article in the The Oregonian sums up the problems for humans:

Research has shown that the levels of PBDEs in American women are doubling every two to five years. Even low-level exposure, particularly for developing infants, poses some risks to brain development, hormone functioning, memory, learning and behavior.

It’s nearly impossible to create a PBDE-free environment if the chemicals remain in broad use. However, European nations that have banned forms of PBDEs have seen the chemicals decline in the environment and in women’s breast milk. California, Hawaii, New York, Michigan and Maine all have restricted these chemicals.

They article goes on to point out that PBDEs can be replaced fairly easily:

It’s also clear that the use of the chemicals is not essential to fire safety, or to manufacturers of electronics and furniture. Many electronics companies — including Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Epson — have stopped using PBDEs in the face of the European Union restrictions. With California restricting the chemicals, Washington moving to do so and companies adjusting to bans elsewhere…

The Environmental Working Group says:

PBDEs are now found in house dust, sewage sludge and the water and sediments of rivers, estuaries and oceans. They’ve been found in the tissues of whales, seals, birds and bird eggs, moose, reindeer, mussels, eels, and dozens of species of freshwater and marine fish. Like scores of other industrial chemicals, they have also been found in human breast milk, fat and blood.

…[I]n the last few years, it has become clear that PBDEs and other brominated flame retardants have joined PCBs, DDT and dioxin on the list of persistent, bioaccumulative chemicals contaminating people, animals and the environment everywhere on Earth.

Why do we even consider using chemicals like this in the first place?

Worldwide, only eight companies manufacture PBDEs. Two of the largest are in the U.S. — they are Great Lakes Chemical Corporation and Albemarle Corporation.

In 2002, Great Lakes reported total sales for all products of $1.4 billion, up 4 percent from the previous year. Albermarle reported sales of $980 million, up 7 percent.

More details: here is a FAQ on PDBEs by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

A variety of pharmaceuticals have been found to be present in rivers and tap water in the U.S.

The drugs include painkillers, tranquilizers, anti-depressants, antibiotics, birth control pills, estrogen replacement therapies, chemotherapy agents, anti-seizure medications and many others.

The pharmaceuticals are found in treated sewage effluents, surface waters, soil, and tap water, though at very low levels (measured in parts per trillion). These levels do not induce acute effects in humans, but have been found to affect aquatic ecosystems.

Water treatment plants are not set up to filter these chemicals. They find their way into the water when people or animals taking medications excrete them, in addition to people who flush medications into the toilet. In some cases, 50 to 90% of a pharmaceutical drug is excreted from the body in its original biologically active form.

Even if you drink bottled water or filter your water, you come into contact with municipal water through activities such as brushing your teeth or consuming beverages and foods that have been produced using municipal water. To avoid this, we recommed installing a rainwater catchment system for your house, and purchasing food and beverages of known quality.

In 2002, hydrologists with the U.S. Geologic Survey released the first nationwide government study about medicine and hormones, such as estrogen and other organic waste in streams around the United States.

They found low levels of 82 chemicals. The most common were steroids, such as cholesterol, nonprescription drugs, insect repellant, detergent chemicals and disinfectants.

Kelly A. Reynolds, a research scientist at the University of Arizona, writes: “The truth is, no one knows [the effects of pharmaceuticals and similar contaminants in the water]. Some scientists believe the exposure levels are so low they’re ineffective. Others are concerned about long-term, chronic and combined exposures to agents designed to cause a physiological effect in humans. Many more scientists agree we should be concerned about aquatic ecosystems where sperm levels and spawning patterns in aquatic organisms have been clearly altered in environments heavily polluted with a class of hormone-altering pharmaceuticals known as endocrine disrupters.”

More information can be found in these articles: Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water Supplies and Hormones and pharmaceutical drugs found in wastewater in California.