Practical suggestions to minimise chemical and pollutant exposure around the house.

From [www.environmentaldefence.ca].

Cheers,
J

neat

Something I've been doing for 13 years is taking off my tennis shoes and putting them on a shoe rack in my garage when I come home.

Here's part of an article I found explaining it:

Roberts believes the high toxicity of dust in homes is partly due to the types of particles we drag in on our shoes. Small particles, those measuring just 2O thousandths of a millimetre across, are more likely to stick to our shoes, and since small particles have a relatively large surface area, they are more toxic than larger particles.

"It's the best explanation I have," he says. "We know that people who don't take their shoes off, or don't use a door mat, have much higher levels of toxins in their homes." Lead contamination is a case in point. Studies have found that dust in people's homes can contain levels of lead 10 times as high as the soil in their back yards. Although there is no good evidence that the toxins in dust are a serious threat to our health, some scientists are convinced dust is at least one route by which we are exposed.

[www.guardian.co.uk]

Hey Suzie Yeah, that's always a good idea. I've read the Japanese have that tradition. Also, once you're in the house, apprently they use different specific slippers for the bathroom, which they regard as unclean, than for the rest of the house.

Cheers,
J

Damn, that's weird... I've just been licking my shoes clean after I wear them...

Yuk Thomas, adopt the tradition that Jose mentioned!

You should see the trouble I go through when I have to use public restrooms. I can't think of anything nastier than those. The worst part being that alot of women (yes women), don't even wash their hands afterwards.

Suzie Wrote:

> Something I've been doing for 13 years is taking
> off my tennis shoes and putting them on a shoe
> rack in my garage when I come home.

Do you remember the date you began?

OMG funny, Learning!

Uh, let me think. It was on a Saturday morning exactly 13 years ago today, which would be August 26. I probably could tell you an exact date, but it would take a few weeks or longer.

Great site!

My hubby grew up in Okinawa and we always take our shoes off. We have inside shoes and outside shoes.

Mona

So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key.

Yeah, I even have my little nieces and nephew "trained" to take off their shoes when they come over. It's so funny cuz it's the only place they have to do it!

Why do all these materials exist if they are harmful? Shouldn't the public be outraged? Shouldn't there be massive boycotts of these products so these industries get the message?

These big industries produce all these harmful materials then we face the burden of health costs, and finding expensive alternatives. They should be sued.

Jose Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey Suzie Yeah, that's always a good idea. I've
> read the Japanese have that tradition. Also, once
> you're in the house, apprently they use different
> specific slippers for the bathroom, which they
> regard as unclean, than for the rest of the house.
>
>
> Cheers,
> J


I just found an interesting website called "Japanese Manners & Etiquette." This one made me laugh... "Be aware that in Japan it is normal to make slurping sounds when you're eating noodles." And also this one, "Do not put soy sauce on your rice--it isn't meant for that." OK, one more... "Don't take wads of napkins, sugar packs, or "steal" souvinirs when you leave a restaurant."

[www.geocities.com]

Haha, thanks Suz!

Check this one out!

In Japan the whole family uses the same bath water -- as a guest you will probably be given the priviledge of using the bath water first. Do NOT drain the water out after you have finished your bath!

Mmmm..... not convinced about that one!

Cheers,
J

Jose,
What an excellent site. But I noticed that Dr. Bronner's magic soap isn't listed anywhere. Neither is the Jason shampoo I use. (

Hey Jose,

I think I would "accidentally" drain the water out. Whoops!

Hey lilsprout, yeah, it's got loads of good info doesn't it. Maybe they don't have them because it is a Canadian website, perhaps they don't sell those products in Canada? I don't really know though, it's hard to have an exhaustive list I guess. Or perhaps those products contain some suspect ingredients?

Hey Suzie, hehehe yeah, me too! Especially if I was the youngest of a large family!

Cheers,
J