Building, renovating and decorating our homes involves making thousands of choices, and trying to choose healthy furnishings and décor can make the process even more complicated. Unfortunately, many home décor products are mass-produced with chemical-laden synthetic materials and little to no regard for the health threats they can pose. While in most cases safer alternatives exist, they can often be more expensive or more difficult to find, and even most furnishings designed with health and sustainability in mind are imperfect. But any shade of green—especially when it comes to indoor air quality and your health—is better than brown. Be informed. Start small. And make the best choices whenever you can.
Does reduced indoor air pollution add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.
One of the best ways to improve the health of our homes is to remove sources of indoor air pollution—but identifying them can be tricky. Toxic chemicals lurk in everything from shower curtains and sheets to couch cushions and the carpet beneath your feet. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that thousands of items, many of them common household products, furnishings and building materials, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that are released into the air at room temperature. Breathing these pollutants is linked to myriad health problems including sore eyes, burning in the nose and throat, headaches, fatigue, reproductive disorders, respiratory illnesses, heart disease, cancer and other serious long-term conditions. To help improve the quality of your indoor air and protect your family’s health, choose materials and products that release the fewest possible pollutants. Here are some guidelines to help you create a home that is beautiful, sustainable and safe.
Read more: http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/green-homes/decor/healthier-home-indoor-air-pollution-zmfz12mjzmel.aspx#ixzz1tA6KEHFy
Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only
Green Real Estate Appraiser 