What can you do?
Ask for formaldehyde-free MDF – this is medium density fibreboard, a pressed wood product with added glues and resins. It is used for making cupboards, shelving and furniture.
Bring plants such as ivy, ferns, spider plant, Peace Lily, Gerbera daisies in your house or office – they all absorb toxins. Read study
Open windows as much as you can.
Change to using VOC free paints. Read blog
If you buy new furniture leave it outside for a while – flame retardants often contain ‘serious persistent pollutants’ which are believed to be ‘hormone and endocrine disrupting’. There are increasing number of companies making furniture using natural chemical free materials. www.tomraffield.com
Be aware that the glues used in laminated floors or any other pressed wood products may contain formaldehyde. Ask for formaldeyhyde free glues.
Use wool, hemp or other natural insulation when renovate rather than foam, petro-chemical or synthetic products. Try Back to Earth and Celtic Sustainables.
Consider using natural cleaners – some fragrances in cleaners are made from chemicals – which leach into the environment and can be toxic. Look for alternatives - baking soda, lemon juice, castile soap and vinegar.
Think what your carpets and floor coverings (vinyl etc) are made from – petro-chemicals outgas into your environment. Go for 100% wool carpets with wool underlay, natural linoleum, stone, tiles or solid wood flooring. Avoid nylon, acrylic or polyester carpets.
Standard wood preservers should be avoided - they ‘come with a serious health and environmental warning’. Consider Boron as a natural wood preservative.
If you see damp or mould get the problem sorted as soon as possible.
If replacing windows think seriously about an alternative to plastic – PVC contains some of the worst toxins around. Its basic constituents can be carcinogenic. When PVC degrades in the sun it emits toxic gases which inevitably enter the home. Hardwood or aluminium are alternatives.