Health & Safety

• 

  Question

  I use a Brita filter system. I discovered the container is made of styrene methylmethacrylate copolymer. Will the type of plastic leak chemicals into my water?

  Answer

  Brita pitchers, and others like it, are perfectly safe, according to data from the NSF and FDA.

  Read More

• 

  Question

  Are there any health risks associated with the carbon paper that is now used on bank deposit slips, checkbooks or credit card receipts?

  Answer

  If you don't work with these materials on a daily basis, you likely aren't at risk for any serious chemical exposures, but some regular users of the paper blame it for persistent headaches, fatigue and even central nervous system damage.

  Read More

• 

  Question

  I was wondering if the new corn- or starch-based plastic containers are any safer than 1, 2, 4 and 5 plastics. If so, how much safer?

  Answer

  Since they're made with plants rather than petroleum, you're OK against the usual candidates for leaching, but there are other issues with using food products as disposable packaging.

  Read More

• 

  Question

  What should I ask for when hiring a carpet cleaner? Are there any safe carpet cleaning products?

  Answer

  The first question to ask any carpet cleaner is whether they use either perchloroethylene, the infamous dry cleaning agent, or naphthalene.

  Read More

• 

  Question

  What green products are available for the commercial cleaner and where do I purchase such products?

  Answer

  Green Seal, a nonprofit whose sole mission is evaluating products for their health and environmental impact, has certified a number of commercial products to choose from.

  Read More

• 

  Question

  So now that the media is up to par on bisphenol A (BPA), what should we do with all our polycarbonate bottles?

  Answer

  Few manufacturers are taking the bottles back, so your best bet is to check with your municipal recycler.

  Read More

• 

  Question

  What is the difference between cleaning products that use petroleum-based ingredients and cleaning products that don't?

  Answer

  Petroleum ingredients in household cleaners are really hard to avoid, even among environmentally preferable cleaners like Seventh Generation's.

  Read More

• 

  Question

  I recently started purchasing eco-friendly household cleaners. What is the proper way to dispose of my old cleaners?

  Answer

  This is a tough one, especially when it comes to cleaners. You don't want to expose yourself to hazardous chemicals, but pouring them down the drain doesn't benefit the fish much, either.

  Read More