Do
you want your precious pet to stay healthy and live as long as possible? Many factors
affect your pets health and life span, and one of these is exposure to toxic
airborne chemicals in their environment. Get rid of harmful chemicals in your home, and
you can lessen the likelihood of chronic health problems affecting your pet, perhaps
lengthening your pets life span and the amount of time the two of you will spend
together.
Indoor air pollution is steadily increasing, and our pets are even more vulnerable to
toxic airborne chemicals than we are. Long term chemical exposure
can lead to respiratory problems, skin diseases, various other diseases affecting organs
such as the liver and kidneys, and even cancer.
We can make our homes more environmentally healthy for our pets by using products that
contain fewer toxic chemicals. The following list provides the
names of products that may contain airborne chemicals and some healthier alternative
products.
CHEMICAL SOURCES |
SUBSTITUTES |
| Paints |
Use
Low toxic water based paints (low VOC's), casein |
| Synthetic
Carpets |
Try
natural materials such as sisal, sea grass, coir, wool (untreated with lindate, etc) |
| Vinyl
Flooring |
Install
cork, linoleum |
| Varnishes |
Use
beeswax, linseed oil, unfinished wood |
| Cleaning
Products |
Clean
with water & vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide |
| Fabric
Softener |
Avoid
using (due to amount of chemical emissions) |
| Plywood,
Composition Boards |
Use
solid wood, Exterior plywood only |
| Room
Deodorizers |
Use
cloves, lavender, scented flowers. Open windows. |
| Glue |
Use
wood glue instead of solvent - based glue. Ventilate house. |
| Synthetic
Pesticides |
Clean
& vacuum regularly. Close off any openings in home. Avoid building materials around
foundation that could attract insects. |
| Laundry
Detergents |
Use
biodegradable, unscented products. |
Healthy Food for Pets offers pet friendly non-toxic and biodegardable cleaning
products. Click
here for more information.
RESOURCES FOR MORE
INFORMATION:
Environmental Protection Agency
800/438-4318, www.epa.gov/iaq/
Environmental Health Clearinghouse
800/643-4794
Washington Toxics Coalition
206/652-1545, www.watoxics.org
National Pesticide Telecommunications Network
800/858-7378, http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn/index.html
National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides
202/543-5450, www.beyondpesticides.org
Important Disclaimer: The stories and information on
this site are not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. If you or your pet has a medical
problem, you should consult your medical doctor or veterinarian. The ideas and information
on this site have not been endorsed or approved by the FDA. In no event shall the owners
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