My family and I live in an old house in Vermont.  It was built long ago in a different energy environment and today, if heated to 70F in the winter, leaves a carbon footprint like a Hummer-driving, private jet-flying T-Rex.  But we’ve found that greening it to reduce our carbon footprint isn’t always the same as greening it to protect our environmental health.

Soon after occupying the house, we had a professional energy audit. An auditor rates your house based on a series of tests that indicate how much warm air leaks out, and then provides options for tightening up the house’s “seal”.  Ours fell into the “leaks like a sieve” category, and we have proceeded to slowly tighten up the seal.

I dutifully purchased the supplies our energy adviser recommended, including lots of silicone sealant to close up gaps around doors and windows. But somewhere between the hardware store and home, words on one of the packages caught my eye: “this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm”.   Oh.  For a moment, I’ll admit, I entertained a fleeting, wishful thought “maybe it just causes cancer in the state of California, but not Vermont?” (Embarrassing to admit, but I’ll bet I’m not the only one.  And I imagine the lobbying and legal wrangling that went into crafting that artful language.)

The sealant sat while I agonized about what to do. The auditor didn’t know of any greener and effective options, and I want grandchildren. Finally, one day when no one was home, I opened all the windows, suited up like Cher in Silkwood, and cracked open the sealant. The house smelled for about a day while the sealant dried. I continue to feel guilty, but I’m also not wearing mittens as I type this.

For more about green home renovations, see http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/

Also, after we initially posted this, a Facebook fan passed on this excellent resource for friendlier sealants.

I have a confession to make. I’m addicted to single-use plastic bags…

 
I’ve tried to quit. I’ve tried substituting paper for plastic. And of course I own a bunch of Chicobags and a plethora of other reuseable shopping bags. But as a busy working mom who lives 30-minutes from the nearest supermarket, I often shop when I can. Which means I don’t always have bags with me when I head to the store. I know, it’s shameful. But awareness is the first step toward making change, right?

Perhaps because of my pervasive plastic habit, I was struck by a recent news story about Yvonne Benedict, a so-called “bag lady” in northern, VT, whom the reporter described as “an unlikely environmental superhero.” Hey, if an 86-year-old woman can find a way to help the environment, I can too. Have a look at what Yvonne is doing to keep plastic bags out of local landfills. 

Still wondering about that age-old question: Paper or plastic?
In addition to contributing to environmental devastation, studies show that the inks and colorants used on some plastic bags contain  lead, proven to damage the brain, kidneys, and reproductive system, and cause birth defects, slow growth, and  hearing problems. 

They say admitting your addition is the first step in kicking the habit. Now that my secret is, well, no longer secret, I'm committed to redoubling my efforts to bagging my bag habit. I'll keep you posted.

Some people hate grocery shopping. I like it. If I'm not in a rush to get somewhere, pick up my kids, etc., I'll stroll up and down the aisles looking for fresh produce, sale items, and culinary inspiration.

Now that I know a little more about the ubiquitous nature of environmental contaminants (they're practically EVERYWHERE), food shopping is a little more stressful, however. (So much for retail therapy!) Fortunately, there are resources like the Environmental Working Group a non-profit whose mission is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. They offer all sorts of facts about human health and toxins, consumer tools and tips for reducing your exposure to nasty chemicals, and their recently published "Shoppers Guide to Pesticides" that you can download to your home computer or iPhone. This free guide will help you decide which produce to buy organic, and which conventionally grown fruits and veggies are okay if organic isn't available (or is too expensive).

If you're not sure what to do once you get past the produce section, PPNNE just created a series of fridge-friendly brochures that will give you insight into which fish are safest to eat (such as tilapia and pollack) , what cosmetics and personal care products to avoid, how to identify "poison plastics" (mentioned by Val in an earlier post), and even how to make your own cleaning products. Let us know if you'd like us to send you a set. There are also lots of great websites and other resources listed on this site. Check them out!

Not so long ago, I used to LOVE that new shower curtain smell. You know the one I mean. I remember inhaling so deeply, that I’d sometimes get a bit dizzy. Now I know that the intoxicating smell I once enjoyed was actually TOXIC – and perhaps reaping havoc with my health and reproductive system. In fact, according to the Center for Health, Environment and Justice new laboratory testing found that those innocuous-looking vinyl shower curtains can release over 100 chemicals into the air, some of which can damage the respiratory and reproductive systems, and even cause cancer. (And I thought mold and mildew were the culprits!) The good news is that safer PVC-free curtains are widely available. So, if it’s time to replace that grungy old shower curtain or liner but you’re worried about bringing toxic chemicals into your home, check out this FREE resource: Pass Up the Poison Plastic - The PVC-Free Guide for Your Family & Home. In addition to providing some alternatives to PVC-based products, this comprehensive guide includes info about other plastics to avoid (such as polycarbonate and polystyrene) and tips for what you can do to shop smarter.