A harmful chemical with the strange name “phthalates” contaminates indoor air in the majority of America’s houses. Many of these phthalates come from synthetic air fresheners. A study by the National Resources Defense Council found that 12 out of 14 air fresheners contain phthalates, and three at very high levels. It’s also slipped into dryer sheets, shampoos, cleaning supplies, and other products under the blanket term “fragrance.” When you see the words “contains fragrance” on a label, chances are the product contains phthalates.

Instead of dissipating quickly, phthalates offgas slowly sticking to household dust, which can be easily inhaled or ingested. Phthalates are suspected of exacerbating asthma and allergies and are suspected of interfering with hormones and the reproductive development of baby boys.

Take Action!

•  Toss out your air fresheners and open your windows.
• Next time you find yourself faced with an unwanted odor, eliminate it at the source instead of trying to mask it.
• Skip dryer sheets and fabric softeners. Add baking soda, instead, to the rinse cycle to soften fabrics and eliminate static cling.
• Make your home smell fresh by sprinkling baking soda in your trash can and adding lemon to homemade cleaning solutions.

Say “no thank you” to synthetic fragrance.

In fact, limit all wireless phone calls. Put that landline back in and use it most of the time. This is breaking news, a subject we’re sure to hear a lot more about in the next couple of years. Several recent studies have found that there is a distinct correlation between brain and neck tumors and prolonged use of wireless phones.

Until now, authoritative research had supported the overall safety of cell phones, but some say the newly widespread use of cell phone technology, and the prolonged use over years, could represent risks that weren’t adequately tested in earlier studies.

Here’s a look at the results of two recent studies:

• A 2007 study conducted in five Northern European countries found a significantly increased risk of developing glioma after using a cell phone for more than ten years. Glioma is a cancer of central nervous system cells, usually the brain. It’s the kind of tumor Senator Ted Kennedy has.
• A 2008 study of over 13,000 mothers in Denmark revealed that using cell phones can increase the risk of having kids with behavioral problems due to radiation exposure. Even using the handset as few as two or three times a day can raise the risk of their children having hyperactivity, as well as difficulty with conduct, emotions and relationships.

Did you know the average American household throws away 14% of its food purchases, either because the food spoils or because we cook too much and toss the leftovers? Your family could save an estimated $11.35 a week—that’s almost $600 a year—simply by eating the food you buy.

Check your refrigerator and shelves to see what you already have, pulling older items to the front. Then make a weekly menu before shopping, so you know exactly how much you’ll need, and include leftovers in your meal list. Plan on eating perishable vegetables first. Keep fruit in sight so it won’t be forgotten.

Eliminate food waste and you’ll save landfill space, energy, water, and other resources. Add to that the environmental costs associated with growing. According to National Geographic’s Green Guide, If all Americans reduced food waste by 10 percent, we would prevent millions of pounds of pesticides from being applied to an area roughly the size of New Jersey.

So buy less. And eat what you buy before shopping for more.