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These carpets are becoming more popular
in part because there are, on average, 120
chemicals in each new piece of conventional
synthetic carpeting, including the adhesive.
Many of these chemicals are suspected or
known carcinogens, such as formaldehyde.
According to a spokesperson for Antibody
Assay Laboratories, which provides services
to health care providers, “These chemicals
‘off-gas' into the environment, polluting
indoor air with volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) that can create symptoms from itchy
eyes to shortness of breath, headaches and
nausea.”
If you must install new synthetic carpet,
make sure you air the carpet out well before
putting it in place. And consider using
less-toxic installation techniques such
as that developed by the Ontario, Canada-based
TacFast Systems International--a hoop-and-loop
method similar to Velcro that eliminates
the need for liquid adhesives. Another environmentally
conscious backing choice is all-natural
wool carpet padding from the Environmental
Home Center in Seattle (they ship worldwide).
The backing is made from a variety of wool
fibers, without dyes or fire retardants,
and is mechanically needled (not glued)
to biodegradable jute backing.
Getting carpets cleaned is another opportunity
to introduce unwanted chemicals into your
home. But again, alternatives do exist.
Carpet cleaning companies that specialize
in all-natural treatments--using enzymes
and other natural cleaning agents to get
rid of dirt, stains and odors--have sprung
up from coast-to-coast. And those can-do
folks who want to tackle it themselves can
mix up a batch of all-natural carpet deodorizer
(one cup baking soda, one cup dried lavender
flowers, and 5-6 drops of essential lavender
or cedarwood oil) to be sprinkled on offensive
areas as needed. Other options include AFM
Enterprises’ odorless carpet shampoo,
which decreases carpet toxicity, and Carpet
Guard, which minimizes off gassing.
One additional way to live with traditional
carpeting is to fill the room with plants
that have been shown to absorb toxins, including
aloes, philodendrons and spider plants.
CONTACTS:
Earth Weave, (706) 278-8200, www.earthweave.com
Natural Home, (707) 571-1229, www.naturalhomeproducts.com
TacFast Systems, (905) 886-0785, www.tacfastsystems.com
Environmental Home Center, www.environmentalhomecenter.com,
(800) 281-9785
AFM Enterprises, (619) 239-0321, www.afmsafecoat.com
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Dear EarthTalk:
Is it true that computers and electronic
devices contain arsenic and
other toxins, and if so should I worry about
using these products?
-
Jen Deeds, McLean, VA
As any murder mystery enthusiast knows,
arsenic can be lethal if ingested in large
amounts. Electronics manufacturers use it
as an efficient conductor of electricity;
useful when periodic strong bursts are needed.
But don't worry--the traces of the naturally
occurring element that can be found inside
your calculator, watch display, television
set or computer are not ample enough to
hurt you directly.
However, the toxins in electronics do pose
community-wide dangers if not disposed of
properly. A recent University of Florida
study found that many common electronic
devices qualify as hazardous materials according
to existing U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) definitions due to the arsenic,
mercury and lead within. As such, they should
only be discarded in permitted hazardous
waste treatment facilities.
Unfortunately, though, many of these discarded
products will end up in landfills not equipped
to handle hazardous waste, and their arsenic
and other toxins can make their way into
groundwater. The resulting drinking water
contamination has been linked to a wide
range of human ailments, including bronchitis,
liver cirrhosis and even some cancers. In
fact, the EPA considers arsenic to be a
carcinogen.
A Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition report
predicts that 500 million computers--not
to mention many more millions of televisions,
calculators and MP3 players--will become
obsolete by 2007. While there have been
no studies on arsenic specifically, researchers
have found that about 40 percent of the
toxic lead found in U.S. landfills in recent
decades originated with discarded electronics.
Further, as much as 80 percent of U.S. electronic
waste collected for recycling today is sent
to China, India and Pakistan, so the computer
you abandon today could end up contaminating
the drinking water in a developing country
tomorrow.
The best alternative to adding to the waste
stream is to upgrade or repair your old
computer or TV to keep it humming along
happily at home or office--and out of any
landfill near or far. Ironically enough,
then, by keeping your vintage electronics
around, you help safeguard your community
and others from toxic waste.
But for those who still feel compelled to
buy new and trash the old, the Seattle-based
Basel Action Network lists electronics recycling
companies by region that adhere to high
standards with regard to both environmental
and health considerations. In addition,
American and Canadian consumers can look
for products that are also sold in Europe,
as manufacturers who sell there must by
law avoid using toxins like arsenic and
lead. And if your old model still works
at all, it may be a candidate for a donation
to a local school or through Gifts In Kind,
a clearinghouse for usable used stuff. Lastly,
some computer makers, including IBM and
Hewlett-Packard, have programs to take back
and recycle old models in-house.
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