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Women + Poor Air Quality = Risk

It’s not enough that today’s women are so busy they barely have time for themselves, but now women have to worry about air pollution. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that air pollution, particularly in the urban environment, is directly linked to fatal and non-fatal heart disease and stroke in older women. Can the same be said for men? Nope! Women have smaller blood vessels than men and are more susceptible to particles getting deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and ultimately leading to heart disease and strokes.

But there is a solution. The EPA recommends using HEPA air purifiers in the home and office, as this can greatly reduce the amount of indoor airborne pollutants, creating a breathing environment that is actually healthier than outdoor urban air. So by having your indoor air cleaned of at least 90% of airborne pollutants, you are providing a healthy lifestyle and actually reducing your risk of contributing to lung inflammation, heart disease and stroke due to high concentrations of airborne pollutants.

Thankfully, HEPA air purifiers come in many sizes and are very affordable. At GreenCulture, we carry only the top quality brands of HEPA air purifiers, such as the Alen Paralda Air Purifier, and sell them at prices that fit any budget. We know a woman’s life can be hectic, so maybe our making air purifier shopping simple can contribute a little to making a woman’s life just a tad easier.

Does your bed feel crowded?

Does your bed feel crowded with your partner and pets? Well, it’s more crowded than you may think. Did you know that there are thousands of dust mites in your bed as well. Yep, you read that right – THOUSANDS! But fear not, for microscopic dust mites, though creepy looking, are utterly harmless to humans and your pets. However, it is their droppings and shed skin casts that can cause allergic reactions in humans, including bringing on asthma attacks.

An average dust mite leaves behind their feces 20 times per day. It is the protein in these dropping and their skin casts that cause the allergic reactions, so that is why it is so important to regularly wash your sheets and pillow cases. But keep in mind that the bed is not the only place our sloppy little freeloaders dwell – carpets, couches and anyplace we plant ourselves are prime places for dust mites to call home. So make sure to regularly wipe down your furniture and vacuum you carpets.

And since their droppings and skin casts are so small, a lot of it becomes airborne, too. That’s why it’s recommended that you use a HEPA air purifier in your favorite living areas. HEPA air purifiers catch particles that are 0.3 microns in size and larger, thus cleaning your indoor air of more than 90% of airborne particles. You may not be able to entirely rid your home of dust mites, but at least you can clean up after them and allow yourself to breathe easier.

HEPA vs. Ozone

Trends and hype can be exciting, but they don’t always have our best interests in mind. Consider the buzz around ozone-generating devices being marketed as a health boosting solution to indoor air quality problems. Upper atmosphere ozone is a layer of gasses that protects us from skin damaging ultraviolet sun rays, but ground level ozone is really SMOG! Who wants to buy something creates that smog in your home?

The US Federal and State Clean Air Legislation lists what breathing in excessive ozone can do to a person:

• Eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation.
• Significant temporary decreases in lung capacity in healthy, exercising adults.
• Asthmatic individuals are especially susceptible to ozone toxicity, which includes constricting airways.
• Can cause increased sensitivity to airborne allergens and other irritants, and it can impair the body’s immune system.
• Summertime ozone episodes in the northeastern U.S. lead to 10-20% increases in hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
• Human population studies of long-term exposures to low-level ozone indicate that it may lead to permanent reduction in lung capacity; animal studies have shown chronic high-level exposures can cause lasting structural damage in the lungs.
• Children, especially asthmatics, are most at risk from exposure to ozone.

A high efficiency particle air filter (HEPA) air cleaner is a better and proven way to clean indoor air. Check out the evaluations of household air cleaners that have been published by the Consumers Report, the American Lung Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The former two reports give explicit warnings against ozone-generating devices. As the Consumer Reports’ authors conclude, after performing tests, they “wouldn’t recommend an ozone generator even as a last resort.”

UV light vs. bacteria

Ever wonder why you never got sick during those hot, summer days at the beach or pool? (Getting sunburn doesn’t count) The sun casts a special wavelength of ultraviolet light called UV-C which neutralizes flu viruses and other pathogens. In fact, UV-C also neutralizes bacteria, fungi and molds. That’s why hospitals and laboratories use UV-C on their work surfaces, indoor air and equipment to reduce the risk of infection. Also, pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing facilities use UV-C to sterilize water.

The way UV-C neutralizes viruses and other pathogens is that the UV-C damages the RNA and DNA, removing the virus’ capacity to reproduce. It’s the virus’ capacity to reproduce that causes sickness and infection.

Just keep these advantages in mind when using UV light in, say, an air purifier to clean your indoor air:

• Ultraviolet light is a non-chemical approach to disinfection.
• Because ultraviolet light works by physically damaging the DNA, viruses and other germs cannot develop resistance or immunity to it. Microorganisms will remain susceptible to UV-C light.
• It makes your environment healthier in general, providing the benefit of disabling all kinds of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds.

Here’s something to file under sustainably cool — the Solar Radio. Made with new solar cell technology to power the handheld flat-screen device, which features NXT SurfaceSound speaker and Force Sensitive Resistors for its solar cell powered touch sensitive input, this eco-friendly device is the perfect little radio for a Sunday afternoon picnic.

Ever wanted to have your very own Hobbit home? Sure you have. We all have at some point (especially after watching Lord of the Rings). A family man in Wales wanted just that and built his own low impact, environmentally-friendly Hobbit-style home with the help of some family and friends. A couple thousand man hours and approximately £3000 later, the on-going family home project is coming to fruition. Built with nothing more than spare wood, lime plaster, straw bales, solar panels, and a few eco-friendly necessities and utilities, living a sustainable lifestyle can actually be quite affordable. Of course, the matter of having access to land for a project like this is a difficult proposition. The point of it, however, like all worthwhile endeavors is the possibility of achieving a sustainable way of living in some fashion.

According to a recent survey, going green may prove to be more difficult for the average consumer as the expense of convenience and comfort is far too great. A third of Americans in the new study shows that they would give up their iPods if they knew it harmed the environment. Although the poll showed 60%  of Americans are looking for greener products, if modern conveniences were no longer convenient or comfortable, roughly 30% of people would not go out of their way for the greener alternative. “Conveniences have become necessities,” says Suzanne Shelton, whose firm conducted the survey. It’s awfully common sense to attribute comfort and convenience as barriers to any alternative lifestyle. It requires a kind of passion to undertake and change the way we live our lives, which is not a simple and easy endeavor. If the average consumer can find green products as easily as they do any other product, whether in a store or online, then perhaps we can bridge the gap and see the trend to go green widen.

By celebrating Earth Day in a simple way, you might find that the effort can lead to something you can see yourself doing every day, or at least consistently, if you haven’t already. As a starter, here are seven simple things you can do to contribute to the cause:

1. Plant some flowers, or a tree. Get some flower seeds, or a small tree if you prefer, and plant something in your yard. You’d put a great big smile on Earth’s face.

2. Recycle something. Instead of tossing that finished can of soda or bottled water in just any trash bin, take an extra step and find a recycle bin.

3. Let’s face it, there is litter everywhere. If you see an unsightly display of litter on the streets within your reaches, lend a helping hand. You will be amazed how good it feels.

4. Think you want to do more? Interested in furthering the good cause in your home? Look into composting. For the gardening enthusiast, composting is a wonderful way to use your kitchen scraps as nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

5. Want to do a little shopping today? On your short trips to the local supermarket that you normally drive to can be traveled the same on a bike or by foot. Keeping your car off the road for a bit of exercise is a win/win situation. Or, better yet, a greener alternative is to shop online.

6. And greener still as you shop online is to shop green. Our wood, metal, and glass based furniture and lighting products are made with sustainable features such as recycled and recyclable sources. Whether you’re looking for a floor lamp, dining table, coffee table, or wool rugs, GreenCulture carries a diverse selction of eco-friendly home furnishings.

7. Lastly, spread the word. Socially share your green experience with others on your blog or your twitter.

Happy Earth Day!

It seems that nowadays celebrities can avoid just about anything from jail time, rehab and long term marriages. But aside from the paparazzi, there’s one thing they can’t run from: pollution. Whoda thunk, right? According to this post on Treehugger.com, one of the worst polluted beaches in Italy is located right by George Clooney’s lovely little villa. You wouldn’t think it, but in those shimmering blue waters lie deadly microbes from unsustainable agriculture and toxic runoff. I’d highly advise against swimming in those tempting waters unless you’re looking to bring home salmonella, dermititis and a variety of other skin infections. Gross!

…greenhouse gas emissions get worse! According to this Yahoo! article, scientists believe that if they can successfully develop a balanced diet of protein, sugars and fiber for cows, cow belching and methane emissions will be reduced. And contrary to popular belief, methane gets into the atmosphere through belching not the other end. Turns out, legumes are the culprit; hard to digest legumes like alfalfa and clover are generally used as animal fodder, which in turn causes the belching. I guess beans are the magical fruit after all.

Ladies (and gentleman in certain cases)! No need to pop-a-squat anymore over seemingly harmless patches of grass while camping. The fear of being bitten by uninhibited reptilians and insects on certain unmentionables will no longer flood your mind as you water the shrubs, for the eco-friendly Portable Toilets are here to relieve any lingering concerns.

Although the light-weight Nature Plus Portable Toilet (His and Hers), available by yours truly, is ideally suited for outdoor activities and emergency situations, this strangely sturdy contraption (supporting up to 250 lbs) can also be utilized for more serene expeditions such as bird watching or a demanding morning of tai-chi. This device, used by NATO forces around the world, includes 8 waste bags that are 100% biodegradable and compostable, as it is made of Mater-Bi corn starch. These bags, which fit comfortably around the toilet seat, promote hygiene and functionality. After use, simply bury or dispose of them in the appropriate waste receptacle, fold down the collapsible frame of the toilet, and move on, feeling as fresh and smooth as a sashimi slice. No longer will you allow the fear of squatting leave you with chunky trunks!

If Tarzan and Jane could see these treehouses, boy would they be green with envy! Treehugger.com has posted this awesome story about Seattle-based TreeHouse Workshop, a carpentry company that utilizes reclaimed wood to build your fantasy-inspired treehouse, with some that come with plumbing, bathrooms, and even fireplaces! And I’m sure by special request they’ll even add in some vines for those Tarzan bellowing moments.

The penguins, my friends, are on the march, armed with not only samurai-like skills and deceptively innocuous costumes, but also, a malicious agenda aimed towards complete annihilation. As global warming continues to thin out the icecaps, these warrior-like soldiers will gather into brigades to overtake and invade our lands. With natural selection on their side, these furtive creatures will adapt masterfully to our rocky landscapes and ‘democratic’ way of living.

With global warming contributing to the melting of the icecaps, the area in which these lethal creatures have resided thus far, (deceivingly, far from us), is quickly diminishing. Emissions such as carbon dioxide and various other greenhouse gases encourage not only the warming trend of our planet’s climate, but also the rise in sea level (contributed 15% by the melting Antarctic ice caps), and the warming of the sea water. With several pieces of the Antarctic breaking off already, these devious creatures will no longer have a means to exist; the very land in which they inhabit will splinter.

At the risk of becoming extinct, these perfidious creatures will thus seek any means necessary to survive – including invading our lands and toppling our social framework. Their vindictive nature, masked by a strangely attractive yet charismatic veneer, will no doubt, easily defeat and dispose of our species. Thus, my proposal:

In face of this conceivable peril, one must act calmly and proceed accordingly. As such, we must consider the manners in which we are contributing to our own destruction. To prevent the manipulative penguin pack from even reaching our grounds, we must first attempt to slow down the process of global warming (and thus the fracturing of their arctic foundation) by:

1) Reducing our waste electricity;
2) Turning down our hot water heater;
3) Using more efficient light bulbs (fluorescent) and appliances (preferably with the EnergyStar label) and
4) Signing up for renewable energy.

With these four easy steps, the possibility of a vicious attack by one of the most intelligent and stealthy creatures on this planet (one that would indisputably ensure the destruction of the human race), will diminish. By focusing on means of reducing the effects of global warming, we in effect save ourselves from, what could be, the most vicious terrorist attack ever known.