Ask TreeHugger: What Does "Carbon Neutral" Mean Anyway?

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:14:48 GMT

Question: I fail to understand how these logs could be considered carbon neutral. Are you saying that the material they are made of has absorbed carbon over its growth life and is now releasing it, so that carbon is neutral? What about the extra carbon that those plants and trees contain, that are not absorbed, but rather created by their growth. When burned, I think they put out more carbon than they absorbed during their life. Response: For this case, "carbon neutral" simply means that no extra carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when the plant waxes in the logs are burned. [Note that a different definition of "carbon neutral" describes carbon off-setting and means that any carbon emitted into the air is offset by tree planting or new conservation measures to lower the amount of emitted carbon dioxide. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Is Duraflame a Burn Out?

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:53:57 GMT

Question: I was watching TV and saw an advertisement for Duraflame logs that said that they were environmentally friendly. Is this true? Answer: As is often the case, the answer depends on what you compare them to. Manufactured firelogs, such as those made by Duraflame and Java Logs, are made of compressed sawdust, vegetable and plant wax, and other recycled ingredients, such as ground nutshells or coffee grounds. These ingredients are mixed together and shaped into log like shapes. For fireplace burning, these manufactured logs are a good, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional cut firewood for several reasons. First, their use of sawdust recycles waste and in the process saves trees. Second, their use of plant-based waxes uses carbon from a renewable source. It is also carbon-neutral, because its burning does not add extra carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and is thus more "climate" friendly. Finally, test reports have shown Duraflame and Java Logs to burn cleaner than cut cord wood, with substantially lower emissions of numerous air pollutants, such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, dioxin, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These air pollutant emissions are harmful to both environmental quality and public health. As a result of these notably lower emissions, many local environmental agencies and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend that people use manufactured logs in place of cut cord wood in their fireplaces. For example, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in Washington State has sponsored radio ads with Duraflame to promote the burning of manufactured logs in place of cut firewood in fireplaces. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: What is an Endocrine Disruptor?

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:41:53 GMT

Question: I realize that we are exposed to all types of chemicals everyday, many that we are unaware of and some which are unavoidable currently. My particular concern is of endocrine disruptor's and their effects on developing kids. I know for conventional produce there is a dirty dozen list to avoid, is there something similar for products or sources of endocrine disruptor's ... What are the five largest exposure sources for endocrine disruptor's in our daily lives? Any help or information would be great, thanks for being a great resource. Response: The endocrine system specifically includes organs, such as the pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries and the testes, that release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones, of which there are many different types, act as chemical messengers in humans and in animals, telling the body how to behave - for example, growth hormone tells the body to build muscle mass. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Don't Eat Yellow Snow...or Black...or Brown...or Pink...

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:17:08 GMT

Question: My kids always want to eat snow. If I can help it, I don't let them, but I can't watch them all the time. It's driving me crazy. What do you think? Response: If the snow is yellow, black, brown, pink or otherwise dirty, it should not be eaten, as the colors each point out the presence of a different kind of pollution - yellow pollution from animals, black and brown pollution from dirt, cars, and people, and pink from bacterial contamination. The snow can collect these pollutants once it falls to the ground by being stepped on, splashed on, peed on, or otherwise having pollution fall on it. More surprisingly to some, perhaps, snow can also become contaminated by pollution as it falls to the ground. It turns out that snow is a fairly efficient pollution collector when it is in the air. Snow is formed by water vapor that moves in clouds in cold air. As the water vapor moves in the cold air, it can stick to a tiny piece of dust and then have other water molecules attach to it, forming a crystal. Once formed, the crystal can continue to grow and can stay in the air for hours before it falls to the ground. It is during this time that the snow crystal can collect or "scavenge" pollutants that are present in the air.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Emissions vs. Concentrations

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:30:27 GMT

Question: I read with interest your great response to a question about open burning on treehugger.com and I'm just curious if you may have a moment to answer another question about particulate matter. I live in Nevada County California where open burning remains a persistent nuisance in winter months. At scorecard.org, Nevada County, California (zip code 95959) is listed as ranking (according to EPA statistics) in the bottom 10th percentile for particulate matter (pm2.5 and pm10) emissions but in the top 10th to 20th percentile for 24 hour averages of particulate matter concentrations. Can you by chance tell me something about the possible reason for this discrepancy? Response: Open burning does contribute to particle emissions and through this contribution, to particle concentrations as well. This contribution is particularly great for fine particles (PM2.5) that can be inhaled deep into people's lungs and for inhalable particles (PM10) that can be inhaled but not always deep into the lungs. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Leave Your Shoes at the Door

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:20:24 GMT

Question: My sister always insists that we take our shoes off at the door. She says that it is cleaner and safer. I think that it is an old wives tale. Is there any data to support her claim? Response: In the olden days (as my kids call them), taking your shoes off at the door was the norm. This custom is still the standard practice in Korea, Japan, and many other countries. Even in countries where shoes are generally worn indoors, related practices are followed, as door mats are often placed at entryways for people to wipe their feet before entry. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Do Cell Phones Give You a Headache?

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:42:10 GMT

Question: It seems that nearly every time I talk for a long time on my cell phone, I get a head ache. Am I being paranoid or is my cell phone doing this to me? Response: It is possible that talking on your cell phone is giving you a headache, but most likely not because of the cell phone technology. Wireless telephones are essentially two-way radios that work by transmitting low levels of radiofrequency energy or radio waves from their antennas to and from nearby base towers that are connected to telephone networks. Cell phones emit a specific type of radio wave called microwaves, which are the longest waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. As a result, they are non-ionizing, which is considered to be harmless at the low levels emitted by the cell phones. Despite this, cell phones and their base towers (that also emit these radio waves) have been a source of worry, especially for people who are frequent cell phone users or who live near cell phone base towers. Included in these worries are concerns similar to yours - that cell phone usage causes headaches, nausea, and a warmer than normal head. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Does An Organic Diet Matter?

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:12:34 GMT

Question: I only buy organic foods for my family, even though it is more expensive. I've always assumed that this reduces my family's exposure to pesticides, but recently read in the news that this isn't true. Does it? Response: Yes, with qualifications. Organic foods are essentially free of pesticides, while nearly every type of conventional fruit and vegetable has at least one type of pesticide applied to it sometime from when the seeds are put into the ground to when they are sold. Logically then, eating organic foods rather than conventional foods will reduce your family's exposure to pesticides. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: How Do I Test My Toys for Lead?

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:46:36 GMT

Question: I have three young children and they have many painted toys. I am worried that these toys have lead in them, especially because I don't know where they were made. Is it dangerous to have my kids play with them? How do I test my kids' toys for lead? Do the home testing kits work? Answer: The recent recalls of lead-containing toys have raised many concerns about the safety of our products. Although lead is a naturally occurring metal that can be found practically everywhere - in the earth's crust, batteries, water pipes, pencils (okay, not pencils -- I meant crayons), and even food -- its levels are generally declining in our products and in our environment. Lead was used for decades in gasoline, paints, and other household products, with its use steadily phased out since the 1970s in the United States, Canada, Western Europe and elsewhere. This phase out is the direct result of lead's health risks, which may be particularly large for babies and young children who are growing so quickly. These risks include blood and brain function damage and growth slowing, with these risks increasing with the amount of lead exposure. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Microwave Popcorn and The Kernel of Truth

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:29:32 GMT

Question: For the past several years, I have been eating a bag of microwave popcorn almost every day. I just read that this can damage my lungs. Is this true? Should I be worried? Answer: Microwave popcorn has been around for more than 50 years, since the invention of microwave ovens. Microwave popcorn is relatively easy to make at home using popcorn, a brown bag, some staples (yes, staples!) and other ingredients, such as salt and butter. More commonly, people make popcorn in their microwave using ready-made microwave popcorn packages, many of which contain additional chemical ingredients. The chemicals that are used to give microwave popcorn its buttery flavor are the reason why microwave popcorn has been in the news recently. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Airplanes and Personal Air Cleaners

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:57:03 GMT

Question: I travel a lot for work. Lately, every time I take a trip on an airplane, I seem to get a headache or get sick. I have seen advertisements for several personal air cleaners or for air purifiers that I can screw onto the fresh air nozzle above my seat and have been thinking of buying one. Do they work? Response: Airplanes are a unique environment. Many airplanes fly at altitudes greater than 30,000 feet, where the air contains little oxygen and is at temperatures well below freezing. As a result, the air in the plane cabin is pressurized and controlled through environmental control systems, which are designed to regulate cabin pressure, ventilation, temperature, and humidity. As concluded by a National Academy of Science (NAS) panel to investigate air quality inside planes, these environmental control systems, when operated properly, provide enough air to pressurize the cabin, meet general comfort conditions, and minimize smells, heat, and pollution. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Nearby Construction and Pollution

Thu, 24 May 2007 14:20:02 GMT

Question: A large apartment complex is going to be built in my neighborhood, starting next month and lasting through the year. There is already a lot more congestion and many more construction vehicles near my house. Is this construction dangerous? What can I do to minimize the impact of this construction? Response: As you are already witnessing, construction has many impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. Construction tends to be loud, dusty, and bothersome. If the construction includes demolition, some of the generated dust may contain pollutants, such as asbestos or metals, that are potentially harmful. Also, construction is likely to increase congestion in your neighborhood -- both from usual and rerouted traffic and from construction vehicles. This increased congestion generally means more pollution for your neighborhood. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Is Aluminum Cookware Bad For You?

Thu, 17 May 2007 12:12:36 GMT

Question: I've seen Asktreehugger articles on Treehugger.com and I'm very glad that you're doing this. I have a question about aluminum. I know the health risk aluminum can create for the body if one takes in too much as well as it's link to Alzheimers disease. I know that aluminum cookware, cans, and that antiperspirant can pose health risks. My question is about aluminum "cookware". I've heard cooking acidic foods in aluminum cookware can cause the aluminum to leach out of the pan so I've avoided them. However, I've found a high quality cast aluminum manual juicer by Ra Chand and I'm wondering if this all aluminum juicer will pose a significant risk to my health. Do you think the risk to my health will be high if I use it daily to squeeze oranges and other citrus fruits-especially because of their acidity? Could they cause enough leaching of aluminum for it to be a health risk? Or does the aluminum have to be exposed for a relative time period to the citrus for leaching to occur. What would you recommend? Response: Aluminum, a soft metal, is found nearly everywhere in the environment. Most exposures to aluminum occur through ingestion or eating and drinking, with daily intakes generally low, averaging between 30-50 mg. For the typical person, drinking water, medicines and other pharmaceuticals (such as antacids and antiperspirants) are the biggest contributors to aluminum exposures; however, aluminum cookware is also a potential source. As you note, aluminum exposures have raised some health concerns due to the effects of aluminum on the human nervous system and the much discussed (but inconclusive) linkages between aluminum exposures and Alzheimer's disease. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: How Much Pollution is Emitted from Yard Waste Fires?

Wed, 09 May 2007 19:22:01 GMT

Question: Do you know of an research as to the amount of particulates released by burning yard waste? Branches, stumps etc.? I live in a beautiful rural county, and some of us are fed up with burn piles. I need some hard data. Response: Open burning of yard waste includes any unenclosed burning of yard waste, which generally includes tree parts, leaves, and other biomass but may also include other household waste as well. Burning yard waste is typically regulated by local authorities. Open burning of yard waste is generally a source of concern due to its high pollutant emissions and to its increased fire and safety risks. Open burning is a substantial source of pollution, especially as compared to other municipal waste combustors or other closed burning, because it does not burn the waste efficiently or completely, as evidenced by the black or grey smoke coming from the open burn. This smoke is black from particles and soot produced by the inefficient burning. Of further concern is that open burns emit pollution at ground level and at specific times of the year. As a result, exposures to open burn-related pollutants may be more intense than would be experienced from other typical air pollutant sources. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Is Mercury from a Broken CFL Dangerous?

Tue, 01 May 2007 16:42:43 GMT

Question: I have been in the process of converting to an all CFL household only to find out by trial and error (and some googling) that CFL's fail very quickly in track lighting and recessed fixtures. In my online searches I have stumbled upon some real horror stories about people who have broken the bulbs in their homes which has resulted in thousands of dollars worth of cleanup to remove the mercury. I did read in the past the post about the quality of various manufacturers, but do you have any information on "best practices" for use and safety/disposal/mercury contamination topics? As far as the mercury information goes - I am not looking for a debate about how much mercury ends up in the environment from other sources.... I just want to know if my kids are going to get mercury poisoning if a bulb breaks in their rooms. Real scientific responses only please. Response: There has recently been some concern over the possibility that broken CFLs can be an important source of exposures to mercury, a toxic metal and a key component of compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). Although mercury is a toxic pollutant, mercury exposures from broken CFLs are not likely to harm you and your family. This is due to several factors, including the amount and duration of your exposures and the specific type of mercury that you are exposed to. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Are Tattoo Inks Toxic?

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:39:44 GMT

Question: I've been wanting to get myself a tattoo for a few weeks, but I've heard that tattoo inks can be toxic. Where/How can I find a tattoo artist who uses "safe" inks? Response: The safety of tattoo inks or pigments have recently been the subject of some attention, possibly the result of a lawsuit brought by the American Environmental Safety Institute (AESI) against Huck Spaulding Enterprises, Inc., Superior Tattoo Equipment Co., and other tattoo ink sellers in the U.S. As a result of this lawsuit, the companies must place a warning for their California customers on their tattoo ink labels, catalogs and Internet sites that reads "inks contain many heavy metals, including lead, arsenic and others" and that the ingredients have been linked to cancer and birth defects. These adverse effects have been shown for exposures that occur over long time periods to these and other heavy metals, although not explicitly from these metals in tattoos. Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate tattoo pigments, tattoo pigments have not yet been approved by FDA for injection into the skin, as is done when a tattoo is made. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Household Green Paint Alternatives

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:57:01 GMT

Question: I need to paint the inside of my house, but don't want to use the traditional paints, which I know have many chemicals. Are there chemical-free alternatives? Response: Traditional household paints contain many chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a large group of carbon-based chemicals that are volatile, meaning that they like to exist as a gas. The type and amount of VOCs in a household paint generally varies with the type and brand of paint, but traditional household paints generally contain many VOCs, including benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene. Some of these VOCs have been linked in scientific studies to bad health outcomes, including eye, nose and throat irritation, nauseau, headaches, and even cancer. Because VOCs are volatile, they can "off-gas" from the walls into the air as the paint is applied or as it dries. This, combined with the fact that the paint is usually applied to a large area, can cause people living or spending time in these freshly painted homes to have exposures to VOCs that are much greater than normal - as much as 1000 times greater. These potentially large exposures - and resulting smells, headaches, and other potential health effects -- cause many (including you!) to look for lower VOC or chemical-free paints. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Wood vs. Pellet Stoves

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:54:28 GMT

Question: We recently purchased a condo in the Boston area (Somerville, to be specific), and after a winter heated by the existing (gas-fired) forced air heating system we're thinking about looking at alternatives to augment our heating system and hopefully simultaneously reduce costs. [More after the jump.]... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Do Scented Candles Stink?

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:18:10 GMT

Question: I have scented candles in my bedroom and living room, which I like to burn when I come home from work and want to relax. Lately, I have noticed that my walls look a little dingy. Is this from the candles? Why? Response: In addition to leaving a nice smell, scented candles can also leave black soot and other pollutants (such as formaldehyde and acrolein) inside your home. The soot (especially) can deposit onto your walls, ceilings, and other indoor surfaces, leaving these surfaces looking dirty and dingy. Not all candles are equally polluting. Several scientific studies have shown scented candles to be more polluting than non-scented varieties, producing more soot as the result of more incomplete combustion that may occur from the presence of additional chemicals in the candle. The amount of soot produced can vary depending not only on the type of candle, but also the type and length of the wick and how drafty your house is. This variation can cause one type of candle to emit 100 times more soot than another type of candle. As you are probably seeing, emitted soot can mean more cleaning and interior home maintenance for you. In addition, it is also possible that soot and other chemicals emitted from the candles may harm your health, since soot from outdoor combustion sources has been linked to bad health outcomes. However, the health impacts from candle-produced soot are not known.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Do Hand Sanitizers Work?

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 07:41:11 GMT

Question: Will a Purell-type hand sanitizer help me avoid getting a cold? Response: The common cold is caused by a viral infection of the respiratory tract that produces runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and other symptoms. In laboratory tests, alcohol-based hand sanitizers like Purell have been shown to inactivate viruses and make them non-infectious. To be effective, however, the sanitizer has to get to the virus before the virus reaches your nose and begins an infection that leads to a head or chest cold. There are many types of viruses that can cause an infection that can result in a head or chest cold. You can come into contact with any of these viruses by two routes, by breathing them in through your nose or mouth or by touching the virus and then your nose or mouth with your hands. As you might expect, hand sanitizers work best against viruses that are transferred by your hands rather than through the air. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Black Clouds and Air Conditioners

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:39:25 GMT

Question: Our air-conditioner has begun emitting black, soot-like particles when we turn it on. We've tried cleaning the filter but it continues. Are these particles dangerous? Does this mean that we need a new air conditioner? Also, how do you know if an air-conditioner is leaking freon? Response: Window air conditioners contain rubber gaskets that can become brittle after many years of use. As a result, the rubber gaskets can eventually break apart into tiny pieces that can then be blown out of the air conditioner. If your air conditioner is more than several years old, the black dust is probably these little pieces of gasket that are blown from your air conditioner. These gasket pieces are probably not dangerous. Since you can see the specks of the gasket, the gasket pieces are too big for you to breathe them into your lungs. It is possible that little gasket pieces can get into your body if they get blown on your food or if they get on your hands and you happen to eat them by mistake. But, eating these gasket pieces by accident are unlikely to be cause you any harm. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: What's the Dirt on Phosphate-Free Soaps?

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:23:50 GMT

Question: Why is it so important to use phosphate free soaps? Is there a difference in how they work? They don't seem much more expensive, but is there a catch? Also, why aren't all soaps phosphate free? We know it is possible since there are many on the market, and we are told that they are better for nature. So why still make the more harmful soaps? Response: Phosphorus, generally in the form of phosphates, has historically been one of the main ingredients in detergents (which are soaps made from synthetic materials). In the detergents, phosphates served as a "builder" to improve the detergent's cleaning efficiency. Builders, such as STPP, are important to the cleaning process, as they help to remove dirt from the clothes and to minimize soap scum (often seen as a ring on the tub, washing machine, or shirt collars). The need for builders in detergents and soaps is especially important in areas with "hard" water that contain calcium and magnesium ions, since the builders prevent these ions from interfering with the cleaning process. Of the detergent builders, phosphates were the most popular, because of their superior cleaning performance. Their strong cleaning performance, however, has increasingly been overshadowed by their harmful effects on rivers, lakes, streams, and other fresh waters. Levels of phosphates in these fresh water bodies can be much higher than normal as the result of contamination from municipal and domestic wastewater that contains phosphates -- some or much of which (depending on your perspective) comes from phosphate-containing detergents that go down the drain after use. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Getting Rid of Cigarette Smoke

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:12:23 GMT

Question: I live in a small apartment building. When I come home after work, I smell cigarette smoke in my apartment, which I think comes from my downstairs neighbor. How can I get rid of the smell? Response: Cigarette smoke can come into your apartment from other apartments in many ways. The amount coming in usually depends on the ventilation in your apartment and the building, the weather, and cracks in walls and floors. Once in your apartment, the smell of tobacco smoke can linger, as it can can be absorbed into clothing and furniture. Other than getting your neighbor to stop smoking inside the building either through persuasion or legal remedies, it will be difficult to prevent the smoke odor from entering your apartment. If you have a forced air ventilation system in your apartment, the odor may be entering your apartment through the vents. If so, the maintenance person for your building may be able to reconfigure your air handling system, which may help reduce or eliminate the odor.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Pets and Allergies

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 07:38:58 GMT

Question: Do you have any advice on reducing pet hair and dander (in addition to vacuuming) in a home where people suffer from allergies? Response: Pets allergies can be a significant problem not only for people living with the pets but also for their visitors. Short of finding your pet another home, pet allergies can be best reduced by removing exposures to pet dander, loose skin flakes, hair, urine, and saliva --the main causes of pet allergies. This basically means that you have to get rid of all pet produced allergens (or allergy-causing pet products) -- a difficult and if not impossible task, especially for cats, which have particularly "sticky" dander. The reason that it is so difficult to get rid of all pet allergens is that pets produce these allergens constantly and that once produced, these allergens (especially from cats) can be carried everywhere. As a result, your house can only be kept clean of pet allergens if you clean your home constantly.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: What Is Vapor Intrusion?

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 13:31:44 GMT

Question: Could you discuss the issues and health risks related to "vapor intrusion" of volatile organic chemicals into buildings from contaminated sites? What can a homeowner or purchaser do to find out if there is a vapor intrusion risk at home, schools, or day care centers? Response: "Vapor intrusion" (sometimes called "soil gas vapor intrusion") is what happens when chemicals move from the ground or water into your home or other buildings. Chemicals that enter your home through the ground often belong to a class of chemicals called "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs), which as their name implies are volatile, and thus like to exist as a gas. This property is important, allowing VOCs to move easily through openings that exist between the soil grains and thus to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. Since basements tend to be at lower pressure than the ground below, this pressure-related movement can cause VOCs to enter your home from the ground through openings or cracks in your foundation. Once inside, the VOCs can spread through out your home with the help of natural air flow, room or house fans, or other home ventilation devices. When this occurs, vapor intrusion can be an important source of indoor pollution in your home.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Are Exposures to Diesel Exhaust Related to My Heart Problems?

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:47:05 GMT

Question: I am a retired fireman who has developed heart problems. In the fire station, there were a lot of diesel fumes. Are these diesel fumes responsible for my heart problems? Could they have affected my health? Response: Diesel exhaust exposures have been linked to heart (and lung) problems in many research studies. These studies show fairly consistently that higher levels of diesel pollution in the outdoor air is related to higher number of deaths, hospital admissions, heart attacks, and other bad health outcomes. Since these studies base their results on populations (and not individuals), their results say that on average an increase in bad health outcomes may occur for the group that they studied, often a group of people living in a particular city or a group of elderly people. What this means for you is not that clear. Even though these studies show that inhaling diesel fumes is bad, they don't necessarily say anything about whether diesel fumes in your firehouse are responsible for your specific heart problems. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Why Is My Water Brown?

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:27:12 GMT

Question: Recently, every time I turn on the tap, my water looks brown. What makes it brown and is it safe to drink? Response: Your drinking water may be brown because it has too much iron in it. Iron is a common, naturally occurring metal in soil, and as a result, is normally present in your drinking water. Under normal conditions, drinking water provides about 5% of the iron that you are supposed to drink or eat each day. You need iron to survive, as iron is an key part of red blood cells and is used to trap oxygen and carry it from your lungs to other parts of your body. Although not dangerous to drink, brown water is unappealing and annoying. Iron-containing water may have a funny, metallic taste and may stain anything white, including your clothes, toilets, bathtubs, and other surfaces. Iron can get into your water in several ways. One of the most common ways is when rust gets dislodged from water pipes. This can happen when pressure in the pipes changes, for example when water pipes are repaired or when water in the pipes is shut off and then turned back on again. If you get water from a well, it is also possible that more iron than normal entered your well water from the surrounding soil and dirt. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Is Eating Seaweed Dangerous?

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 13:56:37 GMT

Question: I was wondering if you could tell me how safe eating seaweed is these days, pollution wise. I hear lots about fish, but nothing about seaweed. Our family consumes 6-12 ounces a week. We buy organic, but it's wild caught. I eat seaweed in salads, sandwiches, and sushi. Mostly we just snack on dulse. -which I believe comes from the Atlantic. And we use Kombu, kelp, when cooking soups and beans. I believe the Kombu is local. We're in Santa Cruz, Ca. Thanks so much for your time! Response: Edible seaweed is a marine algae that can come in many forms, including the type that you mention, kombu, as well as the commonly eaten wakame and nori seaweeds. Although long part of the Asian diet, edible seaweed has increasingly become a part of Western diets due to its well-documented nutritional and often discussed medicinal qualities. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Can I Stand In Front of the Microwave?

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 11:59:15 GMT

Question: Is it really dangerous to stand in front of the microwave while it's cooking something? Response: Microwave ovens cook food using microwave radiation (at a frequency of 2450 mHz), which is also used by mobile phones, TV broadcasting, and radar systems. Microwave radiation differs from radiation produced from the sun or X-rays, in that it is non-ionizing and thus non-cancer causing. Nevertheless, the use of microwave radiation to cook food has raised some concerns about microwave ovens, generally because of possible radiation leaks, nutrient loss, and the possibility of cancer causing food byproducts. Standing in front of your microwave may increase your exposures to microwave radiation; however, such increases are likely to be low, especially when compared to your exposures to microwave radiation from your cell phone. Exposures to microwave radiation are kept low by the oven design, which makes sure that microwaves stay inside the oven and are only produced when the oven is on and the door is shut. Radiation leaks around and through the glass door are generally below levels recommended by international standards.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ask TreeHugger: Should I Worry About Musty Odors?

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 10:33:15 GMT

Question: I'm considering making an offer to buy a home but am hesitating because of concern about a strong musty odor in the basement. Should I be worried about this smell? Response: I suspect that the smell comes from mold, which as it grows, can emit a mixture of gases that smells musty and earthy. Mold, which is a type of fungi, can have many different forms and can be present nearly anywhere. Molds reproduce by producing tiny spores, which will grow anywhere there is water, organic materials (such as paper, wood, or cellulose) and oxygen. When present indoors, mold can be a significant structural and health concern. Since mold requires moisture to grow, water must be entering the basement routinely - possibly through leaky windows, the foundation, or a leaking pipe. Chronic water problems can not only lead to mold but can also damage the home and lead to structural problems in the long run. Mold can cause additional damage by breaking down walls, wood, and other building materials.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Helen Suh MacIntosh, Cambridge, MA, USA