Toxic Air In Your Car/ Need To Be Aware

http://www.malaya.com.ph/12112009/edchua.html


Your automobile could pose some risks to your life, even before it moves.’


ENTERING you car, without first opening the windows for a few minutes to allow air from the outside to circulate and aerate the inside, especially when parked under the sun, may be hazardous to your health.


Indeed, your automobile could pose some risks to your life, even before it moves. Like we exercise great caution when driving to prevent injuries to ourselves and to others leading to loss of limb or life, so should we protect ourselves and passengers in our car, even prior to boarding it.


We are referring to the toxic air in the car from chemical vapor coming from heated dashboard and other interior parts of the car made of plastic and synthetic sofa materials, and from air fresheners and aerosols. Turning the air-conditioning on, without prior aeration (to replace stale and impure air with fresh one) through all four opened windows, will only re-circulate the polluted air within the car.


The toxin Benzene, a carcinogen (cancer-causing) is said to be emitted when plastic is subjected to a high temperature, like in a closed parked car under the sun. Besides being harmful to persons with asthma and allergies, air fresheners and aerosols used in cars and at home, are likewise suspects for toxicity, which could cause harm to bones, blood cells, liver, kidneys, etc.


Experts believe that the acceptable indoor level of Benzene is 50 mg per square foot. The level goes up to 400-800 mg in a parked car with doors and windows shut. This toxic "vapor" goes up 40 times higher that the "acceptable" level, to 2000-4000 mg, in cars parked with windows closed under the sun at an ambient temperature of 60 degrees F. During summer, the temperature could go up higher than a hundred.


It is, therefore, important to open the car windows to allow stale air to flow out as fresher air from the outside comes in for a couple of minutes, before we enter the car, turn on the air conditioner, close the door and windows, and drive on.


Common sense tells us that the cleaner the air we breathe in, the healthier it is for us. Any strategy to prevent or reduce air pollution around us is well worth all our effort as earthlings. After all, the air we inhale provides us an essential and vital element we cannot live without, one that keeps us alive: oxygen.

Detoxifying baths

The snow has stopped and is slowly melting. We can get out and cabin fever is subsiding. I took the time indoors to work on detoxing which is so important for MCS and other Environmental Illnesses. Detox baths are easy ways to accomplish this. Using a product like Beyond Cleanse or something on hand at home like apple cider vineagar or baking powder, will leave you feeling healthier and like you have done something very very good for your body.

Vitamen C is also a very good detoxifier. Just be sure to get a purer form with no extra fillers.

So, instead of putting toxic bubble bath or toxic bath oil in your bath water, think about pouring in a detoxifier. Your body will let you know that it is working.

Snowy Day with MCS

Here we are, having another snowy day. At least we aren't snowed in completely at this time. I grew up in sunny California, far from the snow or bad weather of any kind. I was a true California girl, spending my teens and years beyond at the beautiful beaches, soaking in the sun and enjoying the feeling of health and warmth they offered. I would never have imagined living in the snow let alone in the mountains. Then when MCS struck, I couldn't utilize any of the beaches, areas, stores etc. that had been there my whole life. We looked for an alternative safer place to live. We have been in Snowy Colorado for five years now , and have found that this California girl has learned to love the snow. Besides looking beautiful, it cleanses the air and gives me the ability to live in relative safety.
So, when the weather man reports that a snowstorm is coming, I no longer think "UGH, not again" but know that as long as we have coffee, food and electricity, we can hunker down and just enjoy!

Safe partying with MCS

Partying with MCS is a challenge and an effort to have fun while staying safe throughout the holidays. We have to make sure that we are in a safe place odor wise, as well as watch what food we put in our bodies that won't make us react from chemicals and preservatives. I just went to a wonderful holiday party where we all made organic goodies from dips, to pasta dishes to biscotti for dessert. My husband even found an organic Vodka without sulfites that I can indulge in every once in a while. The trick is to ask ask ask. Many people are willing to make food accommodations if they understand how to do it. Many recipes are also easy to convert to organic since there are so many organic foods available in the market today.

So, enjoy the holiday and be safe at the same time. And if you need the perfect Holiday Red Onion Dip, email me for it!

Fighting MCS

I haven't posted for a very long time. I realized that in fighting my battle with MCS that even the extra energy it took to write on a blog was more than I could do. Happily a few years later, my health has improved in many ways and I'm out in the world again. Now the trick is to stay there and find a balance of being an Environmentally Ill person trying to live in a world full of Chemicals, chemicals and more chemicals.

Am I going to win the battle?

Safe Room/Oasis Room

http://www.drkatherine.info/environmental_medicine/Oasis_Room.htm


This is a great site for making a safe room in the house for MCS/ Chemical Injury Illness or any other Respiratory or Environmental Illness